“But
we’ve got to find my dad now!” John insisted. “Don’t you understand? He may be
able to help her!”
“Like
I told you before,” his grandfather said, “there’s a timing to things, John. We
have to wait on the King’s timing. I want to find your dad, but I don’t feel
peaceful about it yet, and I’m not sure why. But I think we’ll go soon.”
“I’ve
waited long enough!” John cried out. “I don’t think you really care. Nobody
cares anymore but me.”
John
ran out of the room. He hit the front door and ran down t he steps. He kept
running and running.
“I’ve
got to do something,” he said to himself. “I’ve got to figure out a way.”
Genre:
Fantasy/Allegory
Target
Audience: Boys and Girls 12-16
Subjects: Family
Relationships, Doubt, Depression, Freedom, Hope
Summary: “He’s
a regular moron.” “He’s lazy.” “He’s stupid.” “He’ll never get it right.”
“You’re running out of money. What an awful provider!” “You should have done
this.” “You should have done that.” “What kind of man are you?” “What kind of
husband and father are you?” “You’re pathetic.” “You disgust me so much I just want
to throw up.” “He betrayed the kings for a bunch of money. He sold the Spirit
Flyers for a few measly dollars. Where’s that money now, Mr. Deal Maker?”
Many years ago it rained for days in Centerville. In the midst of that rain came
sightings of black tornados that looked like snakes. After one of them, the car
of John’s parents was found destroyed by a tornado. Everyone assumed John’s
parents to be dead. But they aren’t. And now, after all of these years, his mom
has returned! And she says John’s dad is still alive as well! John wants to
instantly go after him, but for some reason his grandfather and uncle refuse,
saying it’s not the right time. Angrily, John sets off on his own. His journey
isn’t easy though. His dad is working as a slave to Goliath Industries, doing
demeaning jobs for them. He’s lost in his own despair, confident he has sunk
too far to return home. All the labels and accusations are true. He believes
he’s a failure and that John would be better off without him. John is
devastated at the abandonment, allowing his heart to fill with anger at his
parents. Only Kingslove can set free the father and the son.
Notes: The
Runaway Parents is the sixth in the Spirit Flyer Series. The series uses a
flying bicycle to represent faith in Christ. The bicycles are made by the
“Three Kings”. When a person chooses to believe in them, the bicycle arrives
and will fly when they are trusting. The series takes place in an end times
setting, with it finally ending at the rapture. Throughout the series, the struggle
between good and evil is shown in those choosing to ride Spirit Flyers battling
Goliath Industries, an organization that desires to see death and destruction.
This book sort of pauses the intense battle in Centerville and focuses on just a couple of
characters. It shows, yet again, a character who has walked away from their
faith and ceased to trust the Three Kings, but who was never abandoned by them.
At the end, the Kingson tells John and his father “No matter what you do, you
will always be your Father’s son. You made many mistakes, Joe. And you may make
some more. The Father and I feel great sorrow when any of our children suffer.
But you’ve always had a place in the Father’s house. This is your true home and
that’s never changed. All of those children who are born into his Kingdom will
live with him forever and nothing can take them away from his house. Neither
death nor life, neither height nor depth can separate you from the love of your
Father the King.” The book also deals with the issue of judgment and
condemnation as John, his cousin and his uncle all pass judgment on Joe Kramer,
condemning him and refusing to offer forgiveness until confronted by the
Kingson. John realizes he is guilty of one of the very things he is accusing
his father of. It is partially a prodigal son story.
I highly recommend this book as well as the others in the
series. It offers great spiritual value as well as a creative storyline and
enough suspense and adventure to keep readers interested.
Spiritual
Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5
Reviewer:
J:-)mi
Romans
8:31,38 – What, then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who
can be against us? For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither
angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither
height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate
us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Summary: Captured by pirates,
the royal children are taken away, but when a storm comes, the pirates abandon
their precious cargo for the sake of their own lives. Thankfully for the
children, they also abandon their slaves: 
Notes: Mardan’s Mark is the first in the
Mardan’s Mark Epic Fantasy Adventures Series. Epic seems the right word for it.
Constant battles from one thing or another, a long, difficult journey, truth to
be discovered in multiple ways, relationships to be forged, enemies to be
turned into friends, trust to be earned and love to be developed – it is
definitely an epic journey for the characters! The spiritual element comes in
the existence of El – the one true God. The royal children know of His
existence and worship Him, but 
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