Max B. Sternberg's Blog, page 2
December 18, 2021
The Goal
AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW! SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!
The Rhise of Light (4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon!)
The Rhise of Hope (Paperback available to order! Releases Dec 20th!)
Join Leon Rhise and his companions as he learns what it means to be a hero. Appointed as a Judge by a mysterious being during an undead apocalypse, Leon must learn about the forgotten God known as Adonai and save the last kingdom in the world before time runs out!
"When it comes to a Christian faith journey, this is hands down the best I have read to date. Where there are plenty of authors (including myself) who will hide a faith journey amidst the main plot of a story, Sternberg pulls no punches and places the difficulties of faith right out there in the open." - Amy Lynn McConahy in Clean Fiction Magazine Winter Edition
Clean Fiction: Winter Edition 2021
ORDER THE SERIES NOW AT: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZL977KC...
#darknessovercome
#christianfantasy
#Rhisen
The Rhise Of Light: Darkness Overcome Book One
The Rhise Of Hope: Book Two in the Darkness Overcome Series
December 8, 2021
Rebellion
As a species, we are pretty rebellious in nature. We idolize it in literature and film, and even in our history it is pervasive in just how much we balk at authority. The Revolutionary War in America. The French Revolution. Even the Bar-Kokhba rebellion in Israel against Rome around a hundred years after the crucifixion. Western bibles don’t have the accounts of the Maccabees (There are four books). These account the Israelites victory over the Greeks and the rededication of the temple. Some rebellions are well known, others have faded into obscurity. All of them instances where a group banded together to say to a higher authority, “No.”
Sometimes, it is completely justified. Oppression should be fought against. Injustice should be called out. Some rebellions are innocent, like with children. Ask any parent of a child and they will tell you of instances where their kids rebelled to the detriment of themselves. I have several humorous stories about my own children learning the hard way.
But some rebellions are downright sinister in nature, and we are not the first species to subvert authority. Like humans, the multitude of creatures that are erroneously ascribed as the job title term, ‘angel’ have the free will to obey or disobey God. How else then, could they have disobeyed him and fallen? The term ‘angel’ really means messenger, while there are several other words to name types of ‘angelic’ beings.
It is important to note that God, the creator of the universe, is a loving and just God. He has the ultimate authority and it is warranted. He sees all, knows all, and is outside of time (He created it after all) so He is there in the past, present, and future all at the same time. All powerful, and only wants the best for us. Yet, out of ignorance, malice, or pride, we rebel against our Creator. Luckily, He loves us so much He has given us a path to redemption through Jesus Christ.
We see several accounts throughout scriptures of rebellion. When a third of heaven rebelled with Lucifer. The Garden of Eden. The Tower of Babel. The Israelites who cast and created a golden calf to worship while Moses was on Mt. Sinai. Yet like many other rebellions, one is not well known yet there is archaeological and scriptural support of it occurring: the Mt. Hermon Rebellion.
Two hundred beings ‘deemed Watchers’ at the top of Mt. Hermon in Israel bordering Syria and Lebanon. There, they agree to intermix with humankind under a shared curse among themselves. There, they agreed to rebel against God. If this short explanation sounds familiar, it is because I chose to use it for part of the story of my Darkness Overcome series.
There is evidence to support this rebellion happening. Ancient temples that dot the Mt. Hermon ridgeline. While several are significant, Qasr Antar is the oldest and bore a stele that can now be found in the British Museum. Translated, the stele says, "According to the command of the greatest a(nd) holy god, those who take an oath (proceed) from here.". The ‘god’ they were referring to was one of the other rebels, more commonly known as Ba’al. The extra-biblical Book of Enoch references Mt. Hermon as well, and is a book referenced with similar verses in the bible itself. The mountain itself is evidence, with the root meaning of Hermon as ‘Taboo’. It was also once thought of with its extensive cave system as a literal gate to hell. Mt. Hermon is also the place where Peter first confirmed that Jesus was the Messiah.
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” —Matthew 16:13-19
Can you picture it? The Bible commonly has multiple convergences of scripture with each verse commonly having multiple meanings. Peter gets his new name, which sounds like rock. But they are also standing in front of the mountain (large rock) known as a gate to hell in their day. I could just picture Jesus pointing at the mountain saying the gates of hell will not prevail against his church! Hallelujah!
It is commonly thought among those versed in certain theology that this is the origin point of many pantheons of religion. That their polytheistic worship, as well as their hybrid half-god heroes like Herakles or Gilgamesh, had their start here. Beings that committed to themselves and their leaders to draw followers and worship away from the one true God. After all, if a third of heaven rebelled and fell, military tactics suggest you would need to get a bigger army in order to not be outnumbered two to one.
In our present time, those false religions have mostly faded to obscurity. What was once the popular Roman theology of the day, has now crumbled to ruin just like a lot of their architecture. Now Christianity stands with the church body as it’s temple. How glorious of a day do we live in that we can see Jesus’ words come true? Yet what of these fallen beings? These ‘Watchers’? What of these beings that agreed under a curse to all turn worship away from God?
Well, if they have not been bound in Sheol yet, they are willfully working to call good evil, and evil good. Remember the man who inducted the US Congress by invoking Brahma? They are still trying to supplant God, and overthrow what cannot be overthrown. For the end has already been written. It has already been seen by the one true God who is not bound by time. He is already there, and Jesus Christ has already won.
I hope that you are encouraged, and got something from the blog post today. My mission statement for writing has always boiled down to Entertain, Educate, and Evangelize. If you would like to read more of my works, please check out my website at http://maxbsternberg.com/. My book ‘The Rhise of Light’ is out now, while the second book in the series ‘The Rhise of Hope’ releases on December 20th, 2021! The series revolves around Leon, a fictional Judge and hero who has been called by God to save the world. Not just from the ravenging undead, but from lack of knowledge about Adonai. Can he do it? Well, you’ll have to read to find out!
The Rhise Of Light: Darkness Overcome Book One
The Rhise of Hope
Sometimes, it is completely justified. Oppression should be fought against. Injustice should be called out. Some rebellions are innocent, like with children. Ask any parent of a child and they will tell you of instances where their kids rebelled to the detriment of themselves. I have several humorous stories about my own children learning the hard way.
But some rebellions are downright sinister in nature, and we are not the first species to subvert authority. Like humans, the multitude of creatures that are erroneously ascribed as the job title term, ‘angel’ have the free will to obey or disobey God. How else then, could they have disobeyed him and fallen? The term ‘angel’ really means messenger, while there are several other words to name types of ‘angelic’ beings.
It is important to note that God, the creator of the universe, is a loving and just God. He has the ultimate authority and it is warranted. He sees all, knows all, and is outside of time (He created it after all) so He is there in the past, present, and future all at the same time. All powerful, and only wants the best for us. Yet, out of ignorance, malice, or pride, we rebel against our Creator. Luckily, He loves us so much He has given us a path to redemption through Jesus Christ.
We see several accounts throughout scriptures of rebellion. When a third of heaven rebelled with Lucifer. The Garden of Eden. The Tower of Babel. The Israelites who cast and created a golden calf to worship while Moses was on Mt. Sinai. Yet like many other rebellions, one is not well known yet there is archaeological and scriptural support of it occurring: the Mt. Hermon Rebellion.
Two hundred beings ‘deemed Watchers’ at the top of Mt. Hermon in Israel bordering Syria and Lebanon. There, they agree to intermix with humankind under a shared curse among themselves. There, they agreed to rebel against God. If this short explanation sounds familiar, it is because I chose to use it for part of the story of my Darkness Overcome series.
There is evidence to support this rebellion happening. Ancient temples that dot the Mt. Hermon ridgeline. While several are significant, Qasr Antar is the oldest and bore a stele that can now be found in the British Museum. Translated, the stele says, "According to the command of the greatest a(nd) holy god, those who take an oath (proceed) from here.". The ‘god’ they were referring to was one of the other rebels, more commonly known as Ba’al. The extra-biblical Book of Enoch references Mt. Hermon as well, and is a book referenced with similar verses in the bible itself. The mountain itself is evidence, with the root meaning of Hermon as ‘Taboo’. It was also once thought of with its extensive cave system as a literal gate to hell. Mt. Hermon is also the place where Peter first confirmed that Jesus was the Messiah.
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” —Matthew 16:13-19
Can you picture it? The Bible commonly has multiple convergences of scripture with each verse commonly having multiple meanings. Peter gets his new name, which sounds like rock. But they are also standing in front of the mountain (large rock) known as a gate to hell in their day. I could just picture Jesus pointing at the mountain saying the gates of hell will not prevail against his church! Hallelujah!
It is commonly thought among those versed in certain theology that this is the origin point of many pantheons of religion. That their polytheistic worship, as well as their hybrid half-god heroes like Herakles or Gilgamesh, had their start here. Beings that committed to themselves and their leaders to draw followers and worship away from the one true God. After all, if a third of heaven rebelled and fell, military tactics suggest you would need to get a bigger army in order to not be outnumbered two to one.
In our present time, those false religions have mostly faded to obscurity. What was once the popular Roman theology of the day, has now crumbled to ruin just like a lot of their architecture. Now Christianity stands with the church body as it’s temple. How glorious of a day do we live in that we can see Jesus’ words come true? Yet what of these fallen beings? These ‘Watchers’? What of these beings that agreed under a curse to all turn worship away from God?
Well, if they have not been bound in Sheol yet, they are willfully working to call good evil, and evil good. Remember the man who inducted the US Congress by invoking Brahma? They are still trying to supplant God, and overthrow what cannot be overthrown. For the end has already been written. It has already been seen by the one true God who is not bound by time. He is already there, and Jesus Christ has already won.
I hope that you are encouraged, and got something from the blog post today. My mission statement for writing has always boiled down to Entertain, Educate, and Evangelize. If you would like to read more of my works, please check out my website at http://maxbsternberg.com/. My book ‘The Rhise of Light’ is out now, while the second book in the series ‘The Rhise of Hope’ releases on December 20th, 2021! The series revolves around Leon, a fictional Judge and hero who has been called by God to save the world. Not just from the ravenging undead, but from lack of knowledge about Adonai. Can he do it? Well, you’ll have to read to find out!
The Rhise Of Light: Darkness Overcome Book One
The Rhise of Hope
December 7, 2021
Heroforge
https://www.heroforge.com/
Really cool website I use to try to bring my fantasy characters to life.
What do you use to create your literary characters? Do you draw them? 3d model them on the computer?
Really cool website I use to try to bring my fantasy characters to life.
What do you use to create your literary characters? Do you draw them? 3d model them on the computer?
December 2, 2021
Drumroll Please!
'The Rhise of Light' hit 20 reviews on Amazon!
Just before the second book's release we reached this amazing milestone, and I am so thankful to all of my readers. Your thoughtful reception is incredible and humbling!
With the upcoming release, my mission still remains: Entertain, Educate, and Evangelize! Lets pit the Darkness Overcome series against the secular glittery vampires, love triangle tropes, and all other inappropriateness that has pervaded the entertainment industry. Help me spread the word, and bring a positive message to a world that desperately needs it!
This isn't your average Christian Fiction...
This is the Rhise of Hope.
#Rhisen
Buy 'The Rhise of Light' at: https://www.amazon.com/.../dp/B08ZBB1......
The Rhise Of Light: Darkness Overcome Book One
Preorder 'The Rhise of Hope' at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09......
The Rhise of Hope
Find out more at http://maxbsternberg.com/
Just before the second book's release we reached this amazing milestone, and I am so thankful to all of my readers. Your thoughtful reception is incredible and humbling!
With the upcoming release, my mission still remains: Entertain, Educate, and Evangelize! Lets pit the Darkness Overcome series against the secular glittery vampires, love triangle tropes, and all other inappropriateness that has pervaded the entertainment industry. Help me spread the word, and bring a positive message to a world that desperately needs it!
This isn't your average Christian Fiction...
This is the Rhise of Hope.
#Rhisen
Buy 'The Rhise of Light' at: https://www.amazon.com/.../dp/B08ZBB1......
The Rhise Of Light: Darkness Overcome Book One
Preorder 'The Rhise of Hope' at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09......
The Rhise of Hope
Find out more at http://maxbsternberg.com/
November 17, 2021
'The Rhise of Hope' Prologue, Ch. 1, and Ch. 2 are OUT!
The last free sneak peek of 'The Rhise of Hope' is out, and can be found at the author blog Hope, Hearts, & Heroes! Chapter Two can be seen at the link below!
https://hopeheartsheroes.wordpress.co...
Here you see some of the lore of the world introduced, and some questions answered before the plot twists! To find out more, you'll have to pick up your copy of 'The Rhise of Hope' when it comes out December 20th!
If you haven't read 'The Rhise of Light', what are you waiting for? Another book? It's just around the corner! Order book one of the Darkness Overcome series here!
https://www.amazon.com/Rhise-Light-Da...
https://hopeheartsheroes.wordpress.co...
Here you see some of the lore of the world introduced, and some questions answered before the plot twists! To find out more, you'll have to pick up your copy of 'The Rhise of Hope' when it comes out December 20th!
If you haven't read 'The Rhise of Light', what are you waiting for? Another book? It's just around the corner! Order book one of the Darkness Overcome series here!
https://www.amazon.com/Rhise-Light-Da...
November 14, 2021
When FB decides to ban you for no particular reason.
Seriously y'all.
Anyone who goes to my FB page knows that I use memes heavily when advertising for my book.
https://www.facebook.com/maxbsternberg
So imagine my shock when I get an alert saying that I posted something dangerous! It was the guy sipping coffee at a table outside with a sign in front saying, 'The Rhise of Light' should be part of every household library. Change my mind.'
Flagged. Removed. Banned from posting for 30 days. I immediately disputed it and luckily someone at FB rubbed two brain cells together and restored functionality. Still though, it's not like I posted that everyone must read about glittery vampires or fifty shades of awful! That stuff is dangerous!
Anyway, I reduced the price of the e-book of 'The Rhise of Light' to 1.99, and it is still free on Kindle Unlimited. I also reduced the paperback to 12.99 and hardcover to 21.99, because in a day and age of rapid inflation, I don't want people spending more than they have to for a good story. It's becoming less for me about the money, and more about the message getting out there. I still hope one day I can become an christian author full time and quit my day job, but that probably won't happen until the full series is out.
'The Rhise of Hope' comes out December 20th! Almost one month away! If you are a slow reader, now's the time to pick up 'The Rhise of Light'! Once you've read it, please do me the honor of telling me your thoughts on it with a review on Amazon or Goodreads. No matter the rating, I appreciate the feedback.
Now back to planning more subversive, dangerous book memes to share!
The Rhise Of Light: Darkness Overcome Book One
The Rhise of Hope
Anyone who goes to my FB page knows that I use memes heavily when advertising for my book.
https://www.facebook.com/maxbsternberg
So imagine my shock when I get an alert saying that I posted something dangerous! It was the guy sipping coffee at a table outside with a sign in front saying, 'The Rhise of Light' should be part of every household library. Change my mind.'
Flagged. Removed. Banned from posting for 30 days. I immediately disputed it and luckily someone at FB rubbed two brain cells together and restored functionality. Still though, it's not like I posted that everyone must read about glittery vampires or fifty shades of awful! That stuff is dangerous!
Anyway, I reduced the price of the e-book of 'The Rhise of Light' to 1.99, and it is still free on Kindle Unlimited. I also reduced the paperback to 12.99 and hardcover to 21.99, because in a day and age of rapid inflation, I don't want people spending more than they have to for a good story. It's becoming less for me about the money, and more about the message getting out there. I still hope one day I can become an christian author full time and quit my day job, but that probably won't happen until the full series is out.
'The Rhise of Hope' comes out December 20th! Almost one month away! If you are a slow reader, now's the time to pick up 'The Rhise of Light'! Once you've read it, please do me the honor of telling me your thoughts on it with a review on Amazon or Goodreads. No matter the rating, I appreciate the feedback.
Now back to planning more subversive, dangerous book memes to share!
The Rhise Of Light: Darkness Overcome Book One
The Rhise of Hope
October 16, 2021
For a dollar!
For one dollar, would you rather have a questionable 2oz steak from the dollar store, or a really good story?
ON SALE FOR .99 CENTS! 'The Rhise of Light' eBook is discounted for Saturday, October 16, 2021, 8:00 AM PDT to Saturday, October 23, 2021, 12:00 AM PDT! Of course, if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited, then the amazing story is free!
Join Leon Rhise and his companions as he learns what it means to become a hero, a 'Judge' in a world on the brink of destruction. Can the knowledge of the forgotten God known as 'Adonai' be what is needed? Find out by reading the book, and don't forget to review it and share this link to your friends! Help christian fantasy break through the secular ranks of fiction!
Find out more at maxbsternberg.com, and order today at https://www.amazon.com/Rhise-Light-Da...
ON SALE FOR .99 CENTS! 'The Rhise of Light' eBook is discounted for Saturday, October 16, 2021, 8:00 AM PDT to Saturday, October 23, 2021, 12:00 AM PDT! Of course, if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited, then the amazing story is free!
Join Leon Rhise and his companions as he learns what it means to become a hero, a 'Judge' in a world on the brink of destruction. Can the knowledge of the forgotten God known as 'Adonai' be what is needed? Find out by reading the book, and don't forget to review it and share this link to your friends! Help christian fantasy break through the secular ranks of fiction!
Find out more at maxbsternberg.com, and order today at https://www.amazon.com/Rhise-Light-Da...
October 5, 2021
October 4, 2021
NOW'S YOUR CHANCE!
Fellow writers,
FB is down! One less distraction! Let's write together!
FB is down! One less distraction! Let's write together!
September 29, 2021
The Rise of The Rhise of Light Contest!
Want to be part of a mighty move of Christian Fantasy?
Behold, The Rise of 'The Rhise of Light' CONTEST!
That's right! An easy contest to enter and win!
Goal: Help 'The Rhise of Light' get to 50 reviews on Amazon and/or Goodreads.
Rules:
Read The Rhise of Light.
Review the book on Amazon! You get ANOTHER entry if you review it on Goodreads as well!
Those who have already reviewed the book are eligible for the contest.
Message me on this page that you have reviewed the book and you are entered!
Be sure to share this amazing book and start to the series with everyone you know. Share it on FB, Twitter, Instagram, Gab, MeWe, wherever you are! Friends, enemies, pets large and small, let them know about The Rhise of Light because we MUST get to 50 reviews by the end of November for the prize to be available!
What is the prize? An autographed copy of 'The Rhise of Hope'! Book two in the Darkness Overcome series, you will not want to miss the next installment! A random drawing will be made so be sure to double your chances by reviewing the book on both Amazon and Goodreads!
So go forth and read, review, and recommend!
https://www.amazon.com/Rhise-Light-Da...
Behold, The Rise of 'The Rhise of Light' CONTEST!
That's right! An easy contest to enter and win!
Goal: Help 'The Rhise of Light' get to 50 reviews on Amazon and/or Goodreads.
Rules:
Read The Rhise of Light.
Review the book on Amazon! You get ANOTHER entry if you review it on Goodreads as well!
Those who have already reviewed the book are eligible for the contest.
Message me on this page that you have reviewed the book and you are entered!
Be sure to share this amazing book and start to the series with everyone you know. Share it on FB, Twitter, Instagram, Gab, MeWe, wherever you are! Friends, enemies, pets large and small, let them know about The Rhise of Light because we MUST get to 50 reviews by the end of November for the prize to be available!
What is the prize? An autographed copy of 'The Rhise of Hope'! Book two in the Darkness Overcome series, you will not want to miss the next installment! A random drawing will be made so be sure to double your chances by reviewing the book on both Amazon and Goodreads!
So go forth and read, review, and recommend!
https://www.amazon.com/Rhise-Light-Da...
