Forever Changed (Revised): A Journey in Jericho (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Jodee Kulp (Editor)
Key Phrases: Four Stops, Bar Mitzvah, Rabbi Shatim (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Here is a master story tell and an experienced actor presenting an intriquing drama packed with surprises." -- Gigi Graham

"McConnell and script move this great historical story along until the receptive audience is invloved in its sincerity" -- Miami Herald, Bill von Maurer, critic

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 --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Description

Forever Changed is Book of the Year Finalist with Foreword Magazine. Just why would a nice Jewish boy grow up to be a despised tax collector in first century Jericho? Then you must ask yourself, why would Zacchaeus go out on a limb to see the latest in a long line of would-be Messiahs? Its easy to forget that personalities of ancient times had real lives. Joys, disappointments, growing pains, short comings, maybe just a bad day. There is so much more to see when one digs beneath the obvious and finds, the world has changed in two thousand years but life is much the same. Zacchaeus did have a life but a life full of surprise he could have lived without. He was six when his dad announced, Zacchaeus, your mother is dead. A short boy, picked on by his peers, now motherless and without a refuge. Until he becomes enchanted with his religion. A new sanctuary. He considers a rabbinical career but happens on his mentor with one of the many town harlots. His dreams are shattered, his hopes vanish and his faith, well that too has disappeared. He joins his father in the tax collecting business, becomes set for life and the big man in town. When his father dies, Zacchaeus inherits the worst of tax routes. A blind man, a woman with an issue of blood, a demoniac and a widow about to bury her only son. They dont have his tax money and beg off for thirty days. Zacchaeus is in trouble. His collections are due. He returns to his route, but now Yeshua has passed by. Zac is amazed. They have his taxes and their lives are changed. He rushes to town to see this Yeshua but the crowds are too big. He cant get to Yeshua. He cant even see him. I know what Ill do. Ill run to the center of town and wait for Yeshua to pass by. He did. Yeshua did not pass by. He stopped right under Zacchaeus. Come down, Im coming to your house today. A holy man in a sinners house. Zac throws a party and invites the whole town. He knows something has changed and that something is him.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: One Way Books; Revised edition (March 24, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0980045118
• ISBN-13: 978-0980045116
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #901,882 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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.