Overcoming the Nevers: A Book Review and a Giveaway!: eMpowering Mondays

I had the blessed opportunity to meet several hundred women who have a similar calling as me this past July at the She Speaks Conference. Though I learned pages and pages of ideas and tools from the conference, my greatest gain has been the relationships that I have developed. Many of these friendships were not started at the actual conference. In fact, I have never seen some of these women in real life. Our commonalities drew us together and we have nurtured our relationships via phone calls, text messages, emails, Twitter, and Facebook.

Teri Johnson is one of those women I have not had the privilege of actually hugging in person! I was reading on Twitter one day that Teri was publishing her first book and I responded by supporting her and offering to review it with my readers – that was Labor Day weekend. Our relationship that began virtually morphed into real life phone calls. I am now honored to call Teri my friend. And now, I am excited to tell you that her book is OUT and I have already read it and want to recommend it to you! AND BE SURE TO READ TO THE BOTTOM TO SEE HOW YOU CAN WIN YOUR OWN SIGNED COPY!

The book is titled, Overcoming the Nevers. It’s a catchy title – and Teri explains that the “nevers” in our lives can be positive (I never thought I would go to seminary, but I did!) or negative (I never thought I would live in fear, but I have.) Teri focuses on the negative “nevers” because those are the ones that leave us in a state of disappointment, failure, regret, insecurity, anxiety, fear and shame. The “after-effects” of those “Nevers” are what keep us from living life – a full life, a joyful life, a content life. We begin to believe lies about ourselves – lies of inadequacy, of never measuring up, of insignificance. The pain surrounding these “after-effects” and lies often causes us to resort to unhealthy behaviors.

 

Overcoming the Nevers is about experiencing freedom in our lives as we triumph over our Nevers and their lingering effects. As we gain victory, we begin to see how God has uniquely created us and has an incredible plan for our lives.  Teri uses the analogy of a garden to talk about our lives. She reminds us that “whatever we feed and focus on grows.” She highlights the tools that we need to tend to that garden of life – to weed out the feelings and behaviors that need to be removed and to nurture the growth of seeds and plantings that enable us to be who God created us to be.

This book is empowering! I realized that though my “Nevers” are different from Teri’s and most likely different from yours, I still have them. For example, I never thought I would go through depression. I thought that my personality did not lend itself to depression. And yet, a few years ago, that is exactly where I found myself. I am confident that whatever your “Never” is, by the grace of God, you can overcome it! I am thankful to Teri for sharing her incredible journey with God through Overcoming the Nevers. It is a powerful collection of tools for anyone desiring to live the radical, abundant life Christ desires for us!

Some of my favorite quotes:

“By acknowledging our powerlessness we are actually empowered, and this cultivates strength.”

“Wrong thinking can also prevent us from experiencing joy and being fully alive. When we decide something is true, that “truth” adheres to us, even if it’s false. Believing messages about who you are, that are simply not true, is wrong.”

“We are inviting Him to separate us from what we’ve uncovered and discovered, what He revealed to us in our lives that is not pleasing to Him... We are asking Him to heal us, restore us, refine us, and transform us.”

“We will clean our house daily with the ultimate goal of our inside matching our outside – wholeness.”

Good stuff, huh? 

I want you to win your own signed copy of the book!  You can enter the giveaway by:

1.  Commenting on this post – share with us maybe why you would love to read this book! Teri Johnson will be joining the blog comment conversation as you comment...so give her some comment love and some questions!
 
2.    Following this blog if you are not already...you can subscribe over on the left via email, Google Reader, or Networked Blogs.
 
 
3.    Sharing this book review post via Twitter or Facebook and leave a comment letting me know that you did that!
 
4.    Following me on twitter at http://twitter.com/kelliwommack and let me know!
 
 
5.    Following Teri’s blog http://keepingitpersonal.com where I have the honor of being a monthly contributor and let us know in the comments.
 
6.    Follow Teri on Twitter at http://twitter.com/keepitpersonal

You can also order a signed copy of the book or an e-book by going to http://keepingitpersonal.com/overcoming-the-nevers/

or order a copy from Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159932251X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=keepitpers-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=159932251X

Teri is the President and Founder of Keeping it Personal.  She is a writer, speaker, and sought-after personal growth expert.  Great conversations while sipping coffee and soaking up as many sunsets as she can, make her tick — along with running and taking pictures.  She’s passionate about helping others; an encourager and a cheerleader to many.  Teri lives a joy-filled life deeply devoted to her husband, her two boys, and her relationship with God.

As always, I am grateful for your reading this blog. You are the reason I write. Now, go...Overcome your Nevers!

Unwrapping the gift of abundant life,

Kelli

The Ministry of Presence: Presence Filled Fridays

Hey sweet friends!


I have the joy of guest blogging for a fellow She Speaks Sister today. Michele Montgomery, brave mother of 6, writes a powerful blog over at The Journey North. 


Realizing that God has a ministry for us that does not involve a specific task is quite difficult for us to imagine. But I am realizing that often that is exactly what He calls me to do. Just be there...join me as we discuss a ministry that often goes unnamed and overlooked.

Click Here to visit the Journey North and read the rest of the blog post!

Don't forget to comment over there or over here or both! Have a great weekend! See you Monday...you won't want to miss our special blog featuring a friend, a book review, and another giveaway!!!!

Unwrapping the gift of being,

Kelli

Purpose in the Process

I have come to the in your face realization that I spend an awful lot of time trying to figure out what in the world I am supposed to be doing here on this earth. I know that comes as a shock since I write about purpose every week...  Yet, I struggle with "Am I getting it right?" You know, I have this fear of looking back at my life when I am older and having regrets. So, I pray, I read, I write, I research, I do life plans, and so on. And all of those have been extremely helpful. 

I started this whole On Purpose Wednesdays writing about the fact that we can't live life "by accident." We must be intentional.  And I still very much believe that and preach that. I also believe that we must have goals and life plans, or we will spend a lot of time wasting time. Being willy nilly, with no vision or direction. I believe we must seek Him with our whole hearts and He will show us the way -- 

but not necessarily the destination. 

I don't know about you, but when I go on a trip, one of my least favorite parts is the actual traveling piece. I am extremely prone to motion sickness. So whether I travel by car, boat, plane, or train, (yes, I have) I most always have to take a Dramamine or this girl is going to yak. Sorry, it's true. I really wish our scientists would figure out the whole "Beam me up, Scotty!" thing so that I can just be momentarily and motionlessly transferred to my destination. I just want to get there, for heaven's sake!

So, when trying to discern MY PURPOSE in life, I am equally as impatient. I want to just get there, ok? Why do we have to do all these trial runs? Make mistakes? Listen? Research? Seek counseling? I just want to get THERE, for heaven's sake! 

And so, last week as I was "researching" purpose for my sake and yours, I came across this written by Oswald Chambers...

What is my vision of God’s purpose for me? Whatever it may be, His purpose is for me to depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay calm, faithful, and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me. God is not working toward a particular finish— His purpose is the process itself. What He desires for me is that I see “Him walking on the sea” with no shore, no success, nor goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainty that everything is all right because I see “Him walking on the sea” (Mark 6:49). It is the process, not the outcome,that is glorifying to God.

What????  His purpose is in the process itself, ever drawing me near to him; ever growing my trust in Him; ever wooing me into relationship to Him; ever demonstrating His absolute love and grace and presence in my life.

While I spend (and waste) my time considering and agonizing over His purpose for my life, He is there in the moment ready to reveal that seeking Him, walking with Him, listening to Him -- well, that is my purpose. 

You see, God is not about having us ARRIVE. He is about having us JOURNEY.

-- and Dramamine is not required. 

Are you like me and find yourself just wanting to find that ultimate PURPOSE...to reach that destination? Please share so that we can encourage each other and pray for each other.  You have no idea how much your comments mean to this "newbie" writer. 

Unwrapping the gift of the journey with Him!

Kelli

linking up with my friend at 

and Courtney for the Women Living Well Blog Bash!

The Power of Remembering: Empowering Mondays

It is hard to believe that I have been posting Empowering Mondays for two months now.  Wow. We have covered many topics: (Click on any that you have missed!)

• Power of God at Work in our lives
• Power of Rest and Sabbath
• Power of Life in my Deadness
• Power of God over Strangling Stress
• Power of Walking in God's Calling
• Power of Friendship
• Power of Choice
• Power of Perspective

I have enjoyed reading your comments, hearing your stories, and praying for you as seek to be empowered in your life. Our God is All-Powerful and can conquer anything we wrestle with. He also empowers us with tools to deal with life situations. I hope that you have found this series to be helpful. We have one more post next week and I can't wait to present it to you...with another giveaway!

For today, I wanted to talk about the power of Remembering. 

One of my favorite stories in all of the Old Testament is found in Joshua 3 - 4. The Israelites led by their faithful leader, Joshua, witness a miracle as the Lord God shows up and shows out. The priests carry the ark of the covenant to the tip of the flood staged Jordan River and as "their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away... while the water flowing down to the Dead Sea was completely cut off." The Scripture continues by telling us that  the entire nation of Israel completely crossed the Jordan River on dry ground as the priests carrying the ark of the covenant stood in the middle of the Jordan. What a scene! What a miracle! What a story!

But I love what happens next.  Joshua tells the Israelites to appoint twelve men and to go and take twelve stones out of the middle of the river where the priests carrying the ark of the covenant are standing. As soon as the stones were gathered, the Lord commanded the priests carrying the ark to come up out of the Jordan. As soon as the priests' feet touched dry land, the Jordan waters returned to their original flood ridden state. Joshua then takes the twelve stones and sets them up at Gilgal and tells the Israelites that this "rock collection" is to remind them to tell the story of how God enabled the Israelites to cross the Jordan on dry ground... just as God had dried up the Red Sea when they were escaping the Egyptians.  "God did this so that all of the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful..."

We need a "rock collection." Our gathering of "stones" remind us of the awesome and infinite power of our God. They invite questions from our children. "What are those 'rocks' for?" Of course, we may not gather stones. But we do need to have a tangible reminder of God's faithfulness and His goodness. We need to recall what He has done in our past so that we live in our present and move forward into our future. "Remember the wonders He has done."  1 Chronicles 16:12

So, what does your "rock collection" look like?  Have you taken the time to journal God's faithfulness in your life? We need to find ways to remember what God has done in our lives so that we can tell our children and our children's children of His great faithfulness. So, if you don't have a "rock collection," start one! 

Unwrapping the gift of remembering,

Kelli

 Lauren Tucker Photography, on Flickr

Simple, Obvious, But Powerful: On Purpose Wednesday

thanks, Dom Dada, Flickr

"I just can't figure it all out. I want to know what my purpose is. What I am here on earth for? I want to know God's plan for my life."

I hear this statement often as I counsel people. They are often perplexed and confused. I totally understand. I have been there and honestly, still find myself there from time to time. We all want to make sure that we are being obedient to God, that we are fulfilling the calling that He has placed on our lives.

A few weeks ago at a women's retreat, I was introduced to a new and wonderful song called "Come Away" by Jesus Culture. One of the verses says this:

I have a plan for you,

I have a plan for you,

It's gonna be wild,

It's gonna be great,

it's gonna be full of Me.

As I sang this song again this past Sunday morning, I was so focused on "the plan." I get so excited that God actually has a plan for me - a great and wild plan, how exciting!  So, what is this plan, God? And am I already on this plan? And then it hit me like a ton of bricks.  How I know that what I am doing is God's plan is not its wildness or its greatness. Because honestly there are a lot of plans that can be wild and great. The difference is that God's plan and purpose will always be full of Him. If I am caught up in a plan that is wild and great, but full of me, chances are it is not God's plan. Wow. What a simple, obvious, but powerful revelation.


Are you trying to figure out God's plan for your own life? Ask yourself, is this plan full of Him or full of me? If you struggles with this, I would love to know so that we can pray for each other! 

The song finishes out with, "Open up your heart and let Me in." Lord, if our plans and our hearts are full of ourselves, help us to open them up and let You in. Fill us, Lord, with You.


Unwrapping the gift of surrender,


Kelli

The Power of Perspective: Empowering Mondays

First things first, we have Four Winners from my big 4-0 giveaway! (I used a random number generator.)

The Winner of One Thousand Gifts is Abby.

The Winner of When Women Say Yes To God is Julie V.

The Winner of Sun Stand Still is Leslie C.

The Winner of a Starbucks Giftcard is Karin H.

Please email me at kelli{at}ccclive{dot}org with your addresses so I can send your prize to you!  Thanks!

Now, back to my regular blog post...

thanks, Iain Farrell, Flickr

Many of you are familiar with the magazine, Real Simple. I enjoy looking at all the pictures and reading the informative articles, but one of my favorite sections is New Uses for Old Things. Whoever comes up with these new uses for familiar things is a genius! Actually, they are just people with a keen and unique perspective.

Who would have thought that we could use a toilet paper roll to store our hair elastics and bobby pins neatly?

What about putting marbles in your double boiler to alert you to add more water?

What would happen if we gained a new perspective with the people in our life? 

Instead of seeing our husband as the person we have to make happy, see him as the gift God gave us to make us more like Jesus, like sandpaper sanding away our rough edges.

Instead of seeing our children as little people that we have to wait on, provide for, and clean up after, see them as gifts that remind us to laugh at life, to enjoy life with hands in the air, and to eat cake for breakfast.

Instead of seeing the people in our lives that really challenge us as problems, view them as gifts that keep us humble, keep us pliable and teachable, and keep us ever so reliant on God.

What about having a new perspective of our life situations? 

Instead of seeing our health struggle as a curse, see it as an opportunity to totally rely on God, to grow our prayer life, and to increase our trust in Him.

Instead of seeing our relationship issue as a reason to not trust anyone ever again, view it as a way to minister to others, and to seek God before we plunge in again.

Instead of seeing our overwhelming workload as a good reason to quit, use it as a catalyst to get organized, to make some life changes, and to prioritize.

Having a new perspective can be empowering.  When we begin to view those familiar people or situations for what they can be instead of what they have been or what they are even today, we have the power, ignited by hope,that we can carry on.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  

2 Corinthians 4: 18

So, let’s have some perspective.  It may not be Real Simple, but it can be Real Powerful.

So, what is something in your life on which you need to gain a new perspective? Please share in the comments so that I can pray for you.  P.S. I want to thank you all for making my 40^th Birthday unforgettable. 

Unwrapping the gift of perspective,

Kelli

Milestones and Road Signs...and the Giveaway Continues!

I had some sweet family members and friends put up several signs in my neighborhood to alert everyone that I was turning 40. I loved it! There was a sign greeting me just about every 50 feet or so.  (I loved them so much, I didn't take them down until last night!) 

As I approached the entrance to the neighborhood, I saw these two signs together and I was struck:

One sign marks a milestone. The other is a road sign.

They both are significant.

The milestone promotes reflection. It is a time to look back, to evaluate, to celebrate, to remember, to give thanks.

The road sign provides direction. It requires looking ahead, gaining perception, making goals, following instructions.

We need both in this life:  milestones and road signs.

I desire to reflect and give thanks and celebrate.

I remember the days long ago.

I reflect on all that you have done.

I carefully consider what your hands have made.

  I stretch out my hands to you in prayer.   Psalm 143: 5-6

But I can't wait to look ahead and expect and see what lies ahead.

The revelation of God is whole

and pulls our lives together.

The signposts of God are clear

and point out the right road.

The life-maps of God are right,

showing the way to joy.

The directions of God are plain

and easy on the eyes.   Psalm 19: 7 - 9

Spend some time today thinking about your milestones AND your road signs. 

We need reflection and direction.

Don't forget to comment here if you want to enter for the giveaway...

I am giving away THREE books that have hugely ministered to me deeply this year and a Starbucks gift card (that ministers to me, too!)

The THREE books:
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick

Here's how you can enter to win:
1. Leave a comment on this blog and if you are feeling punchy, I would love to hear a subject you would love for me to blog about.

2. Spread the word about his giveaway via Social Media -
Facebook, Twitter, etc. and let me know that you did that by leaving a comment.  (Use the share link at the top of the page)

3. Follow me on Twitter (@kelliwommack). If you do already, thanks and let me know that !

4. Follow this blog by either signing up for it via email, Google Reader, or Networked blogs.  (You can do this all via the side bar.) Let me know that you did this by leaving a comment. If you already do, let me know that!

I will close the giveaway, Sunday, October 15 at 5 pm...and announce winners on my Monday blogpost.  I would love for you to win!

Unwrapping the gifts of reflection and direction,

Kelli

Celebrating Forty with Friends and My First Giveaway!

Yes, I turn the big 4-0 today.  
Do I feel older? Well, if you are talking about the fact that I have to hold books out a foot from my eyes now to read them, or the fact that my knees crack when I stand up, or that I feel the need to go to bed at around 9:30, then yes, I feel older. 


Honestly, I am incredibly blessed and I felt like today was a great day to celebrate His goodness in my life...and have a giveaway (that comes at the end.)


Today I am grateful for:


the fact that God loves me unconditionally and that after 40 years, I am really beginning to understand that love. I am thankful for my salvation, for my walk with Jesus, for my calling, and for the Spirit that enables me to fulfill that calling.


my husband of almost 20 years. He is an amazing man. I love him dearly and I am thankful that we have a marriage built on Christ.  We went to our first marriage retreat this year...and were affirmed that we were doing a lot of things right (by the grace of God!) He is my biggest fan...he just never comments on my blog.


my children. Bekah is 12 and wise beyond her years.  I think there is an old soul buried beneath that veneer of a young woman. She challenges me to slow down, to think deeply, and to love wholeheartedly.  Ryan is 8 and rocks my world. He always has. Ryan is a great kid with a big heart, a huge imagination, and a ginormous amount of energy.  My children are gifts that allow me to know and understand God better. And this was the year my family became complete in Christ when Ryan gave his heart to Jesus in July!


my extended family. So many I can't name, but I am thankful for all of them. I am blessed to have such an extended network of support.


my friends. You are one of them. Old friends. New friends. Thank you for your love,encouragement, and prayers. You are a blessing.


my church family. I love Christ Community Church.  I love serving alongside of such godly people who are passionately in love with Jesus.


my ministry at CCC. I never would have thought that I would be paid to do something I love so much. I absolutely love encouraging, equipping, and empowering people for ministry and seeing them reach their full potential in Christ.


my new emphasis on writing and speaking. Thanks to your encouragement and readership, I have been writing on this blog since July 4 and have written 33 blog posts on this blog and have guest blogged 3 times for others. I also went to my first speaker/writer conference  (She Speaks) this year and proposed my first book! I have been blessed to speak over 20 times, lead two bible studies, and speak for the first time internationally at a pastor's conference in Caracas, Venezuela. By His Grace and For His Glory!


These are just a few of many, many things I am thankful for.  Thank you for letting me share them with you.  


Now...for the giveaway...
I am giving away THREE books that have hugely ministered to me deeply this year and a Starbucks gift card (that ministers to me, too!)


The THREE books:
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick


Here's how you can enter to win:
1. Leave a comment on this blog and if you are feeling punchy, I would love to hear a subject you would love for me to blog about.


2. Spread the word about his giveaway via Social Media -
Facebook, Twitter, etc. and let me know that you did that by leaving a comment.  (Use the share link at the top of the page)


3. Follow me on Twitter (@kelliwommack). If you do already, thanks and let me know that !


4. Follow this blog by either signing up for it via email, Google Reader, or Networked blogs.  (You can do this all via the side bar.) Let me know that you did this by leaving a comment. If you already do, let me know that!


Thanks for helping me celebrate today!  I will post the four winners on Monday, October 17.  


Unwrapping the gifts of life,






Kelli


P.S. You have made my day.  I love you all!

The Power of Choice: eMpowering Mondays

When I look at my life and I feel so overwhelmed by the to-do list, the time crunch, the necessities of the day, I forget to remember that I have choices. That my to-do list is ultimately full of things that I have placed there. That my time crunch is often because I have not managed my time wisely. And when I evaluate those necessities of the day, I find that they are often  not really necessities for living at all.

So I have choices. Choices are powerful. Though my feelings lead me in one direction, I can choose to go another. 

Though choice is an individual right or power, those of us who follow Christ realize that choices made in obedience to Him are impossible without His Power. 

Paul says in Romans 7: 15 - 20: (Message Version)

"What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise... my decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions...I've tried everything and nothing helps. Is there no one who can do anything for me? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different."

Paul understood what we face today.  That we have choices, and we make decisions. But without the power of Jesus Christ, we cannot make the choices that we really need and desire to make.  

choosing to exhort our children rather than exacerbate them

choosing to praise rather than preach

choosing to guide rather than gain control

choosing to give love rather than giving lectures

choosing to show patience rather than showing power

choosing to give thanks rather than giving threats

choosing to be joyful rather than being pitiful

choosing to be kind rather than cruel

choosing to show gentleness rather than showing grievousness

choosing to be faithful rather than faithless

choosing to exhibit self-control rather than self-gratification

choosing to pray rather than presume

Lord, grant us your Power to make powerful choices.

Are these kinds of choices difficult for you? Is there a way that I can pray for you today? I would love to hear your comments. 

Unwrapping the gift of choice,

Kelli