Not of This World by Lisa Chan - Review & Giveaway

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, or thieves do not break in or steal; 

for where your treasure is, there your heart is also.

Matthew 6:19-21

Do you have treasures here on earth?  

What are you pursuing here on earth?  

What are you chasing?

Do you ever feel as if this world is not my home?

Are you pursing the things not of this world?

Are you storing up treasures in Heaven?

In Lisa Chan’s new video Not of This World, she walks with you through what it means to let go of the spoils of this world and store up your treasures in Heaven.  The things that tie us to this earth might be small but are we treasuring these things and distracting us from the purpose that we are called to be and do on this earth.  Lisa Chan challenges us to look at what we value here on earth.

True Beauty Not of This World TRAILER from Flannel Staff on Vimeo.

“Things on this earth can capture our hearts and they distract us from God and His purpose for us and they distract us from our love for Him” 

- Lisa Chan

I absolutely LOVE this video series by Lisa Chan and highly recommend it.

My friends at David C. Cook have graciously offered to give away

a copy of Not of This World to one blessed Saved Sister reader.

You can enter to win below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

He Speaks To Me

Five Minute Friday is where gather with my sweet friends
to write our hearts on a page for 5 minutes prompted
by the friend who encourages us to write bravely - Lisa-Jo.

I love this community more than words can express. 
They are my people.

Today is about SONG.

God often uses the lyrics of a song to speak to my heart.

Sometimes it is to reinforce scripture that I have been reading that day. 
Sometimes it coincides with a conversation that I had recently. 
Sometimes it is a word of encouragement for the day.
Sometimes it is about a prayer that I barely whispered to Him.

Some songs speak only in a moment and there are ones that don't let go of me. These songs that grab hold touch something to deep in me. These are usually the ones that bring me to a place of worship when I least expect it and most need it. This place where I lift hands and lower knees all to Him.
Sometimes they break apart the hard and turn me inside out. 
The tears come and I come undone.

This is one of those songs.



I will sing of your strength; 
I will sing aloud of your 
steadfast love in the morning. 
Psalm 59:16

What song is God using to speak to you?

Blessings,

Orange Main Session - Andy Stanley

Here are my notes from Andy Stanley's main session.

I want to encourage you to rethink your approach on how you teach and talk about the scriptures to kids and students. We have for generations perceived ourselves to be the majority. It effects the words we use. We aren’t the majority anymore, but we are so accustomed to speaking as the majority. I wish we could all take a big step back and not act as if we were the majority. In the first century they knew they weren’t the majority. They were lion food. Outcasts. Once upon a time there were a handful of people who believed that Jesus rose from the dead.

 

Our approach determines people’s response to what we have to say.

-  We have to approach each child differently.

We must adapt our approach depending on who our audience is.

-  In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Paul adapted to speak to each person’s differences.

-  His goal wasn’t to be right, and make a point. His goal was to reach some.

- The approach may change, but the goal always remains the same.

You inherited an approach that assumes biblical authority.

- You do not believe what you believe because the Bible says so.

7 Guideline to Communicate Scripture

- Choose a passage of scripture and stay there. Bible story – is it a story? Its better than a story. It’s history.  Make it interesting and clear. Bring your energy to the text. Stop using all your energy for the illustration. You read things to discover if they are true.

- Give people permission not to believe or obey the scriptures. We do not want our children to think that the reason we do this is because it is in the bible. 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 – What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church. All the local church is supposed to do is one another one another. When people see that, they want that. Let’s be so good at what we do they can’t help but lean in. The attraction of the church is look at all those one anothers one anothers not this is what is in the bible. The authority of the local church was look how they love one another not this is what the bible says.

- Teach in a manner that emphasizes the identity of Jesus over the authority of scripture.  They believed in Jesus because He rose from the dead not because the bible says so. The foundation of our faith is a moment in history – Jesus rose from the dead.  People must come to terms with the identity of Jesus and his authority before they can believe. The foundation of your faith is a group of people that expected to find a body and didn’t.

- Don’t refer to the bible as a book. Never say god wrote the bible. It’s way better than a book.

- Cite authors not the Bible. James was the brother of Jesus. What would you have to do to convince your brother that you were the Son of God? We should not expect people to believe that Jesus rose from the dead because the bible says so. We believe because the witnesses said so and they saw it.

 - Acknowledge the odd as odd. There are some odd things in the Bible. Just say they're odd. We believe the Old Testament is true because Jesus believed that it was true. Anyone who predicts his own death and resurrection, I just go with what he says. Jesus said the Old Testament was scripture.

- Don’t create the impression that one must choose between faith and science. You want people who understand why things work like they do. 

And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult 

for the Gentiles who are turning to God.

Acts 15:19 

Let's not make it difficult for our kids.

Desperate - A MUST READ for Mommas

Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson have written a book - 

Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe. 

One to speak to our momma hearts. 

I recommend this book for every momma and not just the ones expecting

or ones with tinies, but mommas in every stage of parenting.

You can read my Desperate Momma story here.

The Kindle version of Desperate is on sale today only for $3.99

and you can get it here. Seriously, go now.

If you've been thinking of starting a book study of Desperate, this week would be a fantastic time to get the books. If you buy five *paperback* copies of Desperate this week (through Friday) you can get the Desperate DVD for FREE! Go HERE (or your favorite store) to get the books! Then just take a picture or scan your receipt and send it to: desperatebook@thomasnelson.com

To celebrate the release of the Desperate DVD, Sarah and Sally are giving away a $100 GC to a maid service, a Yankee candle (winner's choice), a "breathe" custom necklace, 5 books, and a DVD. You can enter at sarahmae.com or itakejoy.com.

 

Friends...believe me when I tell you that this book is simply a gift from these two incredible women. It is a gift you can receive and one to give away as well. Buy one for yourself and get another for your friend. Buy one for every momma in your church or a momma you might encounter through your day.

Blessings,

Deny Yourself by Lisa Chan - Review & Giveaway

Then Jesus said to his disciples, 

"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves

and take up their cross and follow me."

Matthew 16:24

In Lisa Chan's second video in the True Beauty: Finding Your Identity in Jesus series, she shared about the struggle to fight against our nature and deny ourselves to follow Christ. He asks us to lay down our lives to be His disciples. What does that look like in a world that is so self indulgent? How do we live out what Christ has called us to in the midst of a loud world?

Along with Lisa's teaching, Irene shares her story about her broken marriage. She had come to a place where she was considering divorce after many years of hurt, when her husband asked for her forgiveness. Irene admits that she struggled in this.

Jesus then spoke to her heart saying,

"Irene, I stretched out my arms like this and I took my last breath for you, but also for your husband. You want me to forgive you, but you're not willing to forgive."

This truth changed everything for her. This is just the beginning of Irene's story and how God is working in her marriage. I so loved hearing her heart.

Lisa relates some personal stories of moments that God asks her to surrender and how hard that was for her. She goes on to state that moving into that place of surrender actually brings joy and contentment. 

We live in a world that shouts "Do more. Be more. Have more." This is in opposition to God's way of things. We have to ask ourselves in we believe what He said when He asks us to deny ourselves.

Don't forget we're living for something bigger, 

so stop looking at things through your own lens.

- Lisa Chan

I loved this teaching and I believe it is something that
other women will be challenged and encouraged by as well.

My friends at David C. Cook have graciously offered to give away

a copy of Deny Yourself to one blessed Saved Sister reader.

You can enter to win below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Dear Fear...You Are A Liar

Well hello there fear.

You've invaded my space again and I've let you.

You tell me things like...

You can't do this.

This isn't for you.

You aren't enough.

And so much more.

I know you are a liar, but in those weak moments I let you speak to my heart.

Listening to the lies and absorbing them.

Letting them take me to a place not meant for me.

I even hide behind you.

Using you as an excuse to stay in the comfortable.

My heart knows truth and longs for more.

More than you can offer or excuse.

Here's just some of His truth.

I can do this.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

 There are plans for me.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. 

"They are plans for good and not for disaster, 

to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11

Dreams do come true.

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires.

Psalm 37:4  

I don't have to know. I just have to trust.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

do not depend on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

I am not in this alone.

So be strong and courageous! 

Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. 

For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. 

He will neither fail you nor abandon you.

Deuteronomy 31:6 

I am treasured.

Others were given in exchange for you.

I traded their lives for yours
because you are precious to me.

You are honored, and I love you.

Isaiah 43:4

For so long I have listened to you. God is growing me in this with each step of faith that I am taking. The truth is that God speaks louder than your lies.

It is about my choice in who to hear. His truth is what I will take into my heart and His promises I will stand on. Oh I know that there may be moments that I falter in this, but He has a truth for that too - grace. I won't get stuck in that stumble anymore. So know that I am declaring today that I am no longer letting you rule my life.

His (the biggest and best truth of all),

Me

What would you say to fear in a letter?

My friend Holley Gerth invited me to join a group of dreamers that she affectionately calls her God Sized Dream Team. What a blessing to be part of this group. 

We will be gathering each week on Tuesdays at Holley's to encourage each other to dream those God sized dreams.

Won't you join us?

What is your God-sized dream?

Holley had written a love letter to dreamers. Her book You're Made for a God-Sized Dream is full of words of encouragement and will speak to your heart.

Blessings,

What I'm Reading - Fear, Faith, & a Fistful of Chocolate

My Thoughts

I absolutely LOVED this book!

The author shares about her fears and her faith in a way that makes you feel like you aren't alone. It felt like sitting across the table from a girlfriend and sharing hearts. She is so transparent in her writing and made me laugh out loud throughout the book. I figure that any book that can make me laugh while talking about something like this is a definite must read. Each chapter begins with scripture and ends with questions to help dig a little deeper in our fears. A fantastic read that I highly recommend.

You can purchase the book here:

Amazon.com - Fear, Faith, & a Fistful of Chocolate

About the Book

Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolates is tailored to women worn down by everyday fears—financial, health, relationships, loss, pain, the unknown, the what-ifs—both real and imagined. In a nutshell, the stuff of life. Coty encourages women to join hands and hearts and approach the quest to conquer life’s worries with faith, a girlfriend, and a smile.

About the Author

Debora M. Coty is a popular speaker, columnist, lifelong Bible student, internationally published freelance writer, and award-winning author of numerous books, including Too Blessed to Be Stressed, and More Beauty, Less Beast. She’s also an orthopedic occupational therapist, writing instructor, and tennis addict. Mother of two grown children, Debora lives and loves in central Florida with her husband, Chuck, and desperately wicked pooch, Fenway.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Where Fear Camps Out

Fear camps out right next to what it is you're most called to do.
That means the closer you get to your calling, the louder fear gets.
- Holley Gerth

Fear is one of my biggest challenges in pursuing my God-sized dream. 
Last week I shared how I am learning that it is less about the absence of fear and more about trusting Him with all of it.

The biggest lesson in doing that has been not to feed the fears and instead feed my faith. That means looking to His truths and not the lies that bind. You know those lies: Who do you think you are? How could you possibly do this? We all hear them. But the beauty of it is that we don't have to be enslaved to them.

The fear may camp out beside me, but I don't have to invite it into my tent.

One of His truths that I am standing on is:

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.

Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.

I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

 

My friend Holley Gerth invited me to join a group of dreamers that she affectionately calls her God Sized Dream Team. What a blessing to be part of this group. 

We will be gathering each week on Tuesdays at Holley's to encourage each other and you to dream those God sized dreams.

Won't you join us?
What is your God-sized dream?

Blessings,

If Momma Ain't Happy

As a wife and mom, I am the thermostat of our home. I am responsible for setting the emotional temperature of our family. My mood will set the tone each day and my husband and children will respond accordingly.

That is a huge responsibility and I have to be ever conscious of my mood and how it effects my family.  Life can be challenging and negative emotions can be stirred up during those times. Emotions aren't wrong, but letting them control me is.

Feelings don't just happen; they are always preceded by a thought.

- Judy Rossi

Our thoughts are so important in shaping our emotions. What we hear in our heads travels to our hearts. We have a choice to let the negative thoughts take root and create negative feelings or replace those thoughts with the truth. His truth.

In 2 Corinthians 10:5, we are told to "take every thought captive" which means that we have control over our thoughts. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that this is possible. For once we become children of God, we have the Holy Spirit inside of us and letting the Spirit control our minds leads to life and peace (Romans 8:6).

In Romans 12:1-2, God commands us to offer our bodies as a "living and holy sacrifice" as an act of worship, which includes our minds. We are to yield and devote everything to Him - from our thoughts to our actions. He goes on to say that we are to let Him transform us into new people by changing the way we think. We need to be molded daily by His truth and not the lies that we often hear in our heads.

Under God's economy, nothing really changes until our minds do. Transformation is the fruit of a changed outlook. First our minds are renewed, and then we are transformed, and then everything is different, even if it stays the same.

- Mark Buchanan "The Rest of God"

He tells us in His Word exactly what we should be

thinking of instead of those negative thoughts.

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. 

Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Philippians 4:8

In God's Word, there is a truth for every lie the enemy tries to get us to believe.

Feeling alone?

Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:20

Feeling tired?

Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Feeling defeated?

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

Only God's truth will renew our minds and change our behavior. 

The lies keep us bound and His truth sets us free.

What negative thoughts are you struggling with today?

How can I pray for you today?

Blessings,

A Look Back at 2012

Looking back at what I've written in the past year 
and am feeling so incredibly blessed.

Not by what I've written, but by you all sharing
your hearts in response to my heart on the page.

I am so thankful for each one of you who 
have read, responded to, and shared my words.

You all are a treasured gift.

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.

Philippians 1:3

Today I wanted to share some of my favorite posts from the past year with you.

Seriously Still  

In January, I shared about God calling me to be still with Him. 

Surrender

In February, I shared about exchanging my weakness for His strength.

Love Begins at Home

In March, I shared about what Family Ministry looks like in our own homes.

Hold My Hand Mommy!

In April, I shared about moments with my boys that taught me more about God.

Me, Mr. Clean, & God

In May, I shared about a time that I have my deepest conversations with God.

Making the Most of Drive Time

In June, I shared about making the most of every moment we have with our children.

8 Truths About God Every Child Should Learn

In July, I shared truths from The Lord's Prayer to teach our children.

Enough for Today

In August, I shared about standing on the promise of provision from God.

Dear Me...A Letter to My Teenage Self

In September, I joined other bloggers in writing a letter to myself as a teenager. 
This was by far the most challenging post I wrote all year and is still the hardest for me to read. It is the post that had both positive and negative responses, but through it all I knew it had to be shared.

If it touched one person's life, then it was all worth it.

You Are Welcome Here

In October, I shared about our longing to be welcomed and the power of those words.

I Did It Scared

In October, I also shared about one of my biggest fears and how God is bigger.

We Promised Forever

In November, I shared about celebrating 20 years married to my warrior.

The Answer to a 7 Year Prayer

In November, I also shared about the power of my Abba answering a prayer.

Missions Monday - The Exodus Road

In December, I shared about God breaking my heart and joining The Exodus Road team.

For the Hidden Heroes

In December, I also shared a letter of encouragement written to the undercover investigators of The Exodus Road and invited you to write one as well.

Again I want to thank you all.

Thank you for joining me here and allowing me 
to share my heart and sharing yours right back. 
I am looking forward to what God has 
in store for us in the coming year together.

Blessings,
Wendy

Surrendering My Sons

Monday as I dropped the boys off to school I tried to hard 
not to imagine that the worst could happen. 

Even though I know it can. 

I've seen the faces on the television. 

I've heard the cries of the children and teachers who experienced the nightmare 
and the cries of the families who have lost dear ones.

I have wept over and over again since the unfathomable news broke on Friday. I sat that day watching the tragedy unfold and lifting up prayers without words. The only word that could come out of my mouth was "Jesus..." knowing that the Holy Spirit would have to speak the rest for me. 

I began to count down the minutes until my sons would come home from school and resisted the urge to pick them up early. Deep down in my momma-heart I just needed to have them close...hug them tight...kiss their cheeks. I needed to look at them and say how much I love them.

I was once again reminded that I surrender my sons every day. Not to the world, but to Him. Each day asking Him to invade their space and permeate their world. Knowing that He loves them and cares for them even more than I do. That He desires spectacular lives and has big plans for them even more than I do. 

In that surrender I lift my hands up and up, physically offering them to Him...these sons of mine. Trusting. Believing. Hoping. Oh my heart. Some days it is harder than others. The surrender. Monday was one of those days.

This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.
Psalm 91:2

Comfort and Peace

My prayer for all those touched by the tragedy 

at Sandy Hook Elementary is His comfort and peace.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3

O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted;

you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear.

Psalm 10:17

God blesses those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.

Matthew 5:4

The Lord gives his people strength.

The Lord blesses them with peace.

Psalm 29:11

You will keep in perfect peace

    all who trust in you,

all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Isaiah 26:3

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.
And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.

So don’t be troubled or afraid.

John 14:27

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.

But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

John 16:23

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ 
give you grace and peace.

Romans 1:7b