It’s No Secret Giveaway with Rachel Olsen
Published September 1, 2010Note: If you are a Weight Loss Wednesday gal, please click here to locate our cyber accountability group now called His Weigh Wednesdays and lead by Lindsey Feldpausch. We’ve been talking about it for a few weeks but it officially kicks off TODAY!!!! New comers always welcome! See ya over there!
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Pssst….
I have a secret!
A dear friend and fellow Proverbs 31 sister of mine, Rachel Olsen, is releasing her new book today.
You are gonna love it! Read on for an interview and giveaway with this fabulous writer, powerful teacher and gifted girlfriend! Here she is:
Rachel, as the editor of the Proverbs 31 Encouragement for Today devotions and a university professor, you have lots of experience in writing and editing, but this is your first full-blown solo book. What prompted you to write it?
One verse. Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 13:11 there are secrets in the kingdom of God, and His followers can grasp them. That statement astounded me, and excited me. I was captured by the notion that God had secrets He was willing to share. I wanted to find out what they were.
I’d been operating with the assumption that the Bible was hard to understand, unless you were gifted to be a pastor or went to seminary. But in that passage Jesus said all you have to do is follow Him and He will supply the understanding. So I prayed for wisdom and dug into the Bible. I’ve since realized God never hides truth from sincere seekers. In fact, He came to earth in the person of Jesus to ensure that we’d learn His secrets and understand His ways.
With this book I wanted to share twelve of the divine secrets I’ve found, so they can empower others’ lives just as they have empowered mine. And I included Bible study sections at the end of each chapter to get my readers digging into the Bible for themselves.
The book is titled It’s No Secret. Can you give us a glimpse into a few of the secret topics it covers?
Sure, Karen. I uncover the Secret to Responding to God, the Secret of Interdependence, the Secret of Handling Conflicts Biblically, the Secret of Living Generously, the Secret of Perfection in God’s Eyes, and the Secret to Growing Through Trials, just to name a handful. The whole list can be seen online in the table of contents when you “look inside this book” at Amazon.
To put it more succinctly, this book will help you:
* Overcome the competitive urges that leave you lonely
* Grow spiritually despite life’s setbacks
* Discover how to make what you give away ultimately return to you
*View rest not as a have-to, but as a get-to
*Handle conflicts and criticism with grace
*Relax unrealistic expectations in favor of emotional stability
*Discover a key to increased spiritual vitality
*Find adventure as you yield wholeheartedly to God
Your subtitle talks about revealing divine truths every woman should know. What importance does truth play in a girlfriend’s life?
Truth is crucial. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” So it matters where you get your truth from. I hold to the conviction that if God created life, He alone gets to define it. He is the Reality Maker. And His Word, the Bible, is our reliable source of truth. When we dig into it and follow it, our minds are renewed, our lives are transformed, and we grow in freedom. I’m confident It’s No Secret contains biblical truth that can do that for you.
Jesus, by the way, is the Word Made Flesh - He is truth in action! That’s why knowing truth always begins with following Him.
What is your greatest hope for gals out there who read your book?
My hope echoes the apostle Paul’s. I started the book with a blank page before the introduction with his words from Colossians 2:2-3, “I want them to have full confidence because they have complete understanding of God’s secret plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
My goal for my readers is that they would become God’s secret-keepers and His secret-revealers – that they would embrace the “secret way of living” revealed in the Bible and this book, and show others this empowering way to live as well.
You are offering a fabulous giveaway to our readers today. Tell us about it!
If you look at the cover of my book, you’ll see one of my favorite things: coffee! Specifically, I’m a decaf latte or frappe girl. 
What I really wish I could do is meet each of my readers weekly for 12 weeks over cups of coffee and talk through the contents of our lives and of this book. But I can’t do that – I don’t have that many frequent flier miles! So I’m offering the next best thing in a giveaway: a free copy of the book and a $10 Starbucks gift card.
Thanks Rachel, for stopping by to visit and share your secrets with us!!
My pleasure, Karen. I am praying for each and every reader of It’s No Secret to encounter something life changing between the pages of this book!
Okay, now for the giveaway: Leave a comment on this post that names the topic(s) in the book you are most interested in reading. Or tell what drink you would order at the coffee shop if you could meet Rachel there. If you do both, your name will be entered twice!
This post will be left up until Friday morning when the winner will be announced and when we’ll have ANOTHER giveaway in conjunction with an Encouragement for Today devotion I’ll have running. It also involves a book and TWO gifts cards! See you then!
91 Responses to It’s No Secret Giveaway with Rachel Olsen
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I would like to read: *Relax unrealistic expectations in favor of emotional stability. Boy, can my expectations be UNREALISTIC.
I would like to order a chai tea at a coffee shop.
Sounds like a great book!!!
Joanne
1holycow2@gmail.com
“Perfection in God’s Eyes” is what I am interested in reading.
My order would be a Light Java Chip Frappe minus the whip.
So looking forward to this book!
Handle Conflicts and Criticism With Grace!!! I am so looking forward to this topic-I am married to a man who wants absolutely nothing to do with my faith, so conflicts and criticism are a daily thing. We all deal with conflict but this one is close to home for me. Let me see…I would love to curl up with this book and a skinny vanilla iced latte…or a peppermint white mocha…I guess it would depend on whether or not I’m calorie counting that day…probably the mocha!
Handle conflicts and criticism with grace. Actually, this book would be helpful to read for all of the areas mentioned.
I’m looking forward to reading about relaxing unrealistic expections in favor of emotional stability.
My drink would be a soy chai tea latte. Yum!
I would love to read about the Secret of Handling Conflicts Biblically.
If I could meet Rachel in a coffee shop, I would order a Vanilla Latte.
There are so many topics that interest me. I would say the reading about handling conflicts biblically would be near the top!
If I could meet Rachel for coffee, I would order a carmel macchiato (with skim milk of course)!
Viewing rest not as a have-to, but a get to would be the greatest topic of interest closely followed by “overcoming competitive urges that leave you lonely.” The rest looks great, too! Looking forward to sharing this study with my group at church!
Since relationships are such a big thing to me, having coffee without Rachel is such a bummer. But, my favorite coffee if I had the opportunity to sit with her a while would be…decaf mocha light frappachino with soy and a dollop of whip!
All the topics are of interest to me, but especially growing spiritually despite life’s setbacks. When all is said and done, nothing matters more than my personal relationship with God and my spiritual growth. I think that’s the basis for everything else. If I could meet Rachel in a coffee shop, I know I would read the menu in its entirety and take a very long time before finally ordering some coffee drink with sweet flavoring like caramel or chocolate.
I actually went to your website Rachael and read the first chapter, awesome. The following topics are of great interest: Growing spiritually and how to handle conflicts and criticism with grace. Oh , I long to have peace in the midst of hard times and let others words or actions just roll off my back. Oh yes, I love vanilla latte!
I’d be interested in reading about. Handle conflicts and criticism with grace.
And to order a soy milk latte!
The things I would like to learn the most about would be:
Overcome the competitive urges that leave you lonely
Grow spiritually despite life’s setbacks
Handle conflicts and criticism with grace
Relax unrealistic expectations in favor of emotional stability
Find adventure as you yield wholeheartedly to God
Basically, the whole book I guess!
My favorite Starbucks drink is a Vanilla Cream (which is hazelnut and french vanilla) Frappuccino – low fat with whip.
Danette
The Secret to Responding to God would most interest me with a chai tea while I’m reading!
Definitely viewing rest not as a have-to but a get-to… I’ve been wrestling with that lately!
I would order a white chocolate mocha, the largest I could get, full caffeine!
O what i wonderful book!!!
All of the topics sound “just like what I need to hear”
Thanks so much for sharing this awesome “gift” with your sisters in Christ!
Iced coffee.
Unrealistic expectations is the topic I would be most interested in.
I’m anxious to read about handling conflicts with grace. I love the Hot Chocolate at Starbucks!
The topic of REST and resting in Him who equips us to do the many things He has called us to, has been on my mind/heart as of late. What a peaceful place to be…resting in my Savior! I’m a Frappe kind of girl, too!
Relax unrealistic expectations in favor of emotional stability is a topic I think many women would be very interested in growing towards, myself included.
And now that it’s back, a Pumpkin Spice latte, skim milk, no whip. YUMMY!
The topics that intrigue me the most are
*Overcome the competitive urges that leave you lonely
*Handle conflicts and criticism with grace
*Discover a key to increased spiritual vitality
I have been struggling with finding joy, losing the loneliness and am really looking forward to reading this book!
Definately “Handling conflicts with Grace” because this has been an extremely challenging year for me filled with many conflicts. Apparently God is trying to teach me something.
Since it is close to fall, the pumpkin spice latte with an extra shot of espresso.
I read the first chapter and want to read this book!!! I’m really interesting in reading :
*View rest not as a have-to, but as a get-to
*Handle conflicts and criticism with grace
If I went to Starbucks I would get a Grande Sugar Free Vanilla Latte… YUM!
I would love to read * Discover how to make what you give away ultimately return to you. Sounds like an awesome book!
My current fave at Starbucks is the Caramel Frappucino. It changes frequently!
I’d be interested in reading about the “Secrets to Handling Conflict Biblically.”
And since we are heading into fall I’d definitely have to order the Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Kristen
I love that God entrusts His secrets to us, and I’m excited about how this book will help me to better understand that promise. If I were ordering at Starbucks, it would definitely be a Hazelnut Frappuccino!
Thanks for this opportunity!
Either “Handle conflicts & criticism with grace” or “relax unrealistic expectations” would interest me most.
And I’m an iced vanilla latte, non-fat kind of girl. Although as soon as fall is here, I’m after a pumpkin spice latte.
I read the first chapter and was captivated by Rachel’s book! It is hard to choose one topic but I would say I could use help in dealing with conflict biblically. I’d go with the hot chocolate anytime since I’m not a coffee drinker.
Sweet Blessings.
it all sounds great and I would order a latte
Every one of those topics is something I need to work on. So I am anxious to read all of it.
I would order a Grande, Decaf, Mocha. Or since it is still warm weather a Grande, Decaf, Mocha Frappichino.
The secret of Responding to God would be the first topic I would love to read and dealing with conflict biblically is also a topic that I could use some insight on.
I love coffee and tea – any flavors but the chai tea latte is my first choice. Thanks for the inspiration on the website!
First, I would read “Handle conflicts and criticism with grace,” unless I chose “Relax unrealistic expectations in favor of emotional stability” or “Overcome the competitive urges that leave you lonely.” Seriously, I can think of so many situations where this would be helpful.
And my order would be Wyatt Earp, extra sweet.
* Grow spiritually despite life’s setbacks
*Find adventure as you yield wholeheartedly to God. Those would be my top priorities but all of them sounds like something I need. Sounds like a great book and would love to have one.
If I had a Starbucks close I would order the Pumpkin Spice latte but I live in a small town and the closest Starbucks is about 70 miles away……=(
Thank you for this interview!
As listed above, I’m particularly interested in the following topics: the Secret of Handling Conflicts Biblically, the Secret of Perfection in God’s Eyes, finding adventure as you yield wholeheartedly to God, and viewing rest not as a have-to but as a get-to. They all look interesting, but Chapters 4, 7, 9, and 11 capture my attention the most.
As for the coffee drink, at Starbucks, I like a skinny white chocolate mocha! It’s neat to read others’ preferences here!
*Handle conflicts and criticism with grace
*Relax unrealistic expectations in favor of emotional stability
these are the two that grabbed my attention! actually they all did but these two more so. The drink I would order at starbucks would be a tall- triple-1 pump-fat free white chocolate mocha with 3 slenda, please.
The whole book sounds just what we as women need! Just about every topic you cover is something I need. I cannot wait to get the book! And the drink I would order would be a chocolate Mocha capp! My fav!!! I have trouble in the confidence level and do feel guilty when I feel I need to rest. Finally someone has wrote of these issues!
Handle conflicts and criticism with grace & one of their flavored teas. Not a coffee drinker!
Handle conflicts and criticism with grace, and a latte would taste good. It’s all about WWJD when I’m in a conflict with myself or someone else. The complete book has some awesome subjects and would be a delight to read.
I think I would benefit most from the sections about the Secret to Growing Through Trials. Whether they are financial, emotional or physical trials… I need to learn to grown with God in those times. Really, I could use everything in a book like this. A teenager and this economy, coupled with work and stress… make Jill a Dull Unhappy Girl.
I want to unlock God’s secrets for my life.
And I’d order a Grande Sugar Free Vanilla Latte!!! yum!!
Oh Karen, thank you for the heads up on this book! Sounds like I’ll learn a lot!
I tend to be very controlling and find it difficult to submit often times. So, I believe I would benefit the most from “Find adventure as you yield wholeheartedly to God”. I can’t wait to read this book…it all sounds wonderful!
With today being kind of the beginning of the fall season, I’d order a hot spiced cider to help me transition as the temp sure isn’t;)
Definitely the secret of perfection in God’s eyes. And a caramel macchiato
This sounds like it will be a fabulous book. I read the introduction and first chapter on Rachel’s sight. I think the “Find adventure as you yield whole heartedly to God”, sounds interesting to me.
I would choose a pumpkin spice latte since fall seems to be just around the corner.
this book sounds like just what i need. There are several topics that peak my interest but one in particular is: Handle conflicts and criticism with grace.
Unfortunately i don’t drink coffe so i would order a tea.
How to handle conflicts and criticism with grace, yep, that sounds like a good one!
And I like my caramel hazelnut lattes with cream =-]
“Overcome the competitive urges that leave you lonely” – I was just talking about this with another lady on our WM team! We’re one of several churches in our area hosting the Beth Moore live simulcast in a couple of weeks and we have to keep reminding ourselves that it’s *not* a competition! Why do we feel the urge to make everything a competition? I’m also very interested in the topic “Handle Conflicts and Criticism with Grace” – that’s really difficult, especially when it comes from within your body of fellowship and you’re just trying to do your best!
My drink choice would be a Chai Tea Latte – yum!
Thanks for the contest. I’m looking forward to reading the book!
I would love to learn how to better handle conflict and criticism with grace as I sip a grande cup of Pumpkin Spice latte.
I can’t wait to read this book, we are really digging into this type of study at our ladies group. I am really interested in the Secret to responding to God.
I am not a coffee drinker so I would order a Chai Tea.
‘Perfection in God’s eyes,’ is what speaks to me. I feel so far from perfect, which as Christians, yes, we all sin. But I want to do better, and sometimes worry what God thought of my actions.
For a drink, it is a cappuccino all the way. My favorite is carmel swirl cappuccino’s, so good!
God is taking me through a deep inner healing process right now, so the section titled: the Secret to Growing Through Trials sounds perfect for this season.
How about a “quick trip” to Ethiopia where we can enjoy an Ethiopian coffee ceremony?
I am really interested in learning how to overcome the competitive urges that leave you lonely, view rest not as a have-to, but as a get-to, and relax unrealistic expectations in favor of emotional stability. It’s a constant struggle every day to fight against the negative things we say to ourselves. I’m really excited about this book!
As far as Starbucks goes…currently I am a grande soy chai latte’ person
I would read the section about accepting criticism gracefully because at my job they call it positive feedback and sometimes I dont feel it is vey positive. I also read Encouragement for Today everyday I get it emailed to me it is part of my routine for my AA program.
I would order a Iced Venti vanilla latte with nonfat milk
I so need to read
1.View rest not as a have-to, but as a get-to
2.Handle conflicts and criticism with grace
3.Relax unrealistic expectations in favor of emotional stability
and of course
4.Find adventure as you yield wholeheartedly to God.
And I would drink my usual starbucks drink:
Iced Raspberry Latte with nonfat milk
I would love to read the part about handling conflict and criticism with grace…not my strong suit. As for the drink, I’m not really a coffee gal. I do love me a double chocolate chip frappucino every now and again, though!
Oh boy…here goes!
Dealing with conflict !!!
and
Growing through trials !!!
I need some good pointers….seems I just can’t deal with stressful stuff these days!
Maybe it’s the hormones.
Also….Rachel, I’m a decaf gal too. And bring on the frappe’s!! YUM!
I am most looking forward to the chapter, “Handle Conflicts and Criticism With Grace”. My favorite coffee drink is Starbuck’s Caramel Frappachino. Thanks for the opportunity to win your new book and a gift card!
Blessings,
Amanda Cable
Kannapolis, NC
I too have a desire to learn as many of the Bible’s “secrets” as I can. I have definitely found that the more I seek, the more my eyes are opened. Praise God! Your book sounds so interesting! I wish I could sit down and enjoy my Biggby Butter Bear with you so you can tell me all about it.
I’m going with:
1) Adventures in Yielding. I feel like I’ve just been going through the motions of life for a long time.
2) Pumpkin Spice Latte!
The chapter that sounds just right for me is: Revealing the Secret to Handling Conflicts Biblically, also Revealing the Secret of Interdependence.
I would order a caramel macchiato, hot or iced depending on the weather.
Karen, please tell Rachel I can’t wait to read her book.
Blessings to you both!
The most interesting topics to me are Overcoming Competitive Urges and Viewing rest as a “get to” instead of a “have to”. I read Rachel’s article in the P31 Magazine and totally loved it! Oh, and I would order a Grande Mocha, Hot, with whole milk and whipped cream. My absolute fave anytime of year. And as far as the milk and cream… why not. You only live once!
I would concentrate on Handling Conflicts and Criticisms with Grace.
And I don’t know what coffee I would order because I’m still developing my tastes but I’m sure it would have some form of chocolate.
I would love to sit down with Rachel at the coffee shop and sip on my favorite, a caramel latte with extra caramel of course as we discussed how I would grow spiritually despite life’s setbacks. let’s face it, no matter how strong of a christian we claim to be or think we are there are times in our lives that we lose it some more than others.
I’m interested in “Find adventure as you yield wholeheartedly to God” because He’s whispering loudly to me about pursuing a writing career. That’s something I haven’t tried since college–9 years and three kids ago!
And since I don’t like coffee, I’d order a decaf earl grey tea with honey.
Blessings to you on your first solo book, Rachel!
Discover a key to increased spiritual vitality.
I need this!
The Secret to Growing through Trials … I need that one!
I’ve never been to Starbucks even though there are several near us. I’d love to try the chocolate or strawberry smoothies!
wow, all the topics cover me! But here are the ones that really are in need:
•Grow spiritually despite life’s setbacks
•Handle conflicts and criticism with grace
•Relax unimportant or unrealistic expectations in favor of emotional stability
Life’s setbacks seem to be my theme this year, unfortunately!
oh- and coffee?! yum! Can’t live without it! but I love love love the fall- so pumpkin spice!
Oooh, I would order a white chocolate mocha. mmmm
I need to read about increasing my spiritual vitality. Can’t wait to read the book.
For me the first chapter I would read would be the Secrets of Handling Conflicts Biblically. I know this is a weak area for me.
If I were at a Starbucks right now i would order a white chocolate mocha. Yum Yum, that and a good book, Rachel’s, would be a great way to start the day!
Thanks for the chance to be a winner!
Thank-you for all your “give aways” you are so generous.
I need this book to understand what I am reading in the Bible…I cannot do it alone. Somedays the Holy Spirit speaks to me, but most days He does not and I know it is my fault that I cannot translate or understand.
I honestly am interested in all the topics listed. Hard to pick one but:
Grow spiritually despite life’s setbacks
This seems like one that will help everything else!
Sorry to say that I am not a coffee drinker! Gasp! But I do drink a hot chocolate every morning instead so that would
Happy Thursday! All of the topics are appealing to me. However, I would like to dig into handling conflicts and criticism with grace.
Ooh, I’m excited about his book!! I need the Secret to Responding to God, the Secret of Interdependence, the Secret of Handling Conflicts Biblically, the Secret of Living Generously, the Secret of Perfection in God’s Eyes, and the Secret to Growing Through Trials…..lol I need a LOT of help!!
I would have a Coconut Mocha. Yummm.
Relax unrealistic expectations in favor of emotional stability sounds like something I really should read up on!
I’ve never had a Starbuck’s drink (I know, I know…) but I’ve heard good things about the frappucino, and I’d love to try one.
Blessings to you all!
I think the topic of growing spiritually while experiencing setbacks would be helpful. This sounds like a great book. I love Starbucks and can never get enough gift cards. I love blueberry frappucinos and caramel, vanilla lattes.
Congratulations on your new book Rachel!
Chapters 7, 10, and 12 appealed to me (actually the whole book appealed to me, but those three chapters seem to be the ones I need to focus on!).
As for Starbucks, I recently discovered my favortie drink from there — Soy Black and White Iced Mocha with Caramel — YUM!!! It makes me want to run out and get one just thinking about it!
I’m interested to read what Rachel shares about growing spiritually despite life’s setbacks. And I would order vanilla steamed milk at Starbucks.
I’m totally interested in the whole book. Literally!
As for the coffee, I would probably get a Mocha Latte!
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
Growing spiritually, I just turned 40 and I have a one year old.
I am most interested in Growing Through Trials, closely followed by Handling Conflicts Biblically. I’m not a coffee drinker, so I would order a raspberry white hot chocolate with whipped cream.
I read her devotional this morning with Encouragement for Today!
1) I recently realized the things she is talking about and would love to find out what the 12 secrets are that she found out. I kind of wonder if they will coincide with my own.
2) Mocha Latte.
I would love to read the chapter on – Grow spiritually despite life’s setbacks. My spiritual life could use a boost right now.
I’m not a coffee drinker, but I love the hot chocolate at Starbucks. Yum.
Unrealistic expectations..not only of myself but of others…I love exotic brews, black and dark roasted!
I love your outlook on life. I thought the same way, that you had to be a pastor or someone special to understand all that’s in the bible. I am really understanding more & more as I try to. Plus especially with help from people like you. You put the words in way’s that we can all understand them. I am one of those people, & I’m very proud to be one of them. Christians I mean! Thanks & I cannot wait to read your book, it sounds like it just right up my alley, God bless alway’s & forever more. AMEN.
I’m in!
I’d love to read Grow spiritually despite life’s setbacks. Although this title sounds intreging, I have found in the past that others titles are the part God wants me to hear. I love secrets that are good.
I perfer plain black coffee with a bagel.
I would love to read about handling conflict and criticism w/ grace. If I were to meet Rachel I’d order a short, skinny carmel latte…..Yumm!
Amy
This book has so many topics I am interested in, but the one that jumps out the most is growing spiritually despite life’s setbacks. That is what I need the most at this season of my life. Starbuck’s is such a treat to me! If I could have one now, I would definitely go with a mocha latte with a little whipped cream!
At this point in my life, the whole book would be such a blessing. However if I must chose my top chapters would be Handling Conflicts & Conflicts with Grace, Secret to Growing through Trials. And while discussing everything with Rachel, I would enjoy a Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Have a Blessed Day!
I am so excited! My girlfriend and I visited a local Christian bookstore yesterday and perused the women’s studies for our fall study scheduled to begin September 22!!! “It’s No Secret” caught our attention instantly and we bought the stores only 3 copies, came home and ordered 9 more on line. Looks like it’s going to be one of the best journeys our Mom’s Bible Study has taken. So, prayers for 10 more women to join us for morning coffee and biblical “bling!”
I am most interested in this book, my life could use a few changes. I was most interested in the part – View rest not as a have to, but as a get to. I am on the run most of my day and i don’t allow myself to get the rest i need and deserve. My favorite coffee is a carmel latte, tastes so good.