ASK THE AUTHOR: Annie Wald

LATEST PROJECT: Walk With Me: Pilgrim’s Progress for Married Couples (September).

PUBLISHER: River North Fiction (Moody Publishers).

When did you first become acquainted with The Pilgrim's Progress and has it been a well-loved classic in your life? I first read the story to our children, using the beautifully illustrated “Dangerous Journey” version. I also enjoyed Cheryl Ford’s wonderful retelling in contemporary English.

Was there something in particular that inspired you to rework it for married couples? As our daughters became adults, I wanted to share with them the hard, but good lessons I had learned about living out the gospel in marriage. Since I’m a fiction writer, telling a story seemed the best way for me, and Bunyan’s classic, with its focus on God’s Word, was an ideal pattern to follow.

Where do you see you and your husband in this book? In our own marriage, we visited many places in the book. We were stuck in the Swamp of Selfishness for a long time and struggled through the Plains of Distance. However, we eventually experienced the Healing Springs and the Warming Hut of Revelation. Thanks to God’s grace, we are now enjoying the Highlands.

Could you reflect on one or two of your favorite passages or lessons of the book for our readers? Peter’s courageous act of obedience when he leaves the Honey Woman by the River of Unfaithfulness and returns to Celeste is a key turning point in the journey to the King’s City. Later, Celeste has to make her own difficult sacrifice when she climbs to the top of Skull Hill to give up her expectation of being loved by Peter. Yet we see how these painful choices brought them closer to the King.

Do you see this as a book that will benefit engaged couples on up to long-married couples? Absolutely. Many engaged couples think they will be the exception to the rule, while couples who have been on the marriage journey for a while can doubt whether change is possible. Wherever we are, we need to be continually reminded of what it looks like to love like Jesus.

Did you have a connection with Eugene Peterson before he wrote the foreword to your book? The Message has been instrumental in making God’s Word alive and active in my life. It was also a significant inspiration as I wrote Walk With Me so Peterson was the natural choice to ask to write the foreword.

How would you encourage Christian retailers in selling Walk With Me? Sooner or later a married person’s hope for ideal love meets the disillusioning reality of daily living. Christians are stunned to discover how selfish they can be (and their spouses too!). But they also believe their faith can make a difference, and they are hungry for encouragement to help them persevere. Walk With Me applies the wisdom of God’s Word to the heartfelt struggles of married couples.

Finally, is there another classic to adapt in your writing future? There are so many treasures from the past that deserve a fresh telling to a new generation. But I may return to Bunyan’s classic again and follow Peter and Celeste’s children as single Christians.

Josh McDowell's childhood 'an unforgettable story of redemption' reveals how he overcame a difficult childhood

Josh McDowell, best-selling author of Evidence That Demands a Verdict and More Than a Carpenter, is one of the most well-known evangelists in the world, but a new film will shed light on his dramatic spiritual transformation.

Based on McDowell's memoir of the same title published this month by Tyndale Momentum (see Book News on page 30), Undaunted: The Early Life of Josh McDowell (7-04400-01614-1, $19.99) chronicles the true story of a Michigan farm boy who carried unspeakable memories of an alcoholic father and a male housekeeper’s sexual abuse, leading him to deny the existence of God. Yet He redeemed the situation with unbelievable grace, resulting in McDowell's undaunted faith.

“Never before has a film been released that strikes at the very heart of the unspoken secrets of culture and the church—sex abuse, alcoholism and family violence,” he told Christian Retailing. “The church cannot remain silent any longer. Undaunted will create an uneasiness, hope and a deep joy.”

Produced and to be distributed by EchoLight Studios, the DVD will be offered exclusively through Family Christian Stores on Oct. 16, and will be available elsewhere Dec.18.

Filmed in Michigan, where McDowell grew up, and in Europe, where he searched for truth, the docudrama stars John Klicka as a young McDowell and Allen Williamson as the future evangelist in his teens and 20s, as well as Tom Emmott as Wilmot McDowell Sr.

"Undaunted is an unforgettable story of redemption that is going to bring vision and hope to the most wounded generation in our nation's history,” said Dennis Rainey, president of FamilyLife. “Millions are going to see it and conclude: 'God can use me.' "

Written and directed by Cristóbal Krusen, Undaunted won two Crown Awards in the Best Documentary and Best Evangelistic Film categories at the International Christian Video Media Conference, held in July prior to the International Christian Retail Show in Orlando, Fla., where it was screened for attendees. It also was approved for family viewing by The Dove Foundation.

To order the 68-minute DVD, call EchoLight at 972-537-0831. For more information, visit www.undauntedmovie.com.

Beyond Tebowing: Tim Tebow: On A Mission is an in-depth look at what makes Tim Tebow the popular and polarizing sports figure he is today. The 60-minute DVD chronicles how his hard work and steadfast faith have guided him to collegiate success and NFL stardom. From being born on the mission field through his playoff run last season and trade to the New York Jets, the film explores his life through insightful interviews and rare footage. Released this month by Screen Media Films and distributed by EMI CMG Distribution, Tim Tebow: On A Mission retails for $9.99.

To love again: Civil Love tells the story of Rachel Taylor, who lost her Union soldier husband in the Civil War—blaming the South for his death. When a wounded Confederate soldier named Daniel takes refuge in her barn, she reluctantly helps him and soon must protect him. Rachel must discover the strength to do what's right, protect her family and muster the courage to open her heart again to love. The 92-minute film, produced by SunWorld Pictures and released last month, retails for $19.99 and is distributed by Bridgestone Multimedia Group.

Against all odds: Blair Underwood, Sharon Leal, Nicole Beharie and Pam Grier star in Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day. Rated: PG-13, the 101-minute film is a suspenseful, race-against-the-clock thriller that takes audiences on a seven-day journey inside the souls and secrets of a married couple fighting to save their kidnapped child, while relying on their faith, strength and convictions to rebuild a broken marriage. Released this month by Codeblack Studio and distributed by EMI CMG Distribution, Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day retails for $19.97.

Caught up in busyness? In Be Still: Finding Your Identity in Jesus, Lisa Chan—wife of best-selling author and pastor Francis Chan—explores the pressures, perceptions and expectations that women face, encouraging them to release the cultural lies that keep them frantically busy instead of being with Christ. Part of the “True Beauty” series, the 20-minute DVD, which retails for $14.99 and is ideal for small groups or individual study, releases this month from David C Cook and Flannel.

Redeeming life's pain: A mother's story of adoption gives way to the bigger story of God extending hope and healing in Letters to an Unknown Daughter from Vision Video. Having grown up in a loving but strict Christian home, 17-year old Anita Keagy discovers that she is pregnant by her boyfriend and considers having an abortion. Instead, she gives up her child for adoption. Years later, married and raising four children, Anita feels compelled to write letters to her unknown daughter. Releasing this month, the drama retails for $14.99.

Still small voice: The Sound of the Spirit tells the story of Rivka, a precocious 12-year-old Messianic Jewish girl whose life is shattered when her father, her last remaining parent, dies. Forced to live with her aunt and uncle, a traditional Jewish couple who have broken their relationship with her father because he viewed Jesus as his Messiah, Rivka begins to prepare for her bat mitzvah. Along the way, she finds her calling and learns lessons that stir her to listen carefully for the still small voice of God. Running for 128 minutes, the film, which releases this month and retails for $19.95, is distributed by Bridgestone Multimedia Group.

Truth revealed: Renegade tells the story of life, love and gold mining. Mattie, a young lady living in a Southwest mining camp, falls in love and unwittingly marries a claim jumper, even though an ethical gold miner wanted to make a life with her. The gold fields of the old West bring her tragedy, confusion and the hard reality of her claim-jumping husband. Family and friends reach out to Mattie and teach her that trouble brings out the truth in people. Released this month by GT Media and distributed by EMI CMG Distribution, the 88-minute Renegade retails for $14.99.

True success: Stand Strong tells the tale of Matt Webster, who measures his success by his possessions. Though he appears to have it all, pride of ownership does little to fill the void of a purposeless life. Broken relationships, isolation and pain are the result. Through financial and family crises, Matt and his family are stripped of all they own and are humbled enough to learn what true success really is. Released this month, the 91-minute inspirational drama retails for $19.95 and is distributed by Bridgestone Multimedia Group.

Running a Christian bookstore in this economic situation requires careful inventory control, planning and marketing, just to name a few of the retailer’s intensified jobs. Here are a few ideas others have used to market wall décor in a niche that is still buying strong.

Try calling on existing church accounts and asking about future sermons or study series, then work with your favorite wall-décor manufacturers to uncover pieces that may fit well as tie-ins. Many customers will purchase art as a reminder of something they’ve heard in church or Bible study that profoundly touched their hearts.

Another largely ignored possibility that has picked up steam lately is working with churches to design large custom pieces for their foyers or other areas. One retailer recently purchased two stretched-canvas framed prints for a church, ordered by a member of its congregation. Deb Graham of Prestonwood Church in Plano, Texas, placed work from Robert Spooner Galerie all over the walls of the congregation’s three campuses. And Lois Breeden of Flint Baptist Church in Flint, Texas, commissioned an original on canvas by Betty Spooner as well as many other pieces for the church vestibule. The tickets are quite large, while most of the research and design is done by the manufacturer.

Additionally, retailers should ask their manufacturers for samples of frames and mattes or other products they may use to customize wall décor for their customers in-store, or use other custom design tools they may have available.

Even for the artistically challenged, these methods of selling bigger wall décor items can be fun, while engaging customers in a personal way that will bring them back to the store time and again.

From his new label home, FairTrade Services, Platinum-selling artist Mark Schultz sees a Sept. 4 release of his first studio project in three years, All Things Possible (7-36211-60449-1). Produced by Pete Kipley (MercyMe, Phil Wickham) and Seth Mosley (Newsboys), the album is available from Provident Distribution.

You and your wife, Kate, spent some time in Italy preparing music for All Things Possible. Why Italy?

Kate is an Italian citizen, but had never met any of her relatives in Sicily or Italy, so we thought that it would be a great opportunity to do that, as well as get to spend some time together as a couple—she had just finished medical residency, and we hadn't seen much of each other. We joked that we have been married for seven years and are still newlyweds. Taking time off from touring let us both experience life together as well as get filled up creatively.

What is your wife Kate’s role in your music ministry?

She is an unbelievable resource for songwriting. She knows words and has such a gift with crafting lyrics. She is a great sounding board, and I have learned that trusting her instincts is invaluable. She is a gifted writer, both with song lyrics and books.

How does this project pull from any of your real-life experiences (as you often do)?

One of the songs on this record called “Haven't Met You Yet” is about our first child, Ryan. I wanted to let him know how excited his mom and dad were that he was coming into the world. Someday he will look back and see how special that time was for us, maybe even when he is getting ready for his own child. It will be nice to have that memory on a record he can share with his own kids.

Tell us about the first single from this album. Why was it chosen as the lead?

I think it sums up my vision for not just this record, but for my life. I want to stretch myself and my faith, to do things that I know on my own are not possible, but with God they are. I want to dream big dreams, pray big prayers and expect God to come through. I want Him to use my life to have an impact for His kingdom.

What are the some of the other significant songs and why?

“One Day” is a song that was inspired by a young boy in my concert. I was singing the song “I Am,” and I looked out in the audience and saw him in a wheelchair with his eyes closed, arms raised and tears running down his cheek with a smile on his face. I got choked up thinking that one day he would meet God and get to step out of his wheelchair and never have to use it again. I loved his faith, and that moment really moved me.

How did production and recording go on the new album?

Great! I worked with a young guy named Seth Mosley who really brought a sense of freshness to the songs. I had more fun recording this album than any I can think of in the past. He was full of energy, and everything went so quickly. Also, he plays almost every instrument, so we had an idea what the finished product would sound like after an hour or so of writing a song. It was awesome!

You’ve enjoyed a great career and ministry. To what you do you attribute that success?

Being surrounded by godly people who God has blessed with incredible gifts. I am just a small part; I am surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who spur me on to greater things every day.

On an unrelated subject, I see you visited the set of The Hobbit. What was that like?

Really neat! We had a show in New Zealand and took some time to see the set. My guitarist, Brian, is a huge fan and so I had almost as much fun seeing him take it all in as I did in seeing it myself. He was like a kid in a candy store!

Influential leader Billy Wilson sees the lack of fathers’ interest in their children as a wound that can lead to a spiritual revolution. In Father Cry: Healing Your Heart and the Hearts of Those You Love (Chosen/Baker Publishing Group), he tells his personal story along with biblical examples, revealing how older and younger generations can turn the pain of parental wounding into a place of ministry. Releasing this month, the book retails for $12.99.

With a foreword by William Paul Young—author of The Shack—The Shack Revisited (FaithWords, $14.99, Oct. 2) examines the theology behind the international best-selling novel. Written by C. Baxter Kruger, Ph.D., a Trinitarian scholar and director of Perichoresis Ministries, the new book aims to “depict the mystery of God in a way that ultimately leads to a better understanding of His great love for humanity,” Kruger said.

David Jeremiah—best-selling author, senior pastor and Turning Point Bible teacher—reexamines one of the Bible’s most profound but basic truths, titling his latest book God Loves You: He Always Has—He Always Will. Releasing this month from FaithWords, the book also addresses God’s actions that can be perceived as negative, including His prohibitive commandments, and shows how they can only be understood by viewing them in the light of God’s love. God Loves You retails for $23.99.

Sheryl Brady—who serves as pastor of The Potter’s House of North Dallas under the leadership of bishop T.D. Jakes—believes that God has empowered His children to do the impossible. Like many in the Bible who didn’t understand the truth about their identities until it was revealed by God, Christians today must reconsider the way they see themselves. Brady aims to inspire in the believer a new perspective on the past and a new strength to succeed. You Have It in You! (Howard Books) goes on sale Oct. 2 for $21.99. 

Ron Phillips inspires readers not to settle for the ordinary Christian life, but to make radical steps to take God at His Word just as many Bible figures did. As the leader of a Southern Baptist congregation that has experienced Spirit-driven renewal, Phillips aims to impart a passion for supernatural change in A God-Sized Future. The book, which has a foreword by Perry Stone, releases this month from Charisma House and retails for $14.99.

Having sold more than 200,000 copies with A Grace Disguised, which told the story of how he lost his daughter, wife and mother in a car accident, Jerry Sittser follows now with A Grace Revealed, published by Zondervan this month. Retailing for $19.99, the new hardcover reveals God’s redeeming work in the midst of tragic circumstances, helping readers see that God is writing their beautiful story, too.

Scott Stapp, GRAMMY-winning frontman of the multi-Platinum rock band Creed, struggled with drugs and alcohol, which led to his divorce and a suicide attempt. Now, from his fundamentalist upbringing to his renewed relationship with Christ, Stapp tells his story in Sinner’s Creed, a memoir from Tyndale House Publishers. On sale Oct. 2, the hardcover book retails for $24.99.

Danielle D’Souza, daughter of Dinesh D’Souza, addresses 34 pressing questions asked about God by believers and skeptics alike in Y God, a Regal Books October release retailing for $19.99. Written in conversation style, Y God invites readers—millenials and anyone who has doubts about the Scriptures’ portrayal of God—to engage in an intelligent discussion about the relevance of faith.