Lysa TerKeurst | 2011 July

Thursday, July 28

Bonding over titles, tallies, and book writing

It’s a Holly Day today~

Yesterday my 16 year old son helped me tabulate your responses to Lysa’s survey about her next book title. It was the highlight moment of my day. We tallied, calculated and bonded over the art of book writing and choosing a title. (I will say that he was a bit disappointed that his choice for the title did not come in first. Smiles.) He has always been fascinated with Lysa’s speaking ability, but yesterday we pondered the how’s and why’s of writing a book as well.

Thank you and thank you again for taking the time to respond to us about your thoughts on her title. More than 800 of you gave us your opinion and we are so very grateful you took the time to do so.

A final decision has not been made yet, as many prayers and discussions with her publisher, editor, and agent are still to come. They have all been keeping a very close tab on your thoughts, I can assure you of that.

Before I post the results, Lysa wanted me to tap you on the shoulder today and gently ask you one more question if you don’t mind: Do you resonate more with raw emotions or raw reactions in the subtitle?

Reining in your raw emotions before they reign over you

Reining in your raw reactions before they reign over you

Your opinions are so important to us. Please let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below. As a small thank you, Lysa is very willing to answer and address any questions you may have about the process of writing a book. Ask away. She is happy to answer some of these early next week.

Title Survey Results:

54% – Unglued, reining in your raw emotions before they reign over you

13.5% – Unglued, I don’t want to react this way any longer

9% – Released, because I don’t want to react this way any longer

22.5% – Released, reining in your raw reactions before they reign over you

________________________

Congrats to the following winners of our recent giveaways. Please email me at Holly@Proverbs31.org to obtain your prize.

Renee Swope’s book, A Confident Heart – Annette R, Jan Udlock, Stephanie McCrary, Denise Crosby, Sharon Chism

$10 Starbucks gift card – Sonya Taylor, Linda McGill, Camille

Lysa’s books, Made to Crave and What Happens When Women Say Yes to God – Kate M., Paige B. and Lauren Harris

The reader that rolled her eyes…

I’m guest posting at (In)Courage today, “My testimony isn’t dramatic enough.” I’d love for you to participate in some of the interesting discussions.

Thank you for all the title votes and suggestions from yesterday. “Unglued” is the clear front runner but I still like “Released” as well. I’ll keep you posted on the publishing committee’s decision. I feel the weight of choosing wisely with this title.

Today is also the last day you can download “Made to Crave” on your Kindle for $2.99 — you can get more info by clicking here. I believe this special deal is also available on other e-readers such as Nook as well. Happy Day. But today is the last day you can feel the love at only $2.99.

I don’t often share the testimonial letters we get from readers on the blog. Most marketing experts would disagree with this decision, but they feel personal and private to me. Sweet whisper notes slipped underneath my door from a reader’s heart to mine.

But I got one yesterday I couldn’t not share.

Thank you Stacie F. from Indiana for giving me permission to share this. I stand amazed, humbled, and honored to be part of your journey. When I received your note, I gathered my family around and read it out loud. I thought it only fitting to gather my bloggy friends around too.

Lysa,

I must confess that at our fall women’s conference last year I was less than thrilled to hear that you were speaking at the next fall conference. “Lysa who?” I thought. I had never heard of you.

I thought to myself, “It’s another lady speaker who is going to make everyone cry so they will buy more of her books, t-shirts and cd’s. I’m not going.” You see, I had allowed my heart to become hard. I had been a “Christian” all of my life, but I had never been on fire for God.

I didn’t understand it, and I didn’t want to. I was comfortable going to church on Sundays, joining an occasional Bible study and volunteering for VBS. I was lukewarm at best. I was also overweight and hating myself for it.

Then, blessed K-love started talking about your book “Made to Crave”! At first, I thought, “Oh, it’s that Lysa chick again… Not interested.” But they kept talking about it and talking about it and talking about it. I became intrigued.

I finally bought it and started reading it in February.

I had already tried and failed to do Weight Watchers online so I thought your book was worth a shot. I read it half-hearted and thought it all sounded good and made sense, but I wasn’t allowing it to pierce my heart.

I wasn’t finding my “want to”. However, I did like your writing style and the way you put your life out there. I liked how you shared your embarrassing stories.

Then, I read your story about the chips and salsa poster. God used your story of temptation and determination to soften my hardened heart. I thought, “Wow! If Lysa can do that, then I can do it too.” I finished your book with a new enthusiasm.

Then, I read it again. Then, I read “What Happens when Women Say Yes to God.”

God was changing me.

He was working through your books (and some David Crowder Band music!) to change my heart. I gave up junk food and soft drinks for Him. I gave up eating anything unhealthy for Him. I started walking 3 miles every day for Him.

I was learning obedience and total surrender to God.

I was seeking him with a new heart. I realized that my soul longed for him. I dug into my Bible and read it with a new joy. I couldn’t get enough of it. I delighted in him with all my heart. I found hope and peace.

Now, I am 40 lbs lighter and 2 sizes under my “skinny” jeans, and I’m on fire for the God that loves each one of us no matter where we are in life! Everyone is telling me that I look great and asking what I did to lose the weight. My short answer is “Made to Crave”.

Lysa, thank you for your ministry.

Thank you for following God in radical obedience.

Thank you for putting your life’s story out there in the hands of strangers.

Thank you for your honesty and compassion.

This morning I got asked to share my story at a “Made to Crave” study that is starting this fall. ME!? The nobody, homeschooling, mom of 5 who spends most days at home doing dishes and laundry.

Sweet sister, I am writing my speech and sharing my story.

God is challenging me to face my fears of public speaking and share the good things that he can do through your book. (Please say a prayer for me on August 18^th!) Thank you, thank you for creating “Made to Crave”.

By the way, I recently bought my ticket for this fall’s women’s conference. I can’t wait to see you speak! (Lysa, who?? Haha!) I am even prayerfully considering volunteering at the event. Thank you again for your ministry. God is doing a good work through you.

Your Sister in Christ,

Stacie F.

Wow. This letter makes words slip from my brain and my mouth go quiet. All I can whisper is, “Thank you Jesus.”

If you’ve read Made to Crave or What Happens When Women Say Yes to God , how did God mess with you?

I’m giving away 2 copies of each of these books today to three randomly drawn commenters. One for you to keep and one to give to a friend! I’ll announce all winners of this week’s giveaways tomorrow.

The Reactor Factor

When I was in college I decided I wanted to run for president of my sorority. I had been the head of several committees and felt I’d handled my responsibilities well. I’d introduced an initiative that helped us raise a good amount of money. And I’d developed solid relationships.

I felt I had the three things necessary for a successful campaign:

* Proven track record

* Progressive ideas

* Personal relationships

Bingo. I was ready. Until the meeting two weeks before the election.

We were discussing some policy changes with our pledge program. I’d been the pledge trainer and worked hard to develop our training program to welcome the new members in with great intentionality. I truly felt it had been the best year yet. But in this meeting other opinions rose to the surface.

Instead of really listening and trying to understand the perspectives of others, I crossed my arms and made it clear I was offended. I jumped in mid-sentence to one girl’s suggestions and blasted the conversation with a great diatribe defending my actions and making it very known I didn’t appreciated being criticized.

And in the effort to prove I was right in that moment, I tore down everyone’s confidence I could be the right leader moving forward.

My reaction short circuited my reach. And I’ve never forgotten it.

Have you ever struggled with your reactions?

That’s what I’m writing my next book about- reactions and raw emotions. So many of us girls find ourselves entangled in, distracted by, and unraveled because of the wild feelings that stir and threaten to spill out when people bump into our happy.

A snide remark by a family member. A child insistent on pouncing on your last good nerve- over and over again. An accusatory comment by a friend. A conversation that leaves you awake at night feeling terribly misunderstood. A hurtful comment from your spouse.

It’s hard to be a Christian girl when very unchristian reactions threaten to jump out and sabotage your best intentions.

You know what I mean?

So, here’s where you come in. I need your help with the title of this project. I’m listing some possibilities below. Will you take just a few seconds and leave a comment today telling me which one you like and why.

Thank you. Mucho. Grande.

And speaking of grande, I’m giving away a $10 Starbucks certificate to three randomly drawn commenters today. I suggest the grande, single shot, 7 pump, skinny vanilla latte, no foam, extra hot with a dash of high maintenance on the side. Smiles.

Anyhow… here are the possible titles:

Unglued- reining in your raw emotions before they reign over you

Unglued- I don’t want to react this way any longer

Released- because I don’t want to react this way any longer

Released- reining in your raw reactions before they reign over you

As you vote, think about hosting this book as a Bible study at your church. Which title would connect best with you and your friends. Thank you, thank you for taking a minute to help me today by leaving your thoughts in the comment section below.