Jerry B. Jenkins

Settling In to this New Number...

2009-09-24T13:53:00.000-07:00

It's weird to be 60, remembering how ancient my grandparents seemed at the same age. I can only imagine what our grandkids think of us relics.

The festivities were fantastic. Dianna arranged yet another surprise party, this time at Giordano's Pizza in Chicago, where we arrived to find friends and colleagues from Moody.

Then it was off to Milwaukee for a Cub game against the Brewers with our friends, Roger and Sandy Eide. The Cubs lost, so the best entertainment of the night was the always popular sausage race.

I was overwhelmed by cards and gifts, but if Dianna were the only gift I ever received, she would be way more than enough.

As this Baby Boomer Turns 60 Today...

2009-09-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

…I’m grateful for:

Having been born into a family with a legacy of faith on both sides, leading back generations. My paternal grandfather (who died when my dad was an infant) was a pastor whose deathbed wish was that his children would grow up to be churchgoing believers. And they did.

Having been raised in a small Bible church where Christ was pre-eminent and the Word central. One old saint always thanked God for “this little lighthouse,” which was the way we all saw Oakwood Bible Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Being led to Christ by my mother when I was a child. I used to wish I had a dramatic testimony, but I have learned that people who were gloriously saved out of lives of sin and degradation would give anything to trade for a story like mine. It’s just as much a miracle of God to be raised in a loving, Christian home.

Being counseled through times of doubt by my father and coming to full assurance of my salvation.

Having three brothers who love God and have served him their whole lives.

That alcohol had no place in our family. The sad stories I hear…

Small town values, Little League baseball, and an era where even in public school, we often prayed in class.

Parents who never hurt me but weren’t afraid to spank.

Learning to love the great old hymns.

Summer camp, where I was challenged one year “to live for Christ by God’s grace even if you have to stand alone.”

And the next summer where I felt called to full-time Christian service, assuming I would have to give up my writing dream and become a pastor or missionary – only to find that God often equips you before he calls you.

Attending Moody Bible Institute, which remains my proudest association to this day.

Agreeing to a blind date in 1970 that resulted in a lifetime love affair.

Having three sons bestowed upon Dianna and me, and the unspeakable privilege of leading each to faith in Christ.

Two godly daughters-in-law, five precious grandchildren, and one more due before the end of this year.

Working at Moody for more than 30 years, first as editor of Moody Magazine, and eventually working in publishing management.

Big doors that opened on small hinges – like getting my foot in the door to write several biographies of famous people, including the privilege of a lifetime: assisting Billy Graham with his memoirs.

Mentors and colleagues who taught me, modeled Holy living before me, challenged me, and helped me grow. This includes Sammy Tippit (the subject of my very first book), four presidents of Moody Bible Institute, professors, fellow board members, superiors, staff.

My pastor.

Meeting Dr. Tim LaHaye and the honor of writing for him the Left Behind series that saw thousands turn to Christ.

Being able to buy the Christian Writers Guild from one of my heroes, Norm Rohrer, and expanding it beyond either of our dreams.

The staff of CWG.

My assistants.

More dear friends than I deserve.

Working with my son, who runs our film company in Los Angeles, Jenkins Entertainment.

Being healthier than I’ve ever been, despite my vintage.

Getting to go to the Holy Land and the Cities of Paul and the Churches of Revelation.

Working with the board and staff at Moody to bring in our new President.

The future. Whether Christ returns before tomorrow or in His mercy waits one more day (which in His economy of time is a thousand years), I look forward to what awaits. I know little of what is in store up there, so while I watch and wait as the Scriptures instruct, I also stay focused on the work at hand.

It’s nice to have work.

Now that's One Tiny Grandbaby...

2009-09-22T03:24:00.000-07:00

Second son Chad with his second son, Micah, two days old. Micah showed up a little early, but perfect at 5 pounds, 14 ounces.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa...

2009-09-18T18:29:00.000-07:00

...has nothing on the culture in the Black Forest of Colorado where we live.

New post-production video blog from "What If..."

2009-09-18T11:11:00.001-07:00

What If Blog 09-16-09 from What If on Vimeo.

More of My Favorite Things...

2009-09-16T18:24:00.000-07:00

Chad & Christa's Isaac (2).

Dallas & Amanda's Sam (8).

Sam's sister Maya (6).

Sam and Maya's sister, Elle (4).

Chad and Christa with Isaac.

The whole crew, minus our youngest son, Mike, who was working.

Surprise Party...

2009-09-15T19:47:00.001-07:00

...My 60th isn't until next week (9/23, same day, same year as Bruce Springsteen...think he dyes his hair? I hope.), but my staff held a surprise party for me yesterday at the Christian Writers Guild. My assistant and my wife are the worst liars in history -- I guess that's good news -- so I caught on before I got there. I even put a note in my pocket that read, "Let the record show, I figured this out almost immediately."

But it was still a hoot and I was moved by how many people came, my pastor and best friend (who happen to be one and the same), one friend I hadn't seen in 43 years, and many others. The staff had assembled 60 each of a lot of my favorite things: packages of peanut butter M&Ms, Diet Cokes, limes, books, Scrabble tiles, photos, etc., etc.

I'm still in denial over this birthday and so counting the days.

Kerma Murray, director of the guild (check us out at www.ChristianWritersGuild.com), holds the cake. It took me three huffs and puffs, but I got them all out just in time to keep the smoke detectors from going off.

Precious...

2009-09-12T12:56:00.000-07:00

Son Chad shot this of his son, Isaac, just as Isaac realized it was Daddy.

Twittering Already...and Movie News...

2009-09-08T21:41:00.000-07:00

If you're on twitter and have any interest in more frequent updates and thoughts on writing, you can now follow me at www.twitter.com/jerrybjenkins.

As you may have been following, son Dallas is posting regular updates and "behind the scenes" videos to document the making of our latest film, "What If..." The latest post production video blog is below. For more videos, updates, and information, click on the link to the What If... production blog on the right side of this page:

What If Video Blog 09-05-09 from What If on Vimeo.

Twittering?

2009-09-02T11:53:00.000-07:00

I will be soon. Next month. Meanwhile if you are on twitter and interested in more frequent updates on our film company, you can follow son Dallas at www.twitter.com/dallasjenkins

New pictures at the "What If..." site...

2009-08-31T19:10:00.000-07:00

For those who have been tracking the updates and pictures from our website for our new film "What If...," we have a new set of pictures up. Check it out here.

You Never Know...

2009-08-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

...what you're going to get when you aim your cell phone camera through the windshield on a Colorado Springs Road.

Great Shot by Dianna Today...

2009-08-24T16:19:00.000-07:00

If You're Keeping Up with Our New Movie...

2009-08-24T07:40:00.001-07:00

...there are new pictures and updates at http://whatifmovie.wordpress.com

I'm on a Writing Deadline...

2009-08-22T10:42:00.000-07:00

...but I had to take a break to add these recent grandkid shots.
Dallas and Amanda's Beanie, Maya, and Sam with Chad and Christa's Isaac.
Bowlegged Grandpa with Beanie.

Grandpa, Maya, Grandma, Beanie, and Sam.

Dallas with Elle (Beanie).

Our favorite Chicago eatery.

Dallas and Amanda.

Sam with Mom Amanda.

Isaac and Grandpa.

Maya.

One More...

2009-08-11T18:17:00.001-07:00

I love this of Grandma with Isaac after 7 exhausting hours in the van.

Two Family Reunions

2009-08-11T11:01:00.000-07:00

Can you see the staples in Isaac's head? He fell frolicking in the Kansas City Airport and had to be fastened back together. It hardly slowed him from enjoying a Jenkins reunion and a Whiteford reunion last week.

Here he is later the same day.

Because Chad and Christa and Isaac were naturally delayed, Dallas and Amanda and Sam, Maya, and Elle (Beanie) took a boat ride on Lake Michigan. We were herded for this photo, muttering that we weren't likely to buy the typical result. When I saw it, though, well...here it is.

I know it's hard to believe, but all three kids (ages 8, 6, and 4) jumped right into a zip line, starting 50 feet off the ground. Amazing.

Here's Dallas jumping over Beanie.

Chad and Christa

We got a kick out of this sign, given Elle's nickname.

Great News on the Gibbs Book

2009-07-30T08:11:00.000-07:00

Tyndale House Publishers reports that Joe Gibbs's Game Plan for Life is debuting at #6 on the New York Times bestseller list in the Advice/How-To category. [I told Joe I loved the cover but that I didn't think it looked like me at all. :) ]

Good Line Heard Recently...

2009-07-22T08:55:00.000-07:00

From Richard Foster at the Christy Fiction Awards:

When I'm dead and gone
May it be said,
"His sins were scarlet,
"But his books were read."

A Fun Shot

2009-07-20T15:33:00.000-07:00

I recently had some photos shot for an update of my website -- still in progress, but wanted to share this one now. I love this view of our place in the mountains where Dianna and I go when I am writing on deadline. This is the view of the house from my writing cave out back. (c) 2009 Paul Johnson Photography

Dianna Shot these Tonight...

2009-07-19T21:37:00.001-07:00

...out the back of the condo while we were visiting son Mike in Central City, Colorado.

Movie Shoot is a Wrap

2009-07-19T07:49:00.001-07:00

Son Dallas reports: Well, we just completed filming "What If...," and even though I'm monumentally exhausted, I've never been this optimistic about a film. My wife told me on the phone that she's "never heard you like this." Working with Pure Flix went very well, and the actors were amazing.

Please check out http://whatifmovie.wordpress.com/, and you can see my daily video blog. The first 12 days of shooting are up there, and I give a semi-detailed account each day of how it went and what we did.
I'll start editing in about a week or so, and we remain on target for a February 2010 release.

Also, we've chosen a screenwriter to adapt my dad's novel Riven (our next movie). Great guy, a good friend of mine, and a terrific writer, and he has a great take on the story. We're hoping to get him going within a week or two, and the goal is to start shooting in December.

And a couple of more from the cruise...

Can you tell I'm psyched about having been able to do this? These shots are from tour leader, Dr. Charlie Dyer.

More from the Cruise...

2009-07-12T10:13:00.000-07:00

Dr. Walt McCord, Moody graduate school professor

Dr. Paul Nyquist, president, Moody Bible Institute

Unexpected guests (Orthodox priests from Jerusalem) during Dr. Nyquist's communion service

Dr. Charlie Dyer, Executive Vice President and Provost of the Moody Bible Institute and the host of the trip

Okay, I've Painted Myself into a Corner...

2009-07-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

...and leave today for the Christian booksellers convention, then head to Indiana to speak, then back to Colorado to more deadlines. So, this forces me to be VERY selective in what I share from the two-week Moody Bible Institute cruise and bus tour of the cities of Paul and the churches of Revelation. Maybe that's for the best. Nothing more boring than someone else's vacation pictures, right?

There were more than 130 fellow travelers. We sailed on the Star Clipper out of Athens. Moody personnel did a fantastic job making it an unforgettable experience. And here are some of the highlights.

Getting fitted with life jackets the first day.

Privileged to speak to the rest of the passengers.

Big brother Jim and his wife Sharon came along. He kept telling everyone, "I'm the nice one."

I couldn't pass up the opportunity to climb the mast, something I wouldn't have dreamed of doing six years and 135 pounds ago.

My view of Dianna from way up there somewhere.

At our first stop in Corinth we saw this name in stone: Erastus. That was my paternal grandfather's middle name.

One of countless stunning views in Greece.

Yes, even other countries need plumbing. This had something to do with the Great White Throne Judgment.

The legendary and magnificent Corinthian Canal.

I shot more columns than I care to remember, so here is one representative.

This might look like a library, but it carried none of my books.

I know this looks like snow, but it is one of the largest calcium deposits in the world and still growing.

Believe it or not, this is the ceiling in one of the last restaurants we enjoyed in Turkey.

Chasing our bus.

Sunset from the plane.

Our New Movie...

2009-07-11T06:56:00.001-07:00

...is shooting right now in Michigan, and son Dallas is conducting a daily behind-the-scenes director's video update you might find interesting.

http://whatifmovie.wordpress.com/