Category Archives: book review

Barnes & Noble Book Review

23 Thursday Jan 2020

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Today I came upon this 5 star book review on the Barnes & Noble website. What follows is a duplicate of that post:

I received a copy of THE SOLDIER WHO KILLED A KING: A TRUE RETELLING OF THE PASSION by David Kitz from Kregel Publications in exchange for an honest review. This is a standalone book.

This book…wow. Subject matter aside, it blew me away. The writing is superb. It feels as ifSoldier book you are watching a movie, but a 4D movie. (This would make a great Broadway play.) It puts you in the scene. You taste and feel and smell. You are transported back in time. You get to really know the characters as if they were people living on your block. You travel back in time to the first-century world and experience it all.

Now for the subject matter. According to the blurb: A stunning story of Holy Week through the eyes of a Roman centurion. The centurion is Marcus Longinus.

This story shows the events leading up to the Passion Week. This is a new take on a story that has been told many times. I admit to thinking it might “just be another one.” If you hesitate because of that, you’re missing out. This is historical Christian fiction at its finest. I highly recommend it for your collection.

To purchase though Christianbook.com click here.

Some thoughts on “Psalms Alive!”

03 Friday Jan 2020

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This morning I came upon this book review by Pam:

David Kitz’s devotional, “psalms alive” is a book I bought for my friends and family this past Christmas and I plan to read it a second time. It is one of the best devotionals I have ever read for the following reasons:

* The Scripture is printed at the beginning of each devotional. This makes it so convenient and for me it meant reading and then re-reading that Psalm many times as I studied Kitz’s devotional which followed. Many devotionals only quote the reference which you are to study. Tell me – how many of you actually look up this passage? Lol. It’s too easy not to get your bible and look it up. It’s such a simple thing to print the Psalm right in the devotional but it made the study so much more helpful.

* Secondly, this was an excellent resource because of the cultural and historical insights Kitz provided. These brought the Psalms to life and helped me remember and apply them.

* Theologically, I believe Kitz is sound and credible; he often cross-referenced his thoughts with other biblical passages.

* The whole picture – Kitz provided each Psalm in light of the sweep of biblical history and revelation, often showing how the Psalm prophesied Christ. I appreciated this and it helped me see the relevance and power of the Psalms in my daily life.

Reading “psalms alive” was a highlight of October/November 2017. I looked forward to it every day; it was a feast every morning that I will indulge in again. My copy is highlighted, underlined, tear-stained, and I have several pictures I drew in response to the insights I learned. It is a treasure that I recommend with the highest confidence.

Pam

Psalms Alive! is available for purchase from Christianbook.com or directly from the author.

A New Review of “Psalms Alive!”

17 Sunday Nov 2019

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‘Psalms Alive!’ is an insightful and thought provoking look into the human condition and man’s relationship to God. Through 13 Psalms, David Kitz encourages us to examine not only these wonderful writings, but how they relate to our own personal experience and God relationship.

The only thing missing is a sequel. Thanks to the author for this gifted approach to Psalms study.  — Sharon Heagy

237 pages, trade paperback

For purchases in Canada from the author click here.

For purchases in USA from Amazon click here.

A Recent Review

14 Thursday Nov 2019

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Earlier this week, I came upon this review of my Biblical novel on the website Christianbook.com.

The Soldier Who Killed a King by David Kitz is an amazing fictional recounting of the passion of Christ as seen through the eyes of a centurion. I’ve had the book for quite a while and now having finished it, regret not reading it sooner so I could share it. What a remarkable book! The author brings a turbulent week in Jerusalem to life with biblical-fiction-award-2017_origcompelling imagery and believable dialogue and action. The rereading of this last week before the crucifixion of Jesus was a moving reminder of what He suffered for me. Readers of Biblical fiction will not want to miss The Soldier Who Killed a King.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookFun Club network. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own.         — Annelr, Brighton, MI

To download a free study guide for this high-impact, Bible-based novel visit:
https://www.davidkitz.ca/centurion.php/free study guide PDF

From a Soldier’s Point of View

12 Tuesday Nov 2019

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I wrote my novel about Christ’s passion from the perspective of the centurion who wasbiblical-fiction-award-2017_orig in charge of the Good Friday crucifixion. Despite this masculine viewpoint, I have been pleased by the positive response from female readers. The following 5-star review was written by Sally Meadows and was posted to Goodreads:

It seems more than fitting that The Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed to God and was betrayed on the eve of His crucifixion, is the setting of the climax of “The Soldier Who Killed a King.” Here, the protagonist finally meets the living God in a gut-wrenching, unforgettably powerful way that will change his life forever. David Kitz’s narration draws us, throughout this book, into the complexity and brutality of New Testament times with such incredible detail that we can see, taste, feel, everything the soldier does. An enormously successful retelling of Jesus’s final days from the perspective of the man who was instrumental in Jesus’s death. And how through Jesus’s death, the soldier found true life. 

To download a free study guide for this high-impact, bible-based novel visit: https://www.davidkitz.ca/centurion.php/free study guide PDF

For book purchases try the author’s website, or Amazon, or https://www.christianbook.com
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A Five Star Review

20 Friday Sep 2019

Posted by in book review, Psalms, Psalms Alive!

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A book review by Linda Klager

I loved this book.  It would make a good resource for anyone to get a different perspective on the book of Psalms.  I thought the cover of the book was very appropriate  showing the sky with lightning bolts coming down and touching the green grass.  Isn’t it like that with God – how He shows his power and majesty?

I really like that the author chose Psalms 19 to begin his look at certain chapters of the book of Psalms. In Psalms the author mentioned the first witness (God) speaks through creation. Then the author continues in Psalms 19 mentioning the second witness (God) speaks to us from His Holy Word. The third witness in Psalm 19 is about our response to God. The author painted clear pictures of these Psalms to make the Bible come alive for me.

There were other verses of the Bible from other books of the Bible that corresponded to the verses of the Psalms for all of us to get a bigger picture of what God says to us.  Oh, how we can worship the LORD!

I liked that the author included a section after each chapter that would initiate a response from us to make us think and meditate on these chapters of the Psalms and other Scripture in the Bible.

I give this book 5 stars.  Thank you, David Kitz for a wonderful, thought provoking book.

Take a moment to vote

Psalms Alive, has been nominated for the Book of the Month award hosted by Interviews and Reviews.

To cast your vote for Psalms Alive, click here.

Thanks! Note: You can vote daily until September 30th.

A New Review of “Psalms Alive!”

12 Thursday Sep 2019

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A book review by Tina Williams

Psalms Alive! Connecting Heaven and Earth by David Kitz explores the Psalms through personal vignettes of the author’s reflections on various Psalms. As I read I felt that the author was sitting across from me in a comfy chair sharing the great goodness of God from the heart of a shepherd. The author includes discussion questions at the end of each chapter which helps the reader connect heaven and earth by spending some time meditating on scripture and driving those truths deeper into our hearts so that we are not merely readers or hearers, but also actors in God’s great drama of life!

At times, a sentence or two seems out of place, when the author laments the current state of affairs with our culture, but the main points are brought home in pointing us to the character of God.

One of my favorite quotes which encourages all believers, like athletes, to be engaged with scripture is found in the chapter, From Strength to Strength. “The busy, world-engaged laity is far too often content to coast on the second-hand faith of church leadership. In reality, our own faith muscles need development and regular exercise. If regular spiritual conditioning isn’t taking place, we become weak in our faith. We are fit for the couch, not the pilgrim’s route. We stumble when others question our beliefs. Temptations overwhelm us. Doubts drain us of our spiritual vitality. We conform to the thinking of this world. We are not reaching the world with the message of Christ; the world is reaching us, and pressing us into its mold.”

This book will encourage and inspire the reader to dig deep into the Psalms as the author draws from personal object lessons which help further understand and connect the word to the heart.

Take a moment to vote

Psalms Alive, has been nominated for the Book of the Month award hosted by Interviews and Reviews.

To cast your vote for Psalms Alive, click here.

Thanks! Note: You can vote daily until September 30th.

Voting Has Begun

04 Wednesday Sep 2019

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A brief book review by Kandace Perry 

Page after page of God’s Word comes to life through David’s down to earth and Sample Coverpassionate approach. David reminds us that the Bible is “still alive; still breathing,” and it is just as applicable today as it was thousands of years ago. God is still very much alive, loving us, waiting for us, drawing us to Him.

Psalms Alive! awakens our soul, inspires our mind and warms our heart.

Take a moment to vote

Psalms Alive, has been nominated for the Book of the Month award hosted by Interviews and Reviews.

To cast your vote for Psalms Alive, click here.

Thanks!

Note: You can vote daily until September 30th.

A Review Worth Repeating

12 Wednesday Jun 2019

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Much thanks to west coast writer Violet Nesdoly for the following review of Psalms Alive! 

In Psalms Alive! author, pastor, and dramatist David Kitz takes us on a journey through thirteen selected psalms. In the Preface Kitz explains why he wrote the book:

“For the past number of years I have been bringing the Psalms to life for audiences through the medium of live drama. Here now in book form, from a dramatist’s perspective I provide a glimpse into the prayers and praise of the psalmists.”

Each of the book’s 26 chapters begins with the quoted scripture passage under discussion. This is followed by Kitz expanding on it in a variety of ways that include personal stories, explanations of biblical customs and settings, devotional inspiration, and a challenge to apply the scripture’s advice to life. Each chapter ends with a “Bringing Life to the Psalms” section consisting of three to four discussion and personal application questions.

Kitz’s writing is lively, picturesque, and wise. He expands liberally on the ideas presented in the Bible passage. He doesn’t leaves us in the theoretical clouds though, but makes sure his conclusions connect to everyday living. My book is full of underlined sections. Here are a few of my favourite quotes:

From the Preface: “When we handle the Word of God, we are handling life. When we take hold of the Word of God, it takes hold of us” – P. 17.

From a chapter on Psalm 19: “Your heavenly Father does not need a stethoscope to check on the condition of your heart; he needs only to listen to the words coming out of your mouth” – P. 43.

From a chapter on Psalm 103: “Relationship is always the wellspring of all revelation. It is while we are in God’s presence that we discover the mind of Christ” – P. 149.

I used this book, along with others in an online creative Bible study and found much inspiration in it for Bible art journaling. It has deepened and broadened my appreciation of the psalms discussed. It would make an excellent textbook (along with the Bible, of course) for a men’s or women’s Bible study.

For further information on this 240 page book, visit https://davidkitz.ca/psalms.php.

For information on the direct book purchase from the author, click here.

For purchase from Amazon click here.

For information on a live dramatization of the Psalms visit
https://davidkitz.ca/psalms.php.

There is no liberation like the liberation of full and free forgiveness. — David Kitz