Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a minister serving as a Deacon on the Pastoral staff of my church. I grew up as a poor kid, the firstborn of parents who migrated from the south looking for a better life. My parents were both illiterate, with not much formal education. They insisted that I would have a better chance than was given them. Very early on, reading became my past time and the public library my favorite hangout. After studying and working hard, I managed to reach a fair amount of success… then the bottom fell out of my life. I was reduced to a meager existence of poverty and homelessness. I found myself Bankrupt, my wife and kids were gone, and every friend I thought I had proved to be non-existent. Everything I tried flew back in my face. For the next 20 yrs I drifted in a state of despair. Anger, bitterness, and depression became my way of life, and suffering was the price I paid. Left to my own devices I would probably still be lost, but the grace of God said otherwise. I write to bring a message of hope to the hopeless, comfort to suffering, and guidance to those still lost. Trust me when I say… “Change Is Possible.”
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book: The Jesus Command is a serious look at Christ’s charge to the eleven men who would go on to establish the Christian Church. Using Jesus’ own words found in John’s Gospel…
John 13:34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Love is not an option… Jesus Commanded It!
We are not only instructed to love, but to duplicate His love. It’s an action that seems to stand as the pivotal starting point of Discipleship and Christ Following. I think that if it were something that we were already doing, there would be no need for it to be made a command.
Love is a hard nut to crack. It has knocked the wind out of a many sail, been chosen as the subject of countless books, and is lurking in the background of many moments chronicled in history. More often than not, our idea of love is exchanged for selfish desire and individual lust. Both being far from what Jesus’ intended for our understanding. Watching people from my place in the street I’ve had a chance to observe many examples over the years, of what people confuse as love. This book attempts to look at it from Jesus’ point of view and that of those closest to Him in an effort to define Christ’s intentions and the understanding received by those who interacted with Him personally.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When it comes to writing I’m not so sure any habit can be described as usual. What I try to do is form a question that addresses life. Whether it’s from a political, social, or common everyday perspective, my first consideration is Biblical and I approach it from the standpoint of scripture.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
There have been many over the course of time and they are not restricted to any one discipline or genera. Early in life I found Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich, to be inspiring. There is also The Screwtape Letters, by C. S. Lewis which challenged my thinking. In resent times I can also cite John Perkins’ Let Justice Roll Down. He gives a compelling portrait of struggle and the cost necessary to overcome it. Of course there’s always my stand by, The Holy Bible.
What are you working on now?
Amid my duties as a minister, I spend time working on two projects that I’d like to complete. One is a semi auto biography that gives snapshots of points in my life and God’s hand in shaping my journey. I hope to provide the reader with insight as to my fall from as well as my return to faith. The second is a work of Spiritual Poetry that I hope will encourage and inspire.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning. As a newly published author, this whole theater is new to me. I’m even at a bigger loss when it comes to marketing and promotion. I’m trying everything, social media, advertising, and whatever resource I can tap. On these points I’m open to suggestion and can use all the help I can get.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
For those thinking about it… Stop!
Stop thinking and start doing. Get your thoughts out of your head and into print. The more you do so, the more material you will have to draw from. It can always be edited, revised, re-worked, or discarded. However, if you don’t produce it, you can’t do anything with it. Start writing and keep writing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Trust In God!
I know there are many that have a problem with this bit of advice. You can’t trust in that which you don’t believe. While you might not believe in my idea of God, on some level there exists something in which you do believe. Whatever that is, for you, that’s your god. So for now, just trust in that.
What are you reading now?
Besides The Holy Bible, I’m trying to get through Entertaining Angels by Emerald Barnes. The book is well written and entertaining, and that’s the problem. With my workload and scheduled it’s hard to take the time reading purely for entertainment. A good majority of my reading time is spent in reference and researching material for presentations and teaching. Still I promised, and I will find the time to finish it.
What’s next for you as a writer?
As I said, I’m already engaged in a couple of projects. Beyond that I’ll trust God and His Holy Spirit to point the direction.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Holy Bible – For comfort and hope.
A Dictionary – For knowledge and understanding.
Think and Grow Rich – For inspiration and motivation.
The Boy Scout Handbook – For survival.
Author Websites and Profiles
Matthew Milam II Website
Matthew Milam II Amazon Profile
Matthew Milam II’s Social Media Links
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