Want to Win Some Free Starbucks?

* See my Update at the end of this post and keep the great insights coming!!! *

Okay, so most of you know I am in the process of writing a new book. This process requires several important elements...

* A Title

* A Main Point

* A Main Point that is then broken down into sections called chapters

* Words to fill the pages contained within the chapters

I have 3 out of the four clicking along really well. I have a main point. I have chapters in an outline. I even have words that are starting to fill in the bare bones of the outline.

However, the title has been eluding me. So, I've decided to call upon some of the smartest people I know who have helped me with everything from foot ailments to recipes... YOU! I need your help with thinking through the title for this project.

First, I will tell you that this project will be a book and a Bible Study with DVD's to help facilitate the study being used in small groups and women's study groups.

The focus of the project is to help women move past just being filled up with Biblical knowledge and onto applying Biblical principles to their everyday lives. Instead of Jesus just being a part of our lives, I want to show how Jesus can be the very filter through which we process everything... every action, every reaction, all of our plans, and all of our decisions.

I want this book to equip women to come to know Jesus like never before. Instead of just knowing facts about Jesus, we can know Him in deeper ways than we even thought possible as we experience Him and His activity in our daily lives. Then the more we experience Him, the more we will live His reality out loud for the world to see.

So, here's what I need from you...

Will you read over the following titles and let me know what you think about them. Would any of them grab your attention and prompt you to want to buy this book. Can you think of a title after reading what this project is about?

For everyone that comments between today and tomorrow, I will enter you into a random drawing to win a $20 Starbucks card. Bribery isn't all bad right? I'll announce the winner this Friday. Feel free to comment as many times as you like as ideas come to you.

Okay... here are a few of the proposed titles so far. For some of them the main title is listed first with the possible subtitle underneath:

"When Women Trust God Completely"
-no subtitle-

"Does Jesus Work?"
-Learning to Live the Realities of Jesus-

"Fulfilled"
-Becoming more than a Good Bible Study Girl-

"Fear-Less"
-Learning to Live Unafraid-

Thank you so much for your help!

UPDATE:

Oh My Stars! You ladies are amazing! I went to go get the dead ends trimmed off my hair and came back to so many suggestions.

I talked to one of the potential publishers today and she has been checking in on all you gals are writing.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your suggestions... publishers take your thoughts very seriously!

Brooke has something very fun to share

This blog is written by my mom as dictated by Brooke TerKeurst:

Last Thursday Hope, Ashley and I went to Washington D.C. on a school field trip. We rode the train. After one hour I was so excited I couldn't wait for the rest of the trip. Then after one more hour I was like... no way. No more. I was ready to get off that train. After 9 hours and 24 minutes I was so excited because I thought it was time to get off. Then suddenly they made an announcement that would be delayed. After waiting 2 hours, we were back on our way but it was a long trip.

We finally got to Washington DC and then had to ride the subway for 30 more minutes. Finally we got to our hotel.

Then next morning, we woke up and headed to the White House. We only got to tour a small part of the White House. At one point we saw a curtain. Our tour guide said that was the part that led to where the President's living quarters were. He also said we would not get to meet the president. Oh well.

Me and my friends went upstairs and heard gasps coming from our group downstairs. We rushed back down to where they all were and they said they just saw Mrs. Bush!

Suddenly, Mrs. Bush came back out to where we were. She looked right at me and asked my name. She said. "Brooke is a beautiful name." I got to shake her hand and she asked if we would please pray for the president. She then told us that the President was about to fly off in his helicopter and we could go upstairs and wave good bye to him. It was such an amazing thing!

I later told some of my friends that I might not ever wash that hand again!

One thing is for sure... I will never forget my tour of the White House.
~ Brooke

Lysa: How cool is that! Although, now my childhood story of who I got to meet in Washington DC pales in comparison. Any "Family Ties" Fans out there? Do you remember the nerdy neighbor named Skippy? I still pause when I wash the hand that shook his. Smiles!

The Gentle Art of Not Freaking Out

Before I had kids I would have defined motherhood this way:

A time when you have little people to care for. They are always cute and smiley and make you look good. It is great bliss to feed them, hold them, dress them in bows, and call them your very own.

When my kids were little I would have defined motherhood in a slightly less romantic way:

A time when you feel so sleep deprived that you wonder if you'll ever feel normal again. The reality that kids don't always act cute, smiley and in ways that make you look good has begun to rock your world slightly. Instead of using bliss to describe the act of feeding and dressing them, you now use messy. But you are still so happy to call them your own.

Now that most of my kids are teenagers I define motherhood in the most realistic way of all:

A time where one learns the graceful art of not freaking out though everything in her being tells her this is exactly what she should do. It is no longer blissful or messy to feed and clothe them... a more appropriate word would be expensive. As far as calling them my own, it just simply depends on what day you ask.

Now don't get me wrong, I love having teenagers. I consider it a great honor and privilege to be the one to help them navigate the sometimes tumultuous waters of these years. I pray for them daily. I especially pray for them to get caught every time they do something they shouldn't.

We have gotten a few answered prayers around here lately... if you catch my drift.

Anyone know of any land for sale out in the middle of Montana somewhere?

I Have Me An Ailment Y'all

I do have a little more to say about why New Age Teachings are false. However, I will have to do that next week sometime. I have had to do more deep thinking this week than my shallow sense of humor can take. My brain is aching. My plantar fasciitis is seriously acting up.

Just to save you the google search on what brain ailment is named plantar fasciitis, I will save you the step. It has nothing to do with the brain. My achy head is just an aside situation that too much thinking will cause.

My ailment has to do with my foot. I officially have Plantar Fasciitis. The technical medical definition of this horrible condition is this:

"When a non-athletic woman decides she has collected enough extra pounds and cellulite that she attempts to use her feet to move all that extra whatever and do a little exercising she might develop a foot ailment...


This foot problem will cause a burning sensation that starts at the heel and moves right on up into the arch of her foot. If she doesn't plop her fanny down soon enough, apply ice and rub the aching area, the burning then feels as though 1000 savages are using needle spears to stab the bottom of her foot repeatedly...

This is indeed a sign that she should find other ways to lose weight other than exercising. One of these ways could be actually making the decision to eat less. Although this is quite difficult because it has been documented that if you ever tell a woman she can't have something, she'll just want it even more...

So, most puffy, non-athletic, foot on fire, feeling like they are being attacked by needle toting savages- women, choose a more logical treatment for their ailment than trying to stop exercising...

They wear shoes that squeeze their toes into a point so tightly that that pain supersedes the plantar fasciitis and all is well."

They should so totally have women help rewrite the medical journals, don't you think?

Expelled

The other night Art and I went to see the Ben Stein Movie, "Expelled." It is a documentary that exposes the harsh consequences those in the Academic world face when giving any credence at all to Intelligent Design.

Intelligent Design is not creationism which is seen as the great evil to the Darwinism. Intelligent Design is recognizing that life could not have just formed by happen chance. There had to be some kind of creator by which the life process started. But if you can get an atheist to see that there must have been an intelligent designer than it is one step closer to helping them realize the possibility of that designer being God Himself.

If you have a chance to go to your local theater and support this movie, I would highly encourage you to do so. It won't be your sit back, relax, get lost in the heroine's plight to find her hero, love me a good chick-flick kind of experience.

This is a documentary. But it is one of the most well put together documentaries I have ever seen. It is entertaining in parts but even more importantly, it is extremely educational and will equip you to talk intelligently about a relevant issue in the Christian world... Darwinism vs. Intelligent Design- which we of course know God is the Intelligent Designer.

Throughout the documentary, Ben Stein does a great job of letting the Darwinist have time to try and explain their side of the argument. Most of them are also very vocal atheists. It was painful to watch them explain that life most have started when some kind of molecular proteins hitched a ride on the backs of crystals and when several happened to collide in just the right way, a cell was formed and thus life began.

Of course then there is also their theory that life began when aliens from another galaxy came to earth and planted life here.

Let's just say that I'm so thankful that the basis for my existence does not rest on a theory of crystals and aliens.

But the part of the movie that grabbed my heart the very most was at the very end when Ben Stein has a final discussion with a world renown Atheistic Darwinist. Ben asks this man what he will do if he dies and then discovers that there is in fact a God. After all, this man has spent his life trying to disprove God's very existence, so what would he say to God?

The atheist replied," I would say, 'Dear Sir... why did you go through such pains to hide yourself?'"

At that moment I wanted to stand up in the theater and announce in a very loud voice, "This is why we Christians must pray for these people and live lives that reflect the reality of God!"

Okay, you'll be happy to know that I did not yell out in the theater. I just saved all that fired up passion for my blog. Aren't you glad... ahem... smiles.

But seriously, first, we must be praying for these atheists. I, for one, can say I do a good job of praying for friends and loved ones who need to come to the Lord. But I haven't been praying for the atheists that I know are out there. I need to be doing this.

And secondly, I am once again challenged to live a life that shows the world the reality of God. Not that I have to be perfect... I would fail at that. But to be perfectly surrendered to the Lord with my every action and reaction, is a glorious way to live God out loud. Even in my imperfections, forgiveness and repentance are beautiful reflections of the Lord.

Psalm 19 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."

Lord, I pray that the eyes of those who don't know You will be opened to see You revealed all around them. And may your most glorious creation of all... mankind, preach great sermons about You... not with their mouths but with their very lives.

And all God's people said... amen!

Why would I go on the Oprah show?

Hi Sweet Friends...

First, can I ask you to pray for me. I have stepped onto the battle field with this topic and need my sisters to hold me up. And if you want to know how to pray specifically I'll just say this:

Being a parent is stinkin' hard sometimes and not for the faint of heart.

Okay, now back to our regularly scheduled program...

Why would I go on the Oprah show?

At first, I had someone from my office call and decline the opportunity for several reasons. The minute we got the call from the Oprah show, my life started sounding like a bad country song...

My husband accidentally ran over our dog with his pickup truck.

My gall bladder landed me in the hospital 'cause it was acting up.

My house was a total wreck...

So when they said they would be in my house to film for the show with only a two day notice...

it about sent me over the edge.

Not only that, but our show was originally only supposed to be a two minute quick feature of fascinating families that did this good thing of adopting. It sounded like we were going to be painted as the Brad and Angelina Jolie of the neighborhood.

I wanted to be absolutely clear that this was not the story. This was not a good thing... this was a God thing.

God spoke. We listened. The world was changed. God should receive all the glory.

When they agreed to let us tell the story the way it happened, we saw it as an opportunity to shine truth to the millions of Oprah viewers.

Have I come under harsh criticism for agreeing to go on the Oprah show? You bet! But I will happily tell you that the week the Oprah show aired we had more salvations come through the Proverbs 31 website that week, than ever before.

God used that show in a mighty way. (If you want to watch it for yourself, click on the Oprah tab in the header of this blog.)

But I do want to make it very clear that I don't think it is a good idea to be a regular viewer of the Oprah show. Especially in light of the false teaching that has become more and more a part of what she promotes.

Do I pray for Oprah? Absolutely. Do I know that God loves Oprah? Of course. But her teachings are dangerous, false, and easy for ungrounded people to get swept up in them.

I imagine a good majority of you have friends or loved ones who have told you that they don't think there is anything wrong with books like "The Secret" or "A New Earth." In your gut you know they are wrong but many of us don't know how to state why they are wrong.

My hope this week has been to equip you in even a small way to help people see why these teachings are false and dangerous.

2 Timothy 3: 1-6 reminds us with such an applicable warning to this situation:

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive,

disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving,

slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash,

conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—

having a form of godliness but denying its power.

Have nothing to do with such people.

They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women,

who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires,

always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth."

Hmmm.. worth pondering I think.

I'll post more tomorrow. And thanks for your prayers.

Oh and my dog and gall bladder are fine now.

The Truth... part two

Before I jump into today's part two post of debunking the mystical false teachings of Eckhart Tolle, I want to clearly state something. I feel quite certain that "A New Earth" will run it's course of being a best seller and then before long will become tall stacks of orange books with clearance stickers on them.

It's teachings will in fact collapse into a collective New Age Movement that will soon produce another "enlightened guru" with more confusing theories meant to further ascend the minds of those "privileged" enough to be called "free thinkers."

So, why even spend time talking about this? Because while this one book will soon fade as the loudest alarm, the New Age movement will not. It is vitally important for Christians to be keenly aware of false teachings so that we don't inadvertently get swept up in them, and so that we can talk intelligently to those who are trying this stuff out.

And massive amounts of people are checking out this teaching right now. The vast majority of people caught up in what some media has called the "Church of Oprah" under the tutelage of Eckhart Tolle are women. Statistics have shown that at least 3 million people are joining in their weekly web conferences... and again most of these people are women.

Why would this be the case? Basically, Oprah has proven herself to be a "trusted friend" for years. She is seen as a woman who is incredibly successful, generous, and smart. Her life looks like it works. People want a life that works.

Crowds of women are drawn to her... many of whom are women who are dying for not only a life that works but also a spirituality that works. That is why this book, "A New Earth" makes such an appealing claim in its subtitle, "Awakening to Life's Purpose." Who doesn't want that, right?


The most dangerous theme I've discovered in this book so far is this notion that you don't have to weigh your current religious beliefs against this new age awakening. You can keep all your current religious beliefs but just put them into proper perspective. Those are elementary ideas. A step toward spiritual progress. But if you want real success in your spirituality's effectiveness, you have to make a leap into the graduate school of beliefs which is where "true enlightenment" takes place.

In true enlightenment you will discover that "the light of consciousness is all that is necessary" for a more fulfilling existence... and most dangerous of all it teaches "you are the light." You are the source of all truth and all truth can be relative to the way your enlightened being processes it.

Therefore, if Buddha works for you- great. If Hinduism works for you- great. If Jesus works for you- great. All these different avenues just simply lead to that first step toward awakening your consciousness.

That is why Oprah, who in the past spoke as if she was a Christian, now says Jesus is not the only way. According to her, she has finally realized how her Baptist background caused her to put God in a box. Now, she has been enlightened past that. And she wants to help others to expand their thinking in spiritual matters as well... after all her background is that of being a host of a TV talk show which makes her highly qualified to become a new age guru... right?

So, basically, you don't have to throw away your Jesus roots... you just have to put them in perspective. According to Tolle, Jesus is basic. He was the light of your basic beliefs. But ultimately you, yourself, are the way... the truth and the life. No one comes to spiritual awakening but by reaching inside themselves and leaping to a higher consciousness of being. Oh and by the way, this is not just possible for humans. Animals, plants, and even rocks can transcend to this new awakened state as well.

That is why the book is called "A New Earth" and not just "A New people."

Throughout the book, Tolle, walks right beside Christian beliefs and seems to know just enough lingo to make his writing appear, especially to the ungrounded Christian, truthful. For example, look at how he talks about sin...

"Sin means to miss the mark, as an archer who misses the target"... yes! yes! I've heard this preached about at my church, a person might excitedly think. But wait, look at how he finishes this sentence.

"Sin means to miss the mark, as an archer who misses the target, so to sin means to miss the point of human existence. It means to live unskillfully, blindly, and thus to suffer and cause suffering." In other words, this book has been promoted as the guide by which you can find your purpose therefore not missing the point of your existence. So, if you don't ascribe to this teaching... you will live unskillfully, blindly thus becoming a person who suffers and causes suffering.

Wait a minute.

Dictionary.com has not caught up to this new definition of sin. It still defines sin this way:

1. transgression of divine law: the sin of Adam.
2. any act regarded as such a transgression, esp. a willful or deliberate violation of some religious or moral principle.
3. any reprehensible or regrettable action, behavior, lapse, etc.; great fault or offense: It's a sin to waste time. –verb (used without object)
4. to commit a sinful act.
5. to offend against a principle, standard, etc.

Romans 3:21-25 says, "21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement,[a] through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."

The truth is that sin is that which separates us from God. But God has made a way for us to be forgiven of our sin through Jesus Christ... the one and only WAY.

Jesus must be the filter through which we pass every situation we encounter. Then we can face our lives and everything in it with the confident assurance of a peace that transcends our emotional processes and on to a truth-filled understanding.

Tolle's book is so successful because people want more- they want to live a life that matters. They want to feel like they have a handle on their spirituality. They know that life is more than just acquiring power, prestige, and possessions. And since we live in a higher education driven society, the thought that Tolle offers the higher education of religion is appealing.

People's egos are stroked when they hear that only a few will ever achieve the enlightenment that you can receive if you read and apply his words. Who wouldn't want to be part of an elite, enlightened group? The problem is that it's a false enlightenment that will not stand the test of time, will fall apart at the seams when life strains against it, and quite honestly paves a quick road to eternal separation from God.

Tomorrow I will answer the question that this post begs... why then did you, Lysa, agree to be on the Oprah Show?

Truth and nothing but...please

Recently I got a call from a friend asking me about the latest and greatest spiritual rage, "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle. Yes, this is the same "awakening guide" that Oprah is now promoting and teaching. And yes, this is the same stuff that has Christians everywhere forwarding link upon link to their friends outraged by the heresy wrapped in these teachings.

More than just forwarding links and saying it is wrong, I think we Christians need to know how to give an intelligent and ready answer. I am no expert on Apologetics. However, I am a woman who has experienced the truth of Jesus in my life and feel very passionate about debunking untruths that will confuse at best and destroy at worst.

My friend asking about Tolle's book is seeking spiritual things but has not yet professed Jesus as her Savior.

She processes my relationship with the Lord by seeing me as a deeply "spiritual" person and just assumed I would love the fact that she was reading this "spiritual" book.

Instead of immediately launching into my diatribe about why this book is not what she should be reading, I asked her a simple question, "So, what do you think about it?"

She sighed and said she found the book to be confusing and exhausting. A more perfect description of what happens to a person reading man-made, human contrived, supposed enlightenment, could not be found. On this point she is dead on.

I explained that frustration will always be the result when trying to find enlightenment outside of the solid truth of God's word. It would be like putting a cup of dirt on your kitchen table and being told that you could produce a flower just from this dirt if only your mind could graduate past the flat realities of this world and into a more enlightened state. If only you could still your soul just enough and transcend past the natural order of things, you can bring something glorious from nothing at all.

Here is a direct quote from "A New Earth" by Tolle, "Using the word 'enlightenment' in a wider sense than the conventionally accepted one, we could look upon flowers as the enlightenment of plants. Any life-form in any realm- mineral, vegetable, animal, or human- can be said to undergo 'enlightenment.' It is, however, an extremely rare occurrence since it is more than an evolutionary progression: It implies a discontinuity in its development, a leap to an entirely different level of Being and, most important, a lessening of materiality."

He goes on to say that Jesus was an early flower of humanity whose message could not be widespread and could not transform human behavior except in a small minority of people.

Hmmmm.... Really Mr. Tolle? As a human I know several things beyond a shadow of your doubtful teaching:

* I could strain with all the upper consciousness that my spirit could ever hope to graduate to and no flower will ever appear from a cup of only dirt. My efforts would be better placed to use my energy and common sense to go get a seed, push it down into the dirt, apply the right amount of sunshine and water... and then and only then would a flower have the chance of appearing.

* Secondly, I know your book, has sold really well. However, it pales in comparison to the sales of the best selling book of all time, "God's Holy Bible." Combined with the fact that Jesus lived 2000 years ago and still profoundly affects millions of people, I would say that pretty much debunks the theory that Jesus' message is not widespread. I wonder if 2000 years from now, anyone will even know the name of Eckhart Tolle???

* Finally, to say that Jesus only affected the behavior of a small minority of people is not only not true but it totally misses the beauty of the reality of Jesus. He did not come to just change people's behavior. That would just rearrange a person's exterior. Jesus' teachings are able to transform a person from the inside out. Not to just help them be better people but to give them the promise of eternity.

1 Timothy 6: 3-5 says, "If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain."

Bloggy Friends I know this is heavy stuff for a Monday morning. However, I feel a great sense of responsibility to know how to defend my faith. If you found this helpful, let me know. I plan to post more about how to answer people asking about this book with the solid truth of God.

On a lighter note... the winner of the cupcake star tins giveaway is...

Jennifer who wrote a comment so funny I literally doubled over laughing!!!

"...I eagerly offered to make the cupcakes for my two year old daughter's preschool class (I really just wanted to show off my cute new pampered chef cupcake carrier thingy) Anyway, I went to the grocery store and searched high and low for my special ingredients (the box of instant mix). They had muffin mix, brownie mix, cake mix, lemon bar mix... Who knew there was no such thing as "Cupcake" mix? Have a good weekend, Jennifer"

Sweet, sweet Jennifer... e-mail me at Lysa1@Proverbs31.org and let me know where to send your prize.

Have a truth-filled happy Monday everyone!

Oh My Stars: An actual bake sale success story

My name is Lysa and I struggle in the baking department.

If I were to take Home Economics today, somewhere between attempting to sew an apron and making a Red Velvet Cake, things would get ugly. I would fail. I am sure of it.

If my bestest in the world Mother in Law reads this post, she will be so sad. She majored in Home Ec and to this day makes her degree proud. She make things from total scratch y'all. Like totally. Like when a recipe calls for a cup of milk... she goes out and milks a goat to get it.

I'm serious.

She milks goats, makes products from the milk, cooks and bakes things that I can't even pronounce, and sews whole outfits before the rooster even crows. So imagine my husband's dismay when said he needed a button resewn on his shirt and I asked which alterationist would he like me to call.


I'm just kidding. I told him which alterationist to use. I'm handy like that.

But yesterday I hit a serious home run when I stepped up to the plate... the bake sale plate that is! Oh yes indeed. Look at the shock on my daughters' faces:

They were so proud of their mama! Oh yes they were! Believe it or not, this was their actual expression.

I found something at the grocery store this week that saved me from the usual bake sale shame. Here it is... and no they are not paying me to advertise. I wish they would. I could do a seriously funny commercial for them on the befores and afters of my bake sale dilemmas.

I could be like Jared is to Subway. I am so seeing stars today. And now you will know why:

My kids did not have to slink to the Bake Sale Drop Off at school today. They were loud and proud that their mama, yes their mama, was all the rage at the bake sale. Can I get an Amen from the struggling bakers out there?

Because when a cupcake is baked in a star shaped container, topped with chocolate icing and sprinkled on top with something colorful... it doesn't matter what it tastes like!

And think of all the fun you could have for the 4th of July with these. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. And lest I get too proud may I please remind myself of the goat milking disaster of 1998 that is still a glaring part of my legacy. Oh I do make the TerKeurst name proud.

Anyhow, I thought maybe one or seven of you may be interested in my little star tins that can be a bake sale rage, so I'm planning to give away a box. Yes, that's right. I know your excitement can barely be contained. I'll announce the winner on Monday.

So, leave a comment below and I'll pick a random winner. And then you too can exclaim, "Oh My Stars!" and make your kids smile.

A Glorious Sense of Possibility

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen...

but what is unseen...

For what is seen is temporary...

but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4: 17-18 (NIV)

Well, if you have been following the continuing saga of Ashley's gymnastics season you know that she is only weeks away from the final meet of this season... Regionals. And you know how hard she has worked this year to even be qualified to compete in Regionals.

And I'm sure you can discern that seeing her arm in a sling is probably not the best of situations right now. She fell doing a bar routine during Tuesday night's practice and hurt her shoulder.
So, we spent the day yesterday going from doctor to doctor to X-Ray to orthopedic specialist to more X-Rays.

The good news is that it is not broken. The bad news is that it is severely strained. And once again we are facing the possibilities of some tough realities in her little world.

So, I took Ashley outside and showed her this branch. It looks dead and without possibility. But I know there is unseen activity within this branch. Though we can't see the possibilities on the outside, doesn't mean they don't exist.

For right beside the dead looking branch is another branch that also looked dead just days ago... but look at it now. Look at the slightest hint is gives to the world. It is alive! Things are being worked out behind the scenes...

Before too long, the once dead looking branch will burst forth with a most glorious statement of life!

No matter what we face in life, we should never focus on just the circumstances we can see. For there is always more to the story than meets the eye. Jesus is behind the scenes of every circumstance.

He is whispering, "This circumstance you are facing is temporary. But what I am doing in you behind the scene of this trial will produce good for eternity... if only you'll choose to see me. See my hand of promise and protection even in this... and you will find peace."

I once heard that if you examine a dogwood closely you will see a reminder of the cross. It is shaped like a cross and even looks like it has nail piercings on the edges of its delicate petals.

Whatever trial you are facing right now, I pray the hope and promise of all God reveals during Springtime with fill your heart with a glorious sense of possibility as well.

I'm All Grown Up Acting And All

I'm not sure if there is a recessive teenager gene that can linger and reside inside adult women or not.

But if there is, I just might have it.

I still blush when I have to buy feminine products and there is a boy cashier. Yes ma'am I do. As a matter of fact, I will stand in a much longer line with a girl cashier if said products are in my cart. And you better believe I tuck said products underneath my frozen pizzas in the cart just in case I run into someone I know.

If that movie scene ever played out in my life where the cashier announces over the store loud speaker that she needed "a price check on Kotex" aisle 7... well I would melt into a puddle of blush colored sweat.

It is a shame to be almost 39 years old and still struggle with such craziness.

But back to that recessive teenage gene. Yes, there is other proof I just might have this y'all. And for all three of you who also struggle with acne and wrinkles at the same time, you just might want to stand up and hug my blushing self today.

I have found my answer. After trying lots of products from the TV, pricey department stores, and even grocery stores alas my cure has been found.

I was meandering down the aisles of Walmart and what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a product by the name of Acne Severe. I have tried it and LOVE it!!!

I won't make you any promises and I am certainly not paid for this advertising. But if you have acne and wrinkles and you blush when you buy feminine products... you might have the same gene as me. And I'm thinking this might help cure us. At least two out of three of our problems.

What about you? Have you discovered any kind of favorite product lately? It can be anything that has made your life easier and your smile appear more often. Do tell friends... do tell.

It's not time to grow up quite yet, Brooke

Since Brooke was a baby we have had a fun way to express our love.

Me: "Has anyone told you how much they love you today?"

Brooke: "Nope."

Me: "Well I love you BIG Brooke."

Brooke: "Around the world and back?"

Me: "Around the world and back sweet heart."

Today, we played the game. The words fell easily off my lips and my heart swelled. But then suddenly, she changed the script.

Me: "Has anyone told you how much they love you today?"

Brooke: "Nope. But one day when I have a boyfriend I won't say 'nope' any longer because he'll tell me he loves me all day long."

Me: "Boyfriend? You don't want one of those."

Brooke: "Why, you had like 50 boyfriends when you were in school didn't you?"

(Clearly, she has never read the post linked here.)

Me: "Um no, not exactly. I just loved my momma until I was mature enough to realize boyfriends don't go around saying they love you all day long. Only your momma can love you around the world and back."

Brooke: "Okay."

And then my world tilted back on it's axis and could once again dance around the sun.

Hey... just a little FYI...

My friends Rocks in My Dryer, Boo Mama, and Big Mama are wanting to know what "Blog" questions are on your mind. They are in the process of putting their talks together for the She Speaks Conference.

So, if you were sitting in their seminar, what would you hope to see them address?

Answering Africa's Cry for Help

Hi Sweet and Compassionate Bloggy Friends,

Isaiah chapter 9 is usually quoted throughout the month of December in Christmas Pageants, Sermons and even around many dinner tables. It is part of acknowledging the real reason for the season... "Unto us a Child is Born."

This Child, Jesus, came to walk the dusty roads of this Earth so that God's true spirit could reside in all who believe. We don't have to be a people who just know about God. We can be a people who know God Himself.

A people who have pressed in close to God's very heartbeat in hopes of our own hearts beating in tandem with His... that is who we can be.

And that is who you are as evidenced by the amazing outpouring of love for kids you have never seen and a nation most of you have never stepped foot on.

Liberia cried out. You listened. You gave. You prayed. You cared.

These little children kneel beside their make shift beds in Liberia every day thanking God for their very breath of life and asking God for food and provisions to make it possible to live another day. When my boys came home, these were still the prayers that they prayed. Hearing my boys' pray with such raw need made my heart ache for the children still in the orphanage.

That ache never goes away once it has seeped deep enough into one's heart to touch their soul. It is an ache that pulses with God's heart beat. It is an ache to be a part of what Isaiah chapter 9 says will happen because a "Child is born." A Child who became a Savior. And a Savior who calls His people to believe and to act because of that belief.

Isaiah 9: 2-3, "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged a nation and increased their joy..."

Thank you bloggy friends for the way you have prayed, given, and cared for the orphans in Liberia. I am beyond thrilled to announce our blogging community has given over $3700 to date to help feed the orphans in Hoover Village.

That is 92 bags of rice. That means the orphanage will have food for the next 46 days.

Thank you sweet sisters! You have made God smile.

Will you do one more thing? Each time you are in the grocery store and you pass by the shelf that holds rice... will you pray for the kids in Hoover Village? Giving money will feed them for over a month. Your prayers will linger for eternity.

Thank you!

And be sure to pop over to Karen Ehman's site today to see her organization post to solve many of the problem areas you posted about on Friday. And she'll be announcing the winners of her book give away as well.

Organization Swap and Hop

First I have to once again say that I have been completely blown away by the steady flow of e-mails in support of the Liberian orphans yesterday. I updated the post yesterday with photos... so please check it out.

Now for today's Swap and Hop!

I am so excited to have the opportunity for Karen Ehman, author of "The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized" to be joining us. So, here's how to participate. Do you have an area in your home that seems to be a constant organizational challenge?

If so, write about it on your blog today. ***BE sure to link back to this specific post from my blog so you will qualify for the giveaway. If you don't have a link back to this post, you will not be qualified to win- thanks!***

You can post pictures if you want to but that's not absolutely necessary. If you don't have pictures just describe your organizing challenge. Then link your organization post using the Mr. Linky box below.

Finally, hop around to the other blogs that are participating. Feel free to post your own organization solutions to others quandaries.

Karen will pick a few of the entries to feature instructional makeovers on her blog. Plus, we are both giving away a copy of her book to some of you lucky participants. So, be sure to leave a comment after your Mr. Linky on both my site and Karen's site.

Here's one of my organizational issues:

My Recipes!!!

Click here to see Karen's Cool and very doable solution to my organization problem area.

When Africa Peeks Inside Your Home

*Update...

A friend of mine visited the Hoover Village Orphanage last fall and sent me these pictures today.

I wanted you to have faces to pray over.

I am blown away by the number of e-mails I've received today about donations. Thank you so much for helping feed these kids. Some of you asked me to please post how to donate straight onto my blog. So, here you go:


You can make a donation via a pay pal account to the missions organization, African Christian Fellowship International by clicking here.

You can send a check through the mail to the ministry's office at:

African Christian Fellowship International
P.O. Box 1238
Lancaster, SC 29721







If you could e-mail me back at Lysa1@Proverbs31.org and let me know how much you'll be sending that would be great.


I'd love to keep a running tally and announce to everyone next week how many bags of rice we were able to purchase. Again, thank you so very much for seeing the need and stepping in to help.


May God give you visions of beautiful kids with bowls full of rice as you continue to pray for His children.

My Original Post:

Last night watching the American Idol Gives Back Show was almost more than my heart could take at times.

It's so personal... my boys lived that extreme life of poverty in an African orphanage for so many years. Years when I went to bed with a full belly, unaware.

It's not that I didn't know that somewhere in the world kids were starving. It's not that I wasn't compassionate. It's not that I didn't care.

It's that the problem seemed so big and I seemed so small. What difference could I make? How could I even get my little help to them?

So, instead of doing something... I did nothing.

I chose to live unaware.

But then one day the orphan problem looked me straight in the face and I felt God whisper, "do something."

When Africa came close enough for me to touch it, two boys with real needs were there. And in that moment, this was no longer a remote social issue.

These were children. When they cried, tears spilled from their eyes. When they fell down, they wanted someone to kiss it and make it better. And when they didn't have food, they felt hunger like I'd never known.

Yesterday, I received an e-mail telling me that the orphanage my boys came from just ran out of rice. So, I'm bringing Africa close to you today. Here is part of the e-mail...

"These children only eat rice and broth each and every day. They need 200 lbs of rice each day to feed the 500 children in the two orphanages and each 100 Lb bag of rice costs $40. As of yesterday, they only had one of the two bags of rice needed. In other words, they only had half the food needed to feed the children. (That bag of rice was donated by a local friend of the orphanage.) Today, there is no food. Tomorrow there will be no food. And, possibly the next day, there will be no food to feed the children."

I can't read that without my throat tightening and my eyes stinging. Again, it's too personal. My babies lived that way for many, many years.

I asked Mark what would happen when they would run out of rice when he lived at the orphanage. He said, "We would heat up some water and just drink hoping to fight off the pain in our stomachs."

Needless to say, I want to send some money to help the orphanage in Liberia buy some rice. If you would like to help me, please e-mail me at Lysa1@Proverbs31.org. I'll e-mail you back directions on how you can make a donation.

We may not be able to solve the orphan issue of this world by simply sending a few bags of rice. But I keep thinking about God's whisper to me several years ago, "do something... just do something."

Thank you sweet friends!

Remember tomorrow is our organization challenge area "Swap and Hop." I'll post all the instructions, the Mr. Linky, and photos of my own organization challenge area in tomorrow's post. Karen Ehman will be picking some blog entries to win a book or even a possible makeover!!! Put your thinking caps on and go ahead and take some photos of your mess...

Can You Hear Me Now?

***Just an FYI UPDATE: I will be hosting a Swap and Hop this Friday. I wanted to let you know today in case you want to participate so you can think about how to do your Friday post. The topic will be "An Organization Challenge Area in Your Home." We will have Karen Ehman joining us for an exciting contest. She'll be picking two of you to win an Organizational Make Over for your trouble area. Also, we'll be giving away a few books too! So, think of an area in your home that is challenging for you to get or keep organized. I'll post more info tomorrow!

The other night Mark was discussing what he was going to do with his birthday money. With great excitement he started describing the latest and greatest cell phone. Seeing as I am obviously quite up on why a person would want the latest and greatest in cell phone technology, I held up my little phone that cost $9.99 four years ago and simply asked, "Why?"

Basically it boiled down to a coolness factor.

Now, I remember the desire to want to be cool. I never quite hit the mark with my frizzy hair, metal mouth, and lack of Gloria Vanderbilt Jeans. I did have an Izod shirt and a Calvin Klein jumper that teetered on the edge of cool... but when you wear the same outfit too many days in a row, you quickly get X'd off the cool list- like totally.

But back to the phone.

Basically, he can afford to buy the phone but the extra monthly service charges for a phone with these bells and whistles would be more of a stretch than my current body trying to still fit in said Gloria Vanderbilt's. Which you can now buy on e-bay for less than the price of a Happy Meal. Sigh.

But back to the phone.

I quickly realized as I listened to him lay out his grand plan for getting something he really can't afford but thinking that he can make it work (AKA...getting himself in a mess financially), that the boy needed some wise parental training.

So, we took Mark on a quick mental journey of what life will be like in a few years when he is on his own. Really, it is a simple mathematical equation that all children should have to take the time to sit and ponder. Instead of just telling our kids they should study and work hard in school, we should show them the realities.

Here's the math...

Let's say he gets a job making $10 an hour, working 40 hours, which would give him $400 a week. With 4 weeks in a month that would give him a monthly income of approximately $1600 give or take a little depending on how the weeks fall in a month.

Mark got wide eyed at that big chunk of money- $1600!!! I could see visions of cell phone grandeur dancing about in his brain!

Now, the deductions...

Taxes brings us down to $1200

Tithing brings us down to $1040

Rent brings us down to $440

Car Payment brings us down to $200

Gas brings us down to... oh dear $0.

"Mom, where's my money for food and clothes and my cell phone?"

"I don't know Mark. Maybe you should use your current cell phone to download a ring tone with the song "Back to Life- Back to Reality."

I'm thinking the discussion went well. I think I'll see about ordering me some of those Gloria Vanderbilt's off e-bay now. My budget can handle it. Did I mention my cell phone only cost $9.99?

I love being cool- like totally.

A Little Car Pool Line Drama for the Momma

Brooke flung the car door open with an extra measure of drama in the school pick up line yesterday.

I love sitting in the carpool line and being the source of entertainment for those behind me. Really. I love it.

I have found the carpool line a perfect place to pluck my eyebrows while I wait my turn. Like I said, serious entertainment for the other moms is what I inadvertently provide. But once my girls get to the car, I no longer need to pluck my eyebrows to create attention.

No ma'am... just picking up a Princess, a Drama Queen, and a future Attorney General does provide for some interesting situations.

Not to mention the chuckles I get from the teachers helping to monitor the carpool line who heard Brooke's prayer requests from that day. Let's just say if I even look at Art funny in my pre-caffeinated morning state, Brooke will offer up, "We need to pray for my parents and their marriage, again."

Yesterday, Brooke's door flinging was because of a slight Bible issue. "Well, we had Bible Drills today and guess who once again didn't have a Bible?"

Me: "That's a bummer for you Brooke. Why didn't you bring your Bible?"

Her: "I have a baby Bible. I need a real Bible. I told you last week I needed a real Bible. So, today I had to tell my teacher that my parents would not buy me a Bible. Then she asked me why didn't I just bring my Mom or my Dad's Bible and well I just had to be completely honest and tell her that neither of you would even let me touch your Bibles! She just didn't even know what to say Mom."

Clearly the child has been talking to some other woman in my home who looks a lot like me. I have never told my child she could not touch my Bible. Now, I do vaguely remember her saying something in the grocery store about needing a Bible but they don't sell those next to the Doritos... so I guess accidentally left that mental note back on aisle 7 last week.

Hmmmmmfffff.

I was in no mood to drive all the way into town. I had not even gotten my brows plucked with Brooke's door fling and all. And no good Southern woman goes to town without her eyebrows plucked... Heavens to Betsy No.

But then I remembered my Barnes and Noble had a Starbucks inside of it and well, I found me some Bible buying MOTIVATION!

We got a coffee, a Bible, and a workbook with only 2 stares at my eyebrows. Life was good.

Until we headed back home.

Her: "Uh, Mom?"

Me: "Yes, my Bible reading, back seat riding, no more door flinging, cause you got you a really good momma darling?"

Her: "The words in my Bible are too small. I think I might need glasses."

Me: "No dear, you just need to pluck your eyebrows and all will be well."

I wonder if we have any clue?

On Friday Holly and I were scheduled to fly to New Jersey. I won't tell you the name of the airline that hired a whole bunch of super-duper-happy people to work last Friday.

(But their first name starts with "U"... their middle name starts with "S" and their last name has something to do with what we breathe.)

Anyhow, super-duper-happy airline, delayed our flight one hour... and then another hour... and then some of the event coordinators in New Jersey called to tell us they just saw on the airline's website that our flight had been cancelled.

Cancelled.

Not delayed. No ma'am.

Cancelled.

When Holly got the call from our New Jersey friends, she went to the gate agent to inquire about the status of our flight. On our end it just showed the flight delayed. At the same time Holly was asking the agent about the status of our flight, a blonde haired woman in her early 30's walked up to ask about the flight as well. While the agent made a phone call, Holly and the young woman chatted a bit.

Suddenly, the announcement came that our flight had indeed been cancelled. We were all instructed to head down to baggage claim to get our luggage and then back up to the check in counter to get rescheduled.

Holly headed down to the baggage claim.

I headed to stand in the ticketing line. One of "those" lines. You know the kind. Impossibly long. Incredibly slow. It was a perfect situation for some serious people watching. And there were some happy people- especially when we were all told there were no more flights to Newark or any other city nearby.

Meanwhile down in baggage claim, Holly saw the blonde woman again. As soon as our luggage came, Holly loaded up the cart and headed to the elevator. Right as the elevator doors were almost shut, a hand flew into the small opening to stop the doors. It was the blonde woman again. She told Holly that she had just used her cell phone to reschedule her flight. "Call this number and ask to be rebooked on a 5:45pm flight that goes to Washington DC and then connecting to New York."

By the time Holly got to the line, I was starting to feel like we might be in for an all night drive to New Jersey. But the ticket agent who was on the phone with Holly was incredibly helpful. He booked us on the exact flights that blonde woman said she was on and life suddenly brightened.

We could get to New York which was only an hour from our hotel. And we could make it in time to get plenty of sleep to feel refreshed and ready for the next day's conference.

We got our bags checked and made it through security just in the nick of time. As we boarded the Washington DC flight, however, that gate agent informed us that New York was showing a 200 minute delay. Sigh.

But when we got to DC, there were no delays. We quickly got dinner, boarded the flight headed to New York and were so touched at how God was answering our prayers.

It was then that Holly started looking for our blonde haired friend to thank her.

When she didn't see her just by glancing around, Holly got up and walked up and down the aisles. Still no sign of her.

Half way through the flight, Holly made her way through the plane again, carefully checking each passenger. She told us she was booked on that flight. She just had to be there...

unless...

"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways..." (Psalm 91:11)

I wonder if we have any clue the number of times we have entertained angels unaware.

Lord, may we all learn to trust you more than our circumstances. And may we realize even when things that are seen may seem impossible, things that are unseen are being worked out on our behalf for the good of eternity.

P. S. Hello to all my New Jersey friends who are visiting today. I am so thankful God made a way to us to spend a Saturday together. And what a Saturday it was. I'm still praising God at the number of friends who trusted Jesus as their Savior during our time together!

Why putting a bag over your head might not be such a bad thing

Maybe it is because I have spent the week cleaning up after sick people. Any fluid that a sick person produces is gross. I'm sorry but it is true. And we've had just about every possible scenario of gross. It conjures up an 80's saying within me, "Gag me with a spoon."

At one point yesterday I wished I had an apron like Susanna Wesley did. I've heard it told that in the midst of household madness she would sit in her kitchen, throw her apron over her head, and meet with God.

I imagine that her kitchen was a little more worthy of having an apron handy. Mine has been strewn with take out containers this week.

But back to the apron over her head thing- I think I need me an apron meeting.

Moses needed him an apron meeting a few times as well. Only he called them tent meetings. He would take a tent and pitch it a good distance from camp. Anyone who wanted to seriously seek the Lord, would leave the familiarity of camp and go out to the tent meeting.

God would meet him there. Exodus 33:11 says, "The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend."

In verse 12 we find Moses telling the Lord that he is trying to lead these people but he needs a little help.

Oh yes ma'am, now there is a Scripture that every woman can identify with! "I love these people you have entrusted to me but there are days where they quite simply drive me crazy. Help me Lord! Help me Lord!"

Then the Lord replies in verse 14, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

His Presence and our rest are the gifts one gets when seeking the Lord.

The Dictionary defines 'presence' as: the fact of being present. I love this because no matter how I feel, it is a fact that God is with me.

And 'rest' is defined as: relief from anything that worries, troubles or disturbs.

Bad attitudes, throw up, caughing/ hacking sounds, more laundry than what one human should ever have to face, guilt over my lack of homemade nutrition, and feeling slightly annoyed that one can be too sick to do their chores but not too sick to have spats with their siblings--- well, I'd like some relief from all that.

So, I think I'll slip one of those take out paper sacks over my head, close my eyes, and have me a little meeting with the Lord.

And in the stillness of my soul, He whispers into me life, strength, perspective, courage...

"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to stregthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." (2 Chronicles 16:9)

Why is Quiet Time With Jesus So Important?

When Jesus rose from the grave and appeared in the midst of the disciples meeting behind locked doors, I imagine they were stunned- shocked- overjoyed.

With great intentionality Jesus chose the words he would use to greet his beloved disciples. Of all the themes he could have chosen in the moment, he picked what they needed most. What was it?

Joy?

Hope?

Love?

While all of these would have certainly been appropriate, Jesus didn't touch on any of the above. He simply said over and over again, "Peace be with you!" According to John 20, it is the first thing He said. He said it again before breathing on them to receive the Holy Spirit. Then when addressing Thomas and his doubts, he said it again, "Peace be with you!"

And isn't it interesting that each time Jesus is recorded as saying this, it ends with an exclamation point. This tells me that not only was Jesus intentional with saying this, He was also emphatic. He said it with great emphasis and urgency.

Why Peace?

And Why did Jesus say it with that particular phrasing "Peace be with you!"?

I have a theory. The world is really good at conjuring up facades. Temporary moments of worldly happiness can appear joyful. The world takes hope and mistakes it for wishful thinking. And the world has made love a dime store word used to describe a feeling that can change with the wind.

You see, the world can appear to offer joy, hope, and love. The world's offering of these is fleeting, temporary, and dangerously unstable... but it can put on a good show in the short term.

"I got that promotion- Joy!"

"I think we can afford this expensive house- hope!"

"He likes spending time with me- I think I'm in love!"

However, jobs can be lost in an instant, houses can be foreclosed on, and feelings of love go as quickly as they come.

So for a moment or two the world can offer fake joy, hope, and love.

But it can not offer fake peace. It can offer peaceful settings and rituals to conjure up peaceful thoughts... but not true soul contentedness peace. The peace that flows despite circumstances can only be found through Jesus being with us. That's why Jesus phrased it the way he did, "Peace be with you!" In other words, you can walk through anything my sweet follower, if you realize that I am peace and I am with you."

So, why is it so important to spend time with Jesus everyday? He will give you the exact instruction and comfort you will need to handle all He sees coming your way today. It is the perfect measure of His peace, packaged up just for you.

You can stick it in your pocket and carry it with you throughout your day.

Then with great expectation we can face the day and everything in it. Jesus has already whispered to us how to act and even more challenging how to react in every situation. So, instead of being a slave to our emotions and reacting based on feelings, we can remain victoriously peaceful no matter what.

Last night we had dinner with a couple who were asking lots of questions about how Art and I handle all that is on our plate... 5 kids, a growing ministry, a restaurant business. We assured them that some days we handle it well but honestly other days it gets a little wacky.

Then the husband paused and said, "yes, but through it all you just seem to have such peace."

And with that I stuck my hand in my pocket and smiled.

Longest Saved Cell Phone Message ~

Good morning bloggy friends, it's a Holly day...Ashley took a bit of a turn, and now has walking pneumonia, so Lysa is busy nursing her back to health. Good news though - she's got lots of good meds, and should be better within a day or two...! So we are praising God!


My youngest is a growing-like-a-weed 12 yr old, who sports freshly sprouted leg hair, a voice that is now deeper than my husband's, and a small swarm of interested young girls.

And I must confess...I just can't bring myself to delete a voice message I received from him - more than 2 years ago...

His voice is soft, gentle, and innocent...and I cherish every word of his message each time I replay it, which is quite often.

Message received from school one day: "Ummm...hi mom...I was just saying that I stepped in dog doo yesterday...and...now it really smells and stuff sooo......bye!"

Big sigh - big smile. I realize that only his mom could truly adore this silly, somewhat confusing little message, but I do, I really really do. It's a keeper.

Ethan (10 yrs old) with our faithful running partner Maya (see yesterday's post)

Ethan (now 12 yrs) on Easter Sunday '08

What have you saved from the sweet yesterdays with someone special in your life? We'd love to know!

Holly ~

(aka Lysa's assistant, running partner, traveling companion, and friend)

I have something fabulously profound to share with you today- Updated

But since I can't come up with it right this second... I'll be back after I run in the rain. Seriously, isn't that when all the profound things happen in the movies? The hero and heroine run to embrace in the rain just when we thought all was hopeless for their reunion.

Not that I'm looking for any kind of embrace mind you. I'm not a touchy person. I'm more of a sideways hugger. But that's beside the point.

Profound thoughts are what I'll be hunting in the rain this morning.

Be back in a bit...

Okay, I am back. And the only thing I got running in the rain....

was wet!

With all my being, I did not want to run in the rain this morning. But sometimes I have to push through the "don't want to's" because on the other side of every don't want to is a really great feeling of accomplishment.

And that's no April Fools sisters.

"The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me (and you) to go to the heights." Habakkuk 3: 19

Is there a "don't want to" thing that you've been avoiding? What is God enabling you to do today?