The Four Gifts of the King

by R. Scott Rodin

The Four Gifts of the King is a story of salvation and hope told through an adventure that stirs the imagination and speaks to the soul. When Sam Roberts learns he is dying, he is faced with a decision that will determine his legacy and alter forever the destinies of his four adult children. With his lifelong friend Walter at his side, Sam writes his last words to his children. His legacy would come not through money or power, but through a parable. Sam takes his children and readers alike on the breathtaking adventure of Steward of Aiden Glenn and his quest to find the King and learn the purpose for his life. The Four Gifts of the King is a saga of truth and deception, of trust and love, of courage and victory, and of faith. At its heart is the importance of family and coming home to the values that shape adults from children. It calls readers to consider their own legacy. It’s a parable that changed the lives of Sam’s children forever, as it changes the lives of all who read it.

Genres: Book Club

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Four Gifts Of The King by R Scott Rodin – wow! What to say? This is a marvellous Christian allegorical tale and definitely up there with C.S. Lewis’ Narnia. R Scott Rodin could definitely be the next C.S. Lewis with his insight into the heart of God. The reader will find this book jam packed with wisdom and Godly lessons that we would be wise to follow.
The story is perfect for ages ten to adult. We are never too old or too young to follow a Godly path in life.
This book points the way to the King, showing that life is a journey. Along the way we will meet deceivers who whisper lies that appear as truth. “Words… were delivered with a venomous hiss: ‘the king does not care about you.’“ The job of deceivers is to distract us from God by turning our focus inwards. “We can cause him fear… panic… despair… and to doubt who he is.”
We need to fix our eyes on Jesus and to always be armed with His Word. We need a daily audience with our King. We need to talk to Him in prayer and to read His Word – without this, it is all too easy to stray. “Faithful believers go astray… it’s all about being cut off from a daily audience with the king himself.”
We all face choices daily. A huge choice is, will we trust God? Will we trust Him on the mountaintop and in the valley? “The king never asks us to understand, just to obey.” Will we be faithful servants?
God is in the transformation business. He has different values to us. He looks at our hearts. What we do is not nearly as important as who we are. “God cared less about what I did than who I was.”
Too often we go searching for the next happiness fix – the bigger house, more powerful position, higher salary. We try to fill the God shaped hole with stuff, when really only God can fill it. Sometimes we are so busy doing stuff for God that we miss out on Who He is. “Enjoy being found by God rather than thinking you always need to be looking for Him.” Why not take time out of our lives and be found by God and rest in His arms?
What legacy will you leave? Will people marvel at your wealth? Or will they remember the difference you made in their lives? “You are leaving behind a legacy of lives changed forever because of you.” Are you ‘me’ focused? Or are you ‘people’ focused? It’s never too late to choose the right path.
The Four Gifts Of The King is a book that blew me away. Like Narnia, you can read it on the surface and it’s a jolly good fantasy adventure. Or you can delve deeper and discover the true meaning and learn Godly lessons. This book will challenge your faith. It will cause you to examine your relationship with God and with people too. This book has the power to change lives – will you pick it up and change your life today?
Thank you R Scott Rodin for a perfectly wonderful and powerful book. Please write many more.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

[Larry Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully engaging tale of a King's passion for those He serves, that intertwines the lives of of four siblings who are facing real life challenges. I think everyone who reads this book will be inspired to seek out and receive God's gifts of grace to us, and give them away to others. The story beautifully describes God's amazing, relentless, and lavish love for us. I see this as a prophetic book that will speak truth to this generation, and the upcoming generation.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was totally enthralled with this wonderfully written allegory; I literally found it difficult to put down to eat and sleep. I was in a perfect place to read such a story, while relaxing on my son's porch on the edge of the Arkansas Ozarks. I could see Steward trekking across the vast mountain scene before me.
Shades of Pilgrim's Progress, The Hobbit, and Chronicles of Narnia all rolled into one! While the underlining theme is our personal and spiritual stewardship and the legacy we leave, the reality of our Kingdom journey is evident throughout. This book is truly one that I will treasure, as well as gift to family and friends. Read it and start your Kingdom Journey!

[Darlene Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book…
It’s in the vein of CS Lewis.

(Do not read my outline until after you finish reading the book. Useful in book clubs)

Story Characters
Walter attorney
Alex. older son, returns to his calling to preach, minister at Resurrection Christian Church as Sam was.
Anna , sees herself better, friend’s daughter commits suicide like Claire, establishes Marikonia, A Place of Healing and Hope for young depressed suicidal women
Reed younger son, becomes a philanthropist, relates Eden Village for leadership in generous
giving and creation care.
Meredith after rehab and seeing result of chasing wealth, establishes the Cassandra Award for
Excellence in Business Practices with Eternal Value
Sam deceased father & preacher of Resurrection Christian Church, wrote the allegory for his
four children
Lori deceased mom
Frolic replaced Sam at church. Good friend

Allegory
The Four Gifts
*Thin gold bracelets to remind us we are caretakers of all he created for us
*Quash bowls with towels to help care for others
*Reflector glasses to see how King sees us children of God
*Transmitter (Bible speaks King’s voice) and we can speak directly to Him (Holy Spirit)
Characters
Steward from Aiden Glenn, on quest to see the King, King renames him Warrior Steward, Keeper of the Truth, gives him magnificent sword, Steward the Liberator who goes back to the four cities and restores the Truth from the King.

The King , God, gives The Deep Peace, Bought kingdom back with blood of his son, thin gold bracelets to remind that they are caretakers of all king gave them,
Created the Four cities for men to learn He is only source of the Deep Peace but they must choose, King is not a tyrant.
Phaedra. evil deceiving demons in the Tohu Wa-Bohu assembly, like the fallen angels of Satan, banished from Kildrachan Plain, spirit beings
Trevor Steward’s friend now Czartrevor
The Black Knight Zedekai sent by the King to Steward to see why still in Petitzaros
Elope, Cassandra, Astrid 3 sisters in Ascendia. Cassandra most engaged in building ramps,
Elopia sought fun, Astrid desired helping others, Steward attracted to Astrid who helps others and comes later with Zedekai and Dunston to assist Steward Warrior to fight final battle with Phaedra’im
Dunston a little man, Interpreter of life told Steward he must learn to see things as the king
would have you see them, gives him glasses to see
Abner the Blacksmith, sonTrek and Troy, daughters Claire and Edith,
Obed the Teacher in Seudomartus, loyal guide, killed by mob
Star Hill Fanatics. True believers that king still talks to people, “ narrow minded, loonies,
hate mongers, ring persecuted. Zanon leader, they have a Transmitter
Melodora, keeper of the Archives In Seudomartus
Brauchus a teacher in Sacred Mount of Seudomartus warns them about danger of talking about the Transmitter and seeing the King.
Mattox the Great knowledgeable but closed in spirit, no exclusive truths, and
Hamburg the Pious, everything written down so no need to talk directly with King
Nagas the Skeptic, a braying donkey
Philandra the Wise, beautiful, supposed tolerance for all beliefs, “Just Believe “ No one truth. Cannot tolerate intolerance.

Four Cilties
Petitzaros Gold chain bracelets and rings from possessions.Goal work harder to acquire more Elixor to get more stuff and power. Curses that they view as blessings.
Remonant village of people using elixor to help each other and refuse to pursue more
Acendia House of Bendor, ramp builders Ascenders, carried bowls Quashes used to help
build ramps, King meant quash bowls to be used to help others, they ground up people in
Crushers into mortar for ramps

Marikonia house of Abner the Blacksmith, sonTrek and Troy, daughters beautiful Claire and Edith, Reflector mirrors distorted how they see themselves, others and the world, see
themselves as ugly, plain people in the Light District appear beautiful (Hollywood),
Tristin the most famous of them, Claire drowned herself after seeing her beauty in Steward’s true reflector and now doesn’t want to live in distorted world
Seudomartus Steward searches for the Transmitter that allows talk directly with the
King, Sacred Mount, cathedrals and temples for “wisest religious thinkers in
entire world “
Obed takes him to Halls of Wisdom for debates, meets Melodora
keeper of the Archives who says Transmitter is a fairy tale passed on by
unlearned people to keep the king-myth alive. Talk of it is heresy. Nagas calls
him insane. Glasses show Nagas “braying like a donkey “ Wise teachers not really wise. Steward rescued again by Zedekai when fleeing mob attackers.

Kildrachan Plain - place where King’s son fell and site of final battle with Phaedra’im
Aiden Glenn - the Ancient Fortress of the Phaedra’im and site of final battle

Quotes
Steward, “People knew about you, but no one knew you. Many knew that you spoke once, but no one cared that you spoke now. Many worshipped the Transmitter (Bible), but no one worshipped You!”

Inscribed on shield King gave Steward the Liberator
“It is not whom you are leading but who is leading you that will determine your legacy”

[Nancy Head · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Roberts receives a windfall that he never saw coming. And when he finds out that his time is short, he ponders how to pass along the gift to his four grown children who have strayed from the path of Christian faith.

After Sam's death, his lawyer explains to Sam's four children the terms of his will. Sam has written a book and the children must read it before they can claim their inheritance. Sam's two daughters and two sons take turns reading the story aloud to each other.

Rodin deftly weaves the two stories together and is not preachy in the application of Sam's story to the lives of his children.

In Sam's story, an army of evil Phaedra plan a final battle against the army of the good king. And Steward, the hero on a quest to this strange land, must convince the deluded people of the kingdom to follow their true king.

Themes of meaning, love, faith, compassion, obedience, service, and forgiveness abound in this tightly woven story of good versus evil--the foundation of all mythology.

Rodin's fantasy world is captivating. His hero's quest is believable. In his places--Aiden Glen, Seudomartis, Pitcairn Moor, Marikonia, Petitzaros, and Ascendia, Rodin builds a world where the Phaedra deceive people into building false ramps to nowhere and looking into reflectors that reveal only lies about those seeking their true selves.

Serving, giving, healing, seeking, and finding--and most importantly, trusting the King--that's what this book is about. The read is a ride worth taking.

And along the way, you too may come to know the King's deep peace.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had all the makings of an allegory like John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" and C.S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia". I found myself relating in some way to the different cities and people Steward visited. I had lightbulb moments of realisation when Steward would point out something in his journey to see the king that paralleled with the Christian walk! Rodin really captures the heart of reader and takes you on your own journey to see the King! And once you have seen the King, you will be presented with the four gifts! What will you choose to do with them?

[Mark Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

These days world views are offered in various forms of rants, usually (half) listened to by those who already agree. The rest of us cover our ears and refuse to marinate in ideas that deserve consideration. How refreshing, then, to encounter a world view as thoughtful, endearing, transformational fiction.

Rodin offers characters to care about, a multi-threaded tale, and an opportunity to consider our own life aspirations.

[Jay Link · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this novel and I must say, I was moved, motivated, touched, challenged and inspired by it. It certainly rivals Chronicles and Lord of the Rings! It is graphically and brilliantly written. Dr. Rodin's defining work!

[Sheldon Kotyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you a Steward?

Regardless of how much we have been given, we all have decisions to make in life. This book has a lot of wisdom in its pages.

[Lori Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

One of the best motivational stories I have ever read. This book made me evaluate my motives and look for "acts of eternal value". A must read for my entire family!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the imagery and the adventure in this book. But Rodin does more than just tell an intriguing fantasy story. As the "real world" characters in the book deal with fundamental questions like the purpose of life and the pursuit of happiness the reader too, is drawn into the conversation. In the end, this story not only entertains, but inspires readers into healthy personal introspection. I highly recommend it!