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What's Your Mark?, Paperback by Jeremy Cowart
Who was Jesus? What was his story? What mark did he leave? What will be your mark? Join celebrity photographer and social artist Jeremy Cowart as he presents 21 compelling stories of 'mark makers' - people who are making their mark on the world today. Right now. Just like you. These are just a sampling of the tales that followers of Jesus can tell---stories of those from all walks of life whose inspiration is rooted in the truths found in the Gospel of Mark. You'll be captivated, challenged, and changed as you read of the mark makers in the full-color, fully-illustrated book that contains the complete Gospel of Mark. And you'll be inspired to make your mark---whether through your occupation, your talents, or your selfless love and giving to others. Maybe you teach children at a school or at home, or maybe you care for the homeless or provide food to the hungry. You may be an artist, musician, accountant, or athlete. If you are human, you are making a mark. And as you read, you are invited to ask---and answer---the 'What mark am I making?' This is your chance. Be inspired. Make every moment count. * 120 full-color pages of Scripture, stories, and photography by renowned photographer Jeremy Cowart* 21 photos and stories of people---some names you'll recognize, others not so well known---making their mark* Scripture text of the Gospel of Mark from the bestselling New International Version (NIV) Bible
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First published March 19, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 2, 2018
How can I make an impact with the skills that I have? If you have ever asked yourself this, pick up a copy.
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August 27, 2020it was inspiring
April 20, 2013
Jeremy Cowart is an artist, photographer and humanitarian. His art has been featured in popular magazines, news outlets, social media and in books. He’s photographed numerous celebrities and has used his platform to make an impact by drawing attention to what is going on in the world (i.e. Haiti, Rwanda). He’s even been a TED talker. In a new book, What’s Your Mark?: Every Moment Counts, he points at modern day ‘mark-makers’ and encourages us to step out and make our mark.
Cowart profiles twenty contemporary people who have been marked by their faith in Christ and are making their mark on the world. Their images and stories are interwoven with the Gospel of Mark (get it?). There are twenty one (actually twenty two but the book jacket says twenty one) photos and short bios. These include: Ellie Ambrose, Mark Burnett, Dan Cathy, Donald Collins, Caitlin Crosby, Katie Davis, Claire Diaz-Ortiz, Roma Downey, Bob Goff, Gary Haugen, Ester Havens, Jesus, John-Mark (the author of Mark), Fred Katagwa, Shaun King, Laura Lasky, Lecrae, Manny Martinez, Jena Nardella, Shannon Sedgwick Davis, Jeff Shinabarger and Ann Voskamp. This is a fairly diverse sample of business people, authors, social media gurus, TV producers and do-gooders concerned about global injustices. These short bios celebrate their lives and their commitment to making their ‘mark’ for Christ.
On an artistic level I appreciate a lot of this book. Reading the profiles of the ‘mark-makers’ together with the book of Mark, forces you to ask: what kind of impact did Jesus make on his world and how can I impact my world? I think reading the Bible with questions opens you up to hearing the voice of God. I appreciated the question and found it illumined the text. I also enjoyed meeting the people profiled. Some of them were familiar to me, others were not. Each is seeking to live out their faith in an impactful way. I am a fan of a few of these people and have questions of a few. But the way Cowart celebrates each makes me like them and want to know more about them.
However I struggled with parts of this book. I wished that the profiles were a little more substantive. These are brief portraits, more what you would expect to accompany a photo essay in a magazine. So Cowart points me to some interesting people but he doesn’t reveal much about their life. I want the fuller picture. I still liked how Cowart celebrated these ‘mark-makers’ but I wanted more.
Also,I liked the inclusion of the NIV(2011) of Mark but greater thought should have gone into how to format this book. The profiles were intermittently broken up by a couple pages of Biblical text but it would simply reproduce what fit on two pages. Chapters, paragraphs and sentences did not necessarily fit neatly on the page and the gospel of Mark was broken up in odd spots. Sentences and pericopes were divided awkwardly by several pages of personal profiles. This made the biblical narrative somewhat disjointed even if I found that the juxtaposition made for an interesting presentation. I think this could have been done better.
A minor note: I found the glossy pages and photos made me want to not ‘mark this book up.’ I feel like I should mark up a book called What’s Your Mark, but I didn’t want to do it.
I still think that this might make a good gift book for someone graduating high-school or college to get them thinking about how they can live a life which impacts the world for the Kingdom of God. I liked that it celebrates the lives of people who are creatively living out their vocations and can appreciate the implicit exhortation to go and do likewise. I give this book ★★★½.
Thank you to Zondervan for providing me a copy of this book (via BookSneeze) in exchange for my fair and balanced review.
Cowart profiles twenty contemporary people who have been marked by their faith in Christ and are making their mark on the world. Their images and stories are interwoven with the Gospel of Mark (get it?). There are twenty one (actually twenty two but the book jacket says twenty one) photos and short bios. These include: Ellie Ambrose, Mark Burnett, Dan Cathy, Donald Collins, Caitlin Crosby, Katie Davis, Claire Diaz-Ortiz, Roma Downey, Bob Goff, Gary Haugen, Ester Havens, Jesus, John-Mark (the author of Mark), Fred Katagwa, Shaun King, Laura Lasky, Lecrae, Manny Martinez, Jena Nardella, Shannon Sedgwick Davis, Jeff Shinabarger and Ann Voskamp. This is a fairly diverse sample of business people, authors, social media gurus, TV producers and do-gooders concerned about global injustices. These short bios celebrate their lives and their commitment to making their ‘mark’ for Christ.
On an artistic level I appreciate a lot of this book. Reading the profiles of the ‘mark-makers’ together with the book of Mark, forces you to ask: what kind of impact did Jesus make on his world and how can I impact my world? I think reading the Bible with questions opens you up to hearing the voice of God. I appreciated the question and found it illumined the text. I also enjoyed meeting the people profiled. Some of them were familiar to me, others were not. Each is seeking to live out their faith in an impactful way. I am a fan of a few of these people and have questions of a few. But the way Cowart celebrates each makes me like them and want to know more about them.
However I struggled with parts of this book. I wished that the profiles were a little more substantive. These are brief portraits, more what you would expect to accompany a photo essay in a magazine. So Cowart points me to some interesting people but he doesn’t reveal much about their life. I want the fuller picture. I still liked how Cowart celebrated these ‘mark-makers’ but I wanted more.
Also,I liked the inclusion of the NIV(2011) of Mark but greater thought should have gone into how to format this book. The profiles were intermittently broken up by a couple pages of Biblical text but it would simply reproduce what fit on two pages. Chapters, paragraphs and sentences did not necessarily fit neatly on the page and the gospel of Mark was broken up in odd spots. Sentences and pericopes were divided awkwardly by several pages of personal profiles. This made the biblical narrative somewhat disjointed even if I found that the juxtaposition made for an interesting presentation. I think this could have been done better.
A minor note: I found the glossy pages and photos made me want to not ‘mark this book up.’ I feel like I should mark up a book called What’s Your Mark, but I didn’t want to do it.
I still think that this might make a good gift book for someone graduating high-school or college to get them thinking about how they can live a life which impacts the world for the Kingdom of God. I liked that it celebrates the lives of people who are creatively living out their vocations and can appreciate the implicit exhortation to go and do likewise. I give this book ★★★½.
Thank you to Zondervan for providing me a copy of this book (via BookSneeze) in exchange for my fair and balanced review.
March 30, 2013
Title: WHAT’S YOUR MARK? Every Moment Counts
Author: Jerry Cowart
Publisher: Zondervan
March 2013
ISBN: 978-0310411093
Genre: Nonfiction
Who was Jesus? What was his story? What mark did he leave? What's your story? What will be your mark?
Join celebrity photographer and social artist Jeremy Cowart as he presents sixteen compelling stories of people who are making their mark today. Their stories are just a sampling of the stories that all followers of Jesus can tell---stories from those in all walks of life whose inspiration is rooted in the truths found in the Gospel of Mark.
You'll be inspired to make your mark---whether through your occupation, your talents or your selfless love and giving to others. Your mark may be teaching children at a school or at home, helping the homeless, or providing food to the hungry. Your mark might be an accidental mark, a reluctant mark, or an intentional mark.
Whatever your mark, you'll be inspired by the stories inside this new book, WHAT’S YOUR MARK? Become a mark-maker today, and make every moment of your life count. This book includes:
* 112 full-color pages of Scripture, stories, and photography by renowned photographer Jeremy Cowart
* 16 photos and stories of people---some names you'll recognize, others not so well known---making their mark
* Scripture text of the Gospel of Mark from the bestselling New International Version (NIV) Bible
I enjoyed reading through WHAT’S YOUR MARK? And as I did I realized that the stories of these social media users, children, artists, and superstars were all following The Great Commission: Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel. God never said you had to preach entirely in words. Sometimes, actions speak much louder than anything you can say. And these people have used their God given talents in many different ways to help proclaim the gospel of truth. If you wonder WHAT’S YOUR MARK? Or wonder how your talent can possibly make a difference, then pick up WHAT’S YOUR MARK? today. You will be inspired to Make Every Moment Count for Christ. $14.99. 120 pages.
Author: Jerry Cowart
Publisher: Zondervan
March 2013
ISBN: 978-0310411093
Genre: Nonfiction
Who was Jesus? What was his story? What mark did he leave? What's your story? What will be your mark?
Join celebrity photographer and social artist Jeremy Cowart as he presents sixteen compelling stories of people who are making their mark today. Their stories are just a sampling of the stories that all followers of Jesus can tell---stories from those in all walks of life whose inspiration is rooted in the truths found in the Gospel of Mark.
You'll be inspired to make your mark---whether through your occupation, your talents or your selfless love and giving to others. Your mark may be teaching children at a school or at home, helping the homeless, or providing food to the hungry. Your mark might be an accidental mark, a reluctant mark, or an intentional mark.
Whatever your mark, you'll be inspired by the stories inside this new book, WHAT’S YOUR MARK? Become a mark-maker today, and make every moment of your life count. This book includes:
* 112 full-color pages of Scripture, stories, and photography by renowned photographer Jeremy Cowart
* 16 photos and stories of people---some names you'll recognize, others not so well known---making their mark
* Scripture text of the Gospel of Mark from the bestselling New International Version (NIV) Bible
I enjoyed reading through WHAT’S YOUR MARK? And as I did I realized that the stories of these social media users, children, artists, and superstars were all following The Great Commission: Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel. God never said you had to preach entirely in words. Sometimes, actions speak much louder than anything you can say. And these people have used their God given talents in many different ways to help proclaim the gospel of truth. If you wonder WHAT’S YOUR MARK? Or wonder how your talent can possibly make a difference, then pick up WHAT’S YOUR MARK? today. You will be inspired to Make Every Moment Count for Christ. $14.99. 120 pages.
May 3, 2014
I read What's your Mark, in exchange for review from BookSneeze. I have the paperback version. The book is written by Jeremy Cowart and published by Zondervan Press.
The book discusses people, who made a mark on the world. Their lives have also been changed by Jesus. I chose this book because I loved the description and the cover was beautiful. I started reading the book as soon as I got it in the mail.
Also, after each story, the author has a chapter from Mark. So, you can learn about someone, get inspired, and then read the bible. yay.
Let me tell you about the cover. It is a beautiful frame, with a silver, mirror-material in the middle. You can see yourself through the mirror. Maybe, you can ask "what's my mark", while looking at yourself. The photos throughout the book are amazing too.
The first story talks about a woman, who uses twitter for social good. The woman works for Twitter too. Instead of twitting random nothings, she tweets things, which will help people. For example, she posted about an orphanage, she visited. She posted about the good things, the orphanage was doing. She also posted on how people can help orphans. She also teaches people how to use twitter for good. What we tweet can affect others and how others feel about us.
Another story, was about a photographer, who used photography as a way to connect with others. She uses photography to see the light in others, to put focus on them, instead of her. The next story, focuses on a Christian hip-hop artist. He also started a non-profit. The book presents 21 stories of people, who made their mark on the world, including a husband and wife team, who had a successful tv series on the bible. The book is available in paperback (11.99 at time of posting) and kindle (1.99 at time of this posting).
The book discusses people, who made a mark on the world. Their lives have also been changed by Jesus. I chose this book because I loved the description and the cover was beautiful. I started reading the book as soon as I got it in the mail.
Also, after each story, the author has a chapter from Mark. So, you can learn about someone, get inspired, and then read the bible. yay.
Let me tell you about the cover. It is a beautiful frame, with a silver, mirror-material in the middle. You can see yourself through the mirror. Maybe, you can ask "what's my mark", while looking at yourself. The photos throughout the book are amazing too.
The first story talks about a woman, who uses twitter for social good. The woman works for Twitter too. Instead of twitting random nothings, she tweets things, which will help people. For example, she posted about an orphanage, she visited. She posted about the good things, the orphanage was doing. She also posted on how people can help orphans. She also teaches people how to use twitter for good. What we tweet can affect others and how others feel about us.
Another story, was about a photographer, who used photography as a way to connect with others. She uses photography to see the light in others, to put focus on them, instead of her. The next story, focuses on a Christian hip-hop artist. He also started a non-profit. The book presents 21 stories of people, who made their mark on the world, including a husband and wife team, who had a successful tv series on the bible. The book is available in paperback (11.99 at time of posting) and kindle (1.99 at time of this posting).
April 8, 2013
Beautifully put together and filled with inspiring stories, "What's Your Mark?" is a wonderfully encouraging book that will cause you to examine what difference you are making in the world. I really enjoyed the different stories featured in this book, stories of selflessness and sacrifice, of people who are truly living out the call to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a broken world. Probably my favorite story is the story of Katie Davis, a young woman who didn't allow her young age stop her from journeying to Africa and, through one obedient step after another, change the lives of a number of orphans. I also enjoyed how the stories are interspersed with scripture from the book of Mark, beautifully tying together the premise of the book that, just as Jesus changed the world, we are called to do the same. Somehow or other, I've never heard of photgrapher Jeremy Cowart before now, but I enjoyed viewing his artistic talent, and I feel that the sum of its parts makes this a wonderful book indeed.
If you are looking for inspiration from scripture and from people who are faithfully following in Jesus' footsteps, then plan on picking up a copy of this unique book yourself. I award this book a solid rating and give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of the publisher, Zondervan, B&B Media, and FIRST Wildcard Blog Tours, for the purposes of this unbiased review.
If you are looking for inspiration from scripture and from people who are faithfully following in Jesus' footsteps, then plan on picking up a copy of this unique book yourself. I award this book a solid rating and give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of the publisher, Zondervan, B&B Media, and FIRST Wildcard Blog Tours, for the purposes of this unbiased review.
August 29, 2013
This little book is an edifying testimony that no matter your walk of life you can touch people with the Good News. The simplest and most sincere way we can impact people with the love of Christ is through our actions. With beautiful photography, Scripture and real-life real-people stories, What's Your Mark? encourages the reader to find the way they can impact their community, their circle of influence.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews