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 --

Bestselling Author Reveals God''s Heart for Outsiders Everyone feels like an outsider sometimes. Acclaimed bestselling author Ken Gire lets readers know that they are not alone. He brings them directly into the action of Scripture, telling the stories of foreigners, lepers, prostitutes, and other "outcasts" who found acceptance with God. Alongside the Bible stories, he blends contemporary examples and spiritual insights to paint a picture of a God who relentlessly pursues each of us. Discussion questions are included for individual or small group use.

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.

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

Drawing on the Psalms, Gire climbs the mountainous terrain of God''s seeming indifference and helps readers learn how to hold on to hope, despite their circumstances.

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.

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.

This compilation of Ken''s best-selling Moments with the Savior books contains all the devotions from the four previous books as well as many new devotions -- all in one deluxe hardcover volume.

How do we, like Mary, create "pauses" in our days to hear what the Savior has to say to us? How do we make time for the things that ultimately matter? Ken Gire unlocks the door to change by introducing us to a centuries-old tradition--reflective living.

While God speaks powerfully through Scripture, he also whispers to us through the everyday experiences in our lives--through the windows of our souls. Gire writes in a deeply personal way about how God communicates to us through music, art, memories, the beauty of creation, and even our tears. God''s messages nourish our souls and give us a deeper experience of his presence.

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 perfect gift item for Father''s Day or anytime when a father''s special love is remembered. Gire reminiscences about his own childhood and the special person who shaped his values and gave him a loving perspective on the world. Photographs.

A vivid retelling of the parables from the award-winning author of Intimate Moments with the Savior and Incredible Moments with the Savior. This unique devotional draws readers back in time to the streets of Jerusalem and the hills of Palestine to the revealing words of a wandering Jewish preacher. Third in Gire''s Moments-with-the Savior series.

You will see His glory poured out not upon prophets or priests or Pharisees, but rather upon the most unlikely of recipients--the burdened, the bewildered and the bereaved.

The bittersweet tale of love, trials, tragedies, and triumphs of ten-year-old, mentally handicapped Kevin Hallas and his family.

A devotional tapestry woven from the threads of Scripture, prayer, and meditation, this book will help readers relive life-changing moments with Jesus.

A peacock, elephant, and lion all provide an important lesson on how God is with us even when scary things happen.