The other night I sat alone in my house after the kids were asleep. The new dog was laid out on his fluffy bed. The Christmas lights glowed. And I debated. Should I watch something completely mindless while eating Triscuits, or should I watch “58: the film” that some friends recommended?

I asked Him, half-heartedly, because I really wanted “mindless.” But God spurred me towards “58” in spite of me. So sitting there under my faux-fur blanket, I watched people on the other side of the planet live in bondage. Bondage to poverty. Bondage to the sex industry. Bondage to hopelessness.

And it brought that ache to the surface. You know. The ache that silences under the weight of stuff and carpools and chocolate Advent calendars. So I asked God to show me what I could possibly do.

He brought Kristi to mind. I met her at the Allume conference back in October. She works with Freeset — a fair trade business offering employment to women trapped in Kolkata’s sex trade. And I remembered that they sold stuff to bring freedom.

And you know how much we Americans like to buy stuff this time of year (said with slight sarcasm about myself and the “business” of Christmas).

I went to their site and purchased a number of Christmas gifts. But then I wanted to do more. And that’s when He reminded me that He’s given me a voice. And that I can tell you about some purposeful Christmas gifts that you could buy. And then you could tell your friends. And so on and so on.

Doesn’t that sound like a great plan?!
 

I want to highlight two sites where you can buy stuff that can have eternal, hopeful effects: Freeset and Year 27.

 
Then I would love for you to tell your friends about this post. And if you do, I may give you something lovely and meaningful. Yep.
 

Share this post and then comment saying you shared this post and you will be entered to win one of the Freeset bracelets.

 
They’re both beautiful and meaningful. I will announce four winners on Monday, December 10th!

You can get extra entries by (1) reading through one of the sites, (2) purchasing something, and/or (3) PRAY. Take 2 minutes and pray for these causes. Just leave one comment for each thing you do to help spread the word for freedom.

~~~~~

Freeset

Freeset is in business for freedom. Freedom from human trafficking. Freeset is a fair trade business that sells bags and t-shirts, made by women freed from human trafficking in Calcutta, India. The women are able to have a job with dignity, making products, instead of being the product.

Every woman receives three times the wage they would receive in line (the prostitution line), learn to read and write, daycare for their children, have medical insurance and retirement benefits. Women were tricked, trapped, or trade and find themselves seemingly without a choice. Their goal is to change the economic scope of Sonagacchi, Calcutta’s largest red light district, to one of freedom, instead of the sex trade. Amazing!

Click here to visit the Freeset shop.

Here’s the story of one woman who’s been affected by Freeset:

It was my dream to learn and work on computers. Until recently I had never used a computer so I really appreciate this opportunity. Everyone understands that I am new and are very supportive as I learn all the new tasks I have to do. The part I like most is when I balance the cash at the end of the day.

I enjoy the challenge of this new job better than my previous work in screen printing, but before I started at Freeset I was not able to support my family financially and now I can.

~~~~~

Year 27

I love this. Jill Davis, a fellow Seed Company blogger, began “Year 27” last December. She’s a graphic designer with a heart for the Word of God to reach the nations. So she started doodling a verse of the day which turned into art prints and iphone skins and other beautiful gifts. ALL PROFITS from the sale of her items go to the translation of the Bible into the Ehty language. How awesome is that!

Click here to check out Year 27.

~~~~~

Thank you, friends! You’re changing lives today!

The post you want this. it brings freedom. {giveaway} appeared first on Lara Howard.

Talk about inspiring. I mean really inspiring. I was asked to review a new film by Lisa Chan — wife of Francis Chan — called “Be Still.” And friends, it was so worth the watch.

Check out her short promo video.

Her message resonates with the beat of my heart. That we wouldn’t play church. That we would take God at His Word. That we would truly, intimately commune with the Lover of our soul…not because He commands us, but because doing so is life to us.

He’s life to us.

Near the end of the film Lisa says, “I don’t think it’s possible to know God without being still and putting the time and effort into your relationship with Him.” Be. Still.

This film is worth the watch, friends. It will inspire you and challenge you, encourage you and bless you. Click here to find out how to get your own copy today.

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41-42

GIVEAWAY!

Also, one special person will win a DVD copy of the film. Seriously. You want this. Just leave a comment below telling me one thing that pulls at your attention and tries to steal the time you could give to “being still” with God.

You can also get an extra entry by sharing this post on Facebook or Twitter. Just leave me a comment below telling me which one you did.

The winner will be announced on Friday, 9/7.
 

The post the power of being still {review of Lisa Chan’s new film} GIVEAWAY appeared first on Lara Howard.

Drumroll please. Drumroll.

The winners of Christa Wells CDs are…

Jasmine :: “Frame the Clouds”
Katrina :: “How Emptiness Sings”
Kim Sorgius :: “Image of God”

Woo-hoo, girls! I know Christa’s music will bless you. Email your address to me at LaraGWilliams(at)gmail.com and we will get your CD shipped out to you.

And for those who didn’t win (sad face), cheer up! You can click here to go to Christa’s website and order some of her music for yourself!

Here’s one more of her videos, “I Want To Know That Man.” Be blessed.

Click here if you cannot see the video.

Oh, and a reminder to those who are memorizing the Sermon on the Mount with me. This is breather week. (Yes!) So join me in taking the week to catch up on any rough places in your memorization journey. In Him we can do this! Keep on, friends.

Have a blessed Tuesday remembering the promises of our God.
 

The post Giveaway Winners and Memorizing the SOTM {breather week} appeared first on Lara Howard.

Christa Wells has been on the music scene for a while but I heard her in-person for the first time last year when she and Nicole Witt came to the Relevant Conference (now called Allume). She even did a time of worship at 6:30 a.m. for all of us early morning “Hello Mornings” risers. (An amazing start the day, by the way.)

Her songs take me on a soul-journey. They’re lyrically brilliant and musically captivating. And her voice is unique and memorable. (No, she didn’t pay me to say any of that.)

I (finally) recently downloaded her older album entitled “Frame the Clouds” and let me just tell you, it’s classic. I have it on repeat.

Here’s one of my favorites…

(If you cannot see this video, then click here to listen.)

I love the line where she says, “Wrap yourself in promise while you wait the morning light.” Gorgeous truth. We can’t always see what God’s weaving. But He’s working it all together for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28) He promised. A thousand things.

And here’s one of her newest songs, “Everything Moves But You.” Also lovely…

(If you cannot see this video, then click here to listen.)

I messaged Christa to tell her how she’s blessed me lately and how I wanted to brag on her music today. And since she’s awesome and gracious and real, she’s giving away a copy of each of her albums here on my blog. Woohoo!

To enter the giveaway just leave a comment below saying something brilliant like “pick me.”

Then you can also receive more entries by doing one or all of the following:*

• Tweet this post
• Share this post on Facebook
• Share one of Christa’s YouTube videos on Facebook and/or Twitter.

*Make sure to leave a comment for each extra way you share Christa’s music.
**Maximum of five entries per person.

Winners will be randomly selected on Monday, April 9th.
 

The post the album I have on repeat {Christa Wells :: GiveawayS!} appeared first on Lara Howard.

We’re all the same. We’re all desperate for grace. When left to ourselves, we’re a complete mess, in need mercy.

As I remember our desperate state as humans, I don’t get that offended at what people do. As I’ve laid down any expectations I could place on people, I find I don’t take offense.

flickr photo credit: ashley rose

But when it comes to those in my home, I struggle. I get “offended” by their faults. And it’s because I place expectations on them. I don’t mean to. But I do.

I expect my man to love me. Or I expect my kids to obey. Granted they honor the Lord when they do, but everyone has a bad day. If I hold my expectations too tightly — depending on them to fill something in me — then I’m more likely to go spiraling down into that familiar pit if they miss the mark.

God never tells us to place expectations upon other people. He tells us to love people, forgive people, pray for people, and bless people. But expectations? If anything, we should expect them to fall — just like we do each and every day.

There is a place for confronting the sin of those we love. There is place for bold declarations of Truth. But I’m thinking that erring on the side of grace and love honors Him the most.

So I’m laying down the expectations…again. I’m choosing to love and then trusting Him with the hearts of those beside me. I’m not going to take offense when they slip and fall. Instead, I want to help pick them up and dust them off.

No offense taken.

Speaking of grace, I’m so excited to share *this* with you. Janelle, the owner/designer of Grace Tags, has graciously donated a “necklace of your choice” to one of my readers!

We’re talking serious beauty mingled with reminders of God’s life-changing Truth. So lovely.

But that’s not all. Janelle is also offering a 35% discount to all of my readers! Think “Christmas Gifts,” friends. Click here to visit her Etsy shop. The discount code is LARABLOG2011.

To enter the giveaway, comment below answering this question, “What does it mean for you to give grace to others?”

For extra entries, click the share buttons below to share on Facebook or Twitter and then leave a comment telling me you shared this post.

The post how not to take offense {and a giveaway!} appeared first on Lara Howard.

flick photo credit: shereen

Thank you to everyone who has purchased Savoring Living Water. At this point we have (roughly) funded the translation of 10 verses from the sale of the eBook. Because of your support, the Vidunda people will have 10 verses translated into their own language! That’s awesome!

We do have a long way to go to reach our goal of 104 verses so your prayers are appreciated. We hope that Savoring Living Water continues to inspire and encourage many, while also bringing more and more of God’s Word to the Vidunda people.

For the word of God is living and powerful,
and sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12

Click here to read more about the Vidunda people and our partnership with OneVerse.

The post {and the winners are…} appeared first on Lara Howard.

Today’s the day! Savoring Living Water: How to Have an Effective Quiet Time is now available for purchase. And don’t forget the CRAZY, BIG GOAL! We are thrilled to be partnering with OneVerse.

Now, for the sursies (a.k.a. “giveaways”)…

I’m more than excited to tell you about this first giveaway. Emily, one of my in-real-life friends, just released her new book this month! And it is phenomenal, life-changing, hope-infusing, and needed! I absolutely loved reading these grace-filled pages.

I’m one of those who began life as a “good girl.” I tried to gain approval by all the good rules I could follow. But then I turned “bad girl,” aiming to fill my soul-thirst with things of the world. Then Jesus got a hold of me and I wrestled around with “good girl” again as I struggled to find the grace that says, “I’m enough because of my Lord.” Yes, all of that personality-change brought lots and lots of baggage.

I could relate to Emily’s book on a number of levels. And it was a breath of fresh air to these familiar “good girl” lungs. That’s why I am thrilled that Emily has graciously donated a signed copy of her amazing book to our launch party. Let me hear a little shoutin’!

What better way to start your morning than with a HelloMornings coffee mug! If you haven’t met Kat over at InspiredToAction.com, you just have to take a minute to hop over to her site. She has inspired and encouraged me so much in this past year. Psst, she also wrote the foreword to Savoring Living Water. I just love her.

I’m honored Teri Lynne would donate a copy of her eBook to our launch, because parenting is flat-out challenging! I can always use an inspiring word. Listen to this description of Parenting from the Overflow. Oh how I want to parent from the overflow of Him in me.

Do you feel like you parent from the undertow rather than the overflow? I’ve been there – some days I’m still there. But I’ve learned some important lessons and I’d love to share them with you. Grab your favorite beverage and get comfy as we learn to parent from the abundance of God’s work in our own lives.

Each chapter of this book offers you insight into a different aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit {Galatians 5:22-23}, a verse to memorize, activities to share with your child, and exercises for your own heart and spiritual growth.

~Teri Lynne

Now we’re just talking cute. (Sorry guys.) I called my sister a couple of weeks ago in search of some local cuteness. And she immediately thought of “Clipsie Daysie.” She was right! My pitiful camera abilities do not do these clips justice. I totally want one of these for myself!

To be entered into the giveaway…
First, purchase a copy of Savoring Living Water.
Then, leave a comment below telling me that you purchased.

We have three options for purchase:

Winners will be announced Monday, Sept. 19th.

The post Celebrating the launch of “Savoring Living Water”! {giveaways} appeared first on Lara Howard.

His word pierces the soul and pulls back the layers of my heart that need purging. It encourages when I am weak. And it lifts when life has me low. It addresses my now and reminds of his faithful past. It breathes life into my bones.

So when Katie Orr over at Living Devotionally presented this vision a few months back, I couldn’t say “Yes!” quickly enough.

flickr photo credit: mark grapengater

Together we are writing an ebook (“electronic-book” for all of you non-techy friends) with the working title of Unleashing Truth: How to Have an Effective Quiet Time. Here is an excerpt from the introduction…

There is no other way to describe it. I thirst. And in my thirst, I have wasted time searching this world for something to ease the dry. But my thirst goes deep, past the physical, into realms indefinable with mere words.

I entertain the deep down longing for more. More peace. More joy. More life. Then I look to a man or a dream or my closet, desperate for the need to be met. And even after I have some filling—even after the man loves me reckless or the dream takes shape in my now—I awake with the thirst. Again.

I could have been that woman at the Samaritan well, filling her thirst with things of this world. Things that leave us parched. But He graciously gave me a drink of His “living water” and I have never been the same.

But we want to hear from you! We would love to know your thoughts before we do the final edits. So as a little “sursie” incentive, everyone who fills out this quick 1-minute poll and then comments below by this Sunday will be entered into a giveaway to receive a free copy of the ebook. Ten winners will be selected from each of our blog websites! How ’bout that sursie.

Thank you in advance. Our prayer is that this would be a tool to spur intimacy between us and our Maker. How he loves you, my friend.

{Oh, and, don’t forget to click “submit”}

The post ebook sneak peak {and we need your help} appeared first on Lara Howard.

You want some more exciting news? Can you handle it? Everyone who subscribes to my blog by Monday, June 6th, will be entered into a giveaway. {Enter girly squeals here} I figure, it’s a party so we have to give out a “sursie” (a.k.a., fun, unexpected treat).



So click one of the following links to subscribe. Then comment below telling me that you did subscribe, and you will automatically be entered to win. (Winner will be announced on Wednesday, June 8th.)

Click here to subscribe by email. (My posts will come straight to your inbox.)

Click here to subscribe in a reader. (If you don’t know what a reader is then you probably don’t typically use one.)

If you are like me then you just skimmed that paragraph above. So one more time, SUBSCRIBE AND THEN COMMENT BELOW. If you do not comment after subscribing you will not be entered to win the giveaway. And believe me you don’t want to miss this.



Now for the sursie. My dear, real-life, inspirational, HILARIOUS friend, Kelly Swanson, has graciously donated a copy of her book to our launch party. Check her out online at www.KellySwanson.net. {Thank you, Kelly!}

Who Hijacked My Fairy Tale?
How to hang on to humor when life doesn’t go the way you planned

Join Kelly as she takes you on her twisted path to happily-ever-after. Each chapter of this book will make you laugh and give you good solid advice on how to find your way back to happy when you fall into one of those pot holes along the yellow brick road. Discussion questions are located at the end of each chapter.

It also wouldn’t be a proper blog launch without a prayer of commitment. I have done this personally but would love for you to join me in dedicating this cyber-space to Him.


“Father, You alone are the worthy One. You alone are life to us. We give this little place back to you acknowledging that unless you open our hearts, unless you give us sight, we will be left in the dark. Fill us full, o Lord, fill us full…to overflowing.”

The post blog launch party {and a giveaway} appeared first on Lara Howard.