Weekend Mail Wrap-Up 5/12/12

It's that time of the week again to see what came in the mail this week for me, both with wins, purchases, and trades.

The week started off with a "Born to Be Roasted" t-shirt I won from Arby's.

In trades from paperbackswap I received:

Free Prize Inside: The Next Big Marketing Idea
and
Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania

I had won a recipe contest from  the American Public Health Association and received an apron and two pads of sticky notes.

I also received a bottle of One A Day gummy vitamins I won on Facebook.

I had won a twitter giveaway and received a copy of Crater (A Helium-3 Novel) by Homer Hickam.

Lots of reading, and now I have something to protect my clothes when I mix the barbeque sauce in with the tuna!

Five Free Kindle books May 8th

Here's a few free books I found for the Kindle for this week that I thought might be of interest to my blog readers.  Please double check before downloading because prices can change at any moment, and while I found them free, they may not stay that way.

What's Your Secret?: Freedom through Confession

The Organized Kitchen: Keep Your Kitchen Clean, Organized, and Full of Good Food-and Save Time, Money, (and Your Sanity) Every Day!

Basic Soap Making: All the Skills and Tools You Need to Get Started (How To Basics)

Saving for Retirement without Living Like a Pauper or Winning the Lottery

In Good Taste: Create Your Own Family History Cookbook

Happy reading!  :)

Book Review: Real Marriage

Real Marriage: The Truth about Sex, Friendship & Life Together by Mark Driscoll

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Giving a star rating to this book is difficult.  Do I rate it on content?  (Is that even possible since I'm single and this book is on marriage?)  Do I rate it on if I agree with everything?  Do I rate it on if it kept me turning pages?  In the end, the number of stars is always based on the overall book impression, but it would have been ranked differently based on all the above.

I wanted to read this book after reading a review that touted it as much for singles as married couples.  I expected a bit more from the book than what I felt was there, so maybe had I not read that review I would be a bit more enthralled with the book.  I know a variety of things can go into how one reads and judges a book.

Real Marriage starts out talking about friendship.  While I've seen and even read a number of books on marriage, I do have to say this is the first that really emphasized the friendship that is needed within a marriage.  I am not sure I agree with everything.  The close friend of a member of the opposite sex warning reminded me of the dire warnings we received in high school and college that our close friendship with the opposite sex should be reserved only for marriage.  I have a few male friends I consider close but we have Christ-honoring friendships, so I'm not sure I agree with this statement.  I'm sure it can differ from person to person as to what is appropriate, and to make a blanket statement like this could help some and cause confusion to others.

The second half of the book was about sex.  The authors were candid in their discussion of their sexual experiences prior to marriage, and I'm not sure that needed to be shared beyond a few basic facts.  Also, I'm not convinced that the "Can a Christian _______" section needed to be in there.  There are some things that Christians shouldn't do, but at the same time, what if someone uses this chapter as an excuse to do something they know is wrong for them?  I feel some of these questions should be lumped together as a 'follow your own conscious'.

Overall, I found the book to be interesting enough I read it in about a week.  I'm not sure it's a book I would recommend, I feel there are better marriage books on the market, including ones I agree with a little more.  (There was nothing too blatant, but just in general there were just a few things that made me sit back and go "hmmmm".)   If you want to read one of the year's most controversial Christian books, then by all means go ahead.  If you are a big Mark Driscoll fan, then pick up this book.  Looking for a good book on Christian marriage?  If you are reading several on the topic, this one is worth adding to the pile, but if you are looking for just one book, then keep searching.

Uglee Ergonomic Pen Review and Giveaway

I gave my mother a set of Uglee Pens for her birthday.  She has carpal tunnel and lots of difficulty writing and I thought an ergonomic pen might be just the thing to help her be able to write with less discomfort.

As you can see, they look different from other pens.  What I didn't expect from them was that while they look different, the grips on them are actually soft.  I guess I would have known this if I read the website better, but I didn't expect it to be soft.  My mother loves the feel of the softness, and personally, I think it feels a little too different and I haven't used one enough to get used to it, so I'm going mainly on her reviews since she has been using one for a couple months now.

One thing that my mother did find with the Uglee pen is that the ink sometimes skips as she is writing.  She isn't sure if this is due to her error or the way the pen is manufactured.  She uses it almost daily, and that is her only complain.  She loves the feel because often it hurts her to write because of the problems she has with her hands.

You can order Uglee pens for $19.99 for a three pack (plus shipping and handling, but if you order multiple sets of the same color, you only pay shipping and handling once!)

I know this was a practical, unique, and appreciated gift to my mother who has difficulty writing. I'm sure you can think of someone in your life who could use these.  Even a child who is learning to write could benefit from these.  I know I had a hard time learning to write because I didn't want to hold my pencil correctly and when I did, I gripped it so hard it made my hands hurt, so these would also be ideal for a beginning writer for practice (at least with supervision as it is ink and not pencil).

Dr. Lee who designed the Uglee Pen is giving one of my blog readers a set of three in a random color.  The giveaway is open to the USA only.  Ends at 5/16 at 12:01 in the morning Eastern time.

Strictest Coupon Policy I've ever Seen

I don't use coupons nearly as much as I once did, now primarily at drug stores and not grocery stores.  Today I picked up something from a local grocery and found they had changed their coupon policy.  I didn't read the sign entirely so I'm working from a glance and memory, but I wonder why they just didn't say they no longer accept coupons.  I think it would have been easier.

The changes include:

• Proctor and Gamble coupons are no longer accepted.  
• Internet coupons are no longer accepted.
• No coupon with a value of over $1 is accepted
• No free item coupons are accepted
• No buy one get one coupons are accepted
• Coupons must have an expiration date
• Coupons must have dual barcodes

I hate seeing changes this harsh.  I've never misused coupons, but I know it's becoming trendy to do so.  If unethical couponers keep it up, I'm afraid we'll see more and  stores that will follow suit with coupon policies such as this one.

How about any of you?  What's some of the strictest coupon policies you've ever seen?

Book Review: Plain Perfect

Plain Perfect by Beth Wiseman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Warning: contains spoilers.

I would give this three stars except I realize that I'm not usually a novel reader and to expect a novel to measure up to non-fiction isn't exactly fair to either genre since they are both unique. I happened across this book recently and while I can't say it's an amazing book, it is an enjoyable read that was a sweet love story.

My biggest problem with it is it seemed so predictable. I knew from the outset what was going to happen, but even so, a good writer can make a predictable story shine, and that's what Wiseman did.

Lillian needs a change in her life. She leaves her boyfriend in Texas and moves to Pennsylvania to live with her Amish grandparents. I very much enjoyed her struggle over worldly and Amish ways. I think anyone who lives in another culture struggles over how the way they do things conflict with those around them be it living in another country or living in a different culture within our own society.

As in most romance books, I found Samuel almost too charming, although cared more for his son than for Lillian during their courtship, which was commendable.

In addition to this being predictable, the other thing I wondered about it was how likely it would be that it could happen. First, few "English" come into the Amish world. I would have thought that Samuel would have taken a much longer time in courtship with Lillian especially since she did not grow up Amish, how could he be certain she would not return to the ways of the English? Although a sweet love story, I had to wonder how wise he was in choosing her as his bride.

Would I recommend this book? Only to someone who likes novels, especially Amish fiction. It's not one I would rave about to others, but it is a fun, light hearted read. Because I did enjoy this book I gave it four stars since I am not typically a fan of novels, and I feel that giving it three stars wouldn't do it justice. I read it almost straight through, so it was good, just not my usual in books!

By Grace Alone by Sinclair Ferguson

FTC disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes.

Grace. As Christians we sing about it. We talk about it. We may even preach about it. But do we understand it? Do we comprehend it for the true gift of God that it really is? When we become Christians, many times we are overwhelmed by the sheer enormity of the grace God has extended to us to forgive us our sin, but even a year later, are we still so speechless when we think about the mercy that was extended to us?

In this book Sinclair Ferguson takes the hymn “Oh How the Grace of God Amazes Me” and transforms this hymn into a short but powerful book reminding as well as instructing us about what a powerful gift was given when we were forgiven.

Within the seven chapters are an amazing amount of truth that all Christians should be reminded of from time to time. I think this would make an excellent book for a small group or Sunday School class to go through, or even a new convert class because isn’t a large part of Christian maturity growing in knowledge and living out the grace of God in our lives?

Within seven chapters, Rev. Ferguson presents in a very readable style the theology behind grace. The book begins with the chapter “My Chains Fell Off” and concludes with “True Freedom” and the chapters in between cover the theology behind grace, how it applies to us, and how we can live it out.

One of the most powerful statements to me in the book is the amazement that religious people often have when they realize they are not a Christian. I know that’s true in my own life, and a number of people were shocked to find out that I was not a Christian in years past. I was certain I was, and others were sure as well. When I discovered grace, it made me wonder how I never realized that I was not a Christian because grace was so powerful it didn’t compare to anything else I had ever experienced while doing religious things.

My favorite chapter was “True Freedom”. This chapter discusses sanctification as a process of growth. The way it is explained is that if we are Christians we are slaves to Jesus Christ. We aren’t slaves to sin because we have been set free from slavery to sin. Now we just need to live out that truth. This was an amazing revelation to me because so often I would like to have a checklist of things I do and don’t do, but that’s not how we receive grace. Grace is freely given, and all we have to do is receive it. While many things can help us grow in the knowledge of God, we can’t earn grace. It is right there for us.

I have a friend at church who we always discuss what we are currently reading. I explained this book as “So powerful I would actually make myself stop reading so I can absorb the truth in it.” I highly recommend this book to every Christian, pastor and layman, as this book is a readable account of the amazing gift Christ gave to us.

April 23rd Snow

There was no school where I live today because of the bad weather.   I remember a snow day in April when I was a child but it was either April 8th or 10th.

PrintRunner Postcard Giveaway

I was recently contacted by PrintRunner about hosting a postcard giveaway.  I know many of my friends enjoy postcards, after all there are so many things you can do with them.  You can use have your own photo printed and send them as Christmas cards.  Engaged?  You and your fiance can hold up a sign that says "Save the Date".   Use them to promote your business, or if you are planning a large party, make up invitations to send to everyone and save some money on mailing them since it only costs 32 cents to mail a postcard!  Just think how easy it is to Print Online after you've chosen the postcard imagine you wish to share with everyone!  I love creating things with my photos and Online Postcard Printing is a great way to share a favorite photo or information about an event.

One lucky reader will receive 100 postcards by PrintRunner in size 5"x7".  They are 4/0 Front Only Printing with rounded corners.  4 PT. UV Coating on Front, no proof.  They will be ready to ship within 4-6 business days after your order is submitted.  (Because of the timing of this giveaway, you will be contacted by them in their batch of May winners!)

Giveaway open only to U.S. Residents 18 and older.  Winner may not have won another PrintRunner giveaway in the last six months.

Will end May 2nd at 12:01 am (so have your entries in by May 1st at 11:59 pm)

Disclamer:  I will be receiving 100 postcards in exchange for hosting this giveaway.   

Movie Review: Blue Like Jazz

I haven't been to a movie since 1999.  I grew up in a church that taught movies were wrong, but I no longer think that.  Just haven't been to one.  When my friend Jill asked me to go with her to our closest city (about 2 1/2 hours each way!) to see this movie, I jumped at the chance.  Who would drive a total of five hours to watch a movie?  We did.

I have a bit of a history with the book Blue Like Jazz.  I had traveled to Israel some years back (more on that in a moment) and was really seeking answers.  My friend Jake recommended I read it.  Because he is usually into apologetics books I held off.  I didn't want to read something that was going to tell me all the evidences that the Bible was true;  this book was anything but.  Later, my friend Ben recommended I re-read this, and at that time I also read Donald Searching for God Knows What.  The title of that book pretty much summed up what I was feeling at that moment of my life.  My friend Ben told me that Donald Miller and Eudora Welty were two writers who most influenced his Christian life, and having read Welty in college, I decided to dive into Miller's books.  It had been about five years since I had last read a Donald Miller book, and I'm glad for the lapse from reading to be able to enjoy it on the big screen.   (See the movie first if you haven't read the book yet!)  I knew Miller was older when he started college, was confused with cell phones at first because I knew he is close to my age, and we didn't have laptops when I was a freshman!

My friend Jill grew up in church, like me, but she and I had very different experiences as we found out while munching on burritos afterwards.  The opening scenes (sans the communion cup factory one) could have been my formative years.  Yes, I've heard the urban legends about angels.  I have been to more lock-ins than I can count on both hands.  (In fact, just went to one a few months ago.)  I think my favorite scene from the beginning of the movie was here Donnie was dressed (literally) in the full armor of God.  I spent almost an hour looking for a photo of me dressed in the full armor of God circa 1989, but couldn't find it, nor could I find the boy who was dressed up.  We had a competition to see who could create the best armor from newspapers, and the boys won because they set some newspaper on fire to simulate the fiery darts of the evil one.  (See Ephesians 6:10-20).  Not only that but the movie pokes fun at the all important, sacred puppet ministry that churches seem to often do and not do well.  I was on the puppet team when I was growing up, so once again, I felt like my life was being told on the big screen.

Watch the trailer:

In the movie, unlike the book, Miller's mother has an affair with the youth pastor.  It needed to be some dramatic event to shock the viewers into understanding how disillusioned with the church Miller had become.  He goes to ultra-liberal Reed College and Lauren tells him early on if he is going to have friends, he better hide the fact he's a Baptist boy.  He dives head long into the party scene, lands in jail for a protest, is an astronaut at a robot demonstration, and befriends "The Pope" who is as anti-church as Miller is.

At this point of the movie, a couple in front of us left the theater.  I can only assume they were expecting a Christian movie with great family values, and it is more of a Christian kid turn frat boy coming of age story.  The language is a little rough, there are themes that you wouldn't want children to watch.  The child asking why the "happy balloon" was on top of the church steeple was one of the most uncomfortable for me in the entire movie, yet that child had one of the most memorable characters to me even though she was barely in the movie.  Again at the end when she tells Miller the line about his clothing (I don't want to spoil it) I almost cringed.  I'm not sure why I had the reaction I did to the girl, perhaps seeing her innocence as she, like the children at the lock in, are being given Kool-Aid  (a reference that was not lost on me in the movie.)  Just knowing that girl will have to have her own "Blue Like Jazz" experience to decide if her faith is real or not, something rattled me with her scenes.

In the movie, Miller's mother calls and tells him some even more news that shatters what little he has left of any semblance of the Christian life he grew up in where innocence is rewarded and the hard questions of life are ignored.  At this point Penny realizes that Miller is running from something and towards nothing.

Jill and I discussed this part of the movie after leaving the theater.  I specifically asked her, "What was your Reed College?" meaning where did she quit drinking the Kool-Aid to allow her faith to become real.  My Reed College was the Garden Tomb.  It felt surreal.  It wasn't the commercialization of the Holy Sites which I was warned about before my trip that shook me.  In fact, I didn't think they were overly commercialized.  But it was the number of groups in multiple languages partaking of Communion at the Garden Tomb.  It shook me and I wasn't sure if it was wine, juice, or grape Kool-Aid in those olive wood communion cups that the pilgrims could take home as a souvenir.  My Israel trip left me searching for --   God knows what.  I studied Hebrew thinking I could find what I was looking for there.  Things felt to unravel even more.  I asked a pastor some questions as I was truly seeking and he told me he didn't have time to answer.  In time I found a friend who was to me what Penny was to Donald Miller, grabbing the untethered space suit as you're slowly wandering into the abyss of space and reeling you back into the Shuttle.

One of the neatest things about this movie was the fact that funding ran dry and Miller asked those who the book had impacted to be a part of the movie.  For a donation, you became an associate producer and received a "Blue Like Jazz Associate Producer" t-shirt.  (Which, unfortunately, my friend Jill did not wear.)  We watched the credits to see her name, and there it was on the big screen.  On the way home, she played a message she had saved to her phone from the producer thanking her for being a part of the movie.

My friend Jill is listed here:  (It was so funny, we were hanging around with our camera phones out to capture her fifteen minutes of fame.  The number of associate producers amazed me, and even to get to the Js it felt like it took forever!  Neither of our phones would focus on the scrolling names long enough to get a still shot (I tried with still) so Jill grabbed 19 seconds of video.  What a fantastic way to raise money and make everyone feel involved with the movie.  Genius fundraising idea!

This is a hard movie to watch if you have a Christian background UNLESS you have become disillusioned with the church.  I was in tears at the end.  Hearing an apology of how Christians often time suck at the way the represent God, yet acknowledging it's a crappy representation of the Body of Christ, that was something I needed to hear, and I think tens of thousands of people need to hear.  Eight minutes of dialogue to end a movie?  Never done.  Until now.  It's profound, irreverent, and Christian. Blue Like Jazz has replaced π as my favorite movie of all time.  This movie is not for those who are clones (bonus points if you get the reference as it relates to this movie), nor is it for those who have not had their comfy Christian world shattered, but for those of us who have, it's a refreshing look at life, faith, and living our lives as Christians when we are surrounded by flawed people who more often seem to represent hypocrisy than Jesus.  

One of my favorite parts of the movie, personally, was when The Pope holds up a copy of a Chicken Soup for the Soul book.  He was saying that if there really is a God then God would not allow such books to be published.  Jill and I found this very funny as I was recently published in a Chicken Soup book.  We were laughing so hard, and I'm sure the other people in the theater wondered what we found so funny in a book burning scene.  

I paid for my movie admission myself.  However I will be honest.  Donald Miller offered to call everyone who posted a review of this movie on Facebook or Twitter on opening weekend.  It's no longer opening weekend, but Donald Miller, if you are reading this, I would love a phone call in exchange for this review.  (I don't know he will as opening weekend was LAST weekend, but if you are reading this, I would love to hear from you -- my e-mail is on the left side of the page here under "About me" and I'll e-mail you my phone number.  I would love a phone call from the author of some of the books who influenced me so much, as well as the subject of my favorite movie!  I'd love enjoying a laugh about the Chicken Soup for the Soul scene with him.)  

I am ready to read Blue Like Jazz again for the third time. I rarely re-read a book, let alone three times, so I think this speaks for how highly I like the book and movie.  I am also looking forward to the movie being released on DVD.