Review: "Not of This World" by Lisa Chan

"What are the things that tie you to this world?"

What things do I treasure more in "this life" than I do God?  

In her third and final True Beauty DVD, Lisa reminds us we have to be very careful by how quickly these "things" can distract from God and His purpose for us and our love for Him.  She asks, "What keeps you from seeing and embracing God's purposes?"

Check out Matthew 6:19!  Are your treasures for this life or for the life to come?

Lisa asks, "What does friendship with the world look like?"  Often we find ourselves loving the things HE made more than we love Him.   I know I am guilty of this so often!  I have to always remind myself that HE is the giver and to worship the GIVER not the GIFTS!  Do you struggle with this?  

Here is a good question to ask yourself, "In what ways can I detach myself from the world and still enjoy the gifts that God has given me?"  We need to be aware of when our enjoyment has gone too far!

How can we open up our hearts and our hands an share the things of this world we have been given?  Are we white-knuckled with fists clenched holding our "gifts" too tight?  A great question for self-reflection as you consider the gifts you love more than the Giver!  

We must remember that everything pales in comparison to knowing and following Jesus.  We must allow this truth to resonate within our hearts and our minds.  Our pride can create discontentment with what He gives or doesn't give.  As our eyes are focused on Him and Him alone, we can find the joy in the gifts (yes's and the no's) and gratitude towards the Giver! 

Lisa graciously reminds us to follow Him and hold this world loosely!

I hope you will be encouraged by Lisa's challenges and check out her True Beauty DVD series!
  

WATCH IT:
Watch the trailer: HERE
Watch Carolyn: HERE discussing True Beauty is Not of This World

BUY IT: HERE

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated for this review.

Review and Giveaway: "Deny Yourself " by Lisa Chan

New film helps women navigate an “all about me” society selflessly

"If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me." Matthew 16:24

How often have we read over this scripture without even considering what it truly means?  What does it even look like (in a practical sense) to deny yourself and take up your cross?

Lisa Chan answers these questions in her second DVD of the True Beauty series.  You may recall my review of her Be Still late last year.  In the same video format, she examines this very question.

Here are a few thoughts from the DVD:

"We want to feel total acceptance and love from God, but we don't like talking about laying down our lives and denying ourselves to follow after Christ."

Our culture is extremely self-indulgent and has a "I want it all mentality" ...  How do we live out our Christian life while all of this "self" focus is in our face?

Jesus stretched out his arms, endured the cross, and separation from God and yet we don't want to forgive someone that has really hurt us in life.  Rather we want God to forgive our sins while we hold a grudge against the other.

Denying yourself gives you freedom and allows you to experience true joy in Christ.

Push through selfishness, push through fear. He came to give us the abundant life, but we must be willing to seek Him with all that we have.

MY REVIEW:  I really enjoyed this second installment in the True Beauty series.  Lisa has a very poetic way to share the scriptures and relate it to our life.  Her DVD's bring such peace while I am watching and listening.  It very calming to my "hurried" soul!  She tackles a hard scripture, yet allows the listener to seek from within to answer the question for themselves.  Lisa has included another personal reflection guide with her DVD.  In my opinion, this reflection guide allows you to get the most out of the lessons learned in the DVD.  She proposes many good questions that take soul searching and personal reflection.  These are the types of questions that will force us to grow as Christians.

Here are a few good questions ... (without giving them all away!)

What message from the world have you bought into that makes the cost of following Christ seem so overwhelming?

When did you last follow Christ to the point of denying yourself?

Have you missed out on anything while you were busy following God?  Was it worth the cost? Would you do it again if given the same chance?

I hope you will take the time to consider these questions and search for answers within your soul.

One final challenging thought she suggested is this, "Many want the salvation Christ offers, without the submission that comes with it."   Are you one of the many?

WATCH IT:
Watch the trailer: HERE
Watch Lisa: HERE discussing God is Better
Watch Irene: HERE discussing The Simplicity of the Word

BUY IT: HERE

WIN IT:  David C Cook publishers have graciously offered up a copy of the new DENY YOURSELF DVD and Reflection Guide to one Go Long! Go Green! reader.   Please leave a comment below with a way that you have found you have denied yourself to follow Christ OR if you regret choosing your "self" over following Christ!  Please include your name and email address in your comment.

It is encouraging to one another to see practical ways we can "deny ourselves" and follow HIM!!

This giveaway is open to ALL and will end on Sunday at April 14th at midnight. The winner will be drawn via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be drawn. Please, no PO Boxes.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated for this review.