Friday, July 25, 2014

And the Winner Is...

Interrupted, When Jesus Wrecks Your Comfortable Christianity
Who won???
Thanks so much to all of you who entered my giveaway for Jen Hatmaker's Interrupted.  I'm so excited to be a part of getting this book out there!  

Who is the big winner???  Drumroll please...it is:
S Shenk!

Congratulations!  I kinda hate this part because I want to give a copy to each of you.  But remember, if you didn't win you can still get the book at 20% off when you click here!

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Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Interrupted: A Review and a Giveaway!

Y'all.  I have an awesome opportunity for you to win a copy of Jen Hatmaker's new book, Interrupted. It is actually a re-release and according to Jen is the most important book she's ever written, "the story of my heart," she calls it.  I admit to being dubious, considering that 7 moved me to tears multiple times and I am still digesting it after reading it in April.

But Interrupted?  It is amazing.  I love Jen's writing and wish I could go grab a beer with her right now. In true Jen Hatmaker style this book had me laughing out loud over and over, which is good because the message of this book is powerful--dare I say prophetic?-- but it is also hard. It has rocked my world, challenging me to see how I live my faith through brand-new eyes. Let me see if I can sum it up--essentially, her message is that the gospel message of Jesus is to become a servant.  That American Christians are missing the point, to our own detriment.  That "the largest factor in feeling unfed is not feeding others."  (p. 232)

pin page 28This book is the story of why and how Brandon and Jen came to found a new church in Austin, but it is bigger than that, too.  It's a call to do better by heeding the most direct of commandments Jesus gave us.  To serve others, feed them and clothe them.  Literally.  To carry His truth to them through service.

I gotta be honest: this book has messed me up.  It's addictive to read, and I couldn't get my nose out of it. But all the while I've had this growing conviction that something in my life needs to change also--that I could do so much more to alleviate suffering, and not only that I could: that I must.  And, strangely, it has also been a relief to read it.  It confirms what has felt like a disconnect for me in my spiritual life, specifically that so much of our Christianity is "all about me."  And I long to do better than that.  What that will look like for me? I have no idea...right now I am just working to digest this message. Not everyone is uniquely positioned to plant a church, of course.  So I'm asking, where will God take me as a result of reading Jen's words?

And I want a generation of Christians to read them, and ask the same question for themselves.  So, I am giving away the hard copy of the book that Tyndale sent me.  To enter, just leave a comment here, letting me know who you will give this book to after you read it.  The giveaway will be open until this Friday at noon, and I will announce a winner on Friday!

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In addition to the giveaway, Tyndale is offering my readers a 20% discount through July 31st!  So if you would rather not take chances on the giveaway, click right here to order your own copy at a discount.

And when you read it let me know!  I am dying to talk to everyone about it.  Good luck!

***This Giveaway is now closed***
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Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Summer Doldrums

Hey there party people!  I just wanted to check in, because I miss y'all and know I have basically fallen off the planet lately.  I am apparently really skilled at just ditching my blog occasionally, which goes against every blogging "rule" in the world and is also just kinda rude.  So, I am sorry.

Truth is, I am in the middle of the Summer Doldrums when it comes to crafting and blogging and all sorts of other creative stuff.  Basically that means I am looking wistfully over at my laptop while I cuddle with my boys (that part is nice) and read books (often in my hammock) and also maybe while I binge-watch Brothers & Sisters.  I said maybe.

Motivation is not my forte at the moment.

Don't get me wrong, stuff's happening.  I painted my foyer and I love it and can't wait to show you.  I helped a friend paint a table and it turned out pretty good, too.  I am in a 7 study and in love with Jen Hatmaker's writing and OH YEAH get to review her newest book this month too!  So watch for all these things.

But I can't make any promises about when my next post will appear.  As I said, I am very talented when it comes to forgetting to blog. What can I say?  I'm caught in the doldrums.

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Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Denver!

Hi friends,

Wow its been a whirlwind the last few weeks!  We were gone for eight days, and then I caught a cold right when I get back.  I'm all better and wanting to share our time in Denver with you.  It was lovely!  Take a look!

This trip was a work trip for my husband, but we managed to have plenty of fun, too, starting off with a Rockies game (the same one I posted about here):



There we are!
Of course, it being Denver, we tried most of the local libations:


...but we also got out of the bars to see some sights.  We rode up to Red Rocks to see the famous amphitheater and do some hiking:





Love seeing Denver from this vantage point.



The view from the stage!


And then there was the food.  I can't say enough about the wonderful restaurants we ate at in Denver; it is truly a delicious city!

Brunch at The Squeaky Bean:
Pork Belly Hash; Pimento Cheese; Overnight French Toast; Farrah Fawcett's Squeaky Spritz

Chips and Dip with Duck; Pad Thai Pig Ears (sounds gross but was one of the most delicious things ever); house-made sausages; Smores Pot de Creme.
The charcuterie platter at Colt & Gray:  

 Dinner at ChoLon:
Soup Dumplings; Potstickers; Kaya Toast with Egg Cloud; Pork Belly Buns; Spare Ribs; New York Strip with Tater Tots
ChoLon quickly became one of my favorite restaurants of all time, and it didn't hurt that the Executive Chef, Lon Symensma, is a super down-to-earth and a genuinely nice person in spite of being a big-time chef.   You can read all about him here, and see him hamming it up with some dork right here:


So, that was Denver!  Just one last shot from the 27th floor of our hotel:


Where are you going this summer?
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