200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One: Creating a Life of Meaning and Influence [Paperback]

Shawn Wood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008

Shawn Wood explores the story of obscure Old Testament
character Huram of Tyre, a bronzeworker putting the finishing
touches on Solomon s Temple. Huram was renowned for his
talent, but he saved the most ornate details of his temple work,
including 200 intricately crafted pomegranates, for a place
where most people would never even notice it: thirty-four feet off
the ground, atop two massive columns.

Huram s example shows readers the importance of using talents
and skills to benefit others and to contribute something of lasting
worth, and doing our best even if God is the only audience.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I am fortunate enough to rub shoulders with Shawn everyday as we pursue ministry together. I have watched as he approaches each area of responsibility he has been given with the eye of an artist toward an audience of one. He lives what he writes about and our lives and ministries have been better for it. I am confident you will be encouraged and better off for being around Shawn, as I have been, as you connect with God s artistic vision for your life through this book. --Greg Surratt, lead Pastor, Seacoast Church

About the Author

Shawn Wood is the Experiences Pastor and a Teaching Pastor at Seacoast Church, a trendsetting multi-site church with thirteen campuses across South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and on the web. Seacoast is ranked among the top ten most innovative churches and the top ten most influential churches, as well as in the top 100 fastest-growing churches in America. He is the author of 200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One and Wasabi Gospel. You can find out more about Shawn on his blog at www.shawnsblogspot.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0687654920
• ISBN-13: 978-0687654925
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,235,558 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Shawn Wood is the Experiences and Creative Communications Pastor and a Teaching Pastor for Seacoast Church, a trendsetting multi-site church with 25 weekend experiences at 13 campuses across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. Seacoast is ranked among the top ten most innovative churches (Outreach magazine) and the top ten most influential churches (Church Report), as well as in the top 100 fastest-growing churches in America, with over 9000 worshipers each weekend and around 2000 more participating in worship online.

Through his work leading a team of designers, videographers, communications professionals, and many other very talented people, Shawn helps campuses create compelling experiences in the areas of weekend, web, and word-of-mouth to help people become fully-devoted to Christ.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast & easy read, lasting impression. Professional & personal., August 7, 2008

By 

Kem Meyer "Kem Meyer" (Granger, IN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One: Creating a Life of Meaning and Influence (Paperback)

I cried reading the acknowledgments and was laughing in chapter one. This book was a fast read with the highs and lows of a good drama and made a strong impact; professional and personally. My faith and my filter is different because of Shawn's humble and authentic story telling ability. He brought truths about God AND myself to light to inspire more.

In his book, Shawn uses his story and stories about people around him to drive this home: "Self examination" is a time when we see who we are and choose to be better or worse. There is no staying the same."

I am not the same. Good read for anyone...student, parents, grandparents, professionals, domestics... It's a keeper.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seeing the artist's heart in everyone, August 7, 2008

By 

Dawn Nicole Baldwin (Sycamore, IL) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One: Creating a Life of Meaning and Influence (Paperback)

200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One sheds new light on God's calling for each of our lives.

Through Shawn's unique perspective, everyone [from single moms, CEO's and even people who feel quite ordinary] has the ability to see why the efforts of our individual "canvases" is truly a work of art that matters to God.

Shawn blew me away with his whimsical story-telling style and piercing truths. I never would have guessed he was a first-time author & can't wait for his next book.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprised, August 12, 2008

By 

Tim Stevens - See all my reviews

This review is from: 200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One: Creating a Life of Meaning and Influence (Paperback)

I'll be honest...when I first heard the title of a new book by Shawn Wood, I said, "Two hundred what?" It didn't sound like any book I would read.

Later I heard the entire title: "200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One: Creating a Life of Meaning and Influence." Okay, it sounded a little more interesting to me. But time is limited. I still wasn't sure I would read it.

Then Jessica Kelley from Abingdon Press asked me to consider giving the book an endorsement. Oh boy. I told her I'd be glad to read it, but I would only endorse it if I liked it. She sent me an early manuscript a couple months before the book was released.

I learned from the first few pages where the "pomegranate" reference comes from. Yes, I'm a pastor, and yes, I've read the Old Testament a number of times, but I've never noticed the passage about the artist Huram and his bronze veggies (or fruits, I'm really not sure). Then I started the introduction, and I was sucked in from the very first paragraph.

Shawn is great at telling stories. I don't mean he's really good. He's great at it. I love the way he authentically shares out of his life, from the pain of his past, to stupid decisions he's made. It helps me identify with an author who is normal.

I'm convinced this book will have broad appeal. It is for anyone who desires to be great at something. I could see my wife (a stay-at-home mom) enjoying this book as much as I enjoyed this book.

This book is an easy read, and isn't very long. If you picked up a copy already, you'll see my endorsement on the back cover. Just so you know, no one paid me or bent my arm for an endorsement. After reading the book, it was an easy decision.