Move Toward the Mess + Giveaway
March 22, 2017 • giveaway, review
When I made the transition from suburb to city, I moved into the middle of a mess.
Not a day goes by that I don't encounter a homeless person on the streets. It's a good day if I only see one. Seeing them has elicited a range of emotions: sympathy and frustration on my more compassionate days, annoyance and fear on my more cynical ones.
One man in particular can almost always be found loitering near my office. He's been a constant in the three years that I've been here. Some mornings, he's content with a cigarette, but most mornings, he's in your face the second you pass him:
"Help the homeless?"
I walk daily not only to and from the office, but around the neighborhood at lunchtime with my colleagues for exercise. Generally we smile and say "sorry" and move along. Occasionally I'll have a granola bar to offer him. One coworker even admitted that while she loves the job, she hates these messy encounters that come with it. I couldn't disagree.
One walk went a little differently than others. A colleague opted to join us, and when seeing the man, approached him, began a conversation, and said "sorry I've got nothing me today, I'll get you next time." The rest of us stood, waiting uncomfortably for this transaction to end. A sense of guilt nagged at me. Sure, I'd shared food on occasion, but I'd never bothered to say hi, learn his name, or hear his story. My colleague had entered the mess while I had picked up one piece of litter and moved on.
I was sent a copy of Move Toward the Mess by John Hambrick, and while I dreaded reading it as I knew even more guilt would ensue, I was engaged from the first paragraph. Hambrick argues that Christians are bored because we've "got the locker room meeting mixed up with the game." If we think our faith is just weekly church services, of course our spiritual lives will be dull. However, if we take a leap of faith into the messes around us and get to work, our boredom is certain to evaporate.
The stories illustrating Hambrick's argument are engaging and diverse, from a couple showing love to prostitutes in Atlanta to a reformed IRA bomber. The book reads faster than expected, and unlike many books of this genre, Move Toward the Mess offers clear guidance of ways you can move toward and get involved in the mess (or, just as likely, accept the mess that finds you).
I don't think Hambrick exaggerates at all when he calls his book "The Ultimate Fix for a Boring Christian Life."
I am giving a copy of Move Toward the Mess away courtesy of BlogAbout. Enter below!
Not a day goes by that I don't encounter a homeless person on the streets. It's a good day if I only see one. Seeing them has elicited a range of emotions: sympathy and frustration on my more compassionate days, annoyance and fear on my more cynical ones.
One man in particular can almost always be found loitering near my office. He's been a constant in the three years that I've been here. Some mornings, he's content with a cigarette, but most mornings, he's in your face the second you pass him:
"Help the homeless?"
I walk daily not only to and from the office, but around the neighborhood at lunchtime with my colleagues for exercise. Generally we smile and say "sorry" and move along. Occasionally I'll have a granola bar to offer him. One coworker even admitted that while she loves the job, she hates these messy encounters that come with it. I couldn't disagree.
One walk went a little differently than others. A colleague opted to join us, and when seeing the man, approached him, began a conversation, and said "sorry I've got nothing me today, I'll get you next time." The rest of us stood, waiting uncomfortably for this transaction to end. A sense of guilt nagged at me. Sure, I'd shared food on occasion, but I'd never bothered to say hi, learn his name, or hear his story. My colleague had entered the mess while I had picked up one piece of litter and moved on.
I was sent a copy of Move Toward the Mess by John Hambrick, and while I dreaded reading it as I knew even more guilt would ensue, I was engaged from the first paragraph. Hambrick argues that Christians are bored because we've "got the locker room meeting mixed up with the game." If we think our faith is just weekly church services, of course our spiritual lives will be dull. However, if we take a leap of faith into the messes around us and get to work, our boredom is certain to evaporate.
The stories illustrating Hambrick's argument are engaging and diverse, from a couple showing love to prostitutes in Atlanta to a reformed IRA bomber. The book reads faster than expected, and unlike many books of this genre, Move Toward the Mess offers clear guidance of ways you can move toward and get involved in the mess (or, just as likely, accept the mess that finds you).
I don't think Hambrick exaggerates at all when he calls his book "The Ultimate Fix for a Boring Christian Life."
I am giving a copy of Move Toward the Mess away courtesy of BlogAbout. Enter below!
Baltimore, MD, USA
Beauty and the Beast Giveaway
March 10, 2017 • giveaway
My ticket for Beauty and the Beast has already been pre-ordered and I'm slightly jealous I can't enter this giveway. I mean, look at that wallet! Good luck!
The new live action Beauty and the Beast is probably the most highly anticipated film of the year. It finally hits theaters everywhere next week - March 17th, 2017! In order to help celebrate, The Hopping Bloggers have come together and created the ULTIMATE Beauty and the Beast prize pack that any fan will be excited to win! This prize pack is worth nearly $300 and includes:
The new live action Beauty and the Beast is probably the most highly anticipated film of the year. It finally hits theaters everywhere next week - March 17th, 2017! In order to help celebrate, The Hopping Bloggers have come together and created the ULTIMATE Beauty and the Beast prize pack that any fan will be excited to win! This prize pack is worth nearly $300 and includes:
- Beauty and the Beast 25th Anniversary BluRay
- Beast Funko Pop
- Belle Yellow Dress Funko Pop
- Cogsworth Funko Pop
- Live Action Enchanted Tea Set Playset
- Beauty and the Beast Loungefly Wallet
- Jim Shore Belle Figurine
- Beauty and the Beast Necklace
- Beauty and the Beast Coloring Book
- Beauty and the Beast Mystery Mini Pop
- Disney Beauty & The Beast Live Action Ballroom Belle Doll
- Beauty and the Beast Tote Handbag
- Melissa & Doug Belle Magnetic Dress-Up Wooden Doll Pretend Play Set
- Beauty and the Beast Little Golden Book
- LEGO Disney Princess 41067 Belle's Enchanted Castle Building K
- Disney Beauty & The Beast Live Action Enchanted Rose Jewelry Box Toy
- and More!
Beauty and the Beast hits theaters everywhere March 17!
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3Nl_TCQXuw[/embed]Connect with Beauty and the Beast
Enter to win this Beauty and the Beast Prize Pack using the form below. GOOD LUCK!
If you're a blogger looking to connect with brands: Join The Hopping Bloggers database and get started today!
If you're a brand looking to work with a network of professional bloggers: Check out the creative campaigns The Hopping Bloggers has to offer!
Baltimore, MD, USA
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