This is how we know love: Jesus laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. But if a person has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need and that person doesn’t care—how can the love of God remain in him?
Little children, let’s not love with words or speech but with action and truth.
~1 John 3: 16-18
Hello and welcome to this stop along Jen Hatmaker's "For the Love" blog tour! I am so excited that you are here, and I welcome you with open arms. Please pull up a comfy chair, grab a cup of coffee, tea, wine, or whatever your choice is, and enjoy the read. :)
My journey with Jen started a few years ago when I did the 7 study with my Sunday School class. I was hooked from that point! From there I have read Jen's personal journey with the 7 experiment, Interrupted, and Out the the Spin Cycle devotional. When I saw a post from Jen's Facebook page this spring with a sign up to be a part of the launch group for her new book "For the Love: Fighting for Grace in a World of Impossible Standards," I thought, "why not?" It stated that she was only taking 500 people, so I put down my coffee mug (which shows how serious I was) and signed up immediately with hopes that I would make it, but not really expecting to. Finding out later that 5,000 people had signed up to be a part of this launch, my expectations diminished further, but hope still held on, check my email neurotically, 5 times an hour. Spring break rolled around, and we left for our regular skiing trip in New Mexico where there is NO SIGNAL, I repeat, NO SIGNAL. Apparently the whole town runs on one server, which didn't help my situation. I would try and check my email during non-peak times to see if that email had come through yet. As we were nearing the end of our vacation, I was checking my email one last time for the day, and there it was...
They may have heard my squeal all the way back to Texas. I was in disbelief!! I immediately downloaded our proof version, ran back to the bedroom for the peace and quiet, and began to read! Thus began a life changing experience for me. Not only did this book and Jen's oh-so-wise words make a difference in my heart, mind, and soul, but belonging to a launch team who laughed together, cried together, and prayed together. What started as a Facebook group where we could discuss the book and the effect it has had on our lives, turned into a tribe of women (and a #bandoffour men) encouraging each other through this craziness we call life. I am forever grateful and forever changed.
You guys this book! This book is for everyone! Yes it is marketed towards women, but the #bandoffour men on our launch team enjoyed it as well. Jen's writes so beautifully and intimately that you feel like you are having a conversation with her. You will feel like one of her close friends after the reading of this book (I still believe this is true. ) ;) Jen hits everything in this book about showing and extending God's grace for everyone.
She starts with having grace for ourselves. I think that is the hardest. It is so much easier to have grace for others while we sit and beat up ourselves constantly. She will make you laugh, make your cry, and make you challenge your unrealistic expectations that you have for yourself in the very first chapters. Here are some gems from this section.
Chapter 2: On Turning Forty (Image credit Leslie Carlton)
Chapter 3: On Calling and Haitian Moms (Image credit Carlee Ann Easton)
Chapter 4: Fashion Concerns (Image credit Carlee Ann Easton)
Chapter 5: Run Your Race (Image credit Carlee Ann Easton)
Chapter 6: Not Buying (Image credit Leslie Carlton)
Chapter 7: Tell the Truth (Image credit Krista Wilbur)
Chapter 8: Thank you Notes (Part 1) (Image credit Carlee Ann Easton)
The second section of the book is titled, "All These People Who Live in Your House." Probably the second hardest people to have grace for because you live and deal with them.....ALL.THE.TIME. #bless
Chapter 9: Hope for Spicy Families (Image credit Bethany Beams)
Chapter 10: Surviving School (Image credit Bethany Beams)
Chapter 11: Dear Kids (Image credit Jen Hatmaker)
Chapter 12:Marriage: Have Fun and Stuff (Image credit Leslie Carlton)
Chapter 13: Jesus Kids (Image Credit Leslie Carlton)
The third section of For the Love covers those around us. Those we know, and those we don't. Those we like, and those we don't. You also get some bonus tasty recipes for starting a supper club! (You may notice that there is no quote from chapter 19 - that is the chapter that holds all the delicious recipes!)
Chapter 15: Supper Club (Image credit Leslie Carlton)
Chapter 16: Porches as Altars (Image credit Leslie Carlton)
Chapter 17: Quirky (Image credit Bridgette Cook)
Chapter 18: Difficult People (Image credit Krista Wilbur)
In the 4th and final section of the book, Jen writes about the grace in the church. This includes, church leaders, congregations, and the people we serve.
Chapter 19: Poverty Tourism (Image credit Carlee Ann Easton)
Chapter 22: Dear Church... (Image credit Kelly Richards Smith)
Chapter 23: If Social Media Were Around (Image credit Leslie Carlton)
Chapter 25: Dear Christians, Please Stop Being Crappy
Chapter 26: On Women
I hope these little glimpses into each chapter give you a small idea of the awesomeness that is this book! Jen encourages her reads to go forth and love well, receiving and sharing God's grace.
I am so excited for today's release date, so I can actually talk with those around me in my day to day life about taking things #offthebeam, or about forgetting our messes and about opening our homes (and hearts) to others to share in this life with us. We only get one, so it's really just a shame to waste it away waiting for that one day when we have it all together.
In celebration of For the Love's launch, I will be giving away 2 copies on my FB page, Breaking for Good. Here are the steps to get into the giveaway.
1. Like the Breaking for Good Facebook page (unless you already have).
2. Share the post with the giveaway. If you like and/or comment on the giveaway post that will give you one bonus entry. Names will be drawn at 7:00 tomorrow evening (Texas time :) )
I hope that you enjoy this book as much as I have, and it inspires you just the same. To visit other blogs of launch team members about the book, you can visit the For the Love blog tour page.
It is Well. It's been one of my favorite hymns since I heard Natalie Grant sing it at a Women of Faith conference some years ago that took my breath away. I found myself listening to the contemporary version of this song by Bethel Music featuring Kristene Dimarco on Pandora a little over a month ago, thinking how much I liked the version, and how it would be fun to sing. Fast forward and here I am singing it with the worship band this Sunday it's funny how God works. ;)
I find myself singing this at a very appropriate time in my life. In a time where I am feeling like it might not all be well with my soul. A time where I feel like I am drowning in the everyday tasks of life. A time were I am finding trouble knowing where to draw my strength and where to seek guidance. A time where my frustrations are many and my joys are quickly forgotten. A time where I feel like the odds are surmounting against me. A time where I am so caught up in the schedule and busyness of life that I forget to take a minute to to sit...and be well.
It was when I sat to work on my song that it became so clear to me. The song says, "Through it all, through it all, my eyes are on you. Through it all, through it all it is well." My eyes are so trained on what is going on around me that I forget to raise them up to Him. That phrase, "Have your prayed about it, as much as you have worried about it?" comes to mind. If I could just keep my eyes on Him, and my thoughts focused on His plans and purpose throughout all this craziness going on around me, then I can be well.
It sounds so easy doesn't it? I wish it were, but it takes discipline to keep eyes up instead of down. The things and worries of this world surround us, grab our attention, and entrances us. It's what they were made to do, but we have to take the stance that we are people in this world and not of it! It takes work people, the devil makes it so easy to go the other way, to be focused on worldly things and not God. It's so worth the work though. I know that in my times of peace and feeling like it really is well with my soul is when I am dedicated to my daily devotionals, taking studies that are teaching and transforming me, talking regularly with my friends who are encouraging and seeking the same path, and just really being in relationship with God. Seeking Him first.
I always wonder how I fall out of it, but really it only takes one slip, and I am back to my old ways, worrying and stressing, trying to figure things out on my own, and it is not well with my soul. It's a good thing He never gives up on me. When I come to me senses, He is always there ready with open arms.
Another lyric in the song says, "So let go my soul, and trust in Him." That's what I pray for you and for me. How freeing is that? Let go and just fall into the arms of God trusting He will catch you...because He will.
It's really simple. Keep your eyes on God and trust in Him. It will be well with your soul.
Check out the video of Bethel Music featuring Kristene Dimarco here:
So anyone who knows me, knows that I am over the moon to be in the launch group for Jan Hatmaker's new book, For the Love, Fighting for Grace in a World of Impossible Standards. I have been reading and rereading this book since March, and I cannot get enough of it. I am so excited that soon it will be in the hands of everyone, so we can talk about it!!!
One of the ladies in the launch group has started a Friday Five post, and this Friday she has chosen to to do top 5 quotes from the book. Mrs. Disciple has actually opened it up to all the For the Love Launch team to connect our blogs to hers, so we can have one large blog event and get to see everyone's take away from the book.
I wasn't sure I was going to be able to blog today due to my son's birthday party this evening. He planned quite a night that kept us busy all evening, but now they have retreated upstairs to play Catan, so I am taking a moment to breath and write. :)
It's so hard to just pick 5 quotes. I have about 5 quotes underlined per page in some chapters. Thee is just so much goodness here. It's like picking a favorite ice cream. Really??? I just like them all. Ice cream is my favorite ice cream. That being said I made the painful cuts, and here are my top 5:
1. "Folks who thrive in God's grace give grace easily, but the self-critical person becomes other-critical." Guys this is just in the intro. You haven't even dived into the chapters yet, and she hits you with this one! I love and hate this at the same time because I constantly swing back and forth on this. I never cared to look for the cause until I read this. So much truth. It opened my eyes to how I am receiving God's grace and how that directly relates to how I give grace to others. Talk about "aha" moment.
2. "Balance. It's like a unicorn: we've heard about it, everyone talks about it, and makes airbrushed T-shirts celebrating it, it seems super rad, but we haven't actually seen one. I'm beginning to think it isn't a thing." LOL!! This one came from Chapter 1: The Worst Beam Ever, and it had me rolling for a little while. I love how she puts it. The 80s girl in my could totally visual the unicorn jumping through the air, mane blowing in the breeze with the rainbow in the background. I am sure I had one of the shirts. This balance thing we constantly talk about, strive for, and think others have achieved. It's all imaginary. As soon as you think you have all your ducks in a row, something falls out of place, and you are starting all over again. Maybe it's time to start a new goal.
3. "You are smart and able, and getting older is not a tragedy." This comes from Chapter 6 - Not Buying. In this chapter, Jen talks about how the world is trying to sell us things based on the fact that we need them to make ourselves beautiful, make life easier, or keep us from aging. The commercials fill our heads with how each product will make our lives better with their product. It also gets in our kiddos heads. My own daughter looking at my face the other day said, "Mommy you should get that cream from the commercial. It will make your skin flawless!" Nothing like a child's honesty to humble your perspective, but it also shows that this commercial taught her that if mommy's skin isn't perfect (not that I thought it was too bad), it can be made "flawless" with their cream. Wow. How did our grandmother's ever survive? We should celebrate our abilities and not take the easy way out each time. We should also celebrate aging and getting older. It is taken so for granted, as this is not a guarantee for anyone.
4. "Every parent blows it. Every kid comes unhinged. Every family goes off the rails. That doesn't mean we are ruined: it means we are ordinary." This quote from Chapter 9 - Hope for Spicy Families is right on for me and my family. My poor son is the only sweet member of our crazy foursome, and I think we have corrupted him a little bit. Yelling, losing patience, and fits are a daily struggle, but so is apologizing, cuddling, and saying, "I love you." Sweet with the spicy means our family is not dysfunctional, we are normal, and the sooner we accept this and stop putting on the perfect front, the sooner we can stop placing guilt on ourselves and just enjoy being who we are, spiciness and all.
5. "Ironically, the more responsibility people take for their own spiritual development and their neighbor, the healthier they become - also, less resentful of the church, less dependent on the programming, and less reliant on the pastors." In chapter 22 - Dear church...Jen writes to both areas of the church, the leaders and the congregation. This quote hit me right between the eyes because truly for most of my life I looked to my pastors for spiritual guidance and growth. Not to discredit this, as pastors serve as great shepherds, but at some point I need to take some responsibility in my walk with Jesus. I had never pondered such things before. Taking responsibility for this ended up helping me to feel free instead of burdened. You mean I can look outside my church for studies? I can go to the bookstore with no recommendation and find a book that speaks to me spiritually? Talk about feeling empowered and re-energized.
Like I said, this is really just a sip of what is the fire hose of life changing, laugh inducing, tear jerking goodness that is in the book. The book released August 18th and is already on the shelves in Barnes and Noble, so For the Love go get it!!!
