Rick Brown Online

My new novel, The Journey, is finally here! I’m actually going have a book release party in mid-October, but in the meantime, I’ll share a few thoughts.

First of all, writing fiction proved to be a totally different experience than writing my first book, Out of the Forest. Fiction requires painting a canvas with your words, and often must be much less direct. For example, in the first book I could get away with saying something like, “I took a walk in the woods.” In The Journey I tried to capture the mood and the experience. Here’s an example from page 102 of the book, “His favorite time of day in the forest was the early morning, when streaks of sunlight angled down, like golden rivulets weaving through the green canopy.” I actually had more fun on this book because of the increased challenge of wording things just right.

Second, the theme of The Journey is remarkably similar to Out of the Forest. Both books represent a call from mediocrity and sameness to something adventurous and even risky. I remain convinced that one of the saddest temptations of modern life is to settle into comfort. In both books I try to show that we have a real adversary who steers us in the direction of self-centeredness, apathy, and uninspired living. In The Journey, one of the names of this adversary is Geo (Latin for “earth”) while the Christ figure goes by the name of Bio (Latin for “life”).

I don’t want to give away all the symbolism, so after reading it, feel free to contact me to discuss anything you want to! I love to dialogue with readers, so here’s to some great conversations.

Finally, this whole enterprise depends on word- of- mouth. If you read The Journey and like it, PLEASE tell all your friends about it. Mention it to your pastor or youth worker. Call me for bulk purchases and I can offer some discounts. Mostly, let me say thanks for reading.

Bev and I have lived in our home for over 10 years now. When we moved in, we had the balcony off our master bedroom repaired and occasionally used it for sipping coffee and reading, etc. One of the balcony’s claims to fame was that on our first day in the house, one of my two boys stood out behind the pool holding a target while the other one shot a BB gun from the balcony. You guessed it. He missed the target but found flesh! Over the years, however, I for some reason have neglected this little corner of my world. Until today…

When I got up this Saturday morning, drinking my coffee and reading the Bible, I had a sudden drawing to the balcony. My son, Reese, and I sat and rocked in the seldom used rocking chairs for awhile, then my faithful golden retriever, Molly, and I enjoyed a great morning praying (yep, Molly is a Christian dog) and taking in the spectacular views of the creek and back yard. Tonight, I set up a card table and folding chairs, and Bev and I enjoyed a fine fried chicken by candlelight dining experience out on the balcony. I can’t wait to get out there tomorrow morning for another round of coffee.

How could I have “forgotten” about this little slice of paradise at my own home? It reminded me to cherish the places of respite, and to seize quiet moments, and to find time to re-explore some things I had forgotten were there. What’s your balcony? Have you taken something, or someone, for granted in your life? Re-visit the balcony. It’s well worth it.

Trip to Egypt (Oct 22-31, 2007)

Pictured above: Rick at pyramids

I arrived in Cairo, Egypt with wonder and anticipation. I left with increased wonder, hope and gratitude. Traveling to such intensely foreign environments always makes me appreciate more what we have here in the states. But as always, I found the bonds of fellowship with other believers to be strong and affectionate. Rather than a lengthy discourse, let me just give a few of my great memories:

1. Visiting the pyramids, the Red Sea, Sinai, and the beautiful Mediterranean port city of Alexandria.
2. Worshipping with the passionate and expressive Egyptian believers.
3. Sharing a meal in the modest home of one of the pastors.
4. Surviving the crazy, choking smog and traffic of greater Cairo.
5. Discovering that there is a real person behind the burkhas and traditional clothing of the Muslims.
6. Seeing the smiling, shining faces of the Egyptian children.
7. Visiting the slums, where people live and make their living collecting and sorting trash.

The needs are great, almost too great to fathom. The pastors of the three churches I visited serve with humility and sacrifice. Some of their congregants do face persecution in the mostly Muslim environment, but their worship seems to be generally open and free.

I will never forget them or their mysterious city. In the coming days, we will be assessing whether or not there are future opportunities for our church to go and help these very needy Christians.

October 7, 2007

Updates and Exciting Events

For all of you who have asked me how the book is doing: First and foremost, I already consider the book a “success” simply because I am confident of my calling to write it. It will be interesting to see how God chooses to use it for His purposes. I still have some copies left from my initial inventory, and you can also obtain it online from this site as well as Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com. The Weir’s Country Stores called last week, and they will be adding my book in their Christian bookstore at both the Dallas and Plano locations. Some Borders bookstores in Plano are also stocking the book.

Power FM radio, 89.7, has invited me on for a 30 minute interview/call-in show Sunday night, November 4 from 9:00 to 9:30 PM regarding my book and its message.

Richardson Living Magazine is planning to run an article about the book in its November-December issue.

Baylor Line (the alumni magazine for Baylor University). The book is mentioned briefly in the “Under Review” section of the Fall issue.

Teaching curriculum is under development by me for a six week teaching series based on the book. I’ll include more information about this later, but my goal is to make it available in downloadable PDF format.

Egypt: On a personal note, I leave for Egypt October 22 through 31 as part of a team doing missions exploration work. Our goal is make relationships, encourage believers in this ancient and beautiful country and look with visionary eyes for opportunities for future partnership and ministry.

Thanks for your support. I solicit your prayers for the items above, but most of all my prayer is that you will find your place, and your pleasure, in God’s Kingdom.

September 3, 2007

My Review of the Book Party (Sept 1, 2007)

Pictured above: Robbie Seay performs at Rick's party. (Photo by Louis Tanner)

Landmark celebrations are often a blur, and that’s how I feel two days after my book release party. We had an estimated 300 guests. The concert was great, but I spent most of the night parked behind a six foot table signing books. Oh well, that was my duty for the evening.

Jill Paquette opened with the pure, strong strums of her exquisite Gibson guitar, and her even more exquisite vocals (and yet even more exquisite personality), and then the Robbie Seay Band followed with a traffic-stopping show, complete with lights, smoke and cool electronic drive—a mix of raw power and mellow, soulful sounds.

Pictured above: Jill performing at Rick's party. (Photo by Louis Tanner)

I know I never got around to speaking to many who were there, and that’s my greatest regret. But any regret must take a back seat to the success of the evening. Our goals were many: 1) Sell books and CD's – Done. 2) Share in the celebration – Well done! 3) Honor a God who truly loves us and enjoys a good celebration! (see the story of the Prodigal son) - Very well done!

Thanks to all our guests. Thanks to Jill, Robbie and the band crew. Thanks to Leigh and Ruthie for making this happen. Thanks to Bev, my amazing wife. Thanks for stopping by.

Finally, I still have some books left. Please call me if you need one…or more! And spread the word!

July 3, 2007

Book will be available soon!!

The book is in the final stages at the printer, so it should be available very soon, maybe even in the next two to three weeks or so. I'm excited and honored that you would read it, and I pray that God will speak through it to mend hearts and encourage both men and women who have "fled to the forest" rather than engage in the life of purpose, abundance, and yes, even risk to which Christ calls and compels us. Watch for the ad in World Magazine (June 30 issue), and I'll be having a book release party at my house on September 1 featuring my friends, the Robbie Seay Band and Jill Paquette, for some great music and fun.

June 28, 2007

Officially in Print

Well, I got the call today from my project manager that my book is now officially "in print." That means you can actually order it now! I'm pretty excited, needless to say. But, the whole idea for this book came simply from my spending time in God's Word. My book, and any other book for that matter, is the appetizer. The main course is God's Book. Read it, hear it, live it, and be changed!