Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My passion is to encourage and inspire Christians on their long and sometimes treacherous spiritual journey Home. Over the years, I learned valuable lessons from my own journey of faith and developed indispensable relationships that kept me from giving up when discouragement and lack of hope told me to. My purpose in life is to pay it forward whenever I can — first as a pastor for 40 years and now as a writer and mentor.
I’ve written five books over the last three years. The first, “Cornered in Shallow Waters,” is a novel about a Christian who knows something God wants him to do, but he’s scared to death to take the risk. The story takes readers through his struggles and how he found the faith to do what God told him to do. My second book, “Do It Scared,” is a devotional taking 20 key verses from the novel to help others limited by fear work through it and grow their faith.
Book three arose from requests readers of my weekly newspaper column I’ve written for over 20 years. I put 40 of them into a book called, “Best of Pastor’s Ponderings.”
My two most recent books are devotionals where I look at a Bible character and draw lessons and inspiration from his spiritual journey to help readers with the struggles in their spiritual journey. The first was “30 Days with Joshua.” The second is “30 Days with Joseph.”
I married his college sweetheart, Becki, in 1974. She’s supported me — and many times as my anchor and chief cheerleader — during our years leading churches from 1976 – 2016. We have four grown children and eight grandchildren. I retired from my bi-vocational jobs as a pastor and a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service.
In my spare time, I enjoy engaging with my grandkids, reading, gardening, and landscaping around the house. I could not have made it through many tough times in my life without my small group, the Band of Brothers, as we travel side-by-side toward Christlike character and Home. We discovered years ago that the Christian life is not Jesus and me — It’s Jesus and we. And we are committed to encourage, support, love, and accept each other unconditionally.
I also like to share my spiritual journey and teach from God’s Word at churches and conferences.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“30 Days with Joseph: Insight from Joseph’s Spiritual Journey for Yours.” It’s a devotional that takes bite-size daily chunks of Joseph’s journey as inspiration and pointers for Christians today. I picked Joseph because he’s an amazing guy. A guy all of us would like to be like. He went through exceedingly unfair and harsh treatment — hated by his brothers, slave, accused rapist, and jail convict. Yet he never whined or complained or lost his faith or took revenge even when he was given the opportunity.
I believe Joseph is one of the perfect men of the Bible believers today can learn much from for their struggles in life.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The only one I can think of is while I’m working on a book, thoughts and ideas often come to in bed, in the shower, or working in the yard. So, I grab my cell phone and jot the ideas down as a memo before I forget it. I’ve done that too often to rely on my memory. Write it down.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
John Eldredge has been a huge influence on me. I also like to read Ted Dekker and Andy Stanley. “Bo’s Cafe” and “The Cure” by John Lynch, Bruce McNichol, and Bill Thrall had a huge impact on my life.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a teaching book. I’ve discovered over the years that too often new believers and their spiritual growth are neglected after they decide to become Christians. It’s as if the goal to get them saved, then “Congratulations. See ya later,” and they’re left alone to grow. We don’t do that to newborns, but we to newborn Christians. This book is called “FAQ New Believers Want to Know (and Mature Believers Need to Know). It will lay a foundation they can begin to build and grow their faith upon.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Frankly, that’s my greatest weakness. When I have a new book coming out, I advertise on book buying websites, email newsletters, Facebook, Twitter, etc. I also send out info to my friends by email and to a larger crowd on Facebook.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Know why you’re writing. That will keep you writing when you become discouraged and don’t feel like writing on a particular day.
Write when you feel like it or when you don’t.
Don’t let the fear no one will read your book stop you from writing. Even best-selling authors experience those fears.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
There’s nothing bad you can do to make God love you any less; there’s nothing good you can do to make him love you more. He’s not disappointed with you; he loves you.
What are you reading now?
I’m spending most of my reading time in 1 Kings 16-18 and 2 Kings 1-2 in the Bible. My next “30 Days With…” character is Elijah. I’m studying him and asking God to give me insights that will help those who will eventually read my devotional on him. I’m also asking God to speak to me about things he wants me know or do or change in me.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll plugging away writing. I’m 68 and I know my time is slipping away, so I want to keep writing as long as I can. Even if no one reads anything I write, I want future generations of my family to know what I considered mattered and what didn’t.
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?
Bo’s Cafe
The Cure
My Bible
All Things New
Author Websites and Profiles
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