Imagine a Story that begins before the Beginning and has no End; that begins in total Darkness and ends with total Light. It's a Story of absolute Love vs. absolute evil; the ultimate "happily ever after", where ever after never ends. It's the Story of Stories, and the beautiful thing is that it's all true.

Steven James has done something no one else has done, to my knowledge, at least. He has taken the Bible and the complete story of Grace and Salvation and told it in story form. Interwoven with his own poetry, he writes with descriptive prose that at times is beautiful and at times so open and honest that it hurts to read.

"oh, in the beginning, when you were alone,

did you dream of someone like me?

in the beginning, from soil and stone,

when you breathed out a world to be . . .

did you dream a great dream,

did it glisten and gleam,

for all of the angels to see?

in the beginning, in the depths of your heart,

were you thinking, already, of me?



significance."

As the story progresses through the ages, the poetry reflects the changes brought about by sin and evil. But then a sacrifice was offered to break the chains, but man's betrayal was instrumental in the sacrifice, and the author explores his own continued betrayal.

"judas betrayed you for thirty pieces of silver.

forgive me for all the times i've done it

for free.

yet you've chosen to call me friend.

help me to live like it.

i'm both captured and set free by

the mystery of your love.

enigma."

Happily for all mankind, there is a happily ever after possible, and the author shares this with the reader. This could easily be used to share the Gospel with someone unfamiliar with the Bible or who is uncomfortable with the traditional "trappings". But I also think that those of us who are , in the author's words, participants in the Story, can benefit from being reminded of the love extended to us through the ages. And, not only can it be a spiritual experience, but the book is just beautifully written. I will be recommending this to anyone who will listen.

5 stars

“Available August 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. ( )