Kevin Johnson Books

Pray the Scriptures Bible | The Latest

Pray the Scriptures Bible: Psalms and Proverbs is available now, with the full Bible scheduled for release in late October 2012.

Check my introduction to Pray the Scriptures Bible. Then read all my posts on the topic.

Deep Blue Kids Bible

 

An editor friend from my work on the Adrian Rogers Legacy Bible pulled me in for a small part of another project. I wrote Bible book introductions for the Deep Blue Kids Bible, set for release in September 2012. The Bible is "easy to navigate, built to captivate" and features notes that will launch kids on a lifelong adventure of Bible learning.

The Common English Bible (CEB) was drafted by 120 Bible translators from diverse ethnic groups, and 24 different denominations partnered with more than 500 Bible readers from a variety of backgrounds to produce a Bible with smooth and natural language. It's highly readable.

I crafted introductions that feature an overview of each book, plus "things you'll discover," "people you'll meet," "places you'll go," and "words you'll remember." Click to the left for a peek, then find out more about the whole Deep Blue Kids Bible (including a sample). You can also preorder now. Dive deep!

 

Back to College

Last Friday I ran into my two favorite college professors. Accidentally. Twenty-six years after graduation. On their last day of teaching. Just as they were retiring.

My wife and I were back at the University of Wisconsin--River Falls for the second or third time since we graduated, touring the campus with our youngest daughter. On the last day of the semester we expected empty halls in the English department. But we stumbled on two treasured professors. Dr. Larry Harred was my boss in the campus writing lab. For two years Larry coached me as I worked with struggling writers. I can't imagine how many papers were rescued or even how many students stayed in school because of his lab. I had Dr. Jane Harred for a full year of freshman composition, a class I didn’t think I needed. Jane pushed me to express myself clearly and schooled me in the art of sentence combining. My experience in her class convinced me to major in English, and without that redirection, I wouldn't be writing now.

I appreciate many other professors at UWRF: Dr. Connie TerMaat, who allowed me to take a 400-level linguistics class as a freshman; Dr. Nicholas Karolides, who treated me kindly even when I dropped my teaching degree; Lois Michaelson, who wisely advised me throughout my major; Dr. Margaret Odegard, the English department chair who pushed me forward when I wondered if my writing was any good and literally unlocked a door to using computers to write; and journalism professors Neal Gendler and George Crist, who heckled this English major word-by-word until I could write tight and to the point.

But the Harreds? They were the best. Of all the professors I ever had anywhere. I appreciate them not only as teachers but as human beings. I could not be more honored to have been their student or to have shared fresh moments with them.

 

Telescoping

My odd hobby of listening to exotic radio stations from all over the world has more or less died. Little interesting is left on the shortwave bands, although more stations are accessible than ever through apps and websites like TuneIn Radio. A couple clicks and you hear music, news, sports, and entertainment from virtually anywhere on the globe.

But I've latched on to a new interest, backyard astronomy. The views from the glare of the city aren't as good as under dark skies, but in the past year I've still managed to work my way through five detailed lists or "clubs" finding objects that include galaxies, star clusters, multiple stars, and small moon craters. My family thinks I'm embarassingly geekish when I'm geared up with my scope and red headlamp hanging out in our driveway or a rural field in the wee hours, even in the middle of a Minnesota winter. Nothing I see looks like Hubble photos. Many objects I hunt down are just faint gray smudges, but all inspire awe when I consider their immense distance, size, and variety. Like Psalm 19:1-2 says, "The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known" (NLT).

Cover | Pray the Scriptures Bible

My snap of a unbound sample cover of the upcoming Pray the Scriptures Bible doesn’t begin to capture its look. The title on the binding is stamped in gold, with the Lord’s Prayer cut into the front cover. It appears it's either etched by lasers or masterfully chisled by gnomes. The Bible comes wrapped in brown or teal “duravella” (imitation leather) or hardcover. Bethany House Publishers says finished copies will arrive by November 1, and it’s already available for preorder here.

 

 

Details | Pray the Scriptures Bible

Here’s how my publisher describes Pray the Scriptures Bible, coming in late October 2012. They spell out some of the highly useful features of the Bible. Besides the stream of responsive prayers, there are articles and indexes to help you pray the Scriptures. Most significantly, someone apparently counted the number of prayers I composed. 

 

First-of-Its-Kind Bible Combines the Full Text of GOD'S WORD with Thousands of Prayers

For those interested in centering their prayers on the foundation of Scripture, this Bible will be an encouraging companion to daily Bible reading and prayer. Bestselling author Kevin Johnson presents an approach to the power of biblical prayer by offering Scripture-specific prayers written to be read and prayed alongside the Scriptures that inspired them. Readers will pray with more confidence, learning to apply Scripture to their lives and pray words they know God will hear.

Ideal for anyone looking to grow closer to God through their prayers, Pray the Scriptures Bible includes these special features:

• more than 4,500 new Scripture-specific prayers
• a guide to praying the Scriptures
• introductions for each book of the Bible
• articles based on major categories of prayer
• index of prayers that appear in Scripture
• topical prayer guide

Pray the Scriptures Bible opens an avenue of conversation with God as he speaks to us through his Word, the Bible.

 

Just Out | The Amazing Bible Adventure for Kids

 

A few years back I wrote a couple children’s books for Josh McDowell, a guy who has spoken in 118 countries and has 51 million books distributed worldwide. The two books now have a fresh look from Harvest House Publishers—new titles, covers, and illustrations. Very nicely done and I'm grateful for the partnership. The Awesome Book of Bible Answers came out in April 2011, and The Amazing Bible Adventure for Kids: Finding the Awesome Truth in God’s Word started to ship just days ago. There’s a heap of amazing awesomeness in these books that aim to ground children ages 7-11 in the basics of faith. Originally published as The Great Treasure Quest, this second book focuses on Scripture. In grown-up terms, it covers the Bible’s reliability and relevance—why we can trust God’s book and how it teaches us to know him.

 

Catching Up | Aliens in the Jury Pool

For the first time ever I have been summoned for jury duty. As I wait in the local county courthouse with a couple hundred other potential jurors, I’m perusing the latest issue of Astronomy magazine. It’s always packed with dazzling space photos and news of the latest telescope gizmos. But this month the cover asks “What Happens When We Detect Alien Life?” I wonder if I look too crazy to get picked for a jury, or maybe too crazy not to.

A year has passed since I last posted. Busy time—and here’s everything new.

I’m eager to see the Rock Solid Faith Study Bible for Teens in September 2012, a project I concepted for Zondervan during the worst of the Great Recession and wrapped up early last year. My notes get at issues that will forever mark this generation of youth.

Last summer I completed a couple other significant projects for Zondervan, including the NIV Once-A-Day Bible for Teens, due out in October 2012.

And in late fall I finalized the last material for the full Pray the Scriptures Bible, which Bethany House Publishers will bring out in November 2012.

There’s more. Harvest House just released The Amazing Bible Adventure for Kids: Finding the Awesome Truth in God’s Word. I wrote the book for Josh McDowell in 2006 as The Great Treasure Quest. Its new publisher has it looking sweet with a new title, new cover, new design, and new illustrations.

If all that content sounds like a massive braindump, it was. But other than the refreshed book for children, these books encompass about three years of work that coincidentally will hit the press all at once. Hanging out in the jury pool finally let me pause and post about it all.

 

A Bit About Me

Picking a single word to describe myself isn't tough. Quirky. Updating my biographical sketch freshly confirmed that for me.

I also updated my About Kevin page.

 

Pray the Scriptures Bible: Psalms and Proverbs | GOD'S WORD Translation

When I concepted Pray the Scriptures Bible I envisioned a stream of prayers alongside an easy-to-read translation. I wanted a fresh yet accurate version that makes people stop and think, whether they're new Bible readers or folks who've worn out Bibles with frequent use. I looked for a translation that fit with the style I aim for in the prayers--warm and personal, yet clean and journalistic.

I'm happy to partner with Bethany House Publishers to use the God's Word Translation, "the Holy Bible in clear, natural English." GW accurately translates the meaning of the original texts into everyday language. It's readable...reliable...living...active...life-changing.

Here's what Billy Graham says: "GOD'S WORD is an easy-to-understand Bible translation. It is a wonderful version."

More at God's Word Translation.

 

Pray the Scriptures Bible: Psalms and Proverbs | Kind words

I'm grateful that co-authors and friends have already offered up some kind words for Pray the Scriptures Bible: Psalms and Proverbs. Here's what they say:

"I know firsthand that Kevin Johnson is biblically insightful and practical. Pray the Scriptures Bible will help you to pray deeply for yourself, your loved ones, and your world."

—Josh McDowell, speaker; bestselling author of More Than a Carpenter

“I strongly recommend Pray the Scriptures Bible. It launches and guides your prayers with the highest-octane fuel and most precise compass in the world: the living Word of God. Your prayers and your world will never be the same.”

—Ken Sande, president, Peacemaker Ministries; author of The Peacemaker and Resolving Everyday Conflict

“Even seasoned students of the Bible need help to make the living Word come alive again. Pray the Scriptures Bible brings together two tough spiritual disciplines—Bible reading and prayer—in a way that brings life to your soul. This is like rain on a parched field. Drink it in.”

—Bob Merritt, senior pastor, Eagle Brook Church; author of When Life's Not Working: 7 Simple Choices for a Better Tomorrow

“God has spoken and does speak in his Word. We respond in prayer. To listen without responding is rude, and to speak without listening is presumptuous. This tool will prove immensely in encouraging intimacy with God through hearing and responding.”

—D. Stuart Briscoe, minister-at-large, Elmbrook Church; founder, Telling the Truth

“For two decades Kevin Johnson’s writings have led students and adults deeper into the heart of God. Now he shows us how to use Scripture as the ultimate prayer book. We love it. This is powerful spiritual inspiration.”

—Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott, founders, RealRelationships.com; authors of Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts

 Thanks much!