Just a Minute for a Giveaway!

UPDATE Friday, 3/16/12 10:55 am WINNER!

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Timestamp: 2012-03-16 15:48:28 UTC
Congrats to windycindy! Email me your address and I'll send the book your way!

Thanks to everyone who entered. Be sure to come back Monday (3/19/12) for an author interview and another giveaway. And more giveaways are coming this spring!

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Just a Minute
Dr. Wess Stafford
(Moody Publishers)
ISBN: 978-0802404725
January 2012/224 pages/Hardcover/$19.99
How long does it take to make a difference in the life of a child?

For good or for ill, individual moments in a young person's life can make all the difference in their future. It may be something said or done by an adult who hardly thinks about it--a hug, a compliment, an intriguing question, a sincere applause. But in that moment, the child discovers who they are, what is important to them, why they matter, and sometimes even what their destiny will be.

Most of us want to help encourage and build into this next generation, most of us see the need all around, but most of us also have no idea where to even begin. Now, with this book, you know where to begin and you know that it only takes "Just a Minute."

Follow along as Dr. Wess Stafford, president of Compassion International, shares stories and experiences to introduce you to the difference you can actually make anywhere on the spectrum of child development. From helping meet physical needs to breaking emotional barriers and from discovering latent talents to equipping with spiritual insights these pages will be a catalyst for action. You don't have to be a teacher, a parent, a pastor, or a doctor to make a difference in the life of a child. You just have to be willing.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

From the poor of Africa's Ivory Coast to President and Chief Executive Officer of Compassion International, Dr. Wesley K. Stafford - Wess - has maintained one simple belief: God's children are priceless resources. To that end, Wess leads Compassion's efforts to break the cycle of poverty for children everywhere. Wess joined the staff of Compassion International in 1977 and has worked with the ministry, both overseas and at headquarters, for 34 years. He has served as president since 1993. Wess lives on a small ranch near Colorado Springs, Colorado with his wife, Donna, of 32 years who was a Compassion sponsor even before she met Wess! They have two daughters, Jenny and Katie - the two children in the world for whom Wess is the greatest advocate of all. Find out more here.

MY THOUGHTS:
This is an encouraging book that will remind you how easy it is to make a difference in someone's life, especially that of a child. Moments such as the ones detailed in the book make a lasting impression on a child. And sadly, as a few of the experiences in the book illustrate, there are also moments that remain etched in a child's mind when negative messages were received that can impact the path that child takes in life. More than just a "feel-good" book, Just a Minute is divided into sections that identify specific aspects of a child's mental and spiritual growth; within each section stories and anecdotes from a variety of sources are shared, showing how someone made a difference in that area of development for them and demonstrating how each of us can be intentional about positively impacting a child's life. Perhaps your word of encouragement will be A Moment to to Form Character (Section 3). Or you might take Just a Minute and your interaction might be A Moment to Realize One's Calling (Section 7). It might even be, to a child in desperate circumstances, A Moment of Rescue (Section 1). And while the book focuses on children, the principles certainly extend to encouraging those of any age with whom we cross paths. [As a side note, one thing I was happy to see was that this book is NOT a sales pitch for Compassion International. While that is an incredible organization, I admit that I wondered if the underlying message would simply be a strong appeal to sponsor a child, and I appreciated that the bulk of the stories were drawn from everyday situations rather than those involving sponsorships.] I am happy to recommend this book to you. And it's available now for only $11.98 (hardcover), $9.98 (Kindle) on Amazon; also available at your local bookstore and other online retailers ($11.98 at B&N also).


GIVEAWAY!
Moody Publishers has provided an additional copy for me to give to one of you! To enter, leave a comment on this post by 8:00 pm CDT Thursday (3/15/12) and I will randomly draw a name. Be sure to include an email address if you don't have a blog so I can contact you. US Residents only, please.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Moody Publishers and C. Grant and Company as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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