"The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment is a truly important work-one that should be required reading not only for church leaders, but for all sober-minded laypeople as well."

John MacArthur (From the Foreword)

"If you were more discerning you’d probably buy this book. If you do read this book, you will be! This book on discernment is simple, clear, well-written and well-illustrated...

Mark Dever

Welcome to the online home of Tim Challies, blogger, author and web designer. My first book, "The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment," is now available everywhere.

Read about the book, about the blog or about the author.

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12/23/07
Comments (27)

Meeting My Book

A couple of days ago, a skid’s worth of books showed up at my sister’s place. Two days later I showed up and finally got to meet my book. After almost two years from the time I first to pen to paper, I finally saw the results. It wasn’t nearly the moment I thought it might be. But it was still fun and it’s good to have something to hold in my hands.

So here I am starting out signing all those pre-ordered books.

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And then, quite a long time later my brother-in-law snapped a shot of me signing the last one.

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And here are the results.

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Tomorrow we’ll put together an assembly line and stuff all of those books into envelopes. Then we’ll stamp them, put them in the back of my van, and get them to the post office. Good times!

For those wishing to order through Amazon or another retailer, I suspect you’ll have to wait until very early in the new year before they have stock available.

Meeting My Book

Comments (27) »

1. Chuck Thomas
December 23, 2007
2:48 PM

Tim: In that last picture, which one of those books is mine?

I will be checking my mailbox with great anticipation in a week or so. I am looking forward to digging in.

Merry Christmas!

2. Paul
December 23, 2007
2:50 PM

That’s awesome, dude. Congratulations on getting published—a dream of my own since I was little that I hope someday (by God’s grace) to still obtain. I am really looking forward to reading your book, and I think it’s really cool that I got to get a signed copy.

Now - why don’t you take a break and go enjoy your family and your Christmas! Merry Christmas, Tim!

Blessings, Paul

3. Jeri
December 23, 2007
3:02 PM

Very very cool!!! What a great way to end a year. Trusting that the Lord will bring lots of good fruit from that little book.

4. Anna
December 23, 2007
3:09 PM

Congratulations! It must feel good to have made such an accomplishment. I’m sure God will be using that book.

5. wfseube
December 23, 2007
3:29 PM

So when are you scheduled for the carpal tunnel surgery? ;-)

6. Dan Sudfeld
December 23, 2007
3:54 PM

I’ll take the one in the fourth stack, six books down.

Congratulations!

7. david
December 23, 2007
4:26 PM

I’ll be grading your penmanship.

8. Staci at Writing and Living
December 23, 2007
4:26 PM

Congratulations!

Your sister has a very pretty kitchen.

9. Ivan
December 23, 2007
5:27 PM

Hey Tim:

How many books were pre-ordered and you signed? Let me guess, 728. Am I right?

10. Tim
December 23, 2007
5:44 PM

That’s just extremely cool.

Merry Christmas.

Tim

11. Michael Krahn
December 23, 2007
6:23 PM

Congrats Tim… waiting for my copy!

12. Victoria Lynch
December 23, 2007
6:40 PM

And ladies did you notice how beautiful the contrast is between the wall color and the trim on the woodwork and windows? I guess everyone of us gals notices that stuff straight up! It’s my exact scheme. And hummmmm—- I can hardly contain myself wondering which book is mine! God bless you Tim and family— I pray your book sells a million copies and that everyone who reads it puts it into practice! A blessed Christmas to all—and remember that the one who came as a babe in a manger so long ago is coming soon again as KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS! Maranatha!

13. Leslie
December 23, 2007
7:59 PM

Very cool. I’m looking forward to getting mine in the mail!

Oh, and Victoria? Yes, my eyes went all around Tim to check out the decor. Beautiful work in that house! I really appreciate the warm colors of the kitchen.

14. Nick
December 23, 2007
10:55 PM

Congrats Tim! Maybe we’ll study your book for my Wednesday night class!

15. Doug
December 24, 2007
12:39 AM

Congratulations, Tim! I can’t wait to see the book when you’re here in February.

A very Merry Christmas to all of the Challies clan!

16. Marc
December 24, 2007
8:34 AM

I arm hurts just looking at the pictures.

Congrads. I can’t wait to get mine.

Merry Christmas…

17. francisco
December 24, 2007
9:13 AM

Congrats Tim!

Let me guess. You signed 720 books and at a rate of 10 seconds per book and adding 45 minutes for fatigue at the end of the signing process, I guess you took 2h 45 min doing the whole thing, right? Well, hope your right (or left?) hand got some rest!

Merry Christmas!!

18. Eunice
December 24, 2007
9:16 AM

Hooray! I can’t wait to get mine. I think I see it…third row from the left, 10 down from the top. :)

19. Bibliomaniac
December 24, 2007
9:36 AM

After almost two years from the time I first to pen to paper, I finally saw the results. It wasn’t nearly the moment I thought it might be.

I’ve heard this from quite a few of our authors as well. I suspect it’s for the very reason you mention—the waiting period between turning in the manuscript and getting the final product is sooooooo long, it’s not really much of a surprise when you finally open that first box of books.

Congratulations, and may the book do well.

20. Eric
December 24, 2007
10:15 AM

Congratulations Tim!

I will guess that there are a total of 587 signed books on that table.
I hope you remembered to sign and number them in the order that the orders were received? LOL

Ladies, you are not the only ones to notice the woodwork and cabinetry. A good cabinetmaker is always looking in the background of pictures at the cabinetry, millwork, and furniture.

God bless and have a very Merry Christmas.

21. Brendt
December 24, 2007
10:40 AM

There aren’t quite as many books there as it seems. What you can’t see on the back side is that Tim’s son built a fort among those stacks.

Still took a long time, though.

22. Trill
December 24, 2007
12:19 PM

I decided to take a cooking break and what a joy to see you signing all your books! I can’t wait to get mine. My arm hurt too thinking about you signing all that! And- my husband and I will be coming to hear you speak next week! We look forward to meeting you. Blessings and Merry Christmas!

23. Glenn
December 24, 2007
1:41 PM

So, Tim, that’s “Glenn” with two “n’s”! :)

Hope you have a good supply of pens for the job!

24. Richard
December 25, 2007
2:43 PM

Congratulations Tim! I am looking forward to my copy. Have a safe trip home.

25. Brendt
December 29, 2007
9:14 PM

Hey folks! I got my copy in the mail today. Granted, I’m pretty close to where it got mailed from, but you all should probably expect yours sometime next week. Well, you all in the States, anyway.

26. Mrs. J.D.Darr
December 30, 2007
5:59 PM

Congratulations Tim!! We can’t wait to get our book as well!! And yes….I did notice the beautiful decor, we are such ladies aren’t we? :) God Bless You All!

27. helen wales
January 3, 2008
1:09 PM

Congats Tim, on your book. I am curious however — you are a website designer and a book reviewer, and do a lot of live blogging for well-known pastors conferences. But, you are not a pastor, not an ordained minister of the gospel, and from what I understand you haven’t undergone any formal theological training, and you do not serve in full time ministry. So, what qualifies you biblically to write about discernment?

Thanks for your time. Just trying to be discerning here.