For a chance to win a copy of Robert Benson’s inspiring book, The Echo Within, as well as Nice Girls don’t Change the World,by Lynne Hybels, leave a comment by July 15th. For an extra entry, share something about your own dreams or calling.
A recent article I wrote for the July/August 2009 issue of Homecoming Magazine called All in a Day’s Work: Resources to Help You Find Your Calling has got me thinking about dreams and aspirations. In the article I write about how difficult it can be to find our callings when on some days it is all we can do to pay the bills. The article includes reviews of some really wonderful books that are excellent resources to inspire and motivate you. In fact, the whole Homecoming issue is about the value of work and has all kinds of good articles and resource information.
I will let you check out the resources in the magazine yourself, but today I want to give one of you a copy of one of the books that was selected for my article. It is called The Echo Within, by Robert Benson and is one of the most inspiring books I’ve ever read. It’s about finding your true calling.
I also will throw in another book called Nice Girls Don’t Change the World, by Lynne Hybels. I think it fits well with the over all theme of following our dreams. For a chance to win both books, be sure to leave a comment on this post by July 15th. And if you want to read my article, be sure to pick up a copy of Homecoming Magazine. The story is on page 28.
“Benson writes mellifluously with original insights and welcome humor …. [He] captures a world in which time slows down and material things become of less importance …. Charming and elegantly written . . . that rare gift, a thought-provoking record of his own spiritual quest …. Willa Cather’s phrase, ‘They will be done in art as it is in heaven’ could serve as an epigraph to (his) fine work.”
–Publisher’s Weekly 
From the back cover of Nice Girls Don’t Change the World: In this wise and tender book, Hybels tells of her struggle to stop living someone else’s life and to reclaim the unique gifts, strengths, and passions God gave her. As she explains, it’s never too late to discover that who you really are is exactly what delights God and what the world needs.
tinaannforkner.wordpress.com 
I would love to win the book. These days it’s more important than ever to read inspirational books. Too easy to get down and depressed.
Thank you!
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This sounds like a very interesting book! I would love to win! Thanks for the chance to enter!
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would love to read this book
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Johannah B. is the winner of The Echo Within, by Ron Benson and the bonus book, Nice Girls Don’t Change the World, by Lynne Hybels. Thank you to all of the entrants who entered and especially those who shared their Dreams for an extra entry. Your dreams are sure to inspire others and I know they have inspired me.
And don’t forget to take a look at the July/August issue of Homecoming magazine for more inspiring books that can help you reach your dreams even in hard times. There are several reviews of some wonderful books in my article on page 28 and some wonderful advice and wisdom from Gloria Gaither and the Homecoming Family.
If you didn’t get to share your dream in the contest, you can still share it here…
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Being an abused child, I was the weakest person I knew and the only dreams I had were to get away from the pain. But God held onto me, waited until I sought Him, then transformed me into an unbelievably strong person. Now my dreams are to help others in the same situation, telling them of what God has done for me. God took my dreams of hoplessness and miraculously turned them into treasured dreams of hopfulness.
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If I am not too late, please enter me in the contest. Thank you and God bless! 🙂
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I am so excited to find that there are many Christian genres out. I write articles for a historical magazine “Georgia Backroads” and I would love to start on a novel with a Christian theme. Thank you for being an inspiration.
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I would love to read these books. They sound enjoyable..
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I’m always up for a give-away. Thanks.
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I’m working on my fourth load of laundry with a five article deadline by midnight, my baby is crying in tandem with her older siblings fighting…this seems like the most unlikely place for dreams. Yet I still have them. They are deeply buried under lots of responsibility right now but they are there.
One day I see myself as owning five bed and breakfasts around the United States. Each one is different in style and location and all offer the same thing – a place for writers, families and those in ministry to just unwind. Perhaps my dream stems from my own needs. =)
I dream of one day not being the editor or ghost writer on a book project but the actual AUTHOR.
I have many dreams some I embrace with a smile and others with tears and a simple question of “When, God, When?”
***
Brian Williams said that a person starts dying when they stop dreaming.
I think I’ll dream a little longer. =)
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saw this on facebook and followed the trail here. Life has many twists and turns , yet keeping faithful can be the best steering you can acquire for your Life’s sailing adventure.
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This would be nice! These contests are fun!
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1. Enter me in your drawing. Thanks!
2. Dreams & Calling
Short Term: These have changed over the years as He refines me and conforms me to His image . . . as He works His will and way in my life.
Today (and each and every tomorrow), the calling is to make a difference in someone’s life every day, by God’s grace . . . to bless someone that needs a kind word or a reason to hope . . . to be a reflection of God’s love in a hurting, needy world. To pray and offer that sweet aroma of incense that wafts heavenward.
In the Long Term . . . to be found faithful and ready wherever I’m serving.
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would love to win
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Love winning new books and reading them. Please enter me in the contest!
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These books both look quite interesting. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!
One of my dreams is to one day be a published author. For now I take inspiration in those around me. 🙂
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Sounds like a good book to rev up my motivation for writing. Homecoming is a great magazine. I found it when I was corresponding with a beloved elderly lady and thought she would like it. She did.
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This looks like a great book. Thanks for the chance
jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
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I would love to win this book!
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These sound like good books – I like what you say in the synopsis of Nice Girls Don’t Change the World – it’s never too late to discover that who you really are is exactly what delights God and what the world needs. When I was in high school I dreamed of being a doctor and going on missions trips. (I ended up not finishing college – getting married – and falling away from God for a long time) Now I am back, raising children, and wondering what God would have me do – would love to win these!
kherbrand at comcast dot net
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Love hearing about all your dreams. 🙂
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Now I’ll share my dream or calling.
My dream was to become a teacher. Well, I have to teenagers so I guess my dream has come true.
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I’d love a chance to win these books. Thanks
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I would love to win!
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they sound like wonderful reads thanks for the giveaway
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I had lots of dreams as a child. I never thought any of them would come true. I most wanted a husband and prayed alot for that ~ I married a year after graduating high school at just turning 17 – and I am still married to this wonderful man (37 years now). I dreamt of having a house, going to college, children ~ and those came true. I dreamt of being a Vet, CPA, and numerous other occupations, but instead I wound up a small business owner. Today I am looking forward to grandchildren altho there are none in my future today.
I encourage you to ask God for the desires of your heart – he does have unique ways of fulfilling them :0).
Books look interesting ~
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These books sound very interesting. I feel that over time I have gone down many paths and struggles with some and thrived with others. I have found that over time I have gotten called to help others. I am currently studying to be a paramedic and my dream is to go on and become a doctor. I feel that over time and through my schooling I couldn’t imagine doing anything other than helping others in their time of need.
Please enter me in the drawing for these books.
Thanks
Katherine
peachykath79[at]yahoo[dot]com
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Would love to enter the drawing. Books sounds so good. When I was younger, my dream was to become a author and hubby and I both had some articles printed but than as the kids grew, life got in the way. Now I have been thinking of writing again so that would be my big dream.
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These books both sound very interesting.. would love to enter the contest and have a chance at winning them. 🙂
P.S. how are you doing Tina? 🙂
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It looks like a book I would enjoy…
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One of my dreams is to open my home to all the children that are either too old or with some disability that people don’t look twice at to adopt. They need to know that they are special and east to love.
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Please enter me for these two books. They DO sound very inspiring!
My Dream: I would love to be a nurse working in the OB floor of the hospital, caring for newborns. From the time I had my tonsils out in 3rd grade and appendix in 6th grade, I’ve had a desire to be with babies. The reason it is a dream is because of physical limitations and different early choice of vocations (legal assistant). I hold babies every chance I get, though!!!
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Just testing the comments feature. 🙂
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