From the Word Alive Press [WAP] Author Spotlight November/December Issue 2009
WAP: Why do you write?
I love to write! At least I do now. It wasn’t always the case, though. Before I began to write What’s in a Name (later released as Smooth Stones & Promises), my husband would often ask me to edit his academic papers and I would do it, but not with any great enthusiasm. In fact, although I enjoy writing now, I wrote my first book because the words had been in my heart for a long time, and I wanted to “get them out of my heart and onto paper” — if that makes sense? As a speaker, I would sometimes refer to Psalm 138:2 — the verse the book is about — but I never could adequately explain what I saw there. Eventually, I just had to put the words on paper.
WAP: There are many books out there about the names of God. What’s different about yours?
This book focuses on the name of God, more so than His names. There are so many references in the Bible to the name of God—in His name, for His name’s sake, exalt His name, trust in His name. Many of those phrases went right over my head—or, at least, I didn’t quite grasp the full intent of the verses—until, in response to Psalm 138:2, I studied the different aspects of any man’s name. After that, those phrases meant much more to me than they did before. So did worship songs like: “How Excellent is thy Name in all the Earth” or “Great is Thy Faithfulness” or “How firm a Foundation”. Because of my study of “the name” and what it entails, I became more aware of how firm our foundation really is!
WAP: You’ve said you wrote this book in “journey format”. What do you mean?
I didn’t want to just tell the readers something. I wanted them to experience what I experienced, so I took them on the same journey I went on. I guess I thought of it as the difference between being told about someone’s trip to Paris, and going there one’s self. Personal experience is beyond words.
WAP: What about Keepers of the Testimony? Where did it come from?
I wrote Keepers because when I was researching my first book I saw something in Psalm 78 that caught my attention. Actually, it amazed me. God said, and I’m paraphrasing: “Tell the children my stories so they’ll hope in me.” That scripture took me back to when I was teaching fourth grade in Texas, and I thought, “Oh, that’s what was happening back then!” (That Texas Terror story became the first chapter of the book.) From Psalm 78 I saw the purpose and power of our stories, and as a teacher — and, really, as an observer — I realized that we often try to pass on “the faith” to our children in many ways that are ineffective, when God has already shown us His way.
WAP: Who is Keepers for? Who did you write it for?
I wrote Keepers of the Testimony primarily for parents and grandparents. But really, anyone who has ever lived a God story — or heard one and wants to live one — should find something empowering in this book.
FAY ROWE 