Book Giveaway Trifecta

Ok, so we’ve heard it over and over and over…”tis” the season for giving.  Welp, with that in mind, I’m giving away one of each of my books: Thin Places (I’ll be giving the book & 6 session DVD edition!), Teaching Through the Art of Storytelling and Good News in the Neighborhood.  Click on the BOOKS links above to watch video trailers, read descriptions and endorsements for each.  

Wikipedia defines a trifecta as “a parimutuel bet in which the bettor must predict which horses will finish first, second, and third in exact order.”

Er, umm, that really has nothing to do with this give away, so I’m redefining!

A trifecta “is the opportunity to win one of three LIFE CHANGING (ok, maybe an exaggeration) books with THREE different ways to win.”

Choose one of these three ways to throw your hat in the ring:

1. Follow the link to any of these three book pages and click “like”(right next to the reviews under the title). Thin Places OR Teaching Through the Art of Storytelling OR  Good News in the Neighborhood. Then paste a link to your facebook page in the comments (so I know who to give the book to if you win!).  

2. “Like” my Jon Huckins Writing Facebook page (and post link of your facebook page in Comments below) OR follow me on Twitter and Tweet, “Jump in to win one of @jonhuckins books! http://wp.me/p2vhWw-n7 #BookGiveawayTrifecta”  

3. Write a TRIFECTA Haiku (a Haiku is three phrases – 5, 7, 5 syllable pattern) in the comments describing your love of egg nog.

I’ll be randomly picking winners on Monday!  Three, Two, One…TRIFECTA!!

The Real Santa Claus and a Homeless Jesus

Old Saint Nick

As I read this reflection on St. Nick in the Common Prayer liturgy the other day, I was stirred at the contrast between the selfless generosity of this saint and the consumerist wish lists we now associate to the modern Santa Claus.

While, there is almost no chance Jesus was born in December and Christmas as a holiday didn’t exist for the first 300+ years after Jesus birth, it is still a holiday worth celebrating.  Let’s just celebrate it in a way that would do the homeless Jesus and the selfless St. Nick honor.

In their eyes, less is much, much more.

“The original “old Saint Nick” who inspired the tradition of Santa Claus, Nicholas was bishop of Myra in fourth century Turkey. Little is known about his life except that he entrusted himself to Jesus at an early age and, when his parents died, gave all of their possessions to the poor. While serving as bishop, Nicholas learned of three girls who were going to be sold into slavery by their father. Moved to use the church’s wealth to ransom the lives of these little ones, he tossed three bags of gold through the family’s window. We remember this ancient Christmas gift, even as we remember that 1.2 million children are trafficked each year in the global sex trade today.”

Source: http://commonprayer.net/

Sometimes Good News Looks, Um…Weird.

This past week, one of the guys in our community noticed there was a San Diego wide Turkey Trot going down on Thanksgiving morning. It was then that he rallied our community in instigating our own neighborhood Turkey Trot clad in ridiculous outfits, homemade numbers and tons of laughs. Overnight we had 20 people participate and each person we jogged by on the streets of Golden Hill smiled and wanted to know more. It was an unexpected and unorthodox expression of good news. 

There is something sacred when people come together to simply be themselves in a neighborhood and begin to invite others into that. New life comes about, friendships deepen and a shared vision begins to come forth. 

Next year we will be posting flyers in our local coffee shops and markets to announce our 2nd Annual Golden Hill Turkey Trot 5k.  We plan on following the race with a neighborhood breakfast in our backyard. 
What are some ways you can create common spaces and practices for shared life within the natural calendar of events in your neighborhood?

Stories Behind Our Gifts (Re-Posted)

This is a post I wrote a couple years ago around this time.  It seems quite timely as the consumerist craze of Black Friday (see a story from earlier this morning) casts a shadow on the beauty of Thankfulness that filled our homes yesterday.

This is a great season to allow our values to be reflected in the way we spend our money.  It is so important for those of us who have endless products at our disposal to remember the stories behind the production of each one of them.  I struggle with this and I invite others to come alongside me in this struggle.  May we set aside some of our comforts for the sake of representing the love and provision of Jesus to all humanity.

Some creative ways to consume with integrity this Christmas:

  • -Buy from fair trade distributors like Trade as One
  • -Pass up buying another product and buy something practical for someone who desperately needs it
  • -Donate to that missionary or non-profit that has been on your heart
  • -Shop at second hand stores. (Ever heard of up-cycling?  Check it out)
  • -Give the gift of an experience rather than a product

More ideas?  Please pass them along in the comments!

A Prayer for Shalom/Salaam in Time of Conflict

Violence has dominated the past 24 in Israel and Palestine (Specifically in Gaza). I have both Israeli and Palestinian friends who are intimately impacted by this reality. A massive number of both Israeli’s and Palestinians condemn the current military actions and remain committed to choosing the way of peace. As followers of the Prince of Peace, we offer a prayer of Shalom/Salaam (peace in Hebrew & Arabic) in this tense time of conflict.

Reconciler and Ruler of heaven and earth, hear our prayer.

We celebrate the work of your hands and your heart for all people.

Be with those who are currently mourning the loss of loved ones and give them a community to stand with in the pain.  Holy Spirit, protect their hearts from an inner violence that manifests itself in resentment, bitterness and hatred, which fosters further loss of life and broken relationship.  

Be with those who are paralyzed in the fear of an uncertain future. May they instead be fueled with hope amid conflict that mobilizes a movement of reconciliation and understanding.  Bring about a divine wave of humility among the leaders to pursue the way of negotiation rather than a posture of power.

May followers of Jesus in both Israel and Palestine live as salt and light in the center of it all.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Below is a timely and profound song from the Jewish artist Matisyahu who dreams of a reconciled future among Israel and Palestine.