A Christian sci-fi novel of faith making a difference (2020 edition).
The world of Caperston is void of the knowledge of a caring God. Its people mindlessly follow the directives of an unjust ruler, and the wealthy valley people live apart from another group of residents, the mountain people, deemed to be inferior. Prejudice abounds.
Upon listening to a prophet, privileged valley teen Mattpaul finds his mind opening as he befriends some mountain youth. Taught to look down upon them, he finds the mountain youth have skills he and his valley friends could learn. To the lament of his wealthy parents, he gives up his privileged path to success and becomes an advocate for the mistreated and a colleague of the prophet, calling for equality and for the people to turn to God.
When Mattpaul accidentally makes email contact with a Christian youth group website on the faraway planet Earth, a door to ongoing communication opens. Youth from both Earth and Caperston share mutual stories of hope and vision, while identifying their struggles via email-like correspondence. Dreams of a better world for the inhabitants of Caperston excite Earth youth as, week-by-week, new messages are received from Mattpaul and his friends. One Earth friend reciprocates and tells of his own struggles due to the death of his best friend.
The ongoing correspondence between the youth in the two worlds solidifies a belief in God which transcends the teachings of the church.
A vision of heaven changes everything.
The Chest of Visions: Secrets of Caperston is a story of hope that encourages its listeners to dare to dream. Caperston shows us what life can become.
It is a book of youth living in parallel universes conversing with each other through e-mail messaging sharing their stories of "Daring to Dream" to make a difference in their similar, yet different worlds. The world of Caperston is as advanced as earth but has never had a concept of a God until a prophet emerges and earth youth encourage their friends from Caperston to follow. Of course, trials emerge and the support of friends from across the universe make a difference.
Reviews have stated that, in the reader's opinion, it is a unique Christian Sci-fi novel.
The book is the first in a three part drama. Book two entitled "THe Chest of Visions: New Pathways 'Cross Broken Highways" is published and the third book of the trilogy is 80 percent completed.
Chapter seven entitled "An Inoculation of Hope".
Chihaysu said so many things in his speech. I will try to remember some of them. He stated, “The poor, who believe, will be given the kingdom of God” and “Those who are humble will inherit the world.” He gave us a warning: “Do not pray if you are angry with someone but settle your differences with that person first and then you are ready to pray.” He told us to love our enemies and to pray for them. Our kindness may make them a friend. He said it is easy to love your friends but, with the help of God, loving our enemies will make this world a better place to live.
Then Chihaysu said something that really made me think. “Do not keep riches for yourself in Caperston. You will not keep them after you die.” He said that maybe riches will get you a fancy tomb in the House of the Dead. But we believers will not be there. After we die, we will meet again with other believers in the mansion of God. When he said this there was complete silence in the crowd. No one in Caperston ever imagined that there was life after death. One young man, who I do not know, asked the question, “But we place our bodies in the House of the Dead. How can this be?”
Chihaysu replied, “We have bodies and we have souls. The House of the Dead is for our bodies, but the mansion of God is for our souls.” Another person asked, “How will we know which soul belongs to a relative or friend?” Chihaysu replied that we all know those special things, which make us loved. These are spiritual characteristics not physical traits. These traits will be evident in the souls, living in the mansion God is preparing.
A schoolteacher of mine walked forward and asked, “Teacher, you have taught us many things. What is the most important thing you can teach us, the thing that truly makes our lives different?” Chihaysu responded by reminding him that there are two teachings.
The first is “Love God with all of your heart.” The second is “Love all your neighbors as you love yourself.” With that statement Chihaysu left and we followed him. No one said anything for some time, as we were all deep in thought.
As I left, I looked over my shoulder and I could see Rachaeling and Michaeling waving and smiling at me. I have never felt as happy as I did at that moment.