My exciting news

I believe God makes things happen that we pray for long and hard enough if it is His will. Can I share some exciting person news in my life? I already know that you are not going to believe it is as exciting as I do and you may even think this is about my ego - I pray it is not.

I’ve been holding off on this announcement since September! It is so hard to have exciting news and not share it.

It was the mid-80’s when I began to have people tell me I could write well. That my thoughts stirred something in them. I think it was then that I determined I wanted to be a writer. I want(ed) to write a book. Since that time I’ve written chapters in five or six books, edited about 25 books, written camp books, blogs, articles for publication and for “my own” bulletin. I’ve started about five books (Touched By Jesus, Seven Habits of Highly Effective Spiritual People, Raising Grass and Sons, “O”strizied!) I submitted one for publication and never heard back from the editors. I love writing but it is impossible to describe how hard it is for me. I can’t pull the trigger, I can’t let go, I can’t close! I write all the time but nearing 50 I have not had a book with my name on it as “author”. Not until now.

Back last August Cory Collins asked me to speak in chapel to kick off the school year on why I preach. I always enjoy being with the super folks at Heritage Christian University. I wanted to bring something good. About three days before I got an inspiration for a way to introduce it - I would talk about what some of the things these guys would face in their ministries. One thing led to another and the words poured out. Before long it was pages long of my heart.

The lesson moved me in presenting and it moved others. I determined to post it here and it went “viral” at least in my little world. A few thousand read it. Many added comments which were moving and meaningful and several have told me they printed it out and it is now on their fridge, bulletin board, etc.

Then I got this kind email from the folks at 21st Century Christian. They wanted to try something out of their area of expertise and take it and produce a gift book for ministers. Wow, I’ve agonized thousands of hours to write a book and then do it in three days without even trying to write a book!

All this to say that in the fall of this year or late this year I anticipate that 21st will print my first book in publication. I am honored and humbled to imagine it.

Now, I want it to sell well. I want it to sell many, not for the money, but I want it to bless others! So, I hope YOU will buy at least three. One for yourself and one for a minister friend and one for a young minister who can’t afford one himself but needs these words. Go ahead and let me know now how many you want and I’ll start a list. Sorry, I’m a little excited about this and am thankful to God for the opportunity. I hope it blesses lives. It is an answer to a prayer I’ve prayed a long time. Here’s more proof to me it is a gift to me - the initial email from 21st came on August 27th - my birthday. I am blessed much more than I bless and I exalt God for all His goodness to me.

P.S. The picture above is the cover.