Daily Archives: July 18, 2017

The Birth of a Literary Grandchild

18 Tuesday Jul 2017

Posted by in Books by David Kitz, Psalms

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Here is my confession. I’m envious. I’m envious of all those folks around my age who are blessed with grandchildren. Whenever I see them dandling a toddler on their knee I feel a twinge of envy. I want one of those—a grandchild.

Boys in Wagon

That’s me with younger brother Dale in 1957

I turned sixty-five this year and as I occasionally remind my sons, I think it’s time. But alas this is not a solo endeavor.

Writing a book and seeing it come to fruition has often been compared to giving birth to a child. I believe the analogy is fitting. Writing a book certainly is a labour of love. From conception to delivery you carry that book with you for a period of months or years. Little by little it grows within you until it is finally ready for the world.

My first book was published in November 2003. I remember bringing my baby home from the hospital—err publisher—as proud as any first-time father.Cover

Good books have a life of their own. They kick up a fuss and generate interest. The Soldier, the Terrorist & the Donkey King certainly did just that. In 2005 it won the Word Guild Award for Historical Fiction. The first print run sold out in nine months. Two additional print runs followed.

You might say that my baby grew up. Last year it crossed the border as I signed a contract with Kregel Publications. That marriage resulted in a literary grandchild that was born in June.

Soldier bookOf course every new baby needs a name. The title for this new baby of dual American/Canadian citizenship is The Soldier Who Killed a King.

Guess what? Grandpa’s proud of this baby. I’m sure it will kick up a fuss and generated a lot of interest. Good books do that.

Now Lord, how about some of those flesh and blood grandchildren?

 

David Kitz lives in soggy Ottawa, Canada with his wife Karen. To learn more about his book and drama ministry visit http://davidkitz.ca/

Centurion

David Kitz as Centurion

The official release date for The Soldier Who Killed a King is July 25th. To preorder this book visit Amazon or  http://www.kregel.com/fiction/the-soldier-who-killed-a-king/

Welcoming the King of Glory

18 Tuesday Jul 2017

Posted by in Bible, Devotionals, Psalm 24, Psalms

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Reading:                                      Psalm 24

(Verses 7-10)

Lift up your heads, you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory (NIV).

Reflection
Are you ready? The King is coming.

2017-07-12c

Lift up your head — Montebello, Quebec — photo by David Kitz

All of Psalm 24 is a psalm of anticipation. David, the shepherd king, is anticipating the arrival of the LORD. The LORD is coming to His city—to His temple. Have you prepared your heart and your mind for the moment of His arrival? Are you ready to receive Him as your King? He often shows up at the moment we least expect Him.

Undoubtedly, David, the warrior King, was reflecting on his own triumphant entry into the city after the defeat of his enemies in battle. But here in this psalm, he projects the victorious arrival of a much greater monarch—the King of glory.

There is a prophetic expectancy to this psalm that forms a very natural bridge to the Palm Sunday triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Jesus, the long anticipated King, came suddenly to His temple. Some were ready for Him; most were not. This should infuse our preparations for the King with an element of urgency. We can miss his appearing. Earlier in this psalm David asks, “Who may stand in his holy place?”

Purity of heart and action are essential. Blessing and vindication awaits those who seek His face. Again I ask, “Are you ready?” God can show up in your life today in an unexpected way. Will you recognize Him? Or like the busy people of Jerusalem will that moment pass you by? Will you be too caught up in buying and selling and the commerce of our times? Will you be too distracted by social media to recognize the medium of the Holy Spirit?

Lift up your head. Open your eyes. Take your attention off the mundane things of this world and focus the eyes of your heart on the Lord. Seek His face in your daily routine. The King of glory may be passing by today.

Response: Come, Lord Jesus, come. I open my heart and my mind to you. I want to see you at work in my daily circumstances. King of Glory, help me to anticipate your appearing in my life today. Grant me a pure heart so I can recognize your coming. Amen.

Your Turn: Has the King of glory appeared in your life recently? What are you doing to prepare for Him?