October 25, 2012
Well my book won’t be quite printed this way….. (Printing house engraving 2, Copy of Jost Amman, Found in David Amram’s The Makers of Hebrew Books in Italy (Philadelphia, 1909), p. 17.)
The book “A Bigger World Yet; Faith, Brotherhood and Same-Sex Needs” is back in print! You can get a hard copy of the book through an on demand printer, LuLu. Here’s the link:
This new printing of the 1st edition has 30 editing corrections, that I’m very excited about. Hopefully no boo-boos this time….
June 2, 2012
A pin of Sam from an animated version of Lord of the Rings that came out in the 70′s.
So over the past two months I have been chewing through the “Lord of the Rings” movies. As I was in the theater, I was struck (as I think many were) by the character of Samwise Gamgee. In speaking about friendship with many men, Frodo and Sam is a brotherhood that has been brought up multiple times. Men that have read my book have remarked that I never mentioned them in A Bigger World Yet, specifically in the Beloved Friend chapter. I guess I’d say, that chapter is devoted to historical friendships, and they’re fictional. Perhaps when the book gets printed again, I’ll add them to the mix.
What struck me when watching the trilogy well, was fear and doubt. Is a friendship like Frodo and Sam’s out of the question in the cultural climate we have created in America? Is that kind of sworn brotherhood out of the question in an environment where sexual impulses are the screen in which we view our core needs through? Is such a friendship a foreign language to us now, really?
Moreover, Is that kind of fidelity, loyalty and surrender of ones own agenda for another possible? Especially in our “it’s all about me” culture? That level of “Christ-likeness?” I have heard in reaction to the stories men say they want a friend who is like Sam. But are we willing to be, Sam? To surrender our agenda to see that someone else makes it? To give our all to another and carry them perhaps at the cost of not getting what we want? If you have such stories of friendship, I’d sure like to hear them.
To whatever degree it is my hope you and I can be a Sam to some Frodo for a moment, for a day, for a week, month, maybe onto a lifetime. Here’s a toast to the Samwise Gamgee’s of the world, God knows we need them.
(In looking around for info about Mr. Gamgee I found an interesting Wiki specifically for the Lord of the Rings. It has some fun info, and specifically a good story of when Tolkien recieved a letter from a Dr. Sam Gamgee. Here’s the link: http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Samwise_Gamgee)
Well, lookie here, Tolkien also did some illustrations of his stories. As an art blog I thought it would be important to put some of them on here. Pretty talented fellow indeed.
Another very nice drawing by Tolkien of his representation of Rivendell. Here is a link to some more of his images: http://www.arwen-undomiel.com/tolkien/gallery.html
March 16, 2012
My Scotty dog Bonny, with the last and now empty box of books.
So, about a year ago 500 “A Bigger World Yet….” books were picked up on a rainy day from a local printer, each with 100,074 words. Now, almost a year to date those 500 books and all of those words, are out there in the world hopefully being helpful to those who have read them. As of now, the plan is not to print any more hard copies of the book. We’re hoping a larger publisher will capture the vision of friendship and community the book speaks of, and be interested in publishing the book. Keep sending out those warm thoughts and prayers in that direction.
Meanwhile, the book in some ways is going to be more available. It’s going digital. Right now it available directly through “Smash Words” : http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/140172 for $8.99. You can even read the introduction and part of the 1st chapter as well for free on line (what a bargain). Soon enough you should be able to get it through the kindle store, I-book and all of those as well. I’ll keep you updated.
Hope you be good- Tim
March 6, 2012
Albrecht Dürer's Woodcut of Sampson and the Lion
So I was interviewed for a podcast as of late by Nate Larkin the founder of a wonderful group of men out of Nashville called “Samson Society.” The thought behind their name is that David in the Old Testament had Nathan to call him on his stuff, while Samson didn’t have any brothers holding him accountable, and look what happened to him!
It’s a great group of guys, being real and supporting one another. Below is the link to their website. Scroll down, to the “Pirate Monk Podcast” window. And within that window you’ll find the link to my talk with them. The interview with me is Episode 79, with the title of the book “A Bigger World Yet…” as the tag.
November 17, 2011
So it has been some months since I’ve spoke of the adventures with the book, “A Bigger World Yet; Faith, Brotherhood, and Same-Sex Needs.” As of late there have been two events I have been invited to participate in because of folks reading the book.
(No, as far as I know, no one slept when I spoke.)
One: Several weeks back I spoke at the NARTH (National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality) conference in Phoenix with David Pickup a therapist in California that has been enthusiastically recommending the book. Here’s NARTH’s website: http://narth.com/ It’s a good bunch of folks who are largely about the freedom of choice in therapy. Some bullet points I got from being a part of their event were:
• Be kind with those who disagree with you.
• When working with others that have done emotional work and experiential weekends, don’t be surprised if your asked: “What’s your animal name?”
• When you speak feel free to “wing it” and tell good stories that fit the topic.
Two: The other event I just have come back from this weekend in Philly is a discussion with 12 of us that approach the topic of homosexuality and our Christian faith from different perspectives. This was put together by Evangelicals for Social Action (they produce the wonderful magazine PRISM). http://www.evangelicalsforsocialaction.org/
The gathering I participated in was called “Oriented to Love” and was run by their phenomenal editor Kristyn, our discussion was deep and thoughtful. Here are some thoughts I left our gathering with:
Community and conversation can take interesting forms.
• To love someone is to be willing to walk with them in their pain.
• Sexuality and specifically Homosexuality is COMPLICATED. It is not something that can be addressed or engaged with shallow comments and actions.
• No one get’s to choose who they will fall in love with. Whether by family of origin issues, proclivities or the like, wanting to be connected relationally to another person is not something you largely get to choose. It is what it is. In my opinion we can only choose how we will do that, and what we will determine is the most loving and Christ-like response in walking with one another in love.
• Wise and sensitive folks will choose to self identify as “gay” or other such titles simply so they have a place; largely so they can finally belong to a community and not feel alone.
• Sex is sacred and has been degraded in our culture to a profound degree.
• We need community PROFOUNDLY in order to survive and succeed as human beings.
Blessings to you all – hope you are well.
May 5, 2011
Part of a sketch I entitled "growth model" found in the book.
So the book “A Bigger World Yet, Faith, Brotherhood, and Same Sex Needs” has been in the hands of others now for over a month. It’s been interesting seeing the books get out there. I feel like they’re little seed packets. I have to wonder what kind of soil they’ll land on. Here are some interesting bullet points regarding the book in the last month.
• A bookseller who I don’t know very well, came up and hugged me after she had been reading the book. She simply said “Thank you for your boldness and willing to put this out there.”
• I got a very kind note from a therapist in Los Angeles who said, “I have just finished reading “A Bigger World Yet.” I am stunned at the magnificent shot to the heart of men, women, gay men, ssa men, this country and the church which you have let fly from your bow of experience and faith. Actually, the book I longed to write has now already been written, and I am in awe of how revolutionary and loving it is.“ He’s recommending the book to his clients, and I know of three other therapists that have ordered a stack of books and are doing the same.
• A student at George Fox referred to the book as a “cheese grater for his soul.”
• Thaddeus Heffner, a therapist in Nashville put up a blog post mentioning the book as well as putting up several quotes: http://thaddeusheffner.com/2011/04/26/man-to-be-or-not-to-be/
• Of the number of men and women of influence that I have gotten the book off to, the two that have replied back to me are Catholic. My buddy Mike says that’s because Catholics think and read. There responses have been very kind and it’s clear to me they are men that are very much willing to jump in the fray if they aren’t doing it already.
• And there are just a number of stories that are just heart warming, men that have told me they are risking with their friends, being honest, forgiving, finally telling their parents of sexual abuse that happened to them as a child and the like. It’s humbling.
• My Aunt said she only found one spelling mistake in the book. (I actually know there is more.)
If you don’t have a copy of the book and are interested. Here is the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Bigger-World-Yet-Brotherhood-Same-Sex/dp/0578072173/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1304183541&sr=1-1
March 23, 2011
It was Rachel Belgard's idea to have me do a shadow box for the cover of the book, and so, if you've followed the blog here, you've seen all three I created for possible use. This was the first version Rachel came up for the cover. How the marbles tie-in from front to back cover was a lot of fun, but I felt like the image read too much as a single image of an old legend or myth. It also looked too little boy-ish for me. It was a possibility, but I liked the final she came up with using the shadow box that was a deeper color that used the lion, doctor, church, and soldiers. It seemed to have a richer quality to it.
Two designers worked on the book. The one who designed the cover: Rachel Belgard, was a student of mine and is a phenomenal talent. See her wonderful work on her blog at: http://rebelgardesign.blogspot.com/
May I say a kind shout out to her as well for her post on March 4th 2011. Monday of this week I went hiking in Silver Falls for the day, only to get my bag soaked with waterfalls and rain. Getting home my phone which was in the outside pocket was very wet, the screen flashed for a bit, and then went out. Thanks to Rachel’s post, I quickly took it apart, and immersed it in a tupperware container of rice. Tuesday morning and since, my phone has been working fine.
Rice is a very good thing.
March 11, 2011
This is the title page image for the chapter "Jesus With Skin On" it's from an image I saw many years back of some men in the Korean War.
I thought I’d give you another image from the book, and put up the contents page here in the event you’re wondering, “What on earth is this Bigger World Yet all about?”
This will at least give you an idea, click on “contents” and you’ll see a PDF:
The picture for this post, I think gives you an idea of the contents too, in fact it may be better than words….
March 9, 2011
A sketch I did called "Mercy on Me," that is one of the 69 spot sketches and illustrations that can be found in the book. Come on, I'm an artist. Did you think I would wrtie something that didn't have artwork in it?
It’s now official. You can purchase “A Bigger World Yet: Faith, Brotherhood, and Same-Sex Needs” through Amazon. Here’s the link: http://www.amazon.com/Bigger-World-Yet-Brotherhood-Same-Sex/dp/0578072173/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1299708123&sr=8-1
You are also more than welcome to write a check for $14.95 (the book) + $3.00 (for shipping)= $17.95 (total) payable to “Tim Timmerman.” send that to: Tim Timmerman, George Fox University, Box 6003, 414 N. Meridian St., Newberg, OR 97132, and I’ll do my best to get you a book in a jiffy!
Blessings to you.
March 7, 2011
Well, it’s time for me to open up to you what has been on my heart for a long time. For over the past four and a half years with the help of some wise individuals in my community I have been working on a book. A Bigger World Yet: Faith, Brotherhood, and Same-Sex Attraction, as of last Friday is now in print.
Currently the book has been independently published by Bird Dog Press, and from here I’m working on locating a larger publisher who would like to run with the book. A Bigger World Yet, will be available to purchase through Amazon shortly, as well as at Chapters Bookstore in Newberg. I’ll alert you when you can get your very own copy! It should be some time this week. Your prayers would be very much appreciated in all of this.
Here is the back cover with the description of the book.
