A couple of days ago, Shona and I travelled to Chicago to visit Crossway. We had been invited to record videos and attend meetings in connection with a few upcoming books. The first is my own, Reset: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture. It’s a book for men and will be published at the end of March 2017.

The second is Refresh: Embracing a Grace-Paced Life in a World of Endless Demands, which Shona and I co-wrote. It’s a book for women and is based upon Shona’s recovery from depression and her experience of counseling other women through stress, anxiety, depression, etc. I’d never co-authored a book before and was a bit worried when we started the project about the potential for, shall we say, “marital discord.”  However, as we worked on it through the summer, we actually grew even closer, especially as we recalled some dark days in Shona’s life and the ways that God has restored her and is now using all of it for the good of others. Although the manuscript has been submitted, it’s going to be another 10-11 months before it’s published.

The third book is Exploring the Bible: A Bible Reading Plan for KidsThis will be published next September and its aim is to help children get into the daily habit of reading and interacting with the Bible. Through daily reading of carefully chosen verses, and the answering of simple questions, the children will be given an overview of the whole Bible in the course of a year. More details to follow!

The majority of Thursday was taken up with recording numerous videos for the first two books. Justin Taylor interviewed each of us for 15 minutes or so, focusing mainly on Shona’s story of depression and mine of burnout. Then there were multiple shorter videos answering various questions like:

Reset Questions

  1. Why do so many men experience burnout? What are some of the common causes?
  2. What unique factors in our modern culture are driving more and more men to burnout?
  3. What are some of the common negative effects of burnout in a man’s life?
  4. If there was one biblical truth you would impart as a remedy to burnout, what would it be?
  5. If there was one very practical thing a man could do to guard against burnout, what would it be?
  6. There are many men who will watch this video who are younger and have great ambitions for what they will do with their lives. How would you counsel them as they look ahead, hoping to live a life of hard work and success?
  7. What unique pressures might a man in ministry experience that would lead to burnout?
  8. Do you think the “celebrity pastor culture” we live in contributes to men in ministry burning out? If so, how?

Refresh Questions

  1. What particular demands are placed on women today?
  2. What would you say to women who feel they are only suffering from a spiritual problem? Is there a connection between spiritual, mental, and physical health?
  3. What are some unhealthy ways a woman might be tempted to handle the endless demands that are placed upon her?
  4. What steps do you recommend women take to rejuvenate their relationship with God after a season of poor spiritual, mental, and physical health?
  5. Can you highlight aspects of your own story that might serve as an example to women who are experiencing anxiety and depression, and are generally overwhelmed?
  6. What role does grace play in the processes of recovery and establishing a healthy pace?

You’ll have to wait for the videos to get the answers!

It was such special day for Shona and I. I’ve done quite a bit of video and interview work now, but it’s new to Shona. Although she was pretty nervous at first, Justin and the media team were great at helping her to relax and encouraged her every step of the way. I’m nominating her for an Oscar, anyway.

It was a joy to meet so many great people on the Crossway team: Justin Taylor, Dane Ortlund, Lane and Ebeth Dennis, Amy Kruis, Greg Bailey, Dave DeWitt, Lydia Brownback Joe, Kathy, John, and many others. I also had the privilege of addressing the staff chapel on Moses’s prayer in Exodus 33, “Show me your glory,” and God’s answer, “I will make my goodness pass before you.” I tried to encourage the staff that their work was an answer to Moses’s prayer; that every day they are showing God’s glory by publishing books that make God’s goodness pass before the world.

  • Kim Shay

    I cannot wait to read yours and Shona’s book! I hope you will keep us posted about when we can order it!

    • David Murray

      Thanks Kim. Yes, I’ll post any updates on the blog.