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Saturday, September 12, 2009

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.
***************************

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


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
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.
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~

25 comments:

Deb said...

The Bible study sounds great!

So glad that you didn't rationalize buying the book.

Love how He provided one for you.

He's so good. He's so God.

Sweet dreams.

Heather - On the Road... said...

Oh, i so want to, want to do this study. I just don't know yet if I can add another thing into my schedule. I am already going to be starting Beth Moore's Esther study this week (with the daily work) and have choir, AWANA, worship team, small group, etc...... God is impressing on me to take something out... not add something in.

I want to so badly read this book!!!! Unless I hear otherwise from God, I am just going to have to wait I suppose.

I will try to read along with "y'all" though.

Love you so much and hope that things are going well. I have missed you, though I have read your posts through the summer....
Love you and God bless,
Heather

KelliGirl said...

Good for you for holding firm to your book fast promise. And how great that you won the book! God is amazing!

Lysa's book sounds wonderful. I'm not sure if I'll be able to do the study, but I'll be sure to check in on things.

Tammy said...

Love her books! Love being apart of your bible study!

love and hugs~Tammy

Danielle said...

Oh, how this intersts me! But, I am already commited to doing two other bible studies on the home front. Actually, its more like three. What was I thinking!

I will try to follow along and watch how God continues to bless you other sisters, though.

You are such a blessing, Leila.

Peggy said...

Blessings Lelia...I love each and every "YES TO GOD" Bible Study that you have done though I have not participated because I am in Mexico and do not purchase the book! Without having the actual book, I felt my comments may not fit!
But I'd love to be able to read the actual book with you! I use to catch the study midway through usually and then go back and read each part up to that day, but then I smartened up and began following you! That's how I knew this time!

Lysa's new book is an absolute great one to choose. As hard as it was for you to do your book fast & now to return, I am so thankful for that and blessed by how great God has provided this for you!

Thank you for doing this & I will be following along once more. Looking forward because this sure looks like one I need just like you wrote!(Amen) May you be blessed as you bless us with these studies!

motiv8dbeliever said...

I'm in. I look forward to the study and reading this book along with the other participants. Kudos to you for resisting the temptation to buy the book. It certainly brought reward and preparation to living God's word. God bless all of us in our own efforts to do MORE than be a good bible study girl!

Analisa said...

I am Analisa also a reader. I wrote the review on Crazy Love by Francis Chan. You left a comment and here I am visiting your site and finding the name Lysa Terkeurst.
I just wrote this woman's name down in my study notebook. I saw her on TV, I think w/Betty and James Robinson. I was so impressed. I wanted to visit her blog. Read her book, yep that is a given. So please enter me in your contest.

Also did you know you can review books for Thomas Nelson and they will send you a book for free, if you promise to do a review. It is a great way to promote Christian books. You can click on the little box on my page.

Oh and you had me at Beth Moore, I just love her.

Jackie said...

Woo Hoo! Count me in - look forward to sharing in the Bible Study! I know that as we come hungry - He will fill us with gooooood things!
Blessings!
Jackie

Edie said...

Oh girl I love how God provided exactly what you needed. I was just telling a friend of mine today that He keeps showing me these types of scenarios where He was working silently behind the scenes. It has been encouraging for me to see lately as I trust Him to orchestrate my circumstances.

The study sounds great! I love Lysa's books, but I must behave in the financial area myself as well as prioritizing my time better. (sigh)

Much love to you!

Anonymous said...

Oh this Bible study sounds amazing! I too am the same way with buying books. I don't think I go into Lifeway without buying a book and I have a whole shelf of books that I have yet to read. I am going to look more into this! We are starting another study at church that I really want to do but I don't see why I cannot do more than one :)

Jamie said...

I'm right there with you friend, in a place where I am committed to being diligent with my finances. I want to justify buying books, becuase they are good...and helpful, but not always what I should be spending money on.

Julie said...

Really looking forward to reading the book and doing this Bible study!

Julie Gillies said...

Hi Lelia,

I'm so thrilled that God GAVE you that book. He is such a wonderful provider!

Hope your Bible study goes well, but more than that, I pray it draws you (and all in the study) right next to Jesus.

Blessings!

Unknown said...

I love this story!!! We are dealing with the finance issue right now, too. And buying books is one of those things that I love to do as well, but God is showing me that I need to tighten the money spending reigns a little bit--and in more areas than just books! :) :)

Would love to do this study with you! My heart for this fall is to go deeper into Scripture. I have prayed to be like Beth Moore--who eats, breathes and sleeps to get closer to God through His Word. :)

Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca

Kelly said...

Hi Lelia,
Thanks for your loving comment on my blog post yesterday...you don't know how much I truly appreciate your prayers! I can so relate about the books...I am a bookaholic too...I am trying to get more from the library as well as those book purchases add up fast! I did read a good one this weekend "All you need is Jesus and a Good Pair of Jeans.." it is very very real! Have you read it? If not, I will send you my copy as I KNOW you will love it!

Unreasonable Grace said...

Lelia,
I finally got a chance to come back here and tell you how I felt when I first read this post. We gotta be sisters or something.
1. I, too, have a book "problem". Have a teetering stack on my desk that haven't yet been cracked, but I still buy more. They are on sale. I have a coupon. Yes, I completely understand your justification.
2. I, to, have a Bible Study "problem". Love to signup, go every week, do the homework. But too much of what I learned just doesn't "stick" where it should.
3. God surprises me over and over again with little surprises like yours. They are little to Him, but not to me.
Guess we have the same Father, huh?
Kim

Sharon said...

I found your blog through Lysa, who I saw on Life Today. I also had Lysa's name written on a piece of paper that "just kind of turned up." God IS so awesome!
I currently don't have a church home and am feeling very disconnected. And I was "just hoping" maybe I could get connected with some gals for some good bible study time.
I can afford to get the book this time so I don't need to be in the drawing, but I would really love to join you in the study.

I clicked on the link about it's only hair from your blog on Lysa's blog and was so moved. I am a hairdresser and I have shared so much with my clients/friends. I've walked and prayed with several beautiful women through shaving their heads, getting wigs and managing curly chemo hair when it grows back.
Thank you for extending such God given grace to your hairdresser!
I'm looking forward to the study!

Sharon from MI

Stacy said...

Oh, how I understand the book-obsession!! I keep thinking that I MUST stop purchasing books but I'll have to make that committment AFTER this study. =-) I've been out of the blogging world for a while. Felt like God was leading me from technology for a while. THANK YOU so much for taking the time to call and leave a voicemail. I loved hearing your voice and your sweet message could not have come at a better time. Once again, I was amazed at how God has repeatedly used you to bless my life in more ways than I ever would have imagined. Remain in prayer for you and yours daily and am so looking forward to re-connecting through this study.

Love ya, Stacy

Laura said...

Oh, Lelia, God is so good. And He just cracks me up.

I so miss our Yes to God Bible studies! Life is so crazy right now. I'm going to pray about this one, friend.

Know this, I'll be following either way. You are such an awesome discussion leader. I can't miss out, at least will have to stand on the sidelines and cheer you all on!

love you, lady.

Crystie said...

Lelia,
Thank you for posting about your new study. This will be the first time I have participated. I am in a very bad season in my life struggling with depression and all that goes with it. I try to reach out to Him, to study, to listen, but the depression gets in the way...I want to be more than someone who just reads His Word...I want to know His Word..
Thanks,
Crystie

Paula V said...

I'm just now reading your post. I usually don't read blogs on weekends and I'm just now making my rounds. So, if I'm lucky, you'll be late to drawing a winner and I can still be included. My flesh says, I don't want to work, I don't want to do another Bible study since I always have two already going at once (personal and small group). But, I'm here entering the contest. Waiting until the last minute. Fighting with myself join, don't join, join, don't join. I want to be lazy in not commiting but I'm sure I will regret it. If I hit Mr Linky, maybe my conviction will grow. And IF I were to win, my compulsion to not leave any study undone would take over.

I love, love, love that you almost bought the book (forgeting your promise), then entered a contest of 180 and WON! How awesome is that. Doesn't that just give you holy bumps and make you wonder exactly what nugget (or nuggets) God is going to give you in this study. Overall I'm sure there's a specific purpose, especially since you vowed not to buy and you couldn't lead a study without, then you win...I'm sure He'll reveal some special purpose, insight, or blessing to you through this.
Love,
Paula

HisPrincess said...

(sigh). I'm too late!

I SO feel your pain! Oh how I love books. I need a new book shelf. Or two. I'm actually considering starting up a book swap at church. I know a few of my friends are as book loving as me, so we've probably got an extensive library between us.

My name is Sharon and I am a bookaholic. It's been two weeks since my last purchase....

tabrownwv said...

Hi Lelia,
I recently came across your blog a while back ago & I'm hoping to join in on your new bible study. I ordered Lysa's book and it should be here by this weekend. I'll be keeping that date open so I can join in with you whenever you start.
Tiffany

Sandra Garcia said...

Hi Lelia,
So looking forward to this!

Blessings,
Sandra