"Christian Combinations" are a series of books created by Christian author, Melanie Schatzel, M.Ed. to offer her beloved readers an alternative option to her books originally published as EBooks. In "Christian Combinations: Short Stories; An Old Violin & The Courage of One" there is a central theme of finding courage to accept one's responsibilities as a Christian and to live life in accordance to one's faith. In "An Old Violin" a teenage boy reflects on some very important conversations with his mom, to a congregation gathered for her funeral. Being asked to speak, he contemplates the last few weeks of conversations wither her about who he is, what is expected of him, and his responsibility to rely on asking the Lord for guidance in his life as to His role and His will for him. In the story, he shares seemingly unrelated conversations he recently had with his mom, in an effort to share with others who she was to him, and how she will be remembered. Additionally, he willingly confesses how she tried to encourage him to be more responsible for his relationship with the Lord. And how on the morning of her death, he seemed to understand that the Lord provided her to encourage him to begin His path. In "The Courage of One," the time is the future, but not too future, and the world is enraged and suffering from endless wars between nations, countries, and even the hearts of man, woman, and child alike. But the introduction boldly states how the time, and the world, in which the protagonist is born into, was a precursor to its own end by catering to the desires and thoughts of carnal man, while showing an utter disrespect for the morals, values, and teachings recorded in the holy scriptures. It follows a giant, gentle soldier, a captain, as he faithfully turns repeatedly to the Lord in prayer to ask His will in his every action. As he obeys the Holy Spirit's promptings, he is lead to another faithful brother whom he has missed since the wars began. And together they embark on an altered quest. But immediately after their reunion, the brother notices how the captain of none, is on God's mission to gather His soldiers. He observes him pray, listen, close his eyes, and reach for the extended hand of one of God's messengers--unseen. Then watches as he navigates through dangerous terrain to safely be led to another. And learns a humbling, enlightening lesson that he soon must employ himself. Powerful stories for the brave at heart!