DECEMBER 15TH!!!
About ten years ago or so, I told God that I would offer anything from my life story to others that he asked me to if it would help them know him better, experience more hope and healing, love Jesus more. Really, it was simply a deeper surrender to the One I belong to.
And God has asked me to share. And sometimes, it has been really, really hard. But I have been blessed to see LIFE come out of it.
God asked John and I to write a book on marriage and share our journey and what we have learned. So we did. It’s the most honest, vulnerable thing either of us have written and our earnest prayer is that God uses it in people’s lives for his amazing, beautiful purposes. We’re actually pretty confident that he will. J
That said, I can only say, “Yikes!” and “You go GOD!”.
Tuesday, December 15th is the launch date for Love & War! To kick things off, John and I are doing this live webcast interview chat thing that anyone who has access to internet can watch online! Oh, please join us! We’ll just be talking. Sharing. Taking questions. It’ll help calm me down to know that we are talking with you! We are actually pretty excited about this! God cares so deeply about our marriages! There is so much hope; for all of us!
So below is the link to the webcast deal. It’s at 7pm MST. Come on by! And oh, Jesus, be glorified in all we say and do!
http://livestream.com/WaterBrookMultnomah
Bravery inspires bravery. May others be inspired to live out who God has written them to be by the choices you have made to walk through the difficulties, share them, and believe in God's absolute goodness in the beginning, middle, and end.
Posted by: jill dyer | 12/11/2009 at 05:24 PM
Darn, I am working that night and won't be able to join in. But I know you and John will be great. I am looking forward to seeing you on your book tour when you come to Santa Ana in January (I live in San Diego - and it's totally worth the drive!). May the Lord bless you both and calm your nerves for your broadcast. :-) Your openness, vulnerability and authenticity will shine through and minister to all who listen. (Maybe I can watch a replay or something.)
Posted by: Michelle | 12/12/2009 at 08:15 AM
Re: [Stasi Eldredge] jill dyer submitted a comment to DECEMBER 15TH!!!
Oh bless you and thank you and AMEN.
Posted by: Stasi | 12/12/2009 at 10:08 AM
Re: [Stasi Eldredge] Michelle submitted a comment to DECEMBER 15TH!!!
THANK YOU! :-)
Posted by: Stasi | 12/12/2009 at 10:09 AM
Stasi,
I'm going to try to listen in that night but, honestly, that's a really crazy time of night in our home; you know the drill, wrapping up dinner, dishes, finishing up homework, getting everyone bathed, teeth brushed, stories, ect...remember my boys are 6 and 8 and still not very good at self-governing (neither is my teenage daughter for that matter!) But I have an issue that I would love some guidance on. Here goes (deep breath)...My marriage is riddled with abuse; mostlt emotional/verbal (very subtle yet stining). We are seeing a counselor but I think my husband has her snowed into believing that the issues in our marriage are mutual. I believe the underlying problem in our marriage is his abuse! Anyhow, how do I fight for my marriage and my family under these circumstances? We do have a few close friends who are in the battle with us (out pastor included) but I am growing very weary. I have been fighting for a very long time. Lynn Winn (formerly Todd) was our counselor when we lived in Colorado and I think even she didn't hold out much hope for our marriage.(Although, thanks to Lynn, I did learn how to live with my heart alive!) I'm going to try to come see you when you come to Redmond WA.
Posted by: Danielle Kaczmarek | 12/12/2009 at 01:48 PM
We are so excited about the book! My fiance and I are actually getting married in May, so we are so grateful for this--it's perfect timing. I read the first chapter and was blown away! Thank you so much for your vulnerability, openness, and honesty. It's utterly refreshing!
Posted by: Matthew Price | 12/12/2009 at 09:43 PM
Stasi: I can't wait! I am counting down the days until the book is in. Now I am wondering how many more I should have pre-ordered. Hopefully there will still be time before Christmas if we are inspired to get them for our family.
I was listening/watching the first webcast you and John did and you were great! You guys are so genuine and the great thing is that you get to do it together! I'll be there to listen in and be excited with you.
Posted by: Jody | 12/13/2009 at 02:16 PM
I am so excited about this book!!! God is up to something HUGE in marriages and I cannot wait to see how he uses this book not only in my marriage, but in others as well. Stasi, your story (and John's) have been so incredibly life giving. My life is not the same because of Captivating. It's that simple. Thank you for being vulnerable with us. I know it can't be as easy as you make it look. God bless you and your guys as Heaven releases another arrow. Bring it on!!!! See you Tuesday.
Posted by: Nichole | 12/13/2009 at 06:25 PM
Re: [Stasi Eldredge] Danielle Kaczmarek submitted a comment to DECEMBER 15TH!!!
I am so glad you two are seeing a counselor, Danielle! I hope to get to hug you in Redmond. Im not a counselor, nor do I know the many important aspects of your life and your life story so my response is of course limited. I prayed for you when I read your post, and will pray again. Categories for you to consider which Im sure you are include
*What do you hear Jesus saying to you about your marriage?
*What are people who love Jesus and know your marriage saying?
*What are your prayers against the enemy like these days?
*What is the healing that needs to happen in you?
You may want to be praying Isaiah 61 over your husband.
And for Jesus to come for YOU. To strengthen you, to meet you in your places of weary, desperate need. He sees you, Danielle. You are not alone. Oh, all grace to you today and unlooked for hope, peace...joy.
Posted by: Stasi | 12/14/2009 at 09:37 AM
Re: [Stasi Eldredge] Nichole submitted a comment to DECEMBER 15TH!!!
YAY! Thank you!
Posted by: Stasi | 12/14/2009 at 09:40 AM
Stasi, I have just finished listening to you and John on the November webcast to get a sense of what tomorrow will be like. Wow!! If anything can be a jaw-dropper and a comfort at the same time, that was it. It inspired me to pray, pray, pray for Anna, no matter what.
My prayer is for the book to have a similar effect on her as when she saw the Captivating book I brought home: "Do you mind if I read this?" Me? Mind?!
If nothing else, know that my prayers will be there, whether online with you or otherwise. I wish time and space permitted more of our story, but perhaps that moment will come. By the way, I loved putting a voice to a face to a name!
Posted by: Wayne Shaw | 12/14/2009 at 07:13 PM
Stasi, I'm so thrilled to know that finally THE BOOK about marriage is coming out. I'm hoping that the Christian world will throw out the "tips and techniques" way of teaching about how to have a great marriage and start to apply the truth of what you two have discovered. My husband and I tried for years to find in every church seminar on marriage a new way to relate or a better way to think, etc. etc. etc. Nothing worked. In fact, all that had been offered were more rules to live by. Not until we read Sacred Romance did we see that it was our hearts that needed healing. From that day on, God has been healing us and restoring our hearts and giving us the marriage we dreamed was possible. We just celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary with a 23 day trip to Europe that was the best trip of our lives. May God open the eyes of every heart that reads your book. Thank you for continuing to pour out what God has given you.
Posted by: Becky Morgan | 12/15/2009 at 02:27 AM
Hi Stasi! I just about jumped out of my seat when I saw that you have a blog now! How did I miss this?? I have so loved hearing your heart through many of the Randsomed Heart resources and podcasts. So yay and welcome to bloggy world! Can't wait to read your posts and hear more of what's on your heart these days! :)
Anywho, I just wanted to say how exicted I am to read Love and War.... my hubby and I are going to read it together in 2010 :) After listening to you and John talk about it on the podcasts, it truly sounds like a marriage book unlike any I have read. I love love that you are going at "agreements" and "spirtual warfare".
Have a beautiful day! Amy
Posted by: Amy S. | 12/15/2009 at 05:35 AM
Hi Stasi! Oh how I wish that my schedule would allow my husband and I to tune in tonight. This past week I had abdominal surgery and we have yet to do our Christmas shopping. So because we have an obnoxiously busy life with 3 kids and our businesses, tonight is the night we hire a babysitter and go shopping. It's an annual date night actually. And we are going in the spirit of FREEDOM (inspired by you all) because my husband's one stipulation was that I wear an cocktail dress that I bought for a function and couldn't wear because of my surgery. I said, "Okay....as long as you push me in a wheel chair." So...tonight we will be shopping at Target dressed to the hilt and enjoying each other's company. Our hearts will be with you though and praying for you and John. We love you guys and are incredibly grateful for your vulnerability and trueness as you've showed us how to fall in love with the One Who Fills!
Posted by: Yvette B. | 12/15/2009 at 06:04 AM
Danielle's story is much like mine... Oh, dear sister, do not loose heart! Lift up your voice to heaven and praise God in your desert place!
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I often feel lost and heart broken. But I know that Father God is with me, has good plans for me, has a good heart. I must continually submit myself to him, and trust him with my husband and our marriage. I also must guard my heart and my safety. It takes more wisdom than I have to walk that thin line. I ask God to keep my heart soft, and that he would show me how I must change, and give me wisdom in the storm. God is challenging me to cry out to him (literally and loudly) when violence is occurring. I have not done this yet. I should have done it on Sunday.
God has been so good to me in directing my path and giving me wisdom. He has chosen to bring to me a series of books that have revealed so much of life and God's heart that I never had known before. First, LIES WOMEN BELIEVE by Nancy Leigh DeMoss taught me about rejecting the lies of the enemy as our key spiritual warfare, and that Satan's power is in lies. Then, SACRED ROMANCE, which challenged me to believe the goodness of God's heart, as well as to live from mine. I hadn't even known my heart was dead from fear. Then, FINDING GOD, BOUNDARIES, THE POWER OF A PRAYING WIFE, WILD AT HEART, and FEMANINE APPEAL (the chapter on submission challenged me to reassess my heart toward my husband). Through these I have gained the knowledge and courage to carry on in the darkest, scariest series of events and lies I have ever faced. Unfortunately, the church really has had very little to offer in this area. Mention abuse and see the circus begin. And yet God is faithful.
Danielle, I recommend BOUNDARIES. It has clear biblical advice regarding abuse. And I recommend THE POWER OF A PRAYING WIFE. Putting our husbands in God's hands is a great act of faith, and it holds much power. Dear one, you must never allow yourself to be abused. Father says we must guard our hearts above all else as they are the wellspring of life. It is so hard to know how to guard ourselves: do I leave for safety, do I stand up for myself, do I ask for church discipline to intervene, do I tattle? I don't know yet, but I know I must guard my heart. And abuse (verbal, physical, emotional, spiritual, sexual...) damages our hearts, our hearts which are the most valuable real-estate in the universe. I also know we must not take matters into our own hands, but remember Who holds our life and all truth and all good plans. Only God can soften your husband's heart, reveal to him the sinful, hurtfulness of his actions, move him to repent and change. The Lord would have you trust him with this task so he can grow your faith and show himself faithful and powerful to you. Go to HIM and pray, willing to do whatever he asks. He will want to mold you and change you too. That is hard to hear when we're being wronged, but it is to the glory of God when he changes our hearts! You must not allow yourself to be in physical danger. It is alright to leave if you're not safe. Keep reaching out for help. Do not be weary. Take heart, refuge, pasture in our King, the gate. He has good plans for you! And he is in control. It is his delight to do a great redeeming work!
Posted by: Beth | 12/15/2009 at 07:50 AM
Stasi, I'm so happy to have found your blog. I love and appreciate your heart and the life-changing message of Ransomed Heart Ministries! The Lord has used your books to genuinely change my life and the way I view spiritual warfare. As a younger single reader, I'm curious... is Love & War written only for married or engaged couples, or does it also address singleness and talk to those who are single and praying to find the right person?? Either way, I look forward to reading it and seeing what God has to say through you all this time!! Thanks for openly sharing and for boldly following God!
Posted by: Lindsey | 12/15/2009 at 09:47 AM
Re: [Stasi Eldredge] Wayne Shaw submitted a comment to DECEMBER 15TH!!!
Thank you Wayne and AMEN! I cant wait to see all that God is going to do!
Posted by: Stasi | 12/15/2009 at 09:54 AM
Re: [Stasi Eldredge] Amy S. submitted a comment to DECEMBER 15TH!!!
Oh thank you Amy and you have a great day too! :-)
Posted by: Stasi | 12/15/2009 at 09:55 AM
Re: [Stasi Eldredge] Becky Morgan submitted a comment to DECEMBER 15TH!!!
Hi Becky! And CONGRATULATIONS on 40 years! And I join you in your prayer with a resounding yes and amen! I love your sentence, from that day on, God has been healing us and restoring our hearts and giving us the marriage we dreamed was possible. Thats what I want increasingly for me and for every one. Its so GOOD that that is what Jesus wants too. Yay for HIM! God bless you and your husband!
Posted by: Stasi | 12/15/2009 at 09:59 AM
Re: [Stasi Eldredge] Yvette B. submitted a comment to DECEMBER 15TH!!!
OK, that is so beautiful! Happy Shopping! And thank you for your prayers. Im going to pray for you too right now and Gods perfect healing!
Posted by: Stasi | 12/15/2009 at 09:59 AM
Re: [Stasi Eldredge] Lindsey submitted a comment to DECEMBER 15TH!!!
Hi Lindsey! Truthfully, Love War is about marriage, about relationships but its most deeply about becoming a person who is increasingly healed and transformed into the person God created him/her to be. A person like Jesus. Learning to love. So I think its a really good book for single people too! (My single friends who got an advanced copy say the same thing.) God bless you today!
Posted by: Stasi | 12/15/2009 at 10:11 AM
Oh Stasi. I am so so thankful you said yes to pouring our your life story no matter how painful. Your life has helped save and restore mine! You have such a stunning heart, I love to see it through this blog and any place else I can see pieces of it. I pray for you, your awesome hubby, and the rest of the team often and am so thankful for the work you do and for not quitting when it gets hard! Also... I've been in the Captivating DVD study, then led one and I watch them quite often. So rich! So amazing. I get something new out of them every single time I watch them. I can never ever express enough thanks for Ransomed Heart. I love you guys!
Posted by: Timber Ebersole | 12/15/2009 at 10:24 AM
Hip Hip Hooray!!! Today's the day! Praying over you guys today! I'll be tuning in to see you on the webcast, and I can't wait :)
I pray blessings over the book, knowing full well that it will change lives, may it spread like wildfire!
Love to you!
Posted by: abbey | 12/15/2009 at 11:14 AM
Stasi, I met you this past Oct. in Dallas when you and John were taping a show. I wanted to say so much to you, but I knew I would probably end up crying, so I asked God if I could say thanks to you about one thing what should I say. He said 'honesty'. So, again, thank you so much for your honesty. God used your book Captivating to rescue me. I was lost for so many years and finally was rescued, and I gave my life to Christ last year. God has used all the books John has written to really refine and transform me, and I can't wait for what God has next for me in Love & War. So, thank you for your honesty and allowing God to use you! <3
Posted by: Vivian | 12/15/2009 at 11:32 AM
Re: [Stasi Eldredge] Timber Ebersole submitted a comment to DECEMBER 15TH!!!
Wow. What an encouragement you are! Thank you so much and for joining us in bringing this message!!!
Posted by: Stasi | 12/15/2009 at 11:43 AM