If I could write just one book in my lifetime, it would be about following Jesus. For as long as I've been a Christian, I have been drawn to the gospels, particularly to the teachings of Jesus on the subject of discipleship.  When I discovered that there are only six passages in the four gospels in which Jesus describes what it means to be His disciple—and one more in which He commissions us to make disciples—I began to dream of writing a book that would help Christians live out those seven passages.

That was 25 years ago.  I've preached on the discipleship sayings of Jesus in every church I've pastored, and 10 years ago I wrote a 30,000-word manuscript (which has been copied and bound in-house and sold at cost).  Finally, five months ago, I pitched Follow Me to a few editors at the Mt. Hermon Christian Writer's Conference.  One who asked to see a formal proposal was the Executive Editor at Revell, a division of Baker Books.  I learned a lot about the publishing business over the next few months—enough to think a book contract was a dream that might never come true.  But in early June Revell contacted me and asked if the book was still available.  That began a multi-step, two-month process that culminated in a contract.

So I'm no longer dreaming about writing a book; I'm actually writing one.  Forty thousand words are due February 1.  My strong desire is to write fresh, Spirit-empowered words (not just to edit what I wrote a decade ago), and to excel at both writing and preaching during the next six months, so that both Sunridge Church and the wider body of Christ will benefit.

To those who have prayed for me and cheered me on as I have ventured into this new ministry arena, thank you.  And please don't stop praying!