The first official book signing for “A Friend of the King” was held at The Solid Rock bookstore in Fort Smith on Saturday, July 20th. The store said it was very successful. I have no gage at this point, but I know I was pleasantly busy, and the time passed very quickly. The best part was making new friends and seeing old friends. For many I know the motivation was freindship, and I am deeply touched. Thank you for making it a wonderful and memorable rainy Saturday!

Longtime friends bought multiple copies  and hard back copies. Thanks for your support and encouragement! I met new friends who described to me how their lives had been changed by the King, one overcoming a twelve year addiction and time in prison. Another told of overcoming hardship and family tragedy, but was beaming with joy and a good attitude, telling passionately of  volunteering to help others. The King changes lives. He saves and delivers! He always has, and He will till He comes! It’s a joy to serve Him and to tell others about Him.

It was a day to feel really good about writing the book! And to remember the King, with friends.

It’s been an eventful couple days in the life of the book, and my life by extension!

I attend a men’s Bible and Prayer time at Heritage United Methodist Church. It is a rich and inspirational time, a place and time where I get a lot of spiritual oxygen for my journey.  Afterwards, one of the guys followed me to my truck to buy a book. Several of the guys stopped me after the meeting to tell me they liked the book, adding the kinds of help or insights they were getting from it. I would say more than half of the 25 to 30 attendees procured a copy over the last three weeks. That’s very encouraging.

After the early [6:15 a.m. -7:15 a.m.] Tuesday morning meeting, I headed south across the river to the Spirit 106 radio station for a live interview about the book with DJ and friend Dave Burdue and his cohost Sylvia. They were professional, prepared, and did an exceptional job making me feel at ease, getting to the bottom line of the book, and getting the word about the book on the airwaves. In fact, within five minutes of arriving home, I discovered a Facebook friend heard the interview, found out about the book for the first time, and ordered one from Amazon. 🙂 Whew, the speed and power of technology in our day!

A copy of that radio interview can be heard here, on the book’s website. Photos can be seen here.

The interview also told of the first official book signing to be at the Solid Rock Bookstore this Saturday, July 20th, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.. Please drop by if you’re interested in getting a book; talking about it, or friendship, or our times.

This morning was another early, and inspirational one for me. A friend from another local church asked me to speak at their Wednesday men’s meeting [6:30-7:30]. I used my book as part of the introduction about what God seems to be doing, awakening men to walk with each other in deeper friendships and focused kingdom ways. I was warmly and enthusiastically received, with three guys getting a copy of the book afterwards.

They treated me like one of their own, and after they told me who was speaking the following two weeks, I wanted to be there. This is a sacrifice (albeit a joyful one) because I love to sleep in the early morning hours, and already attend early men’s meetings at three different locations on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. 🙂

Do you see a trend here? 🙂 I do. I’m excited and happy to be seeing it, and to be living in these times! God chose them for us.  And I remember what David said about sacrifice.

Maybe He’s awakening us to more joyful and powerful lives? Could be turbulent? Could be adventurous? Could be relationship deepening? Could result in some leaders like David, and some mighty men? Could be rewarding? Stay tuned, stay hungry, and stay obedient.

His joy to you all,

Dwayne

“He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.” (Isaiah 33:6, NIV)

My mind is filled with wonder about the day and the way the Spirit is leading me in the book adventure. Today two friends joined up with me before daylight at the Fort Smith airport, and we flew at sunrise to Cabot, an hour and twenty minutes east, for breakfast and to celebrate our friendship with Charles, enjoying our camaraderie in Christ, something we’ve been doing for almost a decade now. We usually drive to Russellville, the Cracker Barrel, which is about half way. This we do once a quarter for the love, friendship, joy, and spiritual encouragement it brings each of us. But today we flew! Friendship is such a treasure! At this moment it’s all I can think about, and I’m having trouble thinking of a segue to what’s on my heart and mind to share about the book.  How about I just dive in?

The flight attendant was making her way down the aisle serving beverages, as my wife and I were returning from DFW to FSM last week. I was reading “A Friend of the King,” “David and His Mighty Men,” for the first time in months, and so engrossed that I didn’t see her standing there, smiling and looking at me. When our eyes met, she said with a smile, “Is that a good book?”

I was so shocked and surprised by her presence and the question that I smiled sheepishly, paused, and then said, “I think so!” 🙂 And that was all I intended to say.

But she lingered and wouldn’t let it go, saying, “Is that David the David of the Bible?” I looked back up at her and said, “Yes, it’s the David of the Bible.” She lingered and looked deep into my eyes as if asking, “There’s more isn’t there?” I felt like I was busted, and just came out with it, “Well, I wrote it.” “It’s my first book.” She smiled and nodded like she had won some contest of wills, as I told her the gist of the book from the table of contents.

A few minutes later I felt the Spirit impress me to sign and give her the book when I deplaned, which I did, saying, “Remember it’s a men’s book really, but several women have read it and liked it.” “If you don’t like it, you can give it to your pastor,” I said with a smile, moving on out the door to keep the line of people behind me moving down the aisle.

This funny little event gave me pause, and made me consider the question, “Is it a good book?” As I pondered the question it came to me: [1] There is plenty to be humble about. I’ll give a little more attention to the King’s English should I write again. Parts of it didn’t flow as smoothly as desired. But, [2] The Lord impressed me to write the book and gave me the message. [3] The Lord helped me as I wrote, again and again. [4] It’s about ninety percent Scripture. So, yes, I believe it is a good book that has a place in the kingdom and might be used of the Lord to awaken men to their call and purpose in life, while encouraging and equipping them to run the race with vision.

I can in good conscience champion it, and speak up for it. I see the need for it, and the good in it. That’s how the Lord is encouraging me to speak up for the book in this chapter of it’s life. Like this morning, around the breakfast table with men — friends old and new, discussing our times and what we should be doing. And how we all desire to become better friends of the King. I was pleased and gratified that the little book spoke to almost every need and issue being discussed. The LORD will speak through His Word by His Spirit, to men He chooses, and men who choose Him, causing life to flow, and fruit from His Spirit…

“… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23, NASB95)

“so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11, NIV)

“to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27, NASB95)

Paul near the end of his life said, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;” (Philippians 3:10, NASB95)

Abram was told during his life, “After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”” (Genesis 15:1, NIV)

A friend of the King gets the King as his friend. “Befriend the King!”

His peace [shalom, שלום] to you all!

PS While we were looking for the verse that says, “Christ in you, the hope of glory,” Drew found a verse that also applies to the book:

“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” (1 Corinthians 1:27, NIV)

Joy! 🙂