New Releases by Ken Gire

The New York Times bestselling memoir of survival and heroism at Pearl Harbor “An unforgettable story of unfathomable courage.” —Reader’s Digest In this, the first memoir by a USS Arizona sailor, Donald Stratton delivers an inspiring and unforgettable eyewitness account of the Pearl Harbor attack and his remarkable return to the fight. At 8:10 a.m. on December 7, 1941, Seaman First Class Donald Stratton was consumed by an inferno. A million pounds of explosives had detonated beneath his battle station aboard the USS Arizona, barely fifteen minutes into Japan’s surprise attack on American forces at Pearl Harbor. Near death and burned across two thirds of his body, Don, a nineteen-year-old Nebraskan who had been steeled by the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, summoned the will to haul himself hand over hand across a rope tethered to a neighboring vessel. Forty-five feet below, the harbor’s flaming, oil-slick water boiled with enemy bullets; all around him the world tore itself apart. In this extraordinary, never-before-told eyewitness account of the Pearl Harbor attack—the only memoir ever written by a survivor of the USS Arizona—ninety-four-year-old veteran Donald Stratton finally shares his unforgettable personal tale of bravery and survival on December 7, 1941, his harrowing recovery, and his inspiring determination to return to the fight. Don and four other sailors made it safely across the same line that morning, a small miracle on a day that claimed the lives of 1,177 of their Arizona shipmates—approximately half the American fatalaties at Pearl Harbor. Sent to military hospitals for a year, Don refused doctors’ advice to amputate his limbs and battled to relearn how to walk. The U.S. Navy gave him a medical discharge, believing he would never again be fit for service, but Don had unfinished business. In June 1944, he sailed back into the teeth of the Pacific War on a destroyer, destined for combat in the crucial battles of Leyte Gulf, Luzon, and Okinawa, thus earning the distinction of having been present for the opening shots and the final major battle of America’s Second World War. As the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack approaches, Don, a great-grandfather of five and one of six living survivors of the Arizona, offers an unprecedentedly intimate reflection on the tragedy that drew America into the greatest armed conflict in history. All the Gallant Men is a book for the ages, one of the most remarkable—and remarkably inspiring—memoirs of any kind to appear in recent years. *Library Journal

An ambitious Roman soldier. A stunning crucifixion. An unlikely romance. A long war and a chance reunion—the moving parts that make The Centurion a gripping story of love, duty, and sacrifice. Lucius has always dreamed of military conquest and Roman glory. Little does he know how a routine crucifixion will change him forever. Curious about this “King of the Jews,” Lucius seeks out His followers and falls for one named Mary Magdalene. But all is interrupted when Lucius is called to lead military campaigns. There the hardships of war, year after year, wear him down to nearly nothing. When Lucius finally returns to Rome, the city has lost its allure. A chance encounter tests his allegiances, and he must decide who he is, what is real, and what is worth dying for. This work of historical fiction includes an extensive annotated list of sources.

Encouragement and Comfort from God''s Word for Those Experiencing Difficult Times For most people, life isn''t a placid cruise; everyone passes through storms at some point. In At Peace in the Storm, master storyteller Ken Gire helps readers take a fresh look at faith in the face of life''s turmoil. Bringing experience and insight to familiar Bible narratives--from Jonah''s disastrous voyage to Paul''s Mediterranean shipwreck--Gire gets to the core of our fears and uncertainties, and the circumstances that bring them out in the open. Readers will rediscover the comforting presence of God, no matter the intensity of their personal circumstances. Includes questions for individual or small group use.

If you are coping with loss, experiencing confusion and doubt, or simply feeling overwhelmed, these beautifully formed devotions will ignite the hope that God is with you in even the winter seasons of life. Winter is a time of waiting, a time of questioning. Yet a promise lies buried beneath the snow--a seed waiting to spring to life. These brief meditations will touch the hidden places of your heart, comfort your spirit, and renew your strength through the open invitation to deeper reflection and more attentive listening to God''s still small voice. Author Ken Gire illustrates how God is with you yesterday, today, and forever.

After a semitruck collided with Don Piper''s car, he was pronounced dead at the scene. For the next ninety minutes, he experienced the glories of heaven. The only survivor of a horrific plane crash, Capt. Dale Black was hovering between life and death when he had a wondrous experience of heaven. In "My Journey to Heaven," Marv Besteman shares the true story of his experience of heaven in astounding detail. [Taken from back cover.]

Enduring hardship, conflict, and personal struggles, he and his beloved wife, Helene, became German prisoners of war during WWI, and Helene later battled persistent illnesses --

"Popular author uses stories from the Bible and his own life to teach about God''s love for those who feel like outsiders"--Provided by publisher.

Ken Gire, author of more than 20 books, offers a Christian perspective on the themes inherent in the popular dystopian series, The Hunger Games, written by Suzanne Collins. This book is about the absence of God and the consequences of his absence in our individual lives and in the collective life of the state. And yet, the image of God still resides in us, offering hope. This book offers us tools we''ll need as we prepare to face The Hunger Games to come in all of our lives.

What must it have been like to draw near to Christ as he drew near to the cross? Reflecting on Michelangelo''s majestic Pieta, in which Mary gathers the suffering Jesus into her arms, Ken Gire offers seven meditations on a costly discipleship that invites us to take up our cross and follow our Savior—through death to life everlasting.

Take a step-by-step journey through key moments in Jesus’ life with this compilation that weaves events, emotions, and thoughts into a moving depiction of the life of Christ. Moments with the Savior allows you to: Travel with Jesus and His disciples through the Galilean countryside Press through the throngs at the temple in Jerusalem Marvel at the Savior’s challenging words, miraculous authority, and tender compassion Watch as strength floods a lame man’s limbs and wonder washes over his face See the meaningful relationships Jesus formed with those He encountered This beautiful gift book includes depictions of Jesus’ humanity and divinity, Scripture verses, and heartfelt prayers. Moments with the Savior invites you into a more intimate relationship with Him as you learn more about Jesus’ life.

Praise for Windows of the SoulEvery once in a while a book comes along that makes you stop and think—and then think some more—like Ken Gire’s wonderful book Windows of the Soul.—John Trent in Christian Parenting TodayKen Gire has created a book that gently pours forth, like water out of a garden bucket, cleansing our thoughts and opening the petals of our spirits, providing us with a new sense of clarity in our search for God.—Manhattan (KS) MercuryEach word, each phrase, is painstakingly wrought, loaded with thoughts and prayer, and filled with new glimpses of God’s love, grace, and strength.—The Christian AdvocateWindows of the Soul will surprise you with the many and varied windows God uses to speak to us. With the heart of an artist, Ken Gire paints word pictures in prose and poetry that will thrill your heart.—Mature LivingWindows of the Soul is a rare book, resounding with the cry for communion that is both ours and God’s. With passion, honesty, and beauty, Ken Gire calls us to a fresh sensitivity to God’s voice speaking through the unexpected parables that surround us.—Christian Courier

Imagine getting a glimpse of heaven, a preview of life in God''s presence. Could life here ever be the same? Capt. Dale Black has flown as a commercial pilot all over the world, but one flight changed his life forever--an amazing journey to heaven and back. The only survivor of a horrific plane crash, Dale was hovering between life and death when he had a wondrous experience of heaven. What he saw, what he heard, and what he learned there continues to ripple through his life and touch others. Against all odds, Dale miraculously recovered from his injuries and learned to fly again. Now, with his life as a testament, he shares his inspiring story--offering hope and encouragement for those dealing with serious injuries or the loss of a loved one, and those looking for assurance about this life and the next. Experience a Life-Changing Vision of Heaven

The terrain of Colorado forms a metaphor for life as acclaimed writer Ken Gire reflects upon the smooth, even terrain of eastern Colorado in contrast to the wild, uncertain, jagged terrain of western Colorado. The majestic, awe-inspiring mountains of western Colorado were born out of the most terrifying eruptions. And that is the unrelenting work of heaven, to make everything beautiful in its time. All of us would like life to be smooth with no upheavals. But the fact is that our lives are anything but. Our lives are full of upheaval, for that is life as we are given it. Gire looks at the beauty that is the result of these upheavals.

Around us, there are hints that there is a way of life vastly richer and deeper than all this hurried existence, a life unhurried serenity and peace and power. A life where we see all that is sacred. It seems the more we pack into our lives, the less we experience of our lives. We''ve become modern-day Marthas, busy, distracted, and empty, instead of like her sister Mary, calm, focused, and fulfilled. How do we, like Mary, create "pauses" in our days and weeks to hear what the Savior has to say to us? How do we make time for the things that ultimately matter? How can we become more spiritually sensitive to the everyday moments of life? In Seeing What Is Sacred (formerly titled The Reflective Life), acclaimed writer Ken Gire unlocks the door to change by introducing us not to a trendy new method, but to a centuries-old tradition of seeing the sacred in the everyday through reflective living. In this momentous work, readers will: Discover this rich heritage that stretches from David, Solomon, and Jesus himself to Augustine, Brother Lawrence and Mother Teresa. Learn "habits of the heart" that deepen their intimacy with Christ through Scripture, meditation, and prayer Cultivate a spiritual sensitivity that allows them to see God at work in all of life''s moments

The North Face of God addresses those times of adversity when God seems to have abandoned us. Sometimes, when the cold winds of life blow and we cry out to God, he''s silent, and we wonder if he still cares about us—or ever cared. Drawing on the Psalms, Ken Gire climbs the mountainous terrain of God''s seeming indifference and helps us learn how to hold on to hope, despite our circumstances. He also calls us to become good “climbing partners” for other people who need help and encouragement along the way.

Using examples from his own life, the author urges Christians to pay close attention to God''s gifts and callings, and not to take them for granted. Each "sighting" of God''s work, Gire says, can make Christians fall more in love with Him.

In The Work of His Hands, Ken Gire develops an inspiring metaphor, using the restoration of one Michelangelo''s damaged statues to illustrate the way in which the Lord restores us, his creatures who have been damaged by death, disability, disease, the disobedience of sin, and the devil''s attacks. In May, 1972, a madman severely damaged Michelangelo''s premier creation, the Pieta, which depicts Mary holding the crucified Christ, and the best artists in the world carefully restored it. In this classically beautiful spiritual reflection, Gire says that in a similar way, God himself carefully restores us, his premier creations.

Returning to school after winter break, eleven-year-old Kim continues to mourn her twin brother Kevin''s death, finding comfort in writing in her diary and in an unexpected friendship with the class bully.

The state of Colorado is split into two parts: the eastern half, flat and arid and almost featureless, and the western half, known for its breathtaking Rocky Mountain vistas. This is a metaphor for our lives. Author Ken Gire, who wrote this book within sight of Pike''s Peak, explains how the rocky difficulties of our own lives can be transformed by God''s grace into true loveliness. Have you experienced the upheavals of death, disease, divorce, or disappointment with God? The Weathering Grace of God will give you both dignity and hope as you allow God''s grace to conform you more every day to the image of Jesus. Book jacket.

Can a movie feed your soul? Stories. Be it a parable of Jesus, a C.S. Lewis fantasy, or a movie such as Saving Private Ryan, stories have been around since Creation, a means of both education and entertainment. By far, our favorite way to listen to a story today is at the movies, whether in a theater or a family room. Indeed, says Ken Gire, movies are the parables of our culture and —earthly stories that sometimes have heavenly meanings. Can we discern God''s voice in the modern parables of film? Yes, it is there, sometimes loud and crystal-clear, sometimes barely a whisper, sometimes even despite the filmmaker''s intent. In Reflections on the Movies, Ken helps us: and • sensitize our "eyes to hear and ears to hear" God speaking, and • develop the skills to understand movies and their themes, and and • learn to reflect on the medium as a form of spiritual enrichment. In 1999, Ken was one of thirty Christians selected for a month-long study under some of the film industry''s top talent in Hollywood. He has led numerous spiritual retreats where he has used movie clips to illustrate his messages. Reflections on the Movies and Ken''s previous books in this series and —The Reflective Live, Reflections on the Word, a devotional, and Reflections on Your Life, a journal and —are designed to help you become more spiritually sensitive to the everyday moments of life.

"Prayer is the easiest and the hardest of all things", E. M. Bounds once said. This book, filled with timeless reflections on prayer, is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the art of communicating with God. These readings address some of the most commonly asked questions about prayer such as "Why do we pray?" and "What difference does prayer make?" C. S. Lewis, Max Lucado, Richard Foster, Charles Spurgeon, Elisabeth Elliot, and Oswald Chambers are just a few of the writers and thinkers whose wisdom has been culled for this collection. Brief, topically arranged selections lend themselves well to devotional use.

Helps group members find time to listen to God, see everyday moments as sacred, and learn to rest in God''s love.

A bestselling inspirational author provides a collection of valuable vignettes about the profound influence a father has on a child and shares reflections on the personal stories of real-life fathers and their children, as well as lessons learned in his own experience.

A companion journal to Ken Gire''s book, allowing you to measure your progress on the journey toward a more reflective life.

If you really want to hear what God is saying to you, first you have to slow down. That is what Reflections on the Word by acclaimed writer Ken Gire is designed to help you do. To create pauses for reflection, like park benches that allow you to stop and sit and reflect on your spiritual journey. To check the map. And your bearings. And to make any adjustments in your course. Each reflection begins with a Scripture reading. It''s followed by a meditation that offers insight into the passage, written either by Ken Gire or other spiritual guides from around the world and across the centuries, including Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Catherine Marshall, Oswald Chambers, and Edith Schaeffer. The closing prayer is intended only to start you praying, in hopes that the Holy Spirit will bring other things to mind-other vistas He would have you see, other paths He would have you take, other precipices He would have you avoid. This is a companion book to two others in this new series by Ken Gire that emphasize the centuries-old tradition of reflective living-The Reflective Life, a spiritual primer, and Reflections on Your Life, a journal.

The story of a high-school football team during the post-war years in a small Texas mill town. The team hasn''t won a game in two years. They have shabby facilities - and no coach. Enter Pete Williams, the coach whose job it is not just to shape a new team but to change the very lives of his players. This is a captivating Hoosiers-type story about camaraderie, insecurity, triumph, and defeat.

A week-by-week collection of pieces to be read by expectant mothers, taking them through their pregnancy and helping them consider the development of the child. Each entry comprises a short prayer, a reflection on the growth and changes of the foetus, its mother''s response, and a quote.