One day, while sitting on a park bench, author Mark D. Jones, of Gordo, Ala., was asked by an old man, “Why do you do what you do? Why do you work where you work?”
Jones says he immediately realized that what seemed like a nonchalant question really yielded a much deeper soul-searching probe. After pondering the queries posed to him, the writer shares he came to the realization that “God leads us, but we are the ones who ultimately make our own decisions.”
In “The Long Road to Nowhere” (Xulon Press, 2009), Jones urges readers to recognize their gifts, to understand where their passion lies, to triumph over doubts about their abilities.
“God has given us all gifts, even when we don’t understand them,” he asserts. “He uses the puzzle our decisions create to bless us anyway, even when we don’t see it, know it, or better yet, understand it.”
Jones’ gifts as songwriter, author and pianist have led to awards in the realm of Southern gospel music. He has taught songwriting seminars with well-known personalities such as the late Grammy and Dove Award winner Dottie Rambo, Gerald Crabb and Dianne Wilkinson. His song “Inside the Gate” was recorded by the renowned Kingsmen Quartet. Jones also performs with the Southern gospel quartet, Chosen Witness.
In addition to “Long Road to Nowhere,” the Gordo man has also penned three installments of the “Anderson Girls Series,” wholesome adventure stories aimed at teens, drawing inspiration from his own younger daughters, Noelle and Alaina.
“It’s a joy to write the young adult books and include my girls as characters in what will be a series of books that can become so vibrant, uplifting and even a lot of fun,” said Jones. “The world could use a little more writing that is good, wholesome and yet something that can still let teenagers be teenagers.”
Jones will be in Columbus Saturday for a book signing of “The Long Road to Nowhere” ($15.99 paperback; $25.99 hard cover) at New Life Christian Supplies, 1920-2 Highway 45 North, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
