The People Behind the Books

I spent last weekend at the Christian Book Expo in Dallas, Texas.

The best part was the time with some of the authors who have written the books that have shaped my life.

For example, I have used a Ryrie Study Bible since the age of 19. I'm on my second one and have been trained through its notes. Saturday, I had a chance to personally thank Dr. Ryrie for his time.

Last Christmas, I was given a copy of Same Kind of Different As Me. It's a powerful story, but not as powerful as talking with the men who wrote it. They are the real deal and a joy to meet.

There were many more, but I'll share just one more. J.I. Packer is considered one of the 20th Century's top theologians. He happened to be signing books and I caught him at a moment when we could chat for several minutes about life and Knowing God (his most well-known book). His writings are great; it's even better to talk with him and discover he's the same in person.

Other big names were there, including Max Lucado, Stormie Omartian, and Jerry Jenkins, but there were too many people to talk with them all. In the end, it was worth the trip to share time with those God has used and is using to impact millions around our world today.