And the Winners Are...

Time to announce the winners of the copies of the book, "10 Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe.

Alright, here we go: Winner #1 hails from Penn Hills, PA, and is the music and missions pastor at Riverside Community Church in Oakmont, PA - Dave Longstreth. (You were right, bro! I picked your name!)

Winner #2 is also from Penn Hills, PA, but makes his home now in New Castle, PA where he is the Student Ministries Pastor at First Assembly of God. SHAWN GALA...you're a winner, no matter what anyone says.

We have a THIRD WINNER, however! Since Dave said to give his copy of the book away to someone else, DOUG BLACK wins! Doug is the Youth, Media, and Worship Pastor at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Abington, PA.

Thanks to everyone who entered the drawing. Doug - When I get another invite to one of these "blog tours" I'll let you know! Shawn & Doug - email me your addresses (richj@TheElementChurch.com) and I'll mail the books to you guys.

Win A FREE Book!

A while back, I was offered the opportunity to review a couple of books on my blog for Multinomah Publishing.  In conjunction with those reviews, the publishing company sent me some books that I was able to give away.  Recently, I was offered the chance to review another book, and even though I was in the middle of prepping for the launch of Element Church, I couldn't pass it up!

The name of the book is, "10 Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe."


Check out the chapter titles:
Dumb Idea #1 - Faith Can Fix Anything
Dumb Idea #2 - Forgiving Means Forgetting
Dumb Idea #3 - A Godly Home Guarantees Godly Kids
Dumb Idea #4 - God Has A Blueprint For My Life
Dumb Idea #5 - Christians Shouldn't Judge
Dumb Idea #6 - Everything Happens For A Reason
Dumb Idea #7 - Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide
Dumb Idea #8 - God Brings Good Luck
Dumb Idea #9 - A Valley Means A Wrong Turn
Dumb Idea #10 - Dead People Go To A Better Place

Ok, now I am not going to lie and tell you I have already read the book, but I have skimmed the book and checked out a few of the controversial chapters.  The authors writing style is engaging, and the advice is both logical and practical.  I can honestly say that when I do actually take the time to sit and read it, I believe it will go quickly!

One application of this book I can imagine is using it as a springboard for a teaching series or a sermon series.  

Interested in receiving a free copy of the book?  

I have 2 to give away, and here's how I will do it:
1) You leave a comment on this blog.
2) Next Friday, I will draw names from those who comment.
3) There will be 2 winners, because I have 2 books!

Interested in just buying the book?  Check it out here.


Below, I have included the description from the publisher.  Check it out, as well.  Enjoy!

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Just Because “Everyone Believes It”

Doesn’t Make It True

People don’t set out to build their faith upon myths and spiritual urban legends. But somehow such falsehoods keep showing up in the way that many Christians think about life and God. These goofy ideas and beliefs are assumed by millions to be rock-solid truth . . . until life proves they’re not. The sad result is often a spiritual disaster—confusion, feelings of betrayal, a distrust of Scripture, loss of faith, anger toward both the church and God.

But it doesn’t have to be so. In this delightfully personal and practical book, respected Bible teacher Larry Osborne confronts ten widely held beliefs that are both dumb and dangerous. Beliefs like these:

• Faith can fix anything

• Christians shouldn’t judge

• Forgiving means forgetting

• Everything happens for a reason

• A godly home guarantees good kids

…and more.