The reason for this blog is to ask you to please consider helping me by posting the link for the books on your blog, facebook or twitter.  Please hear my heart, I do not promote these so much so that I can gain notoriety or fame,  but my hope is that any books I write past or future will be life changing books that point to Jesus.

Will you help spread the Word?

http://www.norkbook.com

No One Really Knows FB Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/No-One-Really-Knows-Book/112247938847088?ref=ts

I have linked up with an amazing publisher Lucid Books who has believed in me, challenged me and invested in me to help me achieve my dream of publishing a book.  Their belief in me was confirmed by them agreeing to a book deal with me to publish five books (including the two mentioned above). This means that God willing, you will see at least three more books coming from me over the next 3-4 years. 

I am humbled to get this chance to share my heart with you in such a public way, as my books are accessible to the world.  I am sorry to those who are or have been annoyed by my persistence in pushing my books.  My desire is not to get rich from these books, but that lives would be changed because of reading them. If you have not had a chance to order these two books, I humbly ask that you would consider purchasing them.  I feel both of them would be worth your time.  All details are below. Thanks again for your time. 

BOOK INFO  

1.) No One Really Knows 

 About the book–> http://norkbook.wordpress.com/about/  

Buy the book–> http://tinyurl.com/6eeko81

2.) Headed Home by Glenn Wilson and Darrell Halk(PREORDERS AVAILABLE NOW (Only 200 total available)

 About the book–> http://wp.me/p1hDuG-A  

Pre-Order the book–> http://tinyurl.com/3uot2o3   

* Pre-ordering this book makes you eligible to win a signed, gamed used, powder blue Phillies Glenn Wilson Jersey

3.) Buy Both Books in a Bundle–> http://tinyurl.com/3eagx7p

* Note, If you do not have paypal you can order any of the above options by sending check or money order to: Darrell Halk 4106 Windy Meadow Drive, Corinth, Texas 76208

* SORRY if you do not want to be tagged in this letter you can remove the tag, and if I missed tagging you, it was not intentional

HEADED HOME
A MLB All-Star’s Search for Truth
by Glenn Wilson with Darrell Halk

It is official, we are now accepting pre-orders for “Headed Home: A MLB All-Star’s Search for Truth” by Glenn Wilson with Darrell Halk.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER–> http://tinyurl.com/3uot2o3

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

About Glenn Wilson
(courtesy of Wikipedia)

Glenn Dwight Wilson (born December 22, 1958 in Baytown, TX) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He was selected in the 1st round (18th pick) of the 1980 amateur draft by the Detroit Tigers, and made his Major League debut in a Tigers uniform on April 15, 1982. He played two seasons for the Tigers, and then was traded on March 24, 1984 along with C-1B John Wockenfuss to the Philadelphia Phillies for P Willie Hernandez and 1b Dave Bergman. Subsequent years saw him playing for the Seattle Mariners, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Houston Astros. Wilson retired from Major League baseball in 1993, having played ten seasons.

Wilson was best known for his tremendous throwing arm, and led all National League outfielders for assists in 1985 and 1986, throwing out 18 and 20 base-runners from right field, respectively. In 1987, Wilson twice threw out base runners who attempted to reach first base after apparent singles into right field. His most successful season as a batter was in 1985, when he drove in 102 runs, and recorded 167 base hits with 14 home runs in 608 at-bats for a .275 batting average. He was selected as a National League All-Star in 1985.

Glenn is now an ordained minister and lives with his wife Kim in the Houston, Texas metro area. He has three grown sons, Glenn Jr., Lance and Andy.

About Darrell Halk

Darrell Halk is a passionate follower of Jesus Christ. He has served in student ministry for fourteen years and currently serves at Southmont Baptist Church in Denton, Texas. Darrell’s passions include family time, preaching, writing, sports, counseling and helping people grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. He obtained a Masters of Arts degree in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Bachelors of Arts degree in English from Sam Houston State University. Darrell lives in Corinth, Texas with his wife Tiffany and daughters Rylie and Macee. He is the author of the book “No One Really Knows” released by Lucid Books in February 2011.  For more info visit www.norkbook.com

Book Blurb

Glenn Wilson believed from the time he was young that he was destined to be a pro athlete. His journey from lightly recruited high school student athlete to first round draft pick of the Detroit Tigers in 1980 was the script that many only dream about becoming reality.  Glenn achieved his goal, playing ten seasons in Major League Baseball, including making the National League All-Star team in 1985.  Injuries and disappointment shortened Glenn’s career and when investments soured, business ventures failed and he found himself living in pain and misery he went in search of truth and on that journey Glenn came to know what it meant to truly have a relationship with God. Headed Home takes you on this journey from childhood to athlete to a broken man finding the hope of knowing Jesus Christ. When Glenn experienced the grace of Christ, his life was never the same, this book brings us the hope that God has a plan for all of us and he wants to change our lives.

Book Details

Target Release Date November 2011
Publisher: Lucid Books www.lucidbooks.net
Cost:$15 with shipping included
Pre-ordered copies will be mailed out a week in advance of official release date.
Pre-ordered copies will be autographed by Glenn Wilson and Darrell Halk

* To Order by check or money order please make checks payable to Darrell Halk and mail to: 4106 Windy Meadow Drive, Corinth, Texas 76208.

It is milestones like birthdays that cause us to reflect, and cause us to count our blessings.  As I look back over this last year of my life I realize I have experienced so many incredible blessings.  There have been ups and downs, but God has been faithful to teach me the lesson of contentment.

Philippians 4:11-13 ¹¹ Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. ¹² I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. ¹³ I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

I wanted to end this post with ten photos that speak to God’s faithfulness to bless me this year.

TOP TEN HIGHLIGHTS OF MY 33RD YEAR (No Particular Order)

1.) The Birth of my daughter Macee- We were told that it was a great possibility that we could not have any other children, but on January 13,2011, this beautiful little girl entered the world.

2.) God opened the door for one of the greatest dreams of my life to be fulfilled when my first book “No One Really Knows” was published by Lucid Books in February 2011. www.norkbook.com

3.) Southmont Youth Group- I have seen God do amazing things in the lives of these kids this year and I feel so blessed to be their youth pastor and call them my kids.

4.) Met one of my childhood heroes and got to sit down and hang out with him for 30 minutes: Spud Webb5.) Got asked by my friend, former Major League Baseball All-Star, Glenn Wilson, to co-author his biography with him.

6.) Got to watch my daughter Rylie cheer at Upward basketball games

7.) Splurged on the most expensive meal of my life on an awesome date with my wife Tiffany to Pappas Borthers Steakhouse for our anniversary.  We try to go to really nice restaurants in Dallas twice a year for her birthday and our anniversary.

8.) Got the opportunity to join the program staff of Camp 220 and speak at both weeks as a Team Bible Study Leader.  I love this ministry and I am glad I get to be a part of the behind the scenes of all that God is doing. www.twotwenty.org

9.) Got to coach Rylie’s softball team

10.) Saw the Texas Rangers go to the World Series and the Dallas Mavericks win the NBA Championship.  Okay, this does not directly involve me, but it brought me lots of joy to see both of these events happen.

*Honorable Mention: Launched one of the worst webshows in the history of YouTube- Darandumb Moments: http://www.youtube.com/user/durkel777 

From all reports Flanagan took his life due to being upset about financial concerns.It breaks my heart to see so many who see death as the only option to rid them of their pain. If only we could go back and tell them that there was hope. If only we could go back and tell them that they were loved by their families, friends and fans.

If you are reading this and feel life is hitting nothing but deadends please talk to someone. Seek out help from a trained counselor or local pastor. There is hope, God has placed you here on Earth for a purpose. Jesus came and died to set the captives free and he came that we might have a full and abundant life. He loves you, and His love for you never wavers or changes, no matter how many times you fail.

I have helped a family walk through suicide in the past and I know how tough it can be on families. Pray for the families of those listed below, especially the Flanagan’s as this is so fresh.

Suicides

NBA
Mel Turpin 2010

NFL
Dave Duerson 2011
Kenny McKinley 2010
Shane Dronett 2009
Andre Waters 2006

MLB
Keith Drumright 2010
Brian Powell 2009
Mike Flanagan 2011
Hideki Irabu 2011

National Suicide Hotline 1(800)273-TALK

Not hard to believe for people that know me that I am here talking about mexican food, but I had to share my new affection for Chuy’s.  So far I have made two trips to this fine establishment since it’s opening on August 2nd.

1.) They Allow Bald Men to Live Their Dream of Having Hair

One “Dare” led to me wearing this wig to my first visit to Chuy’s on their opening day.  The hostess could not bear to look at me without giggling.  I realized this day the extent of discrimination against guys with flowing black hair.

2.) Queso Compuesto

This plus chips= Heaven in a bowl

3.) More Tasty Sauces than Should be Allowed in a Single Restaurant

Deluxe Tomatillo, Tomatillo, Jalapeno Cool Ranch, Queso, Salsa… Need I go on?

4.) Tasty Chimichangas and Burritos= 5 Star Restaurant

* Best Chimichanga I have ever had, and I have had quite a few in my time.

5.) They built their Denton location right down the road from my work.

With this restaurant being so close to my church job, I am sure it is going to bad news for the pocket book and the waist line.

All this said…If you have not ever given Chuy’s a chance, stop being dumb.

First thing I need to remind you, IF you belong to God, meaning you have a relationship with Him, then Romans 8:1 tells us there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. This verse has meant so much to me, because it promises that in the midst of our failures God in his grace and mercy forgets our trespasses against Him. It is almost as if God is telling us I do not condemn you, QUIT CONDEMNING YOURSELF. Quit living a powerless Christianity swallowed up with guilt. When God looks at you as a Christian, he does not see your failures; He sees Christ’s righteousness that has covered you.

Zephaniah 3:12-19 is a beautiful picture of the joy that God finds in who we are. God sees someone worth singing over, he has taken away his judgments over you, he fights for you and he is near to you. God says you are so worth all Jesus did.

So first we must see ourselves in the way that God sees us, but second we must ask the right questions about how to get back the passion and zeal that seems absent. Many times we begin with the question how can I pray more, how can I read the Bible more, or what can I DO to draw closer to God? I believe this is the wrong question to begin our thought process.

1.) The question is not how much am I doing to draw close to Him, it is how much am I letting Him do in me?

Does he have my whole heart?

What things in my life steal my affection for Him?

Am I living out Philippians 3:7 that everything compared to Christ seems like dung, poop, or rubbish? It is not an obedience problem as much as it is a love problem. When Jesus has all of our affections no one has to tell us to pray, or read our Bible, we just desire to do it. The prayer is not God help me increase my Bible study time, but help increase my love for you, help remove the things that steal my affections from you… Come and have my whole heart.

Many of us are like the church in Ephesus in Revelation 2, we are checking off all the duties of a Christian, but we have lost our passion and love for him in the midst of doing things for Him. The question must come what am I letting him do in me?

Have I surrendered my spiritual gifts and passions to be used by him? These gifts are not accidents, but are intended to be used by him for his church. Some of the most excited students in my youth ministry right now are those who have realized their spiritual gifts, asked God to take those gifts and use them and seen God begin to work in them and through them. It is in giving God complete control that our passion and desire to be in word and pray increases.

2.) The next question we must ask is by whose power am I living in? 1 Corinthians 4:20 says the kingdom of God is not in Word but in power. Paul tells the people if he comes he will not judge their closeness to God by what they say, but by the power which they live by.

What are you living in that takes God’s power to complete? Are you living by his power or living in what is comfortable and manageable for you? The reason most Christians never move forward in their walk with Christ is they spend their whole life walking in and praying for things they can accomplish without God.

What are you letting him do in you? Have you been just a follower in words or are you living each breath, each step by his power?

3.) How big is your view of God? What God is able to do in and through us is relative to what we believe he is able to do. So many Christians spend so much time arguing what God can’t or doesn’t do anymore. I am persuaded that if we worship a small God who has a list of things he can’t do and we have a holy spirit who is mute and serves as just a glorified conscience then we limit what God is able to do in us and through us. Check out Mark 9, part of our drawing into a powerful life changing relationship with Christ is admitting the areas of unbelief and saying God help me believe in the depth of your power.

Is your God manageable, understandable and full of things he can’t do or doesn’t do anymore or is he the powerful God of the Bible? Part of letting him do what he wants in us is having an accurate view of Him.

4.) Lastly, we will all spend time in the desert or times of dryness; it is how we navigate through that time that tells if we fully belong to Him. It was in Jesus’ time in the desert (Matt 4) that he was tempted, he responds by clinging to Scripture. In dryness we must cling to the Word, not as a duty but because we need it.

What are you allowing God to do in you?

Check out the newest endorsement received for my
coming book No One Really Knows.

Mark Matlock- Wisdom Works Ministries (Planet Wisdom) and Vice President of Event Content at Youth Specialties

“Leave it to Darrell Halk to capture the lives of real teenagers as they experience life and faith. Darrell has been in the trenches with teens for years walking with them through the trials, triumphs and tragedies of navigating a life of faith in Jesus Christ. “No One Really Knows” captures his insights along the way and offers real hope.”

Book Synopsis, Pre-order Info and other Endorsements–> CLICK HERE

I receive the book proofs on December 17th, so the book is coming really soon! Reserve your Copy today!

BOOK SYNOPSIS
Derek Haley is a normal seventeen year old senior at Harrison High School. Everyone sees him as a funny, outgoing, and confident student, but few people know some of the daily battles he faces when he is alone. No One Really Knows allows you to take a look inside the life of a high school student who has experienced the pains of failed relationships, the struggle of loss and addiction, and begins the journey toward redemption in Christ. Even when you feel like no one knows what you are facing, God knows and understands and He is waiting to help you walk the road of redemption and healing.

PRE-ORDER PERKS
COST:$15

Taking Pre-orders until I sell out of the first shipment of 100, do not wait, order today to reserve your pre-release copy.

* Receive book a month previous to release on amazon.com,barnesandnoble.com etc
* 100% royalties for Darrell ( rather than someone else getting a cut)
* Hand-autographed
* Free shipping or hand delivered (unless you pay by paypal which charges $3)

TO PAY BY PAYPAL/CREDIT CARD–> CLICK HERE

PAY BY CHECK/CASH/MONEY ORDER
Mail Payment with Name, and Address to:

Darrell Halk
4106 Windy Meadow Drive
Corinth, Texas 76208

PRE-RELEASE REVIEWS (more to come)
JOHN SHERRILL- Traveling Worship leader, President of Reach Ministries
“A great story of relationships, running, and redemption. Like Darrell’s story, it took all of these things in my life and in my story to see the goodness and glory of Jesus. This story is a great read for any person who is searching, growing, and seeking… it’s honest and raw,…hopeful and real. I left this story with a bittersweet reminder of my high school days… and the people and situations God used in my life to bring me to the point of surrender.”

ANDY MORRIS- President of Serve Management Group (Mission Serve)“Darrell Halk deals head on with many of the challenges that teenagers face today. Challenges that Christian students are not immune from. A story that all of us can relate to that have struggled with giving God complete control.”

GLENN WILSON- FORMER MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYER AND MINISTER“Darrell Halk has a remarkable testimony that every person should hear. He writes a heart warming story to share this testimony that will make you think of the roads available to you and your children. He eloquently describes his real life experiences without losing the reader in language that even most young people can understand. A must read if your trying to understand how life can deal us a difficult hand and how we can endure it.”

The Downtown Mission

Clothes were scattered across the makeshift tables, a collection of hand me down donations from middle class and rich families whose heartbeat was to help the less fortunate of society. Bending over the table was an out of fashion man in tattered wool pants and a discolored polo shirt. The man was born with the given name James Merchant, but most knew him as Bootsy, volunteer at the Gospel Mission on 12th Street in downtown Harrison. Bootsy was a hardworking man, who consistently whistled old gospel hymns as he sorted through the donated items and prepared them for sale in the Gospel Mission store.

One of the things that Marty Young, director of the Gospel Mission loved about Bootsy was that he was always ten minutes early to his shift. He also had not called in sick since beginning to serve at the mission in exchange for free room and board what seemed like ten years ago.