Every once in a great while when Daniel waxes eloquent about something-er-other, I'll actually say out loud "you should write a book about that". It started out as a challenge---a sort of 'stop talking to me about it and do something' kind of challenge. But over the years it dawned on me: one of Daniel's gifts is being able to concisely say what he is trying to get across in a way that the average Jack (see how I snuck that in there?!) can understand and get it (yep, he's a teacher). So for the past several years I had been actively encouraging him (sometimes even in a sweet voice) to write a book! Pick a subject! Dude! Go. For. It.
And one day, he really did go for it. He started with a subject near and dear to his heart---discipleship for men. Over the course of about two years, Daniel had woodshopped the manuscript, and, along the way, had trusted men read it and give him honest assessments. When all was done and dusted, the next step was to self-publish it. We chose WestBow Press, which is a division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan. What a wild ride jumping through all the hoops and the back-and-forth with assigned editorial services and then marketing. We really believe in this book as a tool for individual, one-on-one or group discipleship of men who want to solidify their foundational faith and grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Daniel sprinkled a lot of personal illustrations throughout the book. He also addressed biblical justice and how to live it out in daily life.
This month Every Man Jack -- Becoming the Man God Wants You to Be will become available online through Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble eReader, Nook, Google Play Books, Kobo Books and iBooks Store. Hardcover and paperback will be available on the WestBow Press website: www.westbowpress.com
I'm so proud of Daniel and his tenacity to see this first endeavor to it's completion. Many people dream of writing a book---but never do something about it. I think he's got a few more in him!
For those of you who were hoping I would explain why Daniel picked the unusual title, you'll have to get a copy to find out.