THE NEEDS DECK with Scriptures
Do you want a gentle way to bring God's love into your life and the lives of others--especially in their times of greatest need? Do you want to turn your moments of vulnerability into moments of connection with the Savior?
THE NEEDS DECK is a strength-building tool for personal growth. Each of the 54 Needs Cards in the deck matches a healthy human need with an evocative image of a beautiful place. The back of each card features a Biblical passage reminding us how God validates and meets that need. These cards can be used as a daily exercise for individuals or as an activity for a group. They are a great tool for therapists and group leaders. They can also serve as an encouraging gift for a friend.
Other Versions of THE NEEDS DECK
Do you want to enhance your awareness and acceptance of your authentic needs? Do you want to help others turn toward their vulnerabilities with more kindness and compassion?
THE [BARE] NEEDS DECK combines imagery of evocative scenery with words describing a healthy human need, without any reference to Scripture. These cards can be used as an exercise for individuals to reflect upon their own needs and to connect to inner resources. They can also be used as a group activity. They are a great tool for therapists and group leaders of any faith.
THE NEEDS DECK (CHINESE-ENGLISH) includes all needs in both English and Chinese. The design of the cards is based on the 2nd edition by Becky Jiras. The deck does not include any Scriptures and is appropriate for therapists and group leaders of all faiths.
How to Order the Cards
The second edition of THE NEEDS DECK is available now! It was redesigned by the talented Becky Jiras and produced locally by an eco-friendly printing company. Check it out in our online store!
The [BARE] NEEDS DECK and THE NEEDS DECK (CHINESE-ENGLISH) are both available to be printed on demand by MPC. Click below to view and order the cards on the MPC website.
The Story Behind the Cards
Kristy was one of my childhood best friends. Quiet and bookish on the outside but impish and fearless to those who knew her well, she was my partner in crazy schemes. With all the industrious energy of nine year olds, we spent countless hours sewing pot pourri hearts, braiding friendship bracelets, and baking lemon squares and pecan pies to sell at the corner to passersby from church. We were trying to raise funds for a puppet stage, where we hoped to produce hand-drawn shows such as Rapunzel and the memorable musical Pick, Pick, Pick Your Nose. Years later, Kristy told me her mother discovered a whole bag of our scented hearts (still unsold) in Kristy’s childhood home.
I had always known Kristy to be a woman of prayer. However, it was not until Kristy began to battle cancer that I realized how indomitable was her faith and her desire to let God use her life–whatever pain, whatever limitation–to His glory. My childhood friend, my partner in escapades, thus grew into my hero, my role model, my intimate proof that suffering cannot shackle the soul.
For several years, I co-led a drama therapy group for survivors of childhood trauma. Much of our work focused on connecting to strengths, both as a means of maintaining safety and as a pathway to healing. One of the safety structures in the group was to name a person (real or fictional) as an interpersonal strength whose presence would support the healing of the group. Over and over again, I found myself naming Kristy as my symbol of courage and grace in the midst of suffering.
I designed these cards as a strength-building tool to use in my groups. It seems only fitting that these cards also be dedicated to the friend whose example has so inspired and so grounded me in my work. May these cards be a blessing to all the brave men and women who are willing to gaze deeply into their own hearts and let compassion triumph again and again.
These cards are dedicated in loving memory of
Kristy Cheng Esporo,
my friend and hero.
Her blog unflinchingly records her battle with cancer,
in which she fought the good fight,
finished the course, and kept the faith.
kristyesporo.blogspot.com
[Trigger warning: Some of the photos and raw descriptions of her physical pain may be hard to view.]