Yesterday I received a copy of No More Christian Nice Guy and all I can say is “Go and Get this book!”

This is one of the best books I’ve read in recent days and I can’t recommend it enough.

The premise of the book is that men in the church are “too nice” and also “not like Jesus” because of this niceness. Translated into therapeutic terms, Christian men are often passive aggressive and wimpy.

Okay the wimpy part wasn’t a therapeutic term. But it does describe most of the men I see.

The author discusses the tough and rough side of Jesus and how men have been tricked into believing that they should always be “nice” and gentle, and loving bla bla bla.

It’s a great book and a great wake up call for the times in which we live. And it’s time men began to stand up and be men.

Men need to be involved in public policy fights. They need to be fathers to their children. They need to be manly men to their wives. They need to have a spine and conviction. They need to be able to be more like Jesus, and now is the time.

Hey all you fans of Nancy Pearcey’s book Total Truth, there is a new edition that was just released!

Check it out and be sure to tell all of your friends!

One of Mind & Media’s reviewers, Violet Nesdoly, pointed me to this interview with W. Dale Cramer, the author of Levi’s Will, a book we have reviewed here at Mind & Media.

You can read the whole interview here.

I would like to publically thank one of my Mind & Media reviewers for writing a wonderful article on how bloggers are writing for awareness and helping to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Heather Lynn Ivester has written the following article. Please take the time to read it because you’ll be encouraged.

Christians Blog for Katrina Relief
Heather Lynn Ivester
Guest Writer

When Hurricane Katrina pummeled her fury into the Gulf of Mexico coastline, we stared in horror at our TV screens. Then floodwaters descended upon New Orleans, erasing the image of good life in the Big Easy. We watched as helpless refugees were airlifted from the tops of buildings by helicopter and forced to survive in cramped, powerless evacuation shelters.

That’s when blogger fingertips started tapping.

The virtual community of Christians who maintain active web logs, or “blogs” have built up a ready-made audience of followers. In the wake of Katrina’s devastation, thousands of bloggers discovered an instant way to activate their faith where it could best be used, in offering financial assistance to the victims.

Michael Hyatt, president of Thomas Nelson, immediately updated his blog to let readers know how the world’s largest publisher of Bibles in English would respond. “The images of refugees trying to flee New Orleans are gut-wrenching,” he told his readers. “I can’t remember witnessing anything in our country as disastrous as what I have seen in the last three days.”

He announced that Thomas Nelson would donate 100,000 Bibles to aid in relief after hearing an official in Baton Rouge request “food, water, and Bibles.” Franklin Graham’s organization, Samaritan’s Purse, is helping with distribution. In addition, the Nashville-based publisher encouraged employees to donate funds, which the company would match. Baker Publishing Group, based in Michigan, responded likewise, with company donations distributed through International Aid.

Mississippi resident Paul Chaney, president of Radiant Marketing Group, used his business blog to help spread awareness of how bloggers could unite and give generously. “I felt compelled to blog about Katrina and the disaster relief efforts,” Chaney says. These are my people. I was born and raised in Mississippi and lived for a number of years in New Orleans. I’ve traveled many times down streets now covered with water.”

Chaney received a master’s degree from a seminary now engulfed by the overflow from Lake Ponchartrain. “That’s why I’m so impassioned about seeing that both groups, those in Nawlins’ and those on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, get the help they so badly need. That’s why I’m attempting to use what little influence I have in the blogosphere to plead for your support in funding relief efforts,” he said to his wide audience of blog readers.

With family and friends in devastated areas with little means of communication, Chaney went a step further in reaching out through blogging. “A couple of days ago I mentioned that, with the advent of Katrina survivors coming from New Orleans into Tupelo, it would be a good idea for our local paper, the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, to start a blog as one way to tell their stories, and provide other helpful information. I emailed a reporter friend of mine with the suggestion, and they have taken me up on it and now set one up” Chaney says.

Another active blogger is Stacy Harp of Orange, California. Her publicity company, Mind & Media, maintains an active database of book reviewers who help promote high-quality Christian books in the blogosphere.

But in the aftermath of the tragedy, Harp focused her efforts on the victims. “When I saw the tragedy unfold on television I began to cry because I was so moved,” she says. “So I had to do something and tell others to do the same, because this is what Christians do and how Christians should act - loving our neighbor, as we love ourselves. And I think this is a true opportunity for the Church in America to rise up and show others that Jesus loves them, and this is the love that compels me - His love for us.”

Both Chaney and Harp committed their blogs toward Katrina relief efforts by telling readers exactly how they could donate to various charities. They supported “Blog for Relief Day,” an ongoing effort recorded at the Truth Laid Bear site.

So far, over 1800 bloggers have participated, pledging over one million dollars to more than 300 charities represented. Chaney implored his readers to “please give generously, as if these were your people too. The truth be told, they are. In this vast chain of humanity we are all connected.”

Though Christians have been quick to respond, the needs are still massive and growing. Hyatt said recently in his blog, “Let me encourage you to dig deeply and give sacrificially to this cause. Please don’t procrastinate. People are desperate, and they need our help. And, while you’re at it, thank God you have a roof over your head and something to eat. Then pray for those who don’t.”

Here’s an event for all writers and reviewers…

A 700-member strong group of Christian authors, editors, agents, publicists and aspiring writers will be holding their 4th Annual Conference next week on Sept. 15-18 at Sheraton Music City in Nashville, Tenn.

Dubbed, The Premier Christian Fiction Conference by its organizers, the 2005 ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) conference will feature Executive Editor of Zondervan and best-selling novelist Karen Ball as the keynote speaker.

Over 15 publishing houses, including Bethany House, Tyndale, and Howard Publishing, will be represented at the conference, which will feature, a long and talented list of authors, editors, and agents, several top-quality continuing sessions with your favorite authors, workshops, and late night chats galore, a top-notch bookstore featuring your favorite authors books, and all the food fun and fellowship you can imagine, according to the ACFW website.

The ACFW conference is a lively event filled with friends, fellowship, frivolity, food, and a lot of fun, says Steve Laube, Literary Agent. In addition it is a great place to learn about the craft from some of the top writers in the industry. This conference is never a disappointment and always an encouragement.

Workshop titles at the conference include Fiction 101,Nine Steps to a Lean Mean Proposal,Turning Your Book into a Movie, and others. Other speakers featured at the event include Tracey Bateman, Gayle Roper, Robin Lee Hatcher, Linda Windsor, and more.

For more information about the 2005 ACFW Conference, click here.