Christian Book Notes

Starr Meade stopped by this week to discuss the many children’s books she has written.  You can read reviews on a few of them here.  Enjoy this interview.

Christian Book Notes (CBN):  Please share your testimony of how you came to know Jesus as Lord and Savior

Starr Meade (SM):  I grew up in a Southern Baptist church and I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know that being right with God required faith in Jesus Christ and what he accomplished through the cross. I asked to be baptized when I was around 9 years old. When I was just entering my teens, my parents divorced and I went through a time of bitterness and of questioning the truth of Christianity. God, in his providence, moved my father and me into the neighborhood of a Christian family who took me in. I spent most of my time with them, doing whatever they were doing: eating, working, having fun with their teenage kids—and going to their church. At their church, I met other loving Christians who also reached out to me. That meant everything to me, because I lived alone with a father whom I almost never saw, and I was very lonely. I learned to appreciate something of the infinite love of God for me through the love of these ordinary Christians in my teen years.

(CBN):  Please share some more about yourself and your ministry. (This is more an informational, get to know you question. I usually change the question depending on the answer given.)

(SM):  Most of my adult life, I’ve been involved in teaching children or teens and in writing as ministries. I began teaching Sunday School when I was 16. Once my own three children were in school, I served as Director of Children’s Ministries in our church for 10 years. Part of what I did there was to write curriculum for our children’s programs and devotionals for our families to use at home. (Several of my books are those devotionals rewritten.) When I stepped away from that position, I began teaching Bible and beginning Latin at the Christian school the church had. I taught in the school for eight years, and then began teaching home school students at my house. I teach history and literature classes for junior high and high school students, and one Latin class for younger children. I still teach Sunday School with my husband—probably will all my life! Working from home gives me more time to work on my writing.

(CBN):  I was first introduced to your writing ministry through your book Keeping Holiday. In my review, I said that it was Pilgrim’s Progress meets Chronicles of Narnia. What was your inspiration for that particular book?

(SM):  Those are very kind words!! Keeping Holiday was one of those Advent devotionals for my church, rewritten. The inspiration came from my love of the Old Testament prophets and my love of Christmas as the celebration of what those prophets promised. The coming of Christ into the world makes such a tremendous difference that the biblical writers use all kinds of strong metaphors to describe it: light instead of darkness, life instead of death, fruitfulness instead of barrenness, joy instead of sorrow. I had researched many of the symbols used at Christmastime and learned how they pictured those very concepts—and out of that came an Advent devotional which turned into a children’s book.

(CBN):  You wrote a Family Bible Story Book entitled Mighty Acts of God. What prompted you to add to the growing list of quality children’s and family Bible story books?

(SM):  I was asked to do it by the book packager and publisher. I wondered myself at the time: Do we need another Bible story book? As we discussed the idea, though, I could see the value of a book that (1) demonstrated the overall story of the Bible instead of telling stories as isolated incidents, (2) focused on the character and actions of God in each story, rather than on the human characters, and (3) explained doctrinal concepts that are apparent in each story.

(CBN):  After publishing Mighty Acts of God, you started on a series entitled God’s Mighty Acts… What is the purpose of that series? Does it build on the stories found in Mights Acts of God?

(SM):  The same book packager suggested follow-up books that would follow the same pattern of material for families to read together, a key verse for each reading, and questions for further discussion. God’s Mighty Acts in Creation focuses on how creation reveals to us something of the wonder of who God is. It uses Bible stories, metaphors for God drawn from creation that we find in the Bible, and interesting facts about creation itself—all to highlight the wonder of God’s character. God’s Mighty Acts in Salvation takes children (and their families) through highlights of Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians, which stresses so strongly justification through faith alone.

(CBN):  What has been the most influential books (assuming the Bible) in your life? Why?

(SM):  I love literature!! I love stories, so I love all kinds of fiction, especially classics and children’s fantasy. George MacDonald and, of course, Tolkien and Lewis are special favorites as far as fantasy from a Christian perspective. As far as influencing my Christian life: I’ve read so much in my lifetime and my memory is so sketchy! I’ve always thought that we receive and receive and receive from so many gifted teachers and writers, all of them repeating the same important truths from various angles. Little by little, all that receiving adds up to those truths becoming truly part of us—but to whom do we give the credit, with so many contributors? The Puritans are tremendously helpful, as far as being able to diagnose the sin in my heart and guide me in dealing with it. But I’d have to say the most influential book for me is probably Knowing God by J.I. Packer. I read it early in my Christian life, along with A. W. Pink’s The Attributes of God, and have longed ever since to stay focused on the character of God himself, more than on anything he gives or on anything I do.

(CBN):  Of the books that you have written, which was your favorite?

(SM):  First favorite: Keeping Holiday. It was highly enjoyable to me to let my imagination go for the purpose of inventing characters and situations that would express my deep, deep gratitude to “the Founder” for finding me. Second favorite: Grandpa’s Box, because I marvel at God’s sovereign ability to overcome all opposition and carry out his eternal purpose to have a people who will be his own people. Grandpa’s Box follows that theme through the stories of the Bible, and it was a joy to focus on it while writing the book.

(CBN):  How can we pray for you and your ministry?

(SM):  When you write about Christian truth, you realize as you write what a long way you have to go in faithfully living out what you’re writing about! My biggest prayer request would be for God’s work in my heart to cause me not just to know his truth, not just to love his truth, not just to write about his truth, but to daily live my life in the light of his truth.

Grant Horner stopped by for a quick interview. He has written Meaning at the Movies.

Christian Book Notes (CBN):  Could you share your testimony of how you came to know Christ as Lord and Savior.

Grant Horner (GH):  I was converted at the age of 18 1/2. I had been heavily into drugs for about 4 years, and was functional but still a real mess, ready to crash at any moment. I used marijuana, amphetamines (speed), Quaaludes, mescaline, and took lots of LSD. I also sold from time to time. I was very heavily into LSD and addicted to speed. A very bad combination. I really should be dead, to tell the truth. A Bible was put into my hand and I began to read. I had never read scripture before, never really heard a solid sermon, never really heard the gospel before, even. I read just 5 or 6 chapters in the gospels, said to myself – ‘oh, no – this is true, and I’m in trouble!’ and I was converted right then and there, and also miraculously released from the drugs.

(CBN):  Please share more about your self (ministry, family, books, etc.–this question always takes a different form depending on how it is answered.)

(GH):  Joanne and I were married in 1983 and we have three kids: Seth (25 and married to Carmen from Canada), Josiah (23 and engaged to Linda from Uganda), and Rachel (17). We live just north of LA in Santa Clarita, where I am a Professor at The Master’s College. I have a new book out from Crossway Meaning at the Movies which is a theological study of film and culture – it has been a bestseller and getting good reviews, which is really exciting for me! I have served as an elder in an Evangelical Free Church that we have been attending for about ten years, and I teach there regularly, as well as travelling all over the US speaking.

(CBN):  Readers here at Christian Book Notes know the name Grant Horner more because of your Ten Lists Bible Reading plan. Can you explain how you came about this particular plan? How long have you been reading your bible according to this plan?

(GH):  As a brand new Christian the Bible was entirely new to me and very intimidating. I could not get a handle on it as quickly as I wanted to for the first few months. I was bewildered. I found a number of programs, but none of them seemed to work for me. There was simple one in a tract that caught my eye that had you reading a lot of books at once, and so I adapted it and built in all the other components as it now stands. I shared it with a few people over the years, but never thought about publicizing it. The original “plan” is still written in blue ink in my same Bible, from 1983!

I have been doing it off and on since then.

(CBN):  Can you give testimony to what reading your Bible with this plan has done for your walk with and knowledge of Christ?

(GH):  Sure – it completely transformed me as a human being. I went from a confused, rebellious, selfish drug addict to what God is making me to be every day: new in Him. Many of my friends from my old life ended up dead, or in rehab, or just plain ruined. But here I am – through no goodness of my own, that’s for sure.

(CBN):  Your recent book, Meaning at the Movies, is an excellent treatise on how and why to be discerning when watching a movie. How much of your college class on film influenced the writing of this book?

(GH):  Well, I’ve been teaching film for about 14 years, but I’d say that most of the ideas came about largely independent of that. The main thesis of the book, what I call the “origins of culture from the suppression of truth” comes from reading scripture and a few of my favorite theologians, especially Augustine and Calvin. But interaction with students is always a great place to work through ideas. I tend not to lecture but use Socratic-style discussions, with lots of questions being bounced around.

(CBN):   What is your favorite movie of all time and (assuming it is not explicitly Christian) can you share what qualities you like about the movie as a Christian discerning its content?

(GH):  I actually don’t really have one! I like a great many movies (and dislike many more, of course!) I like stories about humans experiencing human life and struggles as they really do. But that doesn’t mean I only like true-life stories; I also love science fiction and fantasy. I think “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy is one of the greatest movies ever made. “Citizen Kane” is massively important in film history, and still plays well, and is also visually gorgeous. Zefferelli’s “Jesus of Nazareth” is by far the best film version of the life of Christ, in my view.

(CBN):  How can we be praying for you and your ministry?

(GH):  That I would be faithful to be a good steward in using what God has given me to use for His glory!

(CBN):  Thank you for your time.  God bless.

This week, Mac McConnell stops by to discuss his stage and writing ministries. You can read my review of all of his books here.

Christian Book Notes (CBN): Could you share your testimony of how you came to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?

Mac: I remember one Monday morning. I don’t remember much of the weekend. It had been a party weekend – one of many in a row. I was a business owner with a tab at the bar next to my art and framing shop. I thought I had the world on a string, but this Monday like too many before it, I was hung over and alone and wondering, “Is this all there is?” I had a social life and a party life but still felt lonely. There was emptiness. My mom suggested I should try reading my Bible, but I had to tell her I had no idea where it might be. So she sent me one. I began at the beginning. It seemed appropriate. But what I read sounded confusing or irrelevant. About this time my ex and I started dating after four years of not seeing each other when Mother convinced me if I wanted it to work we would have to start with church. I had done church much of my childhood and was not intimidated one bit. It was a small Presbyterian church recommended by a friend and tennis rival. After a few Sundays of settling in came the surprise of my life. The preacher presented the Gospel and I realized that I did not know this Jesus he was talking about, but sure wanted to. You see, I was Baptized with the rest of my Sunday school class when I was eight, but no one shared the Gospel—they assumed I was saved, and so did I—but 23 years later I realized I was not. I said yes to Jesus that day. I wasn’t just saved, I was changed.

CBN: Could you share a little bit more about yourself?

Mac: After finishing with college in Ft. Lauderdale, (I didn’t say graduating, I was just finished with college) I took off on my own and ended back in my birth town of Jacksonville, FL staying with my aunt and working at a Jewelry store. I was the kind that always landed on my feet. I met, dated and married a beauty queen, (really) while serving in the National Guard and working in various jobs mostly as Assistant Service Manager in Chevrolet dealerships. Linda and I began to drift apart and divorced in less than four years of marriage.

I left and moved back to Ft. Lauderdale and soon landed a great job with Chrysler Corp as Field Service Specialist for South Florida. But corporate life was not a fit and I walked away after three years and opened a modest art and picture framing store in 1974 with a little, very little savings and a backer. Linda reentered the picture in 1976 and the little art and framing business began to expand. At the height of success in 1979 with three galleries and another to open in a few months the economy tanked and so did my success.

Threatened with bankruptcy in the next six months I had some tough choices to make, but I knew bankruptcy wasn’t going to solve one of them. I managed to convince my suppliers and the bank to hold off while I did my own reorganization. They said yes. I sold off what I could, got a second full time job, closed two art galleries and gave the new one away to the builder. It took four years to see daylight, but it was bright indeed. The remaining art gallery and picture framing studio went on the win the Miami Herald’s Small Business of the Year and was subsequently featured in Inc. Magazine. And that story is the basis of a motivational talk I present based on the ageless 22 Proverb, verse 1. I kept that business till 1995 when God, called me to full time ministry to spread the Good News dramatically.

CBN: You left a reward winning business to perform one-man dramas and write books, how difficult was that and how is it working out for you?

Mac: I was asked to understudy the narrator’s roll in the fledgling Ft. Lauderdale Christmas Pageant in 1989. It was a bit bewildering as I had not been involved in any kind of drama much less as a lead, but I was captivated. Within the next year I had performed in two local theater productions and began co-narrating the pageant. Soon I was scripting portions of the pageant and that was the experience that caused me to read the Bible from a different perspective—a first person perspective—and that made all the difference.

I would assume the persona of each Bible character I ran across and the scriptures exploded in my mind as I began piecing together short skits as Simon Peter. I really didn’t know why until a pastor friend invited me to present one of the dramas at his church and the drama ministry began to take shape. It was just a hobby at first that I would play with in my spare time around town, but ultimately I was absorbed to distraction. When I was asked to do a presentation in a local jail and some inmates came to Christ, I wondered if it was a little bigger than I thought.

One morning in June 1995 before sunup as I was asking God his favorite question, “What do you want from me?” He said, “How long will you waiver between two opinions?” (1Kings 18:21, and that’s a great Bible study lesson I love to give) Ain’t it just like God to answer a question with a question? Well, I knew that I knew it was time. Either stay in business—nice and safe—or leave it and formalize the drama ministry.

What scared me was the realization it was one or the other. I could not fathom giving up the drama ministry. Many say, “It must have taken great faith to walk away from your business for full time ministry.” And I tell them, “Nope, it took great faith to tell my wife.” Within 3 days, yes 3 days, I had a buyer for the business and seed money for the ministry. God slammed the door behind me, knowing I was more like Simon than I did.

The Ft. Lauderdale Christmas Pageant began with seven performances in 1990. Today we have 19 performances with nearly 50,000 in attendance every year. It’s a pretty big deal and has won two Emmys. The ministry began as a hobby, but 16 years later we have presented dramas overs 600 times with more than 10,000 decisions for Christ it is safe to say it ain’t no hobby to our Lord and certainly no longer to me.

CBN: Your books have masterfully drawn from the fringe of characters found in the Bible (Zacchaeus, a shepherd boy, and an inn keeper). What is your inspiration for your writings?

Mac: When scripting for the pageant I inadvertently began reading from the character’s perspective in 1st person – that made all the difference. I “took on” the character and could easily see they were real human beings, multi-faceted, emotional, had good days and bad like us all. I used a Greek dictionary to help flesh out those emotions and then acted them out in my mind’s eye. Then, and perhaps this was a turning point in getting to the bottom of many passages, I began to ask why. Next, of course, I had to find the answers to all the why’s. Those answers, or at least my interpretations of the answers lead me to a better understanding of the character’s behavior…for instance, why did a nice Jewish boy grow up to be a despised tax collector in 1st century Jericho? How did Zacchaeus’s “small of stature” effect him socially? So, I created a back story to show him as a picked on youngster with a tough old man for a dad. When I investigated Hebrew life for youngsters I found fascinating details of Hebrew school and place Zacchaeus in that scenario, and so on.

CBN: What would you say to the one who says that you take too much artistic license in writing your novellas?

Mac: I love this question. It gives me the opportunity to ask them, “Which passage or chapter is giving you issue?” If they indeed read the book, (or seen the play) and they have an example, it gives me an opportunity to question my decision for writing that particular piece. Anyone who questions my writing or dramas, and, specifically, anyone who may be confused about a paragraph, scene or chapter, usually means I need to do a better job of presenting that passage. It is my job to make it clear and easy to follow – it is not my job to use artistic license as an excuse to manipulate the story or the audience.

CBN: Your most recent trilogy features the Apostle Peter. Why did you choose this particular apostle?

Mac: Hah – easy – my alter ego. Peter was the first drama and my persona since 1990 in the Ft. Lauderdale Christmas Pageant. The more I know him, the more I know myself. Unfortunately I have most of his lousy traits, but those traits come out in the writing and the dramas as well. Peter asked tough questions and has enormous doubts. But, he also takes seriously his responsibilities and does not give a second thought to taken risks. As John Ortberg’s book, “If you want to Walk on Water, You got to get out of the Boat” (Zondervan), so aptly shows the risk/reward of spontaneous faith, Peter is my hero regardless of his misadventures. We all identify with Peter and we should. I thought at one time, “I’m not like Peter, I would never deny my Jesus.” REALLY – and then remember the times I was in the wrong place and no one knew I was a Christian – that’s denial. We both have forgiveness.

CBN: When I first talked with you, I told you I was skeptical of this genre of writing. What would you say to someone like me?

Mac: Terry, if more folks (and Christians, DUH) would be that honest, there is nothing I need to say, but lots to admire. One thing in my corner is the size of my modest books. They are not intimidating. Even my non-religious friends and family will read my short novels. If a skeptic, like you, will say, “OK, but I’m going to be honest about how I like your book”, what more can I ask? I had a brainiac read my first, “Forever Changed” and admitted it was not challenging enough for him – I read his book and could not digest the foreword so I told him, “We’re even.” As my wife says, “That’s why there’s chocolate and vanilla.”

CBN: How can we pray for you and your ministry?

Mac: WOW, and praise the Lord! A couple of things come to mind. 1. My big head (a Simon Peter trait). I must keep the proper attitude and remember constantly if any good is in my books or dramas, it is a Holy Sprit download and not a Mac masterpiece. I receive way too much attention, credit and applause and too often forget, God doesn’t need me. He chooses to use me as long as I can be trusted with his gifts. 2. Keeping in step with Him. I tend to dash ahead – “Come on God, we have work to do.” Sooooo much more successful with I keep pace. (Remind you of anyone?)

Thank you, Mac for taking the time to to answer these questions. May the Lord continue to bless your ministries to His glory.

This week’s interview is with Roger Duke. He has edited some wonderful books on men in Southern Baptist History that I have reviewed. You can read those here.  Also, check out the interview with Brian Mooney, the co-founder and President of BorderStone Press.

1) Could you please share how you came to know Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

I was reared in a nominal SBC church that was more “fundamentalists” that SBC. My home pastor was a “Bob Jones man.” So my understandings of the Gospel started off rather skewed to say the least. I was taken to church before ever I was born. I like to say I was a “Baptist before I was a Baptist.” I came up through the ranks like a good little SBC boy would or could do. I was in the RAs, and made a “profession of faith” about the age of 7. But this “did not take” as they say.

When I graduated from high school (1969) I did not choose to attend college, but rather wanted to be “blue collar worker” and make my living with my hands. So I defaulted to the “College/Career” group at my home church. We sang for revivals, held “youth revivals,” and other ministry projects like VBS events and such. But on the job I was going to “dirty movies” with the guys, drank some “Red Ripple” wine, and gambled on the job. All the while I was under the conviction by the Holy Spirit. And it was maily by my lost co-workers—who accused me of being a hypocrite. And I was!! At the age of 20, while helping with one of these youth events, I cried out to Jesus for mercy and surrendered my life to Christ.

2) How did you come to being an educator, minister and author?

I was trained as a Steamfitter—Pipefitter—Welder. I went through a 4 year apprenticeship. The end product was that I graduated as a Journeyman Building Tradesman. This is a profession that is still as productive as a college degree for making a living. I married my wife of 36 years in 1974. We have three grown children; Leah 31, Keren 28, and Roger (Dale) Duke, Jr. Our son Dale is mentally retarded with a myriad of secondary health issues. He is one of the main foci that probably have defined me, my wife, our family, and my ministry.

When I was “called to preach” I had no college. I had known about Mid America seminary via Evangelist Sam Cathey and Dr. Jimmy Millikin. So it was natural to go to seminary here in Memphis. I attended there all the while believing that I should go on to get enough education in order for me to teach. So I went on to get my bachelor’s degree, and MAR from Harding Grad School, an MDiv from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (I commuted from Memphis), did some PhD work at The University of Memphis, and received my doctorate from The University of the South @ Sewanee. I have taught Communication and Religion at the Baptist College of Health Sciences since 1998.

It has been my pleasure to co-edit, publish, or otherwise work with:
A. David S. Dockery on John Albert Broadus: A Living Legacy Broadman & Holman, 2008.

¬B. Michael A.G. Haykin & A. James Fuller on “Soldiers of Christ”: The Piety of
Basil Manly, Sr. and Basil Manly, Jr. Founders Press, 2009.

C. Robert R. Agee on Reason for the Season: Ministerial Reflections on Personal Grief, Suffering, and Loss. Founders Press, 2010.

3) You have edited a couple books that deal primarily with particular men in the history of the Southern Baptist Convention (I will mention Broadus and the Manly’s). Why look at these men?

First, I cannot say it any better than Dr. Al Mohler has said it with reference to the Manly work: Without the work, influence, vision of the two Manly’s, there would probably be no Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. And without Southern Seminary the SBC would not be what it is today. The vision for there to be a seminary for the Baptist churches, ministers of the South can in large measure is attributed to the elder Manly amongst others. In that same vein, the younger Manly was commissioned to write The Abstract of Principles for Southern Seminary. The educational tentacles of these two great visionaries continues throughout the SBC and I believe always will!

Secondly, John A. Broadus may be one of the best (or at least one of the best) homiletical minds that the United States has ever produced. His Treatise on the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons is still being used in some iteration even today to teach preaching to young preachers. It is Broadus’s direct application of the art or Classical Rhetoric to the training of pulpiteers.

Third, it may not be known to all of your readers, but both Manly and Broadus were two of the original founding four professors of Southern Seminary. For this reason alone they merit a fresh look to all who are Southern Baptists.

4) Do you have any books planned or ready to be published that you would like to share with us?

I have co-written with Dr. Phil Newton a new volume entitled Venturing all on God: a Short Introductory Biography of John Bunyan. This work also includes some lesser known writings of Bunyan so the reader can gain a broader understanding of Bunyan’s breadth and depth. This work is due out sometime in early 2011 and will be published by Reformation Heritage Books.

Secondly, I am under contract with Dr. Michael AG Haykin of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary to edit The Proceedings of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies annual volumes. Dr. Haykin is Professor of Church History and the Director of The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. We hope to have the first of these volumes out in late 2010 or early 2011.

Third, I am in the process of organizing, procuring scholar-contributors, co-editing, and writing the introductory chapter of Aristotle—On Homiletics: Classical Rhetoric for Preaching. (This is, of course is just the tentative title at present). This work will include six academic essays on each of the six major dynamics of Aristotle’s rhetoric and how they can be applied—once again—to the preparation and delivery of sermons. Already signed on to do chapters in addition to myself are: Dr. Richard Wells, Union University; Dr. Herschel York, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Dr. Archie England, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary; Dr. Robert Smith, Beeson Divinity School; and Dr. Frank Thomas, Mississippi Blvd. Christian Church, Memphis, TN. We are all extremely excited about this volume we believe may “make everything old new again” for homiletics.

5) You recently co-founded BorderStone Press, LLC. with Brian Mooney. Why start your own publishing company?

Brian Mooney called me out of a clear blue sky and asked if I wanted to go partners with him in BorderStone? It really excited me to say the least. Brian’s dad has been in my Men’s Bible Class and we have been great friends for over 12 years. I saw a place to exercise my gifts and calling. I also, and this is what excited me for sure, saw the opportunity to make a real contribution to the Kingdom of God that will last beyond my years. And we are particularly interested to help others who are coming along—who passionately want to get published—to get their works out there. Personally I see it as a great ministry opportunity that can impact and magnify my personal contribution to Christ’s work in a way I never dreamed possible!! SDG!

6) BorderStone Press already features a pretty significant number of books like The Empire of the Holy Spirit and The Sacred Rhetoric, can you offer a glimpse of what is to come?

Many have said as they look at the web page that it seems as though we are focused on the academic community only. But if some have this perception let me put it to rest. We want to fill the void between Sunday School and the Academy. We want to have all genres of Christian publications, including Christian novels, Christian children;s books, devotional writings, but also including college and seminary textbooks. I am sure if anyone of your readers watches the web page closely, it will not be long before there will be something there for each and every taste.

7) Are you taking manuscripts from other writers? If so, what are you looking to publish? How can an aspiring author submit a manuscript to BorderStone Press?

Just now we are looking at any and all manuscript proposals from seriously minded authors and authors-to-be. My partner and I would like to invite each of your readers to visit BorderStonePress.com and look around. We may be able to work with you to get you published, whether you are a novice just dreaming of being published, or an “old hand” who has published before—give us a “look see!”

How can our readers support and pray for the two of you as well as BorderStone Press?

First off we want all we do to be “to the praise of the glory of His (Christ’s) grace….” We want to glorify God in all we do. So pray for us to that end. We also need wisdom as to which manuscripts to accept and which to reject. And rejection is not something we at BorderStone take lightly. We have has our share of rejection letters I assure you. We do need to make some money, however. So that tension between being a ministry and making money is always present. Pray that we will know how to be faithful to the Lord’s calling and direction.

Secondly, go to our web page, look around, and buy some books! LOL!

You can purchase all of Mac’s books at Amazon.

Christian Book Notes (CBN): Could you please share how you came to know Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

Brian Mooney (BM):  I came to Christ at a very young age, during a Vacation Bible School service at Germantown Baptist Church in Germantown, Tennessee. I was baptized shortly after and remained at GBC until I went to college at Union University. There I attended Englewood Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Jackson. One of my more meaningful college experiences was a Brazil mission trip through Englewood Baptist Church to Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brazil where we helped to construct a school. Wade Akins briefly mentions the work of Englewood in his book 24/7 Christian. It was an amazing experience, being part of a construction team that built a building for kids.

Since that time life has been a pilgrimage through a number of struggles, but one thing that has helped me is my study of early spirituality. There I came across an idea from the Franciscan monks that we need to turn to God not just once in our spiritual journey, but daily, since our walk is so often fraught with new, sometimes welcome, sometime unwelcome, beginnings and endings.

CBN:  Could you share a little more about yourself.

BM: I am a married father of two boys, a former prosecutor and civil attorney. I am ordained minister as well as the president of BorderStone Press, president of the Clayton Robert Group, and on the board of the Children’s Redemption Network in Dallas, Texas.

CBN:  You recently co-founded BorderStone Press with Roger Duke. Why start your own publishing company?

BM: I started the company at, quite possibly, the worst time I could have chosen to do so, at least on my terms. Now I truly believe God had a plan for me, my family and this company.

When I started the company I had a full time legal practice, a prosecuting job, and was preparing for ordination. I also had a young family: my wife, a highly energetic son, and one on the way. So we were incredibly busy but otherwise fairly normal.

A few months later everything changed. We had been up all night with my wife in labor. Our son Nathan (“Gift of God”) was born early that morning and a few hours later my wife’s parents showed up to take over; I went home to take a nap. About four hours later, the doctor, the oncologist, called and said I had cancer.

The next few months of treatment were exhausting, emotionally and physically. I won’t go into details but we went to an out-of-state specialist, through chemotherapy and radiation, and praise God, I now seem to be cured of it. Life seems to be getting back to whatever normal is for a thirty year old cancer survivor who has a new baby, frequent doctor visits, new worries and all the concerns of a new business. But life is good.

What cancer did for me was change the status quo. I was able to quit my legal career and prosecuting job, and devote myself to publishing and website development. My idea of leaving a legacy for my family became a much more immediate concern for me, as the idea that I might not have much time left to do it is a daily challenge -a challenge to produce good fruit with whatever time I have left.

CBN:  BorderStone Press already features a pretty significant number of books like The Empire of the Holy Spirit by Michael Haykin, and The Lost Sermons of Scottish Baptist Peter Grant, The Highland Herald by Terry Wilder, can you offer a glimpse of what is to come?

BM: I am interested in practical theology. I am not interested in speculative theology, or theology for the sake of theology. I am also not interested in debates over theological minutiae, or those things that divide the body.

You can expect that what we publish will be vetted with the concern that it build up the Kingdom of God. It is my hope that everything we do is an exercise in Kingdom-building, an encouragement to believers, helping to strengthen the bonds between the faithful among the denominations.

More specifically we are looking for new talent (and old vets are welcome too); you can expect some bright, up-and-coming authors. We also hope to bring a few surprises. I have a deep interest in Israel, the Hebrew language, and explaining the Hebrew Scriptures on their own terms, as well as how they relate to the New Testament. So that might play a role in what we publish. More information is available on our website: www.borderstonepress.com.

CBN: Are you taking manuscripts from other writers? If so, what are you looking to publish? How can an aspiring author submit a manuscript to BorderStone Press?

BM: Yes. We actively seek writers, and I am committed to looking for new talent and fresh voices, regardless of church affiliation. The content of each manuscript will be assessed on the basis of whether or not it fits with our vision statement. This means you can expect to see manuscripts from Christian and Jewish authors. We judge each manuscript, as is, based on its quality.

CBN: How can our readers support and pray for the two of you as well as BorderStone Press?

BM: I appreciate feedback. I enjoy hearing what people like and do not like because producing a quality, affordable product is something essential for me.

Christians can also commit themselves to the “book”. We, like other companies, are branching out into e-books, but I firmly believe that a physical copy of a book is a powerful statement and legacy to pass on. Where e-books are convenient and I enjoy them, a physical book is a permanent record. There is nothing like writing your name in a new book, saying: I read this; I owned this; this book became a part of my life. All of our paper meets ANSI archival standards and we hope they become a permanent part of your libraries.

Of course, pray for continued health. The challenges post-cancer are a new world for me, but every day is new, a blessed day to be alive. I often think about the end of Anglican services where the celebrant will say, “now let us go forth to love and serve the Lord.” The response from everyone: “Thanks be to God!”

This week’s interview is with Nathaniel Keifer the Director of Web Properties at christianaudio.com.  Nathaniel has been a huge help to my ministry here at Christian Book Notes as well as one of the masterminds behind the excellent selection of free audiobook downloads each month offered at christianaudio.

Christian Book Notes (CBN):  Could you share your testimony of how you came to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

Nathaniel Keifer (nk):  One of the only memories I can recall from my childhood is the day that I realized I was a sinner and needed Christ to save me and its a good memory! It was an Easter Sunday around 6 years of age and my grandparents were the teachers of the class. I remember Grandpa giving the lesson with those awful flannel-graph boards & characters and then it coming to the point where we were asked to bow our heads and close our eyes and the questions ensued. What still is probably the strongest memory of that whole thing was that when I raised my hand, I heard my Grandma say, (and I assume point my direction) “I got that one.”

CBN:   What is your role at christianaudio.com?

nk:  My official title here is “Director of Web Properties” which encompasses all marketing, development, and distribution for just about any technology system that touches the internet and is associated with the company. My main tasks are managing the daily aspects of our web store, the customer service agents, the Facebook and Twitter accounts, and ingestion of new titles and publishing partners through my encoding team. I’m somewhat the “face” of the christianaudio web team, but rest assured there is more than 8 working on everything associated with our website development and daily coordination.

CBN:  Why in the world does christianaudio insist on using all lowercase letters?

nk:  The funny thing is that very few people have ever asked, they just go ahead and spell it however they’d like. We’ve seen everything from Christian Audio, Christianaudio, ChristianAudio, and even in all uppercase. We started early on ensuring that all our materials were lowercase for marketing and brand reasons, as it’s important to use to maintain the strong foot forward we have all worked so hard on. It seems difficult for some people to write Christian in lowercase, but in all reality, they’re writing a business name and not a religious view. And customer’s aren’t the only one who have a hard time writing christianaudio as many of the employee memos and emails are constantly being corrected for the misuse of capitalization.

CBN:  Could you give some detail on your subscriptions?

nk:  Well, our subscription programs are basically the same as when we originally launched them, however we’ve taken some customer feedback from the last 6 years and have tried to improve where possible. At the moment, we offer two different monthly programs which, for an auto-renewing fee, you receive “credits” that can be turned in for titles on our site (downloads and CDs). We’ve made these programs even better by assigning a set credit value for your purchased credits as well as fluctuating credit pricing with sales (which was originally not apart of the program). You can find more information, here.

CBN:  You just re-launched the website with a special on your annual subscription?

nk:  That’s correct, we just launched our new website just over 2 1/2 weeks ago and announced on the launch day that we’re offering a ‘$180 bonus package‘ to all new and upgrade subscription orders that commit to a 12 month term (renews monthly). This bonus package includes Crossway’s ESV TruTone Study Bible, a one-year subscription to CTI’s Christianity Today & Ligonier’s Tabletalk magazines, David C. Cook’s Crazy Love Study DVD Resource, and a couple christianaudio audiobook CDs! You can find more information and subscribe, here.

CBN:  What has been your number one download of all time?

nk:  This is kind of a tough question as we have a #1 free download of all time and a #1 paid download of all time. However, it seems that we’ve had more downloads of our #1 free download, which was Desiring God by John Piper, offered back in November of 2009. We’ve also had great numbers for David Platt’s Radical, William P. Young’s The Shack, and Francis Chan’s Forgotten God & Crazy Love.  You can check out the recent top downloads here.

CBN:  How can people stay up to date with all that is going on at christianaudio?

nk:  We’ve tried to make ourselves as accessible as possible, using the most current venues. You can communicate with us, ask questions, get help, or just say hello from our Facebook page, Twitter, Website, and our Knowledge Base community. We also encourage everyone to join our free newsletter for announcements and other special offers.

How can we pray for christianaudio?

Although we appreciate your referrals/sharing our site and your purchases, we covet your prayers. Running a Christian company in our industry is no small task, especially with the competition looming over us. We’d love for you to ask God’s provision on the company, it’s staff, publishers, and ministry partners. We’d also greatly appreciate you asking the Lord to guide our owners in the direction of the company that is in line with His will. There are many upcoming changes, projects, websites, and enhancements coming to christianaudio.com and christianaudio as a company that would be better if bathed in prayer. Thanks for all your support and feedback, we value each customer and view them as part of the ‘christianaudio family’!

While Steve Schmidt has never written a book, he has “published” millions of books around the world!  Check out his story, learn about the ministry given to him by the Lord and then seek to support this wonderful ministry any way you can.  You can learn more about Love Packages at their website or you can follow the ministry on Facebook.

Christian Book Notes: Share your testimony of how you came to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Steve Schmidt: (From his website) Born and raised in Illinois, Steve attended the Lutheran Church and went to parochial school through the eighth grade. But in 1965 Steve left the church, not to return again for six years. Those six years were filled with drugs, alcohol, rock & roll and hatred; it was a constant downward spiral. To his peers, he was a man to be envied, having plenty of money and drugs. Inside he was a man who needed forgiveness and a new heart. After the traumatic loss of everything he considered valuable, Steve began his search for “the truth.” After searching various religions and systematically finding errors in their writings, he turned to the Bible. In his attempt to prove the Bible wrong, Steve proved to himself that the Bible was indeed the Word of God, and that Jesus was the Christ. Steve received the forgiveness he needed, and Christ gave him that new heart.

CBN: Could you share some biographical information about yourself.

Steve: (Again from his website) Steve now resides in Butler, Illinois, with his wife, Jeanie. From there, he oversees the operation of Love Packages, the ministry he began in 1975. Steve’s one desire has been to see people brought to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. He has had the opportunity of sharing the Good News with thousands of people around the world through Bible studies, prayer meetings, luncheons, Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowships, numerous radio interviews and TV programs across the U.S. Twice, he has been a guest on Christian Broadcasting Network’s popular TV show, “The 700 Club.” Steve is a dynamic preacher who has ministered in many different nations, at youth conventions, churches, crusades, and has been the keynote speaker for the General Council of the Assemblies of God, Philippines.

CBN: Your ministry, Love Packages, is known for sending Bibles and Christian literature all over the world. Could you explain how you received the vision for this ministry?

Steve: In the summer of 1975, the Lord began to speak to my heart about some Christian magazines I had laying on my dining room table. He said, “Steve, you are wasting that.” I, being me, argued with the Lord and told Him I had plans to save and catalog some of the articles inside those magazines. He informed me that they would lay there and I would spill something on them and throw them away. Finally, I gave in and inquired as to what I should do with them as I know no one in the United States that would appreciate an old magazine. Eventually I contacted 5 men overseas and asked them 3 questions: 1. Can you use Christian literature 2. How much and 3. How quickly do you need it. Their response was rapid and an enthusiastic yes, as much as you can send as fast as you can get it here. From that small beginning of sending items my wife and I had around our house, word spread as I shared with friends and acquaintances what the Lord had me doing. They, of course, had like materials laying around their houses and churches that they would like to see used also. Gathering up their materials and combining them with ours, we soon outgrew my basement, moved it into and outgrew our garage, until we now have two warehouses and an office in Butler.

CBN: Where do you see your ministry in 5 – 10 years?

Steve: I believe God’s original goal of sending bibles and other Christian literature to equip and encourage the church around the world will grow while our mission statement will remain the same: “Keeping people out of hell”. The ministry has grown from 245 tons sent in 2001 to 941 tons sent in 2009. All aspects of the ministry, volunteers, funding, and donated materials has to work together to grow. We will also continue to support an orphanage and several pastors overseas. Love Packages staff is available for speaking engagements and mission fairs at churches or other outreaches. Any new areas of ministry will be pursued as the Lord leads and provides.

CBN: I know you are always looking for more Bibles to send, but what other materials can you use to send overseas?

• Bibles – all Bibles, New Testaments, Bible portions, Individual Gospel Booklets (We never get enough Bibles!)
• Tracts
• Books & Paperbacks
• Reference Books & Commentaries
• Flannelgraph Supplies
• Bible Pictures
• Magazines – such as Decision, Voice, Bread for Children, Pentecostal Evangel, Discipleship Journal, etc.
• Dailyl Devotionals – Upper Room, Daily Bread, In Touch, etc.
• Tapes, CD’s, DVD’s, Records – music, movies, teaching
• Puppets, Noah’s Ark, Bible games,
• Nativity sets, etc.
• Sunday School Supplies – We accept adult quarterlies and all teacher manuals and teaching packets in any amount from all publishers. We accept children’s quarterlies if you have the teacher’s manual and enough student manuals to make a small class.
• Most anything that helps to present the Gospel.
• OTHER ITEMS WE ACCEPT
• Internet capable computers, Adult bicycles, Sewing Machines, Wheelchairs, crutches, etc.,
• Projectors and Films, Musical Instruments, Portable Generators. All items need to be in good working order – NO JUNK!!!! We do not want to spend funds to dispose of items that didn’t work. Also, ask yourself, would you want to receive it!

Our main emphasis continues to be literature, but, please call us, (217) 532-6701, if you have any questions about whether we will accept a particular item.

CBN: How often do you ship out?
Steve: We have tried to ship at least 1 (one) 20 foot container each week. Each container holds 20 tons of literature.

CBN: How can we support Love Packages?
Steve: Prayer, volunteers, materials and funding are all equally necessary so it’s however God leads you to support us.

CBN: How can we pray for Love Packages and you and your team?
Steve: For Love Packages: volunteers, funding, bibles and Christian literature.

For ourselves: intercession for protection (spiritual warfare), our homes and families, for us to remain healthy and strong, and for our financial needs to be met.

Aaron Sutton has not written a book (to my knowledge) nor has he any aspirations to write a book (again, to my knowledge). He is being interviewed here at Christian Book Notes because of his role with the Psalm 67 Missions Network. Aaron is the director of this ministry as well as a personal friend of mine. I consider Aaron to be one of the godliest men I know. He is also a blast to hang out with and discuss everything from Jonathan Edwards to the necessity of meeting for theological discussion at St. Arbucks!

This is the conference I will be live-blogging in November.

CBN: Share your testimony of how you came to know Christ as Lord and Savior.

At a young age I was confronted with the reality of sin and the grace of God. It was then that the Lord graciously saved me from my sin and made me his child. It is every day that I find myself running back to the cross as He both keeps me and sanctifies me.

CBN: Rockport Baptist Church in Arnold, Mo founded the Psalm 67 Missions Network and has appointed you as its director. Could you please tell us more about this ministry?

Psalm 67 Missions Network was born as an idea over several years of cooperation among believers from separate, but like-minded congregations. Our desire is to network with other congregations to plant Christ-centered churches, train Pastors and Leaders, conduct mission trips that are centered on church planting and assisting other congregations, and conducting conferences to encourage the church.

CBN: What has Psalm67 been doing since its inception?

We have conducted multiple shorter-term mission trips to an area of Tamaulipas, Mexico. This small village is void of many modern conveniences and also is without an evangelical congregation. Our mission trips have focused on preaching and teaching in the village to all who will listen.

Psalm 67 Missions Network is also developing an internship program to allow people to partner with us for 12 months. By doing so, it is our desire that it will give people an opportunity to serve in leadership roles within mission trips, gain a greater understanding of church planting, and provide opportunities for future work in this area. Our current intern, Jason Moslander, is preparing for future work, along with his family, in the continent of Africa. Our previous intern is now enrolled in the Master’s program at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Psalm 67 has conducted two conferences for Pastors in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. These conferences have also provided the opportunity for distribution of resources to Pastors that would not normally have immediate access. Some of them include Bible Dictionaries, Grudem’s Systematic Theology, Commentaries, Puritan Paperbacks, etc.

At the 2009 Desiring God National Conference, Psalm 67 received two cases of “For Your Joy” in Spanish for distribution in Mexico. Over the past year we have been providing them to Pastors, remote villages in Tamaulipas, and also in the state of Quintanna Roo, Mexico. This year our desire it to obtain additional resources and provide them to a campus ministry in the state of Yukatan.

CBN: You are getting ready to host your first national conference in Fenton, Mo., November 5-6. Could you please tell us more?

From our website:

Psalm 67 Missions Network is committed to “preaching the Gospel to every nation, tribe, and tongue for the joy of all who believe.” We invite you to join us for a weekend dedicated to preaching, prayer, and passionate Christ-centered singing, concerning the subject of missions and the task of the missionary in the world today. We believe the task of the church is not just to “send out missionaries” but to send the Gospel through missionaries.

This year’s conference will feature speakers from various nations and diversified backgrounds. Included in each session will be celebration through singing that will incorporate scripture reading, music, and other elements from different cultures and languages.

You can register by calling 636-465-3153.  There is a $25 fee for the conference.

CBN: What can people expect when they join together with Psalm67?

By God’s grace, we will provide news and information from the mission field, the opportunity to partner in both short-term missions, internships, placement in different missions areas both in the United States and International.

This week, we are privileged to talk with Kevin Cross, author of Embezzlement and Building Your Financial Fortress is 52 Days both published by Bridge-Logos.

CBN: Could you please share your testimony of how you came to know Jesus Christ as both Lord and Savior? Please address in your answer your statement in Embezzlement that you came to know Jesus over a long period of time—when did you know that you were a child of God.

Kevin Cross:  I was raised in a strong Christian household, and I accepted Christ as my savior at a very young age, but soon fell victim to the same apathy that effects many who adopt religion because of their parents, wearing it like a hand-me-down shirt. I had my ticket to heaven, I could recite all the platitudes verbatim, shuffle through the requisite motions and wax eloquently, but I felt no connection to the Christian faith outside of the position it held as a backdrop for my social life. This indifference continued to fester inside me, until God took my twisted frame and shook it to its foundation at the age of 20.

In my hubris, I was stealing hundreds of thousands from my employer (the Sheriff of Broward County) and living a lifestyle of debauchery when the mafia and the FBI decided to come looking for me. Luckily, the FBI got to me before the mafia had a chance to do anything worse than extortion to me. I spent several days in jail sharing a cell with a killer. More importantly, I was sharing a cell with myself and I hated what I saw. I started reading my Bible again, this time as a seeker, and God’s words washed over me and gave me a peace amidst the chaos of my life. I rededicated myself to Him and embarked on a personal, intimate relationship that continues to change and grow as I strive to align myself with His desire. This is why I say in the book that I came to know Him over a long period of time – I was always his child and he was always my savior, but I feel making Him the true Lord of my life was, and is, an everyday endeavor.

CBN: You say in your book that you do not know who turned you in to the police.  Can you explain how and why you are grateful for that?

Kevin:  C.S. Lewis famously said in The Problem of Pain, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” God had been whispering to me as I used my ill-gotten gains for my own pleasures, he even spoke up a few times in my conscience, but that anonymous tipper was God shouting in his megaphone to finally wake me from my egotistical stupor. Who knows what would have happened had I continued down that impoverished path undisturbed?

CBN:  How has God used your past experiences to aid you in your ministry today?

Kevin:  Before the book, I treated my story as a sort of “scarlet letter”. I would tell people when they asked, but I did so with my head hung in shame. Now I use it as a “red badge of courage”. God has turned it into a powerful tool to talk to people who would normally write me off.

I once heard a story about two brothers who lived in a small town in the country. The story goes that both of these brothers were caught stealing sheep. For their punishment they were branded on the forehead with the letters “ST,” for “Sheep Thief.”

One brother was so ashamed that he left the community. Everywhere he went he had to constantly explain the letters on his forehead. He remained bitter about the whole thing and always felt he had been treated unfairly. He eventually died a lonely man and was buried in an unknown grave.

His brother, on the other hand, stayed in the community and tried to win back his neighbors’ trust. He did everything he could to show the people of the town that he was a changed man. He volunteered for community service projects, helped his neighbors when he saw the need, and did all he could to become the kind of man that he knew he ought to be.
Many years later a visitor came to town. He asked a local resident about the strange letters on the old man’s forehead. The resident replied that he had forgotten exactly why the letters were there, but that he thought “ST” most likely was an abbreviation for the word “Saint.”

I’m not claiming to be a saint, but God has allowed me to use my story of “sheep thievery” (or “sheriff thievery”), something I was ashamed of for many years, as a way to reach others and change my “ST” to “Stewardship Teacher”.

CBN:  Could you describe your ministry today?

My personal ministry is Account417, a non-profit dedicated to teaching others, using God’s word, how to have more at the end of the month and, more importantly, what God wants us to do with it to get the most satisfaction and true riches. We do that through our website, books, videos, counseling, and our event, Margin & Meaning. People can get more info at account417.com.

CBN: What is your role with Crown Financial Ministries?

Kevin:  I have a long history with Crown Financial Ministries and the incredible work they do. It started, of course, when I turned the dial in Dwight Lauderdale’s Jaguar and heard the voice of Larry Burkett. For those first years after my release, I was on a first-name basis with all of the customer service people there. I would call everyday to get advice and see what free pamphlet they were offering, eventually amassing a small library of Crown materials. When I became debt free, I joined Crown as a Counselor and Seminar Instructor, a calling which I followed for 18 years until I started my own non-profit, Account417.

CBN:  You have written a book entitled, Building your Financial Fortress in 52 Days, based upon your study of the book of Nehemiah. Why should we read this book? (I ask this because there are a ton of Christian financial books available).

Kevin:  A lot of books have been written about the leadership skills of my man Nehi, but as I read it with my usual financially-tinted glasses, I started seeing all this Biblical wisdom that could be applied to our finances. So I delved into studying Nehemiah and all the ways he inspires us to do money God’s way. The book is easily digestible and is meant to be read a chapter a day and reflected upon. There’s no heavy philosophy or yawn-inducing formulas and budgets. We tried to just make it an inspirational jumping-off point to let people know it is possible (and even liberating) to see ourselves simply as managers of what God has entrusted to us.

CBN:  Steven White is your co-author in both of your books, could you tell us who he is?

Kevin:  Steve is my main man, AV/IT guru, and partner in Account417. He does the behind the scenes stuff – websites, graphics, videos, etc.

When we were doing our Margin & Meaning Tour in a church in Londrina, Brazil, Steve met a Brazilian girl and fell head over heels in love with her. We came back and he immediately set to learning Portuguese so he could talk to her. When we were sitting in a room together writing Building your Financial Fortress in 52 Days, I would think he was editing a chapter, but I would peer around his computer screen, see this big grin on his face, and know he was really chatting with his babe! After 6 months, he decided he had to move to Brazil to see if it was the real deal, so he packed up everything he owned (which was not much – it all fit in two suitcases!) and moved to Brazil. During the year he was down there, he wrote what would become Embezzlement. I would send him hours upon hours (30-40 to be exact) of video telling my story and he would turn it into prose.

I was the best man at their wedding in December and they now live right down the street from me in Atlanta.

CBN:  Do you see any more books in your future?

Kevin:  Absolutely! Steve and I have a number of ideas in the air and have actually started one – Margin & Meaning. It will be a more practical how-to manual to building margin in every area of your life and using the margin to find true meaning. Stay tuned.

CBN:  How can we pray for you and your ministry?

Kevin:  We pray that the world will be receptive to the message that God wants to take the pain and heartache out of money and give us all joy and peace as we trust in Him (Romans 15:13). We never ask for donations for our ministry, so we always pray for provision. He always provides, but prayer is a part of that.