The Story Behind the Story by Nathan D. Maki and #giveaway

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Today we welcome Nathan D. Maki to my blog. Nathan is very graciously givingaway a copy of his new book The Keeper's Crown to one person who comments, USA and Canada only, print or ebook.  Please include contact information. 

Nathan, glad to have you stop by. 


The Story Behind the Story by Nathan D. Maki

“Remember my chains.”

Paul was by nature a free spirit. He refused to be bound by physical limitations, geographical difficulties or borders, or social prejudice. In his missionary journeys he traveled approximately 14,000 kilometers on foot and another 10,000 kilometers by ship! 

He was relentless in his mission to push the Gospel to the far reaches of the Empire. He crossed social lines, a Jew reaching out to the Gentiles. Yet as this man who preached and exercised liberty and freedom prepared to go back to Jerusalem once more for the Day of Pentecost celebration, the Spirit and men of God began to warn him that chains awaited him there.

But Paul was bound before he ever set foot in Jerusalem.

Before the riot broke out. Before the Romans came crashing in with shield and sword and clamped chains on his hands and feet. He was bound in the spirit, because God had told him to go. So knowing that a chain awaited him, still he went. Why? Because he wanted to finish his race with joy, testifying the gospel of grace.

Paul was determined not to be disqualifiedby veering off the God-marked course to take a short cut or an easier road. That’s why at the very end he could write to Timothy with confidence from the dungeon beneath Rome,

“I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up forme a crown of righteousness!”

That is not the last, relieved sigh of an old man glad his suffering is over. No, that is the victorious shout of a marathon runner, who has stayed between the flags marking his course when he could have taken an easier road, has pressed toward the mark, broken through the finish line, and is now ascending the victor’s podium.

Chained in Rome, Paul sat and began writing to the church at Philippi, these beloved believers who had recently sent a love offering to pay for his food and lodging while awaiting trial for two long years.

            Philippians 1:12-14  (NKJV)

“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ.”

Paul planned on going to Rome as a preacher, not a prisoner! He could have written a long letter about that experience alone. He could have proclaimed his innocence, decried the injustice of the Sanhedrin, described the abuses of the Roman justice system, and lamented his long incarceration. He could have become bitter and angry.

Paul’s chain could have become something that he constantly tripped over in his walk with God.

It could have become a symbol of failure or he could have taken it as a sign that God had forsaken him. But instead, Paul saw his chain as an opportunity. A ministry tool.

So my question for you today is this. What is your chain? What hardship in your life seems like it’s binding you? What handicap? What physical or mental or emotional or spiritual chain does it seem like you just can’t break free from? We always view chains as negative things, but Paul consecrated his chain to God and let Him use it for His glory!

Do you believe God could free you from the chain that binds you? God could have freed Paul. He’d done it before right? In Philippi, the very city Paul was writing to, Paul and Silas were bound in prison when God shook the earth, opened the doors, and broke off their chains. Paul might have even cried out to God, “Why not this time?”

But God was shaking the earth!

Shaking the very foundations of Roman society, as even the Praetorian Guard and Caesar’s household were being converted right under Nero’s nose!

God was opening doors!

Paul’s chain was a key that opened doors that nothing else could have. What else besides a chain could have ushered him into Emperor Nero’s presence to preach the gospel?

God was breaking chains!

All over Rome, chains of fear were dropping off believers. Encouraged by Paul’s boldness, they too began speaking the Gospel. And all over Rome, chains of spiritual bondage and sin were falling off new converts and shattering!

What is your chain? What if you surrender that chain to God to use it for His glory? Remember that what you see as a chain might just unlock a realm of ministry, anointing, and opportunity unimaginable and unattainable by any other means.

“Remember my chains.”

Not, then, a plea of an Apostle afraid of being despised and forgotten because of those chains, but a three-word challenge to all believers, everywhere and throughout history.

“Remember my chains.”

The Keeper’s Crown depicts Paul’s last lap so to speak, the sprint to the finish from Jerusalem to Rome, as seen through the eyes of Quintus, the soldier charged with guarding the great Apostle. God’s ways are not our ways. Before Paul could attain his crown he first had to accept his chain.

My hope and prayer is that this book will encourage each of us in our own way to follow in Paul’s footsteps.

The Keeper’s Crown is available in paperback and E-book from Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/Nathan-D.-Maki/e/B00J8C2TCS/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1521071360&sr=1-2-ent

From the Back Cover

As a boy, he dared to fight Nero. Worse, he won.

Stripped of his family, the love of his life, and his self-respect, he sets out on a quest to win a victor's crown, rescue his parents, and restore his family's honor. But his path to glory in the restless province of Judaea is threatened by the corrupt governor Felix, the murderous priest Melechi, and most of all by the rabble-rousing Paul of Tarsus.

When Quintus finds himself in Rome chained to Paul all hope of a crown seems lost, but Paul's example makes him question the true meaning of success. And why does Jael, the mysterious young Jewess who once saved his life, now respond with barely restrained flashes of hate?

~Jael~

The Romans took her father and her brother from her.

Now Jael vows to fight for her father's faith, fulfill her brother's oath, and avenge their deaths. But the further she travels with Paul and Quintus the more she feels torn. Can she follow her heart and still keep her vow?

~Paul~

He turned the world upside down.

Paul never expected to end his ministry in chains, but even still, he is determined to carry the gospel to Rome and the Emperor Nero himself. But what if those who need the gospel most are those closest to him?

As the Great Fire strikes Rome, fanning Nero's persecution of the Christians to a white-hot fury, murderous secrets, impossible choices, and steadfast faith will lead to tragedy and triumph.

Buy the book here:   http://hyperurl.co/alu5nq  

Also, Nathan is having a Facebook party this Monday, April 2nd, including a pictorial tour of Rome from his visit there, Q and A, trivia and games, virtual snacks (non-fattening ), hourly e-book giveaways, and two grand prizes of signed Proof copies of his book (of only 5 ever printed.) The address is https://www.facebook.com/NathanDMaki/      Sounds like it can't be missed to me! 

Excerpt from the Book

The prisoner looked over his bare shoulder at Quintus. “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?” His voice was steady and calm, as if he were asking a newcomer to a bathhouse about the weather outside.

A Roman! Quintus froze. If this man’s claim was true, by law they should not even have fettered him. They certainly could not scourge him.

“Hold,” he told the inquisitor. “Don’t touch him until I return.”

Quintus sprinted the stairs three at a time. He found Lysias nursing a cup of wine and staring blank-faced at the milling crowd in the Temple courts below. Lysias turned and cocked an eyebrow. “Has he broken already? I had him made of sterner stuff.”

“Watch what you’re doing with this one,” Quintus said. “This man is a Roman.”

The tribune set down his cup so abruptly its contents sloshed over his hand. He didn’t seem to notice. “Take me there.”

When they reached the dungeon, the prisoner was still bound as Quintus had left him. His arched back and lean, outstretched arms reminded Quintus of a juniper clinging to a wind-lashed crag. If he felt discomfort from the strained position he gave no sign of it.

Lysias paced around to face him. The man’s eyes were closed, and his lips moved without a sound. “Tell me,” the tribune demanded, “are you a Roman?”

The bound man looked up and met the tribune’s eyes with a frank gaze. “I am.”

“Hmm.” Lysias ran a knuckle back and forth across his lips as he slowly shook his head. “With a great price I obtained this citizenship.”

“But I was born free.” The prisoner’s eyes gleamed an inner light. “My name is Paul.”

Author Bio

A life-long love for historical fiction and a passion to create high-intensity, realistic novels from a Christian world view has propelled Nathan into his writing career. He is the author of the War Within series of novels set in Ancient Rome, and most recently The Keeper's Crown, a novel of the Apostle Paul.

A recent trip to Rome to walk the ancient streets, explore the Catacombs, and stand in the Coliseum plunged Nathan even deeper into the ancient world he brings to life for his readers.

Nathan's novels combine the faith and romance of Francine Rivers's Mark of the Lion trilogy with the action and adventure of Bernard Cornwell or Conn Iggulden.

Nathan lives in Ontario, Canada, with his wife, son, and three very spoiled dogs. There he pastors a church and manages his own business in addition to his writing. Sometimes he even sleeps.

Nathan Fun Facts

Like most true Canadians Nathan has a fake tooth thanks to hockey (and his high-sticking brother!)

In 2016 Nathan and his wife Rachel celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary with a trip to Rome (Which Nathan calls“My Happy Place.”)

Nathan, Rachel, and their son Alexander have two pugs, Pandy and Portia, whose idea of a good life is waking up, eating, napping, eating, napping, potty, and bed. A recent addition is Oliver, the Boston Terror…er…Terrior.

Nathan spent 13 years in a program called Bible Quizzing and memorized over 6000 scriptures. His team took 2nd place in North America one year.

Nathangraduated  from Carleton University with highest honors in Journalism and History only to become a landscaper, author, and pastor. Go figure! :)

Nathan has ridden horses in Texas and Arizona, studied fencing and saber dueling, and considers skiing, skating, and tobogganing a great way to spend his free time in the winter. (When he’s not reading or writing historical fiction.)