Made to Crave Q&A with Renee & JJ Swope
Thank you for entrusting us with your "Made to Crave " stories, struggles and questions. We are honored to pray this week for each of you and what you shared.

We had a hard time choosing between your great questions. So, we picked the most common ones this time. We didn't go over our answers beforehand and I JJ surprised with his first one. I was thinking, "Wow, that's not at all what I thought you were gonna say." It'll be fun to hear your thoughts. And your comments today (even if you don't have time to watch them all) will be entered into the drawing for the "Made to Crave" bundle that includes a book, DVD set and participant's guide. So, here we go. Welcome to our house!













We want this to be a conversation, so let us know your thoughts or questions. And let us know if you'd like to hear more answers to your questions. Again, today's comments will be entered into the drawing for the "Made to Crave" bundle which includes a book, DVD set and participant's guide. Winners announced Monday, January 31st.


Want to be notified when I announce the winner?
After you leave a comment, enter your email in the white box in my sidebar (right under the P31 logo). You'll also receive updates when I write on my blog. But I will not share your email with anyone. Promise.



41 Comments:

Blogger Jill Beran said...

Renee and JJ, Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences. As a stay-at-home mom myself I totally understand your craving for connection and I know God is encouraging me to establish boundaries as well! Thanks to for your closing story and verse, so true and important to remember as we walk this road of faith!! Blessings to you, Jill

Blogger Kristina said...

Thank you both so much for your willingness to share from your hearts! I work outside the home and often find myself on my computer to try to wind down. I've come to realize that I spend more time on it than with God each day. I struggle with making friends and tend to hide behind others. I don't like drawing attention to myself. The good news is that God has shown me that I need to spend more time with Him each day and less time on the computer. I was just wondering if either of you would be willing to share more verses that you use to draw you closer to Him. I appreciate the verse from Zephaniah that you shared tonight! Thank you! I also know that I do better with life changes if my husband is doing it with me. Thank you for your honesty. It's nice to know that things don't work out perfectly for others too. Thank you JJ for sharing from your heart about guys just wanting to feel respected as we want to feel loved. Blessings to you both!

Anonymous Anonymous said...

JJ and Renee, thanks for taking the time for Q & A. Very helpful. I went off sugar and processed carbs - this has been quite the adventure!!! mheard11@frontier.com

Blogger Danielle said...

You guys are awesome together... and so cute.

I love that verse in Zeph. The NAS says, "He is a victorious warrior". And if that Victorious Warrior lives inside me, then I know that I ccan be victorious as well.

Thank you so much for taking the time to post these. I can't wait to see and hear about what God is doing in your lives-- individually and in your marriage.

Blogger Sherri Williams said...

I just want to thank you both for taking the time to answer some of the questions you received and for sharing your journey with us. Thank you!

Anonymous Anonymous said...

JJ & Renee, loved the Q&A time together. So very helpful. I have the food addiction/idol issue and unfortunately the time management issue as well. I did not "claim it" until I heard you, Renee put it so plainly about checking your emails so frequently. I, too, really need to set boundaries on the computer. I spend way too much time on email and computer, precious time that I could be growing closer to the Lord.

Thanks to both of you for sharing your hearts. Love Zeph 3:17. Looking forward to hearing more from both of you.

Sweet Blessings,
Donna

Blogger Cindy in PA said...

Thank you for sharing your conversation with us. I really appreciate JJ's sharing since it's good for me to hear a man's perspective. In the blog world I read/hear the woman's "side" much more often. And I noticed that in your first vlog entry you're both living the Biblical truth of women show respect to your husbands, men love your wives. Great job on the vlog! Thank you!

Blogger Unknown said...

I am not married, but I have really received a lot from reading MTC and following the blog updates on different P31 sites. Your last video has me wiping away tears. It is so sweet to be reminded today that the Father delights in me! Thanks for the reminder!

Blogger Tracey said...

Renee,

Thank you so much for the reminder about how much God enjoys me. Not because of anything I do but just because I belong to Him. I needed to hear that today.

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your time and home with us. Renee i didn't see anything on your face at all i think it's great that you didn't discuss it before hand. it made it way more real for me. i have a problem with respect and showing it to my husband he believs in god but that's it i can't discuss realigon or church with him at all but i need to still learn to respect him. funny my journey to lose weight is going to teach me so much more.to be honest i am scared it going to be hard to have to look so deep in my soul and expose all my flaws and imperections just to lose a little weight... UggHH!
jchooks2@gmail.com

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just as it's a good idea to have a "study buddy" (for school aged children), and having a Prayer Partner, enlisting someone who'll play the ever important roll of an accountability/"go to" person, especially in our "dieting" endeavors is just as GREAT an idea! Thus, I have been posting MTC on FB for three weeks (hoping people will tune in to the webcasts), but I'd really be appreciative if I could win the bundle & SHARE THE LOVE by conducting an in-home study! xo+ Cindy Adams (cindycadams@hotmail.com)

Blogger Kim said...

Thank you so much for your honesty and openness. I truly enjoyed hearing JJ's perspective!
Keep the vidoe answers coming!

Blogger mommyof2sons said...

Thank you for sharing your thoughts from your hearts with us. I really enjoyed hearing JJ's perspective. I look so forward to seeing more videos!

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I enjoyed watching you and your husband on the webcast. It is so great y'all are taking this journey together. Jennifer

goodwijl@hotmail.com

For some reason I couldn't get my gmail password to work.

Anonymous Jane V.W.B. said...

I have been so encouraged through the MTC study and all the input from the Proverbs 31 gals and their blogs, that my focus from initially wanting to lose a few pounds has transformed into a desire to obey God in all areas of my life where cravings exist. I also desire a life where balance and moderation exist with God's daily help so that I "eat to live not live to eat".
The first time I really took notice of Zeph 3:17 was Jan Karon's Father Tim recorded this verse in his journal (A Continual Feast)and as a side note wrote "God sings!! Remind choir."
Thanks so much for your video message and making it personal.

Blogger Caryn said...

Thank you Renee & JJ for taking the time to share your answers to these questions. It was so wonderful to hear from both of you. It would be great if you can do this in the future.

Anonymous Kathy said...

Hi Renee and JJ,

I really enjoyed your Q&A session...thank you so much for taking the time. The questions were great and the answers were so helpful. Strongholds are a tough issue! With Gods loving knowledge and gentle direction, through patience and perseverance, we can succeed. Thank you again for your advice and dual perspectives. I'm looking forward to your next Q&A session.

God Bless Both of You,
Kathy Grenew (facebook friend)

Anonymous Nickie Reagan said...

You all did a great job. I really appreciate all everyone is doing to keep us encouraged. It's great.

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am working hard to get my husband to eat better. By making meals that are healthy, I feel like I am helping him in some small way at least. Thank you for helping me help him!
Mary B.

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you both for all the encouragement. The MTC book has really touched my soul and not just because of food. I craved "family" from such a young age that I ended up a "Modern Day Woman at the Well" and still suffer the consequences. I'm very thankful for yours and Lysa's blog and books. revelation21v4@comcast.net

Blogger Jackie Taylor said...

oh no, I am at the public library and forgot my earphones to hear the videos.

I want to enter to win teaching materials tho here I am.

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you both for sharing. I have really enjoyed learning about your blog from the Made to Crave webcast. I have not bought the book yet, but plan to. I began my healthier eating / exercising right before Christmas (tough time to start) and I have lost 10 of the 20 pounds I have set out to lose. I'm half way there, and y'all have been an encouragement to keep on going!

Stephanie
smeltontx@att.net

Blogger awcamp said...

You guys are so GREAT together! What a beautiful couple! Thanks for sharing your perspectives. I love hearing both of them and I so appreciate your honesty.
Blessings to you and your family!

Anonymous darci said...

thanks so much for the info and opportunity to win! i'd love to do this study with the bundle! Blessings! darci

Anonymous darci said...

thanks so much for the info and opportunity to win! i'd love to do this study with the bundle! Blessings! darci

Anonymous Karen H L said...

I haven't listen to all the vlogs yet but am enjoying them. Thank you both for encouraging me and others. You are a blessing!

Anonymous Audrey said...

Thank you for being so open and honest about your relationship. I know there are suggestions that JJ made that I will be working on applying to my marriage.

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you both so much for sharing with us. I have had go gluten free, since August. My choices of food are much less, and so I find myself craving the things I can have, and enjoying them a little too much. I need to control that desire. Thankfully my weakness is not so much sweets, but more the carbs( potato chips, pasta) When I find something I can eat, it is hard. I think I have used that a crunch, and also when I am bored or down, I will "go to town". Thank you for sharing the truths from God's word.

Anonymous Jamy W. said...

Thanks so much to both of you for sharing what you are going through together. It is such encouragement to me and my family. Using the message from the webcast I talked with my oldest son regarding the overuse of video games, with the themes brought out in Made to Crave. This is not just about food -- as you brought out it is anything that takes our focus away from God. Thanks again!

Anonymous Anonymous said...

thanks so much for taking time to answer questions and share from your heart. I would love to read the made to crave book!

Blogger Jagette said...

Renee, What a great way to share things with your friends. Thank you for remining us about how much God enjoys me and not because of anything I do but just because I belong to Him.

Anonymous Anonymous said...

It was so cool watching you guys on the webcast and even more cool that you took more time to answer more questions.
Blessings,
Kirsten

Blogger Our Crazy Crew said...

LOVE these vlogs. Please keep doing them. It seems sometimes like a lonely island wanting to cherish God and your husband above all else. Our idols are everywhere and threaten us all day. I just got finished reading Timothey Keller's Counterfeit Idols and love that you guys are exposing the truth about idols in a big way. It is a constant battle and I'm thankful for frank conversations! Real people with real struggles is very refreshing! God is SO GOOD!

Anonymous Cate said...

Thank you for your advice and guidelines of how to seek God and not seeking for friends/approval/attention on Facebook, email etc. There are more ways to "fill up" besides running to food; I can replace that with other wrong things as well. We all need to run to God and His word to "be full" and to learn to hear His voice.

Anonymous Dorothy said...

Dorothy Miller

I'd like to enter to win.

davidpastel at peoplepc dot com

Blogger Rachel said...

My husband and I really enjoyed watching you both on the webcast this past week. Thank you so much for answering all the questions here on your blog:)
About 2 years ago we started eating more healthier than we did before. As a family we plan our menus every 2weeks & read labels on everything. These last few months this mama fell off somewhat.The veggie cravings went out the door and those chocolate/latte cravings came back. I started feeling the nudge to get back to eating healthy.
Looks putting that apple or fiber one bar will be back in my purse.

Again thank you for sharing your heart. My husband says too that respect is one of the best things a wife can for her husband :)
Blessings to you both

Blogger Kathryn said...

So glad to have these videos to watch and listen to. I haven't had a chance to watch them all yet but wanted to take time to thank you now. I know that I am probably too late to be entered in the drawing for the bundle, but I don't even care. I just had to say thank you for being willing to "step out on a limb" as it were and put yourselves out there.

Love and blessings to you both!
Kathryn

Anonymous Anonymous said...

The video blogs are great! Thank you, Renee & JJ, for sharing your thoughts and experiences. It was good to be reminded to encourage and respect my husband. It is so easy to become complacent and not voice my appreciation to him, esp. in the regular day-to-day things.

I was successful in turning OFF my computer for a few days last week. Planning to do that more regularly in the future and spend the time with Jesus!
Sharon Telfer pstelfer@tcc.on.ca

Anonymous Judy said...

Greetings from Canada:
So that's JJ! I thought going through this with the hubby is a great idea, or maybe even a family event.
Hope you enjoyed your time in Canada Renee, we realy enjoyed having you and looking forward to MBC in June.
I still can't believe I picked my own name for the door prize!!

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sharing. I appreciate the encouragement and look forward to reading MTC. Please post more videos!

Paula

Blogger Unknown said...

i love this ministry.Thanks for being here. I just recently got on line with you and have read one of lysa's books. I am married to a man (13 years) that does not want to engage in any type of chruch, worship etc.Before we got married he asked me what i was looking for in a man. I had been married in a very abusive relationship before for 20 years.I told him I was on a misson to seek and know the lord. That I wanted to have a partner that was interested in the same. He told me that was he wanted.His parent are missonary's and work as marriage counsler's. After a year of marriage he has changed his mind. He is not sure anymore. I was angry at first and begged him to come to church, to be involved with me. He just wont. I decided that instead of nagging or being sad,or even jealous at the other couples that were at church, I would just suit up and show up. Pray for him, and pray for guidance as to what the lord has in store for me. Its been 5 years now and I still go to chruch alone, and find myself lost at times. Ive been told by others I should leave this relationship as now we are basically just roommates. Its very hard. Im not sure what to do or how to handle this. Do I stay, do Ignore and carry on. Sometimes I just truely dont know if its the lord directing me or the enemy. Does that make any sense at all? It gets lonely living with someone that is not really home. On the other side. I know I am a daughter of christ and he loves me. I cling to that. I told my husband that I will not bother him any longer on this issue. I told him he is free to come with me as I will not stop my faith walk due to his stopping. He can jump on board with me or stay behind. Still, my heart hurts. Arent we suppose to be evenly yoked?
Thanks for listening. I feel better just writting this.
your friend in Christ.
Cheryl~anne Holt

Post a Comment

Home