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
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
For the Love of Book Launches!! (And giveaways!)
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.
There is another For the Love giveaway at:
ReplyDeletehttp://emptyplatefullheart.com/2015/08/18/for-the-love-of-giveaways/
Another For the Love Giveaway! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://mrsdisciple.com/for-the-love-an-experiment-in-authenticity/