Archive for the ‘Books’ Category

Sep
03
2010

Friday Five Interview: Tullian Tchividjian

Its a great privilege to interview Tullian Tchividjian. William Graham Tullian Tchividjian (pronounced cha-vi-jin) is the Senior Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Tullian comes from a very famous family. He is the grandson of Billy and Ruth Graham.

I first learned about Tullian Tchividjian after reading his terrific book, Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different. Recently, I read his latest book, Surprised by Grace: God’s Relentless Pursuit of Rebels. (Read my review here) This is a terrific book that I highly recommend.

Tullian is also a contributing editor to Leadership Journal. He speaks at conferences throughout the US and his sermons are broadcast daily on the radio program Godward Living.

I’m grateful that Tullian stopped by to answer five questions for Friday Five:

1) I thoroughly enjoyed Unfashionable. I really think it spoke to today’s younger generation of pastors and Christian leaders about the tendency to want to fit in. Do you think this is a struggle for our generation?

Yes! Many well-meaning Christian’s have concluded that the best way to reach the world is to become just like the world. And so we become preoccupied with persuading the world around us that we’re cool, that we can “hang.” But I’m convinced that serious seekers today aren’t looking for something appealing and trendy. They’re looking for something deeper than what’s currently in fashion. New generations are thirsting for truthfulness, not trendiness. They long for someone to speak to them truthfully about a time and a place other than their own, about something and someone other than themselves. They want to know that there are different people out there who are willing to die for what they believe. That’s why, if you stop and listen, you’ll hear that the cry of our times is for something completely otherworldly. People are up to their necks in up-to-date structures and cutting-edge methodologies. They’re beginning to understand that modern capabilities cannot make us better and more satisfied people, nor make this world a better, more satisfying place. They seem desperate to recover a world that once was, a world that allows for mystery, miracle, and wonder—a world with windows to somewhere else. So, the point I make over and over in Unfashionable is that Christians make a difference in this world by being different from this world; they don’t make a difference by being the same. This is critically important, because in our trend-chasing world it’s tempting for Christians to slowly lose their distinctiveness by accommodating to culture. But by trying so hard to fit in, many Christians risk having nothing distinctive to say to those who feel, in Walker Percy’s memorable phrase, “lost in the cosmos.” In contrast, I’m calling this generation to embrace the delicious irony Christ demonstrated in bringing a message of God’s kingdom that subversively transforms both individuals and the world. Only by being properly unfashionable can we engage our broken world with an embodied gospel that witnesses to God’s gracious promise of restoration, significance, and life.

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Aug
13
2010

Friday Five Interview – Tamela Hancock Murray

Tamela Hancock Murray is a great friend and . . . she happens to be my literary agent a really good one at that. She works with Hartline Literary Agency. She is very professional, loves Christ passionately, and really knows the industry. Most of all, she really understands her clients and helps to further them in their calling.

What’s makes Tamela a great agent is that she’s a writer as well. She’s written several novels and has a background in a wide variety of writing, publishing, and public policy endeavors. A bit more of her background:

She has been a writer for many years. As a college student, she interned on Capitol Hill and at the U.S. Department of State before graduating with honors in Journalism from Lynchburg College in Virginia. Today, Tamela has more than 20 fiction and nonfiction books to her credit, plus magazines and newspaper articles. Her published titles include Love Finds You In Maiden, North Carolina. Tamela lives in Virginia with her husband and their two daughters.

She took time to answer five questions for The Friday Five:

1) If someone is new to the Christian Publishing world, they might not understand what a literary agent does and why someone would need one. Can you explain?


Sure, I’m happy to explain. Literary agents sell books to editors to be published. We help both writers and editors.  First, we choose excellent works that we feel are ready to be published, and help writers polish their proposals to put their work in the best light. We also make sure the work itself is at its best to present to editors. Competition is great, and writing must shine. Agents also decide where to send proposals, matching the right editors with the right proposals.

Agents talk to editors often, so they have a pulse on what editors need at any given time. Editors appreciate agents because they know submissions from us are presented with care. I am privileged to work with talented writers and I’m thrilled when I bring a gifted writer to an editor’s attention and gain a positive response.

2) Agents seem to be the new gatekeepers in that they have the slush piles and more-than-enough queries for representation. How can a writer get ready for an agent so that his work is something an agent would like to represent?

The main thing a writer can do is to visit the agency’s web site and study it. Look for what the agency asks to be submitted. Follow these instructions. Also look for agents who represent the type of books you write. Another strategy is to get to know the agent through events such as conferences. Meeting the agent face-to-face will allow you to see how both of you click. Another great option is to ask a current client to recommend you to the agent. Agents will give strong consideration to writers their authors recommend. For the record, Hartline Literary Agency does accept unsolicited queries and proposals.

Let us know how you found us, and please select only one of us to query at a time. Our web site is: www.hartlineliterary.com

3) A lot of people are talking about the future of the publishing industry, some even predicting that we’ll never have books and everything will be digital. What is your take?

I think there will always be room for both. People enjoy beautiful books for their personal libraries to read and display. The leather-bound, illustrated family Bible will always be a treasured possession.

On the other hand, electronic books offer a way to read many books for less money, and those books don’t consume physical space so this is ideal for people with little shelf space and those who travel often.

When I read a library book I especially like I might purchase my own copy, and I believe people will purchase hard copies of their favorite electronic books. I am thrilled by the new formats, because I believe more people will have better access to a greater number of books. Electronic books are a special blessing to those who don’t have access to a large library system, and to people who enjoy reading rare and out-of-print books since they are becoming available in e-book form.

4) Tell a bit of your story. How did you get involved in the Christian publishing industry and what drives you to keep writing and representing authors?

I am a full-time literary agent and write very little for publication at present. My college degree and professional writing background help me understand writers and what it’s like to sit in front of a blank computer screen, knowing it must be filled with words — astounding, excellent words — by a certain date. I possess the technical knowledge and skill to help budding writers apply that extra polish, and I am thankful for my years as a writer for that reason.

One of the most interesting assignments I had was during my U.S. State Department internship, when I prepared news briefs for the Secretary of State each morning. Later, when I was a young wife and mother staying home with an infant daughter, I wrote a few articles and was offered a job as a newspaper stringer, meaning I would write on their demand.

This option wasn’t practical for me at the time, but the offer encouraged me. I wrote for small Christian magazines, newspapers, and also novels. When I received an advertisement in the mail for Heartsong Presents, I felt led to submit to them.

They accepted my third novel, and I will always be grateful to them for giving me my first big break. My first job not involving my grandparents’ farm was in retail. I’ve always enjoyed the art of salesmanship, which encouraged me to make the transition from writer to literary agent. I love being a Christian literary agent because my work helps others realize their dreams, to God’s glory. Whether writers are helping others live better by walking with

God or writing to entertain my brothers and sisters in Christ, I am honored to be a part of their ministries. Joyce Hart will always occupy a special place in my heart because she was willing to give me a chance to be a literary agent.

5) What piece of advice would you give someone who feels they have writing talent and hears a call of God to communicate the message?

If you write 1,000 words a day, you will have a rough draft for a trade book novel in 90 days. Then you need to polish it until you feel it’s ready to be seen by people whose only interest is in reading a good book. If you are too afraid to let strangers read your work, you’re not ready for publication. After you submit, be prepared to accept and use constructive criticism. Work with a couple of other writers and learn from each other. Once you gain the courage to submit your work to agents, pay attention to any advice they offer. Be grateful for anything more than a form letter. That means they took time to give you special advice and they are nurturing you.

Thank you, Dan, for these wonderful questions and for the chance to spend time with your readers. May you all have a blessed day, and enjoy each moment that you write for Him.

Jun
09
2010

The End of Books as We Know It

Sunday afternoon, in between church services, I found some time to read The Chicago Tribune which we have delivered faithfully every Sunday. Yes, I still read the “dead-tree” version. Even though I read most of my content online, there is still something special about opening the newspaper.

I read with great interest Julia Keller’s column on the end of books. It was a special column leading up to the Chicago Printer’s Row Book fair. A key thought was this:

A friend of mine in her early 20s managed to poke a finger through the tissue-thin argument that iPads, Kindles and Nooks are just as good as books, that reading is reading, that content is all that matters.

She and her classmates at the University of Notre Dame were invited to the home of a revered professor. It was a gleaming palace of erudition, she said: Room after room was filled with elegant floor-to-ceiling bookcases; each bookcase was filled with beautiful volumes; each volume seemed to glow with the written legacy of the world’s wisdom.

It was, she recalled, breathtaking.

Reveling in all of this, my friend had a sudden, unsettling thought: What if, instead of the soaring bookcases, the professor’s home had featured a card table with a Kindle on it?

The content might be the same — vast storage capacity is one of the chief selling points of new technologies — but how different it would be in terms of spiritual sustenance.

That last sequence stuck with me. I’m a huge fan of technology and love the idea that you can download books, etc. I think technology has actually promoted reading. People probably ingest more content now than they have in decades, with blogs, news sites, rss feeds, etc.

But nothing will replace a library with books. There is something wonderful about a room full of books. I can’t imagine future generations will walk into an austere room filled with screens. I have to imagine we will still produce books with spines. That the thriving cottage industry of used books and valuable first editions will continue. That we’ll still dog-ear favorites and pass them to loved ones with notes in the front.

Sure, the delivery method will change, the printing process will be more efficient, and perhaps we’ll publish less books–some whole genres will be extinct, like the encyclopedia or the cookbook or the dictionary.

But books? I think they’ll be here forever.

May
10
2010

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Apr
15
2010

Forgotten God

I just finished a powerful book by Francis Chan, Forgotten God. This was my first Chan book. I had heard him speak a number of times and have been encouraged to read his work by many friends.

This is one of those books that doesn’t necessarily inspire, but it motivates and convicts. The premise of Forgotten God is our unwillingness to recognize, submit to, and love the Holy Spirit inside of us. And it is quite remarkable that Christians, who have the Spirit of God inside of them, typically live and act as though they don’t. We wonder why we live such powerless lives.

Chan says, “God put His Spirit in us so we could be known for our power. Sadly, most believers and churches are known for talent and intellect rather than supernatural power. What’s worse is that we’re okay with it.” I’m deeply convicted by that.

Those of us who have grown up in and minister in churches that pride themselves on a sound doctrinal position and a relevant verse-by-verse exposition of the Scriptures often neglect the work of the Spirit. Here’s why. We’re so afraid of the abuses and emotionalism that exists in some parts of the Church today that we almost lock up the Holy Spirit in the closet. Its as if we feel like He is so dangerous and easily abused that its better off not employing Him or speaking of Him altogether.

How tragically wrong we are. Sadly, when we ignore the Spirit we’re like the church of Ephesus, which had a killer statement of faith and awesomely sound doctrine, but no power. God was so upset with Ephesus that He threatened to take the “candlestick” of blessing away. They were the only church issued this threat.

The truth is that the Holy Spirit is not an it. The Holy Spirit is a Person. He is God. And He is a precious gift to us, empowering and leading us to fulfill God’s will on this earth.

Francis Chan doesn’t really unearth any new revelations about the Holy Spirit in Forgotten God. He simply asks why we don’t obey the Spirit and follow Him as we should. He challenges the believer to toss aside their desire for a “safe” life and pray boldly, live boldly, and respond to the Spirit’s call.

I read a lot of books, but I highly recommend Forgotten God. It’s powerful and it will move and convict you to respond and walk with the Spirit so the world can truly see God in you.

Mar
24
2009

Crash Course

Crash Course

Releases – April, 2010
To Order:
Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble
Christianbook.com
ISNB#: 9781596692855

Life contains more surprises and twists than most teens couldever imagine.These unforeseen, often difficult, events routinely lead todoubt, worry, and anxiety. Crash Course, a 100-day devotionalfor teens, encourages teens to form a solid foundation of faithin God’s Word that will support them when life’s obstaclescome harder and faster. This unique 100-day devotional is a crash course on life for young people ready to face life on their own.

Developing a faith they can confidently defend
Pursuing a faith they can call their own
Building a faith that endures through difficulties
Championing a faith that conquers compromise
Growing in a faith that depends on Christ, and not themselves

Key Features:

Crash Course is divided up into 5 key areas:

  • Doctrine – Know what you believe and why
  • Decisions – How to make good choices
  • Devotion – How to stay connected to God.
  • Direction – Finding God’s purpose for your life.
  • Delight – Discovering joy in a hard world.

Endorsements/Reviews

“Today’s teens want truth, guidance and authenticity, and they quickly see through the opposites. That’s why Crash Course is a must for every teen’s backpack! Filled with faith-building stories, truth about God’s plan and genuine guidance on how to live out their faith in the midst of life’s toughest moments, Crash Course takes teens on an incredible ride to developing solidity in their relationship with Christ. Daniel Darling has definitely proven himself as an excellent communicator to today’s generation, and I’m excited about the message inside these pages!

—Susie Shellenberger, Editor SUSIE Magazine

The Story Behind the Book

After writing Teen People of the Bible, I had quite a few teens and youth pastors and parents ask for another 100-day devo. The idea God gave me was for something to equip young people for life.  It seems many young people, even so-called “good Christian kids” really lack the guidance and maturity to make decisions in life, to find God’s will, and to pursue Him with truth. So I set out to create a book that a teen could read over a summer, maybe even the summer between High School and college. Or maybe it something he tackles his first few months in college, when he’s sitting in that dorm room and doubting everything about life.

New Hope really stepped up with some great ideas to help shape this book. I’m grateful to their vision on this.

  • Developing a faith they can confidently defend
  • Pursuing a faith they can call their own
  • Building a faith that endures through difficulties
  • Championing a faith that conquers compromise
  • Growing in a faith that depends on Christ, and not themselves

Mar
22
2009

Teen People of the Bible

Teen People of the Bible


Teen People of the Bible

To Order:

Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble
Christianbook.com

ISBN#:9781596690882

- Nominated for a Gold Medallion

– Recommended by Brio and Breakaway

- Endorsed by Susie Magazine

A unique, 100-day devotional that explores the lives of 29 teens in the Bible, comparing their struggles and triumphs to the lives of everyday teens.

Reviews:

“Daniel Darling has produced a compact, 100-day Bible study for teens packaged in a very attractive format. Youth pastors will find it a helpful tool in their arsenal. And hopefully many students will discover that the stories of the Bible are incredibly relevant to the questions they ask and the struggles they face every day.” 

Ray Pritchard, bestelling author and popular Christian blogger

“This is a relevant tool that will launch teens deeper into scripture through the power of story and real-life application. This is a book that should be placed in the hands of every believing and seeking teen.”

T. Suzanne Eller, Intl. Speaker, Author of Making It Real: Whose Faith Is It Anyway, and founder of Real Teen Faith.

Daniel Darling brilliantly weaves the choices, challenges, victories and defeats of the Bible’s young people into intriguing and thought-provoking lessons for today’s teen. If you are looking for a daily dose of wisdom and a deeper understanding of how God’s Word applies to your life, look no further. This is truly an excellent book!

Ginger Plowman, author, Don’t Make Me Count to Three and Heaven at Home

“Dan Darling is a long-time friend and a man with a message for teens! With creativity and a clear understanding of a teen’s heart and life, he shares biblical truths in this daily devotional that will set a young person on God’s path day by day. His passion for God’s truth and his knowledge of the struggles and temptations young men and women face is heard on page after page as he dispenses life-saving—and life-changing—help. Every teen will benefit from this powerful book, and every parent will want to give this volume to the young adults in their life! What a great way to put the next generation on a sure path of godliness!”

Elizabeth George, bestselling author of A Young Women after God’s Own Heart,  A Young Woman’s Walk with God, and, A Young Woman’s Call to Prayer

“I wish I could give “Teen People of the Bible” to every guy and girl in America. I didn’t even know there were so many teenage heroes in there! Truly inspiring and just what we need, it’s a book no teen should be without.”

Carol Kurtz of Titletrak.com

“I am so excited about a fresh look at famous teenagers in God’s Word. What could be more effective than the challenge of a peer? Teens are given clear Biblical truths that they are able to digest in the context of the 21st century.”

Jackie Kendall, best-selling author of Lady in Waiting

“With tight, crisp writing and straight to the point illustrations, Daniel Darling encourages teens to make their faith real in his book Teen People of the Bible . It’s the kind of book parents and grandparents love to give, and to their amazement, it will be one that kids read.”

Stephen Bly, author of over 100 books, including Wish I’d Known You Tears Ago.

“A great resource for teens, parents of teens, and leaders of teens. It nicely blends practical application with biblical truth.”

“Teen People of the Bible blows the dust off some ancient heroes to highlight their connection to our contemporary culture. Author Daniel Darling shows a genuine appreciation and understanding of his audience as he keeps things real and relevant.”

In the Library Reviews

“A great resource for teens, parents of teens, and leaders of teens. It nicely blends practical application with biblical truth.”

Charles Stone co-author of Daughters Gone Wild-Dads Gone Crazy and pastor of Ginger Creek Community Church in Aurora, Illinois

“I’ve been waiting a long time for a devotional like this to come along. Daniel Darling’s Teen People Of The Bible is by far the best Bible study I’ve ever seen thus far.” Read the rest of the review here . . .

Kierstyn Paulino, homeschooler, popular teen blogger featured in World Magazine:

“In the end, Teen People of the Bible by Daniel Darling is a devotional that I would recommend to any Christian teen. The dedication to Scripture and the challenging message creates a devotional rarely seen today. If you are looking for a devotional that will challenge you to deepend your walk with Jesus Christ, then this devotional is the one for you. “ Read the rest of the review here . . .

Matt Ahearn, author of the popoular teen blog, “From the Pulpit“

“Many teens are bound to appreciate this devotional—and take up the challenge, which is a worthy one. It provides an excellent overview of the Bible as well as interesting biographical sketches that are bound to connect with teens. “ Crosswalk.com

The Idea Behind the Book

In late 2005, I got an idea for a teen devotional based on the lives of teens in the Bible. I wasn’t sure the format and I wasn’t sure if a publisher would be interested. So I went to the Write to Publish Conference in Wheaton, IL and got some advice from pros like Cec Murphy, Jesse Florea of Focus on the Family, Suzie Eller, Julie Dearyan, and some other good friends. An idea took shape–100 days with the teens of the Bible. (that was one of my original corny titles).

Through a friend, I was connected with Andrea Mullins from New Hope Publishers who believed in this idea.

As for the idea, it sort of came out of a desire to have a resource to give to teens to draw them into the word. There are a bunch of really good teen devos out there–I”m not even remotely thinking that I’m the first, the best, or the only here. But my idea seems unique, looking at teens in the Bible. I remember being a Christian teen and knowing that I had to read my Bible, but not really getting anything out of it and thinking that it only spoke to men with long beards. In reality, the Bible speaks to people of all ages, lifestyles, and backgrounds. God comes to you where you are and loves you so much, He wants to change you.

Downloads

29 Teens In the Bible- a free downloadable guide

Jan
01
1970

Books I Plan to Read This Year

Every year I read a pile of books, some from friends, others for ministry and preaching, and still others that really peak my interest. Here is my pile of books for 2010 with some comments:

Every year I read a pile of books, some from friends, others for ministry and preaching, and still others that really peak my interest. Here is my pile of books for 2010 with some comments:

  • The Power of His Presence by Ray Stedman – I’m currently reading this–its a devotional book compiled from his sermons, which were always expository, deep, and convicting. I regularly read his sermons at raystedman.org.
  • Love and Respect by Emmerson Eggerich – This is long overdue, but a terrific marriage book. I’m currently reading it. Its an amazing exposition really of the well-known but often misapplied instruction in Ephesians.
  • Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris – I’ve always enjoyed Josh’s writing, preaching, and ministry. I can’t wait to read his fresh take on the importance of solid theology.
  • If God is Good – by Randy Alcorn – Nobody tackles tough, unexplored issues with biblical clarity like Randy Alcorn. I thoroughly enjoyed Heaven.
  • Forgotten God – Francis Chan – I’ve not ready anything by Chan, but have heard a few of his sermons. And a lot of people are telling me he writes with thought-provoking clarity.
  • Prayer, Does it Make Any Difference? – Philip Yancey – I love Yancey’s writing and I’m intrigued by his take on prayer.
  • Humility – CJ Mahaney – I’ve heard this is a fantastic book.
  • Fire and Rain, the Wild-Hearted Faith of Elijah – Ray Pritchard – Ray is a good friend of mine and a terrific pastor, author, and speaker.
  • Benjamin Franklin – An American Life – Walter Isaacson. I love history, especially American history.
  • Franklin and Winston – Jon Meacham – Ditto, this is a relationship that kept the Allied Powers strong.

Who knows if I’ll get to all of these and honestly I’ll probably read other books not here that I haven’t thought of. I’ll probably sprinkle a few novels in there as well.