I’m pleased to announce that my first children’s book, Hallelujah’s Great Ride, has officially been released. I am so excited because the story is very close to my heart. The book is centered around Jesus’s white horse, who I named Hallelujah.

Below is the book overview:

Have you ever wondered what it will be like when Jesus returns at the Second Coming? Do you anticipate that grand moment when he steps foot on earth to restore the world under his reign? Hallelujah is a beautiful white horse who lives in heaven. Being bright and curious, he can’t help but wonder about these things. He imagines himself being part of this amazing moment in heaven’s history when he hears the prophecies about Jesus’s triumphant return on a white horse. But he wonders how and when it will all take place. Join Hallelujah on his journey to find these answers and let your heart be filled with the hope of Jesus’s glorious return.

It is currently available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble in print format. The digital version is available here with Amazon and here with Barnes and Noble.

It is also available on Apple I-Tunes- please use this link.

The idea for the book came to me one night as I was reading Revelation 19.

Specifically, it was Revelation 19:11 that immediately inspired me:

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. 

In that moment I thought about Jesus’s horse, and I imagined his life in heaven. I began to wonder what kind of personality this horse might have. I tried to imagine what Jesus would say to his horse, or what the horse might say to him. I know, horses can’t talk, but I was thinking about all of this with a child-like curiosity. For many years I was an elementary school teacher so I am used to putting myself in a child’s shoes.

Of course, when you read about Jesus’s horse in Revelation 19 you don’t see many details listed about him. Nevertheless, the sense one gets is that this horse is awesome, spectacular, and of course, fit for a king! After all, this horse is carrying the King of Kings, Jesus, who is coming back to earth to vanquish evil with a “sharp sword.”

Read verses 12-16 below describing Jesus’s Return at the Second Coming:

“His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.  He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

After reading and thinking about Revelation 19, I decided I would write a book for children that could help them understand the hope that passages like this bring. Yes, the verses are intense. Jesus is coming back as a lion, not a gentle lamb. He is striking down the nations that have been disobedient. He’s punishing sin and widespread, world-wide evil. But the wonderful thing is that he is coming back to restore this broken planet. He is coming to bring truth, justice and peace. He is coming back to be our King on earth. No more dealing with horrible rulers! No more dealing with global tyrants. No more murder, abortion, lawlessness, pain, deception, hunger, division, constant death, or rampant sin.

In the story, I give Hallelujah a curious, fun personality. He is excited about taking Jesus on his great ride to earth! My goal was to build a sense of anticipation for Jesus’s return. I want children and adults to long for him to come back. We should be excited like little kids when we think about Jesus. Yes, it’s a serious event, but I literally jump for joy when I imagine him coming back!

The word Hallelujah is found in the New Testament only four times and this occurs in Revelation 19 (see Blue Letter Bible link here). Actually, the word is made up of two words:

Halal, which means to praise, to shine, to be commended and to give glory.

Ya, (Jah) which means God, the Lord

Putting this together, Hallelujah means Praise to God, or Praise and Glory to the King

I wanted Jesus’s horse to be a reminder of the praise that Jesus deserves!

Over the course of writing the book, Hallelujah came to life for me and I became very attached to the idea of this amazing creature. One day, my best friend Karen surprised me! She said, “Angela, there’s a beautiful white horse who lives right near my house!” Immediately I went to see the horse. Here are some pics below:

We decided to name this horse Hallelujah and we went to see him whenever we had the chance. No, he isn’t Jesus’s horse, but he was a reminder of the spectacular promise of Jesus’s return. There were many times when I gave up on publishing this book because I’m not an illustrator and I had no idea about how to make this idea happen. But then my friend would remind me about Hallelujah, who lived nearby. She would say, “You’ve got to tell the story.” Every time I saw this sweet horse in the field it made my heart leap.

The interesting and ironic thing is that years ago I was almost killed after falling off a horse in Utah! Isn’t it great how God turned that around.

Well, without further adieu, the story is finally complete.

I have to say that I love Hallelujah! I hope he will bring joy and hope to all who read his story.

Friends, Jesus is coming back and I can’t wait.

HALLELUJAH, HE IS COMING BACK SOON!

Here are the links again if you are interested….

By the way, it’s a children’s book, but I believe all ages would enjoy it, even adults.

Hallelujah’s Great Ride– Amazon

Hallelujah’s Great Ride- Barnes and Noble

The digital version is available here with Amazon and here with Barnes and Noble.