Producer’s personal encounter inspires movie version of ‘In His Steps’

First it was a book, then a wristband and a movement, and finally WWJD becomes a movie (6-25828-55980-8, $29.99, Nasser Entertainment Group), releasing this month.

The modern-day version of the best-selling 1896 novel by Charles M. Sheldon, In His Steps,  marks a 10-year labor of love for producer Joseph Nasser, whose Hollywood credentials include more than 50 films and working with the likes of Sidney Poitier, Faye Dunaway and Tom Berenger.

GRAMMY- and GMA Dove Award-winning band Third Day sees the release of Move (Essential Records/Provident Label Group/Provident-Integrity Distribution) on Oct. 19. Frontman Mac Powell, bass player Tai Anderson, drummer David Carr and guitarist Mark Lee talked with Christian Retailing about the latest recording.

Dr. Don Colbert, author of the best-selling “Bible Cure” health series, turns his attention to children with this month’s release of Eat This and Live! for Kids (Siloam/Strang Book Group).

What prompted this new book?

The skyrocketing rate of obesity and obesity-related illnesses such as type 2 diabetes among children are reaching epidemic proportions. As a result, today’s kids are the first generation in American history who are expected to have a shorter lifespan than their parents. We’re releasing this book in an effort to educate parents.

Gourmet treats are a good way for stores to increase their impulse buys, give a lift to slow-moving products and pep up seasonal sales.

Consumers are recognizing that quality and stylish edibles—like the chocolates we create, wrapped and boxed with scriptural messages—can give a special touch to a wide range of settings, from party and wedding favors to study groups, church welcome packs, classes, seminars and retreats.

Here are some ideas on how your store can add gourmet treats and snacks to your product line and increase your profit margin:

Latest project: A Million Ways to Die: The Only Way to Live (David C. Cook).

Resides in: West Chester, Pa.

Where did the book’s title come from? “We here in America aren’t faced with martyrdom on a regular basis and yet that’s the death that Scripture calls us to ... the little deaths that occur in our day, whether it’s death to self or humbling ourselves.”

Jesus called his followers to take up their cross every day. Is that what you mean? “We are, to put it bluntly, a piñata. The Spirit of God is in us and the more you beat the thing, the more life comes out, so it really is a daily thing of embracing these little deaths and allowing the life of Christ to shine out and then through us.”

Disabled motivational speaker shares his ‘ridiculously good life’ lessons

Twenty-seven-year-old Nick Vujicic was born with no arms and no legs, and yet he has learned what it means to have a “ridiculously good life.”

“I’m officially disabled, but I’m truly enabled because of my lack of limbs,” Vujicic writes in Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life.

Attributing this positive attitude in spite of his physical limitations to his “beautiful God,” he learned that “there’s a greater purpose for all things.” Still, it took this son of an Australian preacher a while to get to that perspective.