Que Pasa?

Translation: "What's up?"
Glad you asked. It's been a very busy time for me but that's a little redundant when coupled with the time lapse between postings today and 2/21. My apologies.

Last week I started back up with the other Safe Keepers in DC4K (Divorce Care for Kids). We will be working again this semester to get something in print that follows the principles in Healing Letters. We have several activities that worked well last semester and we're praying for the Lord's blessing as we get closer to something useable for other churches.

A couple weeks ago I found a great online-only sale from a store I have only visited at the mall. I just had to check it out. Well, I used my monthly personal allowance out of the family budget and ordered a little something for everyone. When my UPS man delivered the package a few days later, he was thrilled to be able to tell me that the book I gave him has had a big impact with him and others he has shared it with. I was just relieved to know he didn't report me for taking his keys to open the first box of books when he delivered it back in November. But this occured during my Bible study of Max Lucado's It's Not About Me. And it truly is not about me. I am so glad it's all about God because personally, I don't have time or energy to promote a book or myself. But I do have time to promote God 24/7 and it's refreshing.

Those are just a couple recent highlights. I know God is doing so much that I can't see and I praise Him for that too!

Darkness gave me a reason to celebrate the Light

When my daughter was born, it was 3 years to the day after my husband and I met. We married the same year we met so we celebrated all our 3's that year. Now we are celebrating her 6th birthday along with a few other family birthdays all at once. The day before her birthday is the anniversary of my baptism. There are so many reasons to celebrate in this life. Today, my youngest officially started potty training! (Yippy!) I also think of one year ago around this time when I signed a contract to have Advantage Books begin work to publish my book. A year before that, I had finished writing it. I also think of Spring beginning this month. I absolutely love springtime weather! That right there is reason enough to celebrate!! I bought my husband a big BBQ grill for his birthday so he can celebrate Spring with everyone he loves. Last week I bought the first of some bulbs to plant in the shady spot on the North side of my house.

You see, dark places don't have to stay dark. Anniversary dates of crisis and trauma events don't have to carry the same weight year after year of cyclical depression. There is a light that was offered to us in two outstretched palms of a dying man. Did you know there were widespread resurrections the moment Jesus died (Matthew 27:51-53)? One of my favorite citings of liberation via Calvary begins back in Exodus chapter 32 when 3000 people fell dead the day Moses descended from Mt. Sinai upon receiving the Law only to find the Israelites enmeshed in idolatry with his own brother as the host. Fast forward to Christ's ascension at Pentecost, which was 50 days after his resurrection from the grave. When the work was completed and the Holy Spirit became the seal of Salvation, 3000 souls were saved (Acts 2:41) that day! God came to redeem the darkness Satan intended and shine his light into it because the Light ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS wins. His light is not beyond reaching your darkness.

Can God restore to you the years the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25)? Absolutely! Can he redeem your life from the sins you've been swimming in? Absolutely! Can he do anything beyond what we can ask or imagine? Without a doubt, he can! Redemption is God's business.

So I challenge you today to think of one thing to celebrate. Celebrate the first time you said "Hello" to that obscure someone. Celebrate the first tiny sprout in your garden. Celebrate the daffodils. Celebrate the goofy stray dog someone dropped off in your yard. Celbrate your salvation. Celebrate the day you got engaged. Celebrate a special friend. Celebrate the day you learned to change the oil in your car. Celebrate each time you choose light over darkness. And if you absolutely, positively can't think of a single thing to celebrate, might I suggest you try something new and celebrate the fact that you did!

I plan to have my cake and eat it too. How about you? As I eat my cake, I will pray for the sweetness of Christ to lavish you even in your darkest place where you may be this very day. May his salvation resurrect you from impending death that feels as though it fills your every fiber. May you rise from the ashes of winter and find that your Savior has been with you through the valley of the shadow.

Lots of love,
Lisa

A thought for those who are hurting

Just a few hours ago, Beth Moore published a blog post (see link on home page). I read the following quote where she so perfectly stated a thought I've never bothered to articulate. I truly appreciate the ministry of Beth Moore and have learned life-changing approaches to Scripture and application under her teaching. I will be leading a study with a small group starting in April. It's Beth Moore's Esther study.

Without further adieu, here's the statement I so appreciated:

To me, the line is drawn where the glory to God and the good to the listeners profoundly exceeds the pain of the testimony. If the listener will likely be left with graphic visuals and oppressive thoughts or pervasive sadness, we need to refrain from telling it in detail. In those occasions, generalities are best. We don’t have to tell people everything to tell them an important something. We also have to be very sensitive to the other people – often family members – whose secrets are inadvertently told as we tells ours. These are HUGE issues that need to be worked through with great sensitivity. Mind you, I’m talking about audiences here. I’m not talking about counseling sessions. We do indeed need to find someone trustworthy and mature in the faith, with a gift for counsel, to hear our whole story."

Fill it up!

Do you ever have a conversation with someone else or with yourself and seemingly out of nowhere, God shows up? Not that he's not always there or you don't think he hears every thought or spoken word. But really, there are times when we're not thinking about it and then he shows up. I actually like that about him. As my life with Christ has strengthened, it happens more frequently and he's closer than a brother in that regard.

Here's an example. This morning, my 4 year old son wanted a sippy cup of chocolate strawberry milk. But this time he wanted to make it himself! I've been letting him do more things independently or under adult supervision since he recently turned 4, so we went to make his milk and that's when God showed up. I started to pour the chocolate syrup into the cup and then remembered that my boy doesn't need me to do that for him anymore. So I took the cup and said, "Here, I'll hold the cup and YOU fill it up!" I heard God smile over my shoulder and say, "Yeah, that's more like it!!!" That's probably the very thing my son was thinking as I handed him the brand new bottle of Hershey's chocolate syrup and let him put as much as he wanted. I was concerned that he wouldn't stop, but he did. He looked to me wondering what would be the right amount and I coached him along.

My thoughts that followed went something like this.... Sometimes God wants to hold our cup and hand us the syrup. He wants to see how much we want of him, how much we truly desire him, how much we'll fill up on HIM. It's okay to go overboard. It's okay to stuff ourselves to the gills when it comes to God. You'll never burst! (And he is calorie and fat free.) So what would you do if God handed you the cup? Would you fill it up with him or something else?

Just my thought for the day.

~L

Waiting for a new post?

While you might be waiting to see a newsworthy post on this weblog, you can look around at all the other little gadgets and widgets I've added, particularly in the left margin.

Being Mom and teacher to 3 little ones keeps me as busy as a bee during honey season. Then there's all the other hats I wear...... Currently, I am in one Bible study that will end in time for two others to begin. Starting in April, I will present a one year cycle of studies about the Feast/Holy Days of the Bible and how they tie into the rest of the Bible. This is for a group of area homeschool families. Beginning in March, our DC4K (Divorce Care for Kids) will be starting back up at church. I look forward to my third semester serving these 5-12 year old kids! A busy Spring indeed!!

In the meantime, I live in a band of the midwest where winter and summer are slated to collide and wreak havoc of historic proportions! I was at the grocery store last night and there were literally 15 loaves of bread left in the entire bread aisle (minus the one I bought)!! Rock salt? Not a chance! So be safe, no matter where you are and know that I am praying for all my weblog visitors.

Blessings,
Lisa

More views inside

I just added the introductions to chapters 1-3 to the page "See Inside the Book". Check it out if you don't have the book and are considering purchasing a copy. While the book is available where books are sold, my publisher is a print-on-demand company. This means that bookstores most likely won't have it on their shelf because they cannot return it. That's the book business. They stock product for a time and the distributor provides a window of opportunity for the retailer to return what doesn't sell. That's what retailers look for when purchasing inventory so they don't get strapped with overstock.

Nevertheless, Healing Letters is available through the major distributor so that anyone can order it for you. You just might have to prepay or it may not be returnable. They can get it however. Christian bookstores, Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million, Amazon, WalMart, Borders, etc. Especially online places. I'm still working on getting it available through Christian Book Distributors.

To show how far-reaching Healing Letters has already been, I found this past week on Amazon copies being sold in Japan and UK. This weblog has had visitors from Israel, Croatia, Finland, Canada and the US. I just had high hopes of taking it to other states. Furthermore, the one page with the most visitors has been "The Main Thing" which is the most significant aspect about this project to begin with. It is so exciting to see what God is doing with it. Sometimes God has to go above and beyond us to make Himself obvious. As Christians wanting to know more about Him, we should figure out how He operates and then watch for it. When we want to know more about ourselves, we figure out patterns and then establish desired patterns or habits. Have you ever said to someone, "You always do that!" Maybe they don't always do that thing, but you notice a pattern of behavior. Well, in a very good way, God is not confined to our expectations, but He does tend to have a way about Him in order to reveal more of Himself to us. "He always does that!" Afterall, we were created to be in relationship with Him. He's not playing hard-to-get. I love that about Him!

New blog page added

I was expecting SITB ("see inside the book") to be available on booksellers' websites eventually, but "eventually" has come and gone. I do want seekers to get a better idea of what the book is about before they buy it to be sure it's what they want and to be encouraged that it is in fact what they want. That is why I have added a tab at the top of this home page. You can click on "See Inside the Book" and find the Table of Contents and the Introduction in full. I have yet to put any excerpts from chapters because the chapters have so many subtitles as separate discussions throughout. I may go back and add chapter descriptions though. I'll let the Lord lead with that. As it is, SITB is now available through this blog and I pray it is helpful to you!

Many wishes for a spiritually productive and mentally healthy new year in 2011!!!!
~Lisa

Advertising

Currently I am working on getting Healing Letters sold online at CBD (Christian Book Distributors). I did not write the book to make lots of money, but neither did Advantage publish the book to lose money. My prayer is that 1) CBD will sell it, and 2) it will be a winning situation for everyone. If I can get my book sold at CBD, it would open up opportunities for me to approach certain websites that sell books via direct link to CBD.

I had made it my goal to spread the word about the book to all 50 states of the Union, whether by sending out free copies or just by letters and fliers. I have been making up a mailing list and have about 15 states covered so far. I'd like to send freebies to everyone but it's hard to replenish inventory with no funds. I am looking to send copies to biblical counselors and counseling centers/clinics. If you think you can help in this effort, please contact me by snail-mail or email through the information provided on the "About the Author" or "Buy Now" tab at the top of this homepage.

Also, if you would be willing to distribute fliers or bookmarks with the book information, please contact me via the above methods and I will send some out to you. Distribution can be done in one of several ways:
> set them out at your place of business
> send them out in mailers
> tack it up on a public bulletin board
> use it as a conversation starter.
> put it in a visible location at your church library

I am in full swing with homeschool education, and I don't have a babysitter to free me up for publicizing this book, but there is still plenty I CAN do to let folks know about this tool for living the Christian life. Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly," (John 10:10). That's my wish for all of my brothers and sisters in Christ above any other goal. I have prayed for my readers since the inception of this project and I continue to do so even when it seems like I'm doing nothing else with the book. Prayer is my most effective tool in helping. It is not a last resort!

There's a miracle in your lunch box

Sunday, the sermon at church was about the miracle of the fishes and the loaves. A boy heard that Jesus was in town and wanted to see what it was all about. He packed a lunch (since they didn't have Quik Trip or McDonald's) and set out for the day. He didn't know the possibilities of what lie ahead, yet Jesus knew what the kid had packed. The kid didn't pack a caravan to feed the many thousands. He was responsible for feeding himself so that's what he packed for.

I have my responsibilities cut out for me. It is more than enough. Giving God my lunch sack/basket containing a little book called Healing Letters is all He needs to perform healings, transformations and miracles. I'll always remember my conversation with Him one night on my way home after a counseling session. I mentioned it in the book. He said, "I need you to write the letter to C&M. You are ready now." I look back and see it as Jesus asking the boy for his lunch. It was a vote of confidence from my Maker. He had prepared me and I had yet to find out how. And so the saga has continued for nearly 3 years now.

Will you put your bag of daily preparations at His feet and see what He can do with it? He's not out to hurt you. It's okay.

Just there

It has been a while since I wrote my last post so it's only fair that I write something again. Honestly, there are no great stories to report about the book. When I wrote it, I did not expect it to be a NYTimes best seller. I simply wanted to make a resource available for the next person who Googled "healing letters" and otherwise wouldn't find anything. Beyond that, it was beyond me. Whatever happens with it at this point is in God's hands.

See, that's where I get hung up. I was looking through my files tonight and found something I'd filed with "Healing Letters". It's an entry from Beth Moore on Living Proof Ministries Blog entitled The Baffling Call to Communicate. Perhaps she states my dilemna best when she writes, "What are the differences between the times we are called upon by God to labor intelsely toward a victory with every last ounce of energy we have (Colossians 1:29) and times when we just stand there and watch God do the thing like we weren't even there? Or maybe we see nothing at all and go home in near despair, only for somebody to drop a note to us and say, 'God spoke the word to me that day that I've waited all my life to hear.' Sometimes they quote what they heard and you know good and well it wasn't you who said it. God talked around you instead of through you."

Like so many people, I've fought the ongoing fight of negative self-talk. And anyone who is familiar with it in the least, can only imagine what it must amount to when a fellow soldier in this battle publishes a book with her life laid bare. Coupled with the struggle to know when to go for the gusto and when to lay low, I assure you it has not been an easy ride since the published book landed in my hands. For my readers' sakes, I'd like to say it has been nothing but sweet victory, but that just isn't the case. I saw this message on a church message board recently: "Failure isn't in falling down, it's in staying down." In that regard, I am not a failure! I am victorious in Christ who helps me get back up, who gives me every reason to persist when I refuse to take the easy road and give up! Praise Him who continues to heal wounds I don't even know I have!!

The first year after I wrote Healing Letters, I wrestled with God. I did not have the financial resources to pay for the publication so it was on hold for a year until the next tax refund. A year to wrestle God. Hmm.... It was interesting, I'll say. During that time, I became content with the idea that it would not be published. I justified that it must have been for me and not for anyone else, and yes, it would have been worth it if that were the case. I remember it well what came next. It was near the end of the church service and the congregation was praying. I was talking to God about some things and as I was listening for His reply, he availed himself of the airspace to say something completely out-of-the-blue and unrelated to my conversation. He calmly spoke, "Publishing the book will be the next step in your healing." It felt like an invitation more than anything. An invitation to come and dine some more, to go back for seconds on dessert! It was also very humbling. In order to receive a blessing, I would also have to submit to whatever else that entailed. I decided at that moment that there was no turning back and I was fully committed. Not to say I didn't keep wrestling, but God stayed on His throne and kept winning.

Now that the book is out there, I have a deep respect for my readers prerogative to remain confidential. It's all about getting back to God and my prayer is that you will and that you will share Him with others when you do. But I go back to Beth Moore's blogging and ask myself how much of it is up to me? Should I try to do book signings? Should I travel? How hard should I try for consignments? Well, I'm thinking out loud here, but basically I've concluded that I'll go when He says "Go!" and I'll stay when He says "Stay." Simple enough. From the beginning, when I wrote the book, I was pregnant with child #3. I wrote at night and on weekends. My family was my priority and I have felt strongly about that all along. That alone answers some of my ponderings. No matter what wise or foolish decisions I make now, Got will get it where it needs to be. He made that very clear to me from the beginning. He wrote it for somebody, of that I am sure. It feels to me like I'm just plain ol' me and I'm just standing there and watching God do the thing like I'm not even here. It's hard to BELIEVE when you don't SEE (or when the only feedback is full of bashes). But "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." I have Faith.

Thanks for listening. And thanks for stopping by..........
~Lisa

PS -- And thanks for putting up with SSSOOOOOOOOOO many technical errors in the book. As I've read through it a few times, I've seen more and more of them!

For unto us a book is born!

Healing Letters: A companion guide to writing unsent letters in the healing process arrived at my door today. I was so excited that I took the keys from The Man in Brown, used a key to open a box, and gave him one on the spot! He was excited for me and I just told him to pass it on. The book is now available for sale directly from me in addition to the availability at all major booksellers and distributors.

I will now use this weblog to advertise specials and events. The book retails for $14.00 cover price. Never pay more. Try to pay less.

May God bless this work in your life today!

~Lisa Stough

For Sale:

I have had some difficulties with the publisher in placing my book order or confirming that it has been released. Nevertheless, I got through today and confirmed that the retailers that list it do, in fact, have it in stock. If you order online or in store, one quick way to check if you have received a proof copy that was supposed to have been recalled is to check the table of contents. Chapter 7 begins on page 121, not 120. If it says "120," then you got a proof copy and can call the publisher to have them replace your copy with the right one (click the "Buy Now" tab at the top of this page for a link to the publisher). In the proof copy, you would find even more mistakes than there are without those final changes, some quite glaring ones, so it is worth it to have the right copy. They cannot charge you to send back your proof so don't send it. Proof copies are free and I don't make royalties off of them.

If you do not live near me to purchase your copy direct, you may NOW purchase online, in stores, and wherever books are sold.

I must say, with all the delays and such, this release has been quite anticlimactic, but since God is in control and will get it into the hands of the people He wrote it for, I'm not too worried about the initial delivery and all its kinks and let-downs. It's a learning experience.

Thank you all, for your prayers and support. I am counting on word-of-mouth to be a large portion of advertisement for Healing Letters. I know this book is far from perfect. Many times I wanted to go back and add material or make major changes. But that inner urging (Holy Spirit) kept telling me to leave it alone. It is as He wants it. Maybe that was just to keep me humble, but I tend to think it was more than that, which only time will tell. I pray you find this work worth supporting after you read it.

In Christian love,
Lisa

Resolutuion

Okay, the mistake is being corrected. Yes, some proof copies were sent out due to a miscommunication between the publisher and the printing company. The books have been recalled. The corrections to the proof itself have been made and I gave final approval over the phone today. This means that within 1-2 days the book will be printed and ready to ship this week. I am praying in faith that I will receive my first box of books by the end of the week. When I receive my copies, I will post a picture and let you know it's a green light to order. If you'd like to order from the publisher (the second most preferrable method) then you can place your order now but it will not send until the approved copy is released.

God has answered every prayer and so much more throughout this project. He has brought me to a new level of expectation from Him. Too often people expect that God will only bring really great feelings and experiences to shape a person. That just is not the case! When I say I expect great things from Him, I am not implying that I expect great feelings in me. I hope that is clear in my book. God is at work through thick and thin. Just as marriage is not all peachy, but you stick with the person and divorce is not an option and iron sharpens iron. So it is in relationship with God. I have a line in my book that says, "God calls it pruning but to the living it feels more like amputation," (p. 24). Yes, sometimes it hurts, but I have finally learned, after 18 years of walking with God, to completely trust and know that it does turn out okay and God is ALWAYS in control. I wish I could say that without sounding cliche.

Thank you, everyone, for your prayers! Don't stop!

~Lisa

Buyer be warned!!

Recently I was made aware that my book is already being sold. I have not given approval with changes to some glaring errors so anything you buy will be sold to you on unethical or illegal grounds. It may be just a proof and therefore you are getting ripped off or you will be getting a pirated copy which is illegal. Either way, I am not earning royalties, which in itself is highly dishonest and unethical. The book is being sold at major book distributors as well as on the publisher's website. I simply want my audience to have the facts to make an informed decision. I will keep you posted as to when it will be available for HONEST sale.

Thank you.
~Lisa

PS -- As of 10/4, the publisher was notified of this and assured me he is looking into this mix-up. He also assured me it was never released with his approval or mine.

What's That?!

Why, yes, it is the proof copy of my book which I received in the mail today!!! That term -- "proof copy" struck me today as having two meanings. It is actual, tangible proof AND it is a copy to proofread before printing mass quantities. So there you have it, folks! Once they make one correction, I will have my boxes of books in the mail! Praising my Lord today!

In His time,

~Lisa

It's in the mail!

Got this message today:

Your book came today and we are sending it out to you tomorrow. Looks great!

Mike

See you soon, Book!!!!

From the desk of Mike J.

9/14/10 9:29 AM

Still in set up. I will watch it every day and let you know.
Mike

One to three days!

Called Advantage yesterday. Mike said the problem at the printers was fixed. Karyn called today and said my copy is in que at the printers and will be off the press in 1-3 days. That's the proof copy which will then be overnight delivered. Once approved, I can place my order.

I admit it was discouraging to build up all that momentum of excitement for the release once the cover was done, only to have it lose steam when it jammed. I will proceed much more cautiously this time, but feel free to get totally pumped up about its release!! Keep praying, too!

Blogger just put a new tab on the dashboard so I can view the stats of my viewing audience. It indicated some surprising outreach information. This blog site has been viewed in the US, Canada, and ISRAEL!! The views have come from 7 different browsers, all of which tells me that before the book is even released, there is a wide variety among viewers. This is my hope and prayer, that God will use Healing Letters to touch lives in ways no one could possibly imagine. When one life is changed, it can change for 10 others by influence.

Praising God,
Lisa

Update -- Another speed bump

For two weeks+ now, the publisher has been trying to send the book file to the printers and the printers can't open the file. So Healing Letters has been hanging in limbo after 4 tries, as I was informed of today. Please pray for this project to come to fruition! Ephesians 6 says it all.
~Lisa

Cover design

I'll let you in on a little secret, since you were faithful enough to visit me at this website. ;-) Click on the link above that says "The Main Thing". There you will find a photo of an Angelique Tulip. That photo is on the cover of Healing Letters. I won't be more specific than that except to say that this means so much to me that one of my very own photos will be on the cover of my book. It has a special story all its own that I may share at another time on this weblog.

In the meantime, hang in there. The back cover copy got delayed last week but it will be in my inbox for approval tomorrow morning. Click on "Buy Now" for your purchasing options. If you would like to pre-order your copy, you may do so by contacting me for details on sending a check.