Sunday Devotional

Things can get pretty heated at my house. As the mother of two teenagers, I’ve learned to appreciate the wisdom of the saying, “Because I said so.”

Take, for example, last weekend. My oldest came to me, car keys in hand, and said, “Mom, can I go to the movies with Brad?” Now, Brad is not his real name. I’ve changed it to protect the innocent…his parents.

“No,” I said.

“Why not?”

Why not? Because just the other day I’d heard horror stories about “Brad’s” behavior. Should I explain all of this to my son? Should I tell him that I thought Brad a bad influence? I chickened out. “Um…because I said so.”

Well, that led to a tirade of teenaged emotions, all aimed at making me change my mind. I glanced at Max, who sat at my feet, ears perked, quietly listening. After my son left, I picked Max up, set him on my lap, and tickled his chin.

“What do you think, Max? Should I have let him go?” I then went on to explain to Max all the reasons why I thought it better to make my son stay home. All the while, Max watched me with his big dark eyes, never flinching, never speaking. Not that I expected him to, mind you. Still, I was surprised how good it felt to have him be such a good. . .listener.

And that’s when it occurred to me. Most times, friends don’t call me up wanting advice. They want someone who’ll listen—an ear to hear, so to speak. But I get it confused, thinking I’ve got to come up with just the right words to say. In reality, the best words are the ones I keep to myself. I guess that’s why God gave us all one mouth and two ears, so we’ll listen twice as much. Now, if I could just put it into practice.

Psalm 34:11-15 (New International Version)

11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,

13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.

14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;

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Winners!!

It's always so much fun to give away great books!! Congratulations to this week's lucky winners:

alekee02 - Coffee Shop Conversations by Dale and Jonalyn Fincher

janimar - Flight Plan by Lee Burns and Braxton Brady

Winners of this week's books, please use the button in the upper right side of this page to email me with your mailing address so I can forward your information to the authors. Then, sit back and wait for your book to arrive.

Thank you all so much for stopping by The Borrowed Book!

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Weekly Drawing

Entering our weekly drawing is easy:

1. Leave a comment on Fridays or...

2. Sign up to follow The Borrowed Book. Followers will automatically be entered for a chance to win that week's drawing!

This week, The Borrowed Book is giving away:

Coffee Shop Conversations by Dale and Jonalyn Fincher ~ A 2008 study released by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life notes that the number of people creating their own interpretations of faith and culture is growing. Seems like there are as many different styles of faith as ways to order your latte. How does a Christian have normal conversations about Jesus without accidentally sounding offensive, bigoted or intolerant? You will find the tools you need for meaningful, tolerant, and respectful conversations about your faith with friends who don't share your views. Forget the 'fire and brimstone' approach and the awkward insistence to get other people 'saved.' You will discover how to be yourself without alienating others. You'll learn: How to walk in another person's shoes. Ways to gently invite others to share. The buzz words that will stop a conversation cold. How to navigate today's hot-topics. Tools to recover the true meaning of Scripture often obliterated by spiritual writers. How to talk about Jesus as a unique spiritual leader. You will discover how to invite people to become fully who Jesus wants them to be through this coffee shop approach to friendships in your community.


Flight Plan by Lee Burns and Braxton Brady ~A life of greater possibilities, potentials and passions awaits the emerging young man. Flight Plan is a resource and source of instruction and encouragement for boys, their parents, and other adults who work with boys. This book is written with the aim of offering boys a vision and definition of manhood before they get there, a framework for considering the challenges of adolescence, and tools and strategies for making healthy and appropriate choices during those years.

Winners will be announced on Saturday, 11/13/10.

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Book Spotlight ~ Flight Plan by Lee Burns and Braxton Brady

The Ultimate Field Guide for Growing Boys into Men

In today’s culture, teenage boys are faced with navigating the turbulent journey to manhood, often without an inkling of what that really means or any direction of how to get there. What does it mean to be a man? Flight Plan: Your Mission to Become a Man offers a vision of godly manhood and a complete and honest guide into the adventures ahead.

Flight Plan, written by Lee Burns and Braxton Brady, is a natural evolution of their original program, Building Boys, Making Men, a curriculum created by the authors for the 630 boys who attend Presbyterian Day School (PDS) in Memphis, Tennessee. Over the years, Burns and Brady, colleagues at PDS, have received numerous requests from youth leaders, pastors, parents, and teachers for access to the curriculum that was only available to the boys at PDS. Flight Plan is the answer to those many requests and the culmination of sixty years of research, mentoring, and ministry to more than 3,000 boys.

Throughout his career in education, PDS Chaplain Braxton Brady has learned that there is a void for young men that is not being taught. “I hope to call dads to be strategic with their kids and intentional with their boys, and I also want to help dads navigate their sons through middle school and high school on their way to adulthood,” says Brady.

Flight Plan uses the metaphor of a journey of flight to speak candidly to pre-teen and teen boys about friendships, peer pressure, drinking, drugs, girls and dating, puberty, sex, and school and family relationships. Like any sound flight plan, the book maps out the journey ahead giving practical advice for success and warnings for potential pitfalls any boy on his way to manhood is likely to encounter. The text strategically builds on seven biblically based virtues, “The True Friend,” “The Humble Hero,” “The Servant Leader,” “The Moral Motivator,” “The Bold Adventurer,” “The Noble Knight,” and “The Heart Patient.” Each chapter concludes with questions for reflection and discussion, making Flight Plan an ideal teaching tool for boys’ small groups, mentoring groups, Sunday school classes, fathers and sons, or simply individual study.

Co-author Lee Burns is the headmaster of Presbyterian Day School. His vision is to mentor boys not just academically, but from a life perspective. “It’s important to know the person God wants us to be,” Burns says. “I believe God calls us into authentic manhood as we pursue His purpose and passion for our lives.”

“Flight Plan is a godsend to those of us working on the front lines with middle school boys,” says David Beecher, headmaster of the Hillside School in Massachusetts. “Insightful yet practical, challenging but simple, creative yet concrete—it provides young boys, their parents, and their teachers with a blueprint for sound, successful, meaningful growth.”

About the Authors:

Braxton Brady believes that today’s world is in need of authentic, Godly men. As the chaplain of Presbyterian Day School (PDS) in Memphis, Tennessee, Brady has learned firsthand that manhood is not simply a matter of age. It’s a matter of intention.

Brady’s position and community offers him a unique perspective on the issue. During the day he serves at a prestigious school in an affluent area. Yet his home is in the inner city of Memphis, offering an eye-opening look at the challenges young men face no matter their social or economic status.

“I’ve learned that there is a void for young men that is not being taught.” That void inspired Brady to develop Flight Plan with co-author and colleague Lee Burns.

“I hope to call dads to be strategic with their kids, and intentional with their boys,” Brady says. “And to help dads navigate their sons through middle school and high school on their way to adulthood.”

Brady and his wife, Carrie, have three children.

Lee Burns serves as headmaster of Presbyterian Day School (PDS), an independent school serving over 630 boys in grades PK-6 in Memphis.

A Chattanooga, Tennessee, native, Burns graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College, and he earned his master’s degree in educational administration at Harvard. He has also studied at the London School of Economics and worked at a law firm in New York City. Prior to being appointed PDS headmaster in 2000, he served as a teacher, coach and administrator at Christ School in North Carolina and as the Director of Day Student Admission at the McCallie School in Chattanooga. He currently serves on the Executive Committee and as Vice-President of the Elementary School Headmasters Association (a group of approximately 200 headmasters around the country), and he is a member of the Country Day School Headmasters Association and the Visionary Heads Group. He served as a task force member to help the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) develop Principles of Good Practice for Middle School Educators. He has been a presenter at annual conferences of the National Association of Independent Schools, the International Boys’ School Coalition, the Educational Records Bureau, and the Elementary School Headmaster Association.

Mr. Burns has been an avid tennis player, winning six state championships as a junior or adult and is a former All-American player. He still enjoys tennis, squash, and most any sport, as well as reading and writing. He has authored a book on a boy’s journey to manhood, Flight Plan: Your Mission To Become A Man.He is married to Sarah, and they have three children. They are members of Second Presbyterian Church, where he serves as a deacon.

Flight Plan: Your Mission to Become a Man by Lee Burns and Braxton Brady
PDS Publishing
November 2010/194 pages
ISBN 978-0-615-38061-2/$14.99

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Author Interview ~ Ginger Garrett

Ginger Garrett is the author of the Chronicles of the Scribes series (In the Shadow of Lions, In the Arms of Immortals, In the Eyes of Eternity), Dark Hour, and Beauty Secrets of the Bible. Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther was recognized as one of the top five novels of 2006 by the ECPA.

Focusing on ancient women's history, Ginger Garrett creates novels and nonfiction resources that explore the lives of historical women. In addition to her writing, Garrett is a frequent radio and television guest. Her appearances include Fox News, NPR, The Harvest Show, Billy Graham’s Hour of Decision, and more. Ginger resides in Georgia with her husband and three children. Learn more about Ginger by visiting her website at http://www.gingergarrett.com/.

When did you decide to be a writer?

I survived a long ordeal of loss and longing after experiencing repeat pregnancy losses and the news I would never be able to bear children. I woke up to the pain all around me, and realized I lived in a world of hurting women. I wanted to write to comfort myself, and then I wanted to write to comfort others. That’s how the journey started.

At what point did you stop juggling suggestions and critiques and trust yourself (as a writer)?

I was supposed to do that somewhere along the way? Oops.

Are you a disciplined writer or do you just write when you feel like it?

Very disciplined, and I hate it. But the Bible says “No discipline seems pleasant at the tie but later yields a harvest.” I agree. I bribe myself by making two cups of tea before I even sit down. After I’ve gone through each one, I am generally awake and on a roll.

What kind of activities to you like to do that help you relax and step away from your deadlines for a bit?

I have three kids at home, and one Great Pyrenees puppy who weighs about 130, with some more growing to do yet. Those four “hobbies” keep me plenty busy! I also love reading, writing dumb poems, and cooking.

What is your favorite novel and what made it special?

Of someone else's? Anything by Pat Conroy. He makes me swoon. I still love the classic monster stories, too, and they are infinitely worth reading: Frankenstein, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Dracula.

How do you think reading the work of others helps you as a writer?

I see how they handled transitions between scenes, or changed up the order they tell the story in, or tease the reader. I see what is possible. I don’t read to be critical. I want to play when I read, and be told a story. You can’t have a critical spirit and play, too.

Tell us a little about your latest release:

In a tiny medieval German village, a double murder stirs up festering fears. The overworked sheriff is baffled, so the village priest sends for help to solve the mystery. But the charismatic inquisitor who answers the call brings with him a deadly mix of spiritual fervor and self-deceptive evil. Under his influence, ordinary village fears and resentments take a deadly turn, and dark secrets come to light. But in the midst of it all, a man and woman—the priest and the sheriff’s unloved wife—somehow dare to listen to another Voice … and discover what it means to love instead of fear.

Where did you get your inspiration for WOLVES AMONG US?

From history, particularly the Malleus Maleficarum a book produced by two “Christians” who taught that women were more prone to sin than men. And because women were more carnal in nature, they often assisted the devil in his earthly work. From these lies came a horrific wake of deaths and suffering across Europe, until the Pope began to speak out in truth and love.

Which character is most like you?

Probably the priest.

He’s clinging to what he’s been taught and confronting a crazy, frightening new world. In the end, he grasps the truth and becomes a hero. I hope someone says that about me someday!

Who is your favorite character and why?

Ava, the witch in a cage. She was based on a real woman in history, a witch who lived in a cage and was pulled from town to town, as a visual aid on the horrors of witchcraft. Her journey to genuine faith is touching.

Did you know how WOLVES AMONG US would turn out? Were you surprised by any of the plot twists or characters?

I did have an idea of the ending, and it didn’t work when I wrote it. I had to tweak it quite a bit. Because I’m writing this book for a primarily faith-based market, I had to work harder to be sure that the story supported faith, even when the characters made bad choices.

What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?

The horror of living without Truth, after you are a Christian. When we accept what people tell us about God, instead of reading the Word for ourselves, we are in grave danger of being led astray. Not everyone means to twist the Word, and many people who teach and lead are trustworthy and correct. But every once in a while, a wolf slips into the fold. If we don’t know what the Word says, we can be led astray and follow the wolf away from the shepherd.

What kinds of things have you done to market this book? Have you found anything that works particularly well?

I talk to my readers through my monthly newsletter, and am a frequent media guest. I don’t think media sells books, though. Word of mouth does. And you can’t buy that. You just have to write the best book you can and hope it moves someone.

Tell us what new projects you’re working on.

I am just about to finish the novel of Samson and Delilah. How fun is that?

Do you have any parting words of advice?

If you want to write, write. It’s an art and a wonderful passion. If you want to publish, that’s different. That’s a business and business rules apply. Business and art don’t mix well. It gets messy, and sometimes painful, too. Don’t confuse the two. Art is always worth creating!

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Characterization 101 ~ MLR: Most Likely Reader

We’ve discussed in our last two posts on characterization the need for our fictional characters to have diverse personality traits and to write about both their strengths and weaknesses in a way to connect with your MLR.

Before we go any further, lets untangle the web surrounding the question, “Who is my Most Likely Reader?” Think of your story. Who are the central characters and what are their ages? What is the theme of your story?

To clarify, let me use my first historical romance as an example. Promise of Tomorrow is a historical romance set in Johnstown, PA during the flood of 1889 that killed over 2,000 people. My central figures are Jack, a blue-collar worker at Cambria Iron Works and Alaina, a nanny for prominent members of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club. Since this is a romance, the central figures will be, of course, my hero and heroine. My theme is people being more important than things. This is also a Christian romance, which is important to know as well.

I don’t have statistics on hand, but Romance is driven by its broad appeal to women. No surprise there. So let’s say for example that an ABA romance enjoys the benefits of appealing to the (pulling a number out of thin air here) 40 million romance lovers in the world. Then a Christian themed romance will appeal to only a third of that number, narrowing the field of my potential readership significantly. Because my story features history, it will further divide my readership between those who love historicals and those who hate them.

Note: This alone should help young writers understand why it is important to appeal to as wide an audience as possible and why romance is a much more certain genre for any writer to publish in than, say, Christian paranormal.

Now let’s get back to finding our MLR. I see that my audience is comprised of history-loving romance readers. Most fall in the age range of 25-55. They are women. If my characters are older, the books would probably appeal less to the lower end of the age range than the higher, but the opposite, interestingly enough, is not true as long as the heroine shows signs of maturity. If my heroine is a flighty eighteen year old, this will turn off the more mature readers of my books.

Issues important to my MLR are not necessarily going to be related to current issues since I'm not writing contemporary, therefore I have some leeway in my choice of theme. I consider more what is important to the Christian in general, then what is going to be of utmost importance to the Christian woman specifically.

So why is this information important? When you do a market analysis for a publishing house, they will want to know that you've done your research and understand the needs of your target audience. It also, as I suggested earlier, makes it easier to market your books. In my case, I won't bother stopping a teenage guy and try to get him to purchase my books. Nor would I ask an adult male. But if I was writing a western themed romance and the guy was wearing a Stetson. . .

Now, I'll stop there before your head begins to whirl. If you have questions, post 'em and I'll answer as best I can.

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Book Spotlight ~ Coffee Shop Conversations by Dale and Jonalyn Fincher

A 2008 study released by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life notes that the number of people creating their own interpretations of faith and culture is growing. Seems like there are as many different styles of faith as ways to order your latte. How does a Christian have normal conversations about Jesus without accidentally sounding offensive, bigoted or intolerant?

In Coffee Shop Conversations (April 2010) by Dale Fincher and Jonalyn Fincher, readers will find the tools they need to speak plainly and honestly about their faith, avoid speaking “christianese” and have meaningful, tolerant and respectful conversations with friends who don’t share their views. Coffee Shop Conversations is written to an audience of 18-35 year olds interested in articulating their faith throughout their everyday activities.

About the Authors:

Dale Fincher and Jonalyn Fincher speak and write nationally as a husband-wife team through Soulation, a non-profit dedicated to helping others be appropriately human. They are energetic and experienced public speakers, and their previous books include Living with Questions and Ruby Slippers. They make their home in Steamboat, Colorado, with corgis, snowshoes and a colorful library of books.

Learn more about Jonalyn and Dale at http://soulation.org/.

Coffee Shop Conversations
Release: April 2010
Soft cover, 224 pp.
ISBN: 0310318874

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