There’s been a big gap in my postings: I haven’t been here since early March. This is what happens when a pastor’s life get filled with Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. But here we are again.
Since the March book signing at my church for Water for Your Soul, I’ve had three more signings: at The Blue Cup, Barnes & Noble, and the Luther College Book Shop. I just returned from Decorah and Luther College moments ago. What fun these events have been, renewing relationships with many old friends who appreciate my ministry and my writing. The real goal, however, is to get my book into the hands of many people to encourage their spiritual life in new ways. So the book signings are just the beginning.
A few days ago I noticed on Amazon.com that Martin Marty is scheduled to come out with a new book on baptism. My first thought? “Oh, darn. Here I a parish pastor write one little book on baptism and struggle to get it out there, and then prolific and ubiquitous Martin Marty comes along and writes a book on the same subject and he’ll have an instant audience.” After I got done grousing I thought, maybe this isn’t so bad after all. Baptismal spirituality needs fresh articulating by more people and who better than a big name like Marty to do it. Then I thought again, maybe people interested in his book will also notice mine, and the benefits will double. Later, trying to be humble, I thought, mine may even have the better title! Well, readers, you’ll have to be the judge of that.
If you haven’t purchased my book, always available from the publisher as well as from me, you might be interested to know that one of people who endorsed it warmed my heart when he told me it contained a combination of the best of Martin Luther, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Alvin Rogness (Luther Seminary professor and popular writer who died some years ago). I invite you to read Water for Your Soul yourself and decide if you agree with him.
Tags: Alvin Rogness, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther, Martin Marty
