Many Thanks Go Out to Veterans Today

As we celebrate Veterans Day and honor those who have served our country--as well as their families--let's also be sure to remember in particular the families of veterans who are no longer with us. Your sacrifices mean so much to us, and we are forever grateful.

One of our recently published book's, Left Alive to Die, is just one example of the ultimate sacrifice made by a man and his family to help protect and serve the US. for Mary Lou Hall and her children, Heather and Harley Stephen, their husband and dad, accomplished and decorated U.S. aviator Harley Hall, who unflinchingly signed on for last-gasp missions over Vietnam even in the war's waning seconds in 1973, disappeared after his shootdown--his whereabouts never pinpointed. For his loved ones and for all who still miss him urgently, the question lingers: where is Harley? how could he so utterly vanish? why did the U.S. not charge in and demand an accounting for this one who had such a brilliant future ahead as a military star? why was he left alive to die?

Susan Keen, whose physician husband once served alongside Harley as Hall commanded the celebrated Navy's Blue Angels flight-demonstration team, masterfully and heartwrenchingly profiles Harley, last American pilot shot down before the cease fire; chronicles jarring evidence indicating that Hall remained alive for years after his capture; and outlines our government's humiliating response to his wife's and others' pleas to garner attention for this compelling case.

No American can read Keen's shocking book without being moved to impassioned prayer for those such as Mary Lou who have no closure and whose lives forever are devastated by a war that many would like to believe never happened.

Susan Keen is a mother of two, teacher, reader, and world traveler. A native of Mississippi, she holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Mississippi College, Clinton, MS. She has written and published two cookbooks, was an interior designer, is a graduate of several French cooking schools, and is a gourmet cook. She and her husband, Jack Keen, M.D., live in Fort Worth and are active members of Travis Avenue Baptist Church.

Hermano Pablo's Vision Left Its Mark on Latin America

Driven with desire to put the gospel message on radio and TV in the Spanish-speaking world, Paul Finkenbinder (popularly known as Hermano Pablo) worked tirelessly to see his unprecedented dream fulfilled. With few resources except for an unfaltering faith in God, Hermano Pablo doggedly pursued the vision even when others, including his own family and co-workers, wondered whether the cost was worth it all.

Today, as Hermano Pablo and his wife, Linda, look back on nearly 70 years in ministry, they clearly see God's handiwork that made Hermano Pablo through his broadcasts one of the most influential Christian leaders in Latin America in the 20th century. Read more about Hermano Pablo's story, That Powerful Light, by Linda Finkenbinder.

Delve into the Life of an Unsung Texas Hero

Ernest T. "Bull" Adams was the first-ever Rhodes Scholar from Baylor University, but he spent most of his adult years on his knees sifting through the dirt as he unearthed clues about the earliest humans. He was a formidably brilliant lawyer and apt public official, yet he tenderheartedly devoted much of his professional career to representing the down-and-out.

Blessed with Herculean physical prowess that earned him his nickname, this gentle giant was most at home while he entranced youngsters from his hometown in Glen Rose, TX, with yarns about his rugged, enigmatic life. A highly contagious illness during young manhood relegated Bull to rambling throughout the Southwest, thus spending lonely years away from loved ones, yet none was more esteemed than this oft-unkempt, unconventional legend who left behind a vast legacy of knowledge through his passion for the ancients.

Dr. Jeffery J. Pruitt, whose family along with the rampaging "Bull" shared Central Texas roots near the Paluxy River, artfully unravels, in This Man Called Bull, the life of this complex creature, whose genius continues to influence others even today. Dr. Pruitt authentically describes this "Bullish" hero who never knew the word quit and who dared to be a different spirit.

One Man's Martyrdom Didn't End His Story or His Music

The 1930s were very difficult years for Christians in the lands of Russia. Thousands laid down their lives for their faith. Among these was Georgy (pron: Gay-or-ghee) Slesarev, first violinist of Moscow's prestigious Bolshoi Theater Orchestra.

They Could Not Stop the Music is the story of one believer who, rather than choosing to hide his faith and make life easy for himself, his wife and two children, chose to let his light shine in the midst of one of the darkest periods in history when being a witness meant, more often than not, martyrdom. But for this servant of Christ, hiding his faith was never an option because he saw his position in the world-renowned musical body as a direct assignment from God. He had been placed there to be His witness, which eventually led to Georgy's arrest and confinement in a Siberian Gulag. 

The twist in Georgy's story, however, is sparked by the opportunity he was given to return to his position with the orchestra and to his family. The condition: He would have to sign a document promising never to share about Christ again. Even though Georgy refused to sign the document and was subsequently executed, they tried but they could not stop the music.

"Iris: Trophy of Grace" Receives Flying Colors in Blog Reviews

Looking for a new book to read? Browse these blogs for reviews of Iris: Trophy of Grace. From "extraordinary" to "inspirational" to a "don't-hesitate-to-buy-it" review, these bloggers share their honest opinions about the book.

One Desert Rose's Blog

Families Again

Vic's Media Room

Tales of the TCKK Family

Mocha with Linda

From Flab to Fab

Growing for Christ

Cafe Lily

Creative Madness

Fox 26 Houston Features Story of Grace, Forgiveness

Book: From Topless Bar to Practicing Christian: MyFoxHOUSTON.com

Will God “crush” this bruised, rebellious reed?

A Bruised Reed is based on bites of information about the life of Lucey Hanks, Abraham Lincoln’s grandmother. This work is not intended as a biography, since so little is known about Hanks’ life. Not even her size, attributes, or hair color found agreement among historians. However, the story that can be pieced together from these historical bites gives a beautiful revelation of how deeply God loves His children and works through circumstances and persons to bring them to Himself.

The author, Helen Stephenson Spaulding, is eighth cousin to Abraham Lincoln. Because of a challenge to prove the relationship, much research was done into Lincoln’s relatives, especially his grandmother, Lucey Hanks. During this research, the gaps in Hanks' life were intriguing. What changed a young, rebellious, unwed mother—indicted for “unbecoming behavior”—to a married mother of eight more children, of whom two became ministers of the gospel and all the rest were active, deeply committed Christians? It was a story that begged to be written! (A few years ago, some interested persons worked hard to have the indictment expunged from Hanks' legal record.)

Some parts of this work are historically accurate. Others could have happened, given the actual history of that time. For instance, the massacre of Christian Dakota Indians did occur in 1782; the survivors did migrate south. Fictional events were woven into these historical parts to carry forward the theme.

Sara's Story by Tim Culver Receives Publicity at Baylor

In a "Point of Pride" on the Baylor Proud website of Baylor University, Tim and his wife, Sara, made headlines as an inspiring chronicle for the Baylor family. Tim, who recently released Sara's Story: One Family's Faith Through Unthinkable Trial, is a doctoral student at Baylor and a full-time employee at AT&T. Read the "Point of Pride" here.

CrossHouse Author Discusses Strokes, Healthcare Reform on Lars Larson Show

On October 6, Timothy Culver, author of Sara's Story: One Family's Faith through Unthinkable Trial, talked with Lars Larson about his book and his experience with the health insurance industry. Listen to the interview below and visit the Lars Larson Show's website at www.larslarson.com.

Watch video of Tim Culver and his wife, Sara, on Fox & Friends

Tim and his wife, Sara, talked on Fox & Friends October 7 about Tim's new book, Sara's Story. The book focuses on his wife's stroke, her recovery process and their battle with the healthcare system.

The interview is on the Fox & Friends' website.

UPDATE: CrossHouse Author on Fox & Friends, 10/7 at 6:50 EST

In May 2004 Tim Culver received news that his 42-year old wife, Sara, had suffered an acute stroke. Thus began a remarkable pilgrimage of faith for both Tim and Sara: a spiritual and physical journey that carried them through agonizing days coping with both the illness itself and resulting disability as well as dealing with the dark crevices between modern medicine and current health-insurance practices. Tim will be speaking on Fox and Friends (http://www.foxnews.com/foxfriends/) on October 7 at 6:50am EST to discuss his new book, "Sara's Story" (October 2009, CrossHouse Publishing) and his experience with the healthcare industry in relation to healthcare reform. Their story offers hope for families struggling with severe medical emergencies. It also is a clarion cry for new insurance practices and laws that expedite and streamline medical-care delivery today. The Culvers’ amazing story is detailed in a newly published book, ‘Sara’s Story’, released this month by CrossHouse Publishing of Garland, TX. Tim Culver is the author. The book is available through most online and physical bookstores, as well as at www.HannibalBooks.com. Tim and his wife Sara reside in Sunnyvale, TX, with three of their four children. The oldest child is proudly serving the U.S. Army in Iraq.