Lysa TerKeurst | 2011 August

Tuesday, August 30

Cure for the ugly “C” word

It’s a Holly Day today~

Lysa is once again tucked away in a quiet place making the most of her writing time for her next book. Thank you for your sweet comments yesterday. We were so moved by the words of one of our blog friends, that we wanted to share them with you today~

Lysa,

I read an article on CNN today about people who live in a garbage dump, my mind can’t even begin to grasp how they even survive a day.

To always be dirty, feel the pain of hunger, to dig through trash in the hope of finding something of value. Oh how God has convicted me of my behavior through your recent post and the article.

I have been comparing myself to others and coveting what they have. Coveting is such an ugly word yet it is the sin that puts a wall between me and my Heavenly Father.

I keep remembering your words in your book, “Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl”, that I am not equipped to handle their good or bad and that God has given me what I am equipped to handle.

But the struggle with Satan rages on in my mind as I allow myself to become victim of his whispered lies. “The life we waste everyday because we want a better one or because we are never satisfied with it, is the life that many wish and yearn to have and would give everything to have it” is a quote by the photographer in the CNN article.

I pray that I will never forget that quote and that when Satan whispers, I will not give him an opportunity to write his words on my heart. May I yell the truths of God’s word to Satan when he tries to weave his web of lies.

Perspective does change everything.

All of that to say thank you for your post about the Dream Center. I am so happy that you have challenged me to send a card with encouragement to souls who just need to know someone cares.

Thank you for allowing God to use you and your words to challenge and convict me. A challenge to focus on others instead of myself, a challenge to remember the blessings in my life, the challenge to be the hands and feet of God that I am called to be. I did not post a comment to the article but I will be sending a card with encouragement with one of my favorite verses.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Amber

Need your advice

Thank you friends for the huge way you helped support the amazing work for the Dream Center. I think it’s a beautiful thing when the body of Christ can cut across denominational lines, see a work of God and join Him there.

For the next several days when I’m not packing lunches, running carpools and helping with homework, I will be tucked away working on my next book, “Unglued.” I would so appreciate your prayers and your thoughts.

My goal here on the blog most days is to offer something to you.

But over the next day or two, I’d love to ask some things from you. Ideas. Thoughts. Suggestions.

In working on this book about raw emotions and reactions, I want to make sure I’m thinking through the exact struggles we women have that lead to unglued feelings. So, might you take a moment and let me peek into your life by leaving a comment on today’s post?

If you are getting this blog via email, you’ll want to click here to hop over to my actual site. Once there click on the word “comments” and type your thoughts there.

How would you define unglued?

What does coming unglued look like for you?

What factors contribute to you feeling unglued?

Do you tend to explode or stuff?

What would you want to make sure I cover in a book like this?

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Thank you so much for taking a few minutes and responding today. I take the assignment of this book very seriously and I truly want to address those things that will help you the most.

And hopefully not come unglued myself in the process. Whew! I only write about that which God has been teaching me about personally.

Your prayers are very much appreciated. With more love than these fragile words can hold…

Helping the Dream Center

You know what I find amazing? Perspective. It changes everything.

If you visit here regularly, you know I had some things stolen recently. Jewelry that wasn’t particularly expensive but when you add the sentimental value, they were priceless.

Well, I thought they were priceless. That is before I got a precious note of encouragement from my blog friend named Linda. Her story grabbed me.

She doesn’t have her jewelry anymore either. But her situation is a bit different. Her husband has stage 4 cancer. They needed money. She sold her jewelry.

And when I read that, something deep within me stirred.

One word came to my mind – blessed. I am so blessed. So abundantly, lavishly, amazingly blessed.

Perspective. It changes everything.

We try so hard to hold onto our stuff. We call it our treasure and expect to feel joy. But in God’s economy if we want to gain, we must give up. For joy won’t ever be found in collecting treasures. Joy radiates in our life only when we share treasures.

Might you have a minute or two to share a tiny bit of your treasure?

My friends at the Dream Center in LA need our help. If you want to read more about the Dream Center and my time there recently, click here and here.

They have over 700 people living in their church-supported facility who need to know Christians care – Jesus girls care – I care – you care – we care.

The girls there rescued from sex trafficking, they need to know.

The homeless families, they need to know.

The young people recovering from drug addictions that look so much like my kids – your kids, they need to know.

The woman rescued from skid row and the ex-gang member, they need to know.

They need to know.

So, will you help me?

My idea is to have each of my blog friends write a note of encouragement to someone at the Dream Center and include three things…

* Your favorite Bible verse…

* A note from you encouraging them that Jesus hears their prayers…

* AND a gift card. This gift card will go such a long way in helping restore a precious soul’s dignity and ability to purchase some things for themselves. Here are some stores the Dream Center suggested for the gift cards:

Target
Wal-Mart
IKEA
Glendale Galleria Mall gift card
Vons or Ralph’s
Costco
Movie theatres (AMC or Mann)
Starbucks ($10 each to use as rewards for people in program)
Any chain restaurants (Cheesecake Factory, Olive Garden, Islands, California Pizza Kitchen, etc)