Glenda Faye Mathes

What if America's judicial system, designed to protect the innocent, convicts the wrong man and sends him to prison? Uriah Courtney was incarcerated over eight years--for a crime he did not commit. But God set him free--spiritually and physically--to a new life inside his heart and outside razor wire. Exoneree relates how badly the judicial system can go wrong, but how intensely a dedicated few seek justice. It depicts God's protection amid the horrors of incarceration. Although it shows dark depravity, it shines with divine transformation. A sensitive man who loved the outdoors and his family, Uriah viewed life imprisonment as a death sentence. Yet God worked through this trauma to bring him new life. Uriah's transparent narrative transcends most jailhouse conversion accounts, as he confesses how becoming a Christian helped him cope in some ways but didn't solve every problem. Even after his release and exoneration through God's providence and the efforts of the California Innocence Project, Uriah faced unexpected challenges. In his warm and personable voice, Uriah describes how focusing on Christ helps him to continue overcoming the bitterness and anger often associated with trauma. And that's a story everyone needs to read. ""Uriah Courtney's book, Exoneree, is a testament to the human spirit. Uriah was wrongfully accused and convicted of a horrific crime and sentenced to life in prison, where he remained for eight years. This is a compelling story about the consequences of a faulty justice system and one man's fight to remain alive and ultimately find peace and forgiveness for the people who convicted him. Through the perseverance of Justin Brooks and the California Innocence Project and the evolving use and accuracy of DNA in cases like this, Uriah was exonerated and released from prison and began rebuilding his life. Surviving years of wrongful incarceration is truly a battle of life and death, finding purpose and happiness on the outside is yet another."" --John J. Christian, President and CEO, The Global Education Network A high-profile exoneree, Uriah Courtney frequently speaks about the trauma of wrongful conviction, including at the International Innocence Project conference in Dublin, Ireland in 2015. He remains active with the California Innocence Project and advocates for justice reform. Glenda Faye Mathes, a University of Iowa graduate (2006), writes professionally and is the author of Little One Lost: Living with Early Infant Loss (2012), two devotionals, and the ""Matthew in the Middle"" juvenile fiction series.

After three long years of waiting, Matthew Vos is finally going to the Cadet International Camporee He's earning money to buy supplies, but the lawnmower slips from his grip and cuts through a customer's garden. Matthew's hopes wither like the sheared-off plant tops. What more could possibly go wrong? And will the Camporee turn out to be all he's imagined?" I love this kid. Of course, I love Matt's fondness for The Accidental Detectives books, but I also love his humorous voice, active imagination, and fledgling faith. Glenda Faye Mathes crafts vivid scenes and authentic dialogue that draw me into the story and into Matt's head. Because Matthew Moves Ahead in realistic ways that reflect universal childhood disappointments and joys, readers will love Matthew, too." -Sigmund Brouwer, best-selling author of over 40 novels, including many series for young readers and Thief of Glory, Book of the Year Christy Award 2015"'He leaned over the table and contorted his face like speckled Silly Putty.' This playful line (one of so many) from Matthew Moves Ahead aptly demonstrates how well the author pegs fun, insightful, and altogether natural word pictures. Reading through a brief period of Matt's everyday life is much like living a brief period of your own. The young boy in the heart of Glenda Faye Mathes is us-and he comes to life with rich and believable detail, warmly testifying to God's love in real time."-Norm Bomer, God's World News, Senior Editor (retired) and author of Sons of the River: A Nebraska Memoir"What an adventure Matthew Moves Ahead is a delightful story and a great addition to the library of any young boy, especially a Cadet who has actually participated in an International Camporee. Glenda Faye Mathes has obviously done a lot of research and accurately portrays Kamp Kananaskis details, even down to menus and devotions. The characters develop well as the story progresses, and the reader will see Matthew's cadre grow into a unit of close friends by the week's end. All in all, it's a tale well told."-G. Richard Broene, Executive Director, Calvinist Cadet Corps

Matthew Vos doesn't like feeling afraid. He wants to be brave, but discovers that being a hero isn't at all what he'd imagined. Will his dream to attend the Cadet International Camporee ever come true? And what's up with that crabby new girl in town? Join Matthew as he makes strides in facing fears and forging friendships." Glenda Faye Mathes effectively portrays the trauma, excitement, and relief of events associated with great danger and courage. Her narrative is rich in imagery, momentum, and emotion with humor to lighten intensity. I applaud her for taking up topics of fear, loss, courage, and authentic masculinity." -Paul T. Berghaus, U. S. Army Chaplain, Fort Benning, GA"Well written and captivating, this book provides surprises and important lessons as Matthew strives to overcome his fears and to be more like the heroes he admires. Children in different circumstances will easily identify with Matthew's feelings and struggles." -Simonetta Carr, author of Christian Biographies for Young Readers, including the San Diego Book Awards winner, Anselm of Canterbury"Glenda Faye Mathes writes with energy and intentionality. When she describes a coming tornado, I glance nervously out the window. Young people will feel like the author is inside their heads, so intimate is her knowledge of her readers. This honest portrayal of a preacher's kid speaks to the extraordinary challenges and joys of ordinary growing up." -Douglas Bond, author of Duncan's War

As the middle child in his family, Matthew Vos struggles in the middle of trouble on all sides. He shares a room with an annoying younger brother and dodges the harassment of an obnoxious older brother. A big-as-a-bear neighborhood dog targets him like a heat-seeking missile. His Cadet Club crams into the church's too-small basement, and his catechism class meets in his living room. He longs to attend the Cadet International Camporee, but will he even get the chance? How can he rescue his mom's book from the principal's "Black Hole"? And why does Mom feel so sick all the time? Join Matthew, with his active imagination and growing faith, as he muddles through all this and more." The real texture of life is found in ordinary, everyday occurrences, but it takes a special gift to make these seem extraordinary. Matthew is a very young Christian whose faith stretches in believable ways as he tackles the challenges of growing up. I look forward to joining him for further stages of his journey."-JANIE B. CHEANEY, Senior Writer, WORLD magazine, and author of Somebody on This Bus Is Going to Be Famous"True-to-life characters portrayed with droll humor-a fun story with firm substance-plausibly seen from a kid's viewpoint. What a gem Mathes is a master of making me want to read more."-Yvonne Anderson, author of The Story in the Stars,2012 ACFW Carol Award Finalist