Hey Friends –
Don’t you love it when God drops special friends into your life at just the right time?
Cindy & Sharla
You may remember my sweet friend Sharla Fritz. Sharla and I met at Carol Kent’s Speak Up Conference in 2010. I was in the beginning stages of prayerfully preparing for publication, and Sharla’s first Bible Study Divine Design was fresh off the printing press.
Sharla and I instantly connected and she’s been a special voice of Truth, encouragement and support in my life over the past 2 years.
The last time I blogged about Sharla and her amazing Bible Study (recap here), I ended the post with this P.S. –
P.S. Note to my dear friend Sharla: Can I just tell you…job well done! I can’t believe this is your first Bible study! God has given you a gift, friend! When will Study #2 be released??
Well friends, I’m pleased as punch to share “It’s Here! It’s Here!”
Sharla’s NEW Bible Study, “Bless These Lips: 40 Days of Spiritual Renewal” is here. Can I get a Woo Hoo?!
I’ll let Sharla tell you all about it….
Sharla, why did God prompt you to write this book?
I began writing Bless These Lips because I was the one who needed a Mouth Makeover! I always seemed to be putting my foot in my mouth and I was tired of the steady diet of sock lint and shoe leather. I wanted my words to be the kind that built other people up, but instead I often used ones that tore them down.
So I studied what the Bible had to say about our words and read other books about interpersonal communication. I learned so much and decided to share how each of us can make a difference in our worlds through what we say.
In your own words, what is a “mouth makeover?”
A mouth makeover could be a visit to the cosmetics counter where you walk away with multiple layers of lip liner, lipstick, and lip gloss. You’ll look fabulous for awhile, but that mouth makeover only lasts until your next cup of coffee.
A true mouth makeover is a transformation of your speech. This Mouth Makeover begins with God’s grace and forgiveness as He scrubs off the guilt of our harmful words. The makeover continues with the use of the Lip Balm of Encouragement, the Lip Liner of Truth, and the Lip Gloss of Thankfulness. This type of mouth makeover can last eternally as God enables us to use our words to share His grace.
I think everyone can relate to struggling with what come out of their mouths. How could doing this study help?
How true! As women we love to talk—and so our mouths often get us into trouble! Ann Landers has a great quote, “The trouble with talking too fast is that you may something you haven’t thought of yet.”
Recognizing our love of words, this study approaches the topic with a sense of humor and combines it with fun lip product analogies. First you’ll assess whether you’ve been wearing the shades of Motormouth Mocha or Foot-in-Mouth Fuchsia too often. As you go through the study you’ll learn to wear the Shade of Grace and the Lip Sealer of Discretion more consistently.
Y’all, doesn’t Sharla’s latest study sound fun?!
And can I just tell you it is powerful stuff?!
While I was home in “sick bay” all weekend (ugh!), I was reading an advance copy Sharla sent me (thanks, friend!) – and boy, is it packed with TRUTH, encouragement, and is very application oriented! I HIGHLY recommend you check it out – more info here!
But don’t just take my word for it! Sharla is giving me an AMAZING gift pack to giveaway, including….
- a signed copy of Bless These Lips
- a pretty cosmetic bag with lip balm, lip liner, and lipstick
- a handmade bookmark
- a $15 Amazon gift card
- a framed print of a quote from the book “God has given you a unique mission to speak His words of love and grace to a lost and discouraged world.”
To win Sharla’s “Bless These Lips” Gift Pack, please answer the following question –
What’s the biggest challenge you have with your words?
(I’ll start. I’m Cindy Bultema and my biggest challenge is how I talk to myself. I’d never say some of the things I think in my head to anyone else. Ugh. Can anyone relate? Thankfully I’m much better than I used to be – thanks to God’s grace and His powerful Word! Yay God!)
Extra Entries –
- Share about this giveaway on FB (with link)
- Subscribe to *She Sparkles*
- Add my *She Sparkles* button to your blog
- Tweet about this giveaway including a link to this post
- Stop by and say HI to Sharla at www.sharlafritz.com
Please be sure to leave me a comment to let me know your extra entries.
RULES: Starts today, Monday, October 1st and ends Sunday, October 7th at 9 PM. Winner will be contacted during the week of October 8th.
If your email address is not connected to your ID, please leave your email address with your comment or email it to me at cindy.bultema@gmail.com with the subject “giveaway”.
I’ll close with more powerful words from Sharla…
“The most important message I would like readers to take away from this book is: God has given each of us a unique mission to speak His words of love and grace to a lost and discouraged world.
We may sometimes question the purpose of our lives, but God has placed each one of us in a strategic place in time and space to be able to use our words to bring others closer to Him. When I keep that in mind, it changes my heart and what comes out of my mouth.”
Amen, Sharla, Amen!
Thanks for stopping by *She Sparkles*! Have an amazing day filled with much joy, life and laughter. I thank God for YOU!
Sweet blessings –
P.S. Let’s practice blessings with our lips! I’d love for you to share an encouraging word with Sharla! You can connect with her at:
- Website: www.sharlafritz.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharlafritzauthor
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharlaFritz
Disclosure: I was given a free copy of Bless These LIps, but was not provided with any financial compensation for this giveaway. As always, all opinions are mine. I only share what I really LOVE! 🙂
Thanks so much Cindy for sharing such positive comments about Bless These Lips! You are such a dear sister in Christ and I treasure your encouraging words. It was indeed a God-thing when He brought us together at Speak Up. I can’t wait until your Bible study comes out!
Oh Sharla, it is completely mutual! I love how God allowed our paths to cross. You are a treasure in my life!
Self-talk is still a struggle for me, but I’m choosing to apply Thanks in my speech and my thoughts. I still have to be alert to my tone of voice.
Hi Cindy,
What a great book, and a fun give-away! I’m so glad I found Sharla’s book – and you and your blog through her blog tour! I definitely could use a guard at my mouth most days.
Not only do I need to watch my words to my little ones, I struggle with self-talk. I discount the gift and empowerment God gave me. I’m trying to confess the Truth and live in His power now. That’s the biggest reason I started my blog, ‘Fraidy Cat Confessions, but sometimes I still fall back into telling myself I’m not capable of doing something. I thank Him daily for saving me from that outlook and reminding me of His voice.
This book on “Mouth Makeover” is a need. Can you imagine if a women’s group at church discovered what the Bible says about using word to bless and not tear down? It would lead to better friendships, family relationships, marriages. . .bring it! Thanks, Cindy. Thanks, Sharla.
I haven’t heard of this until a few moments ago, but it is so timely. The biggest challenge I have with my words? In my head I’m full of optimism and positive thoughts for myself and others, but when I open my mouth harsh words and criticism are what pop out, surprising and dismaying both the hearer and myself. I know that out of the heart the mouth speaks, and have to take ownership. Just today I came across the following quote and it helps, simply knowing that my discontent is being used for a higher purpose. However, that discontent need not be aimed at the innocent, even myself. I need this study to help myself and others get a grip on that jump-rope of a line between effecting change and complaining.
“It is always necessary to remember that writers are important and are cherished for what they write, not what they are in everyday life. Most of them are discontented with the cosmos; if they weren’t, and could accept it at face value without having to try to give it order and meaning in language, they wouldn’t be writers”. — Louis D. Rubin, Jr.
Joy, all of struggle with starting out wanting to be positive and then somehow ending up with harsh words we can hardly believe are ours. My biggest breakthrough came when I began to pray about my words. Psalm 19:14 “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” became my daily prayer for a long time. It really helped!
Sarcasam 🙁
That was is so easy to do because it draws a laugh. Which isn’t all bad, unless it hurts someone. When I remember that God gives me grace every day, it becomes a little easier to give others the same.
I am excited about this book! I have noticed, especially lately, it can be easy to discuss things that trouble me about another person; but I don’t often elaborate on the things that are amazing about the people around me. If I regularly concentrated on the 90% I loved about these people instead of the 10% that frustrates me, my relationships would be totally different.
Thanks for sharing this book with us.
Wow Cindy, I love that–concentrating on the 90% of what I love about someone instead of the 10% that might be a little annoying–I’m going to try that!
Cindy, it is so hard to pick one thing that is the biggest problem with my mouth…today it could be that I stretch things to make me look better in my eyes, or tomorrow it might be that I put someone down to make me feel superior…you see, it it always my inferiority that causes my mouth to get me in trouble. I would appreciate any help in this area and know that I will be doing this study, whether with my daughter or alone. :>)
Hi Cindy! Thanks for the blog. I think this book would be a great read because boy are there days I need help!! I certainly think negative thoughts about myself, and I know there are days when I am not kind to my husband:o( He seems to get the brunt of my stress which comes out through my mouth!
I follow She Sparkles, and subscribe to it as well! Thanks!!
negative and self talk and sarcasm. I subscribe to she sparkles also
The negative self-talk is a problem for so many of us! We all need to chase the bullies out of our heads and talk to ourselves like a caring friend would!
My biggest problem is speaking harshly in anger to my husband and children.
Why is it we can speak sweetly to our friends and even store clerks, but then let out our worst words on those we love the most! I think part of it is that we expect more out of those we live with. God has been teaching me that He always treats me with grace and that He has some to spare to share with my family and friends.
My biggest challenge I have with my words: only using encouraging words with those I like…gasp..yes I have a really bad problem with showing favoritism. 🙁 I am in the book of James now and our Father is really speaking to me about this fault of mine (just one of many). I am spending a great deal of focus on using my words universally and impactfully, for the glory of our Father, and for the good of my well-being.
Thank you for this opportunity to win this book! I would love to read it!
Nicci, thank you for your honesty! It is much easier to share encouragement and mercy with those we like. I also tend to talk more with the people I have more in common with or know better, but lately God has been helping me have a different approach. Now when I go to a meeting, I ask God who He wants me to share an encouraging word with.
I need a mouthguard on complaining. I grew up in a household of complaining and it has taken me many years to get rid of it for in God’s Word it says,” In everything, give thanks”. The complaining seems to come when I am overwhelmed and forget to stop and breathe. Thanks for making an inspirational study and i cant wait to check it out.
You are so right that complaining can be a habit. I have days when that is all I want to do! God has been teaching me to try to find SOMETHING to be thankful about even if I can’t find it in my current problem.
Hi Cindy. Sharla’s book sounds great. As for me, I definitely do a lot of negative self talk, plus I generally need more joy and praise on my tongue! Thanks for the giveaway. Blessings, Jenny C.
My biggest challenge is to allow my mouth to “only [speak] what is helpful for building each others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Focusing on their needs, not what I want them to be. Ugh! This is especially true when it comes to my husband and girls, as they are the ones who normally receive my words of frustration. This is so timely for me, as God has been dealing with me on this.
I subscribe to SheSparkles & follow it too.
I remember when one of my friends read that verse aloud and said, “Well then I might as well tape my mouth shut!” And to me that friend always said the right thing at the right time — so I REALLY felt like I needed a mouth makeover. Love that you picked out the words, “according to their needs”–if we all did that, what a wonderful world this would be!
This looks great and believe me, I need it! Found out about you on Facebook from a post by Lucy Ann Moll. My email is stacy@activechristianmedia.com GBU 🙂
Thanks for joining us on the blog tour Stacy!
This sounds like a fantastic study! What a fun give away too. I too struggle with the self-talk. I can have a pretty critical tongue, towards myself and others. It’s something God has been speaking to me about the past couple months!
Thanks Amelia, What helps me most when I find myself being critical is remembering God’s grace and that He doesn’t make me jump through hoops before He gives me His love. When I think about that, I’m less critical with myself and with others.
My biggest challenge is talking too much. I tend to speak without thinking about what I should say
Hi Shannon, Most of us have the same problems. We all need the lip sealer of discretion. I have found that it helps to ask myself a couple of questions before I speak: 1) Is it necessary? 2) Is it kind? 3) Is it something I would say if Jesus were sitting next to me?
Shared via twitter https://twitter.com/Momlovesl/status/253274984296873984
Hi Cindy
I am thinking the book may encourage and help me with what I say to others. I can be a very blunt and out spoken person and it has gotten me in trouble especially when dealing with people of higher authority. Hope to see you again someday Meredith
I also said hi to Shala and shared about the giveway
Meredith, I hope to see you again someday too – SOON!
Send me your schedule sometime. I’d love to share that cup of coffee we’ve been talking about! 🙂
My biggest challenge with my words is that I often feel like I am “foaming at the mouth”. Saying things to my family and friends way too quickly without thinking and definitely without truly listening to what others are saying – it’s like I just want to get my two-cents in. Later, I often regret not only what I have said but many times how I said it. I need a mouth makeover!
Pam R
We women are often like that! We love to talk! It is estimated that women speak on the average 9000 words a day. I’ve been praying lately that God would help me reign in some of those words and to only say words that are uplifting.
What is the biggest challenge I have with my words and mouth? Well it is a big circle of issues I start with unkind words to myself and when I feel beat down that can cause overspray to my loved ones and the folks around me during the day…I use my words too often in a negative way and then must ade through the shame and guilt of not being a loving person…aarrgghh a constant unbroken circle of wrong words
Oh Christine, so you do it too? Beat yourself up about words you with you had left unsaid? I do that all the time. Thankfully, God is always ready to forgive. I like to say that He uses the lip exfoliator of grace. That’s the best place to begin a mouth makeover.
My problem is when I am shopping and things don’t go write. I am doing the Beth Moore study on James. Read the book of James 26 times. Only verse I memorized is James 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Sure has convicted me and I am trying to do better. Thanks for the giveaway. I subscribe to She Sparkles.
It is a blessing in my life.
Anger is a problem for many people, Mary. Two things that have helped me lately to avoid angry words are: 1) Ask myself why I’m so angry–sometimes it helps me to realize that what I’m getting all steamed up about is really very minor. 2.) Get enough sleep! My patience is much longer when I am well rested.
I can speak so harshly to my family sometimes. Praying to change that.
I have often had the same trouble. I can be sweet to my friends, but not always to my family. But you are right–prayer is the best place to start!
I speak too often before thinking … Sometimes a little more honestly than necessary. This book looks wonderful! I am looking forward to reading it soon and hopefully putting it to work : )
Thank you Cindy for sharing this and all your great information! I enjoy your blog & sharing!