Zondervan Blog

Get up and DANCE everybody! Hear the song!

SoulSalsa: 17 Surprising Steps for Godly Living in the 21st Century by Leonard Sweet shows the ins and outs of living an old-fashioned faith in postmodern times. In his engaging, symphonic, thought-bytes style, Sweet invites readers to . . . Mezuzah your inverse * Do dirt and do the dishes * Cycle to church Give history a shove * Cheer rivals from the bench * Dance the salsa.

Publishers Weekly says "Sweet has a knack for making concepts like 'postmodern' -- a word that has spooked many an evangelical -- sound like wonderful opportunities for New Paradigm Christianity. He uses trendy, computer-based language to convey some spiritual points (prayer is our 'uplink' to God; the entire book is a 'lifeware design package'), but his enthusiasm is so contagious that even Luddite readers may have to give technology another chance."

The audio version of SoulSalsa is a multi-layered sonic experience featuring Leonard Sweet's vision of the gospel that's radical, challenging, and true. It sparks practical ideas for putting this vision in motion. Listen to a sample.

Zondervan commissioned the creation of a song to accompany Leonard Sweet's book and audio production, SoulSalsa. Listen to this musical rendition (and share it with your friends). Here are the words:

You've heard that phrase, "Say Amen somebody." But if you really learn the SoulSalsa it's more than "Say Amen somebody" it's more like "Get up and dance everybody, get up and dance." The art of godly living is I came, I saw and I salsa'd. I came, I saw, I salsa'd. Get up and dance everybody, get up and dance.

Shall we dance?

To dance the SoulSalsa there are 17 steps you need to learn. These are the basic dance steps to the salsa of the symphony that God has given us. Shall we dance?

Yet the haunting words of Jesus judge our prejudices against singing and swaying to the rhythms of the universe, "I piped for you, and you did not dance." Jesus came to help us to dance to God's symphony. In the energy and movement and teachings of Jesus, I have found the music to dance my way through life and to make all of my life a dance. Or in the street smart words of a 1990s hit song, "No parking baby, no parking on the dance floor." God's people deserve to dance. And God deserves a dancing people. I don't want my life to work. I want my life to sing.

The SoulSalsa.

Salsa is spirituality in motion, its theology in motion. You can't do the salsa unless the salsa leaks out in each one of your senses: sound, sight, smell, taste, touch. Salsa breaks down all the boundaries and brings everyone together and all the senses together into one experience of sound.

Worship is a way of life, its not a wayside on Sunday. The art of making a moment into something holy is the art of magnetizing moments with the Spirit of God. I came, I saw, I salsa'd. Get up and dance everybody, get up and dance.

The SoulSalsa

For Jesus sitting out the dance is not an option. Jesus makes the dancer and the dance one. Life is a perpetual dance. Get up and dance.

Credits: SoulSalsa by Leonard Sweet. Produced by Christopher Harris. Copyright 2000 by Christopher Harris.

Editorial Vida at Expolit

Expolit, the international convention to equip publishers, music labels, ministries, and distributors to bring their product and services to the Latin community, recently concluded in Miami. Zondervan's Spanish division, Editorial Vida, was there. Here's a wrap-up in translated English:

"With record attendance and full crowded as few times seen, Dante Gebel, as he did last year, was not only the host of the night but also the speaker. Corridors overflowing, completely filled seats and an expectation not present until then. This was the end of Expolit, with music, prizes, surprises and the worldwide premiere of the movie Pasión de Multitudes.

Marie Tamayo, as part of Expolit, made the welcome to the end of a week full of events and the most important literature exhibition in the Hispanic world. First, it was the turn of Cristian Gastou, a sensational songwriter and producer who won the Paoli Prize as the sensational new songwriter of the year 2007. Gastou sang the song Volverás, which is part of his latest production, and thus, the great celebration of Noche de Vida began.

Daniel Calveti, Alex Campos, Funky, Amanecer (the revelation group of Expolit 2008), the group Qué? and Lucas Leys were all in the stage.

Gebel had an interview with Lucas Leys, who promoted the next youth conferences which will be held in Guatemala, Argentina and the United States. Vida-Zondervan gave purchasing orders. Then, Dante could enjoy of an amusing conversation via satellite with Ricardo Montaner, who promoted his new Christian brandmark, La cima del cielo. They talked during almost ten minutes about the new brandmark, Fundación Ventana de los Cielos, and they also made jokes about the distant possibility that Gebel cut a record in Ricardo's team.

As soon as the satellite transmission finished, Dante presented Ricardo´s first brandmark group called Qué?, of which two of his sons are part: Ricky (guitar) and Mauricio (drums). But before they could start to play, Montaner himself appeared personally in the stage. In the midst of the speaker's and the public's surprise, Ricardo asked: “Are you going to present me, aren't you?" Ovation could not wait. The singer not only thanked the public for its support but also thanked Esteban Fernández and Editorial Vida for the opportunity of being there with his brandmark. Gebel asked Montaner to sing Tan enamorados (the song that made Ricardo popular more than a decade ago), and they finally improvised together some verses of the well-known song. “See, how you know it?” told Ricardo laughing to the public who was humming the song. While joking the night went on, but there was something more: some minutes later Dante talked about healing our self-esteem. “Do not disconnect from your teenagers, talk with them.”

In the end of the party, the so expected movie, produced by Vida-Zondervan, Pasión de Multitudes was premiered. Some people affirmed: “The end really surprised me. I didn´t think it would have such a touching end.” The movie will be freely distributed to all the media and public in general who will receive it from our distributors in the different countries.

Finally, the Noche de Vida, showed the excellence of an evening to remember.

J. P. Moreland and Lee Strobel Share the Stage

On Tuesday, May 27th, J. P. Moreland, author of Kingdom Triangle: Recover the Christian Mind, Renovate the Soul, Restore the Spirit's Power, and Lee Strobel, author of The Case for the Real Jesus: A Journalist Investigates Current Attacks on the Identity of Christ, will share the stage at Biola University, La Mirada, CA, for the launch of Lee's DVD The Case for Christ, for which J. P. was interviewed in the course of the documentary's production. Attendance is free and a free DVD will be given to each family there. Read about it here. Click to register for this free event at Biola.

Greetings from Lori Copeland!

Dear Reader,

What fun it is to have a minute to chat with you. I was born, grew up, married and raised my children the in the beautiful Missouri Ozarks. I began my writing career in the general market and prayed my way to the Christian market in 1998. It’s hard for me to believe that I’m now approaching my one hundredth published book. I write both contemporary and historical novels and I love the change of pace with each new project.

One of my favorite stories is about to release, Now and Always. Last year we made our first trip to Yellowstone Park. On the way we made sure we visited the Devil’s Tower National monument. The ‘tower’ is the site where many movies have been filmed most notably Close Encounters of the Third Kind. You remember Richard Dreyfess trying to erect a mind’s image from mashed potatoes?  Devils Tower is that place. We rounded the corner that morning in our RV and there (despite of fires ravaging the area) the rock rose like the Phoenix out of the ground. The sight was so remarkable my breath caught in my throat and I knew somewhere in my imagination a book would rise from that moment. Now and Always is that book.

An author looks at her work very much like she views her children; each one is unique and loved, but Now and Always is one of my personal favorites. The story is set in a fictional town near Devil’s Tower. It’s a tale of hope. The plot glimpses abused relationships and desperate needs to seek shelter from abusive mates. Even Politicians have this need, and Candlelight Shelter provides a haven.

I am blessed. I married very young and my husband and I have grown up together. He’s been a solid ‘rock’ in my life, but I know that isn’t always the case in marriage. Choices are made—good and bad, and we live with the consequences. If we make a mistake does that make us incapable of wise choice or merely imperfect creatures? I believe that it’s the latter and that’s why I chose to write, Now and Always. Katie is smart, intelligent, but she’s human. In the midst of turmoil she makes mistakes. I want the story to speak to the heart and say that there always hope, always a way out and there’ll always be tough decisions to face. It is my prayer that in this book every woman—or abused man will find a renewed sense of self. I understand the fear factor, physically and emotionally. These are valid fears, yet each human being will be empowered to find a way—anyway to escape an explosive environment if they choose to seek help. There are those ready and able to assist. Find that person, that shelter, that refuge and in doing so you will find yourself.

Prayers go out to your situation; God is a God of hope, trite as that may sound to a victim.

In His Love,
Lori Copeland

Q & A with Rob Stennett Author of The Almost True Story of Ryan Fisher

Rob Stennett is author of The Almost True Story of Ryan Fisher.  Zondervan recently had the chance to ask Rob a few fun questions.

What were the things you loved to do as a child?

I loved to play in the backyard with Star Wars action figures. I’d spend hours inventing new adventures for Han, Chewy, and Luke. I probably have $100,000 worth of vintage action figures buried deep in the sandbox of mom and dad’s place.

What is the number one thing you love to do for fun now?

Play at the park with Julianna (my 18 month old). She points out all the airplanes (which are sometimes cats, dogs, and/or swing sets--but she wants to call them airplanes and whom am I to argue?) and she calls the other kids at the park “tins” because she can’t make the k or the d sound yet.

What are five things that you would rather not have to go through your day/week without?

1)   Coffee
2)   Sportscenter
3)   The Ozone Layer
4)   Hugs
5)   My Car

What is your favorite entertainment?

Lost. It’s the best show on television. There’s so much going on there. And the show’s filled with literary, philosophical, and religious references. When I’m not watching it I’m on the web reading theories of what’s happening on the island. Okay, I’m a little embarrassed for admitting all of this now.
      
What is your craziest vacation/Holiday story (that you are willing to share?)

I got lost at Disneyland when I was 8. I went to see Captain Eo (the 3D Michael Jackson 80’s movie) without mom or dad. When I got out I couldn’t find them, so I thought I’d try to walk back to the hotel (a couple of blocks from Disneyland) and wait for them there. But I couldn’t find the hotel so I spent nearly 14 hours wandering the streets of Anaheim. And to this day I don’t know what was frightening, wandering the streets of LA alone as a child or seeing Michael Jackson in 3D. 

What is on your bookshelf?

Newer Books: The We Came To The End by Joshua Ferris, The Year Of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs, My Name Is Russell Fink by Michael Snyder

Contemporary Books: Catch 22, Joseph Heller, Slaughter House Five, Kurt Vonnegut, The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien 

Classics: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain Great Expectations, Charles Dickens, Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austin 

If you had a “to do” list of thing you want to do in your lifetime, what are the top three things on your list?

1)   Make a “to do” list
2)   TBD
3)   TBD

Seriously though: I’d want to write a collection of novels that I’m proud of. I’d want to be a loving husband/father. I’d want to make a live action Smurfs movie.

Rob Stennett is an award-winning screenwriter, produced playwright, and film and theater director. Currently he's the creative director of New Life Church and lives in Colorado Springs with his wife, Sarah, and their daughter, Julianna.  Learn more about his first novel at this link: The Almost True Story of Ryan Fisher.

Read an essay from Rob introducing himself on this blog at this link.  Join the The Almost True Story of Ryan Fisher discussion group with Rob on Facebook at this link.  Below is a trailer for the book:

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince CaspianOpens Today!

It | Craig Groeschel | Pastor of LifeChurch.tv

When Craig Groeschel founded LifeChurch.tv, the congregation met in a borrowed two-car garage, with ratty furnishings and faulty audiovisual equipment. But people were drawn there, sensing a powerful, life-changing force Groeschel calls “It.”

What is It, and how can you and your ministry get—and keep—It? Combining in-your-face honesty with off-the-wall humor, this book tells how any believer can obtain It, get It back, and guard It.

One of today’s most innovative church leaders, Groeschel provides profile interviews with Mark Driscoll, Perry Noble, Tim Stevens, Mark Batterson, Jud Wilhite, and Dino Rizzo.

This lively book will challenge churches and their leaders to maintain the spiritual balance that results in experiencing It in their lives.  Click here to read a sample chapter:   

Below is a video of Craig Groeschel speaking about It: How Churches and Leaders Can Get It and Keep It. 

Also, below is a video tour of LifeChurch.tv's Second Life Campus:

Un.orthodox | Tommy Kyllonen2008 Outreach Awards Finalist

Un.orthodox: church. hip-hop. culture. by Tommy Kyllonen is a Finalist in the 2008 Outreach Awards.  Un.orthodox is written by a man who is both a hip-hop artist and lead pastor of the first church ever to target hip-hop culture.  Un.orthodox shares unique, inside perspectives on how to reach today’s urban culture with the message of Jesus. Fascinating, troubling, inspiring, and moving, this is a powerful resource for engaging today’s unchurched, thirty-five-and-under generation. Click here to read a sample chapter: 

Tommy Kyllonen (aka Urban D.) founded the youth ministry at Crossover Community Church in 1996 with just four teens. Over the next six years he and his wife developed a first of its kind Hip-Hop Youth Ministry which grew to 200. The adult ministry on Sunday remained much smaller as the different pastors were always bivocational. In January of 2002 Tommy became the lead pastor at Crossover and a new vision was birthed to specifically reach the hip-hop culture. The church became Purpose Driven in their structure and began to truly engage the culture in their community. Without compromise they carefully incorporated many elements into their worship context and campus with music, dance, visual arts, media, and relevant messages. The ministry has seen incredible growth as their weekend attendance has jumped from 40 to over 400 in less than four years. Their youth services reach hundreds more. 

Below is a video overview of Un.orthodox by Tommy Kyllonen:

Daring Chloe | Laura Jensen Walker | Book Club

Last night author Laura Jensen Walker gave her book club autographed copies of her upcoming release, Daring Chloe: A Getaway Girls Novel, which she dedicated to her book club!  Nine women gathered for their regular book club meeting and to hear Laura speak about her new book. Here is a synposis of the book:

When Chloe Adams’ fiancé dumps her—the night before their wedding—two girlfriends from her book group decide a little adventure is in order for the three of them. After all, why let a perfectly good honeymoon cruise go to waste?

Adventure? Chloe Adams? No way! Chloe’s lived in one town her whole life. The closest she’s ever gotten to actual adventures is reading about them. But her girlfriends won’t take no for an answer.

One good adventure calls for another as Chloe’s friends try to coax her out of her post-dumping funk, and soon she finds herself living out the adventures in her book club’s latest selections. Hiking. Sailing. River rafting. Traveling to new places and eating exotic food. The play-it-safe Chloe begins to blossom into a new, daring Chloe. A Chloe who just might be ready to take on her biggest adventure of all …

Laura Jensen Walker has a knack for quirky heroines and real-life humor. In Chloe, she’s created another memorable character who will live on in readers’ hearts.  Click here to read a sample chapter: 

Below is a photo of Monday night's Book Ends book club:

Laura Jensen Walker (pictured above in the middle) is an award-winning writer and popular national speaker. Her previous novels include Miss Invisible, Dreaming in Black & White, and Reconstructing Natalie, chosen as the first-ever Novel of the Year for Women of Faith® conferences. A former reporter with a degree in journalism, she is also the author of several non-fiction humor books. Laura lives in Northern California with her Renaissance-man husband, Michael, and their piano-playing dog Gracie. Visit her website at www.laurajensenwalker.com.

The Expeditionary Man Bike Tour | Rich Wagner | www.WhyTheBike.com

Rich Wagner, author of The Expeditionary Man: The Adventure a Man Wants, the Leader His Family Needs, is embarking on a cross-country bike tour with his family on June 28th. The Expeditionary Man focuses on how a man discovers his true adventure and purpose, not out in the world, but by becoming the hands-on leader of his family. As a result, a transcontinental, family-oriented bike tour seemed like the right combination for Rich. It symbolizes a true adventure, a unified family, and a common biblical purpose.

Rich and his family invite you to join them for the duration of the tour on www.WhyTheBike.com. Each day, they will be updating their tour blog with videos, pictures, and interesting stories of adventure from the road. And, if you are in any of the route cities they are passing through, they'd love to stop and talk with you.

As a Christian man, how do you prioritize between what you are driven to do at work and church with what you are responsible for at home? In The Expeditionary Man: The Adventure a Man Wants, the Leader His Family Needs Rich Wagner debunks the myth of a “balanced life” and shares a biblical model of putting everything but family on the back burner.