Do You Feel Left Out or Overlooked?

I am super excited about the Upcoming release of Lysa  Terkeurst's newest book UnInvited on August 9th.  Everything I've read about it so far has resonated in my heart.  Lysa says everyone is either "trying to heal a past rejection, deal with a present rejection or fear that an unexpected rejection is just around the corner." If you can relate to that (like I did), you may want to check it out 

And...  the book is going to be the focus of Proverbs 31 Ministries' next Online Bible StudyOnline Bible Study starting September 6!

Three Things: I could read over and over again

I'm known to be a bit of a reader.  (I'm also known to understate things a tiny bit from time to time) 

Reading has been a HUGE part of my life ever since I was a kid.  I love to lose myself in a good book.  I would spend most of my days reading - all day, every day if that were actually possible.  (wait... is there a job for that? If anyone has an opening with a job description like that - let me know!  'Cause I would totally rock that!)

I always say I don't like to answer questions about my favorite books.  It's just too hard to pick a favorite book.  I have loved so many different ones over the years.  And yet... here I am writing a post about three things I could read over and over.  Painting myself into a corner of sorts.  Because honestly, there are probably hundreds of books I would read again.  And there are quite a few I have read twice - or more - in my lifetime.  These are simply three that came to mind:

1) The Time Traveler's Wife (by Audrey Niffenegger): There aren't many books I can say made me cry.  Real, tears running down my cheeks, heart aching kind of cry.  But this one did. The story is just so beautiful.  And so sad.  The day I finished the book, I closed it, and immediately thought..."Yes.  That book would be on my Top Ten list"  When I first read it, I had a borrowed library copy.  I had to go buy my own to keep!

2) Unglued (by Lysa TerKeurst): Just being real here... I probably NEED to read this book over and over.  And over again.  This is a fantastic book about breaking the habits of stuffing down our emotions, or letting them explode all over ourselves and others.  Controlling your emotions instead of letting them control you.  And having more godly reactions to circumstances and other people.  When I read the first page, I was pretty sure Mrs TerKeurst had been sneaking around spying on my family!

3) To Kill A Mockingbird (by Lee Harper): I mean because, c'mon.. it's To.Kill. A. Mockingbird.  This is one of those novels I have probably read at least 5 times.  I love the story.  I love the movie.  It's a classic!

And because I just HAVE to do it: Honorable mentions would go to "Gone With the Wind", "Island of the Blue Dolphins", "The Great Gatsby", "The Other Boleyn Girl", "One Thousand Gifts", "Charlotte's Web", "A Thousand Splendid Suns"... and so many others!!

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

What's Eating You?

Every year for as long as I can remember I make some variation of the same New Year's Resolution.  THIS will be the year I lose some weight and get healthy.  Only to reach December the same (or heavier).  Making the same resolution again, and again, and again the next January 1st.

This week I began a new online Bible study through Proverbs31 Ministries based on the Lysa TerKeurst book "Made To Crave".

I have to confess... the first time I sat down to try and read this book I had a Snickers almond bar in hand and a bottle of Dr. Pepper sitting next to me.

Um... yeh.  Not the best way to begin a study about satisfying your cravings with God rather than food.

Clearly I still wasn't getting it. As Lysa says in the introduction: it's about the "want to". Something I was missing.

God created us to have cravings.  A longing.  A desire for something to satisfy us.  A great want.

For Him.

Satan wants to replace our cravings for God with something else.  An idol to displace God in our hearts, minds, and lives.

For some it may be food.  For others it's material objects.  Money.  Or the approval of other people. Fame. Or an emotional or sexual relationship.  In some cases it becomes alcohol, drugs, or gambling.

It becomes the thing we work for, strive for, seek.  Our lives become focused on getting that thing we think will satisfy us. We may ignore things that are truly important in life to get it.  We find ourselves in a cycle of excuses, rationalizations, or promises to start (or stop) at some later time/day/month/year.  In some cases it may destroy relationships, our health, or entire lives.

But somehow when we seek fulfillment through something other than God, we always come up feeling empty.  Needing more.  Wanting more.  No matter how much we get or have, we are always left unsatisfied. It's like a raging battle.

This has given me an entirely different perspective on my plans to get healthier and get back to a healthier weight!

This time it has to be about more than just me.  It has to be about more than a smaller clothing size or number on the scale.  I have proven over and over again that I CAN'T DO IT. Not by myself.

I have to replace my cravings for the chocolate and Cheetos with something healthier.  Something that will really satisfy.  By getting closer to God in the process.  

Join the Yes Girls

Through my daily Bible reading and devotionals the topic of obedience to God, as well as finding and following God's purpose for me, keeps coming up over and over again. 

Because of this, I have chosen to follow the Proverbs 31 online bible study based on the book "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God" by Lysa TerKeurst.  I recently read this book on my own and loved the things I learned about myself and my relationship with God in its pages.

Now I am looking forward to getting deeper into it (along with almost 22,000 other women from 120 countries!)

According to the Proverbs 31 Ministries website, through this online Bible study you will learn to:

• listen for His voice and discern what He is asking you
• see how wholehearted obedience honors His presence in your life
• give yourself to Him and let Him affect lives around you in amazing ways

If you are ready to say "YES" to God, I invite you to join me in this online Bible study.  It's completely free to sign up here: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/.  

All you need is a copy of the book, a notebook/journal, a pen (or two, or ten - if you're like me!), and a willing heart and mind.  This bible study is flexible to fit into your schedule! 

I'm saying "Yes"... won't you?

Thankful Thursday: August 9

Blessings came in so many forms this week.  It's hard to know where to begin or to pick just three to highlight this week!

1. Unexpected Gifts: I don't know if it's good or bad that I can still find myself surprised at the kindness and generosity of others.
2. Queen B's Busy Work:  2 new orders!
3. Unglued:  Although after reading chapter one of Lysa TerKeurst's new book, I am pretty sure she has cameras hidden in my house watching my every move - I am still enjoying it.  I was disappointed when I found it was not in stock when I went to the store to pick it up.  But blessed when I arrived home to find it gifted to me as part of #1!