Christ the King Books

This is such a precious book! It's one to read in small bits, because it is so chock full of simple wisdom. Love it!

Andy Murry has a close relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus. He makes the point that we can only experience Christ by accepting that Jesus paid the price IN FULL for our unclean natures. Keeping rules of conduct is only a product of our FAITH. We are saved by GRACE THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST. GRACE IS AN UNEARNED AND UNDESERVED GIFT FROM GOD THROUGH CHRIST. AMEN!

Review by Richard W. Kelsey, PE and Author
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Outstanding treatment on communion with Jesus. Very practical, accurate, useful in helping disciples to walk daily with the Lord.

I am a great fan of great devotional writing and Andrew Murray's "Abide In Christ" is one of my top choices along with a few, time-tested others (Testament of Devotion by Thomas Kelly, The Depths of Jesus Christ by Jeanne Guyon, The Spiritual Guide by Michael Molinos, The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer).

I know of no other lesson that is as crucial to every child of God than learning to "Abide in Christ." And yet there is nothing easier than drifting along on a thousand other spiritual currents than "the one thing that is needful." Our lives can thus be so fragmented and parceled among so many competing demands that we have lost sight of Jesus Christ. And to no longer fix our eyes on Him is to lose sight of everything.

One of our greatest lacks today, both individually and corporately, is authentic, intimate, sustained encounter with Jesus Christ. We think all things are well as long as we are continuing to learn more "about" Him rather than "from" Him.

The bible itself has become an obstacle rather than an avenue to greater intimacy with our Lord. Again, we think all things are well as long as we are continuing to learn more about the bible rather than the One whom the bible writes. We think learning biblical principles for living is somehow adequate and what we are called to. But this is not the call of Jesus Christ on our hearts. "You search the scriptures," He said, "thinking that in them you have eternally life, but you won't come to Me that you might have life." But in many instances, just like our forebears, we think it sufficient to eat from the tree of the knowledge of "good and evil" rather than coming to Jesus, our tree of life, our bread of life, our water of life, our "all in all." And on the road to Emmaus, Jesus "pointed out to them all things in scripture that pointed to Him." In all of our bible reading, do we fix our eyes on Jesus?

The deepest longing of Jesus Christ is for closeness with us. In one place it says that Jesus cried with a loud voice saying "Come unto Me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest!" We need to be reminded of this, often and daily.

Murray writes:

And observe especially, it was not that He said, "Come to Me and abide with Me," but, "Abide in me." The communion was not only to be unbroken, but most intimate and complete. He opened His arms to press you to His bosom; He opened His heart to welcome you there; He opened up all His divine fullness of life and love and offered to take you up into its fellowship to make you wholly one with Himself. "There was a depth of meaning you cannot yet realize in His words: "Abide in me."

Just what is this "depth of meaning?" What is this "unbroken, intimate, and complete" fellowship with Jesus Christ? What is this call to "inner communion" into the heart of our Lord? Do read this classic devotion "Abide In Christ" and discover some of the answers. Rediscover the ultimate call and central message of Jesus Christ to all those who have lost their way.

This was one of the greatest books on living in Christ I've ever read. Though tough reading, it still influences my prayer life today. If you haven't read it, you must!

I first read this book some years ago and really liked it. Now, after seeing Mel Gibson's PASSION OF THE CHRIST, I have read it again. As I didn't always agree with Mel's interpretation, I don't always with Dr. Hodges' version of JESUS, either. However, I loved the book, especially as Jesus is presented as discovering the Father's will for him through studying the Scriptures. (I am a Franciscan, and St. Francis of Assisi guided his life largely by the Scriptures, too!) That expression,"According to the Scriptures" had fascinated me all my life, and now it makes real sense. The book also gave me a greater understanding of our relationship with God as Father. Especially at this time in history, I'd urge everyone to read this book for a greater appreciation of how God loves us. We can place all our trust in Him! Thanks for your sharing, Dr. Hodges!

I found this an intriguing premise, and also found the answers plausible and well thought out. Many of the questions posed are ones that I had raised in my own reading. All in all a very interesting book.

As a practicing psychiatrist, Dr. Hodges intimitely knows the inner workings of the human mind. With this book he applies that knowledge to present the thoughts and refections of a very human Jesus Christ. In so doing, the author paints us a vivid portrait of the Savior that is unlike any we've ever seen before.
We hear Jesus speak in his own words as he explains his struggles, the reasons for his actions and his bittersweet feelings about how he was received (or rejected) by the men and women he encountered during his 33 years opn this planet.
Like most people, this Jesus has doubts about the hard decisions he must make. Like most people, he suffers betrayal and death. Unlike most people, he has a secure knowledge of his Father's kingdom.
His reaction to his humiliating and painful path to Calvary stands a as one of the book's most dramatic moments.
As Jesus lingers on the cross dying, he recalls, "It became blacker and blacker for me. I was squirming like a worm on the end of a hook with all of my enemies watching me squirm and enjoying it. I was totally alone and now my Father was gone, too. I was nude, dangling there disfigured."
Whether you're a Christian, a Jew or even an athiest, this book's vibrant characterization of one of the world's most influential thinkers will speak directly to you.
Jesus may be a diety, but on every page here, Hodges reminds us that he is also a man.

I had read this book back around in '92 finding it among a popular book store. What totally amazes me with this is the fact that if you just believe heresay and superstitions about who so and so heard and just go to church once a week or just once a year, this opens your eyes to a REAL God who actually desires you to talk with Him! Your hidden hatred toward the Jews will be minimized as your little knowledge of their culture is blossomed in Jesus' spoken love toward His people. You have a different view of Satan as being a master of deception as you "observe" him popping up on Jesus in the wilderness. "Oh! Hi there!" You hear behind His words the pain and sorrow He experienced when losing His stepfather, Joseph's passing away. You want to cry when He tells us how the children His age made fun of Him as well as the town drunks taunting "He doesn't know who his real father is!" You feel the responsibility He takes on as the new head of household while taking care of His brothers and sisters with His mother. I can go on and on! This is a great book for those who don't "get" the Bible. This will inspire them to open His Word: the Holy Bible and search the treasures inside for eternal life.
Sincerely, U.S. Marine Corporal Tracy J. Hicks

In this time of "How To" materials for Christians, and a galaxy of Christian superstars, it is immensely refreshing to read a book that deals with the central figure. Namely, Jesus Christ. Forget the prattle about how to experience God and similar fixes for your faith. Learn as much as you can about Jesus. Think about it. How can you worship someone you know very little about.

Dr. Hodges has "interviews" with Jesus taken from the Bible. A rock solid Christian, Dr. Hodges takes faith out of the realm of fiction and gives a good look at the reality of Jesus.

If you long for Jesus, you wont go wrong with this book.

I highly recommend this book as a study tool for any Christian who may be interested in the relationship of the Feasts of the Lord as found in the Old Testament and Israel's Messiah. David does an outstanding job in presenting the many wonderful ways that the Lord Jesus Christ fully fulfilled each of the four Spring Feasts. He goes on to remind the reader that God has always been about details and that just as the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the details of the Spring Feasts, He will certainly fulfill the details of the Fall Feasts in His second advent. This book is a must read for any Christian interested in the on going debate between Reform Christianity and Dispensational Christianity.

I would be hard pressed to share a better review than the one written by E. Perruso "Edro" - but I will share my thoughts about David's first book.

I have studied prophecy and I must say that it was refreshing to find a book that agreed with my independent study on the Fall Feasts of Israel. Much of what David brings out in his book was confirmation.

When in chapter two of Appointed David wrote that God is a God of order I knew it could only get better from there.

David has a unique way of building one thought after another and weaving it all together with Scripture. The timing of Christ's Second Coming fulfilling the Fall Feasts is what all serious bible students should arrive at in their studies.

Appointed should aid you in your understanding and I believe that you will be increased through reading this book.

You will be delighted by the simple way that David lays out the doctrine following the Scriptures to bring the reader to the dovetailing of the Appointed Feasts with Christ's Second Coming.

What is appreciated is that David sticks to rightly dividing God's Word of Truth in every pen stroke to tell the reader what to look for and where to find it.

Appointed is another one of David's books that should be in everyone's library. I especially recommend this book to all those who predict rapture dates every other day to their disappointment. If you will take this book and test it with Scripture you should be able to see that most of the Scriptures that preachers preach from are to and for and about Israel, not the Body of Christ.

Buy the book, you will not be disappointed.

I was previously unfamiliar with this author - to my shame I find! There is so much nonsense in Christianity these days that it was refreshing to find solid works still being produced. This author is proof that there are still Biblically oriented, solidly grounded men of God around for our edification. I purchased all 3 books and quite frankly each one answered many questions I had, as a student who rightly divides, that other "scenarios" hadn't been able to answer completely. I noticed that there was much scholarly research (using the Bible! Shock of shockers!) and that the author has a passion, literally you can see it in his writing, for the WHOLE counsel of God. While I read the Bible everyday, I discovered that I had quit "digging" and am excited to say I have begun to seriously dig again. Instead of having a preconceived notion of what scripture is saying and going from there, this man reminds you of what SCRIPTURE is saying and walks along with you down that Biblical path! Highly recommended for the serious student - or for one who would like to be a serious student of the Bible.

I am a pastor of a non-denominational Christian church in Vancouver, Washington. We have a midweek book study and we have been studying through "APPOINTED" by David Busch and it has been a thought provoking, exciting study. So much confusion abounds regarding the study of "end-times" events and the APPOINTED sheds a great deal of light on this subject, with numerous scriptural references to back up all the points the author makes throughout the book. Mr. Busch is not a doomsday, finatical, end times enternainer, but a student and teacher of the Word of God. It has answered many questions for me that I have had for quite some time. We plan on continuing on after we finish APPOINTED with Mr. Busch's second book in the series entitled "The ASSYRIAN" and I am excited to hear that there is a third book in the series that is about to be released. If you don't have this book, it is worth purchasing.

The Appointed is a marvelous book detailing Isarel's feast days and how they point to the Lord Jesus Christ! This book brings the meaning of those biblical feastivals to life like no other.

David Winston Busch brings out all the splendor of the Lord Jesus Christ as He is pictured in these feast days and it makes my appreciation for God's Word even better.

I would, and have, recommended this book to anyone who would love to glorify God thru the Lord Jesus Christ in His faithfulness to one day give believing Israel their earthly kingdom.

David makes it clear in this book that because Christ fulfilled the first 4 feast days in His first advent, that He will also fulfill the last 3 days right on schedule!

I thank the Lord for brother David and his passionate labour in the Word of God rightly divided.

For anyone who needs encouragement or a boost to their faith. These books make the life and times of Jesus come alive and encourage you in what ever life challenge you are facing. I loved them.

All Things
Sixth Covenant was a heart rending glimpse into the heart of Bethlehem at the birth of our Savior. I appreciated a very real Yosef. The Bible says so little of him, and this book puts flesh and blood in this figure in a Christmas creche. The most poignant moment in the book is when Zadok tells Yosef that Shepherds are like rabbis, trying to keep a bunch of wandering sheep in line.

I'm looking forward to 7th Day and beyond.

Thoene and Thoene have written a wonderful historical fiction of the events surrounding the birth of Christ. True to the biblical texts and incorporating realistic characters among shepherds, magi, midwives and residents of Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Wonderful Christmas novel.

Book arrived quickly and in shape described. I am very satisfied with the seller. Thanks.

The entire series, to number 8, Eigth Shepherd is worth it and I anxiously await the next, Ninth Witness.

This is a book full of beautiful stories that will help you to see the Biblical story of Christ's birth in a new way. The writing is beautiful and the the stories provide a very different look at the characters of the Biblical narrative.

A wonderful little collection of stories for anyone from eight to ninety-nine who wants to know the real truth of Christmas. Told out of the experience of the bravery of several of the folk of the Plateau Vivrai-Lignon in France during World War II, crafted by their most famous spokesman,Pastor Andre Trocme, these stories, mostly told at Christmas, combine poetry with unflinching truth. I especially appreciated the story of the elderly, misanthropic woman who, when she finally hears of the plight of the Holy Family, dismantles her own furnace and sends it, at considerable cost to her welfare, to Bethlehem.... Charm never hides the truth that prompted the stories--saving over 5000 refugees from Hitler. Still, the hope that is the point of the coming of Christ is portrayed in contemporary situations that certainly charmed me. I'm sending it to several friends, from eight to ninety-nine (pace Amazon.com)for Christmas presents.

This wonderful little book makes available to English-language readers the stories told by Huguenot pastor Andre Trocme in the village of Le Chambon in southern France during the dark days of rule, first by the collaborationist regime of French fascists Henri-Phillipe Petain and Pierre Laval and later directly by the German occupation regime. Trocme and his wife, Magda, both pacifists, had come to Le Chambon in 1934 from northern France where they had been ministering among industrial workers. The front page of his church paper bore this passage (from 1 John 4:20): "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen , cannot love God whom he has not seen." In his memoirs, Trocme wrote that his faith was in the possibility of goodness on earth "without which the theoretical existence of God doesn't interest me." Trocme's role as their shepherd during Vichy and the occupation surely played a role in the rescue by the 5,000 people of that plateau of 5,000 refugees, 3,500 of them Jews. These were Christians who - like their pastor and unlike most of Europe's Christians under the Nazis - practiced what they preached. The living faith of this true disciple of Jesus shines through these Christmas stories. See Pierre Sauvage's documentary about Trocme and the people of Le Chambon. Weapons of the Spirit

What a rare and precious thing - a book to inspire compassion in children and adults, without heavyhanded moralizing. Nelly Trocme Hewett and Good Books have done the world of children's literature a great service in translating Pastor Andre Trocme's one-of-a-kind stories. Words do instill courage - in the people of a French mountain village 50 years ago, and now, thanks to this lovely little book, in the hearts of people everywhere.

Mary Stucky Minnesota Public Radio Producer

Perfectly marvelous. The triumph of light over darkness. Christmas, the winter solstice, Chanaka, Kwanza, New Years are all celebrations of the triumph and return of light over darkness. True darkness however is not from the solar system but from the heart of darkness, from man, and in this case, from hitler. We live in a cruel world where history is the history of humans acting rather borish to one another. Light triumphs over hearts of darkness. These stories communicate the story and the triumph of Christmas in a new and fresh way to children - to adults - that will touch the soul. The story of the Birth of Jesus seen in a contrast from the rich neighbor and a poor neighbor. What would the three wise men think about looking for the King of the Jews in a donkey stall? How an old lady can give everything to god. Hear the story of Christmas as you have never heard it before, from those who lived in the valley of darkness.

I found this book to be well written and researched. James Jesse Strang is a unique character (A King no less!) in the history of Michigan. This book inspired me to visit Michigan's Beaver Island. As a compliment to this book I would also suggest reading Guardian of the Great Lakes The U.S. Paddle Frigate Michigan By: Mr. Bradley A. Rodgers.

I'm a relative of his and have recently become interested in learning about him. So please if you know about him tell me.

This work is a fairly standard, straight-forward biography of King Strang. It is very well researched, documented, and foot noted. It would appear that Mr. Van Noord dug deeper into his reseach than most authors dealing with James Strang have in the past. The book enlightened me on several points regarding King Strang that I had previously read and Mr. Van Noord found to be incorrect. If you are interested in learning about a fascinating man and those around him this is the book. However it gives only a sparce and very typical Beaver Island history and does not touch on the legendary (and I believe, mythical) Mormon, Beaver Island treasure at all. If those items are your points of interest, look elsewhere.

Mormonism's second prophet wasn't the famous Brigham Young -- he may have seized control of many of the Church's institutions, but he never claimed to be the "Prophet". That mantle was seized by the insteresting historic figure, James J. Strang, who led his portion of the Mormon Church from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Voree, Wisconsin, and then to Beaver Island, Michigan at the same time that Young was leading his branch to Utah.

Van Noord's book is a great biography of Strang which makes close use of Strang's journals, letters, books, and draws a great deal from the newspapers which Strang's church published. Strang's many successes both on Beaver Island and then also in the Michigan legislature, imply that he was quite a brilliant and eloquent character. The book leads you to wonder what might have happened had he not been assassinated.

The only problems with Van Noord's book are that he does not seem to be an expert in the field of Mormon history generally, and he has relied on informants in the modern Utah church -- the great rival of Strang's church -- for some of his information on Mormonism. Additionally, the biography definitely leaves you wanting a larger history of the Strangite church.

All in all, the book is an excellent read. I picked it up and nearly read it cover to cover uninterrupted, as I couldn't wait to find out what happened to Strang next.

I have done extensive study on the subject of Jas. Strang and his followers. I found this book and several others extremely fair-minded considering the controversies (as well as present day prejudices) surrounding this utopian experiment. I welcome other comments. My great-great grandfather was present at Strang's coronation on Beaver Island, Michigan.

This book paints a picture of the multi-faceted culture in which Jesus lived. It's a wonderful, God-honoring book which helps us to better understand His life because it demonstrates the political, familial, societal and religious background that we miss not having lived in that culture. Mr. Vander Laan draws parallels in story form of Jesus in various roles, such as the Rabbi, the Teacher, the Bridegroom, etc. I walked away with a greater foundation for understanding my Savior. Vander Laan's experience in and understanding of the Holy Land add priceless insights into this work. This is a great book! I highly recommend it.

Often the context in which something was said in the Bible is misunderstood and badly applied today. So, I frequently study the Bible with contextual dictionaries to dig into the deeper and practical meaning of words in a message. Echoes of His Presence goes beyond. Through story-telling you can live that moment yourself and picture how the people of the time would have applied the events and messages that we read today in the Bible.

I use this book daily in my quiet time. Mr VanderLaan writes so as you are there with the people he is writing about. If anyone had any doubt about the humanity of Jesus, this is an excellent education. I found I wanted to spend more time in the bible after reading this, over and over, the stories in this book helps understanding some of the stories in the bible. Excellent, wonderful, I need to buy one for my friends!!! Thank You, Mary Hughes

Mr. Vander Laan through a lifelong study of the land, culture and history of the Bible has written an amazing book. Echoes, presents many of the culture and historical settings of the world that Jesus was born, taught and lived while on this earth.

Ray through some life experiences shares insights that will allow you as the reader to see most of the gospel accounts with the "eyes" of the first century witnesses. I have never seen these stories and teaching of Jesus the same after reading this book.

Get your hands on a copy and read this one at least once a year.

This is a brilliant book which provides much needed background to the life and times of Jesus. It has greatly helped my understanding of the Bible.

The stories provide details of the culture and living experiences of those in Jesus' day and by doing so we are transported back in time in a very effective way. My favourite one was the story of the woman who was bleeding and touched Jesus' robe. I didn't appreciate the social stigma that would have accompanied the illness due to her always being 'unclean', nor of what it would have meant to be free. Then there is the story covering the meaning of the 'living water'.

If you are interested in the Bible (particularly if you are a Christian) get the book. You won't regret it. I've given 5 copies to friends as gifts and they have all appreciated it.

So the Ghost of Christmas Past came to visit me this year. He came through a porthole in the ethers otherwise known as Google, after I entered my name. There he showed me "Under a Christmas Star," a book published by an apparently Mormon outfit called Cedar Fort. This was a collection of new Christmas tales by various writers.
Here is how the Cedar Fort website touts it:
Under a Christmas Star is a collection of Christmas stories---not sappy or sentimental ones, not dark or hard to understand ones, but stories that uplift and inspire---tellable tales. These are the brightest and most prized Christmas Stories. Most are true stories about people touched by the light of the Christmas star.
One writer was singled out for praise in an Amazon.com review by a teacher who said she was going to read the stories to her third-graders. That writer, by the way, was. . .
Me.
Not since I walked into the living room at age 11 and saw a gleaming lime-green ten-speed Schwinn Varsity under (well, beside) the Christmas tree have I had such a Christmas shock. You see, Cedar Fort didn't bother to mention to me that they were publishing my story that is not dark or hard to understand and uplifts and inspires tellable (sic) tales, and paying me a whole lot of Christmas nothing for it. Nor did they mention to me that my story was so compelling that they used it as the inspiration for the cover illustration of the book: Santa Claus pumping gas into a taxi cab.
Merrrrrrrry Christmas, Rip!
Now, when I say Ghost of Christmas past, here is what I mean: the story that Cedar Fort---a Utah-based outfit that publishes religious tracts and Mormon-themed stuff under Latter Day Saints Books---published without consulting me concerns one of my oldest, most personal and cherished Christmas memories. And I don't have many! Allow me to summarize:
When I was ten, I was sent on a Greyhound bus to visit my mother on Christmas Eve. My father and jealous stepmother had fought about it for days, but my father prevailed and I was dispatched to Newport Beach, California, with a paper-bag suitcase and a whole lot of ambivalence. I was to call a cab upon arrival, in order to be taken to the hotel where my mom worked as a cashier.
One problem: the old man had forgotten to give me cab fare---which I discovered just as the taxi arrived around 7 p.m.. To make a wonderful story short and less than artful, here's the punchline: Santa Claus was at the wheel. Really. His halls were fully decked. Red suit, black gloves, nylon beard. I didn't tell him I didn't have any money, figuring I could just bolt when I got to the hotel.
In the end, I confessed, and Santa explained that in all the Yellow Cabs on Xmas Eve in the area, only one had a Claus, and if you got him, you rode for free. See? Great story, eh? It sure as hell thrilled me as a kid, let me tell you. Father Christmas was watching over me that night, if not my father. There is more to the tale, but I don't want to get into that here. You can read it in full detail in my forthcoming novel, which should be available in late January, if you want.
Or you can read it in the Cedar Fort book, which I ardently, fervently, and otherwise enthusiastically hope you. . .do not.
Here's why:
I wrote the story used in "A Christmas Star" for the L.A. Times in the early 90's, and they slapped the cheesey headline on it: "How Santa Spread Cheer Without Eight Tiny Reindeer." At the time, I was writing regular essays/columns for what was called the "Life and Style" section, more affectionately known as "Strife and Bile" for its pandering to political correctness and touchy-feely sentimentality. I wrote about a hundred columns for L&S before being offered a regular gig there---only to have said offer rescinded because, as one enlightened editor ruled, "we have too many white male columnists here." (See 10/11/06 Riposte.)
(Merrrrrrrry Christmas, Rip!)
Well, the Times paid me for that article, about $350 or $400, I guess, which enabled me to buy a few extra ginger snaps to go with my eggnog that Yule. But the Times also did something that would make Santy frown, that would take the rosy red glow right out of his cheeks, something very, very un-Christmasy---something you would expect from Scrooge and Marley, Ltd.
Some might call it extortion. The Times called it "business."
This noble newspaper changed its freelance contracts to claim total rights to whatever it purchased---as opposed to traditional first-publication-only. And if freelancers didn't sign such a contract, the Times would not buy their work.
At least they didn't send someone to your home to break your knuckles.
At that time, I was what was termed a "regular contributor" to the Times. This meant I was a full-time employee without any of regular rights or regular benefits of full-time regular employees. This is also called "business." What's more, because I was angling for that full-time column which was later withdrawn due to my gender and race, I cut back all other freelance work. The Times, at that moment, comprised about 90 percent of my regular income.
Then there was the little complicating fact that I could just barely manage to get up and walk to the store every day to buy groceries, courtesy of a paralyzing three-year bout with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. My Times paychecks, after rent, were going to doctors and supplements. Typing was a workout.
Did I want to sign that contract? Every bit as much as I would like to congratulate George W. Bush for a job well done in Iraq.
Did I sign that contract? You betcha.
Did I think that someday my Santa-in-the-taxi column might be licensed to a proselytizing Mormon publisher for profit? And used for the cover illustration?
You betcha I didn't.
And there are more presents under this tree:
The "author" of "Under a Christmas Star" is one Carol Jean Coombs. That's correct. Author. My name and story are in this book, but Carol Jean Coombs is on cover as the author, apparently because she compiled the contents. Gee, I'd sure like to be considered an "author" for compiling a bunch of stuff written by other people!
You're welcome, Carol, baby! Glad to oblige!
Of course, it just fills me with the Christmas spirit that Carol liked my story enough to want to compile it. And whew, that compiling is hard author work! Here's what Carol said to a little newspaper: "Getting permission from the copyright holders was time-consuming and because some of the stories are 20 to 40 years old, a real challenge." Right! Almost as hard as writing! I wonder how much of an author challenge it was to secure my column from the fine people at the L.A. Times.
Yes, of course I looked into suing. I know that's just so humbug of me, but gee, it's the season. So I spoke with an excellent attorney who specializes in theft of one's work. Well, it turns out that I have every bit as strong a case as Saddam Hussein had in that Iraq courtroom. Even if I wanted to sue, there is the little matter of the Times extortion---er, contract. And another little matter called a statute of limitations which gives me three years after publication to file (it's been five.) And another little matter called settlement not covering lawyer fees.
Ho ho ho.
It's just another example of legalized crime that defines our world, of course. I mean, you wonder why criminals bother to break any laws, when you can steal legally. No---no one here has broken any laws---not the Times, not Cedar Fort, not author Carol Jean Coombs. Moral and ethical laws are another matter, but anyone who believes in such things can go fly a reindeer.
Still, I can't help but say this is all not very. . .Christian.
So there you have it. My writing has helped enable some Mormons to make some money. Of course, I do not like or approve of the Church of the Latter Day Saints---I think their members are painting without a brush, buttoning without a shirt---and I suspect the Church would not like or approve of me. The closest I've ever come to a Mormon Church was stumbling around on codeine outside the Tabernacle one morning about 5 o' clock (long story.)
In the meantime, I hear that "Under a Christmas Star" is quite popular. A friend in Atlanta told me that when it was given away as a gift at a recent book club party, there were "ooo's and ahhh's."
I'm a commercial success at last.
Why, you might even call me a Christmas Star!
---RIP RENSE

This is a great Christmas Book to add to your Christmas book collection. The stories in this book are inspirational and full of the Christmas spirit. This is a book that the entire family will enjoy!!

I couldn't put it down. The stories are without exception warm and meaningful. I am giving this book to my grandchildren. Sharing these stories is sharing the best of Christmas with them.

This gem includes 25 stories that will appeal to readers of all ages. Most are true. Each story tells of the warmth and love of others--the real light of Christmas. They uplifted and inspired me. The author selected her best stories, most unavailable elsewhere, from a collection gathered over more than 40 years. Authors vary from famous writers and newspaper reporters to people who just wanted to share a personal Christmas experience. The 25 stories are short-- perfect for the whole family to read together each night throughout December. This is a book I will read over and over again--at Christmas time or whenever I want to remember the goodness we all have inside us.

Most collections of stories, Christmas or otherwise, have a bunch of mediocre selections, a few good ones, and one or two great ones--but this book manages to have ALL great ones. Plus, they're not those sappy ones that make you roll your eyes; they're touching without being obnoxious. Maybe it's because almost all of the stories are true experiences, told in a straightforward way. My personal favorites are "The Gold and Ivory Tablecloth" by Howard Schade, "A Christmas Gift I'll Never Forget" by L.D. Hummel, and "My Christmas Miracle" by Taylor Caldwell. Okay, also "How Santa Spread Cheer Without Eight Tiny Reindeer," by Rip Rense. (I'm a school teacher, and I'm going to read some of these to my third graders in December.) Enjoy the joy!

The familiar text is augmented by brightly colored illustrations reminiscent of modern stained glass windows. This is an outstanding holiday book to add to collections in church and public libraries or for personal giving to Christians of any age.

The familiar text is augmented by brightly colored illustrations reminiscent of modern stained glass windows.This is an outstanding holiday book to add to collections in church and public libraries or for personal giving to Christians of any age.

The glorious stained-glass cathedral windows of England inspired Fiona French to create this wonderful celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The words, directly from the book of Luke from the King James Bible, are brought to life with bright beautiful designs. Although the traditional words may be too advanced for very young readers, they will be drawn to the book for the illustrations. This concise version of the Nativity would be an asset for personal collections.

The familiar text is augmented by brightly colored illustrations reminiscent of modern stained glass windows.This is an outstanding holiday book to add to collections in church and public libraries or for personal giving to Christians of any age.

I had been searching for a picture book that told the Christmas story using the scriptures. This was the only one I found. The artwork is stunning, and the King James Version is very readable. The fact that the book uses scriptures from more than one gospel is an added benefit. While I wish the book size was bigger allowing one to see the artwork more clearly, and make it more interesting for my children's eyes, it is definitely a welcome and beautiful addition to our library and our Christmas traditions.

This hardbound book is absolutely beautiful, consisting of wonderful illustrations based upon the gospels of Matthew and Luke (KJV).

The illustrator Gennady Spirin, is masterful, brilliant, and elegantly captures the essence of the birth of Jesus Christ.

The construction of the book itself, 33 pages in length, is designed for adults and mature children and is most definitely not a plaything for toddlers.

Purchase this book and establish a new and wonderful Christmas family tradition.

Absolutely gorgeous. Stunning illustrations. Magical ... haunting ... I cannot say enough.

I love Christmas books for children and when I discovered this one, I couldn't believe it. It is a definite heirloom and one to be shared with the entire family. This book was not totally set for the younger age group but for everyone. It isn't entirely encompassed with baby words and illustrations like others I've seen. The pictures are also quite beautiful.