Spotlight: Among Friends

Among Friends: Stories from the Journey 
“This book is my Midrash.” With these words, Father Jim draws us into his life story full of laughter, tears, and service. Among Friends is a compilation of short stories and insightful lessons experienced on his many travels as a clergyman and motivational speaker. Whether recounting his sobering flying experiences, meeting the Pope, his encounter with the “Weed Man” or telling us about his “lead foot,” Father Jim teaches us lessons through powerful storytelling. As he takes us along on his journey from getting kicked out of seminary to hosting celebrities, such as Dolly Parton, Harry Connick Jr., Martin Short, Bill Cosby, and former First Lady Laura Bush, at his small Kentucky parish, Father Jim shines a light into the corners of the human heart to expose our need for God and the love He alone can give us. You will laugh, cry, and be taken back by his honesty. In all, Father Jim shows us what it means to love God, love others, and live life Among Friends.

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Father Jim W. Sichko
 Father Jim W. Sichko is a priest of the Diocese of Lexington, KY. He was ordained to the Ministerial Priesthood of Jesus Christ on May 23, 1998. He travels throughout the U.S. giving missions, retreats, and days of recollection. Known for his storytelling, Father Jim weaves everyday life experiences with the rooted messages which lie within the Gospel. He is booked for speaking engagements through 2015. Each engagement lasts a minimum of three days and averages 3,000 people per night. Father Jim completed his undergraduate work at New England Conservatory of Music in Vocal Performance and received a Master of Divinity degree from Sacred Heart School of Theology.

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      Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 4/30/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway


Excerpt

"Stories,

I love stories. I’m thinking I’m not alone in that, either. Billions of

dollars are spent on novels, movies, and even video games. Why? God

made us to function through story. Not only did He reveal Himself in

the greatest-selling Book of all time, but He made story a vital part of

how we communicate with each other.

Think about it. We are a storytelling people. From the moment

we are born, growing up through school and beyond, we love hearing

stories being read and told to us. We love sharing experiences that

we have lived, seen, or heard. For me, as a storyteller, preacher, and

speaker, stories provide the opportunity to communicate in a powerful

way with people in everyday language with down-to-earth tales.

I think back to my own days at St. Mary Catholic School in

kindergarten and how we loved to sit in a circle and listen to Mrs.

Richard read to us. We learned from the plot, the characters, and their

actions. She read with a passion and belief that captivated our little

minds. Most importantly, the stories struck at our hearts.

Why do you think Jesus told stories to make His point? Indeed,

He is a master storyteller in all of His parables found in the four

Gospels. He would use everyday situations that people understood. He

used characters that people would recognize in themselves and others.

Even more interesting, Jesus didn’t always provide the answers. He

let people figure out His meaning by telling them, “He who has ears,

let them hear.”

God gave me a very interesting life story, as you’re going to see

throughout this book. I like to think He gave me this life so I could tell

stories from my journey. As you might guess, when I travel to speak

at different places, I am often asked two questions. First, “Are your

stories true?” and, second, “How do these experiences always happen

to you?”

My answer is simple: Yes, the stories are true, and yes, they do

happen to me, and they happen to you! The real question that needs

to be asked is, “Do you and I have the eyes, the ears, and the hearts —

not to mention the minds — to recognize the wonderful opportunities

and teachable moments from the experiences of our day?”

Through sorrow, pain, joys, and exultations, our experiences

teach us; they stretch us. For me, stories empower and illumine the

life of Our God who is ever present with us on this journey through our

experiences that we call “Life.”

Allow me to tell you a few…"