The King's Legacy by Jim Stovall

This was a totally great little book! It was a quick read and one that I really got into.

You are along for the ride as a good and benevolent king decides what it is he wants to leave his people as a tribute to his time of leadership. He settles on searching for the one piece of wisdom that will be called "the wisdom of the ages". He hears from any and all of his citizens that wish to contribute their wisdom to be considered for this honoured title. Many of them bringing great truths to ponder and leaving the reader with much to contemplate. The king is faced with the difficult decision of what to proclaim, and how it works out in the end was a refreshing and fitting end to the book.

The one thing that I was marginally disappointed in was that of all of the citizens coming to offer wisdom all were men but one woman who came to speak of the legacy of being a good parent. I realize that the author may have been trying to stay true to the time of the story in which most men were in the work force and women stayed home, but it was a bit disappointing none the less. There are always exceptions to the norm and it would have been nice to see that embraced a little by throwing in a couple of strong female characters in addition to all of the men.

That being said, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it for a quick easy read.

The King’s Legacy: A Story of the Wisdom of the Ages

Best-selling author Jim Stovall’s classic parable returns in an updated gift edition

From the best-selling author of the The Ultimate Gift, now a major motion picture, comes an ageless tale with a profound message: Sometimes wisdom is where you least expect it. This summer, Jim Stovall’s classic parable, The King’s Legacy: A Story of the Wisdom of the Ages (David C Cook, June 2009), will return in an updated, revised gift edition. Featuring an enhanced look and new illustrations, this simple, insightful story is perfect for readers of all ages.

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there was an enchanted kingdom ruled by a benevolent and much-loved king who, through his uncommon wisdom and insight, led his people through many difficult times to a period of peace, prosperity, and happiness such as the kingdom had never known.

Now, nearing the end of his reign, the king longs to leave a lasting legacy for his people. What would be a fitting memorial to his time on the throne? A monument to rival the pyramids of Egypt? A gold coin bearing his likeness? A colossal statue carved in his image? No, such an enlightened ruler would choose a very different kind of memorial.

But then the king has a remarkable idea: To discover the most profound words of wisdom in the world.

So the king invites citizens from all walks of life and all corners of the realm to share with him the best of their life lessons. Farmers and physicians, hunters and historians, jesters and judges—all come before the monarch. From the wisdom that they share, the king will select the one bit that surpasses all the others, wisdom that will be passed around the world, wisdom that will benefit all people from all lands, forever: the Wisdom of the Ages.

But as the king hears from more and more of his subjects, he becomes worried and restless. From so much profound and wonderful wisdom, how will he discern the Wisdom of the Ages? How will he know when he has found it? The answer comes in a form that no one, from the king to the lowliest peasant, could expect. For the greatest wisdom comes from the most unexpected of places….

Author Bio

Jim Stovall is a national Olympic champion weightlifter, former president of the Emmy Award-winning Narrative Television Network, and a highly sought after author and platform speaker. For his work in making television accessible to our nation’s 13 million blind and visually impaired people, The President’s Committee on Equal Opportunity selected Jim Stovall as the Entrepreneur of the Year. Jim was also honored as the International Humanitarian of the Year, joining previous recipients Mother Teresa and Nancy Reagan. He is the author of the best-selling book The Ultimate Gift, now a major motion picture.

The King’s Legacy: A Story of the Wisdom of the Ages by Jim Stovall

David C Cook/June 2009/ISBN: 978-1-434765-93-2/144 pages/softcover/$12.99

www.davidccook.com ~ www.jimstovall.com

Fearless by Max Lucado

This was a great read. it was short and to the point. What I saw as a theam was to come back to God in prayer as the solution to most of the different adversities that he covers in this book. I think that it may have glossed over some of the harder subjects but those subjects may not have totally fit under the specific umbrella of fear.

All in all this book was a great reminder of the basic premis that if we are faithful in our devotions and prayer life, God will honour that. Fearless was full of reminders to fall back into the arms of our first love and learn to trust him. I was almost set on not appreciating this book as I thought to myself, "how can anyone live with no fear?" I think that if we take thse simple truths to heart it might just be possible.

Book Description

Each sunrise seems to bring fresh reasons for fear.

They're talking layoffs at work, slowdowns in the economy, flare-ups in the Middle East, turnovers at headquarters, downturns in the housing market, upswings in global warming. The plague of our day, terrorism, begins with the word terror. Fear, it seems, has taken up a hundred-year lease on the building next door and set up shop. Oversized and rude, fear herds us into a prison of unlocked doors. Wouldn't it be great to walk out?

Imagine your life, wholly untouched by angst. What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats? If you could hover a fear magnet over your heart and extract every last shaving of dread, insecurity, or doubt, what would remain? Envision a day, just one day, where you could trust more and fear less.

Can you imagine your life without fear?