Tag Archives: christian faith

Christian Faith Challenged in Future World Without Religion

It’s the story of the classic human journey, one filled with great sacrifice and much pain. That’s how author Martin Gene Durst describes his new book, Templar, The Age of the Dark Prince.

Houston, TX (USA), February 01, 2013 — It’s the story of the classic human journey, one filled with great sacrifice and much pain. That’s how author Martin Gene Durst describes his new book, Templar, The Age of the Dark Prince.

Available through Halo Publishing International, Templar is the story of Marcus Stevens, a man in his early 20s living in a world without religion. “Stevens’ mother has been executed because of her faith and he experiences great sacrifice and enduring individual pain while making his classic human journey in a future world where religion has been outlawed,” Durst said. The character wrestles with his own faith as he becomes leader of the few Christians that remain and must fight against a Directorate questing for complete control of the Earth. “Human and spiritual conflictions are prevalent throughout the story,” Durst explained.

“I was inspired to write this book because of my love for Christ and because there is little to no Christian science fiction to entertain young adult readers who enjoy adventure stories,” the author said. “I love to read and I have a really good imagination.”

The Army Guard Reservist, who joined the Regular Army at age 18, now continues to serve his country full-time as an Operations Non-Commissioned Officer of a bridge engineer unit. He has authored two other non-fiction volumes including The Soldiers Creed: Hard Lessons of the U.S. Army for the Success of a Future America in 2011, and Army Recruiter Survival Guide in 2007.

Templar is the first in a series of fiction writing for Durst. “It’s a niche’ I’ve wanted to get into,” he said.

“This story will appeal to people who enjoy science fiction and adventure and likely will inspire Christian readers to examine their own faith,” said Halo International Publisher Lisa Umina.

Durst grew up in Martinsburg, West Virginia, the second oldest of five children with a twin brother. He attended West Virginia University after his first Army enlistment and earned a bachelor’s degree in education. He taught school for seven years in North Carolina before returning to full-time military employment.

Durst and his wife, Barbara, have three children, Ryan, 14, Emily, 7, and Ethan, 5. The family resides in Philippi, West Virginia, where they are members of the Living Water Church. The author enjoys long distance cycling, hiking, hunting, and playing music.

To reach this author, e-mail mbdurst@gmail.com or call 580-278-1441. To order Templar, The Age of the Dark Prince, visit http://www.halopublishing.com.

Press & Media Contact:
Lisa M. Umina, Publisher
Halo Publishing International
AP #726 / P.O. Box 60326
Houston, TX 77205-0326 – USA
877-705-9647
lisa@halopublishing.com
http://www.halopublishing.com

Daily Devotional Journals Offer Spiritual Guidance and Inspiration

Staying faithful to God by reading Bible verses can be a bit of a challenge for many Christians. Shirley Kufeldt felt that way as she read scripture in an effort to walk a Christian life and become aware of God’s plan for her earthly journey.

Houston, TX (USA), September 25, 2012 — Staying faithful to God by reading Bible verses can be a bit of a challenge for many Christians. Shirley Kufeldt felt that way as she read scripture in an effort to walk a Christian life and become aware of God’s plan for her earthly journey.

“For too many people, reading the Bible, God’s word, is too much of a challenge,” she said. “So they neglect picking up a Bible and do not learn what God has to say about any number of topics.”

It was these realizations that lead the committed Christian to develop the Bible Bites series, pocket-sized booklets filled with daily scripture verses for prayer requests and personal journaling. Available through Halo Publishing International, Bible Bites booklets are small journals designed to develop the habit of responding to scripture daily. “So each day, Bible Bites invites the learner to ponder one scripture and respond to God’s word with praise and prayer requests,” Kufeldt said.

Publisher Lisa Umina said the author’s new way of sharing the Christian faith will be a blessing to many readers seeking spiritual inspiration. “It will give them another way to have a conversation with God.”

Kufeldt said, “Christians will enjoy Bible Bites because it is an extremely simple, timely and effective way to spend time with God’s word and journal on a very regular basis.”

“When you ask folks if they’re satisfied with their daily devotional time with God, the answer is typically ‘no,’” she said. “People don’t read a Bible, attend church, a Bible study or a support group due to time constraints or lack of desire. They miss out on what God wants to do in their lives. I finally developed a system of journaling my prayer requests that works for me.”

“Through Bible Bites, people can easily learn, memorize and mediate on scripture as they journal regularly with direction and purpose.” The idea for the journals came from God, Kufeldt said. “It’s His word, my walk.”

A native of the Chicago area, the devoted author and her husband, Scott, have been married for 38 years and now live in Northern Wisconsin. They have two daughters and a granddaughter.

To reach Publisher Lisa M. Umina for comments, call 877-705-9647. To order Bible Bites, visit http://www.halopublishing.com.

Press & Media Contact:
Lisa M. Umina, Publisher
Halo Publishing International
1031 Spring Cherry Court
Houston, TX 77038 – USA
+1 877-705-9647
lisa@halopublishing.com
http://www.halopublishing.com