Anne Marie Miller

Blog

  • QUICK READER POLL – Help Shape This Blog!

    PLEASE CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE FLOWERDUST.NET READER POLL

    During this blogging down time, I will probably sporadically update but it won’t be consistent. Brad is in the process of redesigning the look and functionality, and in order to make this the best experience for you, I would LOVE for you to take a quick Reader Survey.

    I shamelessly stole this idea (and most of the questions) from my friend Mike Hyatt. It’s around 20 questions and most are multiple choice. It should take you just a minute to complete and will provide me with valuable information to make FlowerDust.net even more applicable and encouraging to you.

    If you take the survey, leave a comment and be entered in a contest to win an autographed copy of Mad Church Disease (which, by the way, if you have ordered or won any in the last two weeks, I am doing my best to find them. They are still packed from our move and as soon as I unpack them, will ship them out to you!)

    PLEASE CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE FLOWERDUST.NET READER POLL

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  • Taking Another Blogging & Twitter Break

    At least for a little while. Be back soon.

    Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure. – Henri Nouwen

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  • Caption Please

    My best friend got married last Friday.

    julandme

    Her husband Shawn has a Harley.

    About ten years ago, I saw a guy get hit by an 18-wheeler on a motorcycle on I635 in Dallas (a HUGE highway). Then, my friend Denise fell off of one and had a compound fracture and now has six pins in her arm. I’ve promised I would never EVER ever ride a bike.

    At her rehearsal dinner cookout, peer pressure got the best of me and I got on the bike with Shawn and he actually took me out on a highway. For like, fifteen minutes. In flip flops.

    So with that story…caption please (for the picture below – not above!)

    13036365

  • BOOK GIVEAWAY – 200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One

    200-pomegranates

    One of the ?second opinions? in Mad Church Disease was written by my friends Shawn Wood. I met Shawn at a conference three years ago. Shawn did a talk called ?Brand Schizophrenia? which he ended with what he called ?the artist?s mandate.” The mandate was pretty simple and as an artist right up my alley.

    Here is how Shawn puts it: We are all artists (Moms, web developers, baseball players, single dads, CEOs, Authors, Pastors etc.) and we have a mandate from God to be Great at the art we produce. The mandate is simply living a life of influence and meaning in a way that will affect others and leave a legacy that all shines back to the master artist that saved us all – Jesus.

    There was a publisher at that conference and that simple mandate turned into a book that encourages everyone to be artists called 200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One.

    Shawn is a story teller. It?s a great story. I like great stories. So, I wanted to give away ten copies of a great story.

    As with all book giveaways I would love to give you all one, but alas I only have a limited number?so here is how you can win.

    Leave a comment to this post with your favorite book that we should all be reading this summer and a few of you will get the chance to have a autographed copy of 200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One sent your way soon!

    Use Tweet This below to double your chances!

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    **MORE FREE BOOKS**
    Shawn?s second book Wasabi Gospel comes out in August and I heard a rumor that he is setting up a book bomb and blog tour for July 8, 2009 – contact him at [email protected] if you want score a free copy of Wasabi Gospel (and an advance digital copy to boot) by being a part of the tour! Only 100 free books available so act fast!

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  • Be a Lab Rat and an Early Bird

    Last year, I had the amazing opportunity to host Catalyst Backstage – a behind the scenes look at Catalyst with interviews with speakers, pastors, and conference attenders. You can see some of those interviews here.

    This year, I will be hosting Backstage again, and also will be speaking at Catalyst Labs with Los and Jon. As much as I love the Catalyst experience as a whole, the Lab day is secretly my favorite part of the event. Smaller environments, people sitting on the floor, up the walls, wherever there is space hearing exclusive and intimate conversation and thought by the Lab speakers. So…I must highly recommend you not only register for Catalyst, but please register for the Lab day. You will NOT regret it!!!

    Anyway, today (Thursday) is the last day you can register at the cheapest rate. And rumor has it if you use the word “TONY” when you register you save even more money.

    I personally wonder what other four letter words will get you a discount.

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  • I’m Having Heart Surgery (and no, this isn’t a metaphor…)

     

     

     

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    Anyway, so there you have it. A little surgery for this little heart problem. August 14.

    I’d appreciate the prayers, and any other reposting of this video to get your readers praying too.

    Much love.

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  • Are You Afraid to Be Amazing?

    The last few days, I’ve been in the Kansas City area for my best friend’s wedding.

    I don’t mention it in Mad Church Disease, but Kansas City was the launching pad for the book. The church I reference when I ran 120 mph, didn’t rest, and ended up in the hospital…all here. The question on the back of the book, “Is working in this church interfering with your communion with Christ?” was asked to me here. I was told my dreams were “too big” here. I got in trouble for unwisely expressing my idealistic ideas here.

    But the lesson most learned was how to heal after being hurt.

    That’s where Chapter 11- the final chapter of Mad Church Disease – comes into play.

    If you haven’t read it, you can download it here if you’d like. It’s title is Processing through Pain.

    Driving by my old church, my old Starbucks, my old house…all these things brought back so many memories. Every time I’d go somewhere public, my heart would race a little bit. I was afraid of running into the person who hurt me four years ago.

    Four years..it seems like a lifetime ago. But the hurt still hasn’t gone away. And it’s still impacts me, my ministry, and my ability to take risks. I don’t assert myself like I normally did. I stay really quiet and don’t speak my?mind as much as?I should. I choose my battles too carefully.

    In the chapter, I quote something Penelope Trunk said to me at SXSW08 when I met her after a session. (I also had spinach in my teeth and she told me about it. Nice, Anne Jackson. Nice.)

    “People are afraid to be amazing.”

    I wish I had it figured out by now. I’ve forgiven, the bitterness usually stays at bay, but that fear of getting crushed again keeps a part of me silenced. I’m afraid to?be amazing -?to live to my full potential?-?because last time I was there, my dreams were shot through the heart.

    What about you? I know with as many people read this blog, there have got to be some walking wounded. We are each responsible for our own healing…I’m not as consistent as I’d like to be, but I try taking risks or speaking my mind even when it’s scary. What are some steps that you’re taking to live again and to trust again?

  • BOOK GIVEAWAY – Just Courage by IJM Founder Gary Haugen

    just-courage-haugenSix months ago, I had the opportunity to chat a little with Gary Haugen, the founder of International Justice Mission. My friend Bethany, who also works at IJM, set up the call and I blogged about it here.

    As I was flipping through the channels a few weeks ago, I stopped on a Dateline episode with the title “Children for Sale.” As soon as I hit the channel, I saw Gary being interviewed by Chris Hansen. The show was about Dateline going undercover with IJM in Cambodia. It was a couple of years old but the content is timeless. I was instantly taken back to the way I felt after reading Gary’s book Just Courage, and processing the conversation I had with him in December.

    Even though I returned from India a little over a month ago, I find it so easy to let my heart slip back into the mode of oblivion. In the back of my mind I know there are life and death issues and injustice occurring all over the world but I retreat into my to do lists and my calendar and my email and making plans for myself.

    I shove out of my heart the very things that make up the heart of God.

    So, I talked to Bethany and asked if I could give away ten of Gary’s book on my blog today. It is such an important book. I think it’s one I need to read a little every day to simply be reminded that we are called to fight.

    Ever feel like this?

    ?There must be more to the Christian life than this?more than church each Sunday and waving to my neighbors and giving some clothes to Goodwill when I go through my closet each spring.?

    These aren?t bad things, of course. But they?re safe and comfortable and easy. And there?s a reason they?re not satisfying your desire for something more significant and meaningful?we?re created by God for adventure.

    International Justice Mission president Gary Haugen has found that engaging in the fight for justice is the most deeply satisfying way of life. This book shows how we too can be a part of God?s great expedition.

    I wish I could give a copy of this book to all of you. It is one of the most profound books I’ve read. But hey, you can win it. To be entered, leave a comment related to anything having to do with injustice. Your questions, your thoughts, your actions, your desires, whatever.? I?ll pick winners next Thursday and the winner shall be notified via electronic post. (That?s email). Use the TWEET THIS button below to earn double credit.

  • A Video Addressing Some Very Serious Questions…

    Recently, there have been some very serious questions asked about Mad Church Disease, and instead of writing an impersonal post, I thought I’d address you guys a little more formally, via video.

    Please see below:


    (This is what happens when you have some free time and a video camera late at night after the NBA Finals are over. And, just to clarify, no pastors were insulted in the making of this video. Andy Stanley also looks good, and Ed Young knows how to lead. Thankyouverymuch.)

    Autographed?
    Book Cover? (Any book ever!)