The Book of the Shepherd by Joann Davis

The Book of the Shepherd by Joann Davis

I remember the feeling I had when I printed out the CD-ROM I received in the mail four years ago. It was a novel by a brand-new author, published by a brand-new publishing house set up just for its publication. Having been a freelance editor and publicist for several years, I wasn't too beholden to 'spiritual fiction,' most of it not worth the paper it's printed on in my opinion (sorry - just being honest). But this book seemed different. Somehow I knew the story it contained would have extensive impact, far beyond what it 'should' have. That novel was The Shack. Turns out I was right! I'm getting that feeling again - this time about The Book of the Shepherd by Joann Davis. The difference between Paul Young and Joann Davis is that Davis is a publishing veteran - but she's signed with HarperStudio [1], a new publishing imprint of the Harper family that is no less innovative than Young's publisher. They're built on the principles of experimentation, new media friendliness, and cutting their authors in 50/50 with profit-sharing [2] (royalties begone!). It's befitting that this unusual (and quite successful) new publisher is releasing a quite unusual parable as their first overt entree into spirituality titles. The Book of the Shepherd will resonate with anyone who doesn't care much for schmaltzy Christian fiction but who enjoys Jesus of Nazareth or Francis of Assisi - and perhaps the Joshua series by Joseph Girzone. The tale opens in a graceless world: Stone the builder who erects a house that falls on its occupants. Sever the hands of the criminal who pilfers livestock or grain or another's garment. Whip the child who defies an elder. For such is the law and the law must be obeyed. For generations, these ironclad rules had governed the people. Nobody questioned whether it was right to humiliate a child or execute a murderer. An eye for an eye was the way of the world. But was there another way? When an antiquarian book is discovered in the disheveled study of an old Vermont farmhouse, the house's new owner has the volume translated. The result is The Book of the Shepherd, an enigmatic story full of implications for us all. Set in a mythical time, in an unnamed land, The Book of the Shepherd tells the tale of a shepherd, Joshua, who is troubled by the harsh code of "an eye for an eye" that governs his world. Called by a dream, the shepherd sets off on a journey to find "the new way." Accompanied by Elizabeth, a former slave who is kind and generous, and David, a boy who must learn to walk in new shoes, the shepherd knows that "an age of miracles" will come when the new way is found. But the journey is not without incident. En route to a cave near the Great Inland Sea, the travelers meet a cast of extraordinary characters, including the Storyteller, the Apothecary, the Blind Man, and the Stranger. Each imparts an important lesson that pushes the travelers toward their destiny. At the cave, Joshua must see if he can bring forth secrets long buried. But he, Elizabeth, and David will also discover that sometimes what we have been searching for has been inside us all along. What others are saying "A beautiful demonstration of the 'Power of One,' offering readers important lessons of Truth many are searching for today." - Kathryn Adams Shapiro, author of Wisdom's Choice "A simple and profound parable that engages the heart. A delightful story that even children can enjoy and yet full of deeper meaning and direction for all truth seekers. The Book of the Shepherd should become a classic in every home." - Hyrum Smith, Co-founder of FranklinCovey, Founder of Galileo Initiative "A scribe writes the story. A reader takes it to heart. The world, upon hearing it, is changed forever. The Book of the Shepherd is more than just a poignant and lovely story. It is truth." - Lynne Hinton, author of The Arms of God and The Friendship Cake "From time to time, great teachers have used parables to instruct the human heart. The Book of the Shepherd is such a tale - a luminous book full of revelations of love and forgiveness. I'm going to buy a case for friends and family!" - Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., author of Minding the Body, Mending the Mind "The Book of the Shepherd, a timeless story about one man who is seeking "the new way," is an inspiring and moving fable." - Paulo Coelho, author of The Alchemist "In The Book of the Shepherd, Joann Davis presents us with an insightful tale that cuts through the noise and truly inspires. At a time when many people write about changing the world, she offers a simple journey that vividly demonstrates the importance of every act. An energizing read." - James Redfield, #1 International bestselling author of The Celestine Prophecy "[This book] carries readers to a place too rarely visited in this hard world, a place where love and forgiveness triumph over our worst instincts. We are better people for becoming our own guides on this journey. Read The Book of the Shepherd and discover an untraveled highway." - Meredith Vieira, co-host of the Today Show and Richard M. Cohen, author of Strong at the Broken Places About Joann Joann Davis, a publishing veteran, is married to the historian Kenneth C. Davis. They have two grown children, Jenny and Colin, and live in New York City and Dorset, Vermont. [hide] [3] :: Special Viral Blogger Section :: Link-love for your review: Book trailer on YouTube [4] - a beautifully-shot trailer. Official book page on HarperStudio [5] Let your readers browse inside the book here [6]. Interview Availability: Joann is available for blog and podcast interviews. If you'd like to interview Joann, please email me at zoecarnate@theooze.com [/hide] [1] http://theharperstudio.com/category/26th-story [2] http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/135/fast-talk-the-experimenter.html [3] http://viralbloggers.wufoo.com/forms/the-book-of-the-shepherd/ [4] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vISoaFNNgZU [5] http://theharperstudio.com/authorsandbooks/joanndavis [6] http://browseinside.harpercollins.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780061942358

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A Prayer to Our Father Hebrew Origins of the Lord’s Prayer By Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson

A Prayer to Our Father Hebrew Origins of the Lord’s Prayer By Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson

It sounds like the beginnings of (a perfectly tasteless) joke: An Israeli Jew and a black Christian walk into a synagogue… But no! It’s real, and the inspiring setup for a spiritual, cultural, and archaeological tale of interfaith friendship and mutual challenge and discovery. Two billion Christians worldwide consider the Lord’s Prayer the ultimate expression of their faith—but few know the stunning story of its Hebrew origins. A Prayer to Our Father is the unfolding story of an exciting journey of faith, involving a Jewish Bible scholar and an African American pastor who join forces to uncover the truth about the most beloved prayer in the Christian world. Their provocative new book reads like a detective novel. Written by two most unlikely collaborators, the charismatic personalities of the authors are as riveting as their story. Former chaplain to the Minnesota Vikings, Keith Johnson has ministered to some of the top names in the NFL and NBA. Jerusalem-based Jewish scholar and author Nehemia Gordon has spent his career translating the Dead Sea Scrolls and studying the deep mysteries of the Jewish faith. Johnson and Gordon’s gripping adventure begins in the ancient city of Jerusalem and takes them to the very spot in Galilee where Jesus taught the multitudes to pray. Along the way they discover a Hebrew version of the Lord’s Prayer, preserved in secret by Jewish rabbis for over a thousand years – and that’s just the beginning. Could it be that one of the four canonical Gospels was originally penned in Hebrew, before being copied in Greek or even Aramaic? Johnson and Gordon’s riveting journey and extraordinary relationship are chronicled in A Prayer to Our Father. How many of you were Ooze Viral Bloggers when we first offered The Shack, like a year before anyone else ever heard of it? A small press book with a big message and real word-of-mouth factor…well, I think lightning is about to strike twice. The authors here had a major publishing contract but they turned it down; they wanted to do it right, and do it their way.  In just a matter of months since its June 2009 publication, a burgeoning viral phenomenon has brought this book fans in 66 countries! This is a provocative and unforgettable book. [hide] This Title Has Been Closed for Review :: Special Viral Blogger Section :: Link-love for your review: http://www.aprayertoourfather.com [1] – official website http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Prayer-to-Our-Father/64724168340 [2] - book fan page http://www.wfae.org/wfae/18_93_0.cfm?do=detail&id=10404 [3] – authors’ interview on NPR http://www.sanctuarycov.org/ee-assets/my-uploads/sermons/2009_07_12_Get_A_Bigger_Box.mp3 [4] - Keith Johnson’s message at Sanctuary Covenant Church in Minneapolis, “Get A Bigger Box” Interview Availability: The authors are available for blog and podcast review, as well as for booking to speak at churches, universities, and public events in 2010. You will receive their contact information if you select A Prayer to Our Father this month. Buzz “The impressions are deep and stirring. I want to recommend this book far and wide. It is one of the most inspiring, instructive, and spiritually important works I have read in a long time.” Dr. James D. Tabor, Chair, Department of Religious Studies, University of North Carolina, Charlotte "Both Jews and Christians could learn a great deal from this book… I highly recommend it!" Rabbi Levi Weiman-Kelman, Congregation Kol HaNeshama, Jerusalem “There is much power in this story. And along the way the insights gained from reading the prayer with a Hebrew lens fascinate and inspire.” Curtiss Paul DeYoung, Professor of Reconciliation Studies, Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota “If you enjoy detective mysteries… this book is a veritable gold mine… as we discover hidden truths and marvel together with the authors.” Christine Darg, Exploits Ministry “I am so thankful to the Father for this book. …Once I started reading, I could not pull myself from the book… I felt like I was on a spiritual journey with so many things confirmed and also revealed.” James Thrash, NFL Player “This is a wonderfully written book by two men who chose to humble themselves and honor God.” Qadry Ismail, ESPN Sports Commentator and Ex-NFL Player “It almost sounds like the beginning of a joke of some type: what does a white Israeli Jew have in common with a black American Christian pastor? …the answer is not a joke, but rather a wonderful journey into the Lord’s Prayer…” Judith Koch, The Porterville Recorder (June 27, 2009) “This book… contains thoughts and feelings about the Scriptures and also background information which are invaluable for Bible lovers.” Diamond Wong, Hong Kong, China Your Commitment: Remember, your commitment is to write a blog post (minimum 50 words) about A Prayer to Our Father within 30 days of getting it, and cutting & pasting your post to this one. Thank you! For Podcasters & Bloggers: Suggested Review and Interview Topics Reggie White - The late Football Hall-of-Famer Reggie White was involved in Keith Johnson’s ministry Christian Athletes United for Spiritual Empowerment. Through this connection, Nehemia Gordon got Reggie White in to see the most important manuscript of the Hebrew Bible in a secret vault in the bowels of the Israel Museum. White later described seeing this manuscript as the best day of his life, better than winning the Super Bowl, and “an answer to prayer”. [pages 32-37] Hebrew Manuscript of the Gospel of Matthew - The authors examined a Hebrew manuscript of the Gospel of Matthew that was pillaged by Nazis during World War II and taken to Hitler’s “Museum of the Extinct Race” in Prague. [pages 119-120] Interfaith interracial collaboration - One author is a university trained white Israeli Jewish Bible scholar who works with Hebrew manuscripts such as the Dead Sea Scrolls. The other is a seminary-trained African American pastor, ordained as an Elder in the United Methodist Church, with over twenty years experience in ministry. Their collaboration on uncovering the Hebrew origins of the Lord’s Prayer is unique. Prayer and Reconciliation Meeting - The authors presented their book at a “Prayer and Reconciliation” meeting hosted by Sanctuary Covenant Church of Minneapolis, MN. The event was attended by a wide variety of people of various ethnicities and denominations. At the meeting, the Lord’s Prayer was recited in 5 languages: English, Spanish, Swahili, French, and Hebrew. Search in Israel for the place the very spot where Jesus taught the multitudes to pray - The traditional site of the Sermon on the Mount (of which the Lord’s Prayer is a part) shown to most tourists does not fit the biblical accounts. The authors traveled around Israel in search of the true location. They discovered that the evidence in the New Testament and the oldest Christian traditions pointed to the Horns of Hattin, an archaeological site better-known as the mountain where Salladin routed the Crusader army on July 4, 1187. [pages 75-81] Our Father sign - Referring to God as “Father” is often thought of as a Christian thing to do, even by many Jews. During their travels in Israel, the authors came across a billboard with large red Hebrew letters proclaiming God to be “Our heavenly Father”. A quick investigation located the author of the billboard, an eccentric old rabbi who wore a Jewish prayer shawl draped across his shoulders like a superman cape. The rabbi and the authors fellowshipped on the shore of the Sea of Galilee discussing God’s role as our heavenly Father. [pages 92-95] [hide] [1] http://www.aprayertoourfather.com/ [2] http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Prayer-to-Our-Father/64724168340 [3] http://www.wfae.org/wfae/18_93_0.cfm?do=detail&id=10404 [4] http://www.sanctuarycov.org/ee-assets/my-uploads/sermons/2009_07_12_Get_A_Bigger_Box.mp3

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Finding God in the Shack

Finding God in the Shack

by Randal Rauser As some of you know, I (Mike Morrell) am a back-cover endorser on the runaway-bestseller The Shack. I said "Finally! A guy-meets-God Novel that has literary integrity and spiritual daring. The Shack cuts through the clichés of both religion and bad writing to reveal something compelling and beautiful about life's integral dance with the Divine. This story reads like a prayer--like the best kind of prayer, filled with sweat and wonder and transparency and surprise. When I read it, I felt like I was fellowshipping with God. If you read one work of fiction this year, let this be it." I stand whole-heartedly behind my endorsement. And yet even I have been surprised by the wide range of impassioned responses the book has received, ranging from people receiving it as a literally-true story straight from the mouth of God on the one hand, or a witch's brew of New Age heresy on the other. The Internet is filled with armchair speculation on the literary and spiritual merits of The Shack - much of it rather un-inspiring. So imagine my delight when I found out that Authentic Media was publishing Finding God in The Shack, an interrogative-yet-playful tome by theologian and author Randal Rauser. Rauser takes readers on a fascinating journey through the pages of the story that has ignited the church's interest in theodicy ("the problem of evil") and the Trinity, a doctrine that has long been locked away in seminary classrooms. "As a theologian, it is wonderful-if a bit humbling-to witness the Trinity now emerging as a topic of lively conversations at the local coffee shop, and all because of a novel," Rauser says. "But while those conversations have not typically lacked for enthusiasm and conviction, many of them would benefit from some deeper background as to the theological issues at stake." As Rauser explores the intricacies of the plot, he addresses many of the book's complex and controversial issues. In the process, he takes a stab at why God the Father is revealed as an African-American woman, defends the book's theology of the Trinity against charges of heresy, and considers its provocative denial of a Trinitarian hierarchy (with a nod toward the eastern Cappadocian Mothers & Fathers). At its heart The Shack is a response to evil, and Rauser offers an honest and illuminating discussion of the book's explanation for why God allows evil, how the atoning work of Christ offers new hope to a suffering world, and ultimately how this hope extends to all of creation. So: If you've been inspired, challenged, or even threatened by Young's novel, Finding God in The Shack is like inviting an intelligent, even-handed conversation partner in your home. "It is true that The Shack asks some hard questions and occasionally takes positions with which we might well disagree. But surely the answer is not found in shielding people from the conversation, but rather in leading them through it," Rauser states. "After all, it is through wrestling with new ideas that one learns to deal with the nuance and complexity that characterize an intellectually mature faith. The Shack will not answer all our questions, nor does it aspire to. But we can be thankful that it has started a great conversation." [hide] TITLE NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW :: Special Viral Blogger Section :: Link-love for your review: Your Amazon-affiliate link of course. ;) A generous helping of the book is available to your readers as a free download here: http://www.ibsdirect.com/download/typefaces/A70326.pdf [1] Interview Availability: Dr. Rauser is a professor at Taylor Seminary in Edmonton, Alberta (y'know, in Canada). He is available for a limited number of blog and podcast interviews. You'll get his email address if you select Finding God in the Shack for your monthly review. Your Commitment: Remember, your commitment is to write a blog post (minimum 50 words) about Finding God in the Shack within 30 days of getting it. Please copy & paste your post right here, below! Thank you! [/hide] [1] http://www.ibsdirect.com/download/typefaces/A70326.pdf

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