SUN STAND STILL Faith Giveaway with Holly Furtick
Published October 11, 2010Well, we spent the weekend redecorating the place. What da ya’ think?
I laugh when I say “we”.
I really mean “she” as in my web gal, the fantabulously creative and utterly patient Vicki Hughes from Bytes of Blessings. What a gem! And what a God-sized story of how she came to me.
Seriously.
God dropped her from the sky into my life during my “I-will-not-have-a-website-or-bio-sheet-or-business-card-or-ever-advertise-myself” days.
Apparently God got tired of me telling Him what I won’t do for Him.
Now, not only is the look different, but you’ll notice my tagline has changed.
I’ve spent oodles of time discovering just what my niche is and what I want to write and speak about.
While I started off in the area of organization and still write and speak on such topics, I am really about helping women get organized, not to wow others with how they alphabetize their canned goods, but so they can free up time to live their priorities.
Take it from a gal who knows, when I live my priorities, I love my life.
When I don’t, I live in the land of frenzied frustration where I spin my wheels with lots of activities and responsibilities outside my four walls and my family members seem like distant acquaintances.
I don’t like the land of frenzied frustration.
Well, to throw myself a little housewarming (Or blogwarming?) party this week, I am having three posts (I’m a Monday, Wednesday, Friday blogger) with great giveaways on the three priorities you’ll see listed above. Faith. Family. Friends.(Details below.)
For now, let’s start with faith.
My friend Marybeth, a P31 sister, told me a few years back about a new church her family had begun attending in Charlotte. As I got a glimpse into this new church plant, I noticed that the members, under the leadership of their teaching pastor, really took God at His word and lived their faith; not just some lip service to the God who showed up in the Bible times, but the God who still shows up today.
So, being a writer, I was rather curious when I heard her pastor was writing his first book. It is about faith; not “kiddy pool” Christianity (as he calls it) when you play around with God and go through the motions of “doing the church thing” with about as much enthusiasm as a trip to the dentist.
Un-uh! This book is about having a bold, vibrant, front-row faith where you watch God work and are actively involved in what He is doing in your community and the world.
And it is written by a man who began just over four years ago with a core of seven families who sold everything and moved to Charlotte, NC (where most church planters advise not going since it has an abundance of churches) and saw God grow that tiny fellowship into a church of over 6,000 people! (It is the fourth fastest growing church in America.)
In conjunction with the recent release of his book SUN STAND STILL (based on the story of Joshua where God made the sun stand still so he and his army could fight the enemies with more daylight for defeat) Pastor Steven preached for 24 hours straight and it was streamed online. I caught the beginning and ending hours and hopped on a few times in between.
Solidly biblical with ancient truths and yet refreshingly relevant to people living in 2010.
A seldom-found combo in my opinion.
Awesome.
Well, I decided to get to know a little bit more about this faith—what he calls audacious faith—by going straight to the source.
His wife!
Holly Furtick is the wife of Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC and writes a blog called The Preacher’s Wife. She is the mother to Elijah B and Graham T, and baby #3 expected this March. Holly never has a dull moment being the pastor’s wife of a rapidly growing church and the mother of two young boys. She loves going on dates with her husband, listening to her husband preach, scoring great deals at Charlotte’s many fine retail establishments, cooking, and playing with her sons.
Holly, tell us a bit about your thoughts as Sun Stand Still releases. I am so excited about the recent release of my husband’s book, Sun Stand Still. It is a book that has been in the works for a long time, written by a man who truly lives out audacious faith (my husband 
). It is a book that changed my life many months ago when I read it for the first time. I know that it is going to touch the lives of people everywhere.
As the wife of a pastor who is encouraging people to pray big prayers, how have you seen God be big in your own personal life? My biggest encourager is my husband! Being married to a man of such great faith inspires my own faith. I have seen God move through my personal prayers. Lately, it has been over some specific things I was worried about. God so directly answered my prayers in this area, it was such a time of faith building for me!
You are a mom of two young boys. How can we moms model “audacious faith” for our children young and old? I think it is really important to verbalize our audacious faith prayers for our children. For them to hear me pray over them, outloud, “Father, make them the greatest men of their generation,” gives them something to live up to. Not as a burden but rather as a vision that they begin to have for their own life.
Anything specific can we pray for you as this book releases and the Sun Stand Still movement gains momentum? Pray that book would impact the life of every person who reads it, in a way that they would never be the same again. That they would be inspired, encouraged and live differently after reading the book.
Thanks for visiting with us today, Holly!
My pleasure!
Now, today’s giveaway is going to include a copy of this life-changing book, but if you don’t want to wait to see if you are the winner and you want to get inspired to grow closer to Jesus and start praying your own SUN STAND STILL prayers, and you want to get yourself a copy of this fascinating and quick reading book right now (I finished it in less than 24 hours, not cause I’m a fast reader, but because I couldn’t put it down! Exciting, cleverly written and very conversational style stuff!) check it out here:
- (http://www.amazon.com/Sun-Stand-Still-Happens-Impossible/dp/1601423225/ref=sr_1_1?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1285601571&sr=8-1)
- “Additional resources available for Sun Stand Still at http://www.sunstandstill.org/”
Okay gals, now for the first of FOUR giveaways this week! (One for faith, one for friends, one for family, and one ‘grand prize’ chosen randomly from all the weeks comments)
Giveaway one. FAITH
Leave a comment today on any aspect of this post (or if time is tight, simply leave a short message, prayer or “nice to meet you” greeting for Holly ) and you will be entered.
FAITH giveaway includes:
~A copy of SUN STAND STILL
~A whimsical journal-sized notebook for recording your own audacious prayers
~ An equally whimsical roller-ball pen
~ A few packets of flavored teas to sip on as you read
Be sure to tune back in Wednesday for the FAMILY giveaway and when I’ll have the grand prize giveaway ready too!
And finally, the winner of the Friendly, Not Feisty giveaway is: Erin; timestamp October 8th at 7:52 am. Send me your address at karen@proverbs31.org!
Faith-Filled Blessings,
91 Responses to SUN STAND STILL Faith Giveaway with Holly Furtick
Leave a Reply
Subscribe
My Family
Wow, my husband and I have begun our own faith journey recently as we have realized the shallowness of a lot of the American religiosity (is that a word). This does sound like a great book. I loved Holly’s thoughts on praying for our children…I am very deliberate about praying for my children and they know I do it…but they rarely HEAR it, this is something I would like to change!
“This book is about having a bold, vibrant, front-row faith where you watch God work and are actively involved in what He is doing in your community and the world.”
I want that to be ME! I’ve been brought to tears several times over the last week or so by things I’ve read or heard. Change is coming. I can feel it and I’m ready to embrace it! Say a prayer for me cause I know it won’t be easy.
First, your blog looks wonderful
And what a beautiful family Steven and Holly have… I can’t wait to read the book…
Just now starting to read about Joshua! Exciting.
I have heard of this church before, an old college roommate is married to one of the pastors there. Awesome work – awesome God.
PS> Love the new look Karen!
I used to struggle with prayer – wondering was I ‘doing it right’. God has taught me so much in this area, and He is still showing up and leading me. Showing up in such a big way that I am fueled to pray, touched to my core to have this relationship with Him, knowing He is listening, caring and loving that I come to Him. I’m still learning – just no longer struggling. Thank you Jesus! Praying outloud has always been an area of uncomfort – and that’s the area He has been working on me with for awhile. It has comforted both me and my children to have me pray outloud over them and for them. My hunger to pray with audaciousness is growing, and I am so grateful!
Hi Holly! Thank you for your words. It’s nice to www meet you! Your husbands book sounds very interesting and I look forward to reading it – won or otherwise!
I keep seeing this book everywhere. My brother-in-law even had it with him this weekend! I think God is putting it in my way (literately) for me to read! If I don’t win it here
I’ll be getting it soon!
Thanks to both of you!
This sounds like my kind of giveaway. And, the book sounds really interesting! I may have to get a copy soon.
This book sounds like just what I need. I would love to win it.
great new look karen! i know you are proud of it.
What a wonderful topic. “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Love the new look of your blog as well!
This book sounds amazing!!! I definitely want to win this!
Thanks for posting this interview with Holly. I’ve been hearing amazing things about SUN STAND STILL over the past couple of weeks, and it’s great to read more about it from Holly’s perspective.
This book is definitely on my “to be read” list. Truly living out our faith is essential and a topic I’ve been studying quite a lot lately.
Great new look to your website Karen – and love the new focus. I totally relate to your thoughts about living your purposes – and feeling out of control and disconnected from family when you don’t. I’ve recently be re-ordering my priorities and schedule and feel so much better.
Cannot wait to get a copy of the book Sun Stand Still. Our church is also moving in this direction with an upcoming series on Radical Faith. I feel like God is opening my heart and preparing me to live my faith in a way I’ve not done in the past. Feeling such a renewed sense of excitement and anticipating! Love the idea from Holly of praying audacious prayers over our children. I often pray aloud over them, but don’t pray these kinds of prayers – WOW!
I need to learn to live my faith more boldly and would love to read this book. It’s on my read list.
The past 9 months have been a struggle for our family, as my husband has been ill and on disability. In those 9 months, the doctors haven’t been able to identify the cause of his symptoms or prescribe any treatments that seems to have a long-term impact. And, through all of this, I continue to hold fast to my faith, knowing that God has a plan for our family…even if it isn’t the simple/easy life plan
Through my faith, I’ve also learned to stop trying to control and plan for everything because God will take care of it in His own way.
Love the new look! I’ve heard about this book everywhere I go. I’d love to win it, but if not I’ll definitely get it. I wish I were consistent in bold prayers. I’ve seen God answer MANY and yet, I don’t stay in the moment. I get distracted and well, I just need to hold the ground God has given me!
Thanks again for blessing me this morning. I look forward to reading and growing in the new book you have recommended! Blessings!! KB
This sounds like a great book. I’m looking forward to reading it!
Welcome, Holly. What a wonderful, faith-building story, to hear about what your family is doing in Charlotte. I look forward to reading your husband’s new book. I surely wish that faith was something one could get without going through the trials that build it!
I’m in the middle of a study on Revelation and I’ve been compelled the whole way to have a greater faith. It is not what I thought I would learn from God, but He is challenging me to believe Him more and have a faith that is greater every day. Thanks for having Holly on the blog…it’s fun to hear from behind the scenes of an author. Congratulations to their family.
Hey Karen, I love your new look! I actually am an Elevator too! I have been very challenged to not speak and write to look like the “norm” but to do so the way God has called me to and to the group He has called me to…teens! So glad to be a part of Elevation!
I just want to bask in a little of God’s sun, and feel the warmth of a life well lived, no more regrets, sorrow, bitterness, anxiety or mistrust. I need to feel special again.
Thanks, in prayer.
Nancy
Karen,
I love the new site. I also think the book sounds great. My husband and I have recently started a new ministry & are going to bible school. We definitely have some big prayers going up. I hope this book blesses whoever reads it. I know it would bless me.
It is always fascinating to me how God orchestrates our lives. It seems that when He has a large bullet point that I am supposed to get He keeps dropping nuggets having to do with that in my path. Once again He has done it. Looking forward to reading the book!
We serve an awesome God who is always giving us an opportunity to spread our wings and learn more of his infinite wisdom and power that is available to us!! Thank you Karen for sharing this new book with us!
Thanks Karen for sharing and thanks Holly for giving us your insight today.
I love the new look to your blog and your new tagline! This book looks like it will be very inspiring. Thanks for introducing us to Holly and her family!
I just received this book from ChristianBooks.com, I’ve had it on backorder ever since I heard about it months ago! This book is next in my queue to read, I probably get to start it this evening. I am so excited!
BTW, I love the new look!
Love the new look of your blog, Karen! Funny, how we can say no, but God turns that no into yes!
Thank you to Holly for sharing and being such a loving and strong supporter of your husband. May God bless you richly.
This book looks to be a must-have on every Christian’s bookshelf.
I long to have “audacious” faith… can’t wait to read the book, and I LOVE the new look:)
Great new look for your blog! Sun stand Still sounds like an inspirational book written with love for Christ. I can’t wait to read it! Thanks Karen and Holly.
Faith is one thing that I’m not sure I will ever have enough of, but I’m so glad that our God can move mountains with just a tiny measure of it! The challenge to step out with audacious faith is definitely one that I want to take (and will take)!
I had Holly in Mission Friends at Wayside Baptist Church when she was 5 years old or so. Her dad, Murrill, was the pastor of my church and her mom, Deborah was our choir director for a time.
Faith for the sun to stand still is the same faith that it talks about in James that is fervent and righteous. I want more of that kind of faith.
And I like whimsy a lot!
Ordering this book is on my list of things to do. Our pastor is starting a series on this book Sunday and Steven is coming to our church in a few weeks!! So exciting!!
Nice to meet you Holly =)
It is always exciting to read how God can work in our lives and increase our faith when we wholeheartedly commit to Him. I would love to read Steven`s book, and bless his wife Holly for standing behind him and suporting him in the business of drawing people to Jesus through His word!
Our faith increases, the more time spent in the word and in prayer!
Very thankful,
Susan
I really want to read this book.
Nice to meet you Holly.
What a sweet interview! I know how hard it can be to be the pastor’s wife….not on such a grand scale as Holly.
I can’t wait to read this book!
I definitely want to know more about these ‘big’ prayers and would love to read the book! Maybe it’s something my book club could do?
I’ve heard such great things about this book, I hope to read it!
This book sounds amazing!!!
Holly, I love how you say that your husband is your greatest encourager! My husband is mine, too!
Isn’t it awesome when you hubs loves the Lord with all of their hearts!?!?!
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
I have heard of this awesome church and would love to read this book. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
So needing to read this book! My husband pastors a church that is in the beginning stages of growth. I don’t want to be the reason it stops! Great blog!
Blessings,
Mindy
Your website is beautiful and inspirational. This book sounds amazing. I would love to win a copy! Thanks for sharing information about the book (I’d never heard of it), and the opportunity to win a copy. Blessings.
Sometimes I feel as though God makes my ‘sun stand still’ on the days I am so overwhelmed but what tasks I do have canNOT wait, somehow on those days the energy is abounding just at the right times. Faith, Family, and Friends has been my 3 top prayer requests lately…what a timely written article! I have great faith it seems, often what I need from it though is a clear answer to my questions and a firm guide from Heaven…I want audacious faith like that, what a great goal to strive for! I would love to read that book!!
Enjoyed the interview, Holly…autumn blessings to you and your family : )
I would love to read this book. I heard Steven speak at an event I attended with some of our High School youth about four years ago. Awesome man of God.
I like the new look you have going on here.
The book sounds great. Can’t wait to read it. Like your new look!!!
Karen I love your new website. This book sounds great. May God bless all who read this book.
I cannot wait to read this book, recently my mentor shared a theme with me, “where prayer is focused, power falls” Recently two other girls in my small group offered to have a daily prayer call at 5am to intercede with me for my husbands salvation and restoration of our marriage, I was so humbled by their faith and obedience to lift ‘us’ up, we started today
cannot wait to see what God does and how He is glorified through their willingness to believe in awesome privledge and power of prayer. Love the site, thank you for your continued blessings!
Your new site looks great! This book sounds like something we all need to read! I think it would make a great Christmas present too.
Can’t wait to read this book! God has really been doing a work in me and on me the last few months to the point I depend on Him for everything. I still struggle at times but He is so faithful to forgive and show me what I need to change. Love the Proverbs 31 ministries! Am really excited to see what God has in store for me!
I have heard about this book and I really am looking forward to reading it. Thank you Holly for your interview with Karen.
Blessings,
Denise
I look forward to reading this book. I have been challenged lately to pray audacious prayers for my family, church & friends.
Hi Karen,
This book sounds awesome and I could really use a push in the faith arena!
Blessings,
Edwina Cowgill
I love that God places people right where he needs them and we see the plans God has for Pastor Steven and Holly. I pray that God will continue to strengthen them as they teach others to live their faith!
Thanks for your interesting and informative post today Karen!
Karen and Holly…Thank you for the information about the book. I work for a company that services the books at KMart…I have seen the book sitting there on shelf but have not had a chance to even look inside…I will tomorrow!!
Welcome Holly! Looking forward to reading your husband’s book…God bless you both!
This book sounds like exactly what I could use in my life now. Can’t wait to read it.
Renee
Holly what a joy you must feel walking beside a man full of such faith and passion. I am so concerned for our children in this fallen world. Thank you for the encouragement to boldly and aloud for our children, may your blessings be abundent and joyful. karen
Big prayers over my children. That’s a growth idea for me! Holly, thanks for sharing!
I was just at our congregational meeting last night and our moderator read an excerpt from this book! I would love to read it!
Wow, this sounds like a wonderful book. I would love to read it. Praise God!
Karen – love the new look – and love you! This is an awesome book and I am blessed to go to church where Furtik preaches!
Sounds like a great book. I’ve been working on being a better prayer warrior in front of my own 2 little boys … loved Holly’s comments on praying over them aloud.
Praying for Pastor and Holly’s ministry and that this book will wake up those who are in the Kiddie Pool!
God bless you all.
Love your new site, Karen!
Sounds like a great book and I look forward to reading it!
Wow, this is an amazing faith! to build a church of over 6000 surely God is for him!
So nice to meet you Holly!! My husband is looking for his first pastorate job, have been sending lots of prayers up to God about that, but I have faith that our prayers will be answered in a big way! I will be visiting your blog too!
Have a great day!
Brenda
Holly, I would say that you must have had a great impact on the book, also. A godly woman is a huge blessing to a man. Plus, I remember when my 2 boys were young and it is a lot of work to care for them, especially since you are expecting.
I can’t wait to read this book. My faith has become so much deeper over the last 6 months. Now, I am ready to move with “audacious faith and boldness” but could use a little guidance.
Karen, thanks for a great blog. I love the new format.
nice to meet you Holly. would love to read this book!
thanks Karen!
This book sounds great. I have been following the growth of this church for several years.
Great to meet you… I have been a Christian for over 20 years & am still learning more about WHO our Father really is…so cool! Never disappoints & HE is always enough! Blessed…amy
As a fellow pastor’s wife I agree with Holly…it is an honor and a privilege to be married to such an incredible man of God. I always say that I am so blessed to be married to my pastor and what him live out what he teaches everyday.
As the mother of two boys, now 29 and 26, I love your prayers for them. I’m still praying daily for God to do “more than” and beyond what I ask for my sons. What an awesome God we serve! Enjoyed the interview Lysa had with Pastor Steven and would love to read his book! Thank you, Karen, for the chance to win!
LOVE the new look! I’m in!
God IS working and I want to be a part of it. I have not heard of this book, but it sounds like God is using it as a tool for His good!
Prayer is a funny thing—we’re good at it when we need something specific, not so good when we try to incorporate into everday life. I’d love to read this book to become a more effective woman who prays.
I’m not very good at praying and this book sounds like what I need!
Brenda
I’m in! Thank you!
Your new site is great Karen. Thank you for your continued encouragement. Look to the Son
I’m fascinated to read this – not so much from the perspective of answered prayer, but because of the way Steven and Holly are ‘doing church’ – something which has been occupying my thoughts and prayers for some time…
The devotional hit home.
This book looks great. I think there comes a time in everyones life when they need the wake-up call to not just “do the church thing” but get in there and be the church. Can’t wait to read the book
Thanks for the chance to win. I am always interested in people and how they came to faith and where it is taking them. I love reading books about chapters of the Bible and the people in them.
God Bless.
Oh, me, me, me! I’d like to win this book. A theme that keeps hitting me over the head is how I am missing out on all that God could really do in my life. I want to pray boldly!
Thank you Holly for the interview. I would love to read the book!
Really goes along with Lysa Terkeurst’s (sp?) blog about praying boldly, and praying boldly for your children. I’ve recently started reading Elizabeth George’s book about becoming a woman of prayer and this theme keeps coming up for me. Thanks for the post!
I’m very excited about this book–I’ve heard about it on Lysa TerKeurst’s blog, too–and I know God is going to use it in mighty ways.
I’m in!!!
In the past year God has been taking me to deeper faith and for that I am so thankful. As my faith deepens I realize there is so much more opportunity for growth.
I so want to read this book. I first heard about it on Lysa’s blog. I watched her video interviews with Pastor Steve last week and am very interested in this book. I would love to win. Thank you for the chance.
God bless!
koinonia572001@yahoo.com