{"product_id":"9781771430142","title":"Life Surprises: Seven Short Stories about the Unexpected","description":"\u003cp\u003eJohn W. Sloat's latest book, \u003ci\u003eLife Surprises\u003c\/i\u003e, is a tribute to the discoveries and revelations that are part of every life. The book is a collection of seven short stories about the unexpected. These stories illustrate how quickly our lives can take unanticipated turns which lead us to discover surprising meaning in the most routine experiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA young boy's neurosis produces an unexpected revelation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn adolescent muses about a mysterious girl at the beach.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA feather on the beach leads to an unusual love affair.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA key found in an old car opens a strange quest.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA car radio keeps a driver safe from harm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA detour makes possible a medical cure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA pair of shoes combats racism.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese touching short stories, humorous and sometimes off-beat, completely captivate the reader and lead to surprising and unexpected resolutions, \u003ci\u003ea la\u003c\/i\u003e O. Henry. They remind us of the mystery at the heart of our daily existence, and of the fact that every moment can contain discoveries that may forever change our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cu\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/u\u003e:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJohn W. Sloat, a former Presbyterian minister, served churches in Pennsylvania and Ohio for over 40 years. He holds a B.A. from Denison University, 1954; an M.Div. from Princeton Seminary, 1957; and a Th.M. from Pittsburgh Seminary, 1977. Previous books include \u003ci\u003eLord, Make Us One\u003c\/i\u003e (non-fiction, 1986); \u003ci\u003eThe Other Half\u003c\/i\u003e (fiction, 2001); \u003ci\u003eMemories of My Misadventures\u003c\/i\u003e (fiction, 2008); \u003ci\u003eA Handbook For Heretics\u003c\/i\u003e (non-fiction, second edition, 2009); and \u003ci\u003eMoving Beyond the Christian Myth\u003c\/i\u003e, (non-fiction, 2011). Several of his sermons have been included in \u003ci\u003ePulpit Digest\u003c\/i\u003e, a national preaching journal. He has been married to Helen Burdick Sloat, a psychiatric nurse, for 57 years, and they have three children, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He is a pianist\/organist and plays the French horn. Retired since 1992, he is a scratch model builder, leads spirituality groups, and writes books.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CCB Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47042712338672,"sku":"9781771430142","price":10.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781771430142_p0.jpg?v=1763708054","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781771430142","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}