WE INTERRUPT YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING FOR THIS SPECIAL REPORT: NORTH DAKOTA JUST REPORTED IN!!! ALL 50 STATES, GIRL FRIENDS! ALL 50 STATES! YAHOO-JAH!
(Siestas: Remember that your comments to this post are meant to FOLLOW your Tuesday gathering so that you can tell us a little bit about your time together. This will be our format for dialogue on our Tuesday Bible study days. Can’t wait to hear from you!)
Welcome to our first Tuesday Siesta Summer Bible Study! I hope so much you were able to view the video greeting I did for you because it has lots of information about our Siesta Summer Bible Study. Rough as it is, it comes with lots of love! I promised to put your instructions for your gatherings today in writing in case, as usual, I talked too fast for you to follow on video. You have only two assignments for your first meeting:
A. Please share what you perceive to be your biggest challenge toward walking victoriously with God this summer. House full of children? Heavy work load? Difficult season emotionally? Just had your heart broken? Just feel far from God? Whatever it may be, share it with your small group and take some time to pray for one another in your meeting today. Also, intercede accordingly toward your sister’s need for the duration of the study.
B. Turn to Jude 1:24,25 and read your summer Bible study memory verse-segment. (Oh, yes, you can memorize!!! You just have to learn how to make fun associations that make it memorable!) This is our only memory segment all summer so it’s very doable. Spend most of your gathering time thinking of ways as a small group to memorize it. Get creative! You can make up hand motions or actions to go with it – anything fun, clever, or meaningful to make it easier to memorize. If you think you did a really great or funny job with it, here’s what you do! Fine tune it over the next four or five days then video tape it with all your siestas in mind. Save it to your computer then email it to us using the following instructions:
1. Recording should be on a digital camera with a SD card.
2. With the SD card in your computer, go to www.senduit.com.
3. At the senduit web site click browse and select the video file name (note: file
cannot exceed 100MB).
4. Next (at the senduit web site) select the “Expire” option for 1 week.
5. Click “upload.”
6. When the file is finished uploading Senduit will give a location message and the option to email this information.
7. Select the email option and send to [email protected].
Remember, this will be Jude 1:24-25 (spoken or on power point) on tape with actions that help the viewer memorize it. The video can be no longer than two minutes in length but you probably won’t need nearly that much time anyway. Our LPM staff and I will judge all the entries and choose a Grand Prize Winner. The Grand Prize Winning video will be shown on our blog in two weeks for our second Siesta Bible Study gathering. In addition, the Grand Prize Winning Group (or individual) will receive a care-package that I will prepare personally and send to your location with about ten tons of love. I’m clapping right now like a five-year-old. I love contests!!! Surely we have a few competitors out there! Put that competitive spirit to good use and help your Siestas memorize some Scripture!
Y’all are so fun. Totally jazzed to be in the Word with you this summer. Have a blast with Jesus!
We had our first meeting today. It was so good to feel the excitement of this study.
Three good friends praying together and encouraging each other to pray for a deep desire for God’s Word all summer long.
Thank you Beth. We are loving it!
Thank you Melissa and Amanda. The Mexican food and Sopapilla Cheesecake were just wonderful. Looking forward to the rest of the summer.
The Journey Continues ~
I never thought I would be having Bible Study with Seagulls, a Bluejay, a 15 year old cat, and seals speaking their praises at the ocean.
I love it!
With “Heaven Bound” blessings,
Kim
http://www.kimsafinathejourneycontinues.blogspot.com
Reporting from the NOG’s
“Georgia Couch Peaches!”
Chris,Joy,Dawn,Beverly,Joe,Doris,
Tiffany and myself enjoyed our meeting. Decided to stick with desserts. Dawn suggested we memorize the whole book of Jude since it was only 25 verses. So,she read it aloud and there was a moment of silence when she finished until finally Chris spoke up and said she really liked verses 24,25. Then everyone breathed in agreement! :-)Nice thought though!
Our common biggest challenge is going to be time management but we are going to keep each other lifted up in prayer each day we open our books to do our homework knowing that when we give God our time He gives us the time to do what we need to get done.We’re all looking forward to digging into His Word! Thanks,Beth
We are excited to dig into the Word!! Thanks, Beth!
Our group of 3 met today for the first time at a local Starbucks.
We shared & discussed the challenges we face this summer with walking victoriously. That was sweet…honest, open, transparent, REAL…
Then we spent the rest of the time memorizing the verses…coming up with hand (and body) motions motions right there next to the blenders in front of all the customers. It was a tiny bit intimidating but we laughed A LOT & considered how fortunate we are to be able to talk, pray, and work on Bible memorization OUT LOUD in a public place. Praise Him!
Cindy for Kim & Cheryl in Laguna Niguel, CA
I don’t see that anyone else has answered this, but for my cooking challenged siesta (I can relate!) I only added the coke and the egg white when making the butterfinger cake. It turned out great!
When making the glaze that you pour in the poked holes, I actually used more condensed milk and peanut butter than called for — I just LOVE that stuff! And the friends I shared it with loved it.
We met.
We queso-ed and salsa-ed
Reviewed the verse
Discussed our challenges
And prayed.
Bring on the homework. We’re ready for more of God.
Columbus, Ohio group
OK – We had our Bible Study today. My group is going to meet on Wednesdays because that worked out best for most of us, or at least we thought it would. Only 2 out of 5 showed up today, but the two of us had a great time working on the memory verse and hopefully, we can pull off some sort of video in the next few days.
I think the biggest challenge this summer is the same thing it always is – the many responsibilities in life – kids, husbands, cooking, cleaning, running the kids around, being pulled in so many different directions that sometimes it is easy to put God last. I AM thankful for this Bible Study to help me remember where to put my priorities. Thanks for your inspiration!
From Sunny California!!!
Beth,
First things first, I just loved the blouse you had on in the video. Too cute. Love animal prints.
Our group met last night and this is the first chance I have had to report in.
I surprised my girlfriends and made dinner for them. It was such a blessing to serve them. We had sweet fellowship over dinner. Melissa the recipes were amazing. Thanks. I added a salad.
Time issues was the #1 challenge to our walk with God. Lack of time and poor use of time. All of the ladies have children, only two of us are empty nesters, so children issues is another major challenge. Focus was another major challenge.
I have already heard from a couple of the girls in our group who did their homework today and are already hearing from God. We are hungry for Him, we are desperate for Him. We are expecting Him to do a mighty work in our lives. We love Him so.
PS a picture of our group is on my blog.
I am going solo afterall.
My greatest challenge:
I want to know what it means to abide in Christ daily. I pray He will be the focal point of my heart each day. I long for unshakable faith in Christ.
Hi to all from Marla in Atlanta – I started solo last night b/c my study partner (Kendra) has had a death in her family. Her sweet mother-in-law has gone to Glory!
My biggest challenge is my selfish motivation. I am quick to turn to God to fight loneliness and look for peace but rarely just b/c I want to know HIM more. In the recent past, I have put friendships, relationships, even church family/fellowship before God and now He is speaking loud and clear about wanting to be 1st in my life. I want that too, but its a struggle to allow it.
This study is truly amazing! I love the closeness within it. Nice to meet all of you!
Beth – See you in ATL next weekend!!
Is it to late to get in on the Bible Study?
Going solo and would love to study with other siestas! Just returned from a mission trip to Oregon and met with fellow believers from over 21 churches! Love to all you Oregonians!
Just read about Beanie and I am very sorry for your loss. I am the mama to a sweet cocker spaniel named Gumbo so I know what love you can have for an animal. I will be lifting you up in prayer more than I usually do this summer.
I am struggling with depression this summer and self concept issues. I am so looking forward to this study! God is going to do great things!
Again, any siesta that is going solo, I would love to study with you.
Much love!
Kristi B.
Just decided today to officially join. So your roll call keeps growing! I am doing it with a friend, on Wednesday mornings (we’ll just pretend it’s Tuesday, lol).
We are on the Central Coast of California, and excited to be challenged to stay in the Word this summer!
I am so excited about this!!!
I have 5 little girls, work full-time, and I have yearned again for the beauty of a Bible study with you.
I absolutely loved the John study I was in a year ago but have had a hard time fitting in another study prior to hearing about the Siesta Summer Bible Study.
Thanks so much!!!!
Our first meeting went well. We had 11 women, a great, authentic, eager to grow group. We had a french toast casserole and fresh strawberries during our morning meeting.
Tammy in Arkansas
Debbie Howell
We started the Bible Study last night. Aimee and I met at Atlanta Bread Company in Greenville. She and I did not know each other before last night. We met through this blog. God is so good! We ate, talked, laughed, prayed and got into the Word. We found that the things keeping us from a closer walk with God were the same for both of us and we are about 20 years apart in age….Aimee with small children and me an emptynester.
Hi Beth and girls,
We are meeting on Wednesdays so we’re a little late replying to the study. Our first night was a blast! I made the queso and a to-die-for-chocolate cake and another siesta chic made fresh salsa. We chatted for 45 minutes or so, then tackled our assignment. We all have struggles for the summer that we are praying with one another for. When I first told the ladies about the ‘contest’ they weren’t sure it was for us, but then someone started singing a little tune with the scripture and before the night was over we made plans to get together and tape our entry. We won’t be able to send it until Sunday (maybe late Saturday) hope that we’ll make the deadline!!!
Much love
The Siesta Chics
Wilmington, NC
Our little group of 4 met Tuesday night and our common struggle is displine/commitment. We are looking forward to seeing what God does with all of us this summer. Beth – thank you for pulling this together for us.
Love ya
Kim B
I can’t wait to try that Butterfinger Cake.
I’m getting a late start, but I did get my book yesterday and started it last night.
As of right now, I am going solo, but I put out an SOS on the blog and am working on recruiting some local girls still.
Even if I do find some locals to meet with, I’ve decided to post at least every two weeks about what God’s teaching me through this study. So if anyone wants to join in, you’re more than welcomed to.
I was invited to this study by my best friend, Cecelia. We are in Talbott, TN. I just had my heart broken by an adoption that did not go through. I still love that baby so much. I got to hold him and nurse him 4 times because I did what it takes to induce lactation. But — in as much as you have done it to the least of these, you have done it unto Me. So–I am excited to heal and go on. Thank you for being obedient to the Lord!!!!!!!!!
Oh Siestas I have just had a breakthrough! I am doing the BS Solo. although I am bouncing conversations about it off on my hubby and daughter. I was struggling with Naming my Pharaoh(s) … emtions, laziness, overwhelmed, stress and frustration. Just to mention a few things on my mind. After sitting on this for a while it came to me. These are just symtoms!
Then came the realization the root of it all was PERFECTIONISM!
Whoa! My house, my life, orgainzation are the labors needing done but perfectionism is my Task Master!
If you know anything about perfectionist … Its all done right or NOT AT ALL! Talk about Energy draining! That’s why all the symtoms. WOW!
I am doing this BS Solo because my house is CHAOS = Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome! I am miserable.
I can’t wait to see what God is gonna do with this!
Sherry
Marietta GA
Our get togethers will be on Wednesday nights due to worship practice on Tuesdays and it was worth the wait!
We had a great time at our “kick-off” and are looking forward to diving into the study.
Thanks so much for inviting us to come along for the ride!
Our 1st study was great! Only two of the three of us could be present, but we are so excited about this and agree that it is much needed in our lives.
Thanks!
Newby from Greenwood, MS reporting:
We had 14 in our group Tuesday night. We had a wonderful time of fellowship together. My 16 yr old son came in and joined us in prayer to start off our meal and then disappeared up to his room with Captain D’s. I think that we intrigued him.
Most of us felt that busy summer schedules with children and grandchildren is a big challange. But that was really over shadowed by a few that shared some hard things that they were having to work through this summer. Please join us in praying for a freind who is going through a divorce and a seperation from a little boy that she loves so deeply.
During our discussion of the memory verse, we all learned that we did not really know the correct meaning of apostasy( I think I spelled that right). We discussed how prevalent it is in the world today.
We tried out the recipes and are looking forward to the ones to come.
We had a wonderful evening and are eager to dive into this study. God is so good!!
[email protected]
We meet on Wednesdays. Had a great study. Spent some time discussing the character of God and His loving kindness. His intentions for us are truly good all the time. We can trust Him as He calls us to lay down these idols and the false security they have brought us. Lots of things shared. We are writing concerns on 3×5 cards to take these things captive and lay them before the cross. There is redemption for these things too. Releasing the outcome to Him, He must work and we must respond.
Oh, the verse memorization won’t have a cute video from our group. Sorry. We have agreed to take turns emailing the verse every day to encourage and read through the scripture.
Pressing in to His will in prayer and asking Him to reveal His truth and tenderness to us.
The five Siestas from Ringgold, Georgia met Tuesday night at 8:30. Since we were meeting so late, we decided to do DESSERT rather than dinner and dug into a fabulous strawberry cake to kick off our study! What special happened on our evening, you ask? 5 women began building friendships! What more can you ask for over strawberry cake and discussions of flip-flops and neck sunscreen?? Thanks for leading and we can’t wait for next time!
Ginny, Becky, Lacey, Heather, and Martha
Well…I guess I’m flying solo, at least for this week. My other ladies decided that doing a study during the busy summer months would not work for them.
For me, I NEED to be in a study…ESPECIALLY during the busy summer months, otherwise I just drift from one activity to the next, taking a few minutes for my “quiet time” and never really get into the Word! But…when I’m in a study, an amazing thing happens…the more time I spend in the Word, the more time I seem to have to do other things! God is so good!
And I am so ready for this study! I made the chicken enchiladas and had dinner with my husband. (He LOVED them Melissa!)then I went into my office and closed the door. Spent some time on my knees asking for my eyes, ears, heart be open to what I will learn through this study. I am pumped!! I can hardly wait to see what God is going to do! I have my memory verse cards out with my new memory verse just waiting for me!
Thank you Siesta Mama…for your encouraging words, your sunscreen reminder (yes, I will!) and for showing us those darling flip-flops! See you in two weeks!
Judie in Minnesota
Hi Beth! Decided to do the study at the very last minute…but we are on board…we did Patriarchs in the Winter/Spring…doing Daniel in the Fall…we were dying without a Bible Study…we are so excited!!
Name: Divine Divas
#in group: around 10-not certain yet
Locale: Russellville, Alabama
Our group met on Tuesday. We had a great time getting to know each other, sharing obstacles and praying for one another. We didn’t eat the meal, but can’t wait to try the receipes sometime. Two of us are breastfeeding mommies whose babies can’t tolerate dairy! We also meet late (after kiddos are in bed), so no big meals for us.
Our group of 4 met on Tuesday night and had a variety of challenges ranging from work load, teaching of summer school, a preschooler at home and a dear sister battling depressing. Can’t wait to get into the study!!
What a great night of bible study. We ended up with 6 girls in our group in which we all do life together as single girls in our twenties- kind of like a family. As we talked about our “things†that might keep us from living victoriously, we realized this isn’t going to be a light and fluffy group. We talked about painful deep things that might get in our way this summer. Didn’t really expect it but glad all jumped in head first (or is it feet first- whatever it is we aren’t wadding in). This morning, I began thinking about my challenges again and how these challenges just might be my idols.
Checking in from Panama City, FL. 3 of us met with our children Tues. morning. It was great bonding for us and our children all behaved well – what a blessing! We are looking forward to really pinpointing our “idols” and working through them with the help of the Holy Spirit.
9am was a little early for the recipes, but we are excited to try them another day!
Flying solo here in Raleigh, NC. I was hoping to find a group meeting in person but all the ones I saw sounded like family members or there was no open invitation to join so I guess it’s just me and the Father, Son and Holy Spirit this time! 😉
I am hoping to make some of the recipes in the future but did not quite get it together to do it for this first date.
Challenge: Same as alot of the others I have read, prioritizing time with God. I’m thankful for this study which is helping me to have the structure to get back on track with that!
my biggest challenge is “victoriously”….my heart is so wounded/shattered/broken that comfort is all it craves…..beauty for ashes? joy in the morning? victoriously? I need to get my mind out of the way and trust….but the comfort feels so good i can’t risk stepping out…just need God to fill all the places and take my non-stop mind!!!…maybe “meeting solo” is not the best thing..i know a group would be better But i would never be honest enough for it to work…i can’t even write answers on paper for only myself to read!!!! how’s that for a challenge!!!!! and no! i will not film that!!!!
I don’t think my comment went through so I will leave a quick one to say I have started, and I love it! Biggest challenges are getting my family to love Jesus the way I do… You know, to just yearn for Him! And we started a new business so to be able to manage my time better. Love you all so much!
Judy
Our group met on Tuesday. There are 8 of us (only 6 met this week). Each of us are really excited about this study and what God is doing across the US and around the world.
Our group could use a lot of prayer– 5 of our 8 women have babies under the age of 10 months! We are trying work around the needs of the little ones and not be too distracted. The common prayer request this week was priorities, remembering to keep God 1st. Choose the best over the good.
Beth and LPM, thanks for organizing this wonderfully unique approach to studying God’s word together.
Betsy
(Bellingham, WA)
My group of 6 is meeting on Wed nights. We’re all moms and that is our biggest challenge! Finding the time!!!! But we’re all excited. Our meeting went from 8:15 to midnight. We’re loving it! (But our husbands don’t believe we’re really doing a study)
Arkabutla, Mississippi checking in! We had a fun first night. I was very disappointed that the majority of my group were too whipped to want to do a video! I am still working on 3 of them for a hopeful production by Saturday. In addition to our assignment, we decided to set a GOAL for our group. The goal is to grow so close to the Father that our lives are consumed with living a “blameless” life before Him. We are dedicated to dig into scripture to determine what attributes those whom He has called blameless possess.
I was originally going to do the study solo, but my daughter just came home from Bible college for the summer and wanted to do this with me! What a blessing it is to have the chance to connect with her through the Word! We spent last night talking and sharing as we took a walk after dinner. Praise God!
My friend Shelia and I are doing the study via email. We shared about our struggles this summer, which for both of us have a lot to do with our houses full of teenage boys! 🙂 So far we are really enjoying the study, and feeling some conviction.
Blessings
Michelle
My biggest challenge to walking victoriously with God would be my focusing too much on my dissatisfaction with my life right now – not being married, or having that special someone in my life, or really have a close relationship with anyone – it is hard to find when you are single! It truly overwhelms me at times. But I am hanging in there and am looking forward to what God will do in me through this study!
Our group in Rochester, NY got to meet last night. We have pretty crazy schedules between the 5 of us–one girl is a surgery resident, another holds 2 jobs, one’s a stay-at-home mom with a baby on the way, another’s planning her wedding, and one’s preparing for grad school. The consensus for us was that this study is a BIG answer to prayer for each one of us, whether we were seeking fellowship, accountability, or spiritual growth. And we only found out about the study last Friday!
The best idea we had for the memory verse was posting the verse in a ziploc bag and hanging it in the shower. One group member is going to think of a tune for the verse so we’ll be singing in our showers! But you won’t be seeing a video of that b/c no one in the group was interested in recording ourselves in shower caps and bathrobes. 🙂
I am just getting started today alone but you are such an inspiration, you take me away from the craziness and I get to laugh, pray and be grateful! I saw you in Colorado Springs and am hooked – today I am memorizing on my way to my son’s baseball practice!
Thank you!
Christine – Mequon, WI
The Knoxville siestas met Tuesday night and are very excited about what God has in store for us this summer!! We made up our own sign language/hand movements to help memorize the verses – it was great fun! We discussed that taking the time and choosing to spend it with God amidst all the distractions is our greatest stumbling block. Thank you so much for leading this bible study!!
We met, we had a great time and meal together. (Thanks Melissa!)
Our various challenges to walking victoriously this summer are; discipline, busyness, worry, discouragement, broken relationship. whew. We prayed!
Wow, my friend Becky B and I met yesterday outside at a sidewalk cafe. Not a good idea….noisy is an understatement! I didn’t know we had so many trains and tractor trailer trucks running through downtown Kingsport, TN!!! Loved the memory verse, but wondering if our 50 something minds can memorize…we need help girls! We really got into the hindrances that can keep us from getting close to God this summer. It was wonderful being so honest with each other and being willing to pray for each other. God is good to put us together and give us Beth to encourage us to persevere in this wonderful study through this blog. Praises be to His Name, the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority. Amen!
Just wanted to let y’all know that our group had a SWEET SWEET time together this past Tuesday night. GOD is so good to put together exactly the right group every time. We have some young ones and then some a little older doing this study together. Already only 2 days in and GOD is speaking VOLUMES to some of us. OURS is a GREAT AND WONDERFUL GOD. JESUS we love you so much!
We enjoyed our time around the enchildas which were quite daunting for me to prepare..so glad that my turn at the oven is “over” for the summer. We are having to shift our dates to the off weeks of what everyone else is doing because of vacation schedules…so glad that JESUS never takes vacation.
We love you all!
Small Group in Jacksonville, Florida.
We had a great first Bible Study last night. Mom made the queso, Grandma made the Enchiladas, and I made Sopapilla cheesecake. Needless to say, it was a ton of food for just the 3 of us! Thank goodness our husbands got to enjoy all the food too- It was so yummy and got us all in the mood for San Antonio!
We have many distractions this summer: work for Mom, doctor appointments for Grandma, and 14 mos old twins for me. But we all talked about ways to make sure we had time to complete the bible study and I know we will do it!
Thanks for leading all of us Siestas through this study- We are excited!
I am going solo for this Siesta Summer Bible Study. Having taught Bible Studies for many years, I just need to quietly go through this one for me.
My biggest challenge is my teenage son-because of some learning disabilities, I am homeschooling him, while still holding down a 30 hour a week job. He has an addition to pornography and will lie while looking you straight in the eye. We have dealt with some volitile behaviors, sometimes having to physically restrain him from striking out at us.
I ask my siestas to pray for him and us, because this is not the kind of thing you bring up at the church prayer meeting. A few key, trustworthy friends know, but I am trying to protect his reputation.
I will memorize these wonderful verses by writing them over and over each day until they stick.
God bless you all.
First of all, currently there are 8 of us that were going “solo”, now a group. Amazing! We are from the U.S. and Canada! Also, we each took pictures of our “shoes” and emailed to one another. What a hoot in the midst of being REAL & authentic.
Our Summer Challenges are:
Trusting God to protect our hearts towards not loosing our husbands to death in this season of our lives
Showing Christ to siblings that are in the dark and separated from us
Challenges of inside information with a life change concerning other pastoral positions in our church with Dad as Sr. Pastor
Time factor of other obligations pulling on us
Separation/circumstances from spouse as they desire a divorce
Unforgiveness, Myself
Needing to go deeper with Christ
Fear of flying