Book Give Away :: Doug Field's Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry

A new week has begun. Here's something you can add to your shelf: a copy of Doug Field's Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry: A personal and practical guide to starting right. Happy Monday.

• Announce this give away on Twitter. Be sure to mention me: @bsimpson.
• Share this post on Facebook. Make sure you leave a comment below saying you did. I'll take your word for it.
• Like my Facebook page, say hello on my wall, and state that you'd like to be entered for the drawing.
• Comment on this thread, and share the first thought that comes to mind when you read the title of this book.

So very easy.

And for each step you take, that's one more entry in to the hopper, increasing your chances to win. Deadline will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. At that time, I'll email the winner, wait for a mailing address, and if replies are quick, I'll do my best to have it on the way by Friday afternoon.

Everyone loves free. So share the free with your friends, invite them to stop by the blog, and take the steps needed to be eligible for the drawing.

Christmas is Coming! How's a Book Give Away Sound?

With Advent upon us and Christmas fast approaching, I'm glad to announce that my friends at IVP have supplied three copies of Patty Kirk's The Gospel of Christmas: Reflections for Advent, a book sure to warm your heart and focus your mind on the miracle that is the incarnation.

To be eligible to win, here's how to play:

• Announce this give away on Twitter. Be sure to mention me: @bsimpson.
• Share this post on Facebook. Make sure you leave a comment below saying you did. I'll take your word for it.
• Like my Facebook page, say hello on my wall, and state that you'd like to be entered for the drawing.
• Comment on this thread, and share your favorite Christmas memory.

So very easy.

And for each step you take, that's one more entry in to the hopper, increasing your chances to win. Deadline will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. At that time, I'll email the three winners, wait for mailing addresses, and if replies are quick, I'll have them on the way by Friday afternoon.

Everyone loves free. So share the free with your friends, invite them to stop by the blog, and take the steps needed to be eligible for the drawing.

Merry Christmas, every one.

Monday Give Away :: Macchia's Crafting a Rule of Life

Two weeks ago I stated that I would give away a copy of Stephen A. Macchia's Crafting a Rule of Life: An Invitation to the Well-Ordered Way, a new title from IVP's Formatio Press.  Check out the blog here.

I also said that I'd post a reminder last Monday, but failed to do so.  Very sorry I did not follow through.  But if you've been waiting, here is a chance to add to your library.

Here are four ways to enter:

1. Share this opportunity on Twitter.  Mention me: @bsimpson.
2. Comment on this thread.  Answer the question below.
3. Send me an email this week by clicking here.  Tell me one book I should be reading.  Write two sentences detailing why.
4. Like my Facebook Page.  Leave a comment on the timeline, sharing a favorite quotation.

Here is the question:

Have you ever put pen to paper and written a rule or a vision document to help guide your decisions?  If so, what was your experience?  If not, how could you envision this being helpful?

When I was in seminary, I was required to write a 25+ page paper, tracing my history, identifying my gifts, discerning my talents, outlining goals, and envisioning my future.  I still have the paper, and while I've made some different choices, the discipline itself helped place me on a trajectory that has been a blessing.

You can enter more than once to increase your chances and to have a little fun.

There is more to come this week, I assure you.  I've been running a small business, which I plan to write about, and taking care of the family.  But I've read plenty and have been inspired quite a bit, and have stuff to share, including a couple of posts about writing a rule of life.  If you don't already, please subscribe to the blog in the right hand column.  And if you do, I'm so glad to have you as a reader!

Blessings!

Upcoming Book Give Away, and a Second Chance

Last week I offered up a copy of Campolo and Darling's Connecting Like Jesus.  No takers.  First person to visit that post and submit a comment scores it.

In two weeks I'll be giving away a copy of Stephen A. Macchia's Crafting a Rule of Life: An Invitation to the Well-Ordered Way.  Check out this website to learn more about Macchia's work, and the stories of people who are working on a rule.  Thanks to the people at IVP's Formatio for offering a copy for review and for a give away.

I'm working my way through the book now.  One of my goals for this year was to write a rule, and this book has been helpful.

Have you ever written a rule of life?  Are you familiar with the idea?

Considering that I am living a life I didn't expect to be living, making due with shifting circumstances and a challenging setting, I'm struggling to formulate, exactly, the best way to deploy my energy and resources in the living of a faithful Christian life.  That is an honest, complex admission.  Perhaps it is one that I will write about more in the days and weeks to come.

Comment on this thread if you'd like a shot at the book.  I'll post another message about the give away next Monday, and include an opportunity to enter there as well.

Book Give Away :: Campolo and Darling's Connecting Like Jesus

This week I'm giving away Tony Campolo and Mary Albert Darling's Connecting Like Jesus.

How do you connect with other people in a Christ-like way?  What assumptions, beliefs, or philosophy undergirds how you go about relating to other people?  Is there an aspect of Jesus's character or a particular narrative that serves as your north star?

The Benedictine rule of welcoming guests as Christ has formed and shaped my interactions with others.  But I've had to discover and explore how Jesus welcomed those he encountered, whether they were religious leaders or outcasts, to better practice hospitality.  In every encounter I have, I hope others might see Christ in me.

Leave a comment for a chance at the book.  I'll choose a winner on Friday.

Blessings!

Book Give Away :: Tony Campolo's Stories That Feed Your Soul

This week I'm giving away a copy of Tony Campolo's Stories That Feed Your Soul.

Do you have a favorite illustration?  Is there a story you have used, or have heard a preacher or teacher utilize that has brought a particular Christian truth into a clear light?

Or, if you'd like to answer a different question, is there an illustration or story you have heard that you would caution others NOT to use?

Leave a comment and enter to win.  I'll choose one commenter on Friday, get in touch, and send it off next week.

I've read this book, and it includes a number of powerful illustrations and inspiring stories.  Some are better than others.  Good stories are always good to have on the shelf, readily at hand to help bring clarity and depth to a particular teaching.

Comment away!

Book Give Away :: Harry Blamires's The Christian Mind

This week I'm giving away a slightly used copy of Harry Blamires's work, The Christian Mind: How should a Christian think?.

Would you like to get your hands on it?  Answer this question:

How would you assess the current intellectual climate of Christian discourse in your current context?  Do you believe that your fellow Christians carefully think about issues, moral dilemmas, politics, work, family, or other important topics, and do so "Christianly"?  Do you think there is room for improvement, and if so, how would you chart the way forward?

Those are three BIG questions.  You don't have to answer them all, and you don't need to be sure about your answer.  But think about the thinking you currently encounter within your Christian community, and provide an honest assessment. 

I'll choose a winner on Friday, email that person a notice, and then book will be on the way next week.

Blessings to you and yours!

Monday Give Away :: J. Brent Bill & Beth A. Boorman's Awaken Your Senses

This week I'll be giving away a copy of J. Brent Bill and Beth A. Boorman's Awaken Your Senses: Exercises for Exploring the Wonder of God.  You can read my review here.

This book is written to help the reader connect physical experiences to our thinking about God.

In what way have you connected sensory experience to your understanding of God?  Have you ever been guided through an exercise, or had a moment of insight concerning God that was clearly the outgrowth of a taste, touch, sound, smell, or sight?

I'd love to hear your thoughts and stories.  I have a few myself.

Winner will be chosen on Friday.  

Leave a comment below.