Blog Tour Spot Social Media Tour: The Naked Gospel by Andrew Farley

Naked Gospel

The Naked Gospel by Andrew Farley.

I found myself lying on the floor of my apartment, sobbing for hours on end: “God, I’m doing everything I’m supposed to do, and I still don’t feel closer to you. In fact, I feel worse than ever! How could this have gone wrong? I can’t see any way out. Help me.”

As a university student, Andrew Farley found himself physically and emotionally addicted to street evangelism and Bible study. Yet despite his fervid behavior, he knew something was missing. That something was an understanding of the gospel that is stripped of the compromises and clichés of the modern church.

The Naked Gospel finds friends among those who are burned out on experience-chasing, ceremonialism, or legalism. It attacks churchy jargon and powerless ideas and puts forth a message that is simple but life-changing. With a fresh take on Scripture and unapologetic style, The Naked Gospel will challenge you and stir you to re-examine everything you thought you already knew.

About the Author:

Andrew Farley

Andrew Farley is no stranger to challenging traditional beliefs and encouraging Christians to take another look at what they believe. The lead teaching pastor of Ecclesia (EcclesiaOnline.com), a growing church on the high plains of Texas, Farley also co-hosts “Real Life in Christ,” a thought- provoking television program that disputes many long-held ideas about Christian living. It airs every week on ABC-TV in West Texas and New Mexico.

Farley earned his bachelor’s degree from Furman University, a master’s degree from The University of Georgia and a Ph.D. from The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Before moving to Texas, where he is now a tenured professor at Texas Tech University, Farley served as a professor at the University of Notre Dame for five years. He teaches courses in second language acquisition and an Honors seminar course titled “Early Church and Contemporary Christianity in Conflict.”

Farley has received teaching excellence awards or recognitions from three different universities. He has authored or co-authored a dozen peer-reviewed journal articles and three textbooks published by McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

He lives in Lubbock, Texas with his wife, Katharine Hayhoe, and their son, Gavin.

Learn more about Andrew at http://www.TheNakedGospel.com.

The Naked Gospel
Release: September 2009
Soft cover, 240 pp.
ISBN: 0310293065

Here are the blogs featuring The Naked Gospel during our April 26-30 Tour.

A room without books is empty
A Sunny Place
Awesome God . . . Ordinary Girl
Be Your Best Mom
Belbellita
Bell Whistle Moon
Blessed
Blog Tour Spot
Book Nook Club
Flores Que Sonham
Hurdling Hurdles
Jesus Needs New PR
Karen R. Evans
Musings
Musings by Lynn
Pix N Pens
Ponderings by Andrea
Sueth sayings
Tasra Mar
The Friendly Book Nook
The Gospel Writer
The Scroll

Blog Tour Spot Social Media Tour: Green Mama by Tracey Bianchi

Green Mama by Tracey Bianchi.

Moms today are busier than ever. Taking care of the planet sounds like a great idea-but in the midst of taking care of your kids, it becomes just one more thing to feel guilty about not doing.
 
Tracey Bianchi knows what it’s like to live in the middle of suburbia with a to-do list too long to write down. In Green Mama, she brings green living within reach for every overtired, overstressed, and overwhelmed mom. Her practical suggestions help moms like you make environmentally wise choices at the grocery store, schoolyard, and kitchen table, while keeping an eye on the kids and the budget. With creative tips, tricks, and resources, she shares her stories of successes and failures in saving the planet and inspiring her kids to love God’s world.
 
Moms need a resource like Green Mama to remind them that green living is not another chore but an invitation to a creative partnership with God. As Bianchi enthusiastically tells you, green living is more than a trend-it is God’s beautiful plan for the planet and for your life.

About the Author:

Tracey Bianchi

Tracey Bianchi is an editorial advisor and quarterly columnist for Christianity Today’s Gifted for Leadership newsletter and MOPS International’s Fullfill magazine. A frequent speaker at MOPS groups and MOPS International conventions, she earned a master of divinity degree with honors from Denver Seminary. She is now the director of women’s ministries for Christ Church of Oak Brook, where she regularly teaches large groups and classes. Bianchi lives in Chicago with her family.

Learn more about Tracey at http://www.traceybianchi.com/.

Green Mama
by Tracey Bianchi
Release: March 2010
Soft cover, 208 pages
ISBN: 0310320364

Lisa's Thoughts: I haven't finished this book yet, but I love the conversational tone of the author, the quippy anecdotes she includes in her chapters, and the eye-opening suggestions. Much food for thought. I appreciate the way she weaves in her faith as she writes about her journey to preserve God's creation and her family's health. 

Thanks for stopping by Tracey Bianchi’s Green Mama Blog Tour.

Here are the blogs featuring Green Mama during our April 19-23 Tour.

Be Your Best Mom
Blog Tour Spot
Drive Home Productions
Fit Family
Fresh Brewed Writer
Lighthouse Academy
Musings
New Horizons Reviews
Pix N Pens
Portrait of a Writer . . . Interrupted
Refresh My Soul
The 160-acre Woods
The Pitter Patter of Losing Pounds

Your Thoughts: What are you doing to go green? How have your habits positively affected your life and/or your family?

Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant

On Monday I blogged about the words to the song Who Am I by Casting Crowns. The words "I am a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow" have been running through my mind a lot this week.

Yesterday we received the call that the family member battling cancer sighed her last breath. My prayer is she knew Jesus and is now dancing with the angels. Her loss will be felt by many. She touched the hearts of her family, modeling a strong marriage and raising three boys who become independent men. Her grandchildren adored her. Her family members loved and respected her. She taught young children, touching their hearts and strengthening their developing skills. She always had a kind word, a tender touch, or a quick hug.

We are like flowers whose physical bodies will wither and die. What words will be said about us? What kind of legacy will we leave behind?

I want to be known as someone who laughed often, loved much, and let my light for Jesus shine in all circumstances. Still working on that last one... :) When I reach Heaven's gate, I want Jesus to tell me "Well done, good and faithful servant."

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Matthew 25:23 NIV

Once Upon a Time: The Importance of Bedtime Stories

I'm a bi-monthly contributor for PG Magazine, a regional parenting/family magazine. I wrote Once Upon a Time: The Importance of Bedtime Stories for the April issue. Read the article here:

Once Upon a Time: The Importance of Bedtime Stories

Do you read to your children on a regular basis? What types of stories do you read? Do your children read to you? At what age did your child decide he or she was too old for bedtime stories?

Image © Getty Images www.gettyimages.com

Who Am I

Yesterday challenged my emotions. Before church, I received a phone call with some surprising news that gave me a second's worth of panic and forced me to cling to God's promises that He never leaves us nor forsakes us. 

As Sunday school ended, Hubby called my cell phone with sad news about a beloved family member whose days are numbered as cancer ravages her body. 

With a heavy heart and shrouded in prayer by my wonderful friend, I headed for the sanctuary. Our pianist was out sick so we sang to prerecorded music.

Each song hugged my heart with promises of hope. One particular song really touched me:

Who Am I by Casting Crowns

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth

Would care to know my name

Would care to feel my hurt

Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star

Would choose to light the way

For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am

But because of what You've done

Not because of what I've done

But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading

Here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean

Vapor in the wind

Still You hear me when I'm calling

Lord, You catch me when I'm falling

And You've told me who I am

I am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin

Would look on me with love and watch me rise again

Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea

Would call out through the rain

And calm the storm in me

Not because of who I am

But because of what You've done

Not because of what I've done

But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading

Here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean

Vapor in the wind

Still You hear me when I'm calling

Lord, You catch me when I'm falling

And You've told me who I am

I am Yours

Not because of who I am

But because of what You've done

Not because of what I've done

But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading

Here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean

Vapor in the wind

Still You hear me when I'm calling

Lord, You catch me when I'm falling

And You've told me who I am

I am Yours

I am Yours

Whom shall I fear

Whom shall I fear

'Cause I am Yours

I am Yours

Those lyrics reminded me we are not alone in our struggles. Whether we're struggling with finances, saying goodbye to a passing loved one, dealing with job stress--or no job, praying our prodigals home, or finding the right words to say or write, God hears us when we call out in His name. When we cling to the cross we have nothing to fear. We are His. 

What song speaks to your heart right now?