by Chris Wright
Talora looked at me. Nadia and her friends certainly seemed at peace again. The white flag of the Spirit flew clean and high on top of Castle Nadia, and I remember thinking how different it was from the old homemade flag Nadia had copied from one that belonged to someone in her family.
Now that the shadow angels had gone we no longer felt afraid. The King's Son was in charge. Nadia had allowed herself to be broken, before realising that the King's Son would not come and go whenever it pleased her for him to do so. Now, at last, Nadia knew how much she loved and needed the Prince -- and how much he loved and needed her.
We walked past Castle Max to two castles we'd not noticed before.
'Sit down, Zephan,' Talora said. 'I feel strangely sleepy.'
As we lay back against a large, smooth rock, the landscape before us seemed to break into different shapes.
'We're going back to the planet Eltor,' I said. 'Our adventure is over. See, everything is changing.'
Talora shook her head. 'No, look at the sky. It's still blue.'
Then something amazing happened. Angels were everywhere. I don't just mean warrior angels. I mean ordinary angels like me, like Talora. These angels must have been here all along, but the King's Son had hidden them from our sight. I laughed aloud to think that I'd imagined we were alone. But we'd come through the test, so we would be able to do the Lord God's work here on Earth. Of course, I'd miss the planet Eltor -- especially the little giskos -- but working here would be extra special.
Something else looked different too. The castles had gone -- and so had the white flags -- and we saw people walking and driving around in the sort of world you know so well, the world as it really is.
The voice of the Lord God floated softly over the hill. 'Talora and Zephan, there are many people here who do not fly my flag. They have not invited me in. If you are to stay and help me, would you rather see them with their castles or just as people?'
'With their castles,' Talora and I said together. I wasn't sure we were ready for too many changes, and with castles we'd learnt where to find problems. I mean, how would we know what people were thinking if we didn't see what was going in their lives without their thoughts and troubles looking like Great-Hopes, Good-Deeds and Self-Righteous -- and even Love-God?
'And will you work for me even though you know the dangers?'
'We love you,' I said, and it wasn't bravado. Certainly there was danger, great danger. The battles might be tough, but we knew we were on the winning side. 'We will serve you on Earth while there is work to be done here,' I added.
Again the landscape changed, but the sky was still bright blue. Small castles rose from the ground. We recognised Castle Nadia and Castle Max in the distance, with their white flags flying high. Castle Max might appear weak, but the Lord God was looking after it, and you can't ask for more than that.
I rubbed my eyes in surprise to see how clean Castle Nadia looked. The blackened walls were already washed clean and repaired. It felt good to think we'd be seeing a lot more of Max and Nadia. What was less pleasant was to see how many castles had no flags. Some had brambles and nettles covering the walls and windows, others looked so cheerless. The two closest castles had the names Castle James and Castle Sophie over their doors. I remembered Max and his friends mentioning James and Sophie in their prayers.
I blinked as Good-Deeds strode past, making for Castle James. I noticed that the castle had no white flag on top. Over there I was sure I could see Self-Pleasing sneering outside Castle Sophie. And that looked like All-Except-Me carrying planks of wood on his shoulder. But surely he was dead. Anyway, it definitely looked like him.
From the valley came the sound of horses galloping. With the King's Son as their leader, the five captains rode to the door of Castle James.
The first was Captain Trust, carrying his blood red banner with the picture of the Lamb. Then came Captain Good-Hope, with his blue banner showing the three golden anchors. The third was Captain Love. His banner had the picture of young people being held securely by the King's Son.
Captain Innocent was the fourth. His white banner unfurled slowly in the breeze to show the picture of three golden doves. Captain Patience came last. You may remember that his banner showed tears shed by the King's Son as he waited and cried for the people he loved to turn to him.
The King's Son signalled to us to join him.
Talora jumped to her feet and spread her wings. 'Come on, Zephan,' she said, giving me a friendly slap on the back, 'we can't sit here all day. There's work to be done.'
EPILOGUE
Excuse me for asking, but do you think you could be like Nadia at the start of this story, with a homemade flag on your castle, one copied from someone in your family? Maybe this is the first time you've even thought about it. Do you want a genuine flag? Or maybe you've never really thought about God before. The words on the banner -- The one who comes to me I will certainly not cast out -- are just one of many promises from Jesus. You can find this one in John 6:37. The translation here is from the New American Standard Bible. Read the words for yourself in your own Bible and remember them carefully. They are a great defence against the whispers of All-Except-Me.
John Bunyan ends The Holy War with the King's Son talking to Mansoul. I have taken three sections of this ending, because they seem to round off this allegory so well -- in spite of the very old fashioned wording which is from the original.
What sort of 'castle' are you? Instead of Mansoul, put your own name in the word below, because in a way each of us is Mansoul.
'You, my Mansoul, and the beloved of mine heart, many and great are the privileges that I have bestowed upon you; I have singled you out from others, and have chosen you to myself, not for your worthiness, but for mine own sake. I have also redeemed you, not only from the dread of my Father's law, but from the hand of Diabolus. This I have done because I loved you, and because I have set my heart upon you to do you good.'
'O my Mansoul, I have lived, I have died, I live, and will die no more for thee. I live, that thou mayest not die. Because I live, thou shalt live also. I reconciled thee to my Father by the blood of my cross; and being reconciled, thou shalt live through me. I will pray for thee; I will fight for thee; I will yet do thee good.'
'Remember, therefore, O my Mansoul, that thou art beloved of me: as I have, therefore, taught thee to watch, to fight, to pray, and to make war against my foes; so now I command thee to believe that my love is constant to thee. O my Mansoul, how have I set my heart, my love upon thee!'
Chris Wright
Chris's website is www.rocky-island.com, and you are welcome to contact him from there.
More Christian books from White Tree Publishing are on the next pages, some of which are available as both eBooks and paperbacks. More Christian books than those shown here are available in non-fiction and fiction, for adults and younger readers. The full list of published and forthcoming books is on our website www.whitetreepublishing.com. Please visit there regularly for updates.
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Chris Wright has three grownup children, and lives in the West Country of England where he is a home group leader with his local church. More books by Chris Wright for young readers are on the next pages. His personal website is www.rocky-island.com
Books for Younger Readers
(and older readers too!)
The Mer
lin Adventure
Chris Wright
The day Daniel Talbot brought home a stuffed duck in a glass case, everyone thought he'd gone out of his mind. Even he had his doubts at times. "Fancy spending your money on that," his mother scolded him. "You needn't think it's coming into this house, because it isn't!"
When Daniel, Emma, Charlie and Julia, the Four Merlins, set out to sail their model paddle steamer on the old canal, strange and dangerous things start to happen. Then Daniel and Julia make a discovery they want to share with the others.
eBook ISBN: 978-0-9954549-2-7
Paperback ISBN: 9785-203447-7-5
5x8 inches 182 pages
Available from major internet stores
The Hijack Adventure
Chris Wright
Anna's mother has opened a transport caf?, but why do the truck drivers avoid stopping there? An accident in the road outside brings Anna a new friend, Matthew. When they get trapped in a broken down truck with Matthew's dog, Chip, their adventure begins.
eBook ISBN: 978-0-9954549-6-5
Available now in paperback
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-5203448-0-5
5x8 inches 140 pages
Available from major internet stores
eBook coming soon
paperback available now
The Seventeen Steps Adventure
Chris Wright
When Ryan's American cousin, Natalie, comes to stay with him in England, a film from their Gran's old camera holds some surprise photographs, and they discover there's more to photography than taking selfies! But where are the Seventeen Steps, and has a robbery been planned to take place there?
eBook ISBN: 978-0-9954549-7-2
Available now in paperback
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-5203448-6-7
5x8 inches 132 pages
Available from major internet stores
eBook coming June 2017
paperback available now
The Two Jays Adventure
Chris Wright
James and Jessica, the Two Jays, are on holiday in the West Country in England where they set out to make some exciting discoveries. Have they found the true site of an ancient holy well? Is the water in it dangerous? Why does an angry man with a bicycle tell them to keep away from the deserted stone quarry?
A serious accident on the hillside has unexpected consequences, and an old Latin document may contain a secret that's connected to the two strange stone heads in the village church -- if James and Jessica can solve the puzzle. An adventure awaits!
eBook ISBN: eBook ISBN: 978-0-9954549-8-9
Available now in paperback
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-5203448-8-1
5x8 inches 196 pages
Available from major internet stores
eBook and paperback
coming summer 2017
The Dark Tunnel Adventure
A Two Jays Story
Chris Wright
James and Jessica, the Two Jays, are on holiday in the Derbyshire Peak District in England, staying near Dakedale Manor, which has been completely destroyed in a fire. Did young Sam Stirling burn his family home down? Miss Parkin, the housekeeper, says he did, and she can prove it. Sam says he didn't, and he can't prove it. But Sam has gone missing. James and Jessica believe the truth lies behind one of the old iron doors inside the disused railway tunnel.
eBook ISBN: 978-0-9957594-0-4
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-5206386-3-8
5x8 inches
Available from major internet stores
eBook and paperback coming late 2017
The Cliff Edge Adventure
A Two Jays Story
Chris Wright
James and Jessica's Aunt Judy lives in a lonely guest house perched on top of a crumbling cliff on the west coast of Wales. She is moving out with her dog for her own safety, because she has been warned that the waves from the next big storm could bring down a large part of the cliff -- and her house with it. Cousins James and Jessica, the Two Jays, are helping her sort through her possessions, and they find an old papyrus page they think could be from an ancient copy of one of the Gospels. Two people are extremely interested in having it, but can either of them be trusted? James and Jessica are alone in the house. It's dark, the electricity is off, and the worst storm in living memory is already battering the coast. Is there someone downstairs?
eBook and paperback coming late 2017
eBook ISBN: 978-0-9957594-4-2
Paperback ISBN: 9781-5-211370-3-1
$5.99 ?4.95
Mary Jones and Her Bible
An Adventure Book
Chris Wright
The true story of Mary Jones's and her Bible
with a clear Christian message and optional puzzles
(Some are easy, some tricky, and some amusing)
Mary Jones saved for six years to buy a Bible of her own. In 1800, when she was 15, she thought she had saved enough, so she walked barefoot for 26 miles (more than 40km) over a mountain pass and through deep valleys in Wales to get one. That's when she discovered there were none for sale!
You can travel with Mary Jones today in this book by following clues, or just reading the story. Either way, you will get to Bala where Mary went, and if you're really quick you may be able to discover a Bible just like Mary's in the market!
The true story of Mary Jones has captured the imagination for more than 200 years. For this book, Chris Wright has looked into the old records and discovered even more of the story, which is now in this unforgettable account of Mary Jones and her Bible. Solving puzzles is part of the fun, but the whole story is in here to read and enjoy whether you try the puzzles or not. Just turn the page, and the adventure continues. It's time to get on the trail of Mary Jones!
eBook ISBN: ISBN: 978-0-9933941-5-7
Paperback ISBN 978-0-9525956-2-5
5.5 x 8.5 inches
156 pages of story, photographs, line drawings and puzzles
Pilgrim's Progress
An Adventure Book
Chris Wright
Travel with young Christian as he sets out on a difficult and perilous journey to find the King. Solve the puzzles and riddles along the way, and help Christian reach the Celestial City. Then travel with his friend Christiana. She has four young brothers who can sometimes be a bit of a problem.
Be warned, you will meet giants and lions -- and even dragons! There are people who don't want Christian and Christiana to reach the city of the King and his Son. But not everyone is an enemy. There are plenty of friendly people. It's just a matter of finding them.
Are you prepared to help? Are you sure? The journey can be very dangerous! As with our book Mary Jones and Her Bible, you can enjoy the story even if you don't want to try the puzzles.
This is a simplified and abridged version of Pilgrim's Progress -- Special Edition, containing illustrations and a mix of puzzles. The suggested reading age is up to perhaps ten. Older readers will find the same story told in much greater detail in Pilgrim's Progress -- Special Edition on the next page.
eBook ISBN 13: 978-0-9933941-6-4
Paperback ISBN: 978-0-9525956-6-3
5.5 x 8.5 inches 174 pages ?6.95
Available from major internet stores
Pilgrim's Progress
Special Edition
Chris Wright
This book for all ages is a great choice for young readers, as well as for families, Sunday school teachers, and anyone who wants to read John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress in a clear form.
All the old favourites are here: Christian, Christiana, the Wicket Gate, Interpreter, Hill Difficulty with the lions, the four sisters at the House Beautiful, Vanity Fair, Giant Despair, Faithful and Talkative -- and, of course, Greatheart. The list is almost endless.
The first part of the story is told by Christian himself, as he leaves the City of Destruction to reach the Celestial City, and becomes trapped in the Slough of Despond near the Wicket Gate. On his journey he will encounter lions, gi
ants, and a creature called the Destroyer.
Christiana follows along later, and tells her own story in the second part. Not only does Christiana have to cope with her four young brothers, she worries about whether her clothes are good enough for meeting the King. Will she find the dangers in Vanity Fair that Christian found? Will she be caught by Giant Despair and imprisoned in Doubting Castle? What about the dragon with seven heads?
It's a dangerous journey, but Christian and Christiana both know that the King's Son is with them, helping them through the most difficult parts until they reach the Land of Beulah, and see the Celestial City on the other side of the Dark River. This is a story you will remember for ever, and it's about a journey you can make for yourself.
eBook ISBN: 978-0-9932760-8-8
Paperback ISBN: 978-0-9525956-7-0
5.5 x 8.5 inches 278 pages
Available from major internet stores
Agathos, The Rocky Island,
And Other Stories
Chris Wright
Once upon a time there were two favourite books for Sunday reading: Parables from Nature and Agathos and The Rocky Island.
These books contained short stories, usually with a hidden meaning. In this illustrated book is a selection of the very best of these stories, carefully retold to preserve the feel of the originals, coupled with ease of reading and understanding for today's readers.