My goal was to hear God’s still, small voice. Three and a
half years ago I spent a one-month sabbatical in a small cabin on top
of Sumas Mountain. I was reluctant to go on this
sabbatical, because I was convinced that I was too busy. The
truth is that I was ‘too’ busy, and needed to get away to just be with
God. I thank God for my fellow clergy who covered for me so that
I could have such a mountaintop experience.
During my retreat, I met with Ron Dart, an instructor at the University
of Fraser Valley College. Ron said to me that I had several books
within me. He then said that it would be a sin if I didn’t write
another book. My first book was written as a social worker on
‘The Needs of Adolescents in a Pediatric Setting’. It was
produced by Vancouver General Hospital and sent to over sixty hospitals
around North America.
Despite having written hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles over
the past twenty-five years, I was unable to ‘birth' my second
book. Even before Ron Dart’s encouragement, I had known for years
that I was to write another book. Almost two years ago, I
received another jolt that broke through my literary
procrastination. Dr. Gil Stieglitz, in the midst of a helpful
coaching session, spoke powerfully about my potential book in a way
that deeply connected. From that point on, I stopped waiting, and
started writing my book.
The first five thousand words were the hardest part of writing my
176-page book. I carved away at my initial draft of ‘Battle for
the Soul of Canada’ until it felt like there was hardly anything
left. The Good Book encourages people to seek a rebuke. So
I began approaching respected colleagues, asking them to ruthlessly
critique my book. The feedback was often very painful and most
helpful. Nine drafts later, the book really took shape. I
became so energized about the book that I once wrote 24 hours straight
and did not even feel tired the next day.
To obtain detachment from my book, I put it aside and read thirty books
on writing and publishing. Pierre Berton’s book on writing was
hilarious and most insightful. Most of the thirty books were so
depressing and cynical that I wondered why anyone would ever want to
write a book. Dr. J.I. Packer, who wrote my foreword, was a great
encouragement to me during this discouraging phase. I have to say
that writing this book drove me to prayer. “Lord, it doesn’t look
like there is any way forward. Please help”.
Miraculously God brought along a friend Bill Glasgow who knows the
publishing industry. A few months later, Friesens in Winnipeg
printed 2,000 copies of my first edition. Over 1,000 have already been sold and
Friesens has just produced its 2nd printing of another 5,000 copies.
‘Battle for the Soul of Canada’ is essentially about raising up the
emerging generation of leaders in Canada. It tells the story of
nine Canadian pioneers, like George Vancouver and David Thompson, who
point the way to a healthy future.
Trevor Lautens, a North Shore News columnist, endorsed the book, saying
“For an unbaptized, non-practising non-Christian, but with strong
sympathy for and even envy of devout Christians, Rev. Hird’s book
strikes me as original, provocative and appealing, with interesting
details about his own path to faith.” Other key North Shore
leaders have also endorsed the book, including Pastor Brian Buhler of
North Shore Alliance, Pastor Owen Scott of Valley Church, Msgr. Pedro
Gallo of St. Pius Church, and Pastor Paddy Ducklow of CapChurch.
To
order a copy, just send a cheque for $18.50 to Ed Hird, #1008-555 West
28th Street,
North Vancouver, B.C. V7N2J7.
