eternal connections
Vision
I have loved reading since I was young. My first big passion was "The Hardy Boys" series and I collected all of the books. I also loved comic books called Illustrated Classics which were the great books converted to a comic book.
It is so amazing to think that a person was inspired to write things that so illuminate your mind and imagination that you develop a connection with the writer who created those stories for you.
Typically that experience is just the reader in isolation with their own feelings, or maybe shared within a book club.
From the beginning of this process I wanted to actually interact with the people who read the book and liked it (even if there are only 15 of you).
As I went through this process I never felt like I was writing the book. Story lines and characters all seemed to be downloaded through me. As I result, I don't feel ownership up the product and I longed to be able to share the experience with others. Below are a number of next steps that I would like to see come from the publishing of this book.
The Eternity Perspective Series
One of the visions I had for The Eternity perspective is that of a series of books co-written with other writers - it could be you! The book is five stories of ordinary people, who in their obedience to do small things each day, have a major impact on the world and eternity.
I would love to write other versions of the book with new characters and story lines. My vision is that the central basic story of Fran and Sabrina remains (although changed to accommodate the new story lines), with four new story lines written. I know there are much better writers than I am out there and I would love the process of working with them on a project like that.
Songs
One of the main themes of the book is the importance of music and songs in our life here in time and space. Our Creator did promise us that in this world we would face tribulation and I had a couple of such periods in my life. So often it felt like God would let me hear a song that felt like it was Him speaking directly to me.
I wrote the lyrics for a number of songs as part of the book. I am not a musician so there is no music to go with the lyrics and I would love for there to be multiple versions of the songs. I am fine with the lyrics being changed too.
If you are a musician I would love to post here your version of the songs or to incorporate your songs in future story lines. See the songs from the book at the bottom of this page.
Images for the Story and Picture Book
When I read (and write) I often create a picture of the character and places. I would love for those who are artists to create images of characters and scenes from the book. I would love to convert the book to comic book form or illustrated book with some artistic partners.
Online Community
I am not really a fan of social media but I am guessing that they are highly effective tools for building community. This is an area that I will wait for input and suggestions on. In the meantime, I will at least set up accounts on each of the major sites and explore add-ons to try and keep as much of that activity as possible here on this website.
I also plan to develop a youtube channel for the book.
Neighbors4Eternity Build Out
A few years ago I was reading my Bible and the story of the Good Samaritan and the question "who is my neighbor?"
I then began to think that God isn't in to coincidences. I then concluded that God put me in the neighborhood that I was living for a reason. I began to pray each day that God would allow me to have all of my neighbors from this world and my family, my friends, the people I worked with and everyone that He brings into my life with me in eternity.
I then started to think of ways that I could communicate with my neighbors. The answer that I came up with was a postcard with a story, a picture and a gospel message.
Each month I would write a story, have them printed by vistaprint.com and then mail to everyone who was on the same postal route as I was.
My dream is that we would have enough people in our community to send a post card to every mail box in the U.S. and Canada (I would be good with the whole world too ;-) )
North Woods Get-Together
Most of us have experienced a vacation where we were placed in the presence of people that you seemed instantly connected to like you had been friends with for decades. Swimming and boating and fishing time during the day, watching a sunset and then amazing time around the fire engaged in amazing conversation.
Since I have started this book that has been a recurring vision that I have. A grouping of 5 cabins by a lake and a group of us talking about the issues of time, space and eternity, sharing music and enjoying the beauty of His creation.
As the process goes along look to this space for us to have an opportunity to have a meeting like that.
VEHICLES for Yehovah
At some point there will be a vehicle wrapped for promotion of "The Eternity Perspective". Right now there is a retired police car named "Liberty" that promotes one of my businesses. Unit 316 for John 3:16.
In "The Eternity Perspective" a character named Brad has such a vehicle.
I would love to start a ministry with a website and car shows specifically for vehicles wrapped with graphics that honor God.
It would be a blessing to see other cars on the road glorifying the one who made us. Yes our vehicles can impact eternity in every parking lot and on every road that we drive.