Living the Dream
Once upon a time (starting in 2010 and running for a little over a year) Ben put in a lot of hours on a blog named “Assume The Best.”
It chronicled his life as a full-time staff member of Campus Crusade for Christ, attempting to make light of and encourage specifically around the process of raising financial support.
We had left staff at that point, and this writing is an interesting look into his process of grieving that loss, with an eye toward “becoming a writer.”
Here, in the order they were released, are those posts.
Ever sit down to write a post about something that you are thankful for, and end up sitting crying in front of the computer instead?
Because that’s me, today. A year ago we were in full-time ministry with Campus Crusade, learning how to be parents, and struggling to raise support. We were also praying through whether or not to Continue reading “Thankful Thursday: Working with My Wife.”
This is the first shoutout where I don’t actually know the person, but have met them through my writing here at ATB. You can feel free to submit ideas for folks to shout-out in coming weeks, in the comments.
Marti Smith works as a missions mobilizer. I can’t think of any more significant role in the kingdom of God. Missionaries are great, don’t get me wrong. But people like Marti, the people who Continue reading “Shoutout Friday: Marti Smith.”
Welcome to my personal busiest week ever. I just got a second job, and due to a scheduling mixup on my part, will be working no less than 61 hours in the next seven days, not counting being a dad, husband, etc.
So in honor of my not having adequate time to give to crafting new content here at Assume the Best, you win.
That’s right. In what feels like the opposite of a good a workout regimen, my pain is YOUR gain.
This week we are having the First Annual Fantastic Giveaway contest here at ATB. I recently was given a ridiculously generous gift by John Miller, author of QBQ! The Question Behind the Question, when I tweeted this:
Just read QBQ by John Miller (@QBQGuy) again after about three years, and it was even better this time. Such great stuff.
Ben Meredith
benUNC
That simple tweet got me into a discussion with the author, which landed two boxes full of free stuff on my porch about a week later. Pretty amazing, if you ask me.
And now, I am giving it all away. In total, I’ll be giving away one copy each of his three books.
And while I thought this even before I was given a stack of them for free, these books are total game-changers. If I were a business owner, or a manager of any type, these books would be required reading for my employees. When I was in ministry, these books were required reading for many of the students I mentored.
So if you are a manager, or an employee, or a minister, or one who is ministered to, or a teacher, or a student, you want these books.
Each day this week is a new opportunity to enter for a chance to win! The way to enter is simple.
First: leave a comment here (or the wall for the BenandJacq facebook group) with a creative comment detailing why you feel you should be the winner of one of these books.
Or
Second: Post a link to twitter to your favorite post from ATB with a creative reason it’s your favorite and the hashtag #ATBQBQ.
Every day I’ll be posting a link to some of my favorite throwback posts here at ATB, and you can comment on those posts for additional chances to win. Any comment on any ATB throwback post this week will be eligible to win!
I hate twitter contests that just end up adding noise to the twitterverse. That’s why I didn’t give you a specific tweet to share, e.g. “I’d like to win a book from @benUNC and @QBQguy” Your job instead is to be creative, and to add real value for your followers. That makes twitter a better place, and at the same time gives you a chance to win.
So, here’s a fun twist: At the end of the week, with the help of John G. Miller himself, I will be selecting the entries that we think are the best and most creative, then putting them into a randomizer and drawing to win Outstanding!, John’s most recent book.
So each time you come up with a tweet or comment that is creative or memorable, you give yourself an opportunity to win Outstanding!, John’s most recent book. Just posting a #ATB hashtagged link to a post is enough to win a chance at one of the first two books. You need to give your followers a real reason to click that link in order for a chance at the last one! If you’ll pardon my cheese, you’ll need an “Outstanding” entry to be entered to win Outstanding!
In the meantime, if you need me, I’ll be working, and smiling.
Welcome back to the week of fantastic giveaways here at ATB! In light of me adjusting to a new and hectic work schedule, I am giving you some vintage content to peruse before I make my way back to regular posting sometime next week.
Today, I want to direct your attention to a post that has been almost completely overlooked here at ATB. It’s the one that started it all, and still among my favorites. Maybe because I got to use the phrase “menstrual cycle” in the title. I’m still a seventh grader at heart.
Don’t forget that any comments on this post or on the post linked to above received this week (we’re counting all the way up to Monday morning at 6:47 AM) will count toward the giveaway!
This week is the fantastic giveaway of all giveaways here at Assume the Best. And part of the merriment and joviality involved with the week is a chance to go back and see some content that was not exactly seen the first time around.
Today I want to direct your attention to the thankful Thursday post that started it all.
Tell all your friends. And comment on this post and that one by 6:47 AM eastern on Monday for two chances to win a copy of John G Miller’s books!