January giveaway
January 1, 2010 | My Jottings
Happy New Year! May 2010 be a year of peace and joy for you.
I’m going to give away an unforgettable book to four fortunate blog readers this week.
My dear friend Carey recently told me about this book by Randy Alcorn. She said she sobbed her way through it, and that it was one of the most life-changing books she’d ever read. And Carey is a prolific reader, so to me that said a lot.
Of course I had to read it. I downloaded it on my Kindle right away, and can’t remember when I’ve been so moved. Not necessarily because it was so exquisitely written, but because of the way the main character Li Quan lived his life.
I have four brand new copies of Safely Home, and will send them out to the four winners who will be chosen by random.org.
All you have to do is leave a comment and share what book has made a difference in your life, and why? I’m not necessarily saying that the book you name has to be profound in a spiritual sort of way, although that would be a good title to list too.
Maybe a particular book changed the way you look at something or someone? Maybe a book answered a question for you? Was there a book that made you laugh like no other? Or did a story give you needed hope during a hard time? Or perhaps a book just helped you escape, de-stress and relax for a while. Was there a book that set the course of your life on a certain path? Do you have a favorite children’s book that you keep going back to? What book have you read more than three times? What book, like Safely Home for Carey, made you sob all the way through? I would love to know! And I’ll bet a few other blog readers would like to know too.
I could answer each one of these questions easily myself, but I would like to read what you have to say. If you have been a reader of this blog and have never left a comment, now’s your time! It’s easy to do, and as I’ve mentioned before, you can be kept anonymous if you prefer. Your e-mail address, your name, all can be kept private – just mention that to me when you leave your comments.
I was so touched by this book that Michael asked me to read it out loud to him. We’re taking it slow, a chapter or two at a time, with a hot cup of tea and a box of Kleenex nearby as we go.
Comments will be taken until Tuesday, January 5th, and the four winners will be announced on Wednesday the 6th!
Blessings,
One book that I have read several times that impacts me every time is Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. Not only is it a great story that causes me to put my life on hold ’til I finish the book, but it speaks to the redeeming love Christ offers each and every one of us no matter how and how often we stumble. You’ve probably read it and you may have even told me that you’ve read it (memory is not what it used to be) but if not, you should. Or your readers should. Everyone should.
One book that came immediately to mind was “Of Whom the World Was Not Worthy.” It’s a true story that takes place in war torn Yugoslavia and tells the story of a young woman’s faith in terribly hard times. I have read this book several times and am always challenged by her faith in God during even the most horrific events. She had this incredible love and trust in God that was amazing! And I have to mention “The Hiding Place” because that too is much the same. Most people have probably read it but if you haven’t, it is one of those must reads!
Being an avid reader for at least 4.5 decades, I’m sure there are several books that fit the bill but I will mention the one I read this past year, a book that came highly recommended I might add! :o)
“At Home in Mitford” was perhaps one of the most pleasant and enjoyable books I have ever read. Jan Karon wrote about simplicity, honestly, respect, genuine care, the sweetness and despair of a budding love, appreciating the eccentricities that define people, faith in God………these characteristics are the sum and substance of the characters, aka the citizens of Mitford. I loved all the characters especially Father Tim (main character) and the young Dooley Barlowe whose situation will pull deeply on your heartstrings. The promise of 8 more books in the series is an added bonus!
The two books that I would say had a powerful affect on me would be “Brushko” by Bruce Olsen, and “The Last Sin Eater” by Francine Rivers.
Brushko is the story of a missionary who is captured by a dangerous/murderous tribe, the Mitilones, in South America. It’s a story of how he learns to live with this tribe of people who are extremely primitive, and have never had contact with any other tribe outside of their own. The most powerful and inspiring part of the book was when he attempted to translate the Bible into their native tongue. Because their language was so primitive, he had to use stories of a badger to express ‘redemption’, etc. It was wonderful and eye-opening.
“The Last Sin Eater” is a story of an Scottish clan and a girl who tries to find the mystery of the ‘sin eater’. The sin eater is a man who, by way of tradition, is picked randomly from the clan to take upon himself the sins of the dead. When someone dies, it is up to him to make sure they will have an afterlife by eating their sins. It’s an amazing and powerfully symbolic story that shows how it is completely impossible for us to carry the weight of our own sins. The story shows how Jesus Christ came for the specific purpose of freeing us and giving us everlasting life.
I really hope I get this book. =)
I need a good new book.
It’s been a while since I’ve read it through, but “Ben Hur” was an awesome read. Not only is it a great story, and one that lasts a long time, it expands your vocabulary and sentance size. 🙂
As I was traveling home to be with my dying mother, the stranger seated next to me started a conversation with me to pass the time. We talked with each other about the places we were flying to and why we were going “home.” When I explained that I was going home to be with my mother for whatever time she had left, she told me that I must read “Embraced by the Light” by Beverly Eide. My first thought was, when would I ever have the time to read again when at the moment I could think of nothing but how I was going to cope with my mother’s death. After several months passed I finally found and read this book. I believe this stranger was meant to sit next to me and tell me about this amazing book so that I could have the strength to get through the loss of my mother. It brought me peace that I didn’t think existed and comforted me in ways I can’t explain.