It’s Five Minute Friday! And, it is the last one of 2013. To read more about Lisa-Jo Baker and a brave group of writers, click here.
Five Minute Friday: Reflect
Go:
As I set the timer for my five minutes of writing, my mind begins to reflect on the past year. I think of where I’ve been, and where I’m going. The end of every year tends to be a time of evaluation and assessing new goals for the future.
However, I must say this: the one thing about blogging is that there is a lot of talking about self. I have to use personal experience to connect to you, and over time I become tired of talking about me. Blah , blah, blah. Though my blog is a ministry and comes from a desire to encourage you, there are days I sit down and wish I could just hear about your day and what God is doing in your life. I really mean that!
Over the next few weeks through Christmas and leading into the New Year, I really want my blog to celebrate you! I want to give you some gifts! I wish I could give them to everyone who reads, I can’t. But you can enter to win and who knows? Maybe you will!
I started this month of giveaways last week, so before I tell you about my new giveaway, I need to announce the winner of the Ann Voskamp book, The Greatest Gift.
Drum roll please… Barbie Swihart!
I’m so happy she won! Barbie writes a beautiful blog entitled, My Freshly Brewed Life. You should check it out. She also has a new book out that I cannot wait to get my hands on, Coffee Talk with Jesus!
Well, my five minutes is just about up, so I think I’m going to end up cheating this week. Sorry, Lisa-Jo. Today, I need a 10 minute Friday. (Or, maybe 15…)
This week I’m giving away a book bundle which includes three books I’ve already read or am in the middle of reading. I love them, but I’m a book geek! If you’ve already read them, you can give them away as gifts! Trust me when I tell you they are treasures!
Are you curious to know what is in the bundle?
- Sparkly Green Earrings by Melanie Shankle. (If you want to laugh, cry, and fall in love all over again with motherhood, then you need to read this book!)
- Being OK with where YOU ARE by Stacey Thacker. (Any woman who reads the title of this book alone will know she MUST read it!)
- A Million Little Ways by Emily Freeman. (This book will literally change your thought patterns on worship, and what you have to offer to the Almighty based on what He has gifted you. Your life is art, friends! Did you know that?)
- Coffee Talk with Jesus by Barbie Swihart. (I can’t wait to read this book and since she won this week, let’s just go ahead and celebrate her twice! I know we are in for a real treat!)
To enter to win, please comment on this post, if you want your entry tripled then subscribe to my blog via email. I would also be blessed if you would take time to share about the giveaway on social media. The winner will be announced next Friday, December 13th.
Thank you for reading. You are a blessing to me!
Ready, set, comment! (or subscribe… yeah, that too!)
Love,
Jennifer
What? I won! Yay! So excited. I can’t wait to read. Oh and I have Sparkly Green Earrings but just haven’t read it yet. Thank you my friend. I am sure you will be contacting me for my address. 🙂
And I totally forgot to say “thank you” for offering my book as a giveaway!
It is my pleasure, Barbie! You are a blessing!
And if my name is drawn for this one, pass it on to another! 🙂
Yay! Congrats to Barbie! and I can’t wait to read her new book. Thank you for sharing your heart here in this place. I often read your words through email but don’t always have site access to comment at work. This has been a big year for you and I pray that your plans for the next year will bring you just as many blessings! Love, Rachael @ Inking the Heart
Thank you so much, Rachael. Your words are a true blessing to me!
Such a fun giveaway! I don’t know any of those books – a couple are on my to read list though!
I also subscribe.
They are wonderful books, Deanna! Thanks for reading; have a great weekend!
Wow I would love to read all of those books! I am such a book geek too! Thanks Jennifer for being such an inspiration!
Thanks for reading, Melissa!
Hi Jennifer! Checking in from Five Minute Friday. I can soooooo relate to the space taken up by “self” on one’s blog. Guess that’s why I love to read others. Thanks for giving voice to this struggle. Obviously your heart is in the right place! Keep writing!
Thanks, Barbara!
Well I just subscribed the other day…thanks for the chance to read these great books…each one is on. My list to read…
You are welcome and thank you so much for subscribing! Have a wonderful weekend!
Jennifer – you are such a blessing . . . God is really working thru you by touching my soul every time I read your posts . . . I loved your 31 Days in October series – awesome! My struggles were different than yours, but still had many of the same feelings, and battles to fight. You were so good about making it relatable, no matter what the internal struggle or conflict each of us were experiencing. Thank you for sharing such personal, intimate and raw human emotions that most all of us can relate to.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to win such a jam-packed give-away such as these books! WOW! Two are on my wish list for Christmas, and I am going to add the others, now, as well. Also, I am already a subscribed follower. And, thank you for always taking the time to respond to my comments. You are so good about that! I know how time consuming it must be. I can’t tell you how much that means. Hugs and blessings during the holiday season and thank you for helping us keep the focus.
jean
Hi Jean! Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement! You are a blessing to me! I’m so thankful you enjoyed the 31 day series. I’m actually praying about turning it into a book.
God bless you and have a wonderful weekend!
Well aren’t you just the sweetest thing ever to be giving others gifts! Just this gesture speaks louder than any words could. Thanks for your always thoughtful contribution to FMF.
Christmas is a hard time for me. I want everything perfect: tree, presents, dinner; you get the idea. As I was crying out to the Lord these words came to my heart: “you need to stop trying and start relying!!” I thank you and Jesus for always supplying words of comfort and wisdom. God bless