The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it – John 1:4-5

I’m sure we all know the old adage: “When in doubt, blog about your grandchildren.” Well, maybe that’s not exactly right? But it usually works for me.

But not today. Okay, having got your attention with this super-cool photo, please keep reading; I have something important to share.

THE NEXT BOOK: Today it’s not writer’s block that holding me up, it’s quite the opposite. Here’s my dilemma: I’m working on two books right now (no contracts yet, just great ideas), and all my creative writing thoughts seem to want to head that way too.

So – and maybe this will help me – I’m going to share a little about where the projects are headed. Maybe you’ll think of a story that fits, something you want to share with me? Maybe you’ll be motivated to think more seriously about how God is challenging you? Maybe you’re a publisher, and you’d like to see one of these projects in print?

RETHINKING MEN: The first is a book that addresses the huge disconnect that – I believe – exists between what the New Testament teaches about being a man, and the “industry standard” at many churches. I’m convinced that many popular men’s ministry models have hijacked the biblical Jesus, replacing Emmanuel with an imposter modeled after the cultural preferences, political leanings, machismo, and endemic sexism of Evangelical America.

My vision is to help men to understand what it means to be created in the image of God, to honor that image in the way that we live our discipleship, and to discover what God really values in a man, by learning from the New Testament rather than following the clichéd cultural icons of 21st Century America.

STRIPPED DOWN: Book number two is an attempt to strip away 2,000 years of arguments, and reinterpretation, and opinion, and spin, and “clarification,” and doctrine, and dogma, and power-plays – and so much more – and to consider the impact of being exposed to the essential story of Jesus, absent all the stuff that gets in the way.

The problem is, I haven’t had time to string more than a couple of paragraphs together since well before we had our adventure in Italy!

However, just talking about it with you all, like this, is getting me excited. So, friends, thanks for the boost.

I’ll keep you posted. Meanwhile, those of you who pray, please do; because I honestly believe God is at work in and through this, and I want to do my very best.

Peace – DEREK