Hey, Siestas!
Several of you asked this week about the upcoming schedule for our Siesta So Long Insecurity discussion group. All of a sudden I realized that it was just days away and I’d better hop on it! I’ve had the shelf date continually in my mind but my priority attentions to it have been shoved behind the SMT Celebration and the launch of Tuesday night Bible study. My blond brain can only sufficiently handle one thing at a time and it’s finally time for this to be the one thing.
For those of you who aren’t up to speed on the subject, this blog community was my biggest resource and, hands down, my most valuable one for the new book, So Long Insecurity. I thought it would be so appropriate and insightful (and fun) to go through it together when it comes out. Well, it’s coming out on Tuesday so we better get this big ball rolling! I’ll put the information in the form of an FAQ for those of you who find that kind of layout most helpful. So here goes:
What’s the plan?
To go through the book together here on the blog over the course of nine weeks. It will conclude the week prior to the SLI simulcast (on April 24th) and I’m anticipating God using our discussions here to add insight into the messages I’ll share that day. He’s used you so many times in this ministry.
How will it work?
Every week I’ll give you a reading assignment (roughly two chapters a week) along with one or two questions based on that material. Those who want to respond will do so through posting comments.
Who should participate?
Anyone with two X chromosomes! Everybody’s welcome! Some of the things we do together on this blog – like summer Bible study and Scripture memory – are over the heads or outside the interests of many of our female coworkers, neighbors, siblings, or friends. Not this time. This subject matter was purposely written to be relevant for any woman trying to survive this culture with a little dignity. My prayer is that, in the pursuit of dignity, they will discover real Security. (Proverbs 3:26 NLT) I give you my word it is not a trap. It is what I believe from the marrow of my bones to be the Truth. If you’re unsure you want to risk asking someone outside the Christian community to join us, grab hold of the book quickly, read it for yourself and see if you think a few of your friends might be open to going through it. No pressure. It’s entirely up to you. God alone has the power to draw people to His Son.
When will we start?
So Long Insecurity hits the stands this coming Tuesday, February 2nd. I will give everyone who wants to participate one week to get your hands on a copy (bookstores, Amazon, etc.). Then, on Tuesday, February 9th, I’ll do a “roll call” (First name and city) to see who’s going to participate. That’s always a ton of fun. In an outreach setting like this one, it will be a blast to see brand new names. On Thursday, February 11th, we’ll start our reading assignments and our first week’s discussion questions. Each Thursday for the next nine weeks I’ll pitch another set of assignments and questions on the blog until we reach the conclusion. (For those who are afraid that one week might not be long enough to get a copy of the book in your hands, keep in mind that, even if you get yours late into the second week, the reading goes quickly enough to put you right on schedule.)
What if I don’t want to take nine whole weeks to read the book?
I just knew somebody was going to ask that question. I’m laughing but I’d be the same way. You can read the book as fast as you’d like then look back on it chapter by chapter as we slow down and do it together as a group.
But what if I don’t want to participate?
Then don’t! I’ll love you so much anyway and meet with you plenty of other times on the blog.
WOW. This is about to be a reality. I just have one last thing to say, Siestas. If you hate it, you helped me write it. SHARE MY PAIN!
I love you.
*Update*
You can sign up for the SLI DG on the roll call post.*
This is just the type of detail I was in search of. I wish I’d have found your web site earlier.
I just finished your book. What a special gift to have felt as though I was sitting across the coffee table from a very dear friend who understands all of my fears, insecurities, and dreams. I laughed and cried and literally leaped for joy in my heart. To know that others feel and see exactly what I do. “I’m not crazy!” hahaha! Thank you so much for helping me to understand that I am clothed with strength and dignity in the Lord Jesus Christ and NO ONE can take this from me as long as I TRUST Him. I feel as though I have spent time with a soul mate. How precious you are to share as you do. I am sharing your book with my precious daughters and as many of my sisters in Christ as I can. Blessings to you.
I am so honored to have walked that road with you, Sharon. It is still bearing fruit in my life and I pray that it lasts for the rest of BOTH of our lives. Jesus is so worthy of our priority pursuit. May He become more and more obvious to you.
I am about to start a small group with your workbook, So Long, Insecurity and I have the evaders guide. Do I need to buy a book also? I think you have both. Our church is moving into a small group setting.
You know that this has been the worst summer of my 45 year life. I have lost through death my father. I have lost my best friend, and my daughter with her new baby and her husband because of bad choices made by others in my family. I am trying with all my strength and fortitude to not lose my marriage of twenty-two years. I got this book from the library looking for something to help me through. I accepted Christ in my life a long time ago and continually strive to be a woman he would be proud to call his own. This book was sent to me by him I know it. I was praying for guidance and help and through your book I received what I need. I am a Mormon I believe in Christ and study his word daily. I think that through your struggle that you willingly shared with all of us, I gained understanding and enlightenment about my worth and my capabilities. I read your book with my scriptures by my side looking up each reference you used. I said the prayer you wrote and through my journey let go of my insecurities. I put the question to myself what if…?What if my marriage ends? At this point in time this is a real possibility. I will mourn. I will hurt. But I will not break. I will not crumble. I will survive and come out stronger for what I have learned. I will be clothed in strength and dignity. My Husbands choices are not my choices. I do not have to take on me his eternal welfare. I cannot. I will do everything I can to save my marriage but if he chooses the path that leads to the end of it I will be secure enough to succeed without him. I am SECURE in this knowledge.
I am reading your Insecurity book for the second time. Every time I read it, I become stronger and stronger in who God made me. First and foremost, I want to thank you. All my life I have always heard, “You are too sensitive.” Hearing you indicate your sensitive and emotional side, made me feel normal. Those words being spoken over me have caused me great insecurity and to doubt who I am in Christ and in relationships. I know my family did not mean harm by them, but they sure have caused me to doubt my feelings, even when I knew treatment I received was hurtful to me. I am now going through my second divorce. If I would have trusted my intuition and believed in myself, I would never have allowed the bad conduct to begin. I believed lies from a man who was an “emotional predator”. God has provided a way out for me after a short period of time of marriage and for that I am extremely thankful. I don’t believe in divorce and I know God hates it, but abuse of His people, He hates also. I pray for women in this world to know how fearfully and wonderfully made they are, so they do not allow hurtful behavior towards them. I also pray women to know their boundaries and to not initiate relationships with married men or men who will only cause them pain. It only brings heartache for all involved and most of all, our heavenly father. If women would understand their worth from God’s perspective, they would not settle for anything but a truly Godly man. I appreciate your dedication to our Lord and Savior and to women. I know the road is not always easy, but it is so much worth it! To know one day we will stand before our Father makes me want to serve Him in a mighty way each day! May God continue to bless you, your family, and your ministry in abundance! Please know you will be in my prayers! God Bless!
I just finished reading your book. God’s timing is so perfect. 2011 was THE DARKEST YEAR OF MY LIFE , as I coined it in my daily journal.. and as darkness does, it followed me into 2012, insecurity followed as well. Standing in the big box book store with my hand on your book not taking it off the shelf, but reading while it still sat on the shelf. The Lord spoke and said don’t be proud, this is exactly what you have been searching for. Your book is the answer to a prayer I’ve been begging for from God. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for following God’s call to put pen to paper on this subject that has stole my abundant living. No more enemy your jig is up!!!!! May God bless you and yours beyond anything we can imagine. Thank you again friend, your book has truly change my outlook on the subject of being secure!
Hi ladies, I read almost all of this book when it first came out. 🙂 And over the last six months God has lead me to out small churches youth group. I am feeling lead of the Lord to use this book as a bible study for the girls. I just wanted to ask if you think it is appropriate for girls 13-20? I really think it is and think that it can never be too soon to overcome insecurity . Any feed back on how to get started would be great . This will be my first time leading a bible study for these girls. I know this is what God wants of me but it is just soooo far outside my comfort zone. Many blessings, Vanessa
Beth:
Hi! I finished reading your book a couple weeks ago and it was truly amazing!! It fit me to a “T”. It has helped me a lot and I am believing and praying that it will get better and better. I still have some strong waves of insecurity issues that have come up and I have not reacted the way I thought or would have wanted to. I have MAJOR CHRONIC INSECURITY and have had for a long time!! The amazing thing is that all along I thought I was the only one that felt like this and that I was
crazy!! Thank you sooo much for listening and obeying God by writing this book to help others like ME!!!!
THANKS AGAIN!!!!!
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