Of Such Is The Kingdom

Disability is not a boundary to holiness, because God is with us. But it can sometimes be an obstacle to full participation in the life of the Church, simply because many do not understand what is needed to help people with disabilities overcome any physical, mental, or interpersonal challenges they may face in church and in leading an Orthodox Christian life. This book addresses the question from theological, practical, and experiential perspectives, giving individuals and families with disabilities the opportunity to voice their needs and suggest some things the rest of us can do to make them welcome in the household of God.

Travel to ancient Palestine at the time of Jesus and the Roman Empire, and ask: What could a cynical, nonconformist, dry-goods salesman, a disgruntled blacksmith, and a musing mendicant all have in common? The answer: Down deep, they all want something better. The nonconformist, Manaheem, Herod’s truth-seeking foster brother, is hired by Herod to foment an insurrection against Pontius Pilate. Manaheem recruits the blacksmith, Barabbas, to lead the insurrection – much to the dismay of Barabbas’s Godly but fearful wife. The mendicant, an unfortunate but pensive young man named Timotheus, joins with an older beggar unsympathetic to his musings. Pontius Pilate sees himself as a weak ruler, but his wife pushes him to take over Herod’s territory. Meanwhile, Manaheem reunites with his former wife, Claressa, and after much soul searching, tries to blackmail Herod, losing Claressa in the process. Barabbas turns to robbery, enlisting the aid of the two beggars. Timotheus hesitates and almost turns back, but then decides to go along. Does redemption lie ahead, and at what cost to those who find it? Find out in this incredible tale filled with conflict, suspicion, and treachery.

Did you enjoy PART I of this historical fiction novel of Biblical and Roman times? This volume picks up where PART I left off. The insurrection having failed, Barabbas and his men find a cave in which to hide out. But Barabbas, unsatisfied, decides to try robbery. He enlists the help of the two beggars and they set out to rob rich Benjamin. But Timotheus almost turns back, after seeing the Nazarene. Will he go on to aid in this crime? Will it be successful, or will this also result in disaster? Meanwhile, non-conformist Manaheem tries to blackmail Herod over his part in the insurrection and loses his one true love, his former wife Claressa, also a non-conformist, with whom Manaheem is trying to reunite. Will he get her back? More importantly, will he, as well as Barabbas and Timotheus find the fulfillment they have been seeking?“ The story has a powerful message that has clearly been displayed throughout the novel. Mr. Becher takes you through a wide range of emotions from beginning to end.... This is a great novel that I’m sure you will enjoy” ----Rudelle Thomas (Divine Eloquence)

This novel is the sequel to "Of Such Is The Kingdom Parts I & II A Novel of the Christ and the Roman Empire." It employs those characters who were still alive at the end of Part II and adds some new ones. Did Claressa embrace Manaheem's new-found faith? What happened to the bereaved family of Benjamin? Did Joseph, the oldest son get to go to Rabbi school? Did Barabbas continue to follow the master and did his wife and children join him? And was Pontius Pilate able to forget about his decision to crucify Jesus and did he become the strong ruler his wife wanted him to be? These and other questions are answered in this volume. The new characters added include Saul, who becomes Paul, Herod Agrippa, the nephew of Herod Antipas, who wants to take over the latter's territory, and Caligula, the crazy son of Emperor Tiberius and friend of Agrippa. Against the background of suspicion and treachery within the empire and disdain for and persecution of the new faith, the Church continues to grow and flourish. Follow the travels of Manaheem as he tries in vain to convert the two Herods. Follow the machinations of Herod Agrippa in his aim to take over his uncle's territory. Follow the foibles of Pilate as he seeks to become a stronger ruler, while still regretting his decision to crucify Jesus. Follow the new life of Barabbas and his family. Follow the lives of Benjamin's family as they cope and deal with their loss and the now seeming impossibility of Joseph's schooling. Will he get to go to Rabbi school and what will it mean for their future? But mainly follow the early church as it grows in spite of persecution.

##Step back into New Testament times--to Ancient Palestine at the time of Christ and of the historical Roman Empire, and ask: What could a cynical, non-conformist dry-goods salesman, a disgruntled blacksmith, and a musing mendicant all have in common? The answer: Down deep, they all seek something better. But will they find the true fulfillment they are seeking? The non-conformist, Manaheem, Herod's foster brother, is hired by Herod to foment an insurrection against Pontius Pilate, whom he distrusts. Manaheem recruits the blacksmith, Barabbas, to be the insurrection leader, to the dismay of Barabbas' Godly but fearful wife (when he finally tells her). The mendicant, an unfortunate but pensive young man named Timotheus, joins with an older beggar completely unsympathetic to his musings. Pontius Pilate sees himself as a weak ruler, but his wife pushes him to be stronger and to even take over Herod's territory. Manaheem re-unites with his former wife, Claressa. In need of more money, he tries to blackmail Herod over his illicit affair With Herodius, his brother’s wife, but, Herod decides to marry Herodius and send his present wife back to her father. John the Baptist preaches to Herod and looses his head. Herod's palace is attacked, and suspecting Pilate, he tells Manaheem go ahead with the mission. Barabbas is successful in forming a group of insurrectionists and they rehearse for the big day. But will the insurrection succeed? . ----------------------- ###WRITING STYLE: The writing style is a unique eclectic style, combining poetry, straight dialogue and 1st person stream-of-consciousness narrative with the 3rd person narration.

The publication of the King James version of the Bible, translated between 1603 and 1611, coincided with an extraordinary flowering of English literature and is universally acknowledged as the greatest influence on English-language literature in history. Now, world-class literary writers introduce the book of the King James Bible in a series of beautifully designed, small-format volumes. The introducers' passionate, provocative, and personal engagements with the spirituality and the language of the text make the Bible come alive as a stunning work of literature and remind us of its overwhelming contemporary relevance.

Have you thought about death and the concept of heaven lately? Have you wondered just what the Kingdom of Heaven really is or what the Kingdom of God really means? Would you like to discover the truth for yourself? Would you like to know what heaven is like? Would you like to know how you can actually be a part of the Kingdom of God? The author leads you in your discovery as he gives you this dynamic supplement to your in-depth understanding of the remarkable and astounding truth of God.

The final book of the Bible, Revelation prophesies the ultimate judgement of mankind in a series of allegorical visions, grisly images and numerological predictions. According to these, empires will fall, the "Beast" will be destroyed and Christ will rule a new Jerusalem. With an introduction by Will Self.