I Wrote a Book!

I spend a lot of time making three basic kinds of things: food, books, and woodwork. This blog was designed to showcase the last category, my woodworking. On the blog, I’ve tried to stay away from content that’s not somehow related to woodworking. (I refuse to turn this into a “food blog,” for instance.) But over the past four years I have been quietly working on writing a book, and I’m excited that it’s finally finished.

The book has nothing to do with woodworking. As I was writing it, I thought of it as a book of practical theology. I suppose some would call it a book of Christian spiritual counsel. Whatever the genre, I have just self-published it through Amazon. You can find it here.

Now, if you have no interest in Christianity, religion, or spirituality, then this is not the book for you–read no further. (I’ll be back to woodworking content on this blog in the coming weeks.) But because I sometimes find myself curious about the intellectual and spiritual lives of the woodworkers I admire, I thought perhaps it would be appropriate to open a small window into a different part of my life.

This book was written out of a long and difficult period of growth for me (and my whole family). I have been a Christian since I was a kid–I read the Bible, I’m active at church, and I make an effort to live out my faith. But there came a point where my inner life went dry. These activities weren’t satisfying anymore. Sometimes they didn’t even feel meaningful. But I didn’t know what to do about it except just keep trying.

Then something happened. My spiritual resources were not up to the challenges I was suddenly facing, and some major life crises left me searching for answers that went beyond religious pop psychology and abstract theology. The result of my searching was this book.

I know all that probably sounds really vague. But I’m trying not to just repeat everything I’ve put into the book. If it sounds interesting to you, pick up a copy.

The book is available in paperback and as an e-book on the Kindle platform.

I’ve tried to make the book as affordable as possible. (Amazon sets firm parameters for pricing.) But unlike books published through conventional presses where authors see only pennies on the dollar, 70% the purchase price comes back to me. If you have enjoyed my writing and want to support it, this is a great way to do it. (Thanks to those who have already purchased a copy or three! You know who you are.)

One downside of being my own copy-editor is that I overlooked one or two things in the production process. The biggest issue is that the print version of the book doesn’t have a table of contents. (Doh!) So if you want to know what the book is about, here is the chapter-by-chapter breakdown:

Preface

Introduction

Part I: Preparation

1. The Tabernacle: The Biblical Diagram of Spiritual Worship

2. Are You Able to Go In?

3. Are You Willing to Go In?

4. How to Go In: Dwelling in God’s Presence

Part II: Prayer

5. Prayer Is the Way into God’s Presence

6. Fighting in Prayer

7. Myths about Prayer

8. The Practice of Prayer

Part III: Conclusion

9. The Spiritual Life for Everyone

Endnotes

If you do read the book and want to talk to me about it, I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. You can find my e-mail address on the “About” page.

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