Queen. Preacher. Pagan. As characters with Biblical biographies, these three - Esther, Jonah, and Ruth - stand alone. Although many other lives are narrated throughout the Bible, only the life stories of these three are recounted in books named for them. Esther became a queen because she was beautiful. After the pagan king "fired" the previous queen, he went looking for a replacement. Physical beauty was the sole criterion, and Esther the Jewess was selected. Her story of humility, fear, prayer, courage, and obedience never mentions the name of God. Jonah, a Jewish prophet, experienced an ongoing tug-of-war with God. His angry, whining, argumentative personality overshadows the Ninevites' acceptance of the God he eventually introduced them to. Ruth was not Jewish. She was a Moabite. But Naomi's son had married her, and after they were both widowed and Naomi decided to return to her home in Bethlehem, Ruth insisted on accompanying her. Ruth adapted to Jewish laws and customs, believed in the God of Naomi, and worked diligently to keep them both alive. God uses us also, in spite of our gifts and our foibles, our looks and our dispositions, our fears and our circumstances, to accomplish His sovereign will.

Meet Jesus. Experience His burial, resurrection, and ascension in a contemporary rhythm-and-rhyme style. "Overhear" the conversations He had with eleven people He encountered during His stint on earth - plus one that occurred after His ascension . Some of the conversations Jesus Himself initiated, as with Simon Peter and the commission to "feed My lambs." Others were prompted by questions and issues brought to Jesus. Some were sincere, as Nicodemus' "How can a man be born when he is old?" Some were designed to ensnare Him in theological issues, such as the Pharisees' bringing the woman taken in adultery: "Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned; but what sayest thou?" This book seeks to show a Jesus who was both divine -"This Jesus, taken up from you/Shall return the same way, at last" - and human - "I'm coming to visit in your house." He is both Jesus, the Friend who can identify with our human frailties and foibles, and Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. He not only understands first-hand the meaning of life in the world, but He has the answers and solutions to that life's questions and puzzles. Nathanael was amazed. Nicodemus sneaked in. The Samaritan woman wanted to worship and witness. The adulteress was embarrassed. The rich young ruler desired it all. Martha fretted. Zacchaeus desired to give it all back. The lawyer met neighbors he didn't know he had. James and John were put in their place, ever so gently. Mary Magdalene wept. Simon Peter knew brotherly love. Saul of Tarsus heard a voice. Jesus loved each one of them, met them where they were, and directed them toward heaven. Listen. He has answers and solutions for you, too.