Forever Changed: A Journey in Jericho [Hardcover]

Mac McConnell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2006

Why would a nice Jewish boy grow up to be a despised tax collector in first century Jericho? This historical novel by an international Bible actor reads like a lost diary or memoir from one of antiquities great mysteries. Zacchaeus becomes rich but at what cost? And what really compelled this little man to go out on a limb to see the latest in a long line of would-be Messiahs?

Editorial Reviews

Review

McConnell seeks out otherwise flat characters, drawing in his audience and allowing them to step into the story in a fresh way. --Jenn Doucette, Today's Christian

You feel as if you are living in the scene as Mac unfolds the drama, beauty and excitement of ancient history. --Tony Hammon

From the Author

Why I write? Because I was completely mesmerized by the narrator of the Passion Play who was telling Biblical stories like I had never heard them before. In first person as if he was living in the moment. Within 4 years I had changed my 21 year old career devoting full time to doing the same thing. Now, as the script writer and narrator of one of the largest passions plays in the world, which has won 2 Emmys, I'm telling ageless truths in historical novels intended to captivate the readers imagination.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: WinePress Publishing; 1st edition (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579218571
• ISBN-13: 978-1579218577
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,649,994 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mac McConnell, an entrepreneur at heart, expanded a modest picture framing studio into three art galleries, won Small business of the year, featured in Inc Magazine, and Decor magazine as innovative management. Mac, a record setting pilot and TaeKwon-Do Black Belt, sold it all founding One Way Productions - way.org - writing and performing hundreds of Biblical one-man dramas - including Narrator of the Emmy award winning Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant, throughout the US and the Middle East. He and wife Linda, live in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Current historical novellas published: Forever Changed, 97800980045116, The Cradle To Cross Trilogy - 978009800458161 which includes, Joseph, The Father's Journey 9780980045130 - Bozra, The Shepherd's Journey 9780980045109 and Hadad, The Innkeeper's Journey 9780980045123

Footsteps of St. Peter, A Judean Chronicle, Book I, the Early Years is the 2010 release, with a street date of Nov. 1st

Forever Changed is a finalist for Book of the Year. Bozra won a Dove award and Mom's Choice award.
The Cradle to Cross Trilogy was selected the winner of Anthologies and Compilations from Independent Publishers and Finalist at Book of the Year.

Born: Jacksonville, FL
Married: Wife Linda
Resident: Ft. Lauderdale, FL 40 years
BUSINESS AND AFFILIATIONS
Founder of the Artful Framer Gallery and owner from 1974 to 1995
MIami Herald Small Business of the year 1989
Leadership Broward VII 1989
Small Business Leader of the year 1990
First Chair of The Theater Company of Plantation 1991
Past President of the Plantation Chamber of Commerce 1992
World Aviation Speed Record Holder
Black Belt TaeKwon-Do

Sold business of 21 years to form One Way Productions dedicated to Spreading Good News Dramatically.

THEATRICAL
Narrator/Script writer for the Emmy award winning Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant
Actor/Author of 6 one-man dramas. Performing in U.S., Kiev, Ukraine, Scotland
Jerusalem and Greece.

HIGHLIGHTS
1990 - Tyler Moss in Crossing Delancey; -
1990-Captain Bracket in South Pacific
1990 - 2008 Simon Peter in Emmy Award winning Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant
1994 - 2008 Scriptwriter for Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant
1992 - 2009 Touring and performing One-man dramas
1999 - 2009 "Acting Nautrally" Drama Workshops
1996 Featured Dramatist at Fishnet Festival
1996 Directed "Another Kind of Love" for Wesleyan Youth Conference
1997 Directed Christmas Eve special at Coral Sky Amphitheater
1997 Patrick Henry for Reclaiming America
1997 Featured Dramatist Music in the Smokies
1998 Patrick Henry for Lift up Your Eyes Conference
2000 Patrick Henry for Concerned Women for America Conference
2000 Zacchaeus for 10th Annual Heart of Florida Women's Conference
2001 Featured dramatist, Grand opening of The Holy Land Experience
2001 Dramatist for "The Boggs"; summer camp to 1400 youth
2001 Drama Tour in Scotland
2002 Keynote Speaker, Music Conference, CA
2002 Featured Dramatist, Kempke Music Conference
2002 Drama Workshop Leader, Coral Festival
2002 Premier of "In His Steps"
2003 In concert as dramatist with Michael Card
2003 Easter Pageant Director, Messiah Baptist, KS
2003 Debut "Last Words of St Paul"
2004 Featured Dramatist, National Retreat, Salvation Army
2005-2007 As St. Paul during "Footsteps of Paul" tours in Greece and Turkey
2006 Feature article in the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
2006 - 2009 Authoring historical novels, the Journeys
2007 Feature article in Today's Christian
2007 Feature article in the Miami Herald
2008 Dove Award for historical novel, Bozra, A Shepherd's Journey
2009 Mom's Choice Silver Award for historical novel, Bozra, A Shepherd's Journey
2009 Finalist, Book of The Year for historical novel, Forever Changed.
2010 Cradle to Cross Trilogy, winner of Anthologies and Compilations from Independent Publishers.
2010 Cradle to Cross Trilogy, finalist for Book of the Year.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Walk the Streets of Jericho and Enjoy This Re-Told Story, October 16, 2006

By 

W. Terry Whalin "Publisher/ Editor / Writer" (Scottsdale, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forever Changed: A Journey in Jericho (Hardcover)

Ever read the story of Zacchaeus in the New Testament and wondered about his life before this tax collector met Jesus Christ? It is this "what if" question which Mac McConnell answers with FOREVER CHANGED, A JOURNEY INTO JERICHO.

The reader plunges into the head and heart of Zacchaeus and has an encounter that changed his life. I recommend you read--and re-read this little volume.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A small book with a big punch, October 16, 2006

By 

Paula Powell (Ft. Lauderdale, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Forever Changed: A Journey in Jericho (Hardcover)

There are several reasons I really loved this book. The size of the book told me right away that I could read it in one or two sittings (which I did), and it is the perfect gift-sized book. The author has taken a real Biblical event and created a clever and creative story to weave around it. The main character being Zaccheaus, a dreaded and hated tax collector during the time of Jesus' earthly ministry. What was this man like as a child, how did he end up in such a position-a pawn of the Roman empire and hated by his own countrymen? But the powerful message is what impact did a real-life encounter with the Son of God have on him. Which in fact, actually happened and is recorded for all to discover in the book of Luke. God saw this man differently than those around him and even though He would shortly be crucified, He saw Zaccheus in the Sycamore tree and reached out to him in a life-changing way.

Tha author's style of writing is one of the reasons it is so easy to read and grasp his intent. You can almost see the events happening and hear the conversations and especially get a glimpse of what this Jewish man might have been thinking. I loved it and would definitely consider giving this book as a gift. It has a powerful message wrapped up in a delightful story. He indicates that several similar stories will follow...If the next stories are as interesting and powerful, I would love to have a collection of these little books on my bookshelf.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mac McConnell is The next Chuck Swindoll, November 25, 2006

By 

Larry L. Thompson "Sooner Book" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Forever Changed: A Journey in Jericho (Hardcover)

This is a must read! If you love Swindoll and the word pictures that he uses in his writing you will LOVE this book. It is pratical, applicable and a very easy read. Great for devotional gifts to friends.