In high school and college, I did everything I could to avoid all classes related to English, grammar, reading, literature, and writing. I preferred the classes with numbers, equations, and charts – the fewer letters and words, the better (i.e., I loved science, math, biology, and human anatomy).
In my freshman year at Wake Forest, I decided to go pre-med, and a few months later switched to Health and Exercise Science so I could become a physical therapist. I graduated from Wake in ’95 and attended graduate school at Emory University to become a Physical Therapist (PT). After a few years as a PT, I went into full-time vocational ministry (Marriage Ministry at Watermark Community Church).
Somewhere along the way, I developed a love for reading. I don’t remember when it started, but I began to build a fascination with books. I didn’t hate reading growing up, but I know I wasn’t obsessed with it like I am today.
Good writing has changed my life, whether through God’s Word, influential books by other men and women, and blog posts/articles. I love the written word – God has used it to change my life and grow my love for Him and others.
A few years ago, several friends encouraged me in my writing. I never set out to be a writer, but my love for books and reading helped grow a proficiency in writing and communication. With fear and trembling, I started this website in 2014 to start exercising the writing muscle. If I’m honest, I thought it would last a few months, and then I’d run out of things to say and move on with my life.
When I started this blog, I set out to encourage and challenge others to follow Christ and grow in their relationships with their spouse, children, friends, and family. I also developed a growing burden to write practical, biblical, and authentic books to help premarried and married couples. Writing a book became a dream that I thought might never come true or even happen.
Today I’m thrilled to share that I’m officially working on my first book. It’s called Ready or Knot: Questions Every Couple Must Answer Before Tying the Knot (subtitle subject to change, title credit to Sarah Fultz). I signed a contract with the great folks at Baker Books in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The manuscript is due November 1, 2017, and the book will come out in February 2019 (projected).
It’s truly a dream come true for me. Thank you to so many of you out there who have encouraged me along the way and helped this dream come true. Any of you who know me on a personal level know how much I value my community and friendships. I really couldn’t do this without you. My wife has been the greatest encourager and helper in this project.
So what does this mean for you and why should you care?
- Please pray for me and the book. Pray that God will use it to change and help many premarried couples in the future. I’m excited for couples to read it. Please pray with me that it will help couples discern if they’re Ready or Knot for marriage.
- I will cut back on blog writing for the next few months. You’ll see less new posts from me and a handful of guests posts from friends. I’m excited for you to hear from other voices. I need to cut back to work on the book, and I need to spend any remaining discretionary time trying to take better care of myself (see #WellnessWeek17). Meanwhile, I have a family I adore and a job I love. I’d like to keep both of those things, thank you very much!
- I hope to start doing some short, marriage videos on some of the same topics I write about on this site. I’m hoping Kristen will join me for some of them. To be honest, videos will take less time and can be just as helpful.
So, in conclusion: Yeah for Ready or Knot. Thanks for the encouragement, and see you less in written form, and maybe more in video.
Scott
Photo Credit: Unsplash, Photo by Sai Kiran Anagani
Wes
Write on, Scott! Congrats on the book deal. That’s fantastic! I’m super excited for you. Count me in to pray for you as you work on it.
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, buddy! I’ve appreciated your friendship encouragement all along the way, starting in Denver a few years ago!
Courtney
Yes! Yes! Yes! SO excited for you and the book. Praying the Lord will continue to use you, your words and wisdom to encourage and challenge others to love Him and each other more deeply. We will be cheering you on as you continue to take this on!
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, Courtney! That means so much to me. Thanks for the encouragement (and for your post a few weeks ago!!).
Larissa
Such exciting news! Congrats and praying for you these next few months!
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, Larissa! I appreciate the prayers and encouragement!
Jessica C
Congrats Scott!! What exciting news! Pre-marital resources were such a gift to Russell and I — looking forward to reading your book and passing it on to others! Prayers for the process!
Scott Kedersha
Thanks so much, Jessica! I’m grateful for the prayers. Still want to hang out with you and Russell sometime.
josh Fortney
Pumped for God’s work in you! I’m excited about being further equipped by your writing and VIDEOS! YAY! This is gonna be huge!!!!
Scott Kedersha
Haha! Thanks, Josh. Appreciate you, buddy. Thanks for the encouragement, ESPN2!
Katie Gaultney
How cool is that, Scott?! You are living the dream! Will pray for productive writing sessions, clarity from the Lord on where this book is headed, and confidence that your words are true and God-given. Excited for you!
Scott Kedersha
Thanks so much, Katie! Thanks for the prayers!
Jessica Hewitt
Awesome news! Congratulations! I know many will be blessed by your wisdom. My husband and I have been going through your dating your spouse posts and our marriage is growing because of them. Appreciate you and your heart for marriage! 🙂
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, so much Jessica! I appreciate that and glad to know some of the posts have been an encouragement to you and Jeff!
Katie Jones
That’s so exciting!!! Looking forward to getting my copy autographed!
Scott Kedersha
Of course! Just be warned – the shipping charges are ridiculously high!
Allison & Blake Bowen
So proud and encouraged by your faithfulness to use your gifts for God’s glory! Praying for your writing time to be fruitful, wisdom, for God to go behind and before you and all that read your book. What a great opportunity to reach those BEFORE marriage! We are grateful for your hard work in furthering Gods design for marriage in others’ lives.
Scott Kedersha
Thank you so much, Ali & Blake! I appreciate the kind, encouraging words! I’m excited to see how God uses this book to help couples.
Elizabeth
this is really exciting Scott. I know as you are faithful to love your wife and boys well and put them as a priority that this blog will have smooth sailing even if it looks a little different. Thanks for being a voice that touches and encourages our hearts and our marriages. I will be praying for the book and for the book preparations, editing, cover ideas and marketing etc, I know there is a lot that goes into this.
Bryce and I will both be praying. Can’t wait to see videos with you and Kristen I love what y’all have to say at merge and at re-engage!!!
Scott Kedersha
Thank you, Elizabeth! So thankful for the encouragement and prayers – it means so much to me. Grateful for you guys.
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