Set Apart Blog Tour

Because Living IN this World Doesn't Mean Living LIKE the World

I'm excited about this bible study. I heard Jennifer speak at my church about 11 or 12 years ago, and she made a big impression on me with her unique perspective on prayer. So much wisdom in this woman. She has a lot of good things to teach us about prayer, and after a cursory look at this study, I'm positive that she has much more to say about the Christian life. I've already decided to recommend this study to a women's group that I'm in--they need a new book to go through and I think this one might be the ticket. It is theologically sound, informative, unique, and not too lengthy. Perfect for a small group to tackle.

I'm happy for the opportunity to promote it.

About the Author:

Jennifer Kennedy Dean is Executive director of The Praying Life Foundation and a respected author and speaker. She is the author of numerous books, studies, and magazine articles specializing in prayer and spiritual formation. Her book Heart’s Cry has been named National Day of Prayer’s signature book. You’ll find articles and daily quotes from Jennifer at the National Day of Prayer website. Her book, Live a Praying Life, has been called a flagship work on prayer.

Jennifer was widowed in 2005 after 26 years of marriage to Wayne Dean, her partner both in life and ministry. They are the parents of three grown sons. Jennifer makes her home in Marion, KY.

About the Book:

(Marion, Kentucky) - In a world of self-love and materialism it's reassuring to know that God's Word has a better plan for living. Renowned author and speaker, Jennifer Kennedy Dean, provides insight to the life of Christ, specifically the Sermon on the Mount, in her new book, Set Apart: A 6 Week Study of the Beatitudes.

Through careful study of the Hebrew traditions of biblical times, Dean leads participants into a deeper awareness of this early ministry sermon series by Christ.

Jennifer guides readers to a heightened understanding of each beatitude, correlating the Ten Commandments with the Sermon on the Mount to tie these Old and New Testament principles together. Dean shares how living the Set Apart Life is an exciting and life-changing spiritual journey. Participants surrendered to Christ will see a total transformation: outward actions of holiness as well as inward attitudes of joy. Believers following along in this workbook will experience the life God intends. This blessedness comes from seeking and knowing God. Anything outside the realm of Jesus Christ results in emptiness--the ultimate opposite of blessing.

Each chapter includes interactive questions for readers to answer, emphasizing God's desire to reproduce the character and attitudes of Jesus in each Christian's life. Along with the Bible study book, there is a Leader Kit that includes six DVD sessions and a CD with bonus material for small-group leaders. Jennifer's website, www.prayinglife.org, provides opportunities for previewing the Set Apart materials and extra resources for pastors and leaders.


Click here for an introductory video to the study.


An Interview with Jennifer Kennedy Dean

You are known for your extensive research and your fresh insights. Do you have a method for gleaning new concepts?

Of course, the truths are not new, but I think I sometimes am able to frame old truths in new ways. I always find that when I put the words of Jesus into their original Hebraic setting and experience the scene through the viewpoint of His real-time audience, some new little fragment of truth finds its way into my thinking. I like to let the Scripture breathe. To let it sit in my heart until its full aroma has time to emerge. There's the hard-core research, and then there's the marinating. Turn your imagination loose and unfurl your curiosity, and listen to the living Word.

You have a series of Bible studies in the format of Set Apart, designed to be interactive. This series of studies has video series and leader's kits available. What is the advantage to this kind of format?

I try to produce a new Bible study with video series every year. I like the interactive format because I like to pull the reader into the Scripture to experience the Word. I like to challenge the reader to interact with the thoughts and ideas and to take the time to absorb them and apply them, rather than just to read. The other thing I like about this format is that it can be done by an individual, or as a group. In the video series, I like to be able to teach the main points of the material and set the learners' up for a productive week of personal study. I love feeling like I get to be part of your Bible study group! The kits have lots of other resources for leading a small group in the study.

Several of your studies have theme songs that go with them, as Set Apart does. How do these songs come about?

I have developed a song-writing relationship with a talented musician named Roxanne Lingle. I write poems, we turn them into lyrics, Roxanne composes and arranges the music, and Roxanne records the songs. For Set Apart, we have the theme song in the form of a music video, which is a new addition. In the leader's kit you have the audio track, accompaniment track, lead sheet, and the music video. The theme song becomes an important and worshipful part of the study experience.

The Music Video


Adapted from Set Apart by Jennifer Kennedy Dean

"I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor 12:9-10).

My weakness is my greatest asset in the Kingdom. My weakness is where God meets me. My weakness is where Christ's power is most clearly displayed in me. Only when I am confronted with my own helplessness can I experience the power of Christ in me.

"Your helplessness is your best prayer. It calls from your heart to the heart of God with greater effect than all your uttered pleas. He hears it from the very moment that you are seized with helplessness, and He becomes actively engaged at once in hearing and answering the prayer of your helplessness." (O. Hallesby, Prayer)

I recently had the tiniest glimpse of how powerfully helplessness speaks. A few years ago, I lost my husband to brain cancer. During the final months of his illness, he became utterly helpless. The man I had leaned on for 26 years, whose strength I counted on, was now dependent upon me for his every need. During those weeks, my ear was tuned to his every sigh, his every restless movement, every change in his breathing pattern. If I had to be out of his room for even a few minutes, I had a monitor with me so I could hear him if he needed me. When he was strong, I was not so attentive. His needs did not fill my waking moments, when he could meet them himself. His helplessness spoke louder than any word he might have spoken. Because of his helplessness--because I knew he could do nothing on his own--I was on watch day and night.

My experience is but a pale shadow of the reality of the Kingdom, but still it helps me understand how my weakness is the opening for His strength. The fact of my helplessness is the only prayer I need. It speaks louder than eloquence.

Let your helplessness and your weakness be the offering you bring to Him. He is not waiting for you to be strong. He is waiting for you to recognize that you are weak.


GRAND PRIZE DRAWING

Please leave a comment to be entered in a drawing to win the following items from Jennifer. If you are a leader (small groups, book club, Bible Study, Women's Ministry), please note that you are--you will automatically be entered in the contest. If you are a member of one of these groups at your church or community, mention that you are a group member.

You will be entered to win:

A Set Apart Leader's Kit (video and leader resources and a student book) retail $79.99

A copy of Fueled by Faith (retail $19.99)

Jennifer will have a live web event just for your group.


THIS BLOG TOUR COORDINATED BY KATHY CARLTON WILLIS COMMUNICATIONS. A COMPLIMENTARY COPY OF THE BOOK, SET APART, WAS GIFTED TO ME IN EXCHANGE FOR RUNNING THIS TOUR ON MY BLOG.

Something I Don't Normally Do...

My focus here is usually the reading, writing, reviewing, and promoting of Christian (or if you wish, biblical worldview) fiction. However, now and then I'll read a book from the general market. Some contemporary novelists I enjoy include John Grisham, Dean Koontz, Sue Grafton and James Patterson.

My latest foray into this realm came last week with my discovery of Koontz' Relentless. Some reviewers say Koontz is stuck in a rut--that all of his characters sound the same and his plots are overused. I don't agree. While Relentless wasn't his best, in my opinion, it certainly ranked somewhere near the Odd Thomas novels, which are my favorite of his.

Some things I like about Koontz:

1. His villains are always completely evil. (Perhaps there is an exception I can't remember. Feel free to comment and enlighten me.)
2. His heroes are normal people who somehow cross a bad guys' path, and as a consequence must fight for their lives. In other words, they are not public figures, especially talented, or have anything too remarkable about them.
3. The characters are quirky. He uses characters who are autistic, geniuses, have a specific medical problem, see dead people, have a dog or a kid with a special gift, etc.
4. There is always laughter. The dialogue is dry and witty. Always.
5. There is love. He portrays strong family relationships and shows family fighting for each other at all costs.

He also frequently uses dogs that are extraordinary, and though interesting, isn't really one of my favorite things about his novels.

So, for the something I don't normally do. I will recommend Relentless. It's a little graphic in spots, but I think the positives far outweigh the negatives. It's engaging, funny, and inspiring. And the good guy wins. :)

CSFF Tour this week: Haunt of Jackals, by Eric Wilson

My review:


This novel, second in the Jerusalem’s Undead series, continues the story of Gina Lazarescu, a special lady who is more than what she seems. She must hide from the Collectors—immortal spirits who inhabit the bodies of the dead in order to wreak havoc on humanity—partially by finding and killing the Nistarim, the Concealed Ones, who carry the world’s cares on their shoulders and aid Those Who Resist.

Cal Nichols, one of the original Nistarim and Gina’s father, works to keep not only Gina safe, but also Dov Amit, a young boy on the side of good. One of the orphans in Gina’s care, Pavel, shows signs of being a Concealed One. They must both escape to America in order to stay under the Collectors’ radar. Throughout the book, Gina and Cal fight Collectors and banish the blood-drinkers forever to torment.

Wilson is in his element in his treatment of themes, fleshing out ideas such as: God uses ordinary people, love covers a multitude of sins, evil may be unseen and yet deadly, things happen for a reason, and there is strength in numbers (two are better than one). True to form, Wilson brings many historical elements into play, such as the Dracula legend, Nazi programs, and Russian czars.

From Italy to Romania to Israel to Germany to China to the Pacific Northwest, the scope of this tale just keeps growing. The Collectors are everywhere, but so are Those Who Resist, and the Nazarene blood will prevail.

Usually, the first book in a series is the best--sometimes the second story in a trilogy loses something and wanders a bit without satisfying resolution. Not so with Haunt of Jackals. Everything is in full swing here and the action doesn’t let up. We are let in on more secrets, such as finding out who the mysterious journaler is and more about Cal’s past. All told I found Haunt to be even better than Field of Blood, and I didn’t know how that would be possible. I eagerly anticipate the release of Valley of Bones next year.

Learn more about Eric's writing here:
Eric's Website
Jerusalem's Undead trilogy site

Buy the book here:
Book Link

And finally, here are our other tour participants' links:

Brandon Barr
Wayne Thomas Batson
Jennifer Bogart
Justin Boyer
Keanan Brand
Amy Browning
Karri Compton
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Beth Goddard
Todd Michael Greene
Timothy Hicks
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Julie
Carol Keen
Dawn King
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika
Nissa
John W. Otte
James Somers
Speculative Faith
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
Jill Williamson
KM Wilsher

May I recommend...

This is my second Bug Man novel, and I'm wishing I had caught all of Downs' books in order. I've read some dry humor in my day, but Nick's dialogue had me frequently bursting into laughter. The other night I actually got in trouble because I was up late reading and my husband was asleep next to me--"was" being the operative word. I literally had to stop reading because I couldn't silence my chuckles. I blame Nick.

Lest anyone think it's only a funny book, fret not. It's got a great plot, great characters, and a few serious as well as dangerous parts. Definitely suspenseful and definitely a must-read.

SPECIAL interview with my friend and soon-to-be-world-famous author (prophetic, yes?) Kaci Hill

*insert wild applause here*

So, everyone who knows me should know I'm an avid Dekker fan. Kaci and I "met" online through Ted's message boards. I met her in real life at the 2nd annual Gathering and saw her again at the 3rd. I've gotten to know her better now that I'm a moderator, too, and I'll tell you I like her more and more all the time. She really has her head screwed on straight and is so very talented. (Yes, I like certain adverbs.)

Anyway, I asked her a bunch of weird questions--well, maybe not weird, but certainly invasive and time-consuming--which she was kind enough to answer. Here's the transcript for your enjoyment.

First, a few words about Kaci for those ignorant enough not to know already (kidding):

Writing has been a way of life for Kaci Hill since she was a child. She wrote long-hand until high school and felt lazy when she received her first laptop. During and after college, she found a unique love in substitute teaching at both the junior high and high school levels. When she's not dealing with drama and English, tutoring, editing, or grading, she reads, blogs, or frequents The Circle, home of Ted Dekker's message forum. It was in The Circle that Ted read some of Kaci's work and asked her to co-write what would become her first published novels with him, Lunatic and Elyon. Kaci lives in Texas with her family and yes, she has seen the bats.

1. When did you start writing?
I’ve been telling stories since before I could actually write. I started putting pen to paper as a fifth grader (at the latest). My sophomore year I got a laptop and started going back and forth between writing by hand and using a computer. I didn’t start considering writing as a profession until somewhere in college, however. It’s just something that’s always been a part of me.

2. How many completed novels have you written?
I’m honestly not sure. Several.

3. What is your favorite genre to read? To write?
I read mostly suspense/mystery and supernatural fiction, only recently coming into the fantasy world. My writing…I like to think it tends to cross genres, mostly in the alternate reality and fantasy-esque worlds. But then, people tend to consider anything that doesn’t quite fit in a box “fantasy.”

4. List some of your favorite and most influential books (fiction and nonfiction).
Fiction: I cut my teeth on Peretti and Bill Meyers, Ted, of course, Robert Liparulo, Brandilyn Collins, Kay Arthur’s Israel, My Beloved, Karen Hancock, Donita K. Paul, Tim Downs, Stephen Lawhead, Tosca Lee, Clay Jacobsen’s Interview with the Devil. That’s…a lot of supernatural influence. Sad part is I know I’m forgetting someone. I will say my middle school years were saturated in the end times and supernatural stories (Blood of Heaven trilogy among them).

As for non-fiction: Josh McDowell (mostly his speaking), Dallas Willard (lately), John Piper, J.I. Packer (Knowing God), A.W. Tozer, Andrew Murray, Voice of the Martyrs’ various books, Henry Blackaby’s Experiencing God, the Understanding the Times authors, Kelly Minter, Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, Ergun Caner, David Nasser, and, again, I know I’m forgetting several people.

5. How does your faith make its way into your fiction?
How does it not, is the better question. In 2003 (I think) I decided to make a point to try to leave my faith out of it, and it turned into one of my most blatantly faith-inspired writings. Honestly, I see the supernatural as merely something outside our range of perception, but something no less tangible, just like some light and sound is outside our range on the spectrum. Moreover, faith is never in a vacuum, and I think that to speak as if the Scriptures are no more realistic than Greek mythology is to deny a key element of our faith. The history of Christianity seems to be getting lost, the heritage and inheritance, and I think that’s largely part of the frustration we see today. So my faith is in my fiction because, honestly, faith and religion are a part of life, and there’s no escaping either.

6. Describe the Books of History series and give a brief glimpse into Lunatic and Elyon.
It begins with Johnis, Silvie, Billos, and Darsal in Chosen, when the four are given a secret mission by two Roush to retrieve the four Lost Books of History. And from there things go a bit crazy. They eventually cross into the Histories and…that’s all I feel comfortable saying. Lunatic picks up where Chaos leaves off, with three of them returning into the world they left behind, only five years later. For readers, again, that makes Lunatic two and a half years after the events in White.

7. What do you hope readers take away from Lunatic and Elyon?
Lunatic and Elyon are largely about loving the enemy, and the idea of living as a missionary among people who may well kill you. There’s a lot going on, sacrifice, prejudice, the seductive nature of evil—but it all, in the end, boils down to who your heart belongs to. The love of Elyon, the love for Elyon.

8. How did you make acquaintance with Ted Dekker and eventually come to co-write with him?
I met Ted at a book signing, and also joined his website, where I eventually became a moderator. We traded writing-related emails, and the mod staff had several teleconferences. I also used to post excerpts, which he evidently read. Eventually he contacted me saying he was looking for a co-writer and asked me if I was interested, and would I send him some samples.

9. What are some things you wish you had known about authors and publishing before you started the process?
I think on some level I’ve listened just enough to people who’ve done this for decades that I can’t say anything surprised me. I think I can say, however, that this has been the most intense editing process I’ve ever engaged in. More or less, I don’t think I fully appreciated how many people go into the process before, and how much goes just into the preliminaries.

10. What is your favorite part of writing? Least favorite?
I’m not sure I have one. I will say, by drafts five and six I’m honestly reaching the point of mental exhaustion. There were a few days I couldn’t remember which version we were on.

11. Are you a planner or a seat-of-the-pantser or a mixture of both?
I’ve moved from total SOTP to a combination. To date, I rarely look at my notes once they’re written, but I do storyboard some now, though I tend to equate it to planning a road trip. And I will reorganize, revamp, and rewrite those notes multiple times, often without looking at previous notes—and finally learned that dating them is…helpful.

12. Which comes first? Plot or characters?
As far as when ideas come…either. As to which is more important, neither. Plots are nothing without characters; characters alone do not a story make.

13. How do you get into the heads of your characters?
I generally just sit down and start writing. I also tend to write many apocryphal scenes (meaning they aren’t part of the “canon” of the story). Occasionally I act out a scene, but only if I need the visual. I also tend to use the Google image search to get ideas for scene setting. It’s like meeting anybody else—the longer you’re with them, the more you know.

14. Do you do a lot of research?
I don’t do a ton, but it’s mostly on an ‘as needed’ basis. For Sins of the Son, for example, I spent a month and a half comparing religions and reading mythology. For Lunatic and Elyon, I mostly consulted the other Circle books.

15. Where do you get ideas for your stories?
More accurately, where don’t I get ideas? If I sit long enough something will come to mind, caliber notwithstanding. I’ve gotten ideas reading books, watching movies, driving down the road and noting a billboard, TV ads, real life stories, and…just people-watching.

16. What is your best advice to up and coming novelists?
Two things. One, be around people—the real ones. Other writers, people who hate to read, etc. And they aren’t assets; they’re friends. Two, keep writing. More accurately, keep learning.

17. What is your last completed work?
Bogswallow.

18. What are you working on now?
Cinderbeast (sequel to Bogswallow) and a potential, untitled project that’s only in the brainstorming stage.

19. What are your future plans as far as which project to put forth next?
TBD. I obviously want to publish on my own. At the moment it’s a matter of the right story in the right place at the right time.

20. You have a friendship as well as a working relationship with Ted. What is he really like?
I already felt I knew Ted fairly well, so I can’t really say he took me by surprise or anything. If you went to the Gathering, the Ted you saw is Ted. For those who didn’t, he’s passionate about everything, and he’s been a great friend, co-worker and mentor. He doesn’t get mad or impatient, and he’s been a constant. Honestly, working with Ted was great.

21. Tell us what it’s like to work closely with a professional editor.
Enlightening. Again, nothing too profound, other than with multiple editors you really do have to pick a direction sometimes. And, really, most of the time the editor is right.

22. Parting words?
Thanks for letting me play.