One of my friends Anne Jackson has a new book coming out called Mad Church Disease: Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic in February and she’s offering a free chapter for download here.

Also, you can preorder the book here.

Tim Challies has a new book titled The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment coming out, and it comes with recommendations from some heavy-hitters, including one of my former professors Dr. Donald Whitney. Wow.

Here’s a description from his site:

“Spiritual discernment is good for more than just making monumental decisions according to God’s will. It is an essential, day-to-day activity that allows thoughtful Christians to separate the truth of God from error and to distinguish right from wrong in all kinds of settings and situations. It is also a skill—something that any person can develop and improve, especially with the guidance in this book.”

Several years ago, I logged onto an awesome Christian book site called Discerning Reader. I loved it and bought some books from the site. Great prices, even better books.

Then something happened … the service just started to fade.

Then … Tim Challies bought it and started to pump new life into the site.

Anyway, after a year of fresh air on the site, he’s now looking at the future of Discerning Reader and wants your input. Personally, I love his ideas and fully support his need to have an income from the site (as well as to not be a distraction to him and his web biz).

Go check out Discerning Reader … and leave Tim an encouraging comment while you’re at it.

Mark Batterson gives three great insights, gleaned from author Margaret Feinberg, on getting that book written, or climbing that “publishing mountain”:

1. “In every cinderella story there is a fairy Godmother!”
2. “Writing is like buying a lotto ticket. The odds are low, but there’s always a chance!”
3. “There is a difference between driving and hiking to the top of the mountain.”