CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

Happy July 4th Weekend! This morning in church our pastor preached on a familiar verse from 2 Chronicles 7:14 - "...if my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

The key phrases are humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways. The Lord says I will hear you. We don't have to ask the question in this video. Take a quick look...

I'M LETTING GO

I'm Letting Go by Francesca Battistelli is another song that reminded me of book 1, especially the scenes where Ryann and Liddy and then Terell are jumping into Lake Dora to make the journey into Aeliana. Letting go of the security of the dock and this world and take a literal leap of faith into the next.

An analogy our pastor gave last week, in regards to our faith, spoke to scripture that says "the Lord is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." It's like a flashlight lighting that one step just in front of us while several steps out the path is still dark. We rely on him to light our path and have faith in Him, in what lies ahead. Enjoy the song, words, and the life that comes in Jesus.

My heart beats, standing on the edge
But my feet have finally left the ledge

Like an acrobat
There’s no turning back

Chorus
I’m letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
Losing control
Of my destiny
Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
So I’m letting go

This is a giant leap of faith
Trusting and trying to embrace

The fear of the unknown
Beyond my comfort zone

Chorus
I’m letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
Losing control
Of my destiny
Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
So I’m letting go

Giving in to your gravity
Knowing You are holding me
I’m not afraid

Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
Feels like I’m falling and this is the life for me

Jesus Freak

Are you a Jesus Freak?

I was listening to one of my favorite songs by DC Talk the other day, Jesus Freak, and the words seemed to fit so well with one of the characters in my latest book, "Ryann Watters and the Shield of Faith." Upon returning to Aeliana; Ryann, Liddy, and Terell encounter a wild dwarf in the desert by the name of Eljon. He's my 'John the Bapist' character and Jared Sloger (my interior artist) captured him well with this rendering:

Here's a link to DC Talk's music video and a version from their live concert! The words are below. So, are you a Jesus Freak?

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-712618840938726637

Separated, I cut myself clean
From a past that comes back
in my darkest of dreams
Been apprehended by a spiritual force
And a grace that replaced all the me I've divorced

I saw a man with tat on his big fat belly
It wiggled around like marmalade jelly
It took me a while to catch what it said
Cause I had to match the rhythm Of his belly with my head
'Jesus Saves' is what it raved in a typical tattoo green
He stood on a box in the middle of the city And claimed he had a dream

(chorus) What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find that it's true
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain't no disguising the truth

Kamikaze, my death is gain
I've been marked by my Maker A peculiar display
The high and lofty, they see me as weak
Cause I won't live and die for the power they seek

There was a man from the desert with naps in his head
The sand that he walked was also his bed
The words that he spoke made the people assume
There wasn't too much left in the upper room
With skins on his back and hair on his face
They thought he was strange by the locusts he ate
The Pharisees tripped when they heard him speak
Until the king took the head of this Jesus freak

(chorus) What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find that it's true
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain't no disguising the truth

The New Website is Up and Running!

Check out the new website at www.ryannwatters.com and let me know what you think. I divided it into 5 stones (read about those in book 2) and each stone takes you into a different place on the website.


Stone 1 = The Original Book One site with some modifictions


Stone 2 = New Book Two site which has the same feel as the original site (make sure to check out the artist corner with Jared Sloger and the new settings area).


Stone 3 = Future Books: I will place all of the latest info on "Ryann Watters and the Belt of Truth," here.


Stone 4 = Fun Stuff: I've moved some stuff around so that you can find the contests, updates, wall paper downloads, videos, etc. here.


Stone 5 = The Store... Oh yeah, the books can be bought here and it's the only place (besides in person) where they are signed and come with a full color, laminated bookmarker.

FEEDBACK: I'd love to get your feedback on what you think about the website. Send me a quick e-mail and pass along the link to friends, pastors, teachers, kids, and everyone you vaguely know! For Creation House to move ahead with Book 3, they need to hit sales of at least 10,000 books. Thanks for your help! Eric

Earl Release Book Party

I had a fun time at my early-release open house. This picture is of my beautiful high school sweetheart and now wife, Kim (21 years next month)... I know we look like newlyweds!

Over 250 books have sold through pre-orders on my website and I'm looking forward to the retail release date on May 5th. When you have a minute, please spread the work via e-mails, blogs, twitter, facebook and put a review up on Amazon, Borders, or Christian Books.com. Speaking of all these places on the net, if you haven't found me on FACEBOOK yet then type in Eric Reinhold and Ryann Watters Book Fan Club. You can follow a lot of the happenings and see other fun pics that I don't post here.

My website is currently being overhauled to coincide with the release of book 2, so check http://www.ryannwatters.com/ in the next week to see if it's up and running and give me feedback!

Have a blessed week!

Eric

CONTEST WINNER ANNOUNCED AND NEW CONTEST REVEALED!

Congrats to the winner of Contest # 7 - Summer Jackson of Abbotsford, British Columbia (that's Canada for all you kids in the U.S. who haven't taken Geography). I will be sending her the brand new, not yet in stores, hot off the press, signed copy of "Shield of Faith!" Thanks to everyone who submitted an answer.

CONTEST # 8 IS NOW UP ON THE WEBSITE

#8 The First BOOK 2 - SHIELD OF FAITH Trivia. Since the book is only available on my website until May 5th, when it will be on Amazon and local bookstores. OPEN UNTIL JUNE 30TH ***Question: What do buttons 4 and 5 do on Ryann's staff?

Also, in the next 10 days or so there is going to be a major update of my website, which will include all new content for book 2. Keep checking back for it.

Now... I'm off to pack for a short 5 day, family vaction to Naples (no not Italy, but Florida... it's a 4 hour drive) Gotcha!

The picture above is part of the book... what do those 5 blue stones mean? Hmmm, maybe an idea for the next trivia question!

Be blessed and KEEP THE FAITH!

Habakkuk 2:4

The Books Are In!

YEAH!!!

It's now official... I have received my pre-order shipment of book 2, "Ryann Watters and the Shield of Faith." It's exciting to be able to have my own extensive supply of books so that I can easily take them to book signings and also provide a service to readers through direct sales. My website (or of course in person) is the only way to get a signed book...

PLUS, I had a printing company put print awesome, full-color, glossy bookmarkers that combine the front and back covers of the book. Those come free with an order off my website http://www.ryannwatters.com/.

I was concerned on the day of delivery as Central Florida was experiencing a downpour of rain. Fortunately the driver was late and the rain stopped by delivery time. My wife, Kim, and two of my kids came by to help move the boxes of books into storage.

In the same vein of the chip company that says "we'll make more," I'm hoping to get the word out about Ryann Watters so that I can say, "we'll print more!" Thanks for taking an interest and please pass the word about The Annals of Aeliana via e-mail, Facebook, book reviews on-line (Amazon, Borders, Christianbooks.com, etc.). I appreciate it!

Be blessed,

Eric