Tag Archives: David Kitz

Making the Psalms Come Alive

08 Sunday Dec 2024

Posted by in Books by David Kitz

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Here are some wise words from author, Phil Callaway:

I’m not certain I’d be alive without the Psalms. While my wife was losing her family to Huntington’s disease we lived in its inspiring pages. We still do. David’s devotional is a welcome companion on this journey, particularly for those needing a fresh shot of hope.

Phil Callaway
award-winning author & Christian humorist, www.laughagain.org

And here is a look at Volume II of the devotional series Phil is talking about.
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For nearly 3,000 years people have been getting in touch with God through the sacred literature of the Psalms. Generation after generation has drawn strength, comfort and inspiration from the words of the psalmist.

Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer is a devotional study that takes you through all of the Psalms during the course of a full year. The author’s goal is to help the reader interact with each psalm and connect with God in a fresh and living way.

In times of calamity the psalms bring peace. When storms rage within, a psalm can provide a haven of rest. When anger erupts, a psalm can act as a release valve. When God seems distant, the psalms bring us near.

There is something surprisingly practical about the psalms. They are meant to be lived. The Bible is in fact a living document that must be applied to life to be effective. This should not surprise us since, “The word of God is living and active” (Hebrews 4:12a). Author David Kitz draws from a range of biblical sources and real life experiences to make the psalms come alive.

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.
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For those who love historical fiction a gripping read from David Kitz. An ideal Christmas gift.
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To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Please pray for peace to return to Israel, Gaza, Syria, and Ukraine!

Rediscovering Jesus’ Blueprint for Renewal

22 Sunday Sep 2024

Posted by in The Elisha Code

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Is positive change, revival, and renewal possible today in the church, and more broadly in society and the world? This is a valid question in our culture where many are in despair and have lost hope. Many churches are in decline, public morality is in decline, and many have abandoned the Christian faith. Can this trendline be reversed?

In their book The Elisha Code & the Coming Revival David Kitz and Dr. Ed Hird tackle these issues head-on, and they do so, from a thoroughly biblical perspective.

In this interview with Logan Crawford, David Kitz sketches out some key truths about revival that have been lost and now uncovered through an examination of two prophetic dynamic duos, Elijah and Elisha from the Old Testament, and John the Baptist and Jesus from the New Testament.

Are you ready for renewal and a new perspective?

An Author Interview with David Kitz

02 Thursday May 2024

Posted by in Books by David Kitz

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David, what event in your life inspired you to write The Elisha Code & the Coming Revival?

On February 11th, 2018, I delivered a sermon entitled Healing the Water. My message2023-10-06-OnlineSharing-2 was based on Elisha’s first public miracle, the healing of the spring at Jericho. I was struck by the parallel nature of this miracle when compared with Jesus’ first miracle of turning water into wine. This triggered a quest to discover if Elisha’s other miracles resembled the miracles of Jesus. To my amazement they do. Further research uncovered the parallel nature of the ministry of Elijah and John the Baptist, and later, the ministry of Elisha and Jesus. But what are the practical implications of this biblical discovery for believers today?

The Old Testament dynamic duo of Elijah and Elisha sparked spiritual renewal in their day. John the Baptist and Jesus did the same in New Testament times. My friend, Dr. Ed Hird, has been writing about men and women from church history who spark revival in their day. Together we decided to partner in bringing a message of renewal and revival for the people of our time.

David, how is the topic of your book personal to you and why did you choose to share it with readers?

TheElishaCodeCVR5I stumbled upon a unique, unexplored perspective of Elijah and Elisha’s prophetic ministry that linked directly to the ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus. These four men preached repentance and brought revival and new life to the people of their time. Along with many Christians today, Dr. Ed Hird and I believe this message of deep spiritual renewal is urgently needed now.

Why should people purchase and read the book you coauthored with Dr. Ed Hird?

This book is a blueprint for the revival we need in our lives and in our churches today. Furthermore, the thread of practical life applications is both impactful and encouraging.

What are some current and newsworthy world events that relate to the topic(s) of your book?

We live in dark times—times of fear, pestilence, national and international intrigue, and political and environmental turmoil. War rages in Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, and other countries across the globe. Many are in despair. Moral rot is evident everywhere in society. Meanwhile, churches are closing, and faith is in decline. Spiritual renewal is urgently needed.

Explain two things you most want readers to walk away with after reading your book.

Further decline is not inevitable. Throughout history God has sent spiritual fire starters among us—men and women who turn people’s hearts toward God. Now is the time to renew our faith in a miracle working God who powerfully draws people to himself by his Spirit. It has happened before. It will happen again before Christ’s return.

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To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Psalms Alive!

07 Sunday Apr 2024

Posted by in Psalms

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If you enjoy my daily devotional posts on the Psalms, you may also enjoy Psalms Alive!
Psalms Alive!

Psalms Alive!

How do you connect with God? For three thousand years, God has been connecting with humankind through the prophetic prayer, praise and poetry of the biblical Psalms. Come follow David, the shepherd king, the man after Gods own heart, as we begin a journey to intimacy with God. Discover for yourself what a soul-bonding relationship with God looks like.

As never before, let the psalms come alive for you.

“David Kitz paints pictures with words, taking lessons from Scripture and nature to offer us a three-dimensional, multi-sensory relationship with God.” — Robert L. Briggs, Executive Vice President, American Bible Society

Psalm’s Alive! was inspired by years of the author performing dramatic readings of the Psalms. David still performs Psalms Alive! today.

David also writes weekly blog posts on the Psalms at davidkitz.wordpress.com

237 pages, trade paperback

To purchase from Amazon click here.

To purchase directly from the author click here.

Is Revival Needed in Our Day?

03 Wednesday Apr 2024

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Many in the church and the broader community readily admit that we need a spiritual awakening or renewal in our nation. Is that even possible in these divisive, troubled times?

In his review of The Elisha Code & the Coming Revival, authored by David Kitz and Ed Hird, John Murray suggests revival may be possible, but much depends on our response.

Here then is John Murray’s review:

As I read through this book three words came to mind, intriguing, interesting and challenging.

The title itself is intriguing as one waits for the Elisha code to be revealed. Then it is further intriguing as the authors introduce the ministry of Elijah and Elisha, the well-known prophets from the Old Testament.

Then came the interesting and fascinating comparison between their ministry and that of John the Baptist and Jesus, recorded in the New Testament. Incredibly revealing was the pattern and similarity in the comparison of their ministry, even down to almost identical miracles performed.

Finally came the personal challenge. Do we have the desire to reflect the character of Jesus or Elisha? Are we open to the work of God’s Holy Spirit in our lives? Do we want to be a blessing to a hurting and needy world? We are left with the question of how deeply do we desire to be part of the needed revival within and outside the church today?

This book puts it on the line.

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To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Endorsements for “The Elisha Code”

20 Saturday Jan 2024

Posted by in Books by David Kitz

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Wow! This is terrific. ReadingThe Elisha Code and the Coming Revival is like walking the road to Emmaus with the resurrected Jesus and two of his twenty-first century disciples—Ed Hird and David Kitz. Share their excitement as Jesus opens their minds to the Old Testament prophecies about Himself. With the added benefit of New Testament insights and lessons from history, we see the Holy Spirit preparing to ignite fresh revival fires in our day.

Don Hutchinson, pastor, lawyer, and author of 
Church in Society: First Century Citizenship Lessons for Twenty-First Century Christians

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My initial reaction to drawing a parallel between two “dynamic duos”—Elijah/Elisha and John the Baptist/Jesus—was not favorable. The Bible never makes such a claim. Or so I thought, until I read The Elisha Code and the Coming Revival. I did so mainly because co-author Ed Hird is one of my oldest and dearest friends. I was genuinely surprised at the compelling argument he and David Kitz make for this connection as they spur the reader onto revival expectation.

— Alan Gilman, Bible Teacher, Writer, & Podcaster

I found The Elisha Code and the Coming Revival by David Kitz & Dr. Ed Hird to be a rollercoaster-thrill-read from beginning to end … I could not put it down! The authors take you on an adventure of discovery—seeking bold faith—in readiness for the revival to come.

— Alan Kearns, Devotional Treasures blogger, Glenrothes, Scotland

Canadian readers for a closer look or to purchase click here.

American readers click here.

Faith Today Magazine Interviews David Kitz

13 Saturday Jan 2024

Posted by in Books by David Kitz

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Faith Today PXL_2024-01-13FT (Faith Today): You’re a retired schoolteacher and ordained Foursquare minister who writes a daily blog on the Psalms (davidkitz.blog) and performs one-man Bible dramas. Why prioritize those things?

DK (David Kitz): These priorities come out of my objective and motto which is “Bringing God’s Word to life and lives to God’s Word.” If we want to see real change in people’s lives, we need to connect them with the living Word of God. Jesus is the living Word, and in knowing him I have discovered love, peace, and joy. Writing and drama are two vehicles I use to bring the living Word to others.

FT: Congrats on the Word Alive Press award you and your co-author Ed Hird got for your manuscript The Elisha Code and the Coming Revival. What’s the book about and when does it come out?

DK: The Elisha Code and the Coming Revival explores the relationship between the Old TestamentTheElishaCodeCVR5 prophetic dynamic duo of Elijah and Elisha, and their New Testament counterpart, the duo of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. Jesus identified John as “the Elijah who was to come” (Matthew 11:14). An examination of Elisha’s miracles reveals that they run parallel to the miracles of Christ in a most remarkable way. Furthermore, this has implications for believers today as we live in anticipation of seeing even greater works (John14:12) in days of spiritual revival ahead. The Elisha Code and the Coming Revival is available now.

FT: You’re chair of the board at The Word Guild, a national association for Christians in writing and publishing. How does that group benefit the church community?

DK: Writers change the world, and they have been shaping the world we live in for thousands of years. Our goal at The Word Guild is to encourage, equip, and strengthen Canadian Christian writers so they can impact our society at every level. God uses Christian writers to inform and inspire the church community. We can all agree the written living Word needs to be present and active in Canada.

FT: Tell us a bit more about yourself anf your development as an author.

DK: I’m a farmboy born and raised in Saskatchewan but now living with my wife Karen in Ottawa, Canada’s capital. We have two adult sons and a daughterinlaw.
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My first book, a novel, was published in 2003. God has blessed my efforts, and over the years I have won multiple awards across several literary genres. Prior to The Elisha Code and the Coming Revival, my most recent publication was a three book devotional series entitled Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by Elk Lake Publishing.

In all this my goal contunues to be “Bringing God’s Word to life and lives to God’s Word.”

For a direct link to David’s website click here.

A Review of The Elisha Code

06 Saturday Jan 2024

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The title, The Elisha Code, might make one think of a book like The Da Vinci Code and its search for a secretive, hidden key that would enable a special few to decode a mystery. Or it might even cause some to think back to the early days of the Christian Church and the rise of Gnosticism with its guarded secret knowledge available only to initiates. But not this book.
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For these authors—this “dynamic duo”—the “code” is there for all to see if they know where to look for it in God’s Word. What David Kitz and Ed Hird have done is to discover and reveal amazing—might I say, “uncanny”— parallels between the two Old Testament prophets Elijah and Elisha, and the two New Testament personages of John the Baptist and Jesus. The uncovering and displaying of these parallels, which help us see scripture with new eyes, is the heart of the book, and in themselves make it worth the read.

But one might ask, “To what end?” The authors clearly answer that question in the latter half of the book (and in the second half of the book’s title—the Coming Revival). The authors’ goal is not just cleverly to point out these complementary passages, but to bring the reader to see the conditions required for revival that will inevitably come if God’s people will meet them.

Delving deep into the lives of great men and women whom God anointed and used to bring about revivals and do transformational gospel work; and in laying out the spiritual requirements for revival, Kitz and Hird challenge us today to give ourselves fully to God so that we ourselves, living in this twenty-first century, might be his instruments in enabling the revival to come.

Neil Bramble—freelance writer and editor, longtime magazine editor, published author and book editor, and a professional member of The Word Guild.

To purchase or for a closer look at The Elisha Code and the Coming Revival visit Amazon or click here for the author’s website.

Author Spotlight: David Kitz and Dr. Ed Hird

05 Tuesday Dec 2023

Posted by in Books by David Kitz

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For the month of December, Dr. Ed Hird and I were featured in the Word Alive Press spotlight for our book The Elisha Code and the Coming Revival.

TheElishaCodeCVR5Are you ready to rediscover Jesus’ blueprint for spiritual renewal?

Here then is the reposted Word Alive Press author of the month feature article:

We are pleased to introduce our Braun Book Award-winning authors, David Kitz and Dr. Ed Hird. David and Ed teamed up to write their recently released book The Elisha Code and the Coming Revival which is now available through the Word Alive Press Bookstore, and everywhere fine Christian books are sold. We asked David and Ed to share a little bit about their new book. But first, a little bit about them.

About

Both Ed Hird and David Kitz are seasoned award-winning Christian writers. Both men have authored a variety of books and articles, and both are active ordained ministers of the gospel—Ed with the Anglican Mission in Surrey BC, and David with the Foursquare Gospel Church in Ottawa, ON. In addition, David Kitz serves as the chair of The Word Guild, and Ed Hird is a frequent contributor to BC Christian News.

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What drew them to combine their skills to write this book was their common desire to see Christ’s bride, the church, renewed, refreshed, and revived after years of struggle and decline.

Q&A

Q: The Elisha Code and the Coming Revival — that’s an intriguing title. David, please tell me more about the Elisha Code. Why this title?
A: On February 11th, 2018, I delivered a sermon entitled “Healing the Water”. I was struck by the parallel nature of Elisha’s first public miracle, the healing of the spring at Jericho, to Jesus’ first miracle of turning water into wine. This parallel triggered a quest to discover if Elisha’s other miracles resembled the miracles of Jesus, and to my amazement, I found they do. In the process of my research, I uncovered the blueprint Jesus was following to bring about spiritual renewal and revival in his day. We urgently need the same renewal in our lives and our churches in our day.

Q: Dr. Ed Hird, how did you become involved in writing this book, and how did the writing process unfold?
A: Having co-written three books—For Better for Worse, Blue Sky, and God’s Firestarters— with my wife Janice, God has given me an anointing and passion for co-writing books. When David Kitz approached me to co-write The Elisha Code, I jumped at the chance. Over fifteen months, we met weekly by zoom, and typed out hundreds of pages from recorded zoom conversations. David is so well organized that it was a privilege and challenge to weave related stories into the revival theme. I am more surrendered to the Lord because of this ‘iron sharpening iron’ experience. Writing this book has been a positive experience for both of us. Seasoned writers may want to consider working with another likeminded author. While we cannot produce revival, we can prepare our hearts so that we don’t miss it when God pours revival upon his people. The Elisha Code is about not missing what God is about to do.

Q: Why do you believe a nationwide revival is possible in the days ahead?
A: Biblical history and more than 2,000 years of church history tell us revivals occur and reoccur. Furthermore, they often begin in dark times of uncertainty and turmoil. Ed Hird and I were young men when we were caught up in the Jesus people movement of the early 1970s. It was a revival that emerged from a counterculture revolution. Was it unexpected? Absolutely. Can something similar happen again? Can these dry bones live again? Ezekiel 37 provides the answer to that question.

Q: On a personal level, are there certain preconditions that make spiritual renewal possible or likely?
A: A growing level of discontent with our current situation personally and nationally can prompt a deep hunger for change. When the Holy Spirit engages, spurs, and directs that hunger, repentance, and a turning to faith in Jesus follows. On a personal level, we need deep repentance rooted in complete humility. We cannot save ourselves or our society. We need Jesus.

Q: In the fourth chapter of your book, you make this statement: “The voice of the prophet is needed today, just as it was in Jesus’ day. A national call to repentance is needed now. Who will voice that call? Where are the prophets for our time?” What do you mean by that statement? Are there prophets among us?
A: Throughout history, prophetic voices have called people to repentance. That was the primary role of the Old Testament prophets. Their mission was to turn wayward people back to their loving Creator-Redeemer. But there were New Testament prophets too. Acts 13:1-3 lists some of them by name. Throughout church history, prophetic voices have heeded God’s call and spoken truth and grace to a broken world. The Elisha Code highlights the work of several of these historic, church-age prophets, who challenged the world systems of their time. We need to hear prophetic voices in our day calling us back to God.

Q: What do you want readers to take away from reading this book?
A: We both want readers to walk away with a deep hunger for personal, national, and global revival. This troubled world needs to turn to Jesus. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). The Elisha Code establishes the clear biblical link between the Old Testament prophetic duo of Elijah and Elisha, and the New Testament duo of John the Baptist and Jesus. Plotting the parallel nature of their ministries makes for a fascinating read. For most Christian readers this will be new unexplored territory. But Elijah and Elisha, John and Jesus did not come for our entertainment. They were sent to this world for our salvation and transformation. We want saving transformation to take root within us and in the world around us.

Connecting Points

Find and follow David Kitz here:

Website: David Kitz Productions
Facebook: Facebook
YouTube: david kitz canada – YouTube

Find and follow Dr. Ed Hird here:

Website: www.edhird.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ed.hird.5
YouTube: Dr. Ed Hird – YouTube