If you missed yesterday’s post with my article and five minute how-to video on Women’s Ministry Net on how to live your priorities, click here to see it. (The article is just below the video) Make sure to leave a comment and you may win one of three copies of Untangling Christmas along with a Target gift card.
Tomorrow come back when we talk Thanksgiving and you get a chance for a great giveaway with several corresponding goodies for the holiday.
Today, visit with my friend Lisa Whittle!
Lisa Whittle is a speaker and the author of 3 books, including her latest, {w}hole. Some of her other writing ventures include Catalyst, Women of Faith, Michael Hyatt, and (in)courage.
Her passions include advocating for Compassion International, ministering to 20somethings at Proverbs 31′s She Seeks, and doing life with her husband of 16 years, Scott, her 3 children, and her fluffy black dog, Maggie, who sits faithfully under her desk.
For more on her latest book, {w}hole, including a book trailer and FREE chapter One download, visit her site at www.wholethebook.org. Join Lisa’s blog community at www.lisawhittle.com.
Here is an interview with Lisa on her latest book. Be sure to leave a comment to win one of two book sets she is giving away. Details below.
Lisa, tell us where the idea for your new book first came from?
This book was born in my heart after reading a book by George Barna called Revolution, which I consider to be the truest picture of what a modern day believer should look like. But as I would talk with my friends and other women, I realized that though we want to become that radical, revolutionary believer who lives passionately for God, we are often held back by life to do so. {w}hole is a book meant to position us better so we can live out our life purpose, thriving in our life.
The description of your book says, “What if the holes in your life are really the things that will ultimately make you . . . well, whole?”. What do you mean by that?
This statement really refers to the fact that though holes are what may currently limit and define us, they can also be the very place that God can become most real. Where there are holes, He can provide wholeness. When we have voids in our soul, He is ready, able and willing to fill them with Him. This, in turn, positions us to become that revolutionary He calls us to be. In that way, holes provide great opportunity for our future.
What is your greatest desire for the woman who reads {w}hole?
My greatest desire for the female reader of {w}hole (though the book is non-gender specific) is that she will become motivated to choose the thing that will make her soul well – that she will be drawn into her Creator, compelling her to desire the wholeness only He can provide.
Through my gut-level-honest offering in the pages, I want her to feel hopeful that the life she wants, she can live. I want to simplify for her what really makes a person thrive, taking out the pressure to perform or follow a certain formula to achieve it.
As one reader of {w}hole shared with me, “I used to think I had to come to Jesus as a whole person and present myself to Him. Now I know that I am just to come.” {w}hole is not a 1-2-3 step book. It is a book that is meant to show the female reader what her life can look like if she will allow Jesus to help her move past her holes to become whole, something I pray every reader will choose.
Thanks for sharing with us today Lisa!
To be entered to win one of two book bundle packages from Lisa that include both her books {w}hole and Behind Those Eyes: What’s Really Going on Inside the Souls of Women, leave a comment today. For the brave, tell us a hole in your life or how your relationship with Jesus has filled one. If time is tight or you’d prefer not to share, just say “I’m in!” Winner announced tomorrow.
And the winner of the speed cleaning apron from this week is Anna; comment left Nov 1 at 11:13 pm. Anna, send your mailing address to kim@proverbs31.org right away!
I’m in !
I’m in!
I’m in!! And truly believe we all want to be “whole”.
I’m in! without going into too much detail, I have the same story as many women. Lonely childhood that left a big hole in me that I tried to fill with many different things. When I filled that hole with Jesus, I finally found peace. I’m still working on it though…daily. I am SO thankful for Jesus, and His grace. His Saviour-ness.
I’m in!
I just finished reading Untangled and am looking forward to reading (w)hole.. It is so easy to spend our time on all the demands of life and give the Lord what is left… Thanks for your ministry…
I think all of us have holes in our lives that need to be filled with Jesus! My example would be when I was a teen, I filled the hole of wanting to be loved and wanted with unhealthy relationships when I should have looked to Jesus to fill my heart. I’m in!!
Loved the video, I think we all need to keep track of where our priorities are. I really loved the “keep you busy” comment. I think I just have a “hole” of insecurity. I am learning to press in to God and trust in Him. I think I want to feel confident, ,not in myself, but in His ability to work in me.
So, I’m in!!
I’m in!! Yesterday’s video was a great reminder. Thanks!
I’m in! And also in need of {w}hole help!!
Melyssa
I’m in! My hole is learning that only Jesus can fill the emptiness within.
this fall the hole in my heart was when my oldest left for college dorm life.
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
I’m in!
Truly , the Lord is the only who can make our holes..”whole” again and make sense of our lives..thank goodness we have Him to turn to … My hole is learning to live by myself after losing my husband of 50 yrs.., however the Lord is making me whole once again..
Sherrilou@sbcglobal.net
I’m in! And will be praying daily for the Lord to fill my holes!
I am in!
I am full of holes where would I begin….but working on allowing God to make me whole.
I’m in!!!!
If I win this book my prayer is I will become motivated to choose the thing that will make my soul well – that I will be drawn into my Creator, compelling me to desire the wholeness only He can provide.
I have a hole of loneliness, but I’m working hard to let Jesus fill that hole and rejoice in my marriage to him.
I’m in!
I’m in! I fill the holes with either busyness or food.
I’m in! Through some life changing events, God is teaching me that He is my sufficiency.
The hole in my life is “offensiveness”…..when someone gets offended by me, and I have no idea why…..and I try to apologize for something I did not know that I did……and the person refuses to accept the apology……I can’t let it go. Even when I go through all of the Biblical steps toward reconciliation, and I know that I have done all that God expects of me……I can’t let it go. The offense creates bitterness and it hurts. I just want to do all that is possible to live at peace with everyone! I NEED this book! and I LOVE your emails and blogs. Thank you.
I’m in!
I’m in!
I am so full of holes!!! I can’t wait to read this book and see how it reflects on my personal life filled with holes!!
I’m in!
I’m in!!! very excited!!!
I’m In!
I’m in! This book looks like just I need and my best friend too! Thanks.
I need something! Anything. I havent felt whole for a while and have been trying other things to fill those holes. But all i really need is God and could use the help!
I’ve discovered an unfortunate hole recently…and am so thrilled to see that with one simple letter change, He can make me a little more like Him…Holy? Well, I’ve got a long way to go, but I know He is there to fill those places where I am lacking. I have discovered I can really write someone off if I feel rejected. It’s just like a little piece of my heart closes off to that person forever. This is something I’ve seen in myself before, but I am seeing it again You’d think after so many years of walking with the Lord, I’d be over this one. I’m trusting it’s coming up again because God wants to fill up this hole of unforgiveness, this lack of grace I feel toward another. And lots of times, it really isn’t the person intentionally or actually rejecting me. It’s often a personality type that I have trouble with. Oh God make me a little less whole each day! Amen! Also loved your blog post yesterday…another hole is my lack of organization and focus. Love the To Do Lists!
I’m in!
I’m in. Thanks.
The hole in my life is our daughter and grandson. She is the single mom of a four year old, delight. She is single and a mom after marriage to an abusive husband. She and our grandson are the hole that Christ helps me find His wholeness in the midst of. . . without Christ in the midst of this I simply do not know how I would cope.
The Lord has filled a hole in my marriage relationship.
I’m In!!!!!!!
He has filled many of the holes in my life, but one that stands out is my gifting of servitiude. I searched far and wide for the answer to ‘What is my gift’ and He blessed me with the answer. Service…and I’ve had several opportunities this year in which to bless others with my gift!
I’m In! Thank you.
I’m IN! If I don’t win, I just might have to buy the book!
I have been on a long journey to become “whole” and I think I’m finally “getting it” or at least starting to. I have some issues from childhood (who doesn’t?) and just recently I have really made progress with getting through them. My patient husband of 14 years has been instrumental in my progress and his patience with me is very undeserved and appreciated. I would love to read Lisa’s new book on becoming {w}hole!
I too have had many holes that have been filled by Jesus!
I have lots of issues from childhood & my teen years with much
sadness & mistakes made. Its just been in recent years that I’v come to
realize that if you want true peace in your life that you have to put Jesus first.
Blessings,
Janet W.
I’m in…the process of having Jesus wholly fill my holes.
The hole in my life is a really authentic church and a group of women to be real and whole with. Sweet Blessings!
I am in!!
I’m in. Longing to be whole.
beth
Jesus is the only one who can make me Whole!
I’m in!
I’m in! The biggest “hole” for me right now is being able to find balance, and not being such an “all or nothing” person.
I’m in!
Sometimes I think I have too many holes…longing to get better…
I’m in!
I’m in!
this speaks to me in volumes! my priorities have been off lately!
I’m in!
)
I’m in!
I’m IN!
I always wanted to be married to a godly man, and the man I married just wasn’t quite there. He didn’t grow up in church and couldn’t quite wrap his head around the idea of God. This put a hole in our marriage, our life, our home. Then I found a church that was more modern than some others he had been to, and definitely leans more towards ministering to unreached men. I prayed and meditated on 1 Peter 3:1-6. I didn’t want to be preachy to him, I knew that that would turn him away. I just prayed for my unsaved husband. And I prayed that I would be a godly wife for him.
Praise God! He came around this past spring. And we are whole.
I’m looking to have the hole filled where I found out the people I considered my close friends lied to me. There has been a lot of hurt and tears over this but Jesus heals and will heal my heart and show me who to trust.
Sounds wonderful!!
I’m in!!!
I’m in.
I’m in!
I have a few holes…last one is being filled by no one other than Jesus himself…slowly becoming more whole and complete in HIM…
I don’t know if people outside the States can enter the draw, but here I am anyway, to say that the hugest hole I am trying to climb out of is that of widowhood. But Jesus is pushing me up the slope slowly but surely..
I’m in! Ready to be {w}hole!
I’m in. I am looking forward to reading your book. Thanks for the opportunity!
I’m In!!!!
I’m in!! <3
Sounds like just what I need
I believe we all desire to be whole, but I beleive it is a work in progress that must happen daily. Without Christ there is no wholeness, there will always be a void. It took me being grown with children and now even Greatgrandchildren to realize with loss and the things we experience in life we can work daily to become that whole person as long as we keep our focus on our savior!
On this trek pursuing Jesus constantly seeking more of Him and less of me. Sounds like this book will help. Thanks
The Air Force moved us to utah 3 years ago. We left a wonderful Bible preaching on fire for God church. We found what we thought was a church home for us here, but after a year of not getting feed and having the pastors run from the Holy Spirit, and a “show choir” instead of a Worship Team we left and we put down by the church. We have not attended another church here since. We have not been to church in 2 years. Needing help to get out of this hole!
Count me in!
I am in! I have had a relationship with the Lord for most of my life. However, after losing my mother very unexpectedly two years ago I have felt many “holes” in my heart. Lots of things I need to settle within myself. Thanks.
Hey! I kind of have a freshly dug hole in my life. I have been engaged twice and am 21 years old. No pitty needed and judgments aren’t welcomed
haha but the last engagement I called off after I lost every feeling that I had for his great man of God all within a day, and they still haven’t come back. That was..almost a full 2 years ago..The man of God that I was first engaged to and I had barely spoken for two years…until he called this feb. He was ready,within days, I tell his parents we were talking again, and wanted us to get married still, one day. Well..eventually I said yes to dating him lol and we dated Until a few months ago. He had let his priorities get out of whack, some, and I hadn’t initially gotten over being hurt from being engaged twice…I was scared. At first. And by the time I had gotten past it,entirely, we figured out that he’d gotten off track..so we broke up, so he could get his stuff in line. 
smart, right? Don’t want to marry a guy who can’t keep his priorities straight! Well since then it’s been very hard sometimes. He has had my heart..but a week after we broke up, I decided I wasn’t going to wallow or be saddened by the turn of events. He was going to work toward being better for the Lord! And not only do I support that but I wanted some time, myself! And since then, the Lord has spoken peace to my heart, and mended my thoughts about myself, insecurities. In who I am and who He’s made me to be. What He’s called me to do for His Kingsom! And while I do still hurt sometimes, and miss him often, I still believe the Lord for a miracle! And I believe that that miracle, and the lesson I’m learning..the thing the Holy Spirit is empowering me to do, now, is being long-suffering(patient) and building my faith in Him..I know that He has a plan for my life! And with all my heart I believe that this man is going to be a HUGE part of it! BUTTTT only in God’s timing. 
I’m waiting until He says it’s right. And that hole that hurt is being made whole by the love of a forgiving,gracious,merciful Savior, every. Single. Day. 
I’m to see what the Lord has in store for me! I’m in!
I’m starting her book as a small group study next week. Can’t wait to dig in!
I’m in!!
I’m in!!!!!
I’m proud of my holes and love watching God use them and fill them up!
I’M IN!! WOW1 SO many of these woman & I are on the same page. I am still trying to fill a *hole*…with being able to find balance, and not being such an *all or *nothing* person also…growing up trying to fill the *hole* i mad very sad choices. Recently, i found Jesus Christ…WOW! i feel the difference..however…still growing & in need of help.?
I’m In. I need to fill the hole left by the circumstances surrounding my birth, and I need to fill the holes left by the negative people in my life, and my low self esteem. Looking to become truly W{hole}.
I’m in!
I’m in!!!
I’m in.
Please count me in!
I’m in!
I’m in!
I have a hole created by a lot of rejection that has been filled by God’s acceptance.
I’m in!
With a 21 month old and and two on the way, I have a hard time keeping my priorities straight. I need all the Jesus I can get.
I love how Lisa describes the concept this way: “Where there are holes, He can provide wholeness. When we have voids in our soul, He is ready, able and willing to fill them with Him. This, in turn, positions us to become that revolutionary He calls us to be.”
I am full of holes indeed and praying for God to fill them (and me to open my hands to allow Him to do so)!
Thanks for the great interview.
I”m in =)
I’m in!
ok I’m in!
I’m in! This looks like a great book for my small group Bible study to take.
So, so looking forward to this book!! I have holes, many that He’s making whole, but tend to always come back to the hole of approval. Lord, make me focus on the audience of ONE!!!
This sounds like a great book!!
After the death of my newborn daughter, Chloe, there was a hole in my hear that only Jesus could fill. Two years after Chloe died, I experienced two miscarriages within six months of each other…more holes in my heart. Still, my Savior has been ever so faithful to fill my brokenness with the wholeness of His redemption! Praising Him for the ministry He has set before me.
I watched yesterday’s video and completed the listening guide and completed the survey. I really enjoyed the video and the message and the “listening guide” format!! Lisa’s books sound like something I would really enjoy reading and could relate to.
No more holes, just whole – please God!
The hole ive carried since sexually abused by a “friend” of the family… The whole that said im not worth rescuing… Not worth the effort to hear and heal. ..That my shame is too much for anyone to understand. Most of all, that God was dissappointed in me. That i could never really be whole.