Shawn Wood, the Experiences Pastor at Seacoast Church, has started a blog tour to support his new book, 200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One which releases September 2008 and is available for pre-order now at Amazon.com.
=====
Anne: Well it looks like everyone who has done the blog tour so far has made some type of joke in their first question so far about Pomegranates, so I will spare you any humor there. But what’s the book about and why would I want to read it?
Shawn: Well, first of all Anne, I am so excited to be able to stop by THE flowerdust.net?wow. We met through the blogosphere and then were able to hang just a bit at MinistryCOM this past year – which I am excited to see you are speaking at this year – and it’s been great to learn from you and see your journey develop with your book Mad Church Disease.
The story of the pomegranates in I Kings was a story that I heard a pastor speak on in the early 1990’s. For some reason it just stuck with me that this guy, Hurum, spent a ton of time carving pomegranates and lily work into the top of the columns of Solomon’s temple.
I actually processed this book in my head for 15 years as I thought about what our lives could look like if we were to live as artist who were carrying out the details of our lives towards an audience of One. So the pomegranates that Hurum carved can be a symbol of our children who we are instructing, spreadsheets at work we are entering data into, a friend who we are helping come to grips with life’s tragedy or even something as huge as starting a church. The point is that each of us are artists and have an opportunity to create a life of influence. In fact Here is a snippet from the Intro that I think sums it up in part:
As I watched every deliberate, yet seemingly effortless movement I was amazed. Each and every action led to yet another beautiful layer of the canvas that was taking shape. Color and imagination, heart and soul were being poured into each and every detail of this work before her and it was at this very moment that I knew I was watching an artist at her work. Her canvas seemed at times to war against her, but with determination she was creating something very special. The artist was my wife and the canvas my nearly 2-year old daughter.
Mommies are artists. The opportunity for a hostile situation stood before him like a huge rock of granite. It seemed almost impossible to move and determined to stay hard and unshaped. But using the power of words my friend Josh has the ability to craft and sculpt beautiful art out of the most callous of situations. With the use of just the right words he creates an art show on display for the world to see.
Co-workers are artists.
Karen has lost her husband of nearly 30 years at the young age of 50. As I sit with her in a time of heart-ache I realize that just moments earlier she lost more than I can imagine and that she can barely breathe. In coming days we are both struck by the fact that God still has her here for a purpose, but through tear clouded eyes it seems hard to find. Then she says it. Words that will stay with me for some time. Through her grief she reminds herself that she has a group of 2nd graders waiting for her. She is the architect of these little lives and though that may be all that is left, that is a task worth living for. So every day she wakes up because there are lives to be built and dreams to be planned.
Teachers are artists. Terry leaves no detail untouched. I have seen him take the extra time to look over a job a second or third time to make sure that his work is just right. I have seen him do this when the customer is there, but I happen to know that he does it when no one is looking as well. His job is more than making money to him, his business is more than just a reflection of himself. Every oil change is an opportunity to represent God and an opportunity to build a legacy. Every tune up is an orchestra he brings into harmony with a wave of his baton.
Mechanics are artists. No longer is art limited to painters and musicians. Each one of us is an artist, endowed by our Creator with skills and talents that can make our world a more beautiful place. Every good mom is an artist, molding her children as a creation of God. Every teacher makes a mark on the young people in his classroom. Every ethical businessperson leaves a legacy of people seeing God through his or her careful and honest work.
Anne: Well, you were nice enough to let me read your manuscript in its early stages and it captivated me. Your gift of storytelling, when combined with your passion for artistry, makes for an inspiring read. I know this is hard to decide as an author, but what was your favorite part of the book?
Shawn: The stories. The book is simply me telling areas I have blown it. Areas I have learned from people older than me. Areas that I have figured it out with God’s help and some of the dumb stuff I have done while trying to live the life of a Christ follower. The book highlights the life of a Dentist, a working Mom of an Autistic child, a wonderful wife and home keeper, a Pastor, and a Welder to show that God can use the life of ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Everyone who has read the books has said, “man this book will be great for a _______________” and filled in the blank with a different noun. That was the book I was trying to write.
Anne: So what do you hope readers will do after reading it?
Shawn: At the end of the book I have a prayer that I would hope would be the heart-beat of someone who had read, experienced and responded to the stories and scripture presented in this book:
God, I pray that you would remind me that you created me for a life of meaning and influence, ultimately to bring you fame. I pray that you would continue this work in me in me and hone my skills, talents and spiritual gifts in such a way that you would be honored by my greatness. As I walk in this journey, God, I pray that you would show me what to do, teaching me what the passion of my life should be. Along that journey, I pray that you would allow me to have the courage and the integrity to do something meaningful with my life. Lord, teach me to see the needs of others as you see them, and to invest in your other people your prized possessions. When I do this, I pray that it would be a beacon that shines on you. God, as I do these things I pray that you would be my audience. That my love and adoration would be for you and that you alone would get my praise. And lastly, God, allow me the grace to finish the race well. I look forward to seeing you and hearing you say, “well done.” Lord, give me your strength to finish strong in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Anne: When will people be able to pick it up and how can they help spread the word?
Shawn: The book will be available in September of 2008. In fact I am so excited to be releasing the book at Granger Church’s Innovate conference. It will be available through Abingdon press through Amazon, Barnes and Noble or as they say in the biz, wherever fine books are sold.
You can also find out more information and help spread the word on 200pomegranates.com. I would really appreciate it if your readers would use one of the handy spread the word widgets?that would be awesome!
Thanks so much for letting me have a few hundred words of your time! Carve Pomegranates!
You can also download a sample of Shawn’s book right here, right now!
====
Any other books you are looking forward to reading?
something happened in that church. i thought it was a panic attack but it ended up being god blowing my face off in a very clear way, calling me back. i hid in the back of the room behind a partition, trying to keep my heart rate under 250 and prevent myself from hyperventilating.