02 June 2011

Fresh Picked Daily (02 June 2011)

Contests, free stuff, blogs and good deals. The "Fresh Picked" today is about free books, getting a great deal on books and of course... blogs.

CBD Giveaways: There is always a contest going on over at Christian Book Distributors and while many of the items are what I consider to be "fluffy" and/or even possibly heretical, they do occasionally have some items that motivate me to enter the contest. Currently, one can enter to win three black & grey simulated leather Holman Christian Standard Apologetics Bibles, a hardcover Biblia de Estudio de Apologética (Apologetics Study Bible in Spanish), Thom Rainer & Eric Geiger's "Simple Church", a brown simulated leather Holman Christian Standard Hand-Size Giant Print Reference Bible, and a 1611 Commemorative 400th Anniversary Edition King James Bible. Head on over and enter to win!

FREE Audio Book: I am really grateful to ChristianAudio for offering a free audio book every month. This month's pick is "A Place for Healing" by Joni Eareckson Tada. Joni (pronounced "Jah-Nee") has been quadriplegic for over forty years and a great source of insight and encouragement to many persons with disabilities. This particular book "is not an ivory-tower treatise on suffering. It’s an intimate look into the life of a mature woman of God. Whether readers are enduring physical pain, financial loss, or relational grief, Joni invites them to process their suffering with her. Together, they will navigate the distance between God’s magnificent yes and heartbreaking no—and find new hope for thriving in-between." [Publisher's Note]

Top 200 Christian Blogs: I was recently made aware of Kent Shaffer's list of the most popular Christian blogs. According to Shaffer, " these are the world’s most popular church blogs written by many of today’s most influential church leaders, journalists, theologians, and Christ followers." Some notables are Justin Taylor (#1), The Resurgence (#3), Kevin DeYoung (#5), Scot McKnight (#6), Internet Monk (#8), Pyromaniacs (#9), Albert Mohler (#10), The Gospel Coalition (#12), Ray Ortlund (#15), Thabiti Anyabwile (#16), Ligonier (#18), Parchment & Pen (#21), Tullian Tchividjian (#23), Reformation21 (#25), Desiring God (#27), Trevin Wax (#29), Tim Challies (#30), Josh Harris (#32), Evangel (#36), Ed Stetzer (#39), Zach Nielsen (#42), Reformation Theology (#42), Bob Kauflin (#43), Steve McCoy (#52), Peter Leithart (#60), 9Marks (#70), Matt Perman (#73), Darrel Bock (#75), Andy Naselli (#78), Tom Ascol (#91), Jared Wilson (#92), Timmy Brister (#96), Nathan Bingham (#115), Phil Gons (#159), Joe Thorn (#162), and Feeding on Christ (#172). My list would have been much different... but what do I know? I'm not a celebrity blogger, nor am I even on the top 5,000 list! ;b

Kindle Book Sale: Over 600 books are currently on sale for less than $3. I recommend you pick up "What Is the Gospel?" by Greg Gilbert, "On Who Is God?" by Mark Driscoll, and "Affirming the Apostles' Creed" by J.I. Packer (only $1); "Don' t Waste Your Life" by John Piper, "I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist" by Normal Geisler & Frank Turek, "Thriving at College" by Alex Chediak, "Seeds of Turmoil" by Bryant Wright, "To the One Who Conquers" by Sam Storms (only $2); and "Think" by John Piper, and "Church Planter" by Darrin Patrick (only $3).

That does it for this book & blog edition of "Fresh Picked Daily"... make sure to follow me on Twitter and find me on Facebook for updates. I am also on The City. Soli Deo Gloria!