Tag: contest

United by the Gospel & Together for the Gospel

~ Bob Hayton ~ 1 Comment

Over at Christian Book Notes, there is a contest currently running to win copies of the 2 book-compilations of messages from the previous 2 Together for the Gospel conferences (2006 & 2008). Both books are published by Crossway.

To enter the contest, you are to leave a comment, “regarding how the essential truths of the gospel unifies all (true) believers”. That got me thinking and I thought I’d share my thoughts here for my readers’ benefit. I also encourage you to go enter the contest yourself, it runs through Monday.

One more thing before I share my thoughts. You can download most of the 2010 T4G messages now, and the rest will be up shortly I assume.

The cross humbles us. It lays bare all our evil hearts. No one can raise his head when faced with how wicked his own sin is. Sin’s extent is displayed in the gravity of Calvary. There, the Creator God manifested in human flesh, died a tortured and bloody death to pay sin’s terrible price.

The cross then gives us all the same hope. The hope that our sins are dealt with and grace and mercy can come to us from Christ our crucified and risen Savior. The same hope of eternal glory and joy that never ends in Christ’s presence, acceptance with God, forgiveness of sins– this same hope is extended to all who believe in Christ as the sufficient sacrifice for their sins.

The cross, then, should also unify us around an appreciation of gospel truth and the spreading of it’s gospel glories. Smaller points of disagreement find their perspective when weighed in the light of the cross. If we share a joyous faith in a gospel of grace that flows to us from the cross of Jesus, then that is a big thing indeed. It is so big and so important, that differences over baptism, eschatology, church government, preferences of music or dress styles, and the like should pale in comparison.

When we magnify every relatively minor position on any given question, the gospel loses its status and becomes just one more point to agree or disagree on. This is the tragedy of sectarianism run wild. It makes mountains out of mole hills, and minimizes the importance of the truly central and cardinal truths related to the gospel.

Sorry I got a little carried away, but this is why I love the concept of T4G and The Gospel Coalition so much. There is great potential for unity when we see how glorious the Gospel really is.

God Speaks in Packages — My Entry into the Thin Places Contest

~ Bob Hayton ~ 5 Comments

I learned of this contest just today, so I’m just in time to post my entry.   Mary DeMuth is promoting her new book Thin Places by a writing contest, with the prize being an Amazon Kindle.   Here is a description of the contest:

In exactly 259 words — the retail value of a Kindle reader — tell us about a time you experienced a “thin place” in your life. These would be aha moments, beautiful realizations when the Son of God bursts through the hazy fog of our monotony and shines on us afresh, times when God has reminded or reassured you that he is real and present.

Without further ado, here is my entry:

Overwhelmed. That word best described me that night. I was woefully behind in my projects. Finals loomed ahead, almost as bleak as the financial pressures I felt. And I had never been busier in my life.

I suppose most freshmen go through a crisis their first semester. But for me this was huge. I was facing this alone — stressed out, at my wit’s end, and eaten by worry. Sounds a bit dramatic now, but I remember the feeling well.

I sought solace in a time of prayer, on my knees, under my desk in a dark room. I don’t remember if I was begging God for help, or just quiet and worn out, but I was desperate.

And then it came: a knock on the door, and a voice, “Delivery, for Bob Hayton!” I slowly backed out from my desk and met the fellow entering my room. A very large package had arrived.

I wondered if a check was inside, something tangible to get me out of the mess I was in. Instead, I was greeted with a wide assortment of treats and goodies. It was a simple care package, nothing more.

But for me, it somehow was more. It didn’t help me pass my exams or complete my projects, it didn’t rescue me from a financial bind, but it gave me the kind of help I really needed — strength to go on.

God answers prayer. He watches out for His children. Sometimes, through small things like packages, he intervenes, whispering, “I’m here, I know, I care.”

Holiday Book Giveaways

~ Bob Hayton ~ 2 Comments

If you read my blog, you probably enjoy books. And, if you’re like me, you love the chance to get books for free! I thought I’d mention a few chances to get free books at this time of year.

  • My pal Shaun Tabatt is at it again with his 12 Days of Christmas Book Giveaway. Although today’s giveaway is a software module for BibleWorks 7 or 8 users, the next four days will likely include free book giveaways. Pay close attention to his blog now through Christmas Eve.
  • A blog I just stumbled upon, Sententiae Nil, is offering a free book in honor of its 200th post. You can enter to win a free copy of Biblical Theology: Retrospect and Prospect, edited by Scott Hafemann (IVP) just by subscribing to his blog and commenting on this post. This contest lasts until 12/26. (On a similar note, I just realized that I passed the 700 post mark around here. My 700th post actually offered a free book, too!)
  • Next, Allen Mickle’s blog is giving out a free Crossway title each month in 2010. You’ll want to subscribe to his blog, and read this post for details.
  • Finally, I should mention online bookswapping as a way to get free books. I keep meaning to devote a post to this, and still plan to. But for now, you should check out bookmooch.com and paperbackswap.com for great book-swapping programs. I’ve used both, and like paperbackswap.com’s features the best. In fact if you sign up to paperbackswap.com (for free) using this link, I’ll get credit for referring you to them. Goodreads.com has a new swapping program which I’ll have to check into as well.

40 Loaves Book Giveaway Winner

~ Bob Hayton ~ 1 Comment

Thanks to everyone who entered the book giveaway. The contest is now over as the results are in. Toby Holland is the winner of the free copy of 40 Loaves. I’ll be contacting you, Toby, by email today for your snail mail address.

Thanks again to WaterBrook Press for supplying the giveaway copy of 40 Loaves: Breaking Bread with the Father Each Day by C.D. Baker.

Book Giveaway: “40 Loaves” by C.D. Baker

~ Bob Hayton ~ 2 Comments

As part of the 40 Loaves book blog tour, this week. I am giving away one copy of C.D. Baker’s book 40 Loaves: Breaking Bread with the Father Each Day. I’ve reviewed the book and am sure you will enjoy this. It will make an excellent gift, too.

Please use the following form to enter the contest. You can get additional entries to the contest if you subscribe to my blog or follow me on Twitter/Facebook, and if you publicize this giveaway on your blog or via Twitter/Facebook. So spread the word, and may the best one win!

The contest will end Friday night at 10pm Central Standard Time. The winner will be announced Saturday on the blog and contacted via email.

Contest is now closed, the winner was Toby Holland!