Osteen--pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston--said his new book, released Nov. 3, had been influenced by people he had encountered at church and across the country.

"People need hope and inspiration more than principles right now," he told Christian Retailing magazine. "The purpose of this book is to jump-start your faith and get us to believing again."

Combating what he sees as "so much negativity in the world today," Osteen said It's Your Time is a little different than his previous release, focusing more on encouraging stories than "principles and how-tos." The new book is intended to "let people know that new seasons are coming. God will take care of us in the midst of difficult times."

Osteen began working on the book two years ago, doing a "little bit on it each week" while addressing the subject in sermons and lessons.

Read more in the Oct. 12 issue of Christian Retailing.