The International Christian Retail Show

I just returned from the ICRS, the big event that the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) puts on. This year it was in Atlanta. Most all major (and many minor) publishers were present, promoting their books, as well as ALOT of Christian gift manufacturers. I was able to hear Ravi Zacharias speak (I just finished his book and will have a review of that next week), as well as Tony Dungy (although I forgot to proudly wear my Chicago Bears hat) and Patricia Shirer (Tony Evans' daughter) who was excellent.
Much of the fun for me was getting free books, meeting the authors and talking with people from the different publishing houses. I was able to meet Len Sweet (The Gospel According to Starbucks), Chip Ingrim (Good to Great in God's Eyes), Randy Alcorn (Money, Possessions, and Eternity), and many others. Here are some photos from the show:

I can't wait to become a better me! Hopefully, the better me comes with a smile as good as Joel's.

Chip Ingram signing his upcoming book, Good to Great in God's Eyes

The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything - promoting their upcoming movie
Doug Pagitt & Tony Jones signing the book they newly edited - An Emergent Manifesto of Hope


Matthew Paul Turner just before he tells me he hates me.

Manty the Praying Mantis - the mascot for My First Message

and my personal favorite, Jars of Clay signing posters for their upcoming book and Christmas CD

Author Profile: Efrem Smith

Efrem Smith is a pastor in south Minneapolis who I have lately really come to respect and I regularly listen to the podcast of his church, Sanctuary Covenant. He and the leaders of Sanctuary have been speaking most recently on covenant. Pastor Smith got so into his sermon one week - Covenant and Money - that he broke out into a two part sub-series on money. I love it when churches talk about money when they are not doing a building campaign or such.
Pastor Smith has spoken at many conferences and has written two books. I first came across him when my wife and I were looking at a magazine which promoted a conference he was going to be speaking at. She thought he had a cool name & I looked him up and saw that he was right here in Minneapolis. I listen every week to the church's podcast and highly recommend him, but in speaking and writing. His two books are Raising Up Young Heroes, and The Hip-Hop Church. To get a quick glimpse of Pastor Smith and his teaching, check out this video of him on UrbanMinistry.org

Author Profile: Anne Graham Lotz

Anne Graham Lotz, founder of AnGeL Ministries, has passionately proclaimed God’s Word to people around the world for over thirty years. Her gripping narratives and heart-touching teaching have inspired listeners in arenas and prison cells, stadiums and Bible studies, sanctuaries and seminaries, the United Nations and Amsterdam 2000. The daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Billy Graham, Anne launched Just Give Me Jesus in the year 2000. Anne is an award-winning and best-selling author. Her nine books include her signature book Just Give Me Jesus and her most recent release I Saw The LORD. Anne and her husband, Dr. Dan Lotz, reside in North Carolina.

This past Friday, I saw Ms. Lotz on CNN on the Glenn Beck program (first time ever viewing the show) with a catholic theologian, and another author who has published scores of books, but because of his statements, I will not mention his name.
The topic was faith and forgiveness. I have not had too much exposure to Ms. Lotz, but she impressed me a great deal on this program. the catholic theologian was very dull and barely seemed awake, and the other author had some descent things to say, but he never referred to sin - he used the word "mistakes". I have to tell you, that really turned me off to him and made me a bit angry as well. Do not be afraid to call sin, sin!
Ms. Lotz was not afraid of using the word sin, or sinner or Jesus. She shared the gospel nearly every time she spoke (and not in a robotic, only using John 3.16 way). She called out the other two guests when they misspoke or didn't quite speak the entire story. Whoever was watching this program heard the gospel presented clearly & concisely.
Her books are very Jesus-focused & Dale Lewis has written a very good review of I Saw the Lord on this site earlier. She has also written My Heart's Cry and Heaven: My Father's House.