try not to blink.
You raised over $1,400.00 in the debut weekend for our first community with Gifts of Water! Go Team!
Want to give? First, check out this incredible film by Kina Pickett on just what Gifts of Water has done in Haiti, then head on over to the Team Hopper page and donate. Lastly, please tell your closest friends about buying water as an alternative for Christmas giving to their family. ch:
Think about some people who greatly influenced your life. Maybe someone who showed you unconditional love, was a constant source of encouragement, or inspired you to accomplish things that you never thought were possible. They probably were just simply ordinary people but they still made an extraordinary difference in your life—through big-heartedness.
Big Hearted People, written by my dear friend Randy Schum, is just that: a tribute to those often unnoticed people in our lives who go out of their way to make a huge difference.
I’m not sure what gifts you’re buying for your family or friends this year, but just like the Gift of Water that I’m highlighting all this month, I’m adding this book to my list of “eternal commodities” that you could share with those you love.
While you’re purchasing the book (and reading my published endorsement of it on the back cover!), you should also check out the website. Aside from loads of free content about the book, you can create a “tribute page” to honor someone who’s had an impact on your life, then invite others to share about that person. Pretty cool. And a pretty awesome Christmas gift. ch:
I got up from the couch and ran upstairs to get something from our room. I was gone no more than 60 seconds. When I returned, Judah had assumed my position. And was quite proud of himself, typing away on some time-sensitive project. I snapped a few pictures. Then he was done. He slid the laptop gently aside and got off the couch.
Apple, eat your heart out. ch:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -Jesus (Matthew 6:19-21)
So what’s our family’s big news?
Today, Black Friday, millions of people are buying hundreds of millions of dollars worth of items that will not likely last more than a few years. Some more than a few hours.
While I’m all in to buying gifts for the ones I love, I also long to make scripture practical.
So we’re asking for your help.
Buy something that you can store up in heaven.
Buy someone’s life.
The Hopper Family has partnered with Gifts Of Water (Water Missions International) to create our own team, and we’d like you and your family to join us in purchasing pure water for communities in Uganda. $10. That’s it.
We get nothing for this. No disclaimers needed. Except maybe the recognition we get from heaven for doing a very small act of kindness that results in keeping people we will never meet alive and healthy.
Let us know if you’re “in” via comment below, then go donate on our team page here. Then please tell your FaceBook and Twitter friends that you joined Team Hopper and ask them to do the same. We’re trying to raise $2,000 by Christmas! ch:
UPDATE: 11.29.2010 – Over $1,400 raised for our first community! Check out our new team page here.
The lock to every joy in life is gratefulness, and the key is generosity.
These are a few of the precious people I am most grateful for. And it’s my greatest honor to give my life away for them.
Hug those near you extra big today. You’re not promised tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving. (And tomorrow I have some exciting news!). ch:
Dad line of the night:
“Eva, go wash your hands. That’s how people get sick and die.”
I’m awesome. ch:
Just finished up one of the most amazing weeks of teaching Jennifer and I have ever had anywhere. For as much as we poured out, we feel as though we’ve been poured into ten times as much. And as such, we’ve adopted 21 new sons and daughters in the faith. We love you Charlotte DTS Fall 2010! Go present the nations to Jesus! ch:
My buddy Wayne’s new book is out! And I’m asking all those of the Hopper Fan Tribe (I know, just made it up; whatever) to help support him! Please read up on Sword in the Stars and tell all your peeps so we can blitz Amazon! ch:
Just a quick reminder to ask you all to tell any of your friends, family, of foreigners (it rhymed…what?), or even the band Foreigner, to come out to our free CD release concert at The Father’s House tomorrow night at 7pm. Doors open at 6:30pm. It’s going to be epic, I promise that. Especially if Foreigner shows up. ch:
Order or download your copy of the new CD here.
Please join us at The Father’s House in Rochester, NY this Friday night for our official release concert! Click “attend” for details.
If you’re of age, you could be voting. Or you could be listening to our new CD, “Heaven Meets Earth.” Here are a few reasons why you should listen to it especially if you’ve voted:
1.) You’re really excited about how you think the elections are going to turn out and need some anthem music to dance to (which you’ll find lots of on “Heaven Meets Earth”).
2.) You’re depressed about how you think the elections are going to turn out and need some encouragement (which you’ll find on “Heaven Meets Earth”).
3.) You’ve actually become afraid of your mailbox for dishing out an exceedingly high amount of political advertising cards at you and need some calming tunes to help you with your nervous breakdown (which you’ll find some very quiet music on “Heaven Meets Earth”).
4.) You’re sick of the muzak that was playing over the loudspeakers in your town’s firehall while you were standing in line to vote. (*Note: there is no muzak on “Heaven Meets Earth”).
5.) You’re still confused about the difference between Tea Partiers and The Boston Tea Party, and have frequently refereed to the Boston Tea Party Massacre March on The Mall thinking it was a new HBO Documentary made in August. (There’s really no help for you in this case. The CD may only confuse you more. Buy it anyway).
Thanks again to the myriad of people that made this new disc possible, especially my wife, Jennifer Lee, for enduring my creative fits, my father, Peter K. Hopper, my dear friend and graphic designer, Jason J. Clement, and my band, who still thinks playing with me is better than playing with Elvis Costello. We’re thrilled to release it today, Tuesday, November 2nd, and believe that while voting effects culture, worship as fruit of a Christ-believing life does so infinitely more. May you call heaven and earth together in our surroundings. ch:
I decided to ask my three favorite artists to redesign my touring electric, one of the two I played on “Heaven Meets Earth.” Now I have a one-of-a-kind piece that’s not only super cool, but it reminds me of my beautiful children whenever I play.
Another benefit is the amazing name. “Rock Star Super Kah-Cha.” All their invention.
Watch the process and smile. ch:
Guitar Home Makeover (Extreme) from Grandath Films on Vimeo.
My CSFF review copy of The Skin Map (A Bright Empires Novel) arrived only 4 days ago. While there are plenty of crazed maniacs who read in 4 hours what it took me 4 months (+) to create, I am not one of them. And although they claim it’s a compliment when they consume a book at that rate, I still find it quite depressing. It’s like inhaling a fine steak, or a platter full of fresh sushi. No time to savor. No time to enjoy. Nothing good can come of it. (But thanks).
So I’m literally holding The Skin Map in my hand, knowing it’s taunting me. Gorgeous cover, great reviews, and gripping title. Yet I have not cracked it. So while I won’t review it’s contents, I can at least attest to it’s author…and the amazing pre-release promotion it underwent.
I must have posted a few bazillion (real number) times already that Lawhead is the man that inspired me to write. Aside from a few Skype calls, emails, and the fact that he claims to likes my music, I have never met the man. As many do, I hope to shake his hand one day and tell him what an inspiration he has been.
Given that fact that everything he writes is something I must read–and that he’s never disappointed me–I can only presume that The Skin Map is, likewise, brilliant. Go buy it.
As for his marketing, the C. Grant & Company has been incredible. They dreamed up a multi-state hunt reminiscent of Derek Webb‘s Stockholm Syndrome release that combined obscure clues with geocaching. While I was out of state for my own signings the weekend that the NY clue was revealed (and so close to my neck of the woods, too!), I followed the amazing promotional campaign that brought a few thousand fans onto his FaceBook page and got them all excited over the new book.
And the winners?
Congratulations to Stephanie Daugherty for winning the grand prize to the ultimate treasure hunt for Stephen R. Lawhead’s “The Skin Map.” You have won a customized “The Skin Map” iPad preloaded with an electronic copy of Stephen R. Lawahead’s “The Skin Map.”
Congratulations to David Kouts for winning the hidden website contest. You have won an original painting by Stephen R. Lawhead and a personal phone call with the author.
Yeah. Wish I had won.
The Skin Map. You’ll love it. But you don’t have to take my word for it. (Thank you LeVar Burton). Here’s what everyone else is saying… ch:
CSFF Blog Tour NOV 20TEN
Angela, Brandon Barr, Keanan Brand, Amy Browning, Beckie Burnham, Morgan L. Busse, Melissa Carswell, Jeff Chapman, Valerie Comer, Amy Cruson, CSFF Blog Tour, D. G. D. Davidson, April Erwin, Tori Greene, Ryan Heart, Bruce Hennigan, Timothy Hicks, Becky Jesse, Cris Jesse, Jason Joyner, Julie, Carol Keen, Krystine Kercher, Dawn King, Leighton, Rebecca LuElla Miller, John W. Otte, Donita K. Paul, Chawna Schroeder, Tammy Shelnut, James Somers, Kathleen Smith, Rachel Starr Thomson, Robert Treskillard, Steve Trower, Fred Warren, Jason Waguespac, Dona Watson, Phyllis Wheeler, Jill Williamson
