YES to GOD blog study sign up AND a contest

Thanks to all who prayed for our blogging friend, Melanie's son Andrew yesterday....

Although their journey has just begun, click here to read an awesome report of God.

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My entire education was spent in a Christian School.

I learned much about Jesus and Who He is and what He did on the cross for me.

I went to Bible class.

I went to church every Wednesday and Sunday.

I knew the real reasons of the Easter and Christmas seasons.

As I got older I signed up for every Beth Moore Bible study the church offered.

I grew up knowing about Jesus, loving Jesus and then walking away from Jesus.

Biggest mistake of my life.

So now that I've been back in His arms for quite sometime, I want more of Him.

I want our relationship to go to a different level.

But I can no longer be a woman that signs up for every Bible study in hopes that I have the look of a good Christian woman, whatever look that may be.

I want to...

Learn how to make a Bible passage come alive in my devotion time.

Replace doubt, regret, and envy with truth, confidence and praise.

Stop the unhealthy cycles of striving and truly learn to love who I am and what I've been given.

Discover how to have inner peace and security in any situation.

and

Sense God responding to my prayers.

You might be saying...Wow, Lelia go for it.

I will, but I hope you will join me in this new adventure.

All I just listed above is exactly what I want, but I copied those words from the back cover of the newest book from

the founder and President of

Proverbs 31 Ministries(P31)

Lysa TerKeurst

called

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl

Tuesday, October 6th,

the fall study for YES to GOD Tuesday's will begin with Lysa's book!

If you have never participated in a YtoG study, then click here for more info.

I am always excited about participating in these studies, but I have to tell you why this one has an extra special meaning to me.

In my effort to become more than a good Bible study girl, I am trying to completely surrender

to Christ.

This is so hard for me.

In one of my many areas of struggle, I have been trying to let God have control of our finances. To help us with this, my husband and I are reading a book together called

Learning to Live Financially Free

by P31 speaker

Marybeth Whalen and her husband Curt.

It is an awesome book!

While reading this, I have come to admit that I am a book freak.

I love me some good reading.

Reading that pushes me closer to God, such as anything

by TerKeurst or Lisa Whittle.

Reading that will show me a different way to live.

So even though we are under some financial stress, I would daily treat myself to books.

Each week when I came home carrying more books, I could clearly see and yet ignore the stress in my husband's eyes.

When I showed him my unaffordable purchases, in my mind I would justify my buys with the fact that these books were about God.

Books that would guide me to become the Christian wife Gene deserves.

Gene P. Chealey needed these books.

But after deciding that I want God more than a library, I vowed to my Savior that I would not buy anymore books in 2009.

Not a long time, but when you love buying books like I do, it's an eternity.

I have put myself in the Christian bookstore twice since that promise was made and both times left empty handed. I haven't googled it yet, but I'm pretty sure the shakes I experienced in the car is a side effect of godly literary piece withdrawal.

I had told three people about my promise.

Gene, Kelley and Paula in Australia.

All three encouraged me to stay strong and not give in to my weakness.

It's not like I don't have books to read.

My bookshelf is packed and I have more downstairs, in my bedroom and in my book bag.

Since banning myself from bookstores, I have pulled out my library card.

But then, Lysa T. announced on her blog that her book was coming out this fall and you could even order it before it hit the stores.

"Oh Lord, this would be the perfect book for the fall study on my blog" and I clicked on the link to buy the book. I got to the payment part when I remembered my vow, so I emptied my P31 shopping cart.

A few days later she had a contest. All we had to do was give her some advice or write her a funny poem to take her mind off the mice that had become her unwanted house guests.

The winner of the contest would get a copy of her new book.

So, I entered.

And out of over 180 entries...Lysa chose my poem.

Can you believe God???

I love when He shows off in ways that only He can.

So, I am able to host the blog study this fall because God provided a book!

But this is where it gets even better.

Lysa and her friend/assistant Holly also included this for me to give away!

So, here's your chance to win her book.

All you have to do is sign up below to join me in the study.

That's it.

Come back on Tuesday, September 15th to see the name of the winner.

Excerpt from chapter 1

How might our lives look if we were so filled with God's truths we could let go of the pain of our past, not get tripped up by the troubles of today, or consumed by worries about tomorrow? Sound impossible? It is impossible when we try to make it happen on our own by doing more good Bible study girl things. Praying, reading the Bible, doing another Bible study, going to church, and being nice are wonderful and necessary.

But just going through the motions of these activities will not fill our souls.

They must be done with the great expectation and heart cry for God to lead us into a deeper and more life-changing connection with Him.

On Tuesday October 6th have CHAPTER 1 read and be ready to discuss.

If you want to post your own thoughts on the chapter on your blog then there will be a sign up so we can visit your blog.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A BLOGGER TO JOIN IN!

On past studies bloggers and non-bloggers have come together to discuss a book.

Hope you join us.

Get the book.

Invite friends...this is a great way to do a Bible study/book collectively with friends in different states or countries.

Pray and be ready and willing to let God take you where He wants.

During my book buying fast, knowing I wanted to do this new book on my blog study,

God provided.

He provided a book for me and in perfect God fashion, He also provided a copy for one of you.

He has left no room to doubt which book He wants us to do for the fall study.

Let's see what He has planned for us exhausted good Bible study girls.

After you sign up below, go bless Lysa and tell her that you'll be doing her book on the study this fall. She'd love to hear from you.

~Many Blessings~