A lovely and delicate balancing act. One that I will, in all probability, never perfect.

I mostly like to dangle from the tightrope by one knee pit.

In other words, instead of a graceful, pointed-toe, confident stride across the wire, I’m all bumbling and awkward and trying my darnedest not to land embarrassingly in the safety net.

But enough of the metaphors.

As much as I loathe book promotion, I know I need to do at least a little bit of it each day (ish) in order to be a good steward of what God has given me. And I got an e-mail today that’s going to make my job a little easier tonight.

From a 60-year-old woman who just read Is That All He Thinks About?: We were on our way to a mutually agreed upon divorce when I gave your suggestions a chance. Your book saved our marriage.

Can you say ALL GLORY TO GOD?!? Talk about being humbled and honored and floored all at once.

She went on to say some really cool stuff that made me just shake my head at how God works. And I had to smile when I read these words: “I think you have an untapped market of baby boomers who need your message.”

Oh, for crying. All this time I’ve been barking up the wrong tree, speaking to Mothers of Pre-Schoolers when I should have been hittin’ up the Bridge Club (okay, so I don’t even know what Bridge is, nor do I know anyone who plays it, 60 years old or otherwise, but I digress).

Untapped market indeed.

Anyway.

I have a deal for you. And by YOU, I mean a somewhat-specific demographic.

YOU = all of the following: 1.) you’re a girl (woman, lady, whatever). 2.) you’re married. 3.) you have a blog.

If YOU’re interested in a free copy of Is That All He Thinks About? in exchange for a blog post about it, I have FIVE to give away. Just leave a comment telling me why I should pick sweet little ol’ YOU for a free book. (I’ll choose the winners Monday at midnight.)

If you want a shortcut, just go ahead and buy the book now.

And while we’re on the subject of FREE, I’ll give a copy of my e-book The Husband’s Guide to Getting Lucky to ANYONE who wants to write a little something about it. And it doesn’t even have to be a blog post–a Facebook update or Tweet will do (just let me know when/where you post it).

And instead of leaving a comment, just e-mail me here. (it’ll be easier to send you the link to the book that way)

You can also buy a copy of the e-book here for just $2.99. All proceeds to the Cambodia Fund. Woot woot!

Whew. That was painless. Thanks, friends!

Oh my word. Like, oh my STINKING WORD.

I mean, I knew by the title (Consumer Detox: Less Stuff, More Life) that it was right up my alley, but who knew that it would be RIGHT UP MY ALLEY AND ALL UP IN MY BUSINESS??

I would love to blog about the book tonight, but I’ve been trying really hard (and failing) to be in bed by midnight. And I have 40 more pages to read and just 12 minutes left in my day.

This book is INCREDIBLE.

For one thing, I LOVE this kind of stuff. For another, God spoke to me in a BIG way lots and lots of times while I was reading it.

And the author is British and hilarious, which just put it over the top.

I’ll tell you all about it soon. I promise.

Have a great day! I’ll be zoo-ing it with friends and then making goodies for my 31 party. Everything’s 15% off, but you’ll have to order today!

So, basically all of my books except the one with the short title.

Check the books out on the sidebar, and e-mail me with your order. I accept Paypal and checks and will sign the books to the person(s) of your choice. Offer good until midnight (or while supplies last).

Thanks for playing!

I’ve read some great books lately and really want to devote a full post to each of them, but I need to let go of that dream. This isn’t the half of them, but it’s a start.

No Biking in the House Without a Helmet (Melissa Fay Greene)

I got this book at the library per Jen Hatmaker‘s recommendation. Funny, funny stuff. It’s a memoir (my favorite genre) written by a woman who has four biological kids and adopted five more. What I love most (after her humor) is that she sugar-coats nothing. NOTHING. Gut-honest, tell-it-like-it-happened, raw, and sometimes even makes you cringe. It’s a real story about adoption and a family and how life is messy, and I loved it. (Note: It’s not a Christian book, so there’s some language.)

Jantsen’s Gift: A True Story of Grief, Rescue, and Grace (Pam Cope)

Another library book, this one recommended by my friend, Kelli. I couldn’t put this book down. Amazing, amazing (and true) story. The author’s son dies tragically, and God uses his death to open her eyes to suffering around the world. She travels to Vietnam, Cambodia (oh, this part made my heart leap!), and Ghana and ends up doing some crazy-amazing things for orphans in need. Loved, loved, loved this book. Plan to go back and re-read it.

Terrify No More (Gary A. Haugen)

I’m not sure how I missed this book. Written in 2005, it tells the story of International Justice Mission and their raids on child brothels in Cambodia (and other places). The main undercover operation took place in the very village we visited last July. The very place where I sat on the floor and bawled as I thought about the little girls my daughters’ ages who have been rescued, but also the thousands who are still being horrifically used and abused every single day. It was a hard book to read but just poured more fuel on the fire in my soul. I’ve got to help.

How to Get a Job by Me the Boss (Sally Lloyd-Jones)

If you’ve read the Jesus Storybook Bible (love, love, LOVE), then you know this author. Apparently, she and my amazing friend Missy are good buds, because Sally sent me an e-mail a couple months ago asking me if I’d like a copy of her new book (and crediting Missy). YES, thank you. And oh my word. HILARIOUS. It’s a hardcover book for ages 4-8, but this 35-year-old was cracking up the whole way through. There are other books in the series–How to be a Baby by Me the Big Sister and How to Get Married by Me the Bride (we got them from the library and they’re hilarious too). She is so witty, so brilliant, so fabulous. I’m a fan for life. (Get these books for your children!!)

The Book of Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals (Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, Enuma Okoro)

I started this book on April 6, 2011, and I’ve read it every day since. I think I first heard about it from my friend, Megan, and it has been an incredible part of my morning time with God the past few months. I wouldn’t call it a “devotional” (I’m not a huge fan of those–even though I wrote one). Quotes and Scripture reading, yes. But there are also songs and chants and some very powerful stories about historic Christian heroes who dedicated their lives to loving and helping the poor. So many times I read EXACTLY what God has just been pressing on my mind that very day. I love it when he does that. If you’re out of the groove of spending time in God’s word and prayer daily, I highly recommend this (big, fat, but awesome) book.

Say Yes to God (Kay Warren)

This book? ROCKED MY WORLD. It used to be called Dangerous Surrender, and I remember reading it a few years ago and thinking, “Wow, that’s some powerful stuff. Hmmm…” And that was that. But this updated/expanded version? Popped into my life at the exact time that God is yanking on my heart to do some radical things to alleviate suffering around the world. A friend of mine at Zondervan sent me a copy of the book (with no pressure to review it–she just thought it would be something I’d like), and I DEVOURED it. Marked it all up and want to read it again. It inspired me like NUTS and scared me half to death. Read it. I mean it.

Which book sounds like something you’d like to read (or maybe you’ve read one of them)? What good book(s) have you read lately?

Because the sad truth? People around the globe are working as SLAVES to make a bunch of the stuff I consume. And once you know about this, and then start digging even deeper? God messes with your head and heart like nuts.

But it’s late and it’s hot, and my friend Heather has done an outrageously amazing job of writing about this kind of stuff lately, so I’m going to defer to her awesomeness. (I’m not sure what era the word “awesome” is from, but evidently I’m stuck in it.)

Seriously. Read her latest posts when you get a chance. Potentially life-changing.

I’m super-duper excited about two things.

1.) I’m purging like a madwoman. No, really. I’ve taken it up a NOTCH. And I’m going to be selling some of the “better” stuff right here on the blog over the next couple weeks.

And 2.) Two of my dear friends, Kim and Sharon, each took $100 from our Cambodia Fund (well, they didn’t take it; I gave it to them) and bought some Fair Trade items on their recent trip to Cambodia.

Fair trade = the people who made the products were paid an honest wage for their work (which was not forced in any way). And in the case of many of the products Kim and Sharon bought, women who were previously in the sex trade have found a new way to make a living–these beautiful handmade items.

So I’m giving all of you a chance to help one of God’s sweet daughters from around the globe make an honest, noble living for herself and her family. (I’m not making a profit on any of this–I’ll just put my $200 back in the Cambodia Fund.)

ALL SIX SETS ARE SOLD! THANK YOU!!!

Here are 6 different “sets” that I’m selling for $10 each (including shipping). If you can get it from me in person, it’ll be $8. These are cute little zippies that can hold all kinds of stuff. The smaller ones are for change, and the two keychains in #5 and #6 are made of coconuts.

All of these items came from one of two Fair Trade shops: Rajana Crafts and Kingdom Kreations. We visited both while we were in Cambodia, and it’s so exciting to be able to bless these people by buying the fruits of their labor.

The smaller bags are 4 in. x 5 in. The bigger ones are 5 in x 6.5 in. (and vinyl-covered). The lip-shaped coin purses are 2.5 in x 3.5 in. And the keychains are in the shape of Cambodia with a cross (#5) and flip-flops (#6).

These make GREAT gifts for any occasion. And you get the double satisfaction of knowing they’re 1.) cute and well-made and 2.) helping someone in need.

If you’re interested in one of the six sets, e-mail me, and we’ll work out the details.

I also have three sets of Ramp Up Your Marriage books for sale.

The books are sold too! (I still have multiple copies of all of mine.)

Set #1: Is That All & Blushing Bride (by me), The Husband Project (Kathi Lipp) and Turn Up the Heat (Kevin Leman) + a copy of my new e-book, The Husband’s Guide to Getting Lucky. Retail value = $51. Your price = $25 (including shipping to U.S.)

Set #2: Is That All & Blushing Bride (by me), The Husband Project & The Marriage Project (Kathi Lipp) + a copy of my new e-book, The Husband’s Guide to Getting Lucky. Retail value = $54. Your price = $25 (including shipping to U.S.)

Set #3: Is That All & Blushing Bride (by me), The Husband Project (Kathi Lipp) and So Much More Than Sexy (Mark Attebery) + a copy of my new e-book, The Husband’s Guide to Getting Lucky. Retail value = $51. Your price = $25 (including shipping to U.S.)

E-mail me if you’re interested in improving your marriage for the bargain price of $25.

And last but not least, LIMITED EDITION BLACK/WHITE MAGNETS! My friend Dorian gave me a vintage game (that I don’t even know the name of) that she was going to sell at a garage sale, and I immediately thought, “How cute would these letters be as magnets?!?”

I’ll spell you whatever you’d like (until I run out of letters) for 50 cents per magnet +$2 shipping to a U.S. address. E-mail me here with your order. (I have roughly 3-6 of each letter).

That’s it for now. MUCH more to come. All proceeds to the Cambodia Fund. Happy Shopping!

I just finished a book that made my eyes water multiple times. On a few occasions, tears actually slid down my cheeks, and I was biting my lip and trying to keep my facial expression pool-neutral. But that’s hard when you’re reading about little kiddos not getting enough to eat or being forced into sex trafficking.

I can’t get enough of books like Zealous Love. (It doesn’t hurt that there’s a globe on the cover.) I have a sweet friend at Zondervan who often hooks me up with books I love, and she’s generously offered to give a copy to SIX lucky blog readers today. I know!!

As I mentioned the other day, the book is divided up into eight sections, each describing a desperate global crisis, but the cool thing? The book isn’t all hopeless, doomsday, and guilt-trippy. It’s  just stories of real people who are hurting and real people who are helping and real, practical solutions for how you and I can get involved.

My cup of tea.

God has wired me with a zeal for this kind of thing, and I know so many of you share my passion. I’d love to keep chatting and chatting (and helping and helping) with all of you.

“One of the best ways to begin moving forward,” Mike and Danae Yankoski (the authors) say, “is connecting with others who are passionate about the same issue as you. We need each other. Start the conversation. Encourage one another. Discover together. Dig in, do the research, ask the hard questions, examine your life, and surrender yourself to the leading of our good and gracious God.”

At the end of the book, the authors close with these words:

Many of us need to reconsider our lifestyles in order to better “love others as we would want to be loved.” If we truly heed Jesus’ call to abandon ourselves and follow hard after him, something other than the need for self-preservation will begin to take root and flourish in our hearts. But the resultant rhythms of selflessness and love for our neighbors will take on different forms for all of us because we are all uniquely created and have been given different responsibilities in this world.

Which one of these areas most strikes a chord with you?

Human Trafficking, Unclean Water, Refugees, Hunger, Lack of Education, Creation Degradation, HIV and AIDS, Economic Inequality.

Leave a comment telling me which one (and why, if you’d like), and you’ll be entered to win one of SIX copies of Zealous Love. Share this on Facebook or Twitter, and you can enter twice. (U.S. addresses only, contest ends at noon Friday)

I’m so excited to hear which issues God has laid on your heart!

And an extra thank you to Shaun Groves, Gary Thomas, Richard Westley Johnson, and Gabe Taviano for spreading the word about it (your names were all answers to Question #11–How did you find out about this survey?). Thank you, my brothers (and awesome husband).

My apologies if you came here to read about homeschooling. That discussion’s not over by any stretch. I just have a hard time sticking to one topic for more than three minutes at a time. Who knows–tomorrow I may talk about gardening (seriously).

Anyway. Back to husbands and sex. I think I mentioned that the survey answers are amazing. And that I’ve got my work cut out for me. We’ve got some hard stuff to work through–and some really fun stuff too.

As a thank-you to the wives who “gently nudged” their husbands to fill out a survey, here’s a smattering of the guys’ answers to Question #10:

What do you love most about your wife?

She has a great sense of humor and is one of the smartest people I know.

She understands who I am and loves me despite it.

Her eyes–they vary in green color and are quite striking.

Her heart to serve people.

Her skin, her smile, her body shape, her neck… (I could go on, but I won’t see my wife until late tonight after a long day at work. Ya dig?)

She is my best friend.

Her body.

That she’s smart–even when it doesn’t bode well for me.

The unconditional love she has shown me. She is faithful and always will be.

Her quirks, her loyalty, her sacrifice, her appearance. To me, she’s the perfect balance of everything.

When she laughs and is happy.

That her strengths line up with my weaknesses.

We’re the same kind of crazy.

She loves God and is resilient.

Her innocence and playfulness.

She makes me want to be a better man–not by telling me to be so, but by believing in me and what I could be.

She has a joy that is contagious.

That she loves me and puts up with me and wants to be married to me forever, even when I disappoint her. Who does that?

Kudos to you, wives! Your men love you–and for a million and one kinds of reasons. More good stuff to come! As a thank-you to both you and your hubbies, let’s do a little give-away.

I have THREE copies of Is That All He Thinks About? to give away to the wife of any guy who filled out the Husband Survey (and you can still fill it out if you haven’t already). Just leave a comment on this post saying either:

1. I’m a married dude and filled out the survey.

OR

2. I’m the wife of a dude who filled out the survey.

And if you both want to leave a comment, you’ll be entered twice. How’s that for fun? (U.S. addresses only. I’ll draw the winners randomly on Wednesday, May 25.)

You can read the first chapter of Is That All He Thinks About? here. I’ll keep you updated on my progress on the Guys’ Book. And if you’d like to pray for me as I write? That would be AWESOME.

Have a great week!

Your book and necklace orders were a bright spot in my day. Especially those of you who bought “Nina Necklaces.” She was tickled pink each time someone else ordered one specifically from her.

Here are details on the Washer Necklaces if you missed yesterday’s post. There’s no deadline for ordering them. We’ll just make them until we can’t take it anymore. We got some orders for favorite college/pro sports teams color combos today. We’ll make just about any team you’d like (unless we can’t stand ‘em).

Lots of Blushing books left.

About 40 Diapers books left. Speaking of that book, there’s a dedication inside the front cover that has turned into a pretty cool story over the last 3 years. Once I get permission to share it, I’m all over it. You’re gonna like it.

We prayed for the kiddos in “our” orphanage in Cambodia tonight before bed. And I was reminded once again that all this necklace-painting and envelope-stuffing and book-packing is so worth it. I can’t wait to wrap my arms around those beautiful kiddos again. And I know that when I finally get to see all my brown and white kiddos together, it’ll be one of the best moments of my entire life.

Have a good one, friends!

So, then I wrote this post about how I was over it already and now let’s get some of these 1100 copies of the book off my hands. And you girls did it! You totally pulled through for me. You bought lots and lots of copies, and whittled my stash down considerably.

As of today, I have just about 300 copies of the book left in my closet. And due to my recent motivation to get rid of anything and everything that doesn’t fit our family’s purpose statement, I am DONE. I want these books GONE. Okay, so I might keep a box of 50 to take to my speaking engagements in the fall, but that’s IT. I’m moving on. To what, I don’t know. But I’m tired of looking at them.

SO. Since Mother’s Day is coming up, I thought it’d be a good time to make you one final super-discounted offer. Once they’re out of my closet, you won’t be able to buy them anywhere except from people selling used copies on Amazon (or wherever). These are truly Limited Editions, people.

If you think you’re going to want some in the next few months, years, EVER, you need to get them NOW.

Here’s what I can do for you:

1 signed copy sent directly to the mama of your choice + a handwritten card for Mother’s Day = $5.00 (free shipping)

1 copy sent to you = $4.00 (free shipping)

2 copies = $7.00 (free shipping)

3 copies = $9.00 (free shipping)

5 copies = $12.00 (free shipping)

10 copies = $20.00 (free shipping)

Enough copies to give to every mama at your church on Mother’s Day = contact me. Seriously.

E-mail me with your orders by Monday. All profits go to the Cambodia Fund.

And now I’m going to go back to that original post and read all your warm and fuzzy comments before I go to bed. And I know I promised a sneak peek of the washer necklaces, so here are a couple lame photos from my phone: us at the Art Fair last weekend (we made $152!) and the upside-down pic I took just now.

Happy Maundy Thursday!