Posts Tagged ‘Friday Five’

Dec
03
2010

Friday Five – Tim Challies

Tim Challies

Today, I’m honored to chat with Tim Challies, who really needs no introduction. Tim maintains the blog, challies.com, one of the most widely read evangelical blogs. Tim is a voracious reader, whose book reviews have helped shape evangelical thought. He’s the author of The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment and Sexual Detox along with the forthcoming The Next Story (April 2011). He blogs every day at www.challies.com. Tim also worships and serve at Grace Fellowship Church and edit Discerning Reader. He is also the cofounder of a new publishing venture, Cruciform Press. Tim is also a web designer and conference speaker.

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Nov
26
2010

Friday Five – Jackie Kendall

Today, my good friend, Jackie Kendall stops by to chat. Here is the reason I like Jackie: My wife, Angela, read Jackie’s best-selling book Lady in Waiting, while she was a single girl in Bible college. Angela says that this really prepared her for life. Angela is a super mom and wife, so I have to credit Jackie for some of that!

Since then, I’ve become friends with Jackie. We happen to share the same publishing house, New Hope Publishers. She also endorsed my first book, Teen People of the Bible. Her endorsement helped put my proposal over the top. This past year, she and her daughter, wrote a book Lady in Waiting for Little Girls, which gives good instruction on helping little girls become God-honoring princesses. My daughter, Grace, has kept that book by her bedside.

As President of Power To Grow Ministries, Jackie Kendall is a much sought-after speaker for people of all ages and stages of life (teens, college, singles, married, divorced, and widowed). Besides Lady in Waiting, Jackie has authored several other books, including, A Man Worth Waiting For , The Mentoring Mom, and a devotional titled, Say Goodbye to Shame. Her latest book is Free Yourself To Love (The Liberating Power of Forgiveness).

Nov
19
2010

Friday Five Interview – Dannah Gresh

Dannah GreshToday, it’s a great privilege to interview my good friend, Dannah Gresh. I’ve long admired Dannah’s life-changing ministry, Pure Freedom, to young girls both inside and outside the church. Dannah Gresh is known for the bestselling And the Bride Wore White and the Secret Keeper series. She is the founder of Pure Freedom ministries. Dannah is a frequent guest on national radio and television programs such as Focus on the Family, The 700 Club, and Canada’s Huntley Street. She has also been a featured contributor to magazines including Today’s Christian Woman and Brio.

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Nov
12
2010

Friday Five Interview – Pete Wilson

Today on the blog I have the privilege to interview popular pastor and author, Pete Wilson. Pete Wilson is the founding and senior pastor of Cross Point Church in Nashville, TN. This is the second church he has planted in the last seven years. His first church, Morgantown Community Church, was planted just weeks after graduating from college.

Pete graduated from Western Kentucky University with a degree in communications and then attended seminary at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. Pete’s desire is to see churches become radically devoted to Christ, irrevocably committed to one another, and relentlessly dedicated to reaching those outside of God’s family.

He is married to Brandi Wilson and they have three boys. When not spending time with church or family he enjoys playing golf and playing golf and playing golf.

Pete is the author of a recent book, Plan B.

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Oct
15
2010

Friday Five Interview: Kyle Prohaska

Hey there!

It’s no secret that Christian movie-making is on the rise. Hollywood, Christian companies, and independent film-makers are producing faith-based films at a pretty steady clip.

Recently, our church did a Movie Night featuring one of the latest Christian films, Standing Firm, from Praise Pictures. This is a powerful representation of the gospel in the life of a widower who had fallen away from the church. Much of the cast and most of the scenes were shot at Niagara Frontier Bible Church. Today we have a chance to interview with the filmmaker himself, Kyle Prohaska.

I want to thank Kyle for stopping by and offering a very candid assessment of his work and of Christian-movie-making as a whole:

Q: Kyle, I’ve read in interviews that you were inspired by the films (Facing the Giants, Flywheel) produced by Sherwood Baptist Church. But has film making always been something in your DNA or was it something God suddenly thrust upon you?

A: I’ve always been interested in film since I was a little kid so it’s something that didn’t come out of nowhere for me. I had given up on it becoming a reality at a certain point because I just didn’t think it was practical. I started going to college and came on staff at my local church as Director of Media Production. I was going to college for engineering but soon dropped out to pursue the media ministry I was in. I figured if I couldn’t be a filmmaker, this was a way to use the skill-set I had for the Lord. That continued for about a year until this movie possibility came along. I worked on the film and stayed on staff until Summer 2009 when God called me away from ministry and onto some other things that fell flat quickly. The upcoming fall found me almost broke, with no prospects, with a film that had yet to be completed. I started working on the film and Praise Pictures full-time and soon found work doing things for other people that I had been doing on my own film which is web design, graphic design, online marketing, etc. That has continued until today and the film is releasing August 24th. It’s a great feeling after such a long journey.

Q: This seems to be a golden era for Christian filmmaking, with a variety of churches and Christian production companies producing films. Why do think this is?

A: I’ll be the bad guy here and say I don’t think it’s the golden era right now. I think we’re just getting started. One thing that can be bad in this time as other step up to try and do what Sherwood Pictures did, is you end up having many that are trying that probably shouldn’t be. Churches or organizations or even people independently who see the fruit God can bring and want a piece of that. That passion is fine but I think it’s misplaced. You have many who just see what God did with someone else and think “If I only did that, then I would be doing something great for God!” What I would say to someone like that is “But is that what God wants you to actually do?” Now is a time where folks are excited, see the potential and are gunning for it, and don’t think secular companies aren’t doing the same. They’re recognizing the financial potential this new and growing market has. I’m just asking folks to be weary and be attentive to God’s leading, where I think many turn their own goals, aspirations, longings, etc. into “God’s Will.” It’s a great time to be in this industry, but it has it’s drawbacks.

I wasn’t going to go there but allow me for a moment. God has lit a fire under me the past year especially the more I see what’s in this market, talked to those in it or who plan to be, etc. I won’t make this answer too long (I definitely could) but I also see a shift in thinking in Christianity as a whole and it’s trickling into Christian culture, and the filmmaking too. This idea that we need to manufacture a film in such a way, that it’ll bring the viewer into this comfortable position to “accept” Jesus. What is that? Or altering or watering down the Gospel to make the film “more effective?” As if God needed your film to reach folks? As if the Gospel needed to be altered, molded, or changed to be effective? Behold the power of God? I see the Christian industry splitting in half with people who’re putting Art above God, and making excuses for the kinds of things that are in their films (that I consider to be sin), and those who’re focused on being biblical, doctrinally sound, and effective for the Kingdom. I believe that because of some poor attempts in the past, many are by default, afraid to present the Gospel in any form. I believe that it’s possible to have it there plainly and clearly, and presented without the corniness that has plagued some films in the past. I’m willing to give it a try, because I think the Gospel is more important than my art, my narrative, and my story. Does that mean that my story, characters, etc. aren’t important and aren’t to be shown with credibility, reality, and quality of presentation? Of course not, but I won’t sacrifice the Gospel to do it. It’s a worship problem, it always has been. What do you value the most? If you had a scene that was clearly unbiblical, but if removed destroyed your narrative or damaged it severely, would you be able to remove it? To whom are you more accountable? Who is it that you serve? Who even gave you the ability to create in the first place?

Also to those who would defend their film because God seemed to use it and reach folks, I would say “So what!” God can work in spite of you for His own purposes. Some assume because there are results that God is fully pleased with everything they’ve done. Where does that thinking come from? This post is bound to anger a few, but that’s fine. I just pray that some of the things I see happening in this industry don’t continue the way they’re going. I have a feeling they will, and folks like myself will be pushed farther and farther out of the way, but there will always be a certain group that appreciates the other side of the coin.

Just food for thought. The length of the answer is long, but I prefer to serve up steak and eggs when it comes to the TRUTH, and not celery…too bad some “Christian” movies can’t say the same. It’s an exciting time to be in this industry as I said before, but a critical time as it’ll determine where the market goes. Christianity as a whole is strayed farther and farther away from Scripture, and more relativism, compromise, etc. is creeping in. What side are you on and where does your allegiance lie? I chose my side, and I won’t allow my “artistic drive” to get in the way. God and His Glory is priority. Some in this industry and buyers in this market will not like me for that. This isn’t a beauty contest.

Q: There are a lot of challenges to producing a Christian film, including money, resources, etc. How does a Christian film maker overcome those challenges?

A: The challengers aren’t very different from any other filmmaker. At the end of the day, the majority of what you need to deal with is the same. You see many who look for volunteer support while others are strictly against it and want an all professional crew. Do I think volunteers can mean a terrible product at times? Yes, it can. But, I won’t look down on it. I would love to have a more professional crew next time around so I’ll shoot for that budget wise, but sometimes it doesn’t work out the way you wish. When it comes to raising money, it’s difficult no matter what. I don’t care if you’re a Christian or non-Christian, with the state of the economy, nobody wants to pay for anything, let alone fund a film. I think many first timers shoot too high as well. They think they have the next PASSION on their hands and go for a $500,000 budget. If you can find someone foolish enough to give you that kind of money, I commend you. Start small, learn the business, be realistic and honest with what your movie actually is. Everyone loves to think their story will be adored by millions when they fail to realize that a lot of the time, it’s just them. That isn’t the way it always is, but I use the harsh words for a reason. Some do need a slap upside the head to bring them into reality. This is a difficult business to be in, even more so if you were in the secular market. Get guidance from good businessman, go before God about everything, and make smart decisions. Sometimes it’s really that easy. Some folks are looking for some sort of answer written in the clouds when they just need to do what makes good sense.

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Sep
10
2010

Friday Five Interview – Cynthia Ruchti

photo by Fat Tuna Photography

Today I have the good fortune of chatting with my friend, Cynthia Ruchti, president of American Christian Fiction Writers, 2,000 member strong group of authors, editors, and agents who work collectively

to produce inspirational fiction. She is also

the author of They Almost Always Come Home, a delightful novel about a marriage that needed a near-fatal accident to be revived from the brink.

In addition to writing, Cynthia is also the producer for a radio show, Heartbeat of the Home

In 2007, she was the recipient of the ACFW Member Service Award. In 2008, Cynthia won second place for Women’s Fiction in ACFW’s prestigious Genesis Contest. Cynthia is the editor of the ministry’s Backyard Friends magazine. Cynthia spends her days diving into words, worship, and wonder and celebrating 37 years of marriage, three grown children, and five exceptional grandchildren.

1) Even though the economy is in the tank and people are writing the demise of the publishing industry almost daily, Christian fiction is more popular than ever. Why is that?

I’m sure there are as many opinions on that topic as there are books on my to-be-read pile. Storytelling has always been the most popular means of communicating and connecting people, no matter what the culture. I think Americans experienced a period of time when we took ourselves and technology so seriously that we too often abdicated the joy of thinking, wondering, considering, imagining. But the human heart listens best when something is presented in story form and it loses its elasticity if it isn’t fed a story from time to time. Readers find hope hidden in the pages of Christian fiction. The characters’ internal struggles assure readers they’re not alone. Imagination is given the reins again and the freedom to gallop.
2) I hear people dis Christian fiction a lot, but I wonder if they read it, because I’m reading some amazing stuff by a wide variety of authors. What do you say to that?

One of my answers will sound very philosophical, but I believe we’re living in an era when xdissing” or ranting about something is seen as every person’s right. It feeds some carnal urge when people find something to look down on. Sometimes Christian fiction is the target, but I wholeheartedly agree that those who complain the loudest about it are usually the ones least familiar with what’s being produced today for the Christian fiction market. The last few years have seen the publishing world tackle some tangled subjects and authors are hard at work creating meaningful, significant, well-written novels that engage a wide range of reader tastes–entertainment, inspiration, healing, insight…

3) I want to talk about your book, They Almost Always Come Home. I read it while I was out of town and I loved the book. The writing is so tight and it really walks the reader through a marital struggle. What inspired you to write this book?

In my role as writer/producer for The Heartbeat of the Home radio broadcast, and as a mom, grammie, friend, sister, and member of a close-knit church community, I’ve heard stories of marriages that fell apart and those that stayed glued no matter what crisis they encountered. I’ve had conversations with women who have a hard time liking the man they love, whether for a day, a season, or a lifetime.

In 1999, my husband almost left me. He didn’t intend to, but he almost died in the Canadian wilderness that drew him to many a canoe adventure over the years. He was rescued in time. But after we both recovered from the trauma, my writer brain began to wonder what a woman might do if her husband didn’t return at all. And what if she wasn’t sure she wanted him to? What would make her heart so full of pain that she couldn’t stomach the thought of his returning, but couldn’t bear the idea that he might? What if she had no answers and felt as lost as she feared he might be? Those what ifs led to They Almost Always Come Home. I wrote a good deal of the book from imagination, but had to dig deep to write the rest of it authentically and in a way I hoped readers would find both comforting and challenging.

4) Every published author goes through a long journey before they get published. Tell me about yours and what you learned.

Novel-writing can tax a writer’s energies and endurance. But I persevered through the traditional long waiting periods and influx of rejections. Determined to learn as much as I could about the craft of fiction and the publishing industry itself, I joined American Christian Fiction Writers in 2002 and began to see evidence that I really was growing as a writer. Prayer, persistence, and a patience I didn’t feel naturally led me to the day in 2008 when a manuscript of mine was a finalist in ACFW’s Genesis contest for unpublished authors. Within a month of receiving that award, I’d signed with an agent and a publishing house. The book released eighteen months later as They Almost Always Come Home. It surprised me to learn that I would enjoy each leg of the journey, no matter how difficult the terrain.

5) If you could say one thing to that writer who has a manuscript, believes in their novel, and yet keeps getting rejected, what would that be?

I’ve developed a standard answer for that. Work as hard as you can and wait as hard as you can. There’s always more to learn and always a new challenge to our ability to and penchant (or lack of it) for waiting. But the Bible notes many of the Lord’s favorite people were entrusted with difficult assignments and long waits. Those who remained faithful to Him and to what He asked them to do partnered with God in something spectacular. Abraham, Noah, Joseph the son of Jacob, Gideon, Jesus.

Waiting with grace is as important as working with gusto for a writer. Which reminds me, I’d better get back to both! Thank you for the stimulating interview, Daniel.

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
27
2010

Friday Five Interview: Tricia Goyer

Tricia Goyer is a multi-published author and speaker. I got to know Tricia when my first book, Teen People of the Bible was released. Her career has really taken off since.

Tricia is the author of 25 books, including historical and contemporary fiction as well as nonfiction. She has published over 300 articles for national publications such as Guideposts for Kids, Focus on the Family, Christian Parenting Today, Today’s Christian Woman and HomeLife Magazine. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from American Christian Fiction Writers, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference in 2003. Tricia’s book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion Book Award in 2005.

She also speaks and conducts workshops for teens around the nation, and offers programs to assist teens and teen moms. Tricia is a frequent workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Convention, and the founder of Hope Pregnancy Ministries in Northwestern Montana.

Her latest project is a book with Kristin Andersen, whose compelling story of attempted suicided and God’s grace is told in the book, Life, In Spite of Me.

1) For those who aren’t aware of Tricia Goyer, tell us a bit about your writing journey and how you got started. I know some of it began with Dr. Henry Blackaby’s Experiencing God:

I first thought about writing in 1993. A friend from church, Cindy Martinusen told me about her aspirations to become a novelist. My first thought was . . . Real people do that? She invited me to attend Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference with her. I was new as new can be. I was also 22-years-old and pregnant with my third child, but I learned enough at that conference to start off on the right track. For many years I wrote parenting articles, but I really wanted to get a book published. I tried and tried and although it became very close I didn’t get a contract. I was so disappointed. I questioned God … how come I couldn’t get published? After all, my books would glorify Him. It was during that time when I started attending the Experiencing God Bible Study. The key phrase that stuck with me was, “See what God is doing and join Him.” God was doing a lot … just not in the writing realm. So I started following God. I helped start a Crisis Pregnancy Center and mentoring teen moms, and I discovered I loved it. I did a little writing, and a lot of serving. Yet it was amazing what came out of that. I started speaking, and I got a contract for Life Interrupted: The Scoop on Being a Teen Mom. Then, after the center was up and going I got a novel contract! I truly believe that since I was willing to follow God He gave me the desires of my heart.

2) Interestingly, you write across many genres, from books about parenting, to collaborative books with celebrities, to novels. Is there a running theme across your work?

There is a running theme … liberation. In my WWII novels the liberation is real. They are freed from the Nazis. For my parenting books, hopefully my readers will be liberated by what the “perfect” parent looks like. In each book I write I hope the reader puts it down with a new sense of freedom, hope and inspiration.

3) You recently finished a project with my good friend, Kristin Anderson, whose life story is so compelling. How did you and Kristin find each other?

God has his hand in that! I was at a publisher’s brunch when I sat down next to a woman named Margaret McSweeney. We were introducing ourselves and I was telling her about my writing, and she turned to me, eyes wide: “I feel the Holy Spirit tapping my shoulder. I think you’re supposed to write a book about a young woman named Kristen Anderson.” I’d never heard of Kristen at that time, but Margaret soon introduced us. As soon as I heard Kristen’s story I knew I wanted to write it.

4) You seem to have a special place in your heart for teens, especially young teen mothers. How did God birth this in your heart?

This was birthed in my heart because I was a teen mom. I had my oldest son Cory when I was 17. Women from my mom’s church gathered around me and showed me love. Because of their love I rededicated my life to Christ. I want to offer the same type of hope and love to teen moms.

5) If you could give one piece of advice to someone who feels the call to write for God, what would that be?

Attend a writer’s conference. God will connect you will the most amazing people and you’ll also get the tools to write well. After all, if we’re going to write for God we need to do it to the best of our ability!