Category Archives: Reading

Win this book: Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson

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Hey, gang. It’s Monday, the wait is over. As promised, here is my latest book contest: Wild Goose Chase (Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God) by Mark Batterson.

From the back cover:

Most of us have no idea where we’re going most of the time. Perfect.

Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit -An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something…”

Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.

Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Here is a little bit about the author:

Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of Washington, DC’s National Community Church, widely recognized as one of America’s most innovative churches. Mark is the author of the best selling In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and a widely read blogger. He lives on Capitol Hill* with his wife, Lora, and their three children.

And endorsements via Amazon.com:

“Mark Batterson is down-to-earth and humble–yet constantly pushes me to grow. I follow him as a leader, admire him as an innovator, and love him as a friend. Mark has become one of the most important voices for a new generation. Anything he touches changes lives.”
- Craig Groeschel, pastor of Lifechurch.tv, author of Going All the Way

“A thoughtful and energetic leader, Mark Batterson presses us to consider how we live out our faith in the world around us. When Mark has something to say, I am quick to listen.”
- Frank Wright, PhD, President and CEO, National Religious Broadcasters

Okay, I bet you are eager to read this book and I’m going to give you the chance. In fact, I’m going to give you more than one chance to win.

Here is what you need to do:

1. Comment to enter, be sure to leave a valid email address.

2. For a second entry, post this contest on your blog (email me the link to your post.)

3. Really want this book? For a third entry, let your Twitter followers know of this contest (send me the link of your tweet).

Make sure you use this post’s link, not my main site, so folks can find the contest easily. My address is monicambrand (at) gmail.com.

Oh, and by the way… if you love to read, you should sign up for my RSS feed. I love giving away books, and by subscribing you can be sure you don’t miss any contests. You can even get me in your email. How cool is that?

FYI:

Contest open to US and Canadian residents only. No entries after midnight September 1, 2008.

Ready, set, go!

—-

Monica History 101 – I lived on Capitol Hill for several months when I did my journalism internship in 1994. Union Station, one of the meeting sites for National Community Church, was only a 15-minute walk from my house. Too bad I lived there two years before the church started.

Coming up: book contest (and maybe chocolate)

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I have a great book to give away to one reader starting Monday and you don’t want to miss it. And because this is my blog – meaning I can do anything I want – I’m going to be a tease and not tell you the title. So there. You are just going to have to muddle through your weekend wondering what it could possibly be, maybe losing sleep, all because you are overcome with suspense. You could send me an email begging me to reveal what it is or pester me in the comments, and I might possibly tell you. Money works. That’s it – send me money and riches and… and… brownies. Yes, I can be persuaded with sweet, moist, chocolate velvet love. Mmmmm. Brownies. Yum. Books and brownies. Even better.

Reading: If I Am Missing or Dead: A Sister’s Story of Love, Murder and Liberation by Janine Latus:

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So many emotions as I read If I Am Missing or Dead (A Sister’s Story of Love, Murder and Liberation) by Janine Latus. Anger, sadness, disbelief.

And as I read, a haunting ghost came from my past.

A woman I knew when I worked at a Christian bookstore. Me a college co-ed. She a mother of two. A wife. Both of us Christians. We talked, but never really shared intimate stories of our lives. Then one night that all changed. A co-worked told me of her secret, swore me not to tell. That night, I saw a different woman than the one I knew from the store. The black eye told me more than I could have guessed.

I’d forgotten about her until I picked up this book and read of how these two sisters endured physical and mental abuse from various men in their lives. This book made me grateful – my loving husband, the example my father set with my mom. I have what many do not.

As much as this book is about domestic violence, it’s a story of self esteem and feeling comfortable in your own skin as a woman. Often, it’s difficult to read – horrifying is the best way to describe what Latus survived, especially as a girl. Horrible, yet so important.

This one will go on the shelf for my daughters to read one day.

Then their brothers can read it as well.

Author Janine Latus’ website is If I am Missing or Dead.com