An Easter book worthy of your nightstand

This Easter I wanted to give everyone a special gift for their Easter baskets...

...the gift to learn what Christ was like when he was alive.

My gift to YOU this Easter is a book recommendation. Rarely do I recommend a book to everyone like this but when I do its because it's touched my heart and spoken to my spirit in a way that has changed they way I look at life in some way and The Robe did just that.

This modern day classic book by Lloyd C. Douglas "THE ROBE" has changed my testimony and relationship with the Lord forever. I felt strongly that I needed to share this book with you all and I hope some of you take my advice and READ IT because if you allow yourself to fall into it the way I did, it will strengthen your testimony and/or possibly create one you didn't know you had.

Intrigued?

Quick synopsis of the story:

This story has a biblical foundation, and regards the tale a Roman soldier present at the crucifixion of Jesus. This particular soldier is the one who engaged in casting lots (a dice game) for the robe of Jesus and won. Lloyd Douglas gave this character a name (Marcellus Gallio) and an incredible fictional life story. Marcellus turns out to be a Roman Tribune, the senior Roman soldier present on scene at the execution site. He is the son of an important Roman senator, and even later finds favor with Emperor Tiberius and is commissioned to investigate, on behalf of the Emperor's curiosity, the new emerging religion of "Christianity"  that reaches to the very roots and heart of Christianity. Here is a timeless story of adventure, faith, and romance, a tale of spiritual longing and ultimate redemption.

Let me be straight with you for a second about this book. This books is what I like to call a "meaty read" meaning it's much more dense with good content than your everyday vampire book. I wouldn't try to read it right before bed after a long day when you can hardly keep your eyes open because you need an attentive mind to understand and appreciate the deep, meaningful story line but don't let that discourage you because some of my most favorite books I've ever read are the "meaty" ones, full of good, nutritious things for my heart and mind!

Oh, let me warn you that there is a 1953 film adaption to this book that I've heard is pretty bad so I don't recommend watching it unless you are into watching horribly adapted movies.

This book also made a big impression on my mother. After she read it a good friend of hers birthday came along and she decided to gift her this book with a personal note inside which said,

"...I was drawn to this story in a way that I almost hungered for the positive and often spiritual feelings I experienced while reading it. I felt an intimate connection to the Savior, in spite of his character only being revealed through the eyes and thoughts of others. When I read how His Spirit affected those he touched, I understood the longing these people felt to be in his presence. The positive energy and light that flows from Him to those who embrace His teachings, will in turn, help them to feel that power within themselves to change.
The story pulled me in and I felt as one reviewer said, “as though you're walking side by side with the characters, living with them and enduring their emotions, seeing the things that they see.”

That is EXACTLY how I felt reading it. I too felt as if I were walking side by side with each of the characters in the book, learning about who the Savior was when he was alive!

Lastly, I want to point out the entirely unique story line of this book. The idea of picking up the pieces after Jesus is gone and being able to "watch' as we followed his disciples in their formation of a new church--lost, alone, all muddling their experiences together to create the picture of Jesus, all piecing together their puzzles without the help of written material like the Gospel...it's amazing and unlike anything you've ever read before.

In my humble opinion, this it is one of the BEST books ever written. It was first published in 1942 although it is truly a timeless piece of work and I believe it to be a classic that will stand the test of times. This book should be taught in schools and read by anyone who wishes to find a relationship with Christ and walk with his true disciples...the people he taught with whom his spirit resides.

 "This faith, is not like a deed to a house in which one may live with full rights of possession. It is more like a kit of tools with which a man may build himself a house. The tools will be worth just what he does with them. When he lays them down, they will have no value until he takes them up again." — Lloyd C. Douglas (The Robe)

Happy Easter Everyone,

And Happy Reading,

Kelly