Practice What You Praise
Title: Practice What You Praise
Author: Candice Y. Johnson
Publisher: Read for Joy (ML Stimpson Enterprises) (September 15, 2015)
Number of Pages: 153 pages
ASIN: B011AXSIJA (EBook)
ISBN-10: 1943563020 (Paperback)
ISBN-13: 978-1943563029 (Paperback)
About The Author:
Candice Y. Johnson is a choreographer, dancer, indie actress, speaker, author and freelance writer who has rested her head on a pillow in Dallas, Texas for most of her life. Known for her dynamic choreography as the artistic director of the award-winning Ordered Steps Productions dance company, Candice has garnered more social media support for her original, creative, energetic writing style than her not-so-veiled obsession with Tabasco Sauce! Her work has been featured in the Associated Press, the Dallas Morning News, TV Guide, Curly Nikki, Mahogany Curls, her own blog – "The Frizzness", and so much more! Currently, she’s using her left-handed brainpower to pour into the next chapter of the Practice What You Praise novel series! When not enjoying the occasional fleeting moment at home with her hubby, this dance ministry coach and encourages moves to her own invisible beat, and is dancing from her keyboard straight to the heart of the people!
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About This Book:
Pregnant and unwed, Jojo was quickly dismissed from the church's praise team, though the baby's father (a choir musician) remained in his position thanks to his familial ties at church. Two years later, Jojo believes she's paid the price for her choices and wants her spot back--after all, anyone who has ever seen her dance knows that she's anointed to praise Him in the dance. But how long must one "sit down" before being reinstated? Isn't a repentant heart and a humbled spirit enough?
Pastor Trigg wants to lead the church in the right direction, but the congregation seems quite divided about how to move forward with letting Jojo--who is still in high school--dance in the sanctuary. Will allowing her to dance set a bad precedent? Can the members forgive and forget? While trying to sort through what's best for the church, his personal life seems to be a total bust. Will he ever find true love? This debut work deals with a sensitive topic while maintaining a uniquely humorous point of view. Jojo will have you laughing out loud and make you while the story line begs the question: Who gives whom the right to praise?
Practice What You Praise Book Review:
Candice Johnson present the reader a matter-of-fact observation into legitimate life events that take place in the church. JoJo who is a sixteen year old teen who has a baby out of wedlock by the church praise and worship leader. She experiences so much judgement from her fellow Christians at her House of Worship. The characters in this narrative manifest real life church folks . The teen character "JoJo " who is humble, only wants to do one thing and that is give back to God with the gift of dance is instilled in her by God, but as she returns she faces much opposition and criticism from the church members, and some family members while they are getting ready for a dance production. With this situation it brings the Pastor in who also carries the burden of whether she should dance or remain seating due to the church folks nagging him, then you meet her mama who like most mothers don’t play about her children, love God but will put it down for hers. Even to the contrary, the character JoJo and her baby's father were teenagers, they both took on the obligation of raising their child enthusiastically, battling the Devil's warriors all along the way. Sometimes, they were more sophisticated than their parents. And JoJo groom to retain her focus on using God's gift to minister through dancing to the congregation in the amplitude the Holy Spirit directed. You will laugh at the brilliance of the wonderful metaphors the author use, along with fussing at some of the characters acting like they have never done anything wrong against God. You will empathize with JoJo and have respect for her. All in all this a great book that will capture you at the beginning and pull you right in as though you were there the whole time and could tell your own side and how you felt . But most of all you will see God wonderful grace and mercy shown, and what he means in scripture Romans 11:29 (KJV). For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Many thanks to Candice Y. Johnson for allowing God to guide the pen to create her first Christian Novella. She was able to take the issue of teen pregnancy and show how so many lives are affected. It also exemplify how self-proclaimed Holy Thou Christians can be so judgmental of others, while some are still dealing with their own consciences and trying to clutches if they've asked, they've already been pardoned or forgiven. Some so-called Church Folks are living in glass houses.... But, that was not the only message. Her exhortation was more of do unto others. And trust, there was a exhortation there underneath the compelling scribble.Even to the contrary, the character JoJo and her baby's father were teenagers, they both took on the obligation of raising their child enthusiastically, battling the Devil's warriors all along the way. Sometimes, they were more sophisticated than their parents. And JoJo groom to retain her focus on using God's gift to minister through dancing to the congregation in the amplitude the Holy Spirit directed. I was really comprehensively absorbed in the characters and the plot from the first page to the last page. I'm anticipate for Epiphany's sequel and maybe Pastor Trigg? I will definitely advocate this book to those individuals fascinated with an unique writing style that deliver out all variety of reader excitement—from anger to laughter.