You know when you stumble onto one of those books that you can’t put down, one of those books you read in one sitting, one of those books that before you finish you have already crafted a list, either mental or physical, of people you are going to share them with, one of those books that leaves you thinking for weeks, one of those books that you quote so much that you start to get on your own nerves.

I’ve read two of those books lately.

The first is Resurrection Year by Sheridan Voysey. {But it’s not out yet, so go pre-order it and I’ll tell you more about it closer to it’s release.}

The second is Freefall to Fly by Rebekah Lyons. {Y’all it is so good. }

Freefall to Fly for every woman who has felt alone, afraid, and unworthy.

It’s for every woman who has struggled to get out of bed in the morning.

And it’s for every woman who has ever asked….

Is there something more?

Why am I here?

Or…

Does my life matter?

With candor, depth, strength and stunning beauty, Rebekah shares her “dark night of the soul in the city that never sleeps” and all who read her words will be better for it.

I know, I am. Her words helped me understand surrender, her words gave me permission, and her words affirmed my search.

And I have some good news…

Thanks to Rebekah’s team, I get to give away a copy of Freefall to Fly {Y’all it’s so good.}! Simply leave a comment below on why you want to read this book and I will select a winner on Friday. 

If you don’t want to wait, you should check this amazing promotions Rebekah’s team has set up. EVERYONE who purchases Freefall to Fly will receive three awesome gifts:  An original chalk art print by chalk artist, Dana Tanamachi, a $5 TOMS gift card, and a Freefall to Fly digital soundtrack. ANYONE who subscribes to Rebekah’s blog will have: a prelude and 1st chapter of Freefall to Fly delivered to their inbox.

I LOVE Jenni’s heart and passion for cultivating women leaders. 

I met Jenni Catron several years ago when I started attending Cross Point Church. Back in those days Pete Wilson was still welcoming everyone to the church with hand-written letters. My letter directed me to connect with the church’s executive director, Jenni Catron. And connect we did. Over black bean salads at Calypso Cafe and the idea that women should use their God-given gifts, even those who were inclined for leadership.

I LOVE this quote from the book’s introduction.

“God created in [us] the desire and raw talent to lead, just as he has in you. . . . God is asking us to do something with what he has given us: not to dig a hole and keep it a secret or pretend with false humility that we aren’t able, and not to hide in a corner because we’re afraid someone will point a finger and label us bossy. But to use our creativity and ability to learn, grow, and become the leader God designed us to be.”

Can I get an Amen? Because that quote deserves an Amen.

I LOVE that Jenni and Sherry are not just talkers, they are practitioners. 

While many people are hashing it out on the subject of women in leadership and women in the church, I love that Jenni and Sherry Surratt have been off leading a megachurch and a network of women that spans 38 countries with thousands of local chapters respectively. 

And I LOVE that this book allows their leadership lessons and advice to be accessed by women around the world. 

If you are a Christian women who feels called to lead I hope you will run to your nearest retailer (and by run I mean click here) and purchase a copy of Just Lead! This book will explore the barriers that you are sure to bump up against and how to handle criticism, face indecision, lead other women, develop a balanced team and grapple with the loneliness that comes with being in charge.

But don’t just take my word for it.

“With humor, candor, and honest vulnerability, Sherry and Jenni provide practical leadership help for women to develop the skills to lead themselves and others with the character, confidence, and authenticity of a godly woman. A generation of women leaders have been waiting for this book!”

—Brad Lomenick, president, Catalyst

“Jenni Catron and Sherry Surratt choose transparency as their way of connecting to the hearts of women called to lead in ministry today. In Just Lead!, they reveal the script of their leadership journeys and lift you beyond the boundaries of whatever you may think leadership is or is not. It’s both challenging and refreshing to be served up this brand of candid, no-nonsense wisdom. If you have the courage to soak in some serious straight talk and a willingness to let what you learn reshape your leadership style, then Just Lead! is the ‘must read’ for you.”

—Tami Heim, president and CEO of Christian Leadership Alliance

“If I could pick two leaders to represent the next generation of women leaders it would be Jenni Catron and Sherry Surratt. Simply put if you’re a female and in leadership you need to read this book. Just Lead! is a faithful and fresh challenge that is provocative and yet massively optimistic.”

—Pete Wilson, lead pastor, Cross Point Church; author, Plan B and Empty Promises

I am going to give away a copy of Just Lead! to one of my lucky readers.

Simply leave a comment below about why you want a copy of this book and I will select a winner on Friday. 

A couple of months ago, I blogged about Lysa TerKeurst’s book Unglued.

Oh, I’ve been unglued.

I am not proud to admit it, but it’s true.

I’ve been unglued. I’ve been unhinged. And I’ve been unable to keep my crazy under wraps.

There was the time in middle school when two teenage boys were bullying a friend and me, that I slammed my fist down on a glass tabletop to get my point across {we will not be messed with} but all they heard was the sound of table shattering. Click here to read the rest of the post. 

I shared about how important of a resource this is for women, like me, who lose it every now and again. That’s why I am so excited that this book now has a new companion piece, the Unglued Devotional: 60 Days of Imperfect Progress (Can we talk about how wonderful that subtitle is? Sign me up for that!). The devotional includes a daily opening scripture, thought for the day, devotion, and closing prayer. It’s an accessible way to start positively processing your emotions (Sign me up for that!).

I’m starting it now.  I can’t wait to see what all I learn. Holler if you want to join me on this journey of “imperfect progress.”

Tell me your favorite devotional of all-time below and you will be entered to win the following from Lysa and the Proverbs 31 team: 

Unglued, Unglued Devotional, Set of 4 Unglued key tags, Highlighter, Journal, $5 Starbucks gift card

I will select winner on Sunday, February 3, when I get back from Bangladesh. 

Last week I had the pleasure of sitting down with two of my favorite people, Trisha and Justin Davis, to talk about their new book, Beyond Ordinary: When a Good Marriage Isn’t Good Enough. The Davises have taught me so much through their friendship, their ministry and their book about living a life that is beyond ordinary. A life full of forgiveness, grace, truth, and healthy boundaries. I am so excited that their book will magnify their message, their influence. We all have a lot to learn from them!

In the video below, I ask them to give a brief synopsis of the beginning of their ministry, to tell us how their book actually applies to a broader audience than one might think, and to share how those in a ‘happy’ marriage might take some proactive steps to strengthen their relationship. Please watch and share.

Oh, and don’t forget to…

Buy their book.

Read their blog.

Join their community on Facebook.

Follow Justin and Trish on Twitter.

In the spirit of improving your marriage, what is your favorite piece of marriage advice? 

At 35, memories of high school are starting to get a little blurry. But the feelings of insecurity and unworthiness that I felt as I lugged my mammouth backpack down the halls of Highland Park High School, well, they are still crystal clear.

Being a high school girl, and a junior high girl for that matter, is tough. Tough. It was tough 20 years ago when Thursday nights were for gathering around and watching Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica and the gang. And it’s tough today as we all scratch our heads and wonder who are the Kardashians and how might we keep with them. Battling eating disorders, self-loathing, doubt, insecurity and peer pressure in our celebrity-obsessed and screen-addicted culture has got to be tough.

So, how do we equip girls today? What tools can we give them to make them feel loved, understood, and to direct them to the One that strengthens, heals, redeems and restores? And how can help them see that they are perfectly unique? 

I don’t have all the answers but I do have a tip. Buy the young women in your life a copy of Annie Down’s new book, Perfectly Unique. 

Perfectly Unique is a candid, easy-to-read guide that uses real-life examples and faith-based instruction to equip Christian girls with the confidence, faith and moxie they’ll need to face their teen and college years.

And Annie Downs is hilarious, approachable, faithful, and passionate about speaking truth to girls today so they know what I’m still trying to figure out at 35….we are loved, we are known, and we are perfectly unique.

For one of you lucky readers, Zondervan has generously shared a copy of Perfectly Unique with me to giveaway.

If you would like to enter to win a copy of Perfectly Unique, just leave a comment below about a time that you remember feeling insecure and unworthy as a teen.  I will pick the winner on Friday and notify them via email.

Oh, I’ve been unglued.

I am not proud to admit it, but it’s true.

I’ve been unglued. I’ve been unhinged. And I’ve been unable to keep my crazy under wraps.

There was the time in middle school when two teenage boys were bullying a friend and me, that I slammed my fist down on a glass tabletop to get my point across {we will not be messed with} but all they heard was the sound of table shattering.

There was the time in my early twenties {right before my sister’s big day}, that I let a little squabble elevate into an full-blown family brawl. {Thankfully no food was thrown and we both made it down the aisle later that weekend.}

And there was the time a few years back when it felt like someone ripped my heart out and pulverized it with a wooden club, that I couldn’t fake a smile if my life depended on it and floodgates the size of the Hoover Dam couldn’t slow down my raging tears.

In each instance, my emotions got the best of me. I acted out. And I felt ashamed.

But as Lysa TerKeurst explains in her new book, Unglued,

The one who holds their tongue holds the power.

My feelings are indicators, not dictators.

And … I can face things out of my control without acting out of control.

These nuggets of wisdom {and the countless others that Lysa shares in her lastest release} should be required reading for those of you, like me, who from time-to-time find themselves coming a little unglued.

So without further adieu, go here to purchase a copy of Unglued. For a couple of you lucky readers, Zondervan has generously shared 2 copies with me to giveaway.

If you would like to enter to win a copy of Unglued, just leave a comment below about a time that your emotions got the best of you and you became unglued. I will pick the 2 winners on Thursday and notify them via email.

When was the last time you became unglued? 

1. Michael Hyatt is the real deal. {I should know I worked for him, like directly for him, for four years.} The real deal. He is smart. He is kind. He is intentional, about the way he lives, and the way he leads. But even more importantly, as it relates to you and why you need to buy his brand spanking new book, Platform, Michael Hyatt knows how to build a platform. And he has the platform to prove it. 

• 300,000+ unique monthly visitors
• 123,000+ Twitter followers
• 92,000+ monthly podcast listeners
• 70,000+ newsletter subscribers
• 17,000+ Facebook fans

2. If you buy Platform this week, Michael Hyatt is going to throw in $375.98 in additional resources. You’ll get not just this practical and useful must-read, but also:

• Platform Video Jumpstart (a $179.00 six-session video series)
• Why Now Is the Best Time Ever to Be an Author (a $47.00 one-session video)
• How to Write a Winning Book Proposal (a $47.00, two-session audio series)
• Writing a Winning Non-Fiction Book Proposal (a $19.97 e-book)
• Writing a Winning Fiction Book Proposal (a $19.97 e-book)
• All the Digital Editions of Platform (a $38.06 collection of the Kindle, Nook, iPad, and PDF formats)
• Audio Edition of Platform (a $24.99 audio edition of the entire book)

3. Because Bob Goff recommends it.

“This isn’t just a book, it’s a flatbed truck full of construction materials which just backed up to your door. Michael Hyatt doesn’t just give us a pile of wood, a bag of concrete, some nails and tell us to start building. He gives us a set of plans that have worked for him and he gives us practical and insightful ideas in this book about how we can build some scaffolding around our dreams.”
–BOB GOFF, Author of Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World

4. Because Donald Miller recommends it.

“Michael Hyatt has given much of his professional career to helping others achieve their potential. And he helps others by pioneering a way and then teaching people his way. In Platform, he’s accumulated the best of his counsel and advice. If you’d like to expand your influence, read Platform and then read it again.”
–DONALD MILLER, New York Times Bestselling Author of A Million Miles in a Thousand Years and Blue Like Jazz

5. Because Dave Ramsey recommends it.

“I’ve known Michael Hyatt for more than a decade, and during that time I’ve seen him master just about every social media platform that’s hit the scene. He’s used blogging, Facebook, Twitter and more to expand his personal platform from a successful book publisher to a leading national brand of his own. Trust me, this guy knows what he’s talking about—so pay attention!”
–DAVE RAMSEY, New York Times Bestselling Author and Host of The Dave Ramsey Show

6. Because Seth Godin recommends it.

“A generous book from a man who knows what he’s talking about. Michael Hyatt has built a platform, and you can too.”
–SETH GODIN, Author of We Are All Weird

7. Because Chris Brogran recommends it.

“Platform is absolutely essential to delivering value. As a big fan of Michael Hyatt, I’m excited he’s sharing this with you. Your job? Learn about this and implement it. Your success depends on it.”
–CHRIS BROGAN, New York Times Bestselling Author and President of Human Business Works

I bought it today from Amazon with just one click. You can do the same! 

And don’t forget to do it THIS WEEK. And don’t forget to email Michael Hyatt your receipt!

Zac and I climbed into bed on a completely average night two years ago. We were pretty tired. We just laid there looking at the ceiling, with only small firework fantasies of what God might say. Zac took my hand and spoke the simple words we had been processing for the past few months but not yet been ready to say.

God had been opening our eyes to how precious our temporary lives were and how numbly we were moving through them.

We were over it. We were over building our lives. We were over houses and cars and cute Christmas cards. We wanted something; we couldn’t put our finger on it. It was burning in us. We had loved so many other things more than God.

We were ready to do anything.

So we prayed. As sincerely as I have ever prayed any other thing,

I prayed in my heart as Zac spoke: “God we will do anything. Anything.”

It didn’t feel fancy. It wasn’t even a big deal. But the prayer held in it a thousand little deaths. In saying anything, it meant we were handing him everything. My heart raced a little at the thought… and then we fell asleep.

So begins Jennie (and Zac) Allen’s powerful journey of surrendered, reckless, and courageous faith. The kind of faith that is distinctively compelling. The kind of faith that embraces risk and sacrifice. And the kind of faith that makes God uncomfortably close and real.

In Anything, Jennie authentically and vulnerably shares the before and the after of praying that bold prayer. And in doing so  challenges each of us to dig deep into ourselves to see what we are so desperately clinging to and invites us to find the freedom and the relationship of surrender. This book shouldn’t be missed.

Go buy it here! 

Also, Jennie and the team at Thomas Nelson offered to give me a handful of copies to share with you. If you would like to enter to win a copy of Anything, just leave a comment below about what your ANYTHING is. I will pick 5 random winners on Friday and notify them via email. {But don’t let this slow you down from buying a copy. Once you’ve read it, I know you’ll be wanting more to giveaway.}

And lastly, be sure to check out this site dedicated to sharing your ANYTHING to read inspiring stories of others who are giving God the one thing they are afraid of losing.

My friends at Thomas Nelson are looking for a top-notch marketing mind to fill the Senior Director of Marketing position in one of their non-fiction publishing divisions.

Does working with a team of professionals who love books, love publishing, and have a great team chemistry sound right up your alley?

Some notable authors this team publishes include Donald Miller, John MacArthur, Mark Driscoll, and Michael Hyatt among many others. They also have a passion for discovering and developing new voices. The chosen candidate will lead a full marketing team and have the chance to shape the vision and marketing philosophy of the group.

Here are a few more specifics on what they are looking for:

• 5-7 years of marketing experience in Christian publishing or a related field
• Has a strong passion for books in general and Christian publishing in particular
• Can articulate a clear and compelling philosophy of effective book marketing in a digital age
• Have a track record of building, developing, and motivating teams
• Be experienced at building a strong relationships and strategic partnerships
• Be well versed in connecting customers with content and integrating direct-to-consumer and retail
• Possess strong presentation skills
• Has strong technical and creative writing skills
• Embraces new technologies and innovative approaches

 If you’re interested in the position, you can send your resume to TNMarketing@thomasnelson.com. Here’s more information on the position.

I have never met Cindy Beall in person but after following her blog and her tweets for the last few years I am absolutely certain that when we finally get to sit down for that long overdue coffee date I will just adore her.

Cindy and her husband, Chris, speak openly about their difficult journey through Chris’ infidelity and pornography addiction that nearly destroyed their marriage and ministry. Through God’s grace they have inspired thousands of couples and have returned to full-time ministry where Chris serves as the Oklahoma City Campus Pastor at LifeChurch.tv.

I LOVE the way that God has redeemed the Beall’s brokenness and used it to cast vision of forgiveness and restoration. That is why I am so excited about the release of her new book, Healing Your Marriage When Trust is Broken: Finding Forgiveness and Restoration.  Check out this glowing endorsement from Cindy’s pastor, Craig Groeschel.

Even though I’m biased, this is an amazingly transparent and powerful book.

Cindy’s gut-level honesty grips your heart from the first page and doesn’t let go. She writes with brutal honesty about the pain of betrayal and the hope to heal.

As a pastor, I’ve worked with way too many couples trying to heal from adultery, sexual addictions, and broken promises. Cindy’s wisdom, spiritual depth, and practical insights will help any couple that is desperate for healing. I’ve already given my copy away and will buy many more to give.

Not only do I love Cindy’s writing style and spiritual content, but I love her family. It’s been an honor to watch God do miracles in a marriage that could have easily ended. Cindy and Chris have demonstrated that while adultery may be grounds for divorce, it’s also grounds for forgiveness and healing.

Buy the book here.

And subscribe to Cindy’s blog here.

What are your reading right now?