Monday, September 8, 2003

9:40 PM Coming tomorrow: Steve Boisse disputes my assertions about Parky’s Hot Dogs and issues a bold gastronomic challenge. 9:38 PM Kevin McCullough’s column, “He’s God and We’re Not,” has now been published in the Illinois Leader and the Federal Observer. 9:30 PM Had a great visit with Greg Thornton of Moody Publishers. I saw him because I drove to Moody to personally turn in my manuscript. (I always feel better when I can hand deliver it. Then I know it’s arrived safely, and I can go and celebrate. Even after writing 22 books, turning in a manuscript still feels wonderful.) We go back almost 12 years. Over lunch at Jamie’s Restaurant in Oak Park in 1991 or 92, he told me that one day I would be a published author. His early vote of confidence gave me hope and kept me going until Moody published my first book, Names of the Holy Spirit, in 1995. I wrote the manuscript for “The Prayers of Paul” at his request. Moody plans to publish it next spring. 9:28 PM Mark came in from MBI to eat supper and have his car battery checked at Goodyear. He and a bud are off to Tupelo to visit “Uncle Alan” Wed-Sun. Nick is coming over from Birmingham to join the fun. Watching the Sox beat the Twins tonight (so far, at least). 12:36 PM For the last few months I have been working on a book manuscript for Moody Publishers called “The Prayers of Paul.” I just finished it a few minutes ago. It’s being printed and I can hopefully turn it in later this afternoon. I feel like shouting Hallelujah. 8:11 AM Two new LifeCare programs begin tomorrow night. Divorce Care features a 13-week video series plus a support group led by Bob Weller. Kid’s Hope is an interactive small group seriesfor 3rd-5th grade children experiencing the separation or divorce of their parents led by Denise Weller and Rose Malinowski. Contact Lynette Hoy at (708)386-3900 or counselor@hoyweb.com for more information. 7:53 AM We had a number of visitors on Sunday, including someone from Northern Ireland. Also met (for the second time) Nita Christopher’s parents who are from India and now live in the United Arab Emirates in the Persian Gulf. Another former student from Word of Life Bible Institute was in attendance. Enjoyed meeting Virgil and Evelyn Reeve. Evelyn is the daughter of the late Charles Koller, longtime president of Northern Baptist Seminary and author of several highly-acclaimed books on preaching. I was struck again yesterday by the ethnic diversity of our congregation. People from many different nations worship with us every Sunday at Calvary. 7:51 A series of morning devotionals that I taped in late July are running this week on the “Mornings with Mark” show on WBMI, 90.1 FM. 7:47 AM Robert Schuler wrote the Living Sacrifices devotional for today, based on Hebrews 13:5, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; nor will I forsake you.'” Here’s an excerpt:

I recently received a postcard asking me if I am ready to move my income to the top one percent, or $341,000. The ad stated that I need at least this much if I want a secure future… . When someone tells you that you need $341,000 a year to be secure, you can say that you do not trust your bank balance for your future. You are content and confident that the Lord will supply your every need, both now and for all eternity.