I’m so excited to finally be able to share about a book I’ve been working on for the past two years. It’s called Wherever The River Runs: How A Forgotten People Renewed My Hope In The Gospel. As many of you know I’ve traveled down Brazil’s Amazon jungle on a river boat–sleeping in a hammock–many times over the past few years. I’ve written about some of my experiences in my Ruth and Nehemiah Bible Studies, but this book has allowed me the chance to tell the whole story of the life change I’ve experienced in one of the most captivating places on earth: The Amazon River.
I’m excited about this book for two simple reasons: One is about style and the other content.
1. This is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to write in a narrative, memoir style for the length of a project. I’ve been able to do a little of this here and there over the years but have never had the challenge of writing a story with dialogue, arc and a bit of character development. I have no idea if I did it well, but I enjoyed the endless hours on the learning curve. For those of you writers I benefited a great deal from reading books on writing such as One Writing Well by William Zinsser and Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark. The writing was a challenge, and may I say that my wonderful editor wasn’t afraid to cut thousands of words at a time if they didn’t move the story forward. So that was fun. In the end, you all have been such an encouraging audience for me and I’m thrilled to put something in your hands that feels both fresh and vulnerable.
2. Ever since my first visit to the Amazon jungle its forgotten people have captivated me. God has used them to break my heart, purify it, quicken my conscience, convict, renew, transform and challenge me. I’ve discovered that no matter where in the world you go–as close as next door–when you lay your life down for your neighbor, God changes you.
I appreciate each of you so much. I feel so incredibly supported and love the privilege of meeting many of you on the road and also through the written word. My prayer is that Wherever The River Runs will be just the adventure you’ve been longing for. The one that doesn’t require a trip down the Amazon River in a boat, only the one God is tugging your heart toward.
Watch the Book Trailer Here
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If you’ve already pre-ordered the book, you have a chance of getting even more goodies including Brazilian coffee, some AWESOME chocolate, a Justice & Mercy International tote bag, and a personal thank-you note! Enter below!
Grief of a Different Kind
I flew in from California last Sunday night just in time to attend a memorial service for a newborn baby. He was the son of two of my friends, whole and perfect. For reasons unknown, except to Elohim (The God who creates), this little baby went to be with Jesus on his third day here on earth. My friends attend a new church that currently meets in a bar, which works well for Sunday morning worship services but not as great for other functions. Since my friends were without a church building to celebrate their son, they chose one of their favorite and frequented spots – Ugly Mugs coffee shop.
Homemade Chicken Stock
Okay gang. It’s fall and if your region of the country is cooperating there should be burnt colored leaves sailing to the ground on the wings of a chilly breeze. You should have had your first pumpkin spice latte. A bite of something orange. Hopefully you’ve pulled out recipes with award-winning appearances from some of autumn’s all-stars like nutmeg and cinnamon. And if you’re anything like me, despite the unseasonably warm weather, you’ve started making soup. In my opinion, at the pinnacle of pumpkin patches, hayrides, and brisk morning walks perches soup in all its glory.
Guest Blog And A Few Other Things
Just a quick note to let you know that I did a guest blog for @edstetzer ‘s Thursday is for Thinkers. Today I wrote about The Gospel versus Religious Mission. If you get a chance, check out what’s going on over there and leave a thought… or two. www.edstetzer.com
It has been a whirlwind summer as I’ve been finishing up a book on the virtues entitled The Fitting Room: Putting On The Character Of Christ. It will be out in April of 2011. I say all this to let you know why I have been terribly absent from the blog. What my excuse will be for the rest of the year, I have no idea. Social media is not my strong suit.
A HUGE thank you to Beth Moore and Living Proof Ministries for their enormous blessing of facilitating the Ruth study during the Summer Siesta Bible Study. I love Beth’s teaching and am grateful for real women who live with integrity and love Jesus passionately. You get all of this with Beth and her studies and live events. And, many, many thanks to all of you who participated, as well as for your kind comments. They have been a blessing.
Off to water the flowers. They are dying in this Nashville heat!!!!
Shipping Update on Beth Moore Summer Study
Hey Everyone,
I’m sorry that I have been quite out of touch since being out of the country in Brazil, specifically on a boat cruising down the Amazon. And when I say ‘cruising’, please don’t think anything even close to a cruise ship, because the only thing the two have in common is their ability to float. Much more on what God did on our trip in posts to come…
Many of you are wondering if you can get your Ruth Study(s) from this website and how quickly they will arrive, especially in regard to Beth Moore’s summer study. Yes, you can order them here, (or get them at your local LifeWay Store). Please know that we are expediting our shipments to you so you can get your Ruth study(s) as soon as possible. If you have any questions or issues, please contact us at Minterstore@comcast.net, and we’ll get back to you right away. If you need more info on Beth’s Summer Study you can visit her blog by clicking here.
Can’t wait to share with you about my trip to the Amazon. God is so desirous to use His people to take the Gospel (and everything the Gospel means and does) to the ends of the earth. To be entrusted with the treasure of the Gospel is one of the greatest gifts God has given us. This I know.
Flooding And Devastation In Nashville
As many of you know, Nashville (and other areas) experienced widespread flooding over the weekend. Currently the sun is out, the wind is calm and the birds have returned to their morning songs. However, the wake of devastation is enormous. I am thankful to be in an area where the worst we had was running up and down our rickety basement stairs to empty buckets and trash cans of water, along with several trees down. You can see my ahead-of-its-time water catcher above, something my friend put together when suddenly water started pouring in through a loose brick. This was absolutely nothing compared to all the lost homes, and even lives, that have been lost over the past two days.