The cover design for my new book

This is the cover design for my new book, Walkout.

The book will be available for distribution within the next few weeks.

What is Walkout about?  

       Author Allen Stark has created a unique plot to show how God uses those who listen

to His voice to tell the love story of grace, mercy, redeeming love, and passion for His children. It shows how God works on hearts and minds to bring about change.

The reader learns about the author, Saul Keener, who has received the E-Book Publishing Association's Christian Writer of the Year award, but also shows his weak faith in God. He believes his creativity is his own doing. His theme is intended to show hypocrisy and bigotry within the church. But when Saul begins to shift from fiction to nonfiction, something unimaginable happens as he becomes one of the major characters in his own story.

Those who are being called to walk in clear, uncompromising discernment and have watched the stars of religion fall, struggling with becoming critical and keeping their focus on the cross will find Walkout thought-provoking.

Walkout offers not only literary entertainment but encouragement to its readers as well.

            "I will lead the blind by ways they have not known; along unfamiliar paths I will guide them. I will turn their darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them" (Isaiah 42:16-17).

Walkout is a story of how God uses those who listen to His voice to tell the love story of grace, mercy, redeeming love, and passion for His children.

Those who are being called to walk in clear, uncompromising discernment and have watched the stars of religion fall, struggling with becoming critical and keeping their focus on the cross will find the story thought-provoking.

Walkout contains an original plot, offering not only literary entertainment but encouragement to its readers as well. It offers some interesting views of how God relates to His people. It will not only encourage those who already know Him, but also engage those who have not yet recognized His work in their lives.

I believe that what I have shared in the story has the power to convict, draw tears and create hope for a brighter future within the Church. Using a plot woven with characters to whom anyone can relate, I have created a book that will not only entertain you but truly makes you stop and think about your own heart and motives.

It's in the works

My publisher, Tate Publishing, is in the process of designing a book cover for my novel, "Walkout." Hopefully it will be ready for release before Christmas. I'll keep you posted.

Be Patient with your Publisher...I know, I know

"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed." Habakkuk 2: 3

Perseverance & Waiting for Direction

"If you are too lazy to plow, don't expect a harvest." Proverbs 20: 4

"All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:2-3

Something Went Wrong

A few years ago I had an opportunity to visit an old run-down, forgotten farm. People had wondered why it had remained empty for so long without a buyer. The place had some good features and even a few old antiques, which had been left behind. So my brother and I, having nothing better to do one day, decided to go and take a look at it. The following poem says best what we discovered as we visited the old place.
Something went wrong
says the empty farm house
in the weed-choked yard,
at the end of the narrow
rutted road.

Something went wrong
says the worn boots
sitting beside the empty corn bin
in the leaky old barn.

Something went wrong
says the rags
forced into cracks of windows
and places plaster had been.

Something went wrong
says the abandoned sand box
made from a John Deere tire,
where lies a half-buried rubber toy cow.

Something went wrong
says the Bible,
in the unopened box,
lying on the dusty floor.

We don't always have an answer for everything, but sometimes what isn't said speaks louder than what people may be saying or conjecturing. The old saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” proved itself to be true, as my brother and I stood and surveyed the scene before us.

From the Dirt, He Created

He drew some cold water from the well,
pumping it into his tin cup.
He walked up the hill to where he was
to create from the earth.
He dug into the red dirt of the Kansas earth
and brought forth a clump
for his creations.
He poured on some water
to smooth and shape.
He labored until he saw that it was good,
then sat back and admired his handiwork.

God, and a small Kansas farm boy
have a few things in common.

A Stark Story (a work in progress)

I have returned from a two week mission/vacation to California. Living with my wife and I, until we find them a house to rent, is my daughter, Regina, and my 3 grandchildren, Alex (age 17), Evelyn (age 9) and Natalie (age 7). Keep us in your prayers.

New Blog:

His ride was late.
The smog was especially heavy, and the wind had picked up, causing the young actor’s eyes to tear as he stood on the street corner awaiting his ride. Passers-by thought he was crying and possibly mentally disturbed, and steered clear of him. He didn’t really care, as he checked the time, that people were purposely avoiding him. He was only concerned that his ride hadn’t arrived. “I can’t be late,” he thought. “The nation is waiting for my debut as an actor.”
But here he was, standing on a Los Angeles street corner, holding the box that contained the costume for his date with destiny. He turned, facing into the wind as he searched the traffic for his ride that would whisk him from the reality of his everyday world, into the fantasy world of his dreams.
He pulled his baseball cap down over his tearing eyes, hiding them from the looks of the passers-by. As he continued to wait, he asked himself, “Why me? There were other actors Mr. Boone could have chosen from The Actors Workshop. Why me?”
He was a decent student, one of the top writers and actors in his graduating class. He was also one of the top fund-raisers in the school’s fund-raising drives. He never caused trouble at school and was liked by the teaching staff and his classmates.
His stuttering problem was finally overcome with the help of his music and drama teachers. He finally began attracting the girls in his junior year and had to work especially hard to keep up with his studies.
He liked Elvis, but who didn’t? He and Ricky Nelson became friends when he met Ricky walking his dog by his aunt’s house in Hollywood Hills. The relationship resulted in Allen becoming an extra on the Ozzie and Harriet Show.
He loved to sing, too. He often imagined himself in a recording studio cutting a number one song for the Hit Parade. After getting an opportunity to join the Youth for Christ Choral and sing on KTTV, Channel 5, he thought his career in music was a sure thing. However, it wasn’t until he attempted to do solo parts that he realized he was more of a choir singer than a soloist.
He did a double take when his ride pulled up to the curb. He scrambled into the seat and the car sped away. By the time the car pulled into the studio and drove him to the building where the show was being filmed, he was in nervous anticipation. He glanced at the large building with the lettering, “Studio B” on it. He allowed himself a smile. He was almost there.
He hurried from the car, walking beside his new friend who had been an extra on the show for a couple of years. It was then he heard someone call out his name.
“Hey, Allen!”
His joy was evident as he turned and saw Mr. Boone approaching in a studio golf cart.
“How’s it going, Allen? Oh, and thanks for picking up Allen, Tony.”
Allen was beaming as he reached out his hand to shake hands with Mr. Boone.
Mr. Boone pushed open the big green door to the studio and escorted Allen and Tony to the set.
“Nice to see you, Allen. Welcome to the show,” said the director.
Allen caught his breath and stepped onto the set where some of the actors had already gathered, including Christy Boone, Mr. Boone’s niece and Allen’s high school classmate.
“I thought you’d never make it,” Christy remarked as she walked toward Allen and gave him a welcome hug. “I’m so glad Uncle Richard asked you to be part of the show. Here’s your copy of the script.”
As Allen and Christy followed Mr. Boone to the dressing and make-up rooms, he squeezed Christy’s hand, and smiling said, “I feel like I’m almost home.”
However, after two years in Hollywood, Allen realized this was not his home and that he was just passing through.

An Analogy for Those Who Write

Working Your Garden

You have been given the ground, seed, and tools with which to grow a garden. Take pride in your garden. Allow the garden to develop within you good feelings for all things alive and growing.
Don’t complain if the soil at times becomes dry or your rows appear a bit uneven. Some of the best gardens have been put together from uneven and irregular parts, whatever was available at the time. Work with the differences you sense in your garden taking pleasure in the sun or dark soil.
If while tilling you find hidden rocks, gently remove them and allow the water to flow into the gaps to reshape and smooth over.
When you find your garden is doing well, you may even wish to add a few varieties of colorful flowers at its edges and a bench where others may sit and enjoy your garden close up.
If an unexpected seed should fall into your garden, don’t pluck it out. Be grateful and allow it to grow. Celebrate the new addition to your garden as you witness the branches grow, expand, bear blossoms and finally fruit.
Share the fruit of your labor with all who would happen by or have need of it.

Tall Prairie Grass and Cardboard Boxes

Kids of ages five to ten
like to play at fantasy
now and again.
Cardboard boxes become planes and ships,
and by the medium of cardboard
we took trips.
By the magic of cardboard rugs
we flew over mountains and dove to the depths
in cardboard subs.
And when we just wanted to play around,
the neighborhood became our own
any-kind-of-town.
Through the tall prairie grass we blazed
trails to the West,
and on our journeys were amazed
to see some of the characters
we read about in books.
There were dreamers and mariners
that took us away in their ships.
There were grenadiers and pirates
with swords on their hips.
We made tunnels which went down
to the center of the earth.
And most likely that's where
my fiction was given birth.

The Way of the Blossoms

The Way of the Blossoms

I made my hiding place
a large cardboard box
at the back of the garage.

There I lived my secret life.
Days were longer then,
so were the years that I dreamed
of being a thousand different places,
other than Wichita.

It rained,
hailed, and
snowed
year after year.

And all too often my creative thoughts,
dreams and imagination
followed the way of the blossoms
in the bedroom window box.

Discovering Our Gifts

"God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. " Romans 12: 4-6  

I Look Forward to Change

I have encountered people at different times and places that seem to be threatened even by considering the thought of change. Does anyone really like change? I actually do. I look forward to change. Whether it’s welcoming a new season, especially after a long cold winter, or settling into a new house. We’ve just recently purchased my wife’s parent’s house after her Dad passed away last year and Mom moved to a retirement village in Omaha. I enjoy the excitement that newness brings, even though you may have to play the waiting game for awhile.

Like nearly every author, I have spent years practicing the gift I believe God has given me. I have hoped and prayed for opportunities to share this gift with others. He has made a way, first by allowing me to become an English teacher. Then after retirement allowing me to write feature stories and articles for a newspaper, have a syndicated column called “Echoes,” and facilitate the Southwest Iowa Writers Guild and publish our column known as “The Write Stuff.”

For the longest time I could only imagine having a book published. My first journey into the publishing world was through self-publishing. About two years ago I published a story about those who have dealt with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, such as my wife who was diagnosed with the disease at age sixteen. The book, entitled, “Balloons for Breakfast,” was well received by friends, family and some doctors who treat the disease. However, I never felt I had the necessary platform with which to launch the book to a greater audience.

I am now learning how and working on a platform from which to launch my book, “Walkout,” a religious novel, currently undergoing “conceptual editing” and cover design by Tate Publishing.

I am hopeful that the book will be seen as inspirational and encouraging. It took a major dose of holy discontent with the way I saw things going in some churches before I had the courage to sit down and share my thoughts on paper.

Like I said previously, I generally like change, but not all change is easy. I was raised in a Christian home, but it eventually became apparent that there was more talk than action. As Debbie King, a supporter of the Mission Catalyst program told me, “The cruise ship is comfortable, but the Yamaha Wave Runner is more in line with God’s calling on my life.” What she is referring to is how I also perceive God’s call on my life. A cruise ship is unable to make course changes as quick as a wave runner, which maneuvers quickly and easily. Attempting to connect with people in the real world requires taking risks at times, sacrifice, tough skin and making course corrections. Some quickly. But it’s exactly where God has called me to be.

I love riding the waves with the Holy Spirit’s leading and partnering with God to see lives change. That is why I have accepted the challenge of writing my novel “Walkout” which will be released within the next few months. It is a story of how God uses those who listen to His voice to tell the love story of grace, mercy, redeeming love, and passion for His children. The story was written for those who have watched the stars of the religious world fall and who need to be reminded to keep their eyes focused on the cross.

God has a plan for those of us who write

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD.  Jeremiah 29: 11-14

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." Jeremiah 1: 5

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9

"Watch and be utterly amazed.  For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told."  Habakkuk 1: 5

I've been watching and hoping, and now I AM utterly amazed that God is allowing my writing to possibly get off of the back burner and out of my backyard.

Writers of Living Letters

One of my desires, based on what I believe is a gift God has given me, has always been to have a writing ministry and business. II Corinthians 3:2-3 tells us that we are to be, "a letter of Christ." In other words, each of our lives should be able to be read like a letter that says we are Christians who manifest the Gospel truths through our words and deeds. If the Gospel has transformed your life, what greater testimonial can you have than speaking for and serving the Lord? God wants to make each of us a "writer of living letters."