FaithfulReader.com - The Faithful Fifteen Feature -- Steven James

Steven James

Steven James is an author, storyteller, and poet. He has been a full-time speaker for almost ten years and continues to speak at conferences, churches, and special events across the country sharing his eclectic blend of drama, comedy, and inspirational storytelling. Steven is also the author of nineteen books, including HOW TO SMELL LIKE GOD, BECOMING REAL, and PRAYING FROM THE GUT. When he's not traveling or writing, Steven likes going rock climbing, watching science fiction movies, and eating chicken fajitas. He lives with his wife and three daughters in Tennessee.

Steven James Answers The Faithful Fifteen

March 2005

In STORY: Recapture the Mystery, author, poet and speaker Steven James invites readers to relive the entire Christian story, focusing more on its imagery and poetry rather than its history and law. In this interview James explains his wish to retell stories from the Bible without being preachy, insulting, or too filled with "church talk." He also discusses his path to finding faith and the trust he places in the mystery of God, and shares a humorous anecdote about signing autographs for his readers.

Writing

FaithfulReader.com: Could you give a brief summary of your latest book?

Steven James: STORY: Recapture the Mystery is an imaginative and creative retelling of the Easter story. I think the review in Publishers Weekly summed it up even better than I can: "Don't expect a textbook study of the Christian world view; instead, come along for a journey full of wonder, tears, joy, despair and hope revealed through the eyes and heart of a storyteller. Those seeking a new vision of the Easter story will find it here."

FR: What role does faith have in the book? What inspired you to write it?

SJ: I was inspired to write this book because I wanted a book that I wouldn't be ashamed to give to non-Christian spiritual pilgrims. I wanted something that would retell the story of Jesus's death and new life in a way they would connect with and relate to, but that wouldn't preach at them, insult them, or be filled with church talk.

FR: What do you feel your calling is as a writer?

SJ: I think part of the calling as a writer is to be faithful with the ideas God gives me. I often think of Jesus's story about the guy who buried his talent. Sometimes I'm tempted to bury my ideas, but then I remember that story and I just put it out there and see what happens.

FR: Who are your favorite authors and mentors? How have they influenced your work?

SJ: I love some of the work of Walter Wangerin Jr. and Calvin Miller, two guys who really seem to have a good feel for how imagination intersects with the Christian story. I also like reading philosophy because it makes me think, and suspense thrillers because they don't.

FR: Do you have any favorite stories of encounters with readers?

SJ: Once I was at a book signing and asked a woman if she wanted me to sign her book. "No, I'm not too into signatures," she said, "but I can sign something for you if you want." I was tempted to say, "a check would be nice," but caught myself just in time.

Spirituality

FR: Tell us about your personal faith journey.

SJ: I'm glad you put it that way --- faith journey --- because that's what it was for me. I grew up going to church without ever really coming to Jesus. I imagine it's that way for a lot of people. I learned lots of facts about God, but they didn't really seem to have anything to do with my everyday life. What mattered to me most were sports, fitting in, trying to impress girls, hanging out with my friends. The usual.

Then when I was a sophomore in college, I took a girl out for pizza. I think her name was Maria. During the meal I bragged about playing basketball in high school and winning two state championships, and she asked me a question that really shook me up: "Steve, what was your god in high school?" I said, "Well, God was my God!" but I slowly realized I'd been doing everything for myself, always me, never him. So her question, and then encountering the joy of some genuine Jesus-followers in Illinois a few years later, really spoke to me and brought me to the place where I believed, really believed, in Jesus.

FR: Who are your spiritual mentors?

SJ: Most of my mentors are the Christian mystics who have all been dead for about 400 years. I love reading their insights, but it makes it tough to ask for clarification if you have a specific question.

FR: What is your current church community involvement?

SJ: My family and I attend a church called Grace Fellowship Church. However, often I'm traveling and speaking on weekends and end up speaking at churches of all denominations across the country.

FR: What are your Scripture reading habits? Prayer habits?

SJ: I've tried lots of different programs --- some work, some don't. Right now I've been working my way slowly through the gospels, taking my time. As far as prayer, I'm in the habit lately of doing it aloud. So I either pray in my office when no one else is here, or early in the mornings. Otherwise, if you do it on the sidewalk or in your cubicle, people want to lock you up.

FR: If you had one message for Christians today, what would it be?

SJ: Trust more in the mystery of Jesus and stop trying to figure God out. Also, live in grace and keep that focus. Most of us don't have a hard time feeling guilty. Instead, we have a tough time believing we could actually matter to God. And the truth is, we do. Spend more time there, connecting with God's love, and less time judging and condemning people who don't.

Life

FR: Tell us about your family. Spouse? Kids?

SJ: I'm married and have three daughters, one dog and one cat.

FR: Do you and your family have any special traditions?

SJ:The biggest ongoing tradition is the bedtime story routine. I've been telling them a continuing story nearly every night for the last seven or eight years. There's this whole fantasy world we've created --- like Narnia or THE LORD OF THE RINGS. It's cool.

FR: What are some of your favorite hobbies and activities?

SJ: I love rock climbing (when my elbows aren't injured), hiking, playing basketball, watching science fiction movies, and eating chicken fajitas --- but not all at the same time.

FR: What are your media habits? Television? Movies? Music? Etc?

SJ: Not too much TV, just "24." I love movies though, both action flicks and well-crafted dramas. And as far as music, I love electronica, especially when I'm editing.

FR: What excites you about life?

SJ: Hmmm, well, let's see. Cheetos, Jesus, sex, playing games with my kids, doing work I love. That about sums it up.

Current Titles

STORY: Recapture the Mystery

Steven James
Revell
ISBN:
(February 2006)

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Through 30 short chapters, Steven James revisits key scenes from the Christian story. He illuminates Jesus's miraculous birth and daring ministry on earth, building to the "rising terror" of the crucifixion and rediscovery of freedom following the resurrection.

Upcoming Titles

SAILING BETWEEN THE STARS: Musings on the Mysteries of Faith (Revell, September 2006)

Bibliography

SAILING BETWEEN THE STARS: Musings on the Mysteries of Faith (Revell, 2006)

STORY: Recapture the Mystery (Revell, 2006)

THE QUEST FOR CELESTIA: The Pilgrim's Progress Re-imagined (Tyndale, 2006)

DRAMA FOR REAL LIFE: 16 Scripts About the Choices that Shape Us (Intervarsity Press, 2006)

NEVER THE SAME: Stories of People Who Encountered Jesus (Zondervan/YS, 2005)

ASTONISHING TALES OF SPIRITUAL TRUTH! (Refuge, Standard Publishing, 2005)

CRAZY AND CREATIVE BIBLE STORIES FOR PRETEENS (Standard Publishing, 2005)

SHARABLE PARABLES: Creative Storytelling Ideas for Ages 3-12 (Standard Publishing, 2005)

BECOMING REAL: Christ's Call to Authentic Living (Howard Publishing, 2005)

ON THE EDGE: A Collection of 15 Hard-hitting Dramatic Monologues for Youth (Meriwether Publishing Ltd., 2005)

PRAYING FROM THE GUT: An Honest Prayer Journal for Teens (Refuge/Standard Publishing, 2004)

30 OLD TESTAMENT QUICKSKITS FOR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY (Standard Publishing, 2004)

30 NEW TESTAMENT QUICKSKITS FOR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY (Standard Publishing, 2004)

24 TANDEM BIBLE STORYSCRIPTS FOR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY (Standard Publishing, 2003)

24 TANDEM BIBLE HERO STORYSCRIPTS FOR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY (Standard Publishing, 2003)

MORE WORSHIP SKETCHES 2 PERFORM! (Meriwether Publishing Ltd., 2003)

BELIEVE IT! Bible Basics that Won't Break Your Brain (Standard Publishing, 2003)

HOW TO SMELL LIKE GOD (Refuge/Standard Publishing, 2002)

THE CREATIVE STORYTELLING GUIDE FOR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY (Standard Publishing, 2002)

JAWDROPPERS: 36 Shocking Stories for Students (Refuge/Standard Publishing, 2001)

WORSHIP SKETCHES 2 PERFORM! (Meriwether Publishing Ltd., 2001)

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