Yes or No

On Thursday night, I finished reading Organic Community by Joseph R. Meyers. It it he quotes a man by the name of Keith Johnstone: "There are people who prefer to say, 'yes', and there are people who would prefer to say, 'no'. Those who say 'yes' are rewarded by the adventures they have and those who say 'no' are rewarded by the safety they have."

Too often we say no to possibilities that God sets before us. Maybe like me, you are tempted at times to comfortably settle into life and silently say 'no' to God, His call, and the need of our world. However, we cannot dream very big or see very much if we are 'no' people. No" gives us security - but also the prison of scarcity, predictability, sameness and pessimism. "Yes" opens a door to a plethora of possibilities, spontaneity, adventure and optimism. That sounds more like the kind of life Jesus lived...

I want to grow as a man for God.

A Lighter Distraction- Bring This To Canada!

Ok, I've been writing some intense stuff over all the political stuff going on. Amazon has a new way to read books. If you know me, I LOVE to read - magazines, newspapers, blogs, and books (currently 8 beside the bed). While traveling, I often have 4 or 5 books with me which is very heavy to carry. I am excited to see this come to Canada:

Amazon says:
Three years ago, we set out to design and build an entirely new class of device—a convenient, portable reading device with the ability to wirelessly download books, blogs, magazines, and newspapers. The result is Amazon Kindle.

We designed Kindle to provide an exceptional reading experience. Thanks to electronic paper, a revolutionary new display technology, reading Kindle’s screen is as sharp and natural as reading ink on paper—and nothing like the strain and glare of a computer screen. Kindle is also easy on the fingertips. It never becomes hot and is designed for ambidextrous use so both "lefties" and "righties" can read comfortably at any angle for long periods of time.

Check this out - It's amazing. Books and technology come together!!

Unfortunately, it isn't in Canada yet (and the price needs to come down)

Who'll be the winner?

Well, Alison, Heather and Scott signed in...Here's how it works...I say I'm going to read a certain amount and if I make it, I get a $5 starbucks card. If I don't, whomever has registered to compete has an opportunity to win the $5 starbucks card. Read it here for the complete story.

Since the abovementioned people signed in by 10 PM on Monday they are eligible. To win, the first one of them to say so in the comment to this post will win the starbucks card - cause I didn't finish my goal again! I got through First Impressions but not Community of Kindness. Having someone at our house or being out for 5 of 7 nights might have something to do with it...but i've made it through (and enjoyed) 4 books in 3 weeks so that's a big improvement.

Anyhow, if you want to try to win next week, just post "I'm in" or something to that effect in the comments to this post BEFORE Monday at 10 PM and you'll be in the running. I'll be starting and finishing Community of Kindness.

So - Alison, Heather, Scott - who'll be the winner?

Starbucks Winner!

Well, there is no way that I'm going to make my reading goal. Too much going on this week! I finished Beyond The First Visit, but was unable to get through First Impressions. Thus, the winner of the Starbucks Card is Alison Bean. She was the only person to register this week and I'll be sending her a card - all the way to Texas. Send me your address, Alison!

If you didn't register cause you thought I was a reading machine and unstoppable, you see now it isn't so. :-) So, here is my goal for this week - register in the comments section by Monday at 10 PM - finish First Impressions and Community of Kindness.

If I don't make it - you win $5. If I do - I win $5! Register now!

Book Reading Update

Leaders are Readers - I LOVE to read, but I've been distracted by sooo many good books.

Well - last Friday i made the $5 Starbucks challenge to get my reading streamlined. See here for details...Anyhow, I said that I'd finish Heart of a Father and Search to Belong. Well - I did it! I finished them both PLUS I also finished Fresh Ideas! 3 in one week! I was pretty tired a couple of evenings, but I focused and enjoyed it!

So here's this weeks goal - I will finish First Impressions and Beyond The First Visit. If you want to try and win a Starbucks card...

Here's how it works - I'm going to set a goal each Friday. If I don't make (I'll post it)the goal for the week, the first reader to alert me to that fact after 10 PM Friday (in the comments section) will win a prize. If I make my goal, I get the prize. Deal? But here's the catch, you have to register in the comments section of this post by Monday @ 10 PM!

Register in the comments section of this post to be eligible for the Starbucks card