We have already entered onto a slippery slope when we legalized gay marriage, in reality broadening the definition of marriage. Now, I'm not in favor of polygamy, but whose to say people cannot be happily married to more than one spouse- man or woman- for in order not to be sexist about this, a woman would have to be free to have more than one husband as well. Fair is fair. The charter of rights and freedoms can have such a broad application, one wonders where this would stop. But it does make for interesting news.
This is a good post and so true. In pastoral ministry I always sought out someone who would be a sincere critic of my ministry and give me an honest evaluation, whether good or bad. But there were always armchair critics who liked to make criticism from a superficial perspective. And then a very few whose criticism would be malicious. I realized early that it goes with the job, but as you say, it's never easy to take. I think that over the years I have learned to handle it better. Now as I consider returning to pastoral ministry it is one of the factors I have to deal with- do I want to put myself in that place again. But where God calls, he gives the grace. I think from a public perspective you handle things very well.
Thanks for the post. I was wondering how places like Walmart could sell books so cheap. This is going to have the same kind of impact on book retailers as their low price strategy has done to small local businesses who can't compete with giants like Walmart. The publishing industry, if it can be united for its survival, needs to speak with one voice to these retail companies and have this practice changed. As a published author I know how little I get even at retail prices. This is discouraging! Hopefully it can be changed.
That's great! You would think by the way some talk that we are the first generation to go through hard times. Well, my parents lived through the depression after WWII and survived very well. They still share the memories of those days when most people had very little. This is a challenge for us today and the church and its leaders need to be leading the way with hope and with focus beyond our materialistic culture. Your list is so important to keep people focused.
I never thought of this, but I can understand for you in your position and the quality of your blog, that you need some standards for the responses, call it censorship or whatever. It seems that the internet has become a place where people feel they have the freedom to say anything they want to in any form without repercussions. In Christian settings there has to be a standard. Thanks for that.
What a great post! Whoever said that everyone has a book in them waiting to come out, didn't take into account the huge majority who would not be willing to make the sacrifice for it. When I wrote my first book I thought it would be a best seller for sure. That was nine years ago and I have just rewritten it for more submissions. My second book was published but only after almost thirty submissions to publishers over several years. Unless you're an already well known celebrity there is no easy path.
What a specimen of religious insanity! I'm just reading a great book, "Christianity's Dangerous Idea" by Alister McGrath and he focuses on how some of these strange and wild concepts have arisen from the time of the Reformation. It is sad and unfortunately some non-Christians will look at this as a representation of Christianity. But we live in a free country and freedom of speech guarantees that even crackpots can have their say. Thanks for sharing this.
I believe this is good and necessary today and I commend Thomas Nelson as a Christian publisher for following these standards. We are overwhelmed by books being published today and there is so much that is just junk or material without value, or that sets forth non-Christian values. Christian publishers that produce material over a wide spectrum need to be clear on their basic Christian philosophy of publishing. I appreciate your posts, your personal world view and the company you represent.
Thanks Michael for sharing about this book. The principles and concepts set forth have been tested and work and come from a reputable source. Being involved in church leadership for over thirty years I am always looking for new, innovative material and this book looks great. I would love to have a copy. Your book offers are always good!
I haven't read this ebook yet, but I did read your article on a winning book proposal several years ago and have been following it in all my proposals. I've got lots of rejections but I have also received positive comments on a well written proposal. So I'm still in the process with three completed manuscripts and I'm looking for positive response. Your advice was great, even in the free article Michael!
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