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Faith and the Magic Kingdom
* What does the Indiana Jones Adventure have to do with integrity?
* How does the Mad Tea Party demonstrate the importance of focusing on Jesus?
* What can Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters teach you about success?
* What makes Tom Sawyer Island unique, and how does it set an example for taking risks as a Christian?
* What is the history of the Partners Statue, and what does it teach you about how much God loves you?
Disneyland is all about story, and God is a God of story––and of visual aids. “Faith and the Magic Kingdom” combines your favorite Disney theme park attractions (and more) with God's story of love, turning the park into a 3-dimensional parable. Learn to see Disneyland in a whole new way while you experience true abundant life in Christ.
“Faith and the Magic Kingdom” will refresh you, challenge you, and encourage you to be the person God made you to be.
What some others are saying about “Faith and the Magic Kingdom”:
* “If you’re a fan of Disneyland and a Christian, this book is a must-read!”- Pat Williams, Orlando Magic cofounder and Senior Vice President, author of “How to Be Like Walt”
* “Randy Crane ingeniously provides what amounts to a Disneyland Devotional.”- David Koenig, author of “Mouse A Behind-the-Ears Look at Disneyland”
“No matter what your faith is, you will find “Faith and the Magic Kingdom” interesting, educational and inspirational.”- Lee Cockerell, Executive Vice President (Retired & Inspired), Walt Disney World® Resort
* “’Faith and the Magic Kingdom’ is a unique gift to Christians who desire to be more childlike in heart yet be deeply immersed in their identity in Christ.”- Becky Harmon, Identity Expert and CEO of Success not Sabotage Coaching
* “Great for a daily devotional or an afternoon read, ‘Faith and the Magic Kingdom’ speaks to both followers of Christ and fans of the Mouse.”- Kristen Pfeifer, co-host of the Mousetalgia podcast
From the Author
Every time I visit Disneyland, I see connections all around me. Spiritual truth. Life lessons. Ways to help make people's lives better, and their life in Christ more vibrant, more meaningful, and more practical. But it does no good if I keep it to myself. I want it to be part of your visits, too. What we experience in every trip to Disneyland--whether we realize it or not--can have a significant impact on our lives.
I truly believe that these lessons and reminders can revolutionize your life in Christ while giving you a greater and deeper appreciation for "The Happiest Place on Earth," Walt Disney's original Magic Kingdom. And that's exactly the purpose of this book.
* How does the Mad Tea Party demonstrate the importance of focusing on Jesus?
* What can Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters teach you about success?
* What makes Tom Sawyer Island unique, and how does it set an example for taking risks as a Christian?
* What is the history of the Partners Statue, and what does it teach you about how much God loves you?
Disneyland is all about story, and God is a God of story––and of visual aids. “Faith and the Magic Kingdom” combines your favorite Disney theme park attractions (and more) with God's story of love, turning the park into a 3-dimensional parable. Learn to see Disneyland in a whole new way while you experience true abundant life in Christ.
“Faith and the Magic Kingdom” will refresh you, challenge you, and encourage you to be the person God made you to be.
What some others are saying about “Faith and the Magic Kingdom”:
* “If you’re a fan of Disneyland and a Christian, this book is a must-read!”- Pat Williams, Orlando Magic cofounder and Senior Vice President, author of “How to Be Like Walt”
* “Randy Crane ingeniously provides what amounts to a Disneyland Devotional.”- David Koenig, author of “Mouse A Behind-the-Ears Look at Disneyland”
“No matter what your faith is, you will find “Faith and the Magic Kingdom” interesting, educational and inspirational.”- Lee Cockerell, Executive Vice President (Retired & Inspired), Walt Disney World® Resort
* “’Faith and the Magic Kingdom’ is a unique gift to Christians who desire to be more childlike in heart yet be deeply immersed in their identity in Christ.”- Becky Harmon, Identity Expert and CEO of Success not Sabotage Coaching
* “Great for a daily devotional or an afternoon read, ‘Faith and the Magic Kingdom’ speaks to both followers of Christ and fans of the Mouse.”- Kristen Pfeifer, co-host of the Mousetalgia podcast
From the Author
Every time I visit Disneyland, I see connections all around me. Spiritual truth. Life lessons. Ways to help make people's lives better, and their life in Christ more vibrant, more meaningful, and more practical. But it does no good if I keep it to myself. I want it to be part of your visits, too. What we experience in every trip to Disneyland--whether we realize it or not--can have a significant impact on our lives.
I truly believe that these lessons and reminders can revolutionize your life in Christ while giving you a greater and deeper appreciation for "The Happiest Place on Earth," Walt Disney's original Magic Kingdom. And that's exactly the purpose of this book.
- GenresChristian
381 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
17 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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July 19, 2016My thoughts and feels on this book are kinda complex.
I learned a lot about Disneyland, and I was no slouch at the outset. I also had some great spiritual epiphanies, and I was pretty solid with my Bible before reading this book, too. I'm still wrestling with how I feel about putting the two things together. I mean, Jesus taught using parables, and no one ever wondered if it was a good idea to associate fatted calfs or virgins with lamps to the gospel, but I have to say it honestly feels a bit weird to pair scripture with Disneyland rides.
That said, if you know that's what's about to happen and are cool with it, then I think you'll enjoy this book and learn a great deal on both counts. I would recommend that you take this read slowly, possibly even as a daily devotion. You can get into an information overload if you try to read too many sections back to back.
One last caveat: I don't know which translation is being used, but it's not my fave--that, however, is a matter of personal preference.
I learned a lot about Disneyland, and I was no slouch at the outset. I also had some great spiritual epiphanies, and I was pretty solid with my Bible before reading this book, too. I'm still wrestling with how I feel about putting the two things together. I mean, Jesus taught using parables, and no one ever wondered if it was a good idea to associate fatted calfs or virgins with lamps to the gospel, but I have to say it honestly feels a bit weird to pair scripture with Disneyland rides.
That said, if you know that's what's about to happen and are cool with it, then I think you'll enjoy this book and learn a great deal on both counts. I would recommend that you take this read slowly, possibly even as a daily devotion. You can get into an information overload if you try to read too many sections back to back.
One last caveat: I don't know which translation is being used, but it's not my fave--that, however, is a matter of personal preference.
December 24, 2014
From BetweenDisney.com
I have often said that for me one of the most spiritual places in the world is a Disney theme park. I know that it sounds silly between the crowds and the expense. But for me and my family it is truly one of the few places in the world where my mind and soul find rest. Now I know that I am not the only one finding spiritual lessons in theme parks.
Faith and the Magic Kingdom by Randy Crane connects Disneyland to lessons in Christian living. Crane walks his readers through a tour of the park from front to back and through each land, writing on the history or theming of attractions, shops and other park elements. He provides 2 to 6 pages at each stop giving both history and a connection to the Bible. Overall, Crane gives the park a thorough walk-through visiting every land and every major location, though not all shops. Wait, Crane totally missed churro carts and worse of all the Tiki Juice Bar. In his over 100 plus entries along with Disney history, Crane makes a connection to Christian life and the Bible.
I have actually read a fair number of devotional books in my day. And I would say Faith in the Magic Kingdom stands up well in that market. Like most devotional books it attempts to link a story with a lesson from Christian life. Crane's lessons include Christian salvation, living in community, what does Christian freedom mean, and integrity. Though this list is just the tip of the iceberg. There are 100 plus entries and the lessons do not generally overlap. The key to me with a devotional is not the lesson but the hook. Can the author's point of view draw you in, especially since the devotional market is quite crowded and the majority of big name Christian authors have a devotional title. As a Disney fan Crane's hook of Disneyland worked well for me. And I think that Christians who love Disneyland and use devotional reading to deepen their faith will enjoy this title. And a Christian believer who has a fan who is a Disney fan with faith-based questions could look at this book as a resource.
Crane does admit that some of his Disneyland to faith connections are not as strong as others. Though I found his writing to be clear and well thought out. I personally read it at a time that was somewhat a crisis event in the Between Family. And his words generally helped uplift my spirit during some worrisome moments.
But I will also say I read Faith and the Magic Kingdom mostly wrong. During the crisis event I would read an entry and then mull it over as the events of the day also crashed against my mind and what I had read. In short I thought about my reading for a small percentage of the book. But the majority I blasted through because I needed to get a review ready and I needed to make it to the end. This title is really not meant for that type of full-speed reading. Most will want to take one entry at a time, perhaps one a day, and contemplate the text. Those who journal would likely find material to add to their meditative log. But when one is charging through the reading, if they are like me, the reader will likely take notice of the Disney facts while not really mulling over the spiritual content.
I was concerned that Crane's Disney facts would be light or too generic. Overall his facts rely in his vast experience within the park. And they are chosen to help support the spiritual theme of the entry. A stand out entry for me provided background on Billy Hill and the Hillbillies, which I do not believe I have ever stumbled on before. So even for the most read Disney fans there are likely new gems in the text.
With a Kindle price of around $9, Faith and the Magic Kingdom is competitively priced in the devotional space. Likewise it also is priced fairly for a guide book. But the advantage that it has over devotionals with much bigger named authors is the ability to borrow the title through the Kindle Unlimited program. I think the question of print or Kindle version comes down to how one prefers to use a devotional, especially considering note taking.
I do know that it sounds silly, but my spiritual life always feels fresher after I have visited a Disney theme park. And Faith and the Magic Kingdom shows me that I am not the only stranger in a strange land with this experiences. Therefore I am glad to see a writer connect spiritual lessons to my favorite place on Earth especially as I read during the holiday season. I think my real big question is when does the volume on Disney California Adventure get released? And how will he work the Tiki Juice Bar into that volume?
I have often said that for me one of the most spiritual places in the world is a Disney theme park. I know that it sounds silly between the crowds and the expense. But for me and my family it is truly one of the few places in the world where my mind and soul find rest. Now I know that I am not the only one finding spiritual lessons in theme parks.
Faith and the Magic Kingdom by Randy Crane connects Disneyland to lessons in Christian living. Crane walks his readers through a tour of the park from front to back and through each land, writing on the history or theming of attractions, shops and other park elements. He provides 2 to 6 pages at each stop giving both history and a connection to the Bible. Overall, Crane gives the park a thorough walk-through visiting every land and every major location, though not all shops. Wait, Crane totally missed churro carts and worse of all the Tiki Juice Bar. In his over 100 plus entries along with Disney history, Crane makes a connection to Christian life and the Bible.
I have actually read a fair number of devotional books in my day. And I would say Faith in the Magic Kingdom stands up well in that market. Like most devotional books it attempts to link a story with a lesson from Christian life. Crane's lessons include Christian salvation, living in community, what does Christian freedom mean, and integrity. Though this list is just the tip of the iceberg. There are 100 plus entries and the lessons do not generally overlap. The key to me with a devotional is not the lesson but the hook. Can the author's point of view draw you in, especially since the devotional market is quite crowded and the majority of big name Christian authors have a devotional title. As a Disney fan Crane's hook of Disneyland worked well for me. And I think that Christians who love Disneyland and use devotional reading to deepen their faith will enjoy this title. And a Christian believer who has a fan who is a Disney fan with faith-based questions could look at this book as a resource.
Crane does admit that some of his Disneyland to faith connections are not as strong as others. Though I found his writing to be clear and well thought out. I personally read it at a time that was somewhat a crisis event in the Between Family. And his words generally helped uplift my spirit during some worrisome moments.
But I will also say I read Faith and the Magic Kingdom mostly wrong. During the crisis event I would read an entry and then mull it over as the events of the day also crashed against my mind and what I had read. In short I thought about my reading for a small percentage of the book. But the majority I blasted through because I needed to get a review ready and I needed to make it to the end. This title is really not meant for that type of full-speed reading. Most will want to take one entry at a time, perhaps one a day, and contemplate the text. Those who journal would likely find material to add to their meditative log. But when one is charging through the reading, if they are like me, the reader will likely take notice of the Disney facts while not really mulling over the spiritual content.
I was concerned that Crane's Disney facts would be light or too generic. Overall his facts rely in his vast experience within the park. And they are chosen to help support the spiritual theme of the entry. A stand out entry for me provided background on Billy Hill and the Hillbillies, which I do not believe I have ever stumbled on before. So even for the most read Disney fans there are likely new gems in the text.
With a Kindle price of around $9, Faith and the Magic Kingdom is competitively priced in the devotional space. Likewise it also is priced fairly for a guide book. But the advantage that it has over devotionals with much bigger named authors is the ability to borrow the title through the Kindle Unlimited program. I think the question of print or Kindle version comes down to how one prefers to use a devotional, especially considering note taking.
I do know that it sounds silly, but my spiritual life always feels fresher after I have visited a Disney theme park. And Faith and the Magic Kingdom shows me that I am not the only stranger in a strange land with this experiences. Therefore I am glad to see a writer connect spiritual lessons to my favorite place on Earth especially as I read during the holiday season. I think my real big question is when does the volume on Disney California Adventure get released? And how will he work the Tiki Juice Bar into that volume?
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews