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!

 

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.

 

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.

 

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!

 

Pray the Scriptures Bible: Psalms and Proverbs | What and Why?

I hate to waste words. And instead of being the obsessive self-editing author that I am and spending days wondering how to explain the concept behind Pray the Scripture Bible, I'll share what I wrote in the introduction:

"Most people pray. Many of us struggle. We wonder what to say to God and how to say it. We worry if we will get what we ask or if we can speak honest questions.

Pray the Scriptures Bible shows that all of God’s Word teaches us how to pray. I envisioned this experiential Bible as a fresh, accurate, straightforward translation together with a stream of prayers flowing from both heart and mind, speaking back to the God who speaks to us in the Bible.

The prayers intentionally stay close to the Bible text. Prompted by Scripture, they capture an everyday conversation with God. Praying the whole Bible forces us to form prayers from both teachings and stories…to make sense of challenging and awkward passages…to find personal relevance in verses dense with history and sparse on obvious application.

Pray the Scriptures Bible is a personal response to Scripture, but I searched for themes and words that fit easily in anyone’s mouth. I hope these prayers encourage your own one-on-one conversation with God—that these simple words help you process your own life circumstances and give voice to your own spiritual longings, wonderings, and worship.

Don’t keep these prayers to yourself. Pray them for others—family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, people you struggle to love, and the world at large. Pray them with others—in pairs, groups, and gatherings.

Thanks to Bethany House Publishers, from David Horton and Natasha Sperling to the entire staff, for partnering to use the God’s Word Translation to make this idea real. They join me in praying that this unique Bible will inspire your quest to know and experience God."

 

Pray the Scriptures Bible: Psalms and Proverbs

In the world of books "hot off the press" actually means "hot off the binder." Nothing beats the smell of paper and hot glue. Pray the Scriptures Bible: Psalms and Proverbs is my latest work, and yesterday afternoon we got to watch it come off the binder.

I've combined the fresh, readable God's Word Translation with a stream of responsive prayers, praying back to God what he's said in Scripture. There's nothing quite like this one-of-a-kind experiential Bible, and it's just a small portion of what's coming. I'm now wrapping up the rest of the Bible for release in summer 2012. 

Pray the Scriptures Bible: Psalms and Proverbs is now available for order.

 

 

Sprouts! Four New Book Releases

For the past couple years I've been putting seed in the ground, doing the hard work before anyone can spot any growth. But my new books are popping up all over this month:

The Awesome Book of Bible Answers is just out and even better than I dreamed. Harvest House did an amazing job with this rework of a book I co-wrote with Josh McDowell.

Nathan Dungan of Share Save Spend has launched his multimedia project Money Sanity Solutions: Linking Money + Meaning. It's a phenomenal way to get families talking about money. I helped concept and draft the book for this interactive project. Check Nathan's web site for free add-on studies ("Bible POV") and a group facilitator guide I also wrote for the sessions.

I'm expecting to see a copy of Resolving Everyday Conflict from Baker Books in the next day or two. I worked with Ken Sande and his team at Peacemaker Ministries to adapt this practical guide from Ken's classic The Peacemaker. If you have conflict in your life--and who doesn't--you need this book.

And tomorrow Lyn and Elise and I actually get to catch a book as it comes off the press. Pray the Scriptures Bible Psalms and Proverbs is a sneak-peek portion of my new experiential Bible from Bethany House Publishers. Simple concept, profound impact. The project combines the highly-readable God's Word Translation with a stream of responsive prayers. The whole Bible launches in May 2012. In case you're wondering, yes, I'm done with Leviticus. It works.

More on all these later. Time to bolt to my real job, pastoring the lovable people at Emmaus Road Church in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. If you're in the area, come see us some time. We worship Sundays at 10 a.m at 6719 Cedar Lake Road.