WONDERSTRUCK | awaken to the nearness of God

A few months ago, I had an exclusive invitation to read Wonderstruck | Awaken to the Nearness of God by Margaret Feinberg *before* it went to print. It was a grand opportunity and of course I said yes!

Through creative storytelling, Margaret transports readers to a world of wonder full of excitement, unique Scripture insights, and surprising A-ha! moments.

I experienced an A-ha! moment while reading Wonderstruck and I shared this personal struggle here. At the time, I was buried in denial and stress while struggling with unhealthy boundaries. Thankfully, I re-established broken relationships. Instead of living for to-do lists and the pursuit of more, I made the decision to step back and step down.

When I redirected my focus and concentrated on sacred relationships, I began to experience DIVINE PIXIE DUST … grace, healing, kindness, reconciliation, affection and forgiveness.

In Wonderstruck, Margaret leads readers on an adventure through Scripture and personal reflections, including prayers asking for pixie dust! By searching God’s Word in new ways, one anticipates with great enthusiasm that God is ever-present and working in their life.

Wonderstruck invites you to toss back the covers, climb out of bed, and drink in the fullness of life. Come learn how to recognize the presence of God in the midst of your routine, unearth extraordinary moments on ordinary days, identify what’s holding you back in prayer, and discover peace in knowing you’re wildly loved.

Since 2008, Margaret has taken me on a faith journey through her beautifully written books and thought-provoking DVD studies. In Organic God, I discovered God’s character as organic, pure, and essential without distractions or pollutants. In Scouting the Divine, I better understood God as the Great Shepherd and True Vine, staying connected to the One who knows me by name and draws me nearer through authentic worship and rest (Sabbath).

I am really excited for the official release of Wonderstruck on Christmas Day, December 25, 2012. In anticipation of this WONDER-filled book, I invite you to pre-order Wonderstruck at any national or online retailer, including Amazon. By doing so, you’ll earn *SIX* exclusive benefits from Worthy Publishing, including free products and downloads (read more here).

Margaret has also prepared a complete Bible study collection to accompany her new book. Watch this video and enjoy the scenery in Alaska as Margaret describes the journey to deepen her relationship with God, whose name is Wonder-Full.

This Christmas, I pray that our hearts and minds will be consumed with God’s wonder. I remember a familiar Christmas tune reminding us of God’s wonder and ever-present light in our lives. As the Holy Trinity, he is leading and proceeding and with us too.

Star of wonder, star of light
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light

I invite you to pre-order a copy of Wonderstruck and prepare to be astounded by God’s wonder. If you are up to the adventure, join me (and many others!) for a 30-day prayer challenge in 2013. Use #prayingforwonder on social media. I am also making arrangements to host the WONDERSTRUCK | Study in 2013 … it’s going to be an exciting year!

Above all, I hope you experience DIVINE PIXIE DUST this day and every day.

RightNow Conference

Last week, I had the distinct pleasure of attending the RightNow Conference in Dallas, Texas with three other leaders from my church. Not only did I have the opportunity to learn valuable church and business leadership skills, but I also attended two sessions led by my friend and author, Margaret Feinberg. Overall, it was a really great three days!

Here are a few things that stood out the most to me:

How many times have I jumped the gun and said “yes” to an opportunity without really considering all the pros and cons, or, more importantly, asking God for discernment? Then, once I found myself knee-deep in poo-poo and feeling overwhelmed, I said “ohhhh.”

In the midst of so many things going on right now, this one sentence spoke VOLUMES to me. Not only am I responsible for living and leading the mission, I have to be sure Jesus is first, center, and highest priority. That requires an open, honest, authentic inventory of one’s self!

Finally, and perhaps the most clever ………….

While his material was more light-hearted than other sessions, @ScottWilliams shared his professional wisdom and personal experience about the “Social Media Gospel.” It was definitely eye-opening and he gave me LOTS to consider not only for the church’s online presence, but the way I use social media for personal use as well.

Random Twitter Fact:
Barack Obama out-Tweeted Mitt Romney 8-to-1 in the recent election.

For a complete look inside RightNow 2012 in Dallas, click here. You’ll be able to read post after post (be sure to click titles on the left sidebar) from bloggers and speakers at the event. Believe me, it’s all the pertinent information without having to spend money on an admission ticket or time in a seat. Pretty. Sweet. Deal. Isn’t technology amazing?!

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Don’t want to beat a dead horse (that’s really mean) or sound like a broken record (that’s so old school), but please don’t forget about the Shabby Apple giveaway. There is still time to enter (if you haven’t done so already) and share with your friends (because that’s what friends do). Contest ends this Saturday, November 17 at midnight.

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Have a great week. Be blessed and be a blessing to somebody else!

 

Giveaway Results (and a *SURPRISE*) — “The Organic God” by Margaret Feinberg

I normally don’t publish a separate post for giveaway winners but I’m doing something a little different this time. I’m having a moment of gracious-explosion-ness (I know, that’s not a word) and I’m spreading some serious generosity ’round these parts.

I’ve waited since Sunday night to announce this. I used Random.org to be fair, and I confirmed shipment details. I cannot keep the secret a moment longer.

Well …. just a second.

I must express my appreciation and gratitude to every single person who participated. This was one of the largest responses to date at Three 31. You make it worthwhile, thank you!

Next, Margaret Feinberg has been an incredible friend to me. She and Leif (her husband) have been so generous with event tickets, product giveaways, personal letters, and support for my mission trip to Haiti that I decided to EXPAND this giveaway for her summer book club – which begins June 11.

Are you ready for the big reveal?

What if I said there was something “extra” included?

Are you ready now?

Okay …. here goes.

In my meager attempt to say THANK YOU to Margaret and THANK YOU to you (blog readers), I am providing not two ….. not three ….. but FOUR sets of The Organic God to some very special people.

Here are the winners:

Again, I cannot express how thankful I am to blog readers and Margaret. If you did not win, I hope you’ll visit Margaret’s website and purchase the set of materials before June 10. The products are priced RIDICULOUSLY LOW ($34.99) for the book, DVD set, and a participant’s workbook. This is the whole she-bang and Margaret will definitely rock your socks with this deal. I wish I could buy a set for every giveaway participant, but then my bank account would be zero and the water and electric companies would turn off our utilities. It’s nearly 100-degrees and this girl needs A/C. But I still love y’all.

To the winners: congratulations and please enjoy this gift.

To all of you: have a blessed day.

Smiling because I can,

my speakers are going boom-boom {what’s playin’ on my stereo}

Ashley (at Steel Magnolias & Sweet Tea) recently posted a list of her current favorite tunes. She inspired me to create my own, which coincidentally, is very similar. We might be sweet-tea-drinking-sisters-from-another-mother because our taste in music and sweet liquid beverages is finer than frog hair.

I love getting in the car, turning on the radio, and cranking the volume up real loud. I really like the windows down and I normally drive faster than all posted signs – ahem, forget those last words.

Husband got in my car yesterday to open the hood and change the oil (he’s the greatest guy ever!) and when he turned the ignition, the radio BLASTED real loud. I thought he was going to have a coronary. I got “the look” as he was turning the volume down.

Here they are ….. in no particular order ….. my current favorite tunes:

• Fly Over States ~ Jason Aldean
• Drink On It ~ Blake Shelton
• Springsteen ~ Eric Church
• Mr. Know-It-All ~ Kelly Clarkson
• Better Than I Used To Be ~ Tim McGraw
• Good Girl ~ Carrie Underwood
• Drunk On You ~ Luke Bryan
• 5-1-5-0 ~ Dierks Bentley
• No Hurry ~ Zac Brown Band
• Rock Star ~ Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw
• Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) ~ Kelly Clarkson
• Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck ~ Kip Moore
• Let The Cowboy Rock ~ Ronnie Dunn

There you have it. My current favorite country tunes and what causes my speakers to go boom-boom and my toes to tap-tap. If anyone wants to take a ride with the windows down, radio loud, and sip sweet tea (or a snow cone …. whatever makes your skirt fly up), you let me know and I will pick you up!!!!!!

While you’re here, enter the *GIVEAWAY* for a set of goodies from Margaret Feinberg. Hurry, contest ends Sunday, June 3.

Enjoy your day, Y’all!!!!!!!

Nicole

*The Organic God* ~ Summer Book Club with Margaret Feinberg {giveaway}

Before you finalize your summer plans, I’d like to invite you to a book club, hosted by Margaret Feinberg, reading the *THE ORGANIC GOD*.

The first time I read *THE ORGANIC GOD* was 2002. It was a gift from my aunt who had read it with her book club in Louisville, Kentucky. Before I finished the first page, I knew it was a book that I would enjoy. Margaret uses simplistic language (in all of her books!) and it’s like she’s sitting next to me and we are in conversation.

I describe God has organic. While it’s a word usually associated with food grown without chemical-based fertilizers or pesticides, organic is also used to describe a lifestyle: simple, healthful, and close to nature. Those are the things I desire in my relationship with God. I hunger for simplicity. I want to approach God in childlike faith, wonder, and awe. I long for more than just spiritual life but spiritual health — whereby my soul is not just renewed and restored by becomes a source of refreshment for others. Such a God-infused lifestyle requires me to step away from any insta-grow shortcuts and dig deep into the soil of spiritual formation found only in God.

Beginning June 11, Margaret will lead an online book discussion from her website. Every Monday, she will post insights from *THE ORGANIC GOD*. This is an excellent opportunity to engage with a group or Sunday school class, yet it’s perfectly suited for individuals too.

JOIN ME!!!!!!!!!

Listening to God’s voice requires more than just my ears; it requires my eyes, my mind, my spirit, my entire being to recognize the God-nudges in my life. Deep down inside I still hunger for a true, pure relationship with the Organic God — the One True God. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In him is found the mysterious wonder of the Trinity. He is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

For the giveaway, I’m offering ONE (1) set complete with *THE ORGANIC GOD* book, workbook, and DVD series.

If you would rather purchase now, click HERE. The set is normally $130, but Margaret has deeply discounted it for the summer reading series and you can purchase the entire set for $34.99. WHAT. A. DEAL.

To enter, simply answer this question in a comment below:

WHAT ARE YOUR SUMMER PLANS?

* please include your name and email address in the comment form *

This giveaway ends Sunday, June 3 at 9:00pm Central. The winner will be notified by email and the set will be mailed shortly after. Margaret’s weekly blog series begins June 11.

I hope you will join me this summer reading *THE ORGANIC GOD* with Margaret, it’s one of my favorite books and I know you’ll enjoy it too!

Good luck and please share this giveaway with others via social media.

• Follow Margaret on Twitter @mafeinberg
• Like Margaret Feinberg on Facebook
• Follow mafeinberg on Pinterest
• Follow Margaret Feinberg on Google+
• Follow Nicole on Twitter @nmhutch
• Like Nicole Edwards Hutchison on Facebook
• Follow nmhutchison on Pinterest
• Follow Nicole Hutchison on Google+

Blessings to you,
Nicole

This giveaway is sponsored by Nicole at Three 31. The giveaway winner will be notified via email. The quicker that person replies, the sooner they will receive their gift set. Easy-peasy!

Related articles

• My first experience at Catalyst Dallas (May 7-9, 2012) (nicoleandkevin.wordpress.com)

My first experience at Catalyst Dallas (May 7-9, 2012)

A big thank you to Margaret Feinberg for graciously allowing me and a guest to attend the 2012 Catalyst event in Dallas. The experience was wonderful and very fulfilling.

Last week, I had the privilege of attending one of the largest church leadership conferences in the nation: Catalyst. Fortunately for me, the event came to Dallas *AND* my friend and very talented Christian author, Margaret Feinberg, was a speaker.

I had no idea what to expect at Catalyst Dallas, as I had never attended before, but I had a wonderful time meeting church leaders, bloggers, musicians, writers, and marketing executives who are focused on sharing The Good News and targeting all God’s people.

There were several moments when I looked around the small room during seminars or in the huge auditorium during main sessions that I felt uncomfortable, out of place, or decided I didn’t fit in. In my pea-brain, I thought I was inadequate because I wasn’t wearing the latest fashion, or have a tattoo, or the ministries I participate in are not big enough to make a difference. I must have drank some Nonsense Juice, because those thoughts were totally out of line! As ridiculous as it sounds, it was in these moments that I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me and whisper, “Be present. You are enough. Be present. You are enough.”

I did not attend Catalyst to earn style points or collect a zillion ink pens from every vendor in the fellowship hall (okay, I did take a few mints and two gel ink pens and I registered to win an iPad) from complete strangers. I attended the event to be energized, educated, and engaged in my faith. I lifted my voice and hands in worship. I made new friends (social media is a very cool thing …. I have more Twitter followers now!) and I laughed so hard during the main sessions that people around me thought I stopped breathing!

Photo courtesy of CatalystSpace.com

A team of very talented artists created a mural using pages from old books, small boxes, glue, and different shades of paint.

I thought this was very, very cool.

During one of the main sessions, Pastor Rudy Rasmus, from St. John’s Downtown Church in Houston. challenged us ~ all 3,500 in the auditorium ~ to a speech bubble promise. I committed to reaching beyond my comfort level and quieten the pessimist inside me saying I’m not enough.

* I AM ENOUGH *

I’m sorry about the pictures of the cardboard signs. I took these shots after I got home and began thinking about this post. Obviously, poor planning on my part.

I cannot be trusted when I have something to write ON and something to write WITH. My board eventually became a doodle-space. It was perfect for jotting down notes though, because I left my journal in the car. (Yes, I admit, I brought home several blank speech bubbles because I thought they were super-duper cool and I couldn’t help myself and I asked the passer-outer-person for an extra one but she gave me five. I’ll find something to write on them. Any suggestions?)

The first time I drove into the parking lot (Wednesday morning), my face lit up. The great lawn near the entrance was filled with lawn chairs, hammocks, corn-hole boards, and *BRIGHT PINK* flamingos.Who doesn’t love bright pink flamingos?! They were awesome and I seriously wanted to enjoy the beautiful weather by reading a book in a hammock. Unfortunately, in order to avoid the re-donk-culous traffic in the entire DFW Metroplex, I had to leave early each day.

The flamingos are calling my name, perhaps I’ll get a few and decorate the pasture. I’m sure Blue would like the company. Husband won’t mind the lawn ornaments. Right?

Here are close-up pictures of the *BE PRESENT* mural using pages out of books.

There are some insanely creative people in this world.

I, unfortunately, am not one of them.

Once again, a big thanks to *MARGARET FEINBERG* for the opportunity to attend Catalyst Dallas 2012. If you are looking for a book to read or DVD study to complete by yourself or with a group, check out her website. I recently ordered the “Graduation Gift Set” for some very special high school graduates. I love her books, I really enjoy her DVD studies, and I’m incredibly blessed to call her my friend.

I will leave you with the message from the Catalyst event:

* BE PRESENT *

“The Gospel of John” by Margaret Feinberg { Preparing for Lent }

If you’ve been reading my blog for any amount of time, you have seen the name Margaret Feinberg.

As an author and professional speaker, she blesses readers and audiences with heartfelt messages. As a person, she’s approachable and authentic. Margaret is genuine and it doesn’t hurt that she has an adorable dog (Hershey), handsome husband (Leif), loves the outdoors, and has an undeniable joy for Jesus!

As the Season of Lent approaches (it begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22) and Christians anticipate the Celebration of Easter (Sunday, April 8), I’d like to encourage you to consider one of Margaret’s DVD Bible studies. Specifically, the study on the Gospel of John. I used this curriculum when it was my turn to lead Sunday school class. In addition the video, I used the Participant’s Guide and coordinating questions to lead discussion over a six-week time period. Everyone in my class enjoyed the DVD series, and I think you will too!

This six-week study includes short video segments (filmed in a beautiful art studio and gallery) where Margaret explores into Scripture and leads participants on a journey of faith, redemption, and restoration through the Gospel of John. While the stories are familiar, I’d never considered the multi-faceted meanings, and underlying messages, Margaret explains. Her lessons open my eyes (and my heart) to apply ancient Scripture to my daily life.

I was particularly moved during session two, When God Sees Through You. In the fast-paced society in which we live, it is easy to conceal ourselves in the crowd. Or, move so quickly we are a blur. But Margaret, in her captivating prose, reminds us that no matter how distracted we become with idols, or our flawed human-ness, God continues to pursue us. It was Jesus that walked among the weak and meek; He did not only see people physically, but He saw through them and knew who they really were from the inside out. Forget first impressions or fancy masks, the Son of God sees our true selves! This recognition, just like the experience of The Samaritan Woman, is part of God’s healing and redemptive power.

Today, and every day, may we seek the areas in our life that need healing and restoration.

May we seek the beauty in the magnificent and mundane.

And, find those in our own communities who need real relationships and authentic demonstration of love and faithfulness.

To view other materials written by Margaret, please visit her website by clicking HERE. There is a complete library of her products, including books and DVD studies.

All things are beauty-full,

{ if }

If my aunt had not shared her library of books many years ago, I would not have read The Organic God.

If I had not read The Organic God, I would not know Margaret Feinberg, a Christian author and professional speaker. Or her 6-foot-8-tall husband, Leif. (Who, by the way, is slouching WAY down in this picture so we could all by in the frame together!)

If I did not know Margaret Feinberg, I would not have been her guest at a women’s conference at Marvin United Methodist Church in Tyler.

If I had not been at Marvin, I would have missed Jesus playing the guitar. (Actually, his name is Luke.)

If I had not attended this conference, I would have missed this moment with Margaret (holding her miniature poodle, Hershey) autographing books for conference participants.

If I had not been in Tyler, I would not have had lunch with a former classmate and friend from Kentucky. (Emily and her family live near Tyler, it was so wonderful to see her and meet her family!)

If I had left Tyler immediately after the event, I would have missed an afternoon with Margaret talking, sharing, and laughing

If I had gotten home early, I would have missed this sunset.

Are those colors amazing or what?!

Please visit Margaret’s website. She has written numerous books and offers DVD Bible studies too. Margaret is a talented author and lovely speaker. Her joy is contagious and I’m grateful to call her my friend.

Blessings,