Monday, March 12, 2012

Unglued...But Not Unfinished


"And I am certain that God,
who began the good work within you,
will continue his work until it is finally finished
on the day when Christ Jesus returns."
Philippians 1:6

Connections.  Relationships.  Two things on the top of my list of passions and priorities.  That's why I LOVE this book!

Previewing my friend Lysa's newest book Unglued, which is due to be released in August 2012, I am totally connecting with her message.  I am connecting because of my own abilities to become unglued.  And since I have been previewing the book, it seems as though I have been given more opportunities to respond to situations in God-honoring ways rather than becoming unglued. (Take for instance the other day when I was pulled over and ticketed by a police officer on the way to my children's school to serve lunch at the 6th grade Asia Day celebration...didn't that officer know he was making me late?  Or earlier that day when I had an opportunity to graciously reply to a snippy email I received.  Oh yes...I heartily agree with Lysa's way of replying to snippy emails in grace and truth.  And with her wisdom that sometimes the delete button is our best response to a snippy email. Smile.)

My family knows well of my unwanted talent to become unglued at times.  Sometimes I SCOO-KA-MA-BOB-A!  And God sweetly and gently teaches me through my children that I can be Untied, But Not Undone.

If I receive a compliment, I often reply "Well, glory to God, and please go check with my family to authenticate that!"  Living a life of godly integrity happens within the walls of our own homes first. That’s really where we are authenticated.  Walking with a blameless heart in our homes.  Yet, this is most often where our stickiness rears its ugly head most often.  What my family sees and knows of me is more important than what others may think.  Integrity of the soul.  Lysa talks about it in her new book.

Unglued.  I can relate sometimes.  I think it's safe to say we all can.

Connections.  Relationships.  Daily time in His Word.  "We must first exchange whispers with God in the morning before we exchange shouts with the world." ~ Lysa Terkeurst

While I can totally relate to becoming unglued, the reason I LOVE Lysa's new book is that, at the heart of it, Lysa's message is about connections and relationships.  Our relationship with God.  Our connecting with His Word daily.  Nurturing healthy and God-honoring relationships with family and friends.  And the truth that, once in a while, we have to prune a "toxic" relationship from our lives in order to bring forth new life. 

Imperfect progress.  Prepared godly responses to challenging situations ~ the fruit of our abiding in Him.  Godly integrity of our soul.  Peace.

Unglued.  I have underlined just about every sentence in the first eight chapters I have read of this book so far!  I imagine the same will be true as I continue to read through the rest of the book. 

I don't say this often, but it is a must-read for women!  In this book, Lysa again demonstrates how our relationships with God flows down into our relationships with family and friends and others.  In her sweet, southern, down-to-earth kind of way, Lysa unearths the treasures of being unglued and reminds us that imperfect progress is progress and growth nonetheless.

We may feel unglued, but we are not unfinished.  He who began a good work in us is faithful to complete it.

Unglued will be released in August 2012!!  If you can relate to feeling unglued at times, please leave a comment here.  My hubby and I will be giving away 3 pre-order copies of Unglued.  The winners will be announced on Friday, March 16th.
"The mind of sinful man is death,
but the mind controlled
by the Spirit is life and peace..."Romans 8:6

9 comments:

JanefromSC said...

I got to look at the first 2 chapters and I cannot wait to get this book! I wanted to keep reading it! Lucky you Sharon! I am so jealous! I travel a lot - work full time, mom, wife, Bible study teacher, daughter of precious 93 year old mother, etc. Am I ever unglued??? YES YES YES!! If it was not for reading God's Word daily and spending time with Him in prayer I am not sure what I would do. I would love to have a copy of this book. Lysa is one of my favorite authors and speakers.

Dawn Marie said...

I too am looking forward to the release of Unglued! I unfortunately do come unglued...most often it occurs at home and hurts the ones I love the most. When I allow myself to be overcome with stress and anxiety, I can snap in an instant and unkind words spew out of my mouth. I'm praying for God's strength to overcome my emotional outbursts and as my personal relationship with God is growing stronger, He is helping me win this battle!!

Nena said...

Love studying with Lysa! The teachers from my school went through one of her studies last summer! Would love to follow up this summer with another!:O)

Ted said...

Oh my...as a mom of a two year old, a three year old, and another on the way, there are so many times I can become unglued. I could so use this study.

Stephanie said...

Oops - that last comment from "Ted" is actually from me. I didn't realize my husband was still logged in. ;) If you want to delete it, I'm reposting here what I wrote:

Oh my...as a mom of a two year old, a three year old, and another on the way, there are so many times I can become unglued. I could so use this study.

Beth said...

I think I need this study. My life has come "unglued" in the last few months and I am struggling to find the strength to live day-to-day: job loss, health issue, car problem (I could go on, but I won't). I know God has a plan.

bjcoy7 said...

I am looking forward to delving into this book. Although I am not a wife, nor a mother, I too have my glue-free moments - being 38 and single provides many opportunities for coming unglued.
:-)

Mary said...

I have been looking forward to the release of this book ever since Lysa began talking about it awhile back on her blog. I printed out a two page excerpt from Unglued, and just that part was phenomenal! Just wish the release date was sooner than August! Have a blessed day, Sharon!

Loulou said...

Hi all!
I'm a first time reader of Sharon's blog and definitely going to be a repeat! I agree with Mary--wish the release date was sooner than August--it looks like a compelling read! It's been a really rough year,filled with opportunities to be "unglued" were taken up too eagerly (divorce, unhappy with career, moving to a new place) and no relationship with GOD to show me better. Happy to say that finding GOD again and counting my blessings is bringing a better year! :-D would LOVE this book sooner, but it really looks like it's worth waiting for!