Dan Walsh's Blog, page 31

Starting the New Year with a Bang or a Whimper?

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You’ve heard of that old saying, Starting off the New Year with a bang or a whimper…I guess I’m going on the record as an official fan of the whimper side of things. That’s not the same as being a wimp. I mean, they don’t mean the same things and aren’t even spelled the same way (notice how “whimper” has an “h” in it”).

I like to think of the “whimper side” as referring to being mellow, the sort of person who likes to ease into the room vs. someone who prefers a grand entrance (like Kramer on Seinfeld, for instance).

Thankfully, I married someone who also prefers to ring in the New Year with a whimper. In our 36 years of marriage we occasionally attended New Year’s Eve parties, but only when forced to. We’re much happier to watch the celebration take place on TV, rather than to make all that fuss in a crowd. I guess it’s fair to say, we’d rather watch those who ring in the New Year with a bang than make a bang ourselves.

As I reflected on this, at first I thought perhaps I had just become this way as I’ve grown older, you know, sort of mellowing with age. But then I realized, that wasn’t true. Even in my youth, I tolerated loud rock ‘n roll music and concerts to fit in with my friends, but on my own, I’d much prefer to listen to James Taylor than Mick Jagger any day of the week.

Even this year, as the New Year clock ticked down to that final hour, we were flipping through the channels deciding whose show to watch. One channel had this popular rocker/rapper named Pitbull jumping up and down on stage, his hands and arms flailing about, screaming something about keeping the party going (a phrase he repeated over and over again to a pulsating crowd, who seemed to need no help remembering this theme).

To us, it was dreadful. BANG BANG BANG BANG.

We turned the channel to hear orchestra music playing and Sarah Brightman singing the melodic tune, Time to Say Goodbye. Ahhh…instant relief. I guess it’s no mystery which channel we stayed with to ring in the New Year.

Whimperers 1, Bangers 0.

So here’s to all you fellow Whimperers…hold your heads up high and march proudly (or tiptoe lightly, if you prefer) into this New Year. We are not just a few. We might even be the majority.

How about you? Are you a Banger or a Whimperer?

 

A Christmas Story (a different one)

Today I thought I’d post a Christmas Story, not the now famous one made into a holiday movie, but one about a Christmas book. Many of you know, I have two Christmas novels on the shelf right now. But this story isn’t about my books; it’s about a special Christmas book I searched for far and wide to buy for my wife a few years ago.

To appreciate this story, I have to back up to the Christmas just before the one I’m referring to. See, the thing is, when you’ve been married to someone for over three decades, it can be a tricky thing to find just the right Christmas gift, the one that will create that special moment on Christmas morning. That year I had hit it out of the park. I made my wife cry (in a good way).

No, she didn’t cry when she opened the emerald ring I bought her. She cried when she unwrapped the $20 teddy bear, which I bought almost by accident. I had seen it on my way out of one store and bought it because it reminded me of a little teddy bear she had when we were first married. Turned out, it reminded her of the teddy bear she had so many years ago, but had lost. A bear her little brother had given to her when they were little.

Which is why she cried. She couldn’t believe how thoughtful I was to get it for her. Needless to say, it was such a significant Christmas moment, I wanted to repeat it the following year if I could.

I had gone out shopping sometime after Thanksgiving, bought her several things I had heard her express some interest in. But so far, nothing close to that special present I had been searching for. I had one thing in mind, something I thought I’d heard her talk about last Christmas. It was this popular children’s Christmas storybook that came with a matching stuffed elf, called THE ELF ON THE SHELF.

Every place I looked that carried it was out of stock. As Christmas Day drew near, I was becoming frantic. I should have ordered it online, then I’d already have it. But now it was too late. My understanding was, her grandmother had read this book to her every Christmas for years, along with this charming little elf.

I had to find it. I had made her cry last year. I wanted to do it again.

Finally, on Christmas Eve, I had found one last copy in one store, just a few hours before they closed for the holiday. I came home, wrapped it up and put it under the tree. I couldn’t wait for her reaction come Christmas morning.

The next day, Christmas morning came with all the joy and splendor (and egg nog) I had come to expect. Both our children were older, but they were still home, and we’d had a wonderful time opening presents together around the tree. I had insisted Cindi open this “special present” last and really hyped it up, knowing she’d be blown away when she saw what I had found.

That moment came. Cindi opened up my ELF ON A SHELF. She smiled and said thank you, then set it aside. I was stunned. No tears, no emotion at all. Just a polite thank you, followed by a bewildered look. Finally she asked, “Why did you buy this?”

I explained to her my frantic search to find this beloved Christmas book her grandmother had read to her when she was a child. She laughed and said, “My grandmother never read to us as children. I’ve never seen this book before.”

She explained further, and I realized this was a simple case of me, the idiot husband, only half-listening (sadly, as I do on occasion). Last year she had seen this ELF ON A SHELF in a store and remarked how it reminded her of two china elves her grandmother owned that she used to play with as a child.

“Oh,” I replied.

The final humiliation came when my son opened the storybook and said, “Dad, this book didn’t come out until 2005.”

So…I got things started. Who’s willing to jump in next? Let’s hear your most embarrassing Christmas story!

 

Just Say No to Little Drummer Boy

I know for some this is probably going to put me in the “Old Geezer Camp,” but I can’t help it. I’ve been thinking about this every Christmas for years, not just lately. Every time I hear that ridiculous “Christmas” song called “The Little Drummer Boy” on the radio, I think, “How in the world did this song ever get into every radio’s traditional Christmas songlist?” Just before I switch to another station.

It’s such a stupid song…if you just think about it for a moment.

A quiet, starry night in Bethlehem, out on the edge of town in a dark stable…

A small boy walks inside. “Shall I play for him?”

“Play what?” Mary whispers, as she looks adoringly at her new son, finally asleep after all that excitement with the shepherds.

“Play my drum for him,” the little drummer boy says. 

Mary looks up, sees what he’s holding in his hands. “Please don’t,” she says quietly.

“But…I have no gifts to bring, Par-um pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum”

“I have no idea what that means. But really, you don’t need to bring any gifts.”

Just then, Joseph walks in. “What’s this?” he says softly, seeing Jesus asleep.

“A little drummer boy,” Mary said. “He wants to play that thing.”

“In here?” Joseph says. “You’re kidding, right?”

*  *  *

See…that’s how I think this thing would probably go. And to make matters worse, the song they often play on the radio is the Harry Belafonte version. Anyone been listening lately to the whacko things this guy’s been saying? I heard him recently say Obama should start ruling “like a third world dictator” and put any of the Republicans who oppose him in jail.

Merry Christmas, Harry.

So please…join my quiet protest. Just say No to The Little Drummer Boy.

 

Remembering Christmas Contest – Book Giveaway

Christmas is getting closer and I’m in the mood to celebrate. I have lots to be thankful for. So many good things have happened with my books in the past month or so, so many blessings, feels like Christmas has come early. So I’ve decided to give away some books…3 signed copies of my bestseller from last year, Remembering Christmas, the hardback edition.

The winners can either receive their copy themselves or, if they’d like, send me the address for a friend and I’ll gift wrap it and mail it to them in time for Christmas (if they’re in the US).

The Contest will run from Monday, Dec 10th through Saturday, December 15th.

All you have to do to enter is leave a “Remembering Christmas” comment here, answering this question: “What was your favorite Christmas gift of all time as a child?”

That’s it. I’ll start off. I remember it well. It was a GI Joe in a Mercury space suit, along with a large Mercury space capsule. I was totally into the whole space program then, even thought I wanted to be an astronaut when I grew up. This was back when GI Joe’s were large (my sisters often stole it to make it a boyfriend to their Barbie dolls). And it was very expensive, way out of my parents price range (or so I was told…every time I asked). But on Christmas morning, there it was, big as life. And there I was on Christmas Day flying my capsule all around the yard (though in my mind we were orbiting the earth like John Glenn).

So…what was your favorite Christmas gift?

If you’d like to hear some of the things I’m thankful for, here’s a few:

The amazing reception to my new novel, The Reunion . It was my first book to receive over 100 customer reviews on Amazon (reached this in 2 months), and the reviews have been mostly 5 stars (avg 4.8 stars now). And it’s what people have said that have blown me away (especially comments from the vets and their families).
Several times my Christmas novel, Remembering Christmas , has made #1 on Amazon’s bestseller list for Christmas books, and it’s remained in the Top 10 since Thanksgiving.
Just this week, my first novel (my other Christmas novel), The Unfinished Gift , made it to #1 overall (meaning, of ALL the books on Amazon) in 1 Day on their Free Kindle bookstore. Then, it shot up to #1 on the PAID Kindle list in the bestselling Christmas category, for both books and Kindle downloads, and it stayed there for several days (it’s still # 1 right now).

Should we thank God for Ordinary Things?

Considering this is the day before Thanksgiving, seemed fitting to put something on the table (or should I say, on the counter) about thankfulness. In the past week or so in my morning quiet times, I’ve been noticing how often Paul talks about thankfulness or giving thanks. He says it a lot. I mean, a whole lot.

It dawned on me, it’s a way bigger theme in his life than in mine. I thank God before meals, and definitely thank Him if he answers a significant prayer (emphasis on significant). Or if I experience some significant blessing. But I can tell, compared to Paul my thankfulness meter is almost a flat line.

He talks about giving thanks all the time, for everything, not just the “big things.” On the whole, Paul’s life seems to include a great deal more suffering and hardship than mine. Oddly enough, he also seems to be a much more joyful and happy person than I am.

Considering how difficult his life was, you’d think it would be just the opposite. You’d think he’d be grumbling and complaining most of the time about how crummy his life was. I mean, all he was trying to do was obey God and preach the gospel to folks. Why couldn’t God cut him some slack, give him more good days then bad ones? But that’s not what we hear from Paul, grumbling and complaining. Instead, he’s constantly expressing thanks and telling us to do the same. And… he’s experiencing a good measure of joy and contentment on a regular basis.

Maybe there’s a clue here, maybe there’s a connection.

So I’ve started trying to thank God more often. And instead of waiting around for “significant” answers to prayer, I’m thanking Him for ordinary things. And you know what? I’m starting to experience more joy. And I’m starting to realize, the purpose for thanksgiving isn’t because God is insecure and craves compliments. It’s because God has done and is doing all kinds of things in our lives that we’re mostly too dull to notice.

Thanking God for ordinary things puts us in touch with just how much we have to be thankful for, shifts our focus off of the handful of things still undone, and onto the multitude of things God has already done for us.

And that’s something to be thankful for! It’s making me so much more aware of God’s kindness and love. So…how about you? What are some ordinary things you are thankful for today?

Some Fun Book Updates

It’s hard to believe it’s Thanksgiving week already. Living in Daytona Beach it’s sometimes hard to get in the holiday mood like people do up north, when the weather is warm and full of sunshine (which is so often the case in Florida, the “Sunshine State”). Fortunately, that hasn’t been a problem the last several days. It’s been cold (for us anyway), windy and overcast.

If it’s been a while since I’ve posted any book updates. But I’ve been plenty busy. I’ve actually been blogging a good bit, just not here. Two good author friends and I began a block together a month ago, which has been very active. If you’d like to check it out, hold the mouse over my blog button on the left sidebar, and a little menu will appear on the right for “3 Men Blog with Harry and Jim.” Click on that, and you can get to the blog from there.

Foreign Translations

This past week, I received two interesting packages, two days apart. Both contained complimentary copies of two of my novels, my second and third, which had been translated and put into print by a Dutch publisher. It’s quite an honor to experience this as an author.

Here are pictures of both books. The first, “Thuis Komen” is Dutch for “The Homecoming.” The 2nd, “Wat de Morgen brengt” is the Dutch version of “The Deepest Waters,” although that’s not how the title translates. They changed the title to “What Morning Brings.” This is taken from a quote in the book at the end of the first chapter.

This is now my third book translated into a foreign language (my first novel, The Unfinished Gift, was translated into German.

Gary Smalley Update

A few weeks ago, I finished my second novel in the Restoration series I began last year with Gary Smalley. The first novel, The Dance, will be coming out April 1st. The novel we just completed, The Promise, will be releasing in September 2013.

We’ve begun to receive some excellent endorsements for The Dance. Click on this link if you’d like to read them. You’ll just have to scroll down a little. I’m honored by what they said, especially considering the significant contribution these folks are making in the areas of Christian marriage and family life. Hoping to get quite a few more endorsements before the book’s release.

I’ve just begun to write my next book, my 10th novel, a standalone called Stolen Treasures. Lord willing, I’ll begin in my third novel with Gary in April.

My 2012 Novels

Both of my novels released this year, The Discovery and The Reunion, are doing well. Both books received the “4.5 Star/Top Pick” rating from RT Book Reviews magazine (their highest). Both received the coveted “Coffee Cup Icon” in the CBD catalog (their highest recommendation). Two final cool things, one for each book. The Discovery was named an Editor’s Pick in an October issue of a major women’s magazine (FIRST for Women), which has a 1.2 million circulation. And The Reunion was optioned by a major producer in Hollywood, who wants to make it into a movie.

As you can see, this author has SO much to be grateful for as we move into the Thanksgiving holiday. My wife and I hope you all have a tremendous and memorable holiday!Both received excellent reviews from USA Today, which didn’t hurt. And both have been receiving a great deal of attention on Amazon.

Both have received over 100 customer reviews (my first novels to break the 100 mark). The majority of these reviews are 5 stars (The Discovery avg is 4.7 stars and The Reunion‘s avg is 4.9 stars). It’s very touching to see you how the books are affecting people. Especially, the vets and families of Vietnam vets responding to The Reunion.

 

Feeling Weak and Overwhelmed? A Great Place to Be

I feel weak sometimes. No, I feel weak a lot.

I wasn’t always like this. For many years, I felt strong and confident. As it turns out, it was an illusion. I was like the Emperor in that Hans Christian Anderson story, “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” He isn’t wearing anything but, blinded by pride, he doesn’t see it.

Now I do see it, and it’s made me aware of my weakness on a regular basis.

Here’s an example: I’m beginning to write my 10th novel this week. Seven of the other nine are already published by major publishers (Revell and Guideposts). Novels eight and nine are in the pipeline, due out in 2013. I’ve already won three Carol awards (book-of-the-year). All of my novels have received rave reviews in magazines, blogs and on Amazon. I’ve been asked to co-author a fiction series by a mega bestselling author (Gary Smalley). My most recent novel has been optioned by a movie producer who has made several Hallmark films.

You’d think I’d feel confident inside as I set out to write a novel #10. But I don’t. I feel weak. I have doubts about whether I can do it again. What if I can’t? It’s my livelihood now. People are depending on me. What if the well runs dry? What will I do then?

Where does such weakness come from? Was something missing from my childhood? Have I experienced some traumatic things as an adult that have eroded my self-confidence? The answer to both of these questions is “yes.” But that’s not why I feel weak.

The real reason I feel weak, I believe, is a kindness from God. It’s not something I should dread but something I should celebrate. God, in His mercy, has lifted the veil of false confidence and self-sufficiency to help me see my true condition before Him.

By design, I was made (you were made) to walk in a dependent relationship with God. It was Adam’s fall that created the illusion that we can make a success of things on our own. The truth is, God created us for intimate fellowship with Him. This need we have for Him is built-in, intended to continually draw us toward Him.

We are hard-wired for dependence. And that is why we feel weak, when we feel weak. The good news is, because of Christ, the strength we lack is continuously available and in abundant supply. But we won’t benefit from this if we continue to walk in the illusion of strength (or should I say delusion of strength). We must learn the secret Paul learned, learn to become content with this feeling. In fact, woe to us if we ever lose the sense of weakness, because it’s the very thing that draws us near to God.

Here are two scriptures that quickly come to mind:

“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor 12:8-10, NLT)

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Phil 4:11-13, NLT)

How about you? Feeling weak and overwhelmed lately? Where does your heart go when you feel this way? May I suggest you go where Paul suggests? I’ve tried to make this my habit now, and it’s made a HUGE difference in my life.

Lord, thank you for creating us this way, as dependent needy creatures. Help us not resent it but see it from Your perspective…as the very thing that draws us closer to You. Thank you for every situation–including the difficult people and circumstances–that make us more aware of our need for You. Fill us with your love and peace, and Your strength. Strengthen our grip on Your Hand. Thank you for always being there, day or night, no matter what. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

(NOTE: To read the other posts in this devotional feature of my blog, select “Perfect Peace – Hope for the Weary Soul” in the Category section.)

Accentuate the Positive, Eliminate the Negative

Remember this golden oldie? When I occasionally hear it, it sticks in my head for days. It comes from Johnny Mercer, recorded way back in 1944, during WW2. In a way, it’s actually biblical advice.

CS Lewis talked about this, about the tendency we have to spend all our energy suppressing unhealthy or sinful desires: “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

I think Christians often get confused on this point and, because we do, we often wear ourselves out resisting sinful desires, or even when we serve.

The Bible doesn’t tell us just to focus on being “dead to sin,” but also to be “alive to God.” We’re not just to “put off the old self,” but “put on the new.” Not just to “resist the devil” but also to “humble yourself before God.” In other words, we’re not to use all our energy constantly suppressing the negative, but redirecting that energy into opening our hearts completely to God and giving Him all we’ve got. When we do this, our tank doesn’t become empty because God keeps filling it back up with more of Him. That’s why the load stays light. When we’re abiding in Him, He carries the greater weight, so we don’t get weary as we serve. The assumption is always that we’re serving from the strength we have received.

I think this is why we constantly hear the apostle Paul talking about this abounding joy he’s experiencing in his walk with the Lord. Yet, he was constantly pouring out his life serving others and constantly suffering. Not exactly activities we typically associate with abundant joy.

But this joy was real for Paul. Despite his serious challenges, it’s clear, being joyful was the norm for Paul. I believe that’s God’s intention for us, too. It comes as an outflow, as the fruit of living by grace. Grace is not just that which saves us, God intends for it to be something we receive afresh every day.

And when we do, it changes everything.

Properly understood, receiving grace results in MORE doing, not inactivity and sloppy living. Paul was a champion of God’s grace, and yet…really, who worked harder than Paul, was anyone more zealous to obey and please God than him? The difference in fruit and fruitfulness is amazing when we set our focus on receiving life from The Vine rather than what’s happening at the end of our branches.

How about you? If we hook you up to a “Joy Meter” where would the needle go? Are you experiencing a yoke that is easy and a burden that feels light? Jesus said if we’re not, something’s off, and we should come to Him for an exchange (Matt 11:28-30).

Lord Jesus, thank You for your amazing grace. You have set things up so that we can always draw near your throne of grace and receive all the help we need, no matter what we’re going through. We’re grateful that You don’t resent our weakness, but welcome us just the way we are. Help us to remain aware of Your Presence throughout this day, and to catch those negative thoughts and the enemy’s lies, before they take root. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

  - Dan

(NOTE: To read the other posts in this devotional feature of my blog, select “Perfect Peace – Hope for the Weary Soul” in the Category section.)

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Getting to Speak Again

Since I retired from pastoral ministry just over two years ago, I haven’t done much public speaking. A few things here and there, but nothing compared to the weekly Sunday sermons I preached and the almost weekly Bible classes and ministry meetings (did these things for 25 years).

Mostly, I’ve been busy writing. Speaking with my hands, you could say.

But over the next several weeks that’s going to change. I have four different speaking engagements: two book clubs, a writer’s conference and an historical museum event. I’m genuinely looking forward to all of these. Interacting with people and public speaking are the two things I miss most since leaving pastoral ministry. But really, I don’t regret the decision. It really was time, and God has opened this door for me to write novels and I’m so thankful he has.

I’ll mention the 4 upcoming events, just in case anyone reading this lives nearby and would like to join us:

Saturday, October 20th – Perry, FL – Book signing at a local restaurant and meeting with the Christian Ladies Book Club to discuss The Reunion. Here’s something interesting…it was during a visit with this same book club just over a year ago where I got the idea to locate a major subplot of this book. I actually mention Perry and folks who live in the area should easily recognize some of the places I described.
Sunday, October 28th – Caroll, IA – I’ll be meeting with a book club to chat about The Reunion at 2:30 PM, CST (3:30pm, EST) by speakerphone. If any other book club coordinators are reading this, and you’d like me to meet with your group in a similar way, just click on the Contact link to the left and send me an email.
Wed – Sat, October 31st – Nov 3rd – I’ll be teaching a fiction track at the CLASS writers conference in New Mexico, just about an hour north of Santa Fe. The title of my class is “Writing Fiction Readers Really Care About.” The conference will be held at a ghost Ranch amidst some of the prettiest scenery out West. Here’s a link to find out more: http://www.classeminars.org/page-writing.php?pageid=41 
Saturday, November 17th at 10am – I’ll be speaking locally in downtown Daytona Beach at the Halifax Historical Museum about writing an American novel, and describing how I go about uncovering all the historical facts and background in my books (particularly the ones set in Florida).

And one last speaking engagement I’m real excited about, which has just been confirmed, but it’s way off in March 2013. I’ll be teaching a fiction mentoring track at the Florida Christian Writers Conference, as well as delivering one of the keynote messages. I’ll be sharing the keynote responsibilities with best-selling authors Steven James and Alton Gansky. So excited about this event. More details to follow.

 

Reunion – The Movie?

So many things have happened since my last post. I have more stuff to report than I’m sure you have time to read, so I’ll try to put only the “best” stuff up for now. Starting with a very real opportunity for my latest novel, The Reunion, to be made into a movie by a well-established Hollywood producer.

Beth Grossbard Productions is responsible for the popular “Christmas Shoes” series of films (which aired on The Hallmark Channel). In fact, when I spoke with Beth after she read The Reunion, she said, “I haven’t had this kind of reaction to a book since I first read The Christmas Shoes 10 years ago. Not only was I deeply moved and brought to tears, but I instantly knew this was a movie in the making!” Beth has also read Remembering Christmas, and is interested in making this into a Christmas movie, too.

Needless to say, as an author, this is so gratifying to hear. Can’t wait to see what God does with this.

Over-the-Top  Reviews for The Reunion

I’ve been amazed to see the reaction to The Reunion so far. In some ways, it’s been stronger than all of my other books at this stage. Earlier, I mentioned even before its release it had already received RT Book Reviews highest rating (4.5 Stars, Top/Pick) and CBD’s coveted “Coffee Cup” icon. It’s only been out a month, and it’s already received 69 customer reviews on Amazon, including 59 5-Stars reviews (avg 4.8 stars).

It’s not just the quantity of reviews, but the words people are using to describe the book. Here’s a sampling:

“After reading The Deepest Waters, The Homecoming, Remembering Christmas, and The Discovery, I never thought Dan’s books could get any better. I find it hard to choose a favorite, because each of his books have blown me away. The Reunion is his sixth novel, and once again, I was drawn into a story so emotional, so vivid and well written, I could hardly breathe at times.” – Cafe Lily

“Spellbound! Loved this book! Love all Dan Walsh’s books. He is a master at weaving a story together. This book would also appeal to men from the war aspect! Wish there was a sequel to this one. I could not put it down!” – Ainsley (Texas)

“Wow, there’s been very few books that I sat and cried when I finished reading the book, and this is one of them. Dan Walsh has gone over the top with this one, with a masterpiece that will stick with me for a long time.” – IbJoy1953

“The Reunion, by Dan Walsh, has taken up residence on my Top Ten of 2012 List, but that’s not all. It sparked a new list. My Top Ten All Time Favorites, and it’s earned a spot there. Exquisitely drawn characters, a heartrending plot, and a deceptively simple delivery make The Reunion one of the best books I’ve ever read.” – Ane Mulligan

I should mention (for those who don’t know), while not a “Christmas Book” per say, The Reunion is set during Thanksgiving and Christmas. The big climactic scene at the end actually takes place at a Christmas party. I think it could make a great Christmas read, for those who love to buy Christmas books.

Another ACFW Carol Award

Last weekend, I had the privilege of attending my 4th ACFW national writer’s conference. My 3rd novel, The Deepest Waters, was up for a Carol Award in the short historical category. Here is how ACFW describes this award: “The Carol Awards are ACFW’s recognition for the best Christian fiction published by traditional publishing houses in the previous calendar year.” This award, is essentially, they’re “book of the year” award.

Well…it won!! (The pic to the right is me accepting the award).

It was such an honor to be there, such a rewarding moment. This is actually my 3rd Carol Award (my first novel, The Unfinished Gift, won 2). But it was just as exciting. In my acceptance speech, I mention how this novel helped me see the “power of story” in fiction, how it can do more than inspire and entertain but also change lives (writing it changed mine). I mentioned in particular, a scene on pages 173-174 where I really experienced God on a personal level through an interaction with the character, Micah, an old illiterate slave who had a deep and profound walk with God.

If you haven’t read this book, I’d encourage you to consider checking it out. You can find links to order it by clicking here. There’s even a link to read the first few chapters.

If you want to read a great recap of the big night in Dallas, click here.

Book Recommendation – An Excellent Christmas Read!

A few months ago, I was asked by a friend (and one of my favorite authors), Jason Wright to read his upcoming Christmas book for a possible endorsement. This is an easy yes for me, and I absolutely LOVED The 13th Day of Christmas.

Here’s what I said about it on Amazon:

I have been a fan of Jason’s books for several years now. I’ve yet to regret reading a single one. They entertain and educate but also inspire and motivate me to think about life more deeply, and to care about people more fully. That certainly happened again reading The 13th Day of Christmas. It’s a rich, rewarding tale that draws our attention to the things that matter most during the holiday season. I believe it has the potential to even launch some new Christmas traditions (and that would be a very good thing). Do yourself a favor, put this book at the top of your Christmas book list this year. Do your friends a favor and buy them copies as Christmas gifts.

To check it out on Amazon, click here.