Paul, Brad and I (that’s us above by some of our signs, and one of the shuttle buses that ferried people back and forth to their hotels) met some great people at Christian Retailing Convention in Orlando, but those events truly are not my cup of tea, or should I say Diet Coke! We are amazed at how this tidal wave just keeps rising. In the last month weekly sales for THE SHACK have doubled, following on the heels of The Today Show appearance, and articles in TIME Magazine as well as PEOPLE. We had some marvelous opportunities to share THE SHACK story and found people deeply touched by how God brought all of that together.
We met our UK partners and found their enthusiasm for THE SHACK staggering. They recorded a video interview with all three of us for use there. Also THE SHACK has been featured in a number of news reports on the BBC which has surprised folks there since they never talk about books with Christian themes.
And my two titles continue to grow, reaching an entirely new audience. At a book signing I did for HE LOVES ME, I was approached by a key book buyer from Barnes and Noble, who said she’d just ordered enough of my two titles to drive them to the front of the store. Wow! Who would have thought?
I don’t know when it’s harder to write entries these days, on the road or at home. I come home to a way too full inbox. My books are just soaring now on the draft of THE SHACK and that has brought all kinds of new people to my email, phone line and front door! I still haven’t worked out how I’m going to handle all of this, but for the time being I’ve got a new helper around the office. Jessica completed her summer with us and departed for a family vacation. My incredible wife Sara has stepped in to help us get through this time. She has taken a leave of absence from her counseling job at a local high school and will take over a lot of my daily duties at Lifestream, to give me more time to write and deal with other realities at Windblown Media.
I am really excited about our working together through the next year. She will be handling a lot of details around here, but please know if you’re talking with her, it’s the same as talking with me. Some folks would say it’s even better!
One final note. We also heard from our brothers and sisters in Kenya who are still in need. Food prices have hit the roof and they are still caring for families that were displaced in the violence and have no home to return to. Every dime sent to us will go directly to those who need it. If God puts it on your heart to send something, please go to our Invoice Page and click on the ‘Pay Invoice’ button. You can then list “Donation for Kenya” and the amount you’d like to give. If you use the ‘Donation’ button you will need to also send me an email letting me know you wanted this to go for Kenya and not for Lifestream. All donations to this cause are tax deductible. Or, if you prefer, you can also send a check to Lifestream • 7228 University Dr. • Moorpark, CA 93021.
Wayne,
I truly can’t express how thankful I am for our paths to have crossed about 7 years ago (a member of the Vegas hippie group that was so into house churches). After I heard about the stuff you learned about the cross Father grabbed my heart and would not let go. It has been the greatest ride since I had the cross revelation. My life changed from religion to love – abundant love, the kind of love that you can’t shut up about. I am overjoyed that your book is reaching a greater audience. You are one of the few men that I know that have consistently kept the subject about Father and what He is doing and not about your great achievements and that is unheard of these days. Thank you for the sacrifices you have made along the way because I am one of those who was touched by the Father through you.
Andrew (formerly in Vegas, now in Prescott, AZ)
Wow, my first thought was that if Sara took off from counseling, things must be hopping there! Looking forward to hearing how Father brings all of this together. I know He’ll make things clear at each step as you need to take it. Holler if there’s anything we can do from our end of the country!
Wayne,
I truly can’t express how thankful I am for our paths to have crossed about 7 years ago (a member of the Vegas hippie group that was so into house churches). After I heard about the stuff you learned about the cross Father grabbed my heart and would not let go. It has been the greatest ride since I had the cross revelation. My life changed from religion to love – abundant love, the kind of love that you can’t shut up about. I am overjoyed that your book is reaching a greater audience. You are one of the few men that I know that have consistently kept the subject about Father and what He is doing and not about your great achievements and that is unheard of these days. Thank you for the sacrifices you have made along the way because I am one of those who was touched by the Father through you.
Andrew (formerly in Vegas, now in Prescott, AZ)
Wow, my first thought was that if Sara took off from counseling, things must be hopping there! Looking forward to hearing how Father brings all of this together. I know He’ll make things clear at each step as you need to take it. Holler if there’s anything we can do from our end of the country!
Wayne,
Thanks for taking the time out of your schedule to spend of few days with the peeps here. The time was refreshing and encouraging for Kim and I to say the least.
We will always keep a diet coke on hand for ya….
and if there is anything we can do to help out from the south just let me know.
Such gracious comments. Thanks!
To fill this out a bit more, Sara’s new role at Lifestream came at her insistence. She really felt this was something God put on her heart and is excited to take a break from the politics of public education to do so.
And thanks for the offer to help. I wish I knew how to engage people in some of what we have going on around here. One of the things we are looking for is a webmaster for my websites. That person would need to have artistic skills as well knowledge about website design and application. We would be happy to pay such a person, but they would need to have a good working knowledge of of Adobe Go Life, php and WordPress.
Wayne
Wayne,
Thanks for taking the time out of your schedule to spend of few days with the peeps here. The time was refreshing and encouraging for Kim and I to say the least.
We will always keep a diet coke on hand for ya….
and if there is anything we can do to help out from the south just let me know.
Such gracious comments. Thanks!
To fill this out a bit more, Sara’s new role at Lifestream came at her insistence. She really felt this was something God put on her heart and is excited to take a break from the politics of public education to do so.
And thanks for the offer to help. I wish I knew how to engage people in some of what we have going on around here. One of the things we are looking for is a webmaster for my websites. That person would need to have artistic skills as well knowledge about website design and application. We would be happy to pay such a person, but they would need to have a good working knowledge of of Adobe Go Life, php and WordPress.
Wayne
Wayne,
I’m sooo exciting for you, Brad and William (Paul) Young!! When I saw the giant mural of “The Shack,” “He Loves Me” and So You Don’t…” (all of which I happily and gratefully read) I’m was just thrilled. AND to see the advertisement on the shuttle bus too!
It’s just so wonderful how the Holy Spirit is working through these books to opens the eyes of hearts about who God is and boost Father’s children’s minds and hearts to ask those much needed questions about the sickness of the church system today.
I, without a doubt, consider The God Journey, your books and other authors, and fellow brothers and sisters whom I’m meeting that are also walking along this personal intimate Journey with Christ, Papa and Spirit outside “Religion” to being significant in my life.
Thank you….and may this all just continue to expand and grow so beautifully!
~Amy 🙂
Wayne,
I’m sooo exciting for you, Brad and William (Paul) Young!! When I saw the giant mural of “The Shack,” “He Loves Me” and So You Don’t…” (all of which I happily and gratefully read) I’m was just thrilled. AND to see the advertisement on the shuttle bus too!
It’s just so wonderful how the Holy Spirit is working through these books to opens the eyes of hearts about who God is and boost Father’s children’s minds and hearts to ask those much needed questions about the sickness of the church system today.
I, without a doubt, consider The God Journey, your books and other authors, and fellow brothers and sisters whom I’m meeting that are also walking along this personal intimate Journey with Christ, Papa and Spirit outside “Religion” to being significant in my life.
Thank you….and may this all just continue to expand and grow so beautifully!
~Amy 🙂
The tall guy always overdresses!!!
Your short friend in Tennessee,
Mike T
PS So thrilled at your experiences … PTL
The tall guy always overdresses!!!
Your short friend in Tennessee,
Mike T
PS So thrilled at your experiences … PTL
Hey, was that the new cover for the Jake book back there? Looks good! I see what you mean about the highlighted words conveying a different meaning. Cool!
Tanya
Hey, was that the new cover for the Jake book back there? Looks good! I see what you mean about the highlighted words conveying a different meaning. Cool!
Tanya