I don't know if it's possible to start out a blog and not say something about what the author has been doing. So... here it is: I've been writing a book.
No, I'm not kidding. It's called 40 Ways to Get Closer to God.
Here's the cover. I'm happy with it. It's an important topic for me, and I was thrilled to be able to work on it with Keri Kent, a writer I respect. But let me warn you: if you read this book, you're not going to glow in the dark. It's not one of those, "I worked to be perfect... now YOU can be perfect like me" type of books. Those books always make me want to vomit. Besides, I'm not tall enough, and I don't have cool enough hair to get my picture on the cover. Instead, this is more of a "I'm a dork, but I did this stuff, so now I'm less of a dork than I used to be... in a way, I guess" sort of book.
I can tell you one bit of good news: I know if you and I sat down at Starbucks to talk about this topic, the things in the book are exactly what I'd say. The stories (about my dad's suicide, or my friend's death, or my kids going for a pajama ride) are all true, and they're the stories I'd tell. There's no pretense here.
There's also no magic potion. Moving down the road spiritually takes time. You don't pick up a guitar one day and start selling concert tickets the next. You don't take up a paint brush in the morning and expect to create a masterpiece in the afternoon. Anything good takes time -- and that includes your spiritual life.
So I don't know if this is the most important thing you can do if you want to improve your spiritual life. (If you need to see faster growth, try serving at a soup kitchen for Thanksgiving.) But it's one thing, and it's mine, so I thought I'd tell you about it. If you order a copy through Amazon or B&N.com, let me know, so I can tell everyone what a wonderful person you are.
Thanks for letting me brag about me today.
-Chip
Welcome back, Chip! Glad you're willing to share your dork wisdom with us, on pages and here. :-)
Posted by: Jodie | November 22, 2011 at 05:24 PM
Welcome back! And your book sounds amazing and I can't wait to read it.
Posted by: Les Edgerton | November 22, 2011 at 05:27 PM
Your book is in my Amazon cart, waiting for that next part of my advance...more incentive! Welcome back.
Posted by: Ramona | November 22, 2011 at 08:08 PM
Glad to have you back. I missed the blog.
Congratulations on the book too.
Posted by: Christina Suzann Nelson | November 22, 2011 at 08:09 PM
Oh, I'm SOOOO glad you're back, Chip!
Tamara
Posted by: Tamara Cooper | November 22, 2011 at 08:49 PM
Well I learned something today - I was startled to see the name Jerry on the front cover of that classy looking book. Glad you're back on the blog, and yay for the book!
Posted by: Lisa McKay | November 22, 2011 at 11:04 PM
Glad to see you back, Chip. Have a blessed Thanksgiving and best wishes on your new release!
Posted by: Carrie Fancett Pagels | November 23, 2011 at 05:40 AM
Congrats, my friend, I knew you were up to something. Looks great.
Posted by: Terry Burns | November 23, 2011 at 05:41 AM
Hello. We love you, too ... Jerry/Chip.
Sounds like a new product from Lays.
Good to know you're back!
Eva
Posted by: Eva Marie Everson | November 23, 2011 at 05:42 AM
Glad to see your 2nd Coming...welcome back!
Posted by: Phil Hopersberger | November 23, 2011 at 05:43 AM
Heee'sssssss baackkkkkk!
Hey Chip, so glad to have you back. We missed you!
But who's this Jerry fella? I don't think he's going to be very happy that you're out there trying to pass yourself off as the author of this book. (I KNOW, just kidding!)
Welcome home...
Posted by: Vonda Skelton | November 23, 2011 at 05:44 AM
I'm glad that you have resumed blogging and I am looking forward to what you have to share!
Posted by: Peter DeHaan | November 23, 2011 at 05:51 AM
Congrats on the book, Chip, and we don't mind you bragging about it at all -- we're just happy to have you back!
Posted by: Cheryl Barker | November 23, 2011 at 05:52 AM
I'm so glad you're blogging again. Yours is the first writing blog I ever subscribed to actually. So glad it's back.
Love this: "I'm a dork, but I did this stuff, so now I'm less of a dork than I used to be... in a way, I guess"
Heading to Amazon now...
Posted by: Melissa Tagg | November 23, 2011 at 06:09 AM
Now that you know, look up the other books about God that Chip wrote under his given name. Jerry. You won't be sorry
Posted by: Sharon A Lavy | November 23, 2011 at 06:12 AM
Start telling everyone how wonderful I am now.
But seriously, it's a convicting and powerful book (and I'm barely into it so far.) Glad I got to sit next to Keri in Chicago and tell her that. Good work!
Posted by: Cindy Thomson | November 23, 2011 at 06:17 AM
So glad you're back. Happier to see why you've been absent. I will order this book.
I sure hope you hold another Worst Poetry contest. I've been perfecting my poetic awfulness.
Posted by: Tricia | November 23, 2011 at 07:02 AM
Welcome back.
I actually just reviewed your book on my group blog Monday. If you'd like to check it out, here's the link.
http://faithchats.blogspot.com/2011/11/create-thankful-heart-40-ways-to-get.htmle
Posted by: Melissa K. Norris | November 23, 2011 at 07:26 AM
Hi, Chip!
I'm glad you're blogging again and looking forward to reading your book. (A pajama bike ride?!)
Posted by: Beth K. Vogt | November 23, 2011 at 07:26 AM
Welcome back, Chip! And I'm going over to Amazon now --
Posted by: Janet Tronstad | November 23, 2011 at 08:18 AM
Welcome back to blog-land, Chip. I missed you! Now, like so many others, I'm off to Amazon to buy the book. :)
Posted by: Ane Mulligan | November 23, 2011 at 09:12 AM
I bought the book and quoted a particularly appropriate passage to my daughter. I'm sure that writing this book was a giant step closer to Him as well and likely drew some opposition. Thank you for your obedience-for our benefit and His good pleasure.
Peggy D.
Posted by: Peggy Dover | November 23, 2011 at 09:37 AM
Ecstatic to see you back again. Thrilled about your year's writing journey.
It's difficult (if not next to impossible) to write a blog and a book simultaneously while maintaining a day job as well. Will be looking for the book soon.
Posted by: Judith Robl | November 23, 2011 at 11:06 AM
So glad to see your hiatus was productive in kingdom work. Blessings.
Posted by: Virginia Basye Carr | November 23, 2011 at 02:54 PM
HiDee Chip! I'll git it! I'll read it!...and be ever' bit the reprobate I was before most likely. But, I will have contributed to my friends well-bein' and retirement fund. God Bless y'all! Please have a wunnerful Thanksgivin'! Great to see ye back!
Posted by: Stevie Rey | November 23, 2011 at 04:42 PM
Chip, I thought I was seeing things when the email said the blog was dated Nov. 2011 instead of 2010. I've been thinking there's a glitch in the system!
Actually, I only came in to tell you how happy I was to see you've been so productive since you stopped blogging. I didn't/don't expect you to be blogging regularly, if at all, since you were trying to focus on YOUR life instead of doing stuff like this. Is everyone assuming you're blogging again? I mean---REGULARLY blogging again? I don't expect it, but would love to see your name popping up on the occasions you feel like posting something :) Congrats on the book!!! And, btw, I think the cover is beautiful :)
Posted by: :Donna Marie | November 25, 2011 at 05:34 PM