Book Review and Giveaway: Primal (Now Closed)

I recently received the book Primal by Mark Batterson from WaterBrook Multnomah to read and review. I am sooo glad I requested this one.

Mark Batterson is the lead Pastor of a church in the D.C. metro area that sounds very interesting. They operate a coffee house one block from Union Station called Ebenezers and every penny of profits go towards missions. Mark Batterson's church operates in 5 locations and they meet in movie theaters. I'm very intrigued by the sounds of this church to begin with.

In Primal, Mr. Batterson explores the meaning of the Great Commandment of loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Mark writes:

“Is there a place in your past where you met God and God met you? A place where your heart broke for the things that break the heart of God? Maybe it was a sermon that became more than a sermon. Maybe it was a mission trip or retreat. Maybe it was a vow you made at an altar. In that moment, God birthed something supernatural in your spirit. You knew you’d never be the same again. My prayer is that this book would take you back to that burning bush—and reignite a primal faith.”

Three points truly stood out to me. Mark Batterson first writes about his long distance relationship with his wife while they were dating and how he loved the sound of her voice. He wrote that if we love God, then we love His voice, particularly His Word. Secondly, he writes often that there are three dimensions to truly getting God's Word. The first dimension is knowledge (reading it). The second is digesting it (meditating on it). The third is applying it (obeying it). The third point that Mark Batterson emphasizes is that the Great Commandment, loving God with your heart, soul, mind and strength, boil down to compassion, wonder, curiosity and energy.

I loved this book. There may have been a point or two I didn't agree with, as always, but one the whole, the book was fantastic! I highly recommend this as the first book you read in 2010.

Now for the giveaway! To enter the giveaway you can do any of the following, leaving a separate comment for each:

1. Leave me a comment telling me why you'd want to read this book
   
2. Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link.
3. Become a follower or tell me if you already do!
4. Become a subscriber or tell me if you already do!
5. Follow me on twitter or tell me if you already do!
   

That's 5 chances to win. The giveaway is open from now until Saturday December 26th at 11PM EST when I will randomly pick a winner if there's enough entries. Sorry, but I can only ship to the US and Canada. I will email the winner (so make sure you leave a way for me to email you!) and the winner will have 48 hours to respond. If they don't, I will pick a new winner. Good luck!!