Lysa TerKeurst _{Leading Women in the Adventure of Faith}

Welcome friends — It’s a Holly Day today~

If you are visiting here today from the Encouragement for Today devotion, welcome! If you haven’t read that devotion, hop over and read it, but remember to come back here.

At the end of the devotion, I asked you to leave a prayer request here. Lysa and I will pray for you during our early morning runs, but I also wanted to ask you to do me a favor. Please pray for the comment below yours (the comment that was left right before you leave yours). That way, sweet sisters, we will be covered with even more prayers. And that’s powerful.

Thanks for stopping by today~

Lysa will be back soon…

It’s a Holly Day today~

We received this encouraging tweet through Twitter over the weekend:

“I can’t thank you enough for Made to Crave. My life will never be the same:)” @sarahfarish

Lysa was so touched that she re-tweeted it and wanted to share Sarah’s amazing story with you today. We pray it inspires you as much as it did us.

If you have a Made to Crave story that you’d be willing to share, we’d love to hear it. Please leave a comment today so others can also be encouraged.

Lysa will be speaking at Harvester Christian Church in St. Charles, MO this weekend. Musical artist Laura Story will also be at this wonderful conference. Everyone is welcome. We’d love to meet you there! For more information, please click here.

Lysa will be back with a fresh blog post tomorrow!

Tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. I have a date with two supportive ladies and 13.1 miles.  I can hardly believe I am planning to walk/jog that far.  Just three months ago, the thought of walking 13.1 yards didn’t seem particularly appealing.  While I am not lazy, I just didn’t like exercise.  Ok, I still don’t love it, but I have grown to like feeling great, which I do if I exercise.

What changed?  What made me go from sedentary to half-marathoner?

God.  A book. A conviction.

I have struggled with my weight (literally) my entire life.  My birth weight was 11 pounds 3 ounces!  I’ve lost weight many times.  In college I lost 65 pounds my sophomore year.  I’ve tried every diet and program:  Weight Watchers, high carb/low fat, low carb, Atkins, South Beach, no sugar, soup only, and on.  You name it, bet I’ve tried it sometime in my life.

Except for the 65-pound loss in college when I was boy crazy,  I was never successful at losing weight because I have always lacked motivation. After all, my weight has never held me back from goals, dreams, friends, or anything.   Why lose weight?  I have no health problems, take no medications, and my family and friends seem ok with my weight.  I can fit in stylish clothes, participate in most activities, and fit in an airplane seat.  So, really, what’s the big deal?

Before June 26, there was no deal big enough to prompt change in me.

Then, a seemingly insignificant comment from a pastor in a meeting changed my course.  He challenged those at the meeting to pray and fast.  I’d studied fasting in May as I participated in the 30-hour famine, but hadn’t given it much thought since.  But, at this point, I was struggling with lots of decisions both in and out of my control. As I sat in the church service that evening, a broken record played in my ear, “pray and fast.”

So, I did.

No, I didn’t go without eating.  On the advice of a friend, I chose one food /food group that I NEVER thought I could go without:  sugar.  If you’re food pyramid savvy at all, you know sugar includes carbs – my only food group:)   (I did/do eat fruit though.  I just avoid all things white and processed.)

It was excruciating.  And, in the excruciation, I turned where He knew I would – to Him. But, I still felt as if I was trying to control this area of my life and knew God was after me to give it to Him – something I do not do very well.  In fact, because I am terrible at giving God control, I began desperately looking for help. So, I did what I always do – I went to amazon.com.  Books solve all problems…usually:)

The best book?  Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst.  But, this book had been sitting on my bookshelf for a few months.  In fact, I’d already read it.   Still, I walked to the shelf and started from the beginning.  Something in me knew the answer was in that book.

I finished reading and confessed to God and my husband that weight was/is a spiritual issue for me.  I lean more on self and food than God.

I can’t begin to describe how this book spoke/speaks to me and my issues.  Really, it’s still too personal, and I am still in progress.  I’ve lost 20 pounds, but have about 50 more to go.

To lose the first 20, I’ve done three basic things:  changed my eating habits, started exercising, and leaned into God every minute of every temptation.   I know, I know.  Eating differently and exercising works every time.  Yes, it does.  But, I now know that eating differently and exercising is not possible (for me) without motivation and divine intervention.

Allowing God to satisfy my deepest desires, not food, now serves as my motivation.  I use the temptations and struggle to draw close to Him. My weight is no longer about how I look or feel.  My weight is about being a good steward of the body and life God’s given me.  I have learned that “Everything is permissible – but not everything is beneficial” (1 Corinthians 10:23) when it comes to food.  So, when I “crave” or  want something outside of my eating plan, I use it as a prayer prompt:  I stop and pray.

Does this work?  Mostly, yes.  I am continually amazed at the food I can resist and the exercise pace I can maintain if I pray through it.  Have I messed up my eating plan and my exercise schedule?  Absolutely.  But, when I do, it’s not the end of the world or the end of my new habits.  It’s a mistake I take to God and pray through – instead of giving up.

I know I am made for more than this.  I know God has a plan that requires my surrender in this area – and my loss of weight.  He wants to use me in a way that’s not possible as long as I am overweight.  I have already been passed over for a volunteer opportunity I truly desired because of my weight, which helped me to see that while God made me who I am and loves me just as I am, I have been made for more.

And, I take comfort and motivation from knowing God loves me just as I am.  It makes me want to be more for Him and in Him.  As Lysa says in her book, “Life as  a Christ follower will always be a learning process for depending less on our own strength and more on God’s power.”  And for me in this season, “The testing of (my) faith developed perseverance (which) must finish its work so that (I) may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:3-4).

Many have asked me about both my weight loss and half-marathon training, so I hope this post sheds some light.  When asked in person, I often give a quick answer or avoid the topic because it’s still quite emotional for me.  I have so much more to say/details to give, but will leave those for another time./post.  Yet, if you have questions or need help in this area, please ask me or a friend.  I could never walk through this alone.  I depend on my husband and friend Ashley to keep me going most days.  I’ll let you know how I progress:)

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

OR

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

Holly here with you today! Lysa is at the hospital with her sister this morning – she is having her first baby!

I attended She Speaks for the first time in 2006 because my friend Melanie had been urging me to go for several years. 

I knew I loved God.

I knew I liked to speak.

And I knew I was eager to learn – anything.

But that is about all I knew.

What I know for sure now is that by attending,  the entire direction of my life changed the week after I went to She Speaks. As the Executive Assistant to Lysa, I have been given the awesome opportunity to serve Him and others each day.

Is He prompting you to explore this conference further? Do you feel a tug on your heart to teach, serve, learn and grow?

We pray above all else, that finances will not be the reason you do not attend. Yesterday we received the most amazing comment from Patti. We knew we needed to share this with you today.

Congratulations to the winners! And for all those who didn’t, I highly encourage you to consider the sponsorship/fundraising option as well as entering the other contests!

Praying for all those who are contemplating attending!

Last year, God worked a miracle and helped me raise the funds to attend my first She Speaks. This year, I felt the tug to attend again. As first, I thought I would be able to afford it myself, but then, I was laid off. I didn’t think I could ask for sponsorship a second time, but God affirmed that this was a step to take. Nervously, I again asked for help. I posted a blog, sent email and posted my request on my Facebook.

In THREE DAYS the money came in and I was fully funded! Three days!! I am still crying over it! Wow. This method works and if He wants you there, He will provide a way!

Thank you Patti. Someone needed to read this today. 

We encourage you to let your friends, family members, co-workers, and people from your church know about your desire to attend the conference. Many women have been afforded the opportunity to attend in years past just by getting the word out. We have prepared a letter that may help you in your fundraising efforts. For more information about this, please click here .

So what do I know for sure today?

You are loved. Yes, you.

~Holly

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Don’t forget to pop over to www.MadetoCrave.org to see Week 4 of the Made to Crave webcast on demand all day today!

Hi friends – it’s a Holly Day today~

And I’ve got a story to share, with permission from Lysa of course.

As you may know, we were taping her next DVD Bible study series in Grand Rapids, Michigan last week. Our trip was quite the ‘undergarment escapade’ in epic proportions. I had written about Lysa’s dress being tucked up into her undergarments at the airport. But we also had another little mishap with another undergarment.

Lysa and I were graciously invited to stay with the President of Zondervan while we were in town. We were humbled, honored, anxious and tried our hardest to be on our best behavior.

Not long after we arrived however, Lysa realized that she was in need of a necessary undergarment that rests close to your heart. Yes. That one.  So, with no other option, we had to ask our lovely hostess, yes the President, to borrow said undergarment.

We were so thankful she was a female! And very sweet and caring at that.

A true, shake-your-head kind of story. I know. Never a dull moment around here.

Our friend Rachel Olsen, a member of our speaker team at Proverbs 31 Ministries and the editor of our on-line devotions can completely relate to this little mishap too. She has a similar story about her engagement ring that is a must read. Click here to see. This shake-your-head kind of story is in the beginning of her new book,  It’s No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know.

We’d love for you to read this wonderful book. It’s a perfect way for you to begin the Fall season. We are so happy for Rachel and to help her celebrate this new release, we are going to give away 2 copies of it!  

Simply share with us a funny tidbit about yourself that is a true, shake-your-head kind of story.

Come on now girls, we ALL have them!

Comment away! We will be looking forward to reading what you have to say today!

It’s  a Holly Day today~

41 years ago today…Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. He proudly proclaimed ‘the Eagle has landed’.

And the world was changed.

41 years ago today…Lysa TerKeurst arrived on the planet. She proudly proclaimed ‘I am here! Now let’s get started!’

And the world was changed some more.

Lysa, I know I speak for your loving family and friends, your amazing team at Proverbs 31 Ministries and your faithful blog readers when I say that we appreciate your wisdom, we are grateful for your written and spoken words of truth and we are captivated by your humble heart.

You live out loud what you teach my friend. You give beyond reason. And you serve without expectation.

You have challenged me. Redirected me. Changed me.  And for that I thank you and love you.

Happy birthday my dear friend. Happy birthday. May you feel loved today~