Lysa TerKeurst's Blog, page 24

Flash Sale – Through 9/3!

I have to admit when I first saw this video for The Best Yes, I thought, “Gracious that woman looks way grumpier than I intended.” But then her exaggerated expression really made me think about the expression my family sees sometimes.

And it challenged me.

And reminded me how much I need to guard my Best Yes answers so my family doesn’t constantly see the worn out, worn down version of me.

(If you’re viewing this post in an email, click here to watch the video!)

It’s amazing what just remembering to smile in the midst of our day can do to help strengthen our relationships. (I think I might need to write this on about 10 post-it notes and place them anywhere I can see them before morning carpool!)

As you transition into this fall schedule, I want to invite you and your friends to read The Best Yes together. So, just until 11:59PM EST tonight (Wednesday, Sept 3rd) Proverbs 31 Ministries is having a flash sale!

To take advantage of this offer, click here.

And to sign up for the Proverbs 31 Ministries FREE online Bible study (which I’m helping lead and am so excited about!) click here.

One more thing…

Leave a comment below if you’ve told any of your friends about The Best Yes and you’ll be entered to win one of three Bible Study Kits.

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Published on September 02, 2014 13:08

Flash Sale – Today Only!

I have to admit when I first saw this video for The Best Yes, I thought, “Gracious that woman looks way grumpier than I intended.” But then her exaggerated expression really made me think about the expression my family sees sometimes.

And it challenged me.

And reminded me how much I need to guard my Best Yes answers so my family doesn’t constantly see the worn out, worn down version of me.

(If you’re viewing this post in an email, click here to watch the video!)

It’s amazing what just remembering to smile in the midst of our day can do to help strengthen our relationships. (I think I might need to write this on about 10 post-it notes and place them anywhere I can see them before morning carpool!)

As you transition into this fall schedule, I want to invite you and your friends to read The Best Yes together. So, just until 11:59PM EST tonight (Tuesday, Sept 2nd) Proverbs 31 Ministries is having a flash sale!

To take advantage of this offer, click here.

And to sign up for the Proverbs 31 Ministries FREE online Bible study (which I’m helping lead and am so excited about!) click here.

One more thing…

Leave a comment below if you’ve told any of your friends about The Best Yes and you’ll be entered to win one of three Bible Study Kits.

View more on Lysa TerKeurst's website »

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Published on September 02, 2014 13:08

I’m Disappointed In Myself

I think I’ve finally figured out the root cause of the chaos that sometimes sweeps into my life and makes the worst of me emerge.

I struggle with decisions. I don’t want to miss out on opportunities, mess up relationships by disappointing people, or misstep right out of God’s will.

And then, I struggle with wondering if my inability to do it all will make my kids wind up on a therapist’s couch one day. How do other women seem to do it all?

And worst of all, I struggle with feeling like I’m going to let God down.

Descriptions ping in my head: I’m tired. I’m distracted. I’m disappointed in myself.

I feel slightly used and more than slightly used up. I’m a little overwhelmed and a lot worn down.

Can you relate? I thought maybe you would.

Last year I finally had to admit I wasn’t doing so well. So I put pen to paper and dared to explore this topic as an author who needs this message most of all.

This time was hard for me. Admission instead of omission.

I had to admit that I needed to reevaluate. I whispered, “God, I really want to do life right. So I give and serve and love and do and sacrifice. I do it all with a happy heart, an open checkbook, a calendar dedicated to being Your girl. I study Your Word. I tuck truth in my heart and as a trembling, brave one, I determine to charge upward and forward each day. I’m going to be fine, right God?”

And yet there was this nagging sense that something was a bit off inside me. Someone would make a request of me that I knew right away was unrealistic. My brain would say no. My schedule would say no. My reality would say no. But my heart would say yes! Then my mouth would betray my intention of saying no, and blurt out, “Yes, of course.”

I dreaded saying yes but felt powerless to say no. I dreaded saying yes not because I don’t love that person. I love them very much. But I dreaded what saying yes would do to the already running-on-empty me.

And I kept on marching as if this is how a Christian woman is supposed to live, as if this is the call on my life, as if this is all there is.

I misused the two most powerful words, yes and no.

Every assignment felt like my assignment.

And this kind of thinking almost made me crumble and quit ministry.

Friends, can I gently but honestly say it’s time to stop the chaos?

The acid of over-activity eats holes in our souls. From those holes leaks the cry of the calling that never quite happened. We said yes to so much that we missed what I call our Best Yes assignments — simply because we didn’t heed the warning of the whispers within us begging to reassess and breathe.

acidofoveractivity

Are you wanting something more for your life than an endless to-do list and the feeling that you’re never quite keeping up?

We must not confuse the command to love with the disease to please. And it’s not just because of the vicious cycles of people pleasing, although that’s part of it. I miss Best Yes opportunities sometimes because I simply don’t know they’re part of the equation.

I get all twisted up in making the decision to check either the Yes or No box, not realizing there is a third box that reads Best Yes.

I want to introduce you to a more realistic and fulfilling way to live in my new book, The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands. Click here to purchase your copy.

Today I’m giving away a Kindle, loaded with the eBook version of The Best Yes!

For your chance to win, sign up for the Proverbs 31 Ministries online Bible study of The Best Yes below and leave a comment to let me know that you signed up.

Type your information here to sign up for
The Best Yes Online Bible Study.

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Published on August 30, 2014 00:00

Recapturing “US” in the Midst of Our “RUSH”

Mary and Ken lived right down the street from me. They were famous for their amazing hospitality, adorable farmhouse, and parties that stepped right out of the pages of Southern Living.

Mary was alive with creativity and was always thinking of ways to bless others. Ken adored living out his retirement years helping his bride create a haven for family and friends.

They were still young and vivacious with many plans. But cancer swept in and, before long, Ken laid Mary to rest in the arms of Jesus.

I remember seeing Ken in our restaurant not long after Mary’s funeral. He and Mary had been regulars for years. I knew I needed to stop and say something. But what?

I felt so unsure as I walked toward my grieving friend.

As I approached, words escaped me, so I just bent down and gave him a hug. Tears filled his eyes, “The silence is killing me Lysa.”

“Well then, you must come to our house for dinner. I can’t always promise it will be tidy and I’m certainly no great cook, but one thing is for sure… my house is never silent.”

Thus started a tradition – Monday night dinners.

I have to admit that I didn’t feel adequate to have Mary’s husband over for dinner. He was used to Mary’s lavish meals… all I had to give were quick and thrown together kid-friendly offerings.

We never had candles or tablecloths or even a properly set table. But the noise of our family was an orchestra of comfort and healing to Ken’s lonely heart.

We just did life and let him join in. I would often ask about Mary’s ways of doing things and his face would light up at the opportunity to keep part of her alive.

One night, as Ken was leaving our home, he stepped off the sidewalk to make his way over to a bush in full bloom. He tenderly picked up one of the flowers and pressed his face close, breathing deeply its scent.

He then looked back at me standing in the doorway and said, “Don’t miss this. Don’t rush through your life, Lysa. Make time to stop and breathe it all in.”

I’ve never forgotten that.

My family and I still preserve that sacred space for Monday night dinners. We invite co-workers, acquaintances, and friends that feel like family to join us. We take time to talk. Laugh. Process life. Breathe it all in.

Although our to-do lists and schedules tug at us to get our attention, we don’t allow anything to take priority over these moments. I refuse to let the people I’ve been entrusted with get my ‘less’ instead of my ‘best’ because I’m distracted.

It’s amazing to me that what started out as a simple gesture to help a grieving neighbor became one of the greatest blessings of my life. And I’ve done a lot of breathing it all in, ever since.

If you ever feel like the relationships you treasure most are constantly getting your ‘less’ instead of your ‘best,’ I’d love to invite you to join me for a Monday night dinner conversation around my kitchen table. I’ll be webcasting from my house and teaching on powerful ways to recapture the “us” in the midst of our “rush.”

You don’t want to miss it. Here’s all the information:

Who: Me, you, and friends…

- Renee Swope

- Chrystal Evans Hurst

- Melissa Taylor

- Nicki Koziarz

- Paige Klein

- Tonia Bendickson

Where: Broadcast from my house to your home! Join us here at www.LysaTerKeurst.com.

When: Monday, September 8th – 8pm EST

Enter your email address in the form below to sign up for the reminder list. I can’t wait to see you there!

Type your email address and name here to sign up for
The Best Yes Webcast information list.

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Leave a comment below telling me a few of your friends you plan to invite to watch this. I’ll randomly pick three commenters to win a $25 gift card to either Target or Walmart – your choice!

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Published on August 27, 2014 07:01

What We Miss When We Rush

A few years ago, I had the amazing privilege to meet BJ. He was sitting in the row in front of me on a flight and made sure to welcome us the minute we took our seats. It didn’t take long for BJ to make everyone around us aware of how excited he was to be on this plane.

His voice was loud, his exclamations seemed a bit child-like for a man his age, and his stuttered words made it difficult to completely understand him.

But one thing was unmistakable to me – his passionate embrace of the magnificent.

As we rose into the sky he clapped and bounced in his seat. His eyes were wide as he turned to the man sitting next to him and exclaimed, “The clouds are huge!”

That’s when the nudging on my heart started. This gentle prodding to ignore the task oriented part of me wanting to get my work done. A rush-like whisper tripped over those boundaries I’d erected to keep my thoughts focused and orderly.

Embrace this moment Lysa. Notice him. Notice Me. This is a better use of this time. This is a Best Yes.

I’d love for you to learn more about what BJ taught me on that flight by reading the rest of my post at (in)courage today. Click here to pop over there.

And I’m excited to announce that (in)courage is partnering with the message of The Best Yes this week! 100% of the proceeds from copies purchased through (in)courage will go to 99 Balloons – a wonderful non-profit that aids families of children with special needs. This specific initiative will help train churches to better support families with amazingly awesome kids like BJ. Click here to find out how you can help!

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Published on August 18, 2014 00:00

The Best Yes Webcast Replay – Now Available!

Thank you for all the kind comments and posts you’ve sent me about last night’s webcast. What a relief to know I had so many friends joining me as I released my heart into the world through the pages of The Best Yes.

For those of you who couldn’t join in last night, great news! The replay is below. And if you’re wondering whether or not the shoes I wore were comfortable, absolutely not! They were awful, terrible, horrible but really cute shoes

If you’re reading this in an email, please click here to view the webcast replay.

Click here to purchase your copy of The Best Yes!

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Published on August 13, 2014 11:42

Before They Go to School… Have This Conversation

I look around the dinner table and feel that desperate ache not uncommon to women who deeply love.

Whether it’s my own family or those who just feel like family, I want so much for them. These young people who are so full of possibility and dreams and bright futures… they have my heart.

Yet my heart feels fragile in the hands of these young people. They are smart. They are grounded. But they are young.

It takes me back to me at that age.

And that scares me.

I remember feeling so grown up and crazy excited at the chance to be in charge of my own life. Ready for independence. Ready for love. Ready for the next chapter of my life.

Chasing what felt good and thrilling, I quickly learned the wind blows in dangerous directions sometimes. Going with the flow led me places I didn’t intend to go. And I woke up one morning ashamed of my choices, wondering how in the world I got to this place.

How?

I cringe thinking back on it. And I cry. Because I don’t want that experience for these people I desperately love.

So, in the midst of the laughter and casual banter, I turn the conversation at the dinner table to a word I want them to know and live.

Pre-decide.

Decide today who you want to be. In this moment of togetherness, surrounded by family, and saturated in love — decide.

Decide what your answer will be when the talk turns ugly and the laughter turns mean against that girl who desperately needs you to be her friend.

Decide what your answer will be when someone invites you to the cool party full of drinks and drugs.

Decide what your answer will be when the boy says it’s no big deal to stay the night.

Decided what your answer will be when “friends” laugh at your Christian views and challenge you to lighten up.

Pre-decide.

Decide today who you are going to turn to if you do get into trouble. Remember, the people at this table. Remember, who truly has your best interest at heart. Remember who you are.

Pre-decide.

Decide today to turn around any mistakes from your past by asking for God’s forgiveness and walking in His grace.

Decide today to ignore the enemy who wants to trick you and trip you and take you out.

Pre-decide.

Yes, pre-decide.

And then we go around the table and tell what we are pre-deciding this year. And my heart feels less of that ache.

I’m not so foolish to think this will act as a bad choice immunization. We are all susceptible. But it is a way to infuse their heart with a memory of a pre-decision.

And with that the plates are cleared, the cookies are nothing more than crumbs, and it’s time to go.

So, I whisper a few last words that are a “best yes” for them…

Go where wisdom gathers, not where wisdom scatters.

Make decisions today that will still be good tomorrow.

And (insert voice cracking and tears welling up), remember how much I love you.

Here are some great Bible Verses to pray for our kids as they head off to school this year:

Galatians 1:10

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Romans 12:12

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Joshua 24:15

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.

Proverbs 29:25

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

1 Thessalonians 2:4

But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

1 Corinthians 15:33

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

Acts 5:29

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”

I want to further equip you to have these kinds of discussions with your kids… your spouse… your coworkers… your fellow ministry leaders.

My new book The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands will do just that. It doesn’t release until August 12th, but you have an opportunity to pre-order your copy today and receive $50 of free gifts that won’t be available after release. Click here to get your copy!

Also, today I’m giving away 5 Best Yes bundles – including the book, the participant’s guide, and a cling you can put anywhere to remind you of your Best Yes each day.

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For your chance to win, leave a comment below. Who do you want to have this conversation with? What do you want to pre-decide today?

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Published on August 08, 2014 18:54

It’s not just a Book. It’s a meal. A blanket. A textbook. A mission field.

A couple of years ago, I really felt challenged by my own short-sighted perspective of faith.

I’m good with the label, the lingo and the lifestyle of being a Christian.

But what if instead of just having faith, I dared to live a life that actually required faith. And what if instead of being paralyzed by all the massive needs in the world, I asked God to personally assign me a few.

And then what if I started to watch for whatever needs God put front and center in my life and said yes?

And what if a part of this yes journey is to have all my friends who want to read my next two books, know that they could be a part just by simply buying the books.

Would it be, could it be possible to give every penny of The Best Yes to God’s work here and abroad?

This was a Best Yes. And I knew it.

I’m so excited to show what you and I are doing together. Buying The Best Yes is a Best Yes for several projects around the world I’ll be announcing soon. But this first project has certainly stolen my heart…

(And be sure to watch the little humorous outtake at the very end of the video.)

For every copy of The Best Yes you purchase, you are stepping onto the mission field, changing lives, and investing in needs both physically and spiritually in a huge way.

Thank you for helping me, help them.

And if you want to give a copy of The Best Yes to a friend, tell her that your gift isn’t just a book… it’s a warm blanket to a cold child. A meal for a hungry orphan. A textbook that leads to an education that leads to breaking the cycle of poverty. It’s a way for simple girls like us to go into all the world and live the Gospel message.

As they say in Tanzania, “Bwana asifiwe”… Praise the Lord!

For more information on this book, visit The Best Yes website by clicking here.

To pre-order your copy of The Best Yes, click here. You’ll receive $50 of free resources that won’t be available after the book releases August 12th.

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Published on August 05, 2014 15:10

If You’re Living With the Stress of an Overwhelmed Schedule…

Do you ever feel a little worn down and a lot worn out? Is your schedule dictated by the requests and endless demands that rush at you each day? When more requests come, do you ever dread saying yes but feel powerless to say no?

Me too.

I’m so tired of living in a constant state of disappointment. I’m disappointed in myself for saying yes to too many things. I’m disappointed in my attitude when my schedule gets stressful and the worst version of me is on display.

And even when I’m brave and make adjustments to my schedule, I get stressed over disappointing others and then living with the guilt of saying no.

Something has to change. This isn’t just about adjusting my schedule. It’s deeper than that. I need a change for the sake of my soul.

After all, when a woman lives with the stress of an overwhelmed schedule, she will often ache with the sadness of an underwhelmed soul.

overwhelmedschedule

If we want things about our lives to change, we have to change the way we use the two most powerful words: yes and no.

That’s why I wrote my new book, The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands. To help us make better decisions and to get more intentional with the time God has given us.

So I want to kick off the release of this book by giving you access to a FREE event packed with teaching you won’t want to miss!

When: August 12th at 6:30pm EST

Where: Right from the comfort of your home, you can join in by logging on right here at LysaTerKeurst.com. Enter your information in the form below so we can send you a reminder email on August 12th.

(If you are near Charlotte, NC and want to attend in person, click here to reserve your spot. Please note the doors open at 5:30pm and the live event starts at 6:15pm EST.)

Who: For you and all your friends. You bring the snacks and the computer, I’ll bring the message!

Want to know something really fun? If you register at one of the links above you’ll be entered for some wonderful giveaways being announced the night of the webcast.

And although The Best Yes doesn’t release until August 12th, you can pre-order today and get $50 of free gifts, including the audio book! Click here to get your copy.

Thank you, friend! It’s so good to have you by my side as we seek Biblical truth in our pursuit of the Best Yes answers for our lives.

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Published on July 31, 2014 21:33

Recapture What Gets Lost in the Rush

My marriage isn’t perfect. No marriage is.

I’ve been known to throw orange juice across the kitchen, pitch a complete fit over something totally irrational, and go silent for days.

Yeah me.

But twenty two years has taught me love, real love, is two people deciding to stay. Work it out. Fall in love again. And fight for, not against, one another.

Each morning I have a routine with my husband. It’s simple. Nothing profound. Nothing for which we’d ever stop and snap a picture.

It’s just a moment.

He asks me to help him pick a tie. He then needs gentle hands to fold the collar over.

Actually, he doesn’t need. He wants gentle hands to fold the collar over. And I do. It’s just a moment. But it’s a moment where we stop. We see what a gift imperfect love is.

And in this unrushed silence, we connect.

It’s just a moment together. Or is it?

(Click here to watch the video if you’re viewing this in an email.)

This kind of together can only happen when we choose to experience the thrill of the unrushed yes. It’s being together and relishing that togetherness even with all its imperfections. This is true for marriages but also for family and for friends who feel like family.

I’m tired of rushing and stressing and missing out on the sweet parts of life. I want to savor more of these unrushed moments. And if I had to take a guess, I think you do too.

I wrote my new book, The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands, to help us do just that.

If you’re living with the stress of an overwhelmed schedule and aching with the sadness of an underwhelmed soul, please know you are not alone. I share so many of my personal struggles with this in the book and want to breathe life into your hard places today. To pre-order your copy of The Best Yes, click here. You’ll receive $50 of free resources that won’t be available when the book releases August 12th.

I’m also giving away 3 copies of The Best Yes. Leave a comment below telling me what your favorite unrushed moment is.