Happy Birthday! And Here Is Your Chance To Win A Free Gift
Today is my birthday! Congratulations to my mom – you had a boy!
In honor of my birthday, I would like to celebrate you. Thank you for joining this growing community and adding to the conversation. It is a blessing to share my thoughts with you and then for you to share your thoughts and responses. I am excited for the conversations to come.
So, today, I would like to give a gift. I will give away one of my favorite books as a free gift to one lucky person. What are my favorite books? Well, there are many; but, these are a few that have had an impact on my life:
- Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson (click here to see my review)
- i am not but i know I AM (Kindle edition only) by Louie Giglio
- Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley
- Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
- Radical by David Platt
- Spiritual Parenting by Michelle Anthony
The lucky person will receive their choice of one book from the list above.
How to win:
You enter for a chance to win by leaving a comment in the comments section below. Choose one, or more, of the following question(s) to answer in your comment:
- What is the best gift that you have been given or that you have given to someone else?
- If you have read any of the books in the list above, which is your favorite?
- What is a topic (within the context of family, life and leadership) that you would like to see written about in this blog?
A winner will be randomly chosen, and then announced, from those that comment by midnight on July 1, 2011. The winner will be contacted by email for your mailing address and book preference.
Thanks again and good luck. The contest begins…now! You can click here to comment.
21 Comments to “Happy Birthday! And Here Is Your Chance To Win A Free Gift”
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One of the best gifts that I have ever received was a gift from our daughter a year and a half ago when she gave my wife and I over $50 that she had raised herself for our upcoming trip to Kenya. She made the money by selling earrings that she had handmade. It was a complete surprise, and it was a true gift.
Wow! That is awesome. Self-less acts like that are truly amazing gifts!
The only book from your list that I have read is Radical and it blew me away. Oh my word! It is incredible! It challenged me and convicted me and so much more. In fact, I want to download it to my Nook so I will have both an e-version and a print version.
Radical is a great book!it greatly challenged me as well. In fact, I think it is time to read it again…
Awesome! Happy B-day!
The best gift that has been given to me was a car by my grandfather.
I have not read any of the books you mentioned, but I have been wanting to read Radical…I hear it is very good!
I think that the topics have been right on for this blog, but maybe something on ministry and leadership. Everyone has a ministry…
Thanks Brandon! Radical is definitely a good book and worth the read. For you, I think each of the first five books would be a great choice to put on your reading list. They each have something that would apply for your life now and your near-future endeavors.
Steven,
My wife and I traded gifts on our wedding day. I was 37 when I got married and I had waited a LONG time for my bride. I’ve told people since then that I would have waited another 10 years for her – she is awesome! Anyway…she gave me a scrapbook that she had been creating for at least 10 years. In the scrapbook, she had pictures of us during our dating time and notes that she had written to me (that I knew nothing about). But, what made it powerful, was that she had random notes written on napkins, receipts, whatever, from way before we met. For instance, one was dated like April 23, 2003 and it said, “Just praying for my future husband right now – wherever he is. Wondering what you are doing right now?”
This touched me in a very special way. The whole scrapbook was more of a testimony to God’s faithfulness than anything. I often read through the scrapbook because it is just so thoughtful. That was definitely the most awesome and thoughtful gift I’ve ever received.
Keep up the great work, Steven!
Jason–that’s a very cool story about your wife. I understand that story well because I kept a notebook (not any memorabilia–that’s a tough word to spell–but thoughts) long before I met the awesome woman in my life. I haven’t looked at that notebook since I gave it to Ellen. I think I’d be as surprised now as she was when I gave it to her. Thanks for your story and reminding me of my own. You blessed me.–Tom
That is a truly amazing gift! Just the thought of it leaves me speechless. It also makes me think about what I could do for my wife now to show her how much she means to me and how important she really is.
children is definitely a the top of my best gifts ever list! i have always had an open palm policy, knowing that they were His. but i did not think that He would let me borrow isabella for only five years. granted, i am grateful for every precious moment. her rebirthday has brought us all closer to Him than ever. leaning on Him for strength and hope. “God works all things for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28 sad but true. and we are truly grateful <3 :')
Children are a true gift! I have grown so much in my understanding of love since having children.
Michelle, you truly amaze me with the strength you show and the joy you continually share! You inspire me and you make such a big difference in the lives of so many!
I would say best gifts aside from my salvation of course would have to be hand written notes form my wife and son. I love getting them.
I read Radical and really loved it. It was a really challenging book.
The personal touch always makes a difference. My family made a cake for me today instead of just buying one from the store – it seems like a simple act; but, it means a lot to me.
Hey bro! I just wanted to let you know that I think that your blog is an awesome ministry! I love the fact that you are wanting to give something back on your birthday! That is just who you are! I love you so much and wanted to let you know that I am proud of you! I love the way that you take care of your awesome wife and children. I am very honored to have you as part of my family.
I love what you have done for others!
Who would have known that the little boy that rapped his body around my leg when I was trying to leave to go back to college would turn out to be such an awesome man!
Love,
Your Sis
Thank you sis! I love you too.
When it comes to gifts, my wife Ellen usually gives me stuff that I say, “Thanks,” but think, “What in the world was she thinking?” A wooden cutting board is the latest in that line of stuff. She never gives me what I’m asking for (like surround sound–for some reason guys go “Oh, man, yeah!” and women go “I just don’t get the appeal”). But then the thunder booms about three weeks later (you know–you see a flash, count until you hear the thunder, divide by seven, and get the distance of a storm). Well, it boomed and now I love my new cutting board (I bet you thought it was really for Ellen just like a surround sound “It’s all just for you, my lovely lady!” might not really be for her).
By the way, Steven, thanks for giving such great gifts (everyone’s stories) and throwing this cool party on your website.
I am enjoying the stories too!!
My family actually surprised me today and gave me a gift (a movie trilogy that I have really wanted) that I had been told that I did not need to get. It was a true surprise and a blessing – the gift, yes; but, more than that was the realization that my family was thinking about me and going above and beyond to do something to show me that I am special to them!
Ive only read one of your books, The Wild Chase–so commenting on my favorite book probably would not be right. So, I will comment on the greatest gift. Hope, acceptance, someone believing in me–I have received these and so appreciate them. Through my divorce, a woman bought my family theater passes, knowing this would not be high on the budget list, but again, so appreciated. It was another sign of, I believe in you, you can do this. One of the greatest gifts I think that I have given was compassion. I was standing in line during my divorce (pursuing child support) and saw(really saw) another woman wearing hospital scrubbs obviously on her lunch break. I looked into her eyes and told her I was sorry for what she was going through. It was the acknowledgement of the pain she was enduring(and as a mom-you cant stop, you have to go on). She weaped, and I could see God working in her heart. Sometimes acknowledging that it hurts, helps to get through the hurt.
Hi Sue. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your story!
As I read your words, it reminded me of how significant other people are in our lives and times in my life when I have needed a glimmer of hope that God brings through other people.
We need true, sincere, loving connections with people. Sometimes it is the thoughtfulness of a stranger. Sometimes it is the encouragement from a close friend or family member. And sometimes it is the opportunity speak something into someone else’s life – to share a little of us with someone else.
Simply stated, we need other people that will “do life” with – sharing in each other’s lives and helping each other along the way. To know that we are not alone and that somebody cares.
May God continue to comfort you, strengthen you and bless you and your family!
Some great books in that list! Loved Radical, and Primal by Batterson. haven’t read Wild Goose Chase yet, but it’s on my list…
I really like Wild Goose Chase – in case you couldn’t tell by my review 😉 I have Primal on my to-read list.