This last weekend, I packed my family and my mother-in-law in the wagon and headed down town, along with about 50,000 other people, for the Luis Palau CityFest, a completely FREE event to the public.

Looking at this from every angle, I truly think that this was a breath of fresh air for Nashville. This event was similar to other events in Nashville, because it was loaded with live music from 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Many of these types of events in Nashville involve some sort of fee or ticket to get into the Riverfront Park area, however this event came at no cost to the public. Absolutely amazing!

The event also included a Family Fun Zone with games, prizes, face painting, a place to make bracelets and necklaces for the kids, inflatables, an appearance by Bob and Larry and more. Our family loved it!

Not only was the event itself free, Luis Palau Spoke to Nashville from the Riverfront Stage and offered a free gift to everyone who could hear him: hope, freedom and life through Jesus Christ.

We can’t thank Luis Palau enough for the impact he has had on our city. I can not even begin to estimate the cost of the investment that they put into billboards, radio advertisements, free signs to put up in yards, brochures, DVD’s, Training Events, hosting entertainment like Steven Curtis Chapman, Barlow Girl, Jeremy Camp, Toby Mac and others for the CityFest itself. Hundred’s of thousands of dollars to be sure.

It really makes me think “what price should we pay to have the opportunity to present and share the gospel with our neighbors and with the world?” I thought of these passages:

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Matthew 13:44

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Romans 10:13-15

He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 10:39

We were both standing there, looking out over the Cumberland River and the water was completely still. I am sure this kind of thing happens all of the time, but I had never stopped long enough to notice that a river as large as the Cumberland could be completely still, without a visible current. Fog covered the surface. Warren even noticed that a large bird flew down just over the water and for several hundred yards just glided about two feet over the surface as he flew. It was a peaceful and wondrous site. Most importantly to me, I was enjoying it with my son.

Just about that moment, Warren said, “Dad, can I reel it in and cast out again?” “Sure” I said. As he did, Warren’s rod bent about ninety degrees toward the water. He looked up at me with surprise as if to say, “help, I think I’ve got one!” I grabbed his Zebco and began to reel it in. This was a good one. He was only about 12 feet off shore, so I didn’t have to fight him for too long.

It was amazing! My 4-year-old son had set the hook on his first fish! I was so proud of Warren and excited for him at the same time. The fish was about 14 inches long. Just about the time that Warren got close enough to get a good look at him, the wet rascal slipped out of my hands and was in the river. No, not Warren, the fish.

This is the part of the story where everyone asks me, “What kind of fish was it” but I have no clue. I can’t tell one fish from the other. But here is what I could tell: I was making a lasting impression on my son. On the walk home, Warren looked up at me and said “Dad, you’re my buddy.”

I don’t know what it is for you. Maybe it’s bike riding, playing board games, movie night, hiking, climbing, going to the park, a trip to McDonalds, or even a weekend get away, but whatever it is, do something with your kids that will give you the opportunity to connect with them personally. Our children need to connect with us on a personal level in order for us to build trust to pass along spiritual truths that will transform their lives.

Look for an opportunity to connect with your children this week. If you don’t see an opportunity, create one. Moms, Dads and grandparents, this is your responsibility. Do it well. Do it often.

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4

I just got off of the phone with Jim Browning, the central book buyer for Christian Light Bookstores, a division of the Evangel Publishing House and Brethren in Christ denomination. Another sad phone call for sure.

The Christian Light Bookstore chain that consists of ten stores will soon be downsizing to six stores. Three of the four locations that are closing are stores around 3,000 square feet or less. Another sad sign that many smaller Christian retail stores are struggling.

This is a very serious issue, and one that is rather complex. It is difficult for the smaller Christian retail store to compete with Amazon, Wal-Mart, Costco, Sams, CBD, Borders, and even Family or LifeWay. Each of these retailers are growing experts in the power of the convenient purchase – something that not every small independent Christian store has the resources to accomplish.

However, in my experience in the CBA market, I have observed three things I can recommend to a smaller store that Wal-Mart simply cannot provide (if you have not already considered them).

#1 – Passion & Service. If you own a smaller Christian store, I hope you are in it because you are passionate about the Christian faith and about Christian retailing, or you may eventually find yourself among those closing their doors. Because you are smaller, you have as advantage over the major chains to be focused on the individual customer. Get to know them personally and know how to meet their needs.

#2 – The Bible Resources Category. Wal-Mart carries John Eldredge. Sam’s Carries Max Lucado. Dollar General may even carry John C. Maxwell. But, it is unlikely that any of them actually carry the MacArther Bible Commentary, the Unger’s Bible Dictionary, or the latest Concordance from Zondervan. This is your specialty! The trade section of your store really doesn’t set you apart from the big boys, but the Bible Resources category does. If you are passionate about helping your customers understand the Bible and apply it to life, than don’t stick your Bible Resources category in the back corner and forget about it. By getting to know this category, if you don’t already, you can help your customers know how to understand the Bible and apply it to their own life. If you would like help in this area, you may want to check out Nelson’s latest program for the Bible Resources category, Element.

3# – Service the Local Church. The manager at the local K-Mart would be quite unlikely to visit the First Baptist Church down the street to present to the pastor three of the latest products that are making a difference in the lives of people in his community – but you can! Give the pastor and his congregation a reason to visit your store: a special discount, a unique delivery service, or perhaps a special program of some kind for his church. If you find creative ways to connect with the church, you will establish more relationships in your community and create even more opportunities for increased revenue. If you don’t believe me, check out The Church Bookstore or The Church Bookstand. This is a movement that is well in motion. If you are not already thinking or moving in this direction, I encourage you to get involved with the churches in your community. Just think of all the new relationships you will make!

Our publishing house does not have an internal copywriter and has been on the hunt for a good one for several months. If you are new to the industry or are not up on the demands of publishing, a copywriter ads value to the house by providing the best wording for book descriptions and other products, fine tuning advertising communication, and making sure at all times that the publisher is speaking the language of the customer.

Yesterday we connected with a good one.

We have decided to begin working with Gwen Amorim, who is the wife of Maurilio Amorim, CEO and founder of The A Group marketing firm based out of Brentwood, TN. The one thing I kept noticing about Gwen was her transparency and authenticity. She was extremely professional in a business setting, but at the same time very personal and real. I have worked with Gwen in the past on some other projects when I worked in higher education, and I highly recommend her.

It is nice in a fast paced business world when you have the opportunity to work with people you know will not only provide a good service for your organization, but are also just solid individuals. We really feel that way about Gwen.

With every year that passes I seem to have an increasing need for authenticity and simplicity. I long for things that are real, significant, meaningful and not so complicated. I find myself thinking “is this something that I will wish I would have done more of when I’m nearing the end my life on earth?” Many times I find myself answering “no” emphatically.

This has caused me to take another look at my life and our culture, and to actually do something about it. As a man who is a follower of Christ, I sense God calling me to be a warrior for Him and for all that is true and good. I believe in God and his love for his creation, the goodness of the institution of the family, and absolute truth.

Authentic Action exists to do good. To share information and illustrations from my life that will extend God’s goodness, love, truth and grace to anyone who wishes to read it. Whether it’s my musings about publishing, the family, or the newest product that caught my attention, I hope that God can use my journal entries to remind you of just how significant truth really is. When you find that truth, treasure it, then act.