Hey, Siestas! Y’all are just the most fun ever. I so enjoyed all your reactions to the “goods.” I was also very tendered by our siesta who reminded us to pray for our single sisters who are fighting a few gray hairs (you can color those stinkin’ thangs!) and frequent bouts of loneliness. I know a number of single women who wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world, are serving God like crazy in all sorts of unhindered ways, and they’d about beat us to death with their handbags if we prayed them up a husband. But, we want to be faithful friends and prayer warriors for ANY of our siestas who are lonely. Including those who are married. Nothing makes you feel more alone than a bad marriage. I know because I’ve had one. And I don’t have one now. Keith and I like to say that we’ve each been married to ten different people and they all look suspiciously similar.
On a very encouraging note, I was glad to also hear from the sister who has been burned by tons of girlfriends but is getting her feet wet again in Siestaville. I pray she’ll find this a safe and fun enough place to venture back out into some great Godly friendships that last a lifetime. This is no replacement for that but it’s a great encouragement to stay wildly connected to people and to be reminded why you want to. BigMama, I’m so sorry you’ve been under the weather! I feel like we live so close together I should bring you a pound cake.
OK, now this is the main thing that prompted me to hop online: I’m so pumped that such a number of you are starting “Stepping Up”! I loved that journey! Only one in the Psalms I’ve ever done. It’s based on an analogy drawn from the pilgrimage the Israelites took to Jerusalem three times a year. I was so intrigued by the whole concept. I’d honestly never paid attention to the caption “A Song of Ascent” above certain psalms nor had I ever heard a lesson on it. The study is really different from the others – and on purpose. God’s Word is so alive and fresh that there’s no excuse for cookie cutter studies. I hope so much God uses it to take you to the next level with Him. I’m so honored that you’d allow me to step on those stairs with you.
While on the subject of Bible studies, dear Siesta who got the regular book version of Breaking Free rather than the workbook, if you really have some major stuff to deal with (and who doesn’t?), please consider getting the workbook instead and perhaps giving the book to someone who isn’t as likely to do an in-depth study. Those are my favorite candidates for what’s called the “trade book” version of Breaking Free. For everyone else, the workbook is the way to take the journey. I’m a huge believer in the actual process of Bible study (i.e. turning to this Scripture and that, spending the time in tandem with God alone, writing down your responses, etc.) and never more so than in that particular journey. In Breaking Free, the process of poring over the Scriptures is itself a crucial part of the healing. Psalm 107:20 says “He sent forth His word and healed them; He rescued them from the grave.” Boy, have I lived that reality.
Don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. No one loves regular books more than me. I have at least two going at any given time. I’ve been greatly challenged and changed by book after book and even added to the shelves by writing more of them than anybody wanted to read. When it comes to deepest, lifelong healing, freedom from bondage, and equipping for anointed ministry, however, I am convinced that the in-depth, life-style study of God’s Word is where it happens. I love plunging into it on my own but I also love a guidebook or map of sorts to steer my journey and that’s what discipleship materials are all about. (I have done stacks of other people’s studies. You might be a little amused that I’m doing the Breaking Free homework right now. It’s the first time I’ve ever actually gone back and done the homework as a participant. It’s been almost ten years since I wrote it so it’s hitting me like crazy.) I love any sound study of God’s Word. Digging into the depths of Scripture and having your mind deliberately and consistently renewed by God is what freedom is all about. Otherwise, we’ve got too many people to get mad at and never forgive as long as we live – and too many people to offend and never lay eyes on again. You and me – We need to be in SCRIPTURE!
Well, that’s what I got on here to say. I guess you can tell Keith isn’t home or I wouldn’t have had the time to rattle on. I was just so excited about “Stepping Up” that I got on a Bible study roll. I’ll go take an Advil now. I’ve worn myself out.
My house smells like bacon, because tonight I made an 8-almost 9 year old little boy breakfast for dinner. I’m sitting on the couch with my Boston Terrier, Lucy Mae, curled up real close to the part of my body that produces the most heat (three guesses which one that is and the first two don’t count), Stepping up is in front of me, and my Bible is on my lap. Life is good. I love you, Beth!
“I love any sound study of God’s Word. Digging into the depths of Scripture and having your mind deliberately and consistently renewed by God is what freedom is all about.”
Amen sweet Beth, Amen.
God has done such a sweet healing in my life and people ask what I have done, like there is some magical answer, well it is not magic but is is miraculous what he does if we will simply dig deep in His word, draw close and listen.
Precious Beth,
Oh, how I love reading your blog! Thank you for letting us siestas be a part of your life, your thoughts, and your “love walk” with Jesus. Being with you, even in cyberworld, makes me want to love Jesus more.
I have been reading this blog from the very onset, but this is my first time leaving a comment. I am a “Raleigh girl,” who began Stepping Up with you at the Living Proof Live Event. I am so excited that this bible study has now come out in print!
I just wanted to say thank you for being so faithful to study God’s word and then provide “maps” for us… to follow the path you and God walked. I have done 9 of your studies, and can’t wait to do the others you have written. I love the way that you connect with us (as girls!!!) and how alive you make God’s Word. Your bible studies are ones that I have to stop myself from doing all 5 days at one time! I just want more and more and more of Jesus and His Word.
I am currently facilitating the study of Daniel at my church, and it has been so much fun to read your blog while doing one of your studies. Though I am watching you on DVD, and reading your blog via the internet, I feel so connected to you…almost as if we were chatting over tea. How I love that!
So, thank you again, for your transparency to us Siestas and for your faithfulness in studying God’s Word. I am so grateful for you!
May God’s blessings continue to be upon you and your family.
Much love and prayers,
Tara in NC
As a single woman about to turn 36 (gasp!!)..I appreciate you mentioning us single siestas!! I am grateful for all God has given me – Jesus, a wonderful family, travel opportunities and great friends. However, I do hope to meet a great, God-fearing man one of these days!! He will have big shoes to fill since I think the world of my dad – who has the biggest heart of any man I know (and a new one – he had a heart transplant in ’07) Only The Great Physician can provide a new heart (both literally and spiritually!) I start Stepping Up next week at church..I can’t wait!!
Blessings from a Single Siesta in NC,
Shelli
Dear Beth,
I could not wait to start the new study because I am a “Raliegh Girl!” And I have never had a book dedicated to me before! HA!
The neatest part of us doing the study in January is that our pastor had actually called our church to a time of “Breakthrough” praying and he is preaching a very powerful series the month of January.
They have also challenged us to read a great book, “Praying for your Family” by Sammy Tippett as a congregation this month also. So, needless to say our ladies were beyond pumped when we began your study this week.
I have the privilege of facilitating the study and must share a quick testimony…I had one of the ladies email me today to say that she has such trouble with her hip that she can’t get in the floor with her grandbabies, but was determined to get on her face with God. After 3 days of it, she has had no trouble with her hip!
Praising Him Always!
Wendy
We are starting a new study in a few weeks. Don’t know which one, but know it’ll be one of yours. They are just finishing up A Woman’s Heart now, but it was on a day I worked, so they are moving the time for the next one to a day I’m off. I’m so excited! Aren’t they sweet to do that? All the other ladies coming could come any day of the week, so they changed the day. I feel so loved. Anyway, I can’t wait to start. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to do one. I’ll let you know which one we choose to do. I wish the new Breaking Free was already out, but I guess we’ll just have to wait, huh? Praying for you guys on Tuesday. Sorry this is so long!
I’m going to facilitate the Step Up study at my church the last week of January. Thank you so much for telling us more about it. I won’t get my Leader Guide for a couple more weeks. I can’t wait!
I was nodding my head as you were talking about getting the Breaking Free study instead of the book if a deeper work was needed. I learned many important, life-changing principles in the indepth Bible study that I still use today. Praise God for giving us a Saviour who is stronger than anything we have to face!
Breaking Free is a study I’ve been interested in doing for a long time now, but wanted to do it in a group and never seem to be in the right place at the right time to get to be involved. I was so excited when our Bible Study leader announced that this will be the book for our winter study. How fun that you are going through it again to redo it at the same time. Ready to walk this journey at last…!
Just wanted to say I read your little book on God purpose for your life. I cried my eyeballs out.
I prayed and told the Lord I want to know the God of Burning bush, the one who parted the red sea and to know the real Jesus who died upon the cross for our sins and the one who healed the Lady with the issue of blood and the parlytic that had to be passed through a roof.
I’m just thrilled I feel so honored that the Lord hooked me up with LPM Blog and all my Sistea’s and You Sister Beth have a gentle spirit that I can relate too and your truly love the Lord.
I got your Book Beleiving God I just have to order the workbook next to do it.
I guess I would go online to LPM to order stepping up?
Thank You for being so honest and real with us. I too am in a not so good marriage with a Husband who refuses to go to church like He promised. The Lord told me to shut up and be a silent witness.
Do any of you know how hard that is too do I’d rather be a martyr which I think I am already. I keep telling Him no other woman would put up with half the stuff I put up with from Him. I’m praying that God gets through to HIM like Soon!!!!!!!
We’ll I’m excited about Melissa up coming Wedding . She and Colin make a cute couple. I pray that the Lord bless them with an everlasting love and plenty Children and that goes for Amanda and Curt too!!!!!!!!!
I will continue to Pray for You and Keith.
Love ya
Sue
Dearest Beth, Amanda & Melissa,
What an exciting time in your lives! Congratulations on the engagement – what a ride it will be! I have been a “closet” blog reader since your visit to Omaha, Ne last Spring 2006! I’m one of those vain girls who thinks that if I do write something, it shoud be earth-shattering! Well, as one who is used to eating humble pie, I got over it! Ha!
I really appreciate the way you continually speak the Lord’s truth in such a real and continuous way. Thank you for perserving for Him! I also think it is to great for your two daughters to be along side you in ministry, what a privledge. As a mother of 4(3 girls :))I look forward to making sweet memories with my kids and the girls with girl stuff.
I am a part of an awesome Bible study (we just started Daniel this last Tuesday – Yeah!) of several moms with an awesome “wise” leader who keeps us all on the straight and narrow. She used to be a Kindergarten teacher and brings her bell and everything! It’s great and we love her like crazy! Thank you gals so much for your hearts and humbleness. You are greatly appreciated and enjoyed! 🙂
Blessings,
AK in Nebraska
Miss Beth,
I haven’t been able to check in for a few days… but when I read your message about those who are starting the “Stepping Up” study I about fell over! I just started it this week!
I didn’t even realize it was a bible study when I ordered it. HA! God knew where we were headed next though. :o) It’s funny ’cause I really needed another in-depth study to help me draw closer to God again. Something deeper…
You know what is so amazing? It’s that, when I’ve drifted for a few weeks (which for me tends to mean not getting to be still with the Lord to hear him and not getting to journal) and then I get back to digging into the word… He just never fails to take my breath away.
I felt so loved and cared for as I rewrote Psalm 121. My heart was so tendered. I felt like David when he said, “What is man that you are mindful of him?” And for heaven’s sake why do I ever “take a break”? Being in the word just gets me so charged up. :o)
Sometimes, I really think the real enemy is busyness. I also think, “Who needs a clean house anyway?” but then my husband reminds me that he does. :o) His sanity requires it.
I keep thinking I need to get a job in which I can just study the word all the time and get paid for it. That would be so awesome. :o)
Anyway, Bless you and your girls miss Beth. Thank you for the Siesta family. And thanks for
“The rest of the story.” I love a good romance. :o)
I was squealing and clapping my hands at the good news.
Love,
Anna from MO
PS. Remember the time you sent about a dozen books out–ALL SIGNED–that had been bought by an incredible husband for his wife? They came at the most opportune time. Just call me Blessed. Thank you again.
Dear Beth,
I am new to this, but not new to bible studies. I just gotta tell ya about the wonderful retreat we had this past weekend. We did the Loving Well retreat in a box. Some gals were just plain “set free” free to love through God, free to know He knows. I had the gals do homework in thier hotel rooms, they were to make a skit or poem or whatever to show what they learned..girl, it was great! I had given them some plastic goodie bags on thier pillow cases with candy in it and one group of girls made a “Praise Dancin’ with Granny” banner out of it! haha, we laughed till we cried!. But the most, was our praise team made a song rendition of “Joy, Testy, Foe and Far” I would love to send you a DVD copy. Can I??
Thanks for being obediant and allowing God to bless us through your willingness to serve. All of us 55 women who attended will forever be changed and challenged.
Sister Tam
Dear Beth:
I have the Bible study Breaking Free and wish I could fly to Houston to join in.
I love your teachings.
I watch you on Weds. with Beth too. I am looking forward to seeing you when you come to Delaware next October. I’m also a mom-mom with another one about to be born any minute. Praise the Lord for you. By the way, love the shoes from payless, gotta get me a pair . Love, In His Grace, Sandi Honick [email protected]
I’m with everyone else that has smiled at the thought of you doing the homework that you wrote…THANK YOU for never getting to the point where you think you’ve learned it all! :o)
Our Jesus the One and Only group started out GREAT this week…I had my familiar faces in the group as well as some new ones, which I love! It’s amazing to read about all the Siestas in all these groups, just diggin’ in the Word…GO GOD!
I have never heard of Stepping Up. I will have to look into that. My hubby bought me the womens series of High Quest. It is basically a guide for meeting with God everyday. There is a scripture that you read and study and then reflect on it. I am enjoying that. The women’s Bible study I attend at church is still on break until the beg. of Feb. so this is filling my need. It is great!
Also wanted to say how awesome it is that by Jan 10th, there were already SIX entries here on the LPM blog from ya’ll. You are AMAZING to make that kind of time for us, siestas. We love you beyond belief. ~HUGS~
Linda
Dear Beth: God answered months of prayer for a ladies’ Sunday am Bible study at my church!PTL! A room miraculously opened up and we began meeting Labor Day weekend 2007 with our Pastor’s blessing. About 8 of us have enjoyed the journey together studying The Tabernacle (updated). It was greatly enhanced when my friend Marsha found a model of the tabernacle online and I ordered it and put it together.(coffee table size)
Now as we are finishing, I find a new tenderness in my heart with gratitude to God for His great provision of salvation for me. This old hymn by Wm Booth has been on my heart lately as I express with joy my thanks to our God & Savior. It is called “O Boundless Salvation” (The tune is wonderful!)
Here are the 1st & last verses. (The complete hymn can be seen & heard at cyberhymnal.org)The theology in these verses is magnificent.
“O Boundless Salvation”
“O boundless Salvation, deep ocean of love, O fullness of mercy, Christ brought from above, the whole world redeeming, so rich and so free, Now flowing for all men, now flowing for all men, now flowing for all men come, roll over me!
And now Hallelujah!The rest of my days shall gladly be spent in promoting His praise Who opened His bosom to pour out this sea of boundless Salvation, of boundless Salvation, of boundless Salvation for you and for me!”
May I NEVER get over what Jesus Christ has done in redeeming me!
Grateful for your studies,
JoAnn D
Speaking of Breaking Free-could I ask you Siesta’s to pray for my 16 year old daughter, Katy? She needs freedom so badly-she is trapped by lies and things that have happened to her, on top of her need to deal with the fact that she was adopted. We love her so very much and she has so much to offer, but she can’t see her way out right now. Please join me in praying for her freedom-before she makes choices that will steal even more from her.
I’ve read the book Breaking Free and have gone through the study book on my own, learning so much. I want the same thing for her! Thanks for making yourself vulnerable, Beth and writing the study. It’s a huge blessing to us!
Dear Beth,
Your words about the workbook versus book is the exact conversation I had this past week. I am the University Counselor at a Christian university and I’ve been blessed to woo a couple of our Grad Psych students to intern for me, serving our undergraduate students. One chose to do the Breaking Free study with our young women (the first meeting will be 1/24, so if y’all think of us – please pray!) and we were discussing whether to go with the book or workbook. This sweet intern of mine said pretty much exactly what you just said here and reading it today just made me smile. God is so good!
Oh Beth … you are so precious. I love getting on this blog to hear you all. I just read the wedding invitation, and oh, how beautiful Melissa looks. Another daughter marrying. My husband cannot even imagine the day our daughter even has a first date, he just turns red and shakes his head :). I am excited to do your new study, also, but will not have the pleasure until our Fall session. We will be studying the tabernacle study, which is exciting for us to dig into. Blessings to you all — JH
I just had to comment this so you would know how far God will go to take His word to His people. I just finished Stepping Up and was serving the breakfast line yesterday morning at our cities Homeless shelter. I have had the opportunity to build relationships with several of the women who are homeless and going through a bridget to life program. My sweet sweet friend Kelley just recieved our Lord as her savior. She mentioned that even though she was so new to her faith that she felt led by God to start a Bible Study in the dorms of the shelter. She said several women there were interested. Of all the places she wanted to start..she mentioned the Psalms. I plan to bring her a copy of stepping up and walk her through it. I wish you could have been there to see How God is redeeming the hearts of our cities “forgotten ones.” I love serving the poor. I believe it is a portal leading straight into the heart of our Living God. I wanted to share because I felt like you needed to know that there are women in an Oklahoma City Homeless Shelter who are about to take an adventure to the Psalms of Ascent!
I do love His word,
Amy
I’m starting Stepping Up also, I’m looking forward to it!! I didn’t get a chance to comment to your last post but you answered my question anyway! I’ve been reading the book “Breaking Free” but now I’ll get the workbook and do the actual study.
Thank you Beth for being wildly deep but hillariously real.
I am working on my 12th book- thanks to the freedom and inspiration I found many years ago while doing “A Heart Like His” while sitting in a friend’s living room.
God has not only totally set me free from a horrific past, but He has also seen fit to use me in ministry. Thank you for being a huge part of what my life has become.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your words of encouragement..they are always so timely. I just called up my mom the other night to tell her to read your anniversary blog..we love reading your words of encouragement together..she is likely at anytime to tell me, “now, remember what Beth said about that..”
We love you and thank you for being so real and helping us on this journey..
Stacy
You know what I really love about this blog? All the women that totally love Jesus. I am gaga about Him but sometimes I feel I am the only one – there aren’t a whole lot of passionate Jesus lovers around & lukewarm believers discourage me so. Thank you so much for the encouragement and contagious passion.
Our group is getting ready to begin Believing God. At a leadership meeting today, our pastor warned us he is “taking off the gloves.” He has set down a challenge to live Christ. I love God’s timing. I can’t wait to see what God is gonna do. I think He is about to wake up the lukewarm in our congregation. Hallelujah!
Thanks Beth, LPM is a part of the awakening. Go God!!
I am in the middle of the book Breaking Free and hope to find a study that I can join so I can also do the workbook. Exciting to know it is being revised – maybe that is why God is waiting to find one for me to join! Thank you all for creating this place!
Breaking Free… I finished reading that recently. It was a neat season to read it in because God has been taking me on a healing journey, setting me free from so much bondage… and I finally have peace. I still have ups and downs, but they are ups and downs, not spinning out of control with no footing. Major difference.
As I read the book, I was just so full of praise because I kept being able to say “My Jesus! You’ve done that in my life!” I was blown away by how merciful and loving He is to guide us through our own journies in exactly the ways that we need. I am still just in utter awe of what He has delivered me from, and of how He has turned my life around. Praise Him!!!!!!!!!
Although He had already taken me through much of the gut-wrenching painful work of facing and replacing my “stuff,” I still found plenty of encouragement in what you wrote – and in so many of the timely Scripture references. It was neat to see the many overlaps between how God healed me and set me free, and what you spoke of in your book. He is consistent. The power is in His word, not in any formula. Counseling and wisdom from a godly family were major parts of my healing, but they would have meant nothing had they not been fueled by His word, His truth, and letting those smother the lies that were ruling my world. I too walked around with Scripture verses, hanging on to them with everything in me, knowing that nothing else worked. I’m a teacher, and I would often walk circles at recess trying to hold myself together saying the same verse over and over and over, thinking I DON’T FEEL IT BUT I BELIEVE HIM.
Oh, He is huge.
Thanks for being so real… I know that it blesses many lives. It blessed mine 2.5 years ago when I assumed that all people in ministry had perfect pasts and perfect presents, so I might as well give up on any chance of God using me. HA HA HA. I needed to see that God could redeem my mess. I think that that is a major way that He uses your ministry for all kinds of people. Isn’t He good!?!
Whew!! I just figured out that something was wrong with my “browser” and I’ve missed all the posts since Dec 29! Wow! Congratulations to Melissa, will be praying….! Getting ready to begin Stepping Up at the end of the month, looking forward to it, espcially b/c I am one of “the Raleigh girls”! Thank you so much for this blog. No where else do I hear the godly, encouraging, authentic words that I do here. It is a breath of fresh air in my life! Carol in NC
Oh Beth,
This is a few days after you posted this, so I don’t know if you’ll read this, but thank you so much for your comments on those women who are “lonely” in their marriages. I’ve been married 21 years, and in the last year, we have hit a brick wall. We’ve had our ups and downs through the years, but it has NEVER been this tough. I’ve come close to praying without ceasing, and I am definitely hanging on by my fingernails. I just HAVE to believe that God will do a miracle here, but boy, this is a faith walk and a half! Thanks for your prayers for those of us who are struggling in our marriages! Pray for miracles for us, Beth!
Love,
Gwenn M.
Don’t you love the wildness of God??? One moment you are drawn to a book and he connects whatever you are currently studying in his word to some of the topics in the book. God is far from boring!!! If only people could truly get a taste and see that GOD IS GOOD!
And I love the WORD… shallow enough for a new believer and deep enough that the greatest theologian can NEVER touch bottom.
Was at the taping of Psalms of the Ascent… and the prayer that covered the study, the anointing of God that covered the place… when we truly bow down… HE is lifted UP… stepping UP with YOU!
I saw this YouTube video and I loved watching all the generations… it made me think about my “Siestas” how God has brought us all together young and old…He has given me such a heart for you all…I am so Thankful! Anyway it is a fun watch! (don’t know if it will work for you to click link or not… if not… you can search it on YouTube )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MJwdY6Y0Hw
It is Martina McBride’s song “This Ones for the Girls”
God Bless you all my Precious “Siestas”
Emmy : )
Oh, how I wish you’d come back to Raleigh again. I couldn’t come in
’05, but have heard you mention that event’s impact many times before.
Congrats for the marriages! What a blessing it must be to see your children happily married. I pray the same for my boys, but at this stage I still wonder how they’ll ever manage to attract anyone stable, let alone marry them (lol) Oh, for the teenage years to pass!
Funny you mention the Acsent. I just got an invitation from my mother-in-law to attend that study at her church. Looking forward to it!
Hope you never get tired of siestas telling you how much you’re loved!
I’m such a lurker but love coming over here and seeing what y’all are up to (yep, I’m a Texan too!). I just finished Believing God and loved it. I was faced with something way out of my comfort zone yesterday and had to say my Pledge of Faith several times, focusing on #4. A calming spirit came over me and then I became excited by the possibility that a few minutes before had me trembling with fear. Anyway, I would love to do the Stepping Up study next. Is there a way to find a local group? I’ve done the last two studies online (which was fabulous by the way because I could do it all at a really obscenely early hour when everyone in my household was still snoozing) but would like to do the next in a group setting.
Thanks for all you guys do! Blessings,
Leanna Ellis
OH, I’m excited now! We’re starting “Stepping Up” on Tuesday, and to be honest, I haven’t had time to even look at what it was about! YEAH! I WANT to go to the next level with God, more than my son wants to get to the next level of his video game!
I am SOOOOO excited that you wrote about this. I’ve been wanting to write all weekend about my experience with Stepping Up. I absolutely love it, and am so thankful to God that I got to experience something that you talk about in the video. It was at the end of week one, where you discuss the Psalms as songs that impact and affect the soul. You talked about really listening and meditating on the words that you hear when you are listening to worship music so that it can do its full work in you. The very next day, I’m driving in my car and “Praise You In this Storm” is blaring. Now, I love this song and have listened to it countless times, but it certainly did not ring a bell as I went through my first week’s lesson. As I continue to listen, I could not help but think about how many worshp songs come straight from Psalms. I hope I don’t sound too ignorant, but I grew up thinking (although I’m not sure why) that gospel and christian music was made up of the thoughts and prayers of Christians, but not the actual word fo God. Just then, the bridge comes and the singer goes ” I lift my eyes up to the hills, where does my help come from, my help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth!” Straight out of Psalm 121, and perfect example of what you taught. Glory to God! What a powerful moment! What a God moment! I had to share. Thank you for all that you do!
I was in a Breaking Free study at church about 4 years (?) ago. I was really excited about it, until I realized how hard it would be to actually do the work. I just wanted to be free. I did not want to go through the steps to be free! I was not willing to open Pandora’s Box. Since that time, I have gotten a divorce, married the man who was my pastor at the time of this study and, to say the least, have been forced to deal with the things that should have been dealt with then…So many times through this ordeal my mind has wandered back to that Sunday School room, where I was so foolishly confident in myself and ignorant of the enemy. Today I am free…and kept by His grace! Thank you, thank you, thank you for putting yourself out there to help women just like me.
Beth, I am one of your sistas that is single and counting the grays. (but I cover the up :)) i am 30 going to be 31 next week. THanks for always thinking of us single ones out here. I am doing breaking free on Tues. with you and am ready to break free from alot of things. thanks for all you do and for serving the LORD. See you tues day.
GOD BLESS and love,
Ashley
Dear Beth,
Thank you for the caring reminder you passed along concerning the single Siestas.
I do not write often, but do check you blog daily.
Yes, there are many single gals like me who battle being alone. Caught in between a younger single world and the married friends and it can be a very lonely place. Never quite “fitting” in in either place.
So enjoyed being at the Nashville Conference in 2007, maybe again next year.
Sincerely,
Lisa
This comment is probably more for you, Amanda, and you, Miss Beth, at this point, but i wanted to let you know that someone had posted hw they were doing the Stepping up online and so I went and got the workbook and downloaded the session. I’m so excited! I *love* the workbook, it is so beautiful. Thanks for making a groovy study, I am enjoying it and learning already!
Beth,
I totally agree that the workbooks are the way to go. I have also enjoyed doing BOTH at the same time. With your David study I would do a day in the workbook and then read that chapter in the regular book. It helped it ‘sink in’ for me.
Love your studies, words of encouragment, and sense of humor!
In Him,
Jen
Cool I loved the first Breaking free I need to look into Stepping Up , Hey! Beth —- You love to do other people’s studies A must study for all women is called
“LIES WOMEN BELIEVE” BY NANCY LEIGH DEMOSS. Holy cow it is an awesome study and unbelievable how Satan uses us women to believe such c—. You can get it through Lifeway books. I’m leading 6 of us through it right now and my old church will be starting it in Feb, Read it when you have time.
Cool about Melissa getting married, that is pretty special. I’ll be praying all works out with that.
How’s Jackson doing? Not see any photos of him lately.
I’m sitting here brrrrrrrrrrrr! it’s cold here be lucky you have no snow in Texas, we have over 3 feet, you’d get lost here.
As always I pray for you and your family and all the gals at LPM, hope you got my Christmas card I sent ya’ll.
Blessings Sarah- Prayer Warrior
hey beth! i am starting stepping up on wed night aith a group of ladies i have never met! my church offers bible study on a night i can’t attend so i looked online and found a church who was doing a study on a night i could attend. i was thrilled to see they were starting this study! it’s a large church so i just hope i don’t get lost trying to find the meeting place! it’s so awesome though because i know i will feel connected right away with my fellow sisters in Christ.
Girls, I found a “Stepping Up” study that fits my schedule!
Hooray! Thanks God! For the last year, God seemed to have me studying “David” by myself. Yes, his life taught me much…but he doesn’t talk atcha like Bible Study Girlfriends!!!
See many of you in Psalms!
And if it’s your Season of Solitude, rejoice that you can wear your pajamas!
Dearest Beth,
I’m brand new to blogging. So here goes. Last year, January 2007our church did a “Daniel” study. That was my introduction to you. You are so wonderfully made. I love the Lord for the diversity of His people. You crack me up. I’m going to do the “Breaking Free”. Where have you been when I needed help with my “stuff”? I’m so looking forward to becoming clean before the Lord. I’m blonde and hope this makes sense.
A little about me. Our Lord has a great sense of humor, my name is Jo, Webster’s dictionary says it means sweetheart, beloved one. Ellen (Greek) means light and Brown is color. So Jo Ellen Brown means “sweet light Brown”. (That’s how I like my coffee). Makes me wonder how cute my name will be in the forever. 😉
My soul is blessing the Lord,
Jo
im loving breaking free! i do wish we had off the week of the 11th instead of the 18th cause i want to see rascal flatts at the rodeo, but i hate to miss bible study!:)
Yvonne Wickenkamp
age 40 plus shipping and handling
Christ’s Church of Oronogo (Missouri)
Favorite truth right now: My AWESOME God is still on HIS throne and Jesus is coming again!
Beth – Today was the first time I visited your blog and thanks to Amanda’s help by email was able to figure out how to post a response! I’m a past middle age chick learning new techology every day – yes I meant tech-ology! Anyway, I was so blessed by your story about Keith’s not “loving to go to church” the way you (and I) do. It has been my prayer for all of my 38 years of marriage that my husband would join me as well. He also was a hunter and fisherman but kind of likes snuggling in the bed on Sunday morning now that he’s retired. I could so identify with your tears just to have him sitting by your side. Mine would never speak out in church (a past acolyte) but he told me one time that there just isn’t anything about church that “draws him to it”! What could I say. I recently found a book on line Why Men Hate Going To Church….I’ll let you know if its worth reading. In the meantime I am loving Breaking Free homework! Just can’t tell you how great the timing is for me. You are such an inspiration to me, as I teach a very small Bible study at a retirement home here in Houston and it is a challenge every week to figure out how to keep them from falling asleep! Excited to hear Amanda is soon to be married! Congratulations Amanda! We will miss you if you are moving away….. By the way, Beth, I have 2 friends who attend the church you all visited this past Sunday and I visited the first time over Christmas to see Star of Bethlehem and hear the author discuss it afterwards – it was awesome! See you from the balcony Tues. night. CanCan
I was excited to get into a bible study group shortly after I moved to SC. I was excited to learn that it was going to be “A woman’s heart…” Before we finished the study we decided on what to do next. Everyone decided to do “Daniel”. Even though I did that a year ago I wanted to do it again. I want to see what God opens my eyes to this time. I also love my ladies that have taken me in their “family” since I now live several hours away from my own. Thank you for doing the work God gifted you to do.
Maryse
pronounced Marcie)
My husband, David Lee is one of the three Houston Firefighters who was injured in the fire on Monday. I am currently working through “Stepping Up”. This morning, as I was studying Psalm 121, I read familiar words with new meaning. “Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and Earth”. This past Monday, He was David’s help out of a fire and my help through the emotions. As I continued to read, I discovered another familiar passage – 2 Corinthians 1:8 – 11…”…We were completely overwhelmed – beyond our strength – so that we even despaired of life… He has delivered us from such a terrible death, and He will deliver us; we have placed our hope in Him that He will deliver us again. And you can join in helping with prayer for us, so that thanks may be given to many on our behalf for the gift that came to us through the prayers of many.”This passage means so much more to me today than it did Sunday! David and two other firemen were completely overwhelmed! Regardless of popular belief that God doesn’t give us more than we can handle – they were in a situation that was more than they could handle. They did not have the strength to bust out the window or to find their way out of the fire. David called on God for help and God helped him find a way out. In this particular instance – God delivered Him from the fire. As the passage continues – it says, “He will deliver us again”. For us, at this time, we are trusting God will deliver David from the distress he is experiencing today. The passage closes with a plea to fellow believers, “You can join in helping with prayer for us….” We are keenly aware of the prayers being offered on our behalf and the behalf of Everett and Dorvill. Please continue to pray somehow, God will be glorified in this time of crisis. Pray that others will recognize the hand of God at work.I am also given hope for the future through this passage. As I read this passage, I am reminded God will continue to protect David. Because David has given his life to Jesus Christ, no matter what fire he faces in the future, God has promised David (and all other believers) will make it to his final destination in one piece! This world is not our home. “No harm can befall us that will hinder our arrival, nor cloud surround us that will limit our view. Our God is the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He owns the highways on both turfs!” (Beth Moore) I place my trust in Jesus Christ, son of God, Maker of Heaven and Earth. I trust Him with my eternal life and I certainly trust Him with the trials I face on this earth.
LeeLee
To Beth: I am a man who has been through most of your studies & books. Thank you for your help in breaking free, believing God etc. Don’t believe for a minute that men do not belong in your classes. I am 69 and a Papa, Great grand papa and I am prayerful that your help to me will help my younger onesto stay out of the Pit. God bless you.