The problem is that I do things like make movies and write books. I pour countless hours - years - into these things and then suddenly they are "finished." Today is an exciting day for me, so I'm going to write about it. Not because I want you to buy my book, but because I know people will be reading it soon. It feels somewhat like sending a kid to college. (I assume. I still have eight years before that dreaded day.) I've done all I can for her and now she is on her own...off to become whatever she will be - to meet whomever she will meet.
Here are my hopes for this book:
1. That it lands in the hands of people who are ready to receive the Kingdom like a child.
2. That it can be used as a new canvas on which to paint the gospel.
3. That it will give useful metaphors to people to talk about the Trinitarian God and his work in the world.
4. That those who read it would become more courageous.
5. That parents and kids would read it together.
If you pray, I'd ask that you would pray for those things as you think about me and the book. Though it may look from the outside like I do many different things, all I really do is tell stories about Jesus and the Kingdom in different ways. A storyteller just wants his stories to fall like seeds on fertile soil ready to receive them. Today just happens to be the first day that this particular seed is scattered.
Sketch by Mark Haas, based on Between Two Kingdoms
6 comments:
Jesus said, "If you can be like one of these little ones..." that's the only way we can really absorb kingdom concepts.
Congrats!
Dear Joe, There is a vast difference between the desire to spread the word about the Kingdom and, for instance, posting in order to sell real estate - (I was exposed to this through a facebook "friend.") I find nothing "self-promotional" about you. God has blessed you (and us!) with your gift for storytelling. I look forward to reading your words. Congratulations!
Wow... I can hardly imagine how it feels to release the book finally. It takes on a life of its own, right? It's your story, but now it also belongs to the readers and (because of their individual perspective) they will unearth more in those pages than you conciously put there. That's cool, but I'm sure a little strange. Sending your kids to college is a good analogy. You are still tied as strongly to them, but they to you- not so much. Thanks for taking the risk. I am sure many will be impacted by the story.
Joe, it's so cool to see someone achieving a dream and to be a part of it in some small way. I tend to hold back when I get excited about things too. And I really don't know why. Sometimes I'd just love to do a cartwheel (or something closely resembling one...) and celebrate like a kid.
So yeah, here's to your cartwheels. Hope there's many more to come. I'll be praying.
Oh yes! My books showed up in today's mail. Looking forward to a great read and inspiration. Thanks.
I LOVED your book SO much and I am telling everyone about it!
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