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Stories I Love to Tell: A Collection of Twenty-Six Short Stories to Inspire Your Spirit, Warm Your Heart, and Thrill Your Imagination

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America’s beloved storyteller will guide and thrill your imagination with these classic tales. Join Gene Edwards as he recounts his favorite stories from more than 50 years of travel and ministry.

Considered the “Paul Harvey” of Christian writers, Gene Edwards is one of America’s most beloved authors. Stories I Love to Tell, his new book, is a compilation of tales that continue to move audiences. From stories about a chance meeting with Helen Keller at the Garden Tomb in the Holy Land to an astounding Jonah experience inside a whale to stories about a child growing up in a one-room shack, Gene knows how to spin an old-fashioned yarn.

During the last four decades, Gene has amassed an enthusiastic, dedicated readership. Stories I Love to Tell will delight and entertain devoted fans as he relays story after astonishing story. You will want to grab a hot drink and huddle around the fireplace as America’s seasoned storyteller transports your imagination to another time and place.

223 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2018

18 people are currently reading
65 people want to read

About the author

Gene Edwards

134 books272 followers
Gene Edwards is one of America's most beloved Christian authors. He has published over 25 best-selling books, and his signature work, "The Divine Romance," has been called a masterpiece of Christian literature. He has written biblical fiction covering nearly the entire Bible, with titles that include the following: "The Beginning," "The Escape," "The Birth," "The Divine Romance," "The Triumph," "Revolution," "The Silas Diary," "The Titus Diary," "The Timothy Diary," "The Priscilla Diary," "The Gaius Diary," and "The Return."

Gene grew up in the East Texas oil fields and entered college at the age of 15. He graduated from East Texas State University at 18 with a bachelor's degree in English history and received his M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Gene is part of the house-church movement, and he travels extensively to aid Christians as they begin meeting in homes rather than in church buildings. He also conducts conferences on living the deeper Christian life.

Gene and his wife, Helen, reside in Jacksonville, Florida, and have two grown children.

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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Ell.
523 reviews66 followers
June 4, 2018
I love stories. I always have. I love listening to an expert storyteller who can captivate his/her audience so that you feel suspended in time listening to the story, all of your thoughts and worries out of mind for the moment. Gene Edwards is that kind of storyteller. Stories I love to Tell are stories that ground you, inspire you and enlighten you. What a refreshing read!
Profile Image for JD'.
336 reviews39 followers
May 6, 2022
The only disappointment I have with the memoirs of Gene Edwards, a brilliant author and story teller, is that this was such a short book and there were not more stories of missionaries, pastors, prison sentences and miracles.
Profile Image for Hazel.
106 reviews9 followers
October 8, 2017
3.5
This book was very well written, the style the author employs flows wellmaking what is non fiction read as easily as fiction. Often I forgot that these heart warming and touching tales were actually extracts from the writers life or the lives of those around him, the subject matter often being too fantastical to believe (but all I am assured are true or as true as any memory can ever be).

The books is told in a collection of short stories told from the point of view of the writer unless told otherwise. At least two of the tales had an unexpected connection to the writer revealed at the end of them (I won't spoil by saying much but they were lovely family connections). The over arching theme is of faith in God, Christ and your own belief getting you through. The affection the writer and the people in the book had for Jesus was almost palpable. Saying that I would therefore only recommend this books to people already of faith or with an open mind. I myself try to read from/about all beliefs where possible, my personal religon (which I won't disclose so as not to cause any conflict) did not influence how enjoyable this book was.

I read this in maybe a total of four hours over two days and it is the kind of book you can dip in and out of, not being overly taxing it still manages to get to the heart of the matter and in so very few pages, that my good friends is talent!

One story towards the end felt a touch too long but it was an important historical matter in the life of the people of Nepal. The ones I feel will stay with me for the longest time are the first told of the struggling student/mother/teacher in the cotton picking fields and the one of the sixteen year old who lost her mother and also her faith going on to become a run away.

Only fault I have with this book is the cover. Does not convey the content or themes at all. At first glance it frankly looks like a gothic/horror book.

I recieved this as a free ebook from netgalley that did not effect my opinion or review.
Profile Image for Gail Welborn.
609 reviews18 followers
February 20, 2018
***An excellent collection of faith-building short stories
from the "Paul Harvey" of Christian authors***

Gene Edwards, long considered the “Paul Harvey of Christian writers,” writes true short stories that contain nuggets of spiritual truth. He continues that theme in “Stories I Love to Tell” scheduled to release February 20. Some stories will make you cry while others will bring smiles and exclamations of delight, yet each story reveals “God often uses the extraordinary to get our attention.”

For example, “The Miracle at the Wailing Wall,” (pg. 21) is about written prayers, the Wailing Wall and a Jewish father who disowned his Christian son that illustrates with God there is no “coincidence.” Sometimes it’s just a miracle.

“Memba’s” story (pg. 113) concerns a venerated Sudanese witch doctor who challenged missionary Don McClure to a test to determine whose God was greater. Don accepted the challenge though he had no idea how to counter Memba’s display of magic or did he know he would face a gigantic and hideous, poisonous tarantula. This story reminded me of the test Elijah faced on Mount Carmel with the prophets of Baal and teaches that the Holy Spirit knows “what you are going to ask before you ask it.”

“Poor White Trash (pg. 1) is Gladys’s story of growing up in an underground storm cellar, six feet wide, six feet high and six feet long. Her account of determination, growth, education and courage led to marriage, children and college, yet one of her sons received terrible grades and was considered a “slow learner.” Frustrated with labels and teacher discussions she drove her son to where IQ tests were given and “announced in a loud voice, “My son is either a moron or a genius and I want you to find out which it is.” This heartwarming story of faith, perseverance and a mother’s love illustrates the unseen hand of God in the lives of His children.

These stories and more are part of 26 delightful and faith-affirming accounts contained in Edwards collection. Each story illustrates a different aspect of God’s love and care. From His often-miraculous intervention in the lives of men to His knowledge of our needs before we even pray to literal miracles that defy MRI’s and medical tests that reveal cancers, failing kidneys and enlarged hearts.

The small size book fits easily into purse or bag and the stories are short, especially perfect for coffee breaks or appointments. I also think the book would be excellent for anyone with health challenges, threatening diagnoses or those with chronic illness, as well as anyone who likes well-written stories of faith and hope.

‘Stories I Love to Tell,’ by Gene Edwards, Thomas Nelson, Hardcover, 2018, 224 Pages, 978-0785218692, $19.99

“Gail’s Bookshelf” Midwest Book Reviews: "February 2018"
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Profile Image for Kev Willoughby.
578 reviews13 followers
January 3, 2021
Nice collection of true short stories from a gifted storyteller. My favorites were the account of the author meeting Helen Keller in Israel, the story of a father and son reconciling in an act of "coincidence", a modern-day man swallowed by a whale and surviving to tell his story in an era when many were questioning the story of Jonah, the near-death experience of the man who eventually went on to lead Billy Graham to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and the true story of the years of work and sitting models that da Vinci pursued in order to complete "The Last Supper."

But the greatest story in the collection was the summary of the life of Prem Pradhan, a Nepalese native who was the first known person to convert to Christianity within that country. Because of his faith and subsequent preaching, he spent 4 terms in prison and was continually hampered by the efforts of Westerners who tried to "help" him. His example of faith is convicting to read. He deserves his own book, and I would love to read more about him.
Profile Image for Y.S. Stephen.
Author 3 books4 followers
February 21, 2018
Stories I Love to Tell is a collection of true stories and anecdotes from the perspective of a Christian theologian and churchplanter.

WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT?
Christians of all kinds would. The stories here are the kind you are likely to hear in church pulpits, though some of it are autobiographical in nature.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT
I love the personal stories the most in this book. They are touching and there is always a lesson to learn, irrespective of your spiritual leanings. As someone who has loved the author's spirit and style of story-telling for over a decade, this book is a valuable addition to his works. The first story of this book, White Trash, is the most powerful, in my view. Worth checking out.

Read more at http://www.ysstephen.com/2018/02/revi...

Many thanks to Emanate Books for review copy.
Profile Image for Russell Threet.
90 reviews3 followers
November 1, 2017
As a young pastor one of my favorite things to do is to be in a room with older pastors and listen to them tell stories. Sometimes the stories are funny, but many times they are stories of the amazing things they have seen God do over the course of their lives and ministries. Reading this book is just like sitting in that type of room. As the author tells the stories he loves to tell you are time and again reminded of the amazing way that God works in the lives of His people. This book is not a difficult read or a deep theological treatise but it is a refreshing respite that will encourage people with these testimonies and stories from the life of the author Gene Edwards.
222 reviews6 followers
December 7, 2020
I've enjoyed books by Mr. Edwards for many years, and this one is no different. Through various vignettes, Mr. Edwards weaves stories of the ways God miraculously enters into these lives. Beautiful and poignant, a very enjoyable read.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Profile Image for Glen.
598 reviews13 followers
February 21, 2020
I actually took in this wonderful work orally and the stories were fascinating. The comparisons to Paul Harvey that I found in various reviews were spot on.

Edwards is a refreshing thinker and this collection of stories demonstrates the rich texture of his life. A love of life and a deep reverence for an ever-present God accentuates these narratives. This is a great read (or audible) for leisure moments when the mind wants to ponder life perspectives that are meaningful.
Profile Image for Barbara Tsipouras.
Author 1 book38 followers
October 25, 2017
Real life stories, wonders, real discipleship, everyday heroes - some stories are more interesting than others.
It's hard to criticize "America's beloved storyteller", but the way he recounts these stories doesn't grab me. I'm sure all these really exciting stories could have been told in a better way without altering the truth.
2,619 reviews51 followers
September 7, 2018
A good Gene Edwards book, but Gene Edwards books are usually great. This contains stories that sound like those a pastor would tell - urban legends in first person.
This was from Net Galley and i'm thankful for them, w/so few bookstores and even fewer Christian bookstores around i would never have seen the book or been reminded of what wonderful friends Edwards' other titles have been.
Profile Image for Karla Bowman.
23 reviews1 follower
June 27, 2024
In my opinion, the best way to learn is through stories. Though the book is quite an easy read, I was both challenged and encouraged in my Christian walk through the stories within it.
Profile Image for Tiffany Murphy.
809 reviews81 followers
June 29, 2024
I really enjoyed this collection of short stories. Gene Edwards is such an incredible storyteller. He has such talent in conveying emotion and I loved reading about his experiences.
233 reviews10 followers
April 2, 2018
"Stories I Love to Tell" contained many lovely short stories that recounted inspiring and precious moments from Gene Edward's travel and ministry. The ones that I liked most were "Will Daughter Be Like Mother?" and "Poor White Trash", but the others were also really good. While reading the book, I almost felt like I was listening to the author telling his stories while drinking a cup of coffee together. Some of these stories were from his own experience while others were told to him by others. They were all rather short and therefore an easy read for when you have a few spare minutes.

Recommended to everybody who likes inspiring Christian short stories based on real life.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Stephen Kuntzman.
33 reviews56 followers
July 8, 2020
Inspiring

The stories in this book are inspiring and full of practical truths needed in today’s world. As with all his books, the author has a way of writing that gets you thinking and wondering.
Profile Image for Deborah.
520 reviews40 followers
December 3, 2017
Really enjoyed this book.
This is a collection of true but short stories. The first story is about his mother and all the stories have some connection to his life and experiences. I could imagine the stories either being used by ministers or inspiring them to use similar stories of their own.
I recommend this book to people of faith.
I was given this book by NetGalley and the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

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