And the RADICAL winner is........

And the winner of RADICAL is.....

HeLeN GaRnEr

YEA! I can't wait for Helen to read this book. Now the rest of you need to run and get your own copy, your life will be changed!

RADICAL & a give away

It’s easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily…

But who do you know who lives like that? Do you?

When I got the request to participate in the Blogging for Books for David Platt's new book Radical, I was thrilled! Not just because I have his wife's number on speed dial but because I knew David was being obedient in writing this book and sharing the vision that God had given him in order to challenge the reader to believe & obey what the Word tells us.

Every time I write a Blogging for Books review, I get a little intimated because it is obvious after reading one of my sentences that I am no writer! I love to read & I love to share with others about a good book but definitely am not a writer myself. I don't have those feelings this time because I really just want to convey that by reading this book, your life will be changed if you allow the Lord to speak to you.

When I sat down to start reading this book, I didn't have my highlighter handy so I started folding down pages to remind me of places where I would want to use quotes from the book. Let's just say there are more pages folded down than not at my completion of the book!

Chapter one wastes no time getting into challenging thoughts that will only multiply as you get further into the book.

"This is where we come face to face with a dangerous reality. We do have to love him in a way that makes our closet relationship in this world look like hate. And it is possible that he will tell us to sell everything we have and give it to the poor. But we don't want to believe it. We are afraid of what it might mean for our lives. So we rationalize these passages away......And this is where we need to pause. Because we are starting to redefine Christianity. We are giving in to dangerous temptation to take the Jesus of the Bible and twist him into a version of Jesus we are more comfortable with."

Someone who knew I was reading Radical

asked me what I thought about the book. My answer to her was not only was I more challenged by this book more than any other book by a Christian author ever but something resonated throughout the entire book & stuck with me. I have read so many books by Christian authors that have scripture sprinkled here and there. David has taken current questions, challenges we all face every day (and many we need to face!) and answered these dilemmas with scripture after scripture. He devotes the better part of a chapter to the age old question we have all asked "what about the poor person in the jungle who has never heard about Christ?" Scriptures I have read over & over were paired with David's insight & I walked away feeling more confident in this answer than ever before in my life. The difference is that David has pointed the reader to scripture & challenged us to really examine what the Word tells us, no watering down, no personal opinions, just the truth. This sounds so simple but Radical leaves no room for such watered down theology. My biggest praise of this book is that David directs the reader towards the Word, Truth & the true Author of life rather than himself & his personal philosophy.

The challenges issued in this book were one after another but truly challenges that we chose to ignore on a daily basis.

"God blesses his people with extravagant grace so they might extend his extravagant glory to all peoples on the earth. This basic, fundamental truth permeates Scripture from beginning to end. Yet I wonder if we unknowingly ignore the great why of God.

We live in a church culture that has a dangerous tendency to disconnect the grace of God from the glory of God. Our hearts resonate with the idea of enjoying God's grace. We bask in sermons, conferences, and books that exalt a grace centering on us. And while the wonder of grace is worthy of our attention, if that grace is disconnected from its purpose, the sad result is a self-centered Christianity that bypasses the heart of God."

This is my longest blogging for books review yet but I can't close without saying how much I got out of the book from the examples of people that David has encountered in his own faith family & ministry that have been radically changed from obeying the Word, who have abandoned everything they knew, everything that was comfortable in their own lives to take up their cross & follow.

In closing, David urges his reader to join in the Radical Experiment which is a "one year journey in authentic discipleship that will transform how you live in a world desperately needs the Good News Jesus came to bring." Let me just say, I can't wait to see how the Lord will use this challenge!

I can't do this book justice, you need to read it yourself!

Now comes the fun part! I get to give away a copy of David Platt's Radical.

For one entry, leave your name/email in the comment section.

To have 2 entries, blog or facebook status this giveaway & leave a 2nd comment letting me know.

Another AWESOME thing is that you can get a free copy of the Radical companion guide, The Radical Question.

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/RadicalQuestion/

Go to this link & "request a free copy of the Radical Question"

By doing this & leaving a comment, you will qualify for 3 entries!

While you are browsing the above link, learn more about David, read a sample of chapter one, watch a video clip, & go ahead & buy your copy. (When you win a copy here, you can give one away:)

So register now, the drawing will take place Monday May 10th after 9pm!

*this book was provided for review by http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/

Easter catch up

We had a great Easter season.

Jacob's class had an Easter egg hunt at his friend's Ella's house. Most of this class has been together for at least 2 years, some since the beginning of preschool so for 3 years. We had the egg hunt at this wonderful family's home last year too.

Even though it was for Jacob's class, Logan had a great time & was quite the character.

He had a blast playing with the big kids!

This is Logan checking out one of Jacob's best friend's hair. He realizes it may be a little different than his & just can't help himself:)

Peeking at a couple of the dads hide the eggs

(great yard!)

Craft Time

Let's go!!!!

Jacob in a borrowed shirt after an incident...little boys, accumulated rain water, need I say more?

Jacob's class

Now onto dying the eggs at home. Jacob loves this!

Inman tolerates it because I tell him that the kids will look back on this as a great memory.

Logan cried most of the time.

One of the few brief minutes that Logan wasn't crying

Off to the next egg hunt.....

Our church Lawrenceville FBC sponsored the egg hunt and it was held in downtown Lawrenceville on the square. It was a lot of fun with a great turn out!

Easter morning

Hopes of a precious picture were quickly dashed, Logan wasn't feeling it!

One quick pose

Jacob sang with the children's choir in church. Look at that face! Not sure if he gets nervous but he keeps the most serious face!

We had a wonderful season and had a lot of fun but hope to keep the focus on how thankful we are that we serve a RISEN Savior!

Spring

I am due for a springtime/Easter update but these are from this morning. The azaleas have peaked in the yard & I had to take a couple of pics before church this morning.

Final installment of Jacob's b-day 2010

As the celebration of Jacob's b-day continues..... (yes, Momma is behind blogging once again!)

Jacob got to celebrate with his preschool class & cupcakes!

The birthday boy gets to be "top dog" all week. While I was there for lunch & cupcakes, I had a chance to see Jacob lead his friends in the pledge, weather, calendar & circle time. It was precious!

We also had our family come over to celebrate Jacob's b-day. It was just going to be too crowded & chaotic with all of his little friends!

We took this picture since we had done the exact same shot a couple of years ago (didn't find the picture to have as a comparison but Logan wasn't on the scene yet)

All of the cousins are growing too fast!

Jacob & his grandparents

Jacob & 3 of his great grandparents

Isn't that the cutest cake?!

Our little batman loved it too!

Jacob, you are growing up too fast! We love watching you grow & learn new things every day. We love your sensitive heart & the way you are already a very compassionate person. You have quite the imagination & are dreaming up new things all the time. God is molding you into a very special young man. As I tell you everyday, God has a special plan for your life! We can't wait to see all that He has in store for you. We are thankful to be your Momma & Daddy!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Jacob!

Jacob turned 5 on March 1st! It seems impossible that he should be 5 already! In many ways, it seems like we were just walking down St Anthony in the early phases of labor. In many other ways, it seems like so much has happened in 5 years.

We celebrated with both a friend party & family party. Between his preschool and church friends, there were a lot of kids so we went with Jacob's request & had a party in the church gym. It was a pretty day (a little cool with the wind, March 1st will always be a wild card weather wise!) & we got to play on the new church playground.

Ryan, Jacob & Hunter (the 3 amigos in Jacob's class @ school)

The kids enjoyed decorating their own cupcakes

Lots of fun characters & super heroes

Logan loved playing with the big kids. He took a plunge off the playground equipment but thankfully Daddy caught him by his cape:)

Next I will update with the rest of the birthday festivities. Inman teases that our family motto includes celebrating birthdays for at least a week!

20 things about our 20 month old

Logan is now 20 months old! I thought I would do a post just about him since the attention is about to switch to our almost 5 year old!

Here are 20 things about Logan at this age in no particular order:

1) Logan is a busy boy!

2) He hits the ground running in the morning. Only very rarely do we get that early morning cuddle. He gets out of his bed & is already to go!

3) Logan loves to play outside!

4) He loves his big brother who he calls "Bro Bro." He cries when we drop him off at preschool & asks for him off & on all day.

5) He cut 4 teeth just this week!

6) Logan's favorite breakfast foods are oatmeal, pancakes or french toast (& his brother just introduced him to syrup), cheese toast, fruit, yogurt, scrambled eggs & a poptart when Momma lets those slip into the buggy.

7) Logan's favorite toys are balls, cars, his little grill & food, his buggy & fridge magnets.

8) Logan just discovered crayons & has to be watched very carefully!

9) Logan wants to do whatever his big brother is doing.

10) Logan presently has a black eye (his first) after falling while climbing onto a kitchen chair.

11) Speaking of, Logan has turned into quite the climber. He has learned how to get on the sofa, into the rocker in his room & will move an object over to climb onto whatever he wants to tackle.

12) Logan likes the veggies: broccoli, sweet potatoes, collard greens, mashed potatoes, corn, cooked carrots and I am sure there are a few others. He does not like green peas, lima beans, or okra.

13) His favorite fruits are bananas, apples sliced very thin or cooked, grapes, pears, cantaloupe and loved watermelon last summer. He does not like mandarin oranges, & is picky about peaches.

14) The words he is saying: bye bye, night night, bro bro, momma, daddy, on, off, up, cup, water (wa wa), uh oh, ball, bible, hat, outside. Many words we can understand but others wouldn't be able to: bird, spoon, wipe, light, door, milk, sock....He is starting to mimic more words we say every day.

15) When we go outside he asks for his hood to be pulled up & says "hat."

16) He takes his right shoe off any chance he gets. Many days he is walking around with only his left shoe on.

17) He loves getting Jacob's lunch box or a book bag & pretends like he is leaving to go to school. He waves bye bye & wants to give out kisses.

18) Logan loves to brush his teeth.

19) He does not mind blowing his nose & will often ask for a tissue. When he will no longer blow his nose that means he has an ear infection (that was true this past week as well as the last 3 or 4 ear infections)

20) This boy is into everything but a true JOY! He is quite the character & adds so much to our lives!