Hey, my dear Summer Bible Study Siestas! I’m so enjoying our journey together! Hopefully you’ll be able to watch the (very rough, one-take, ridiculous-but-full-of love) video greeting, but I also like to make sure you have the discussion questions for each week’s gathering in print. Here they are!
We have four discussion questions for your Tuesday gatherings. The first two are from Week 3.
1. On p.62, Kelly quoted Michael Wells: “Satan will tell us what’s true, but he never tells us the truth.” Let’s have some examples of that. How has Satan ever told you something that was true but wasn’t the truth?
2. Kelly’s discussion about King Hezekiah and the attack on his faith on p.66 reminded me of a quote that I’d recently seen in the devotional classic, Streams in the Desert. “Genuine faith puts its letter in the mailbox and lets go. Distrust, however, holds on to a corner of the envelope and then wonders why the answer never arrives.” (p.168) What envelope have you been most prone to hold the edge of?
The last two are based on Week 4.
3. Reread the first couple of paragraphs from Kelly’s intro to Week Four on p.76 concerning people-gods. Then, look up Phil. 1:9-10 and read it together. How can these two Scriptures become a huge help to us in finding the balance between loving people and idolizing them? This came after I did the video: We did something in our small group that I found very encouraging. We shared some examples from our personal lives of idolatrous relationships that, with God’s intervention, actually transitioned into healthy relationships. These transitions are often rare because the relationship was fed by the idolatry and often can’t exist without it. Have any of you experienced one of those wonderful occasions when a relationship endured that positive transition? If so, share it!
4. Lastly, review p.87 and reflect on the whole Leah and Rachel madness. Reread the bold-print section at the top of the page. What are a few costs of desperation that you yourself have paid? And what is the solution?
I’m so honored to study with you, Sisters! Keep it up! We’re halfway through our summer series and God is faithfully keeping us from falling!
I love you dearly,
Your Very Own Mama Siesta
PS – Don’t forget that comments are meant for after your gatherings, if you don’t mind! Thanks, Siestas!
The peeps and I met last night in Bellaire; we skipped the spaghetti for Becker’s Pasta from the book…it rocked, btw.
We had a great time. Even as long as we’ve known each other, it’s interesting to hear new depths of sharing and hear what the Lord is revealing and doing in each life. We are playing catch up and did the first 3 sessions last night. I’m loving what God is showing us, and am hoping, believing and praying for some real “sowing-reaping-changing” to take place in each of us, not just another study to be moved by and then put on the shelf, ya know what I mean?
I also want to know what study is next!
Andrea for the Peeps
I went solo with a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream.
2. I trust God that our house will sell before we move (one month left), and then I don’t…do- don’t-do-don’t…
3. My husband and I dated in college…we had B.A.G.G.A.G.E. and it certainly didn’t help to attach ourselves to one another. We finally went separate ways and 5years later God had us ready to try it again His way. The do-over has been wonderful!
T.G.
P.S. Any advice for sprout-y hair that appears after having a baby?
Beth, I loved the video!! Your “hairactic” line was priceless. I stay confused so it stands to reason my hair would follow. Neither of us know from day to day what we need or want nor how much. We go where the “wind” blows us. hahaha!! Really though…would you mind a few tips on how you keep your youthful appearance? I believe you and I to be close to the same age and I don’t think my skin looks like yours…what do you do it??? Mayo, um beauty cream secret or what?? Throw a fellow Siesta a bone would you??
Really,…. our group met last night and we consist of 15 women. However,due to weather (Noah almost had to build another boat smack dab in the middle of Dallas), illness, etc. only 5 of us met. As God would have it the conversation was rich and ordained to be exactly what we needed.
One of our ladies has a daughter who is having a baby outside of marriage and her heart was so heavy. Two of us were able to minister to her about the lies Satan tells us. We think our families are suppose to turn out and be a fairytale. And when they are not then we must have done something terribly wrong. Our “functional god” of having the perfect family…bringing us happiness as we know it did Leah and Rachel right??? ha! Two of us confessed having attitudes about not wanting children very early in our marriages because we had just gotten married. Satan had lied to us in the years to come, making us believe our attitudes had caused infertility and 3 miscarriages. How we had just enough faith to believe God would give us children someday but holding on to the corner of the envelope of “unbelief” for our actions. And in our desperation we would try just about anything to have children…trying to create what ONLY God can create.
It was a blessed time. Thank you for the questions that initiated our conversation. We are loving this study.
Blessings to you dear one,
Isaac’s Mom (Royana)
PS. Isaac is my promised child after 10 years of waiting. Benjamin after 20 years for my friend.
I just have to say that Session 4 really hit home for me…I am 43 yrs old and have been a Christian since I was 15, and yet, somehow I find myself at this place where I am looking for LIFE…I have had deep feelings of being unsatisfied during the past several months and really don’t know what to do next. I am in a relationship with a man that I love and care about, but as Kelly put it, I feel like I am “willing to give myself to someone for merely crumbs in return”. I am struggling. I am praying that the Holy Spirit would fill up those empty places inside of me – but yet I still feel like I am looking for LIFE. I am hanging in here and just want to say that I really felt God speaking to me through this last lesson. I thank Him for this study and I love Him so!!Renee
Beth,
This study has touched me so much… See growing up I always felt like I wasn’t good enough for God I was told many times that no man would ever love me, becuase see I was burned badly as a child, I have some really bad scares on my body… I remember the day when I was about 12 and my older brother looked at me and said you may be cute or pretty to look at you but once any guy finds out that you have that huge scare on your body he will run in horror from the uglness of it… From that day until I met my husband I didn’t care about my body I figured that if I could get any attention from guys I was going to take it no matter what they wanted… My teenage years were full of pain and rejection, and abuse, I got in to drinking and drugs and a lot more… One day I woke up and relized I was pregnant, every one said abort, and I just couldn’t do that, I’m so glad I didn’t I have a beautiful 26 year old daughter that has given me 3 beauitful grandchildren… I’m so glad to learn durning the last 4 years of being a Christian that God loves me and I don’t have to try and make a life through other people… Thank you for being here for us and I want you all to know you are in my prayers…
Connie
GBU
Please excuse this virgin blogger. I have been following a blog titled "Bring the Rain", and the link to LPM blog was there, so since I'm a lover of all things Moore, I've been trying to get caught up. If you Siestas haven't already visited the Rain blog, you absolutely MUST. It is such a blessing. And an added plus, she loves Beth too – as you can see by this excerpt:
"My favorite Bible teachers are Beth Moore and Priscilla Shirer. If I met either one of them, I would probably pee on myself. That was not the holiest way I could have phrased that… but I’m pretty sure they will both have special chairs very near to Jesus in heaven."
(Angie: I hope you don't mind)
Like I said, if you haven't visited & need reassurance that God is good and faithful, I encourage you to….http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/
Hope I can get in on the next Bible Study.
Dear Beth –
We had 2 of our group of 3 but together were able to discuss and understand better the difference between the true things that Satan tells us and the Truth that he doesn’t. We didn’t get the clarity on our own…it took community and the grace of God. He is SO GOOD. He is teaching us because we SO want to GET it!!
XOXO
Cindy
We had a great group last night! Our discussion was really good, and centered around the different struggles we’ve had with people idols.
The one we ALL had in common is the temptation to make our husbands our idols. It seems to be a constant battle. We start out submitting and looking to them for leadership, and the next thing we know, we are looking to them to meet ALL of our needs-which leaves them with the life sucked right out of them and us completely disappointed and hurt. 🙂
This study is so right on and is hitting all of us right where we need it!
Well, My Siesta “Su”, backed out on me this week, but I still have something wonderful to tell.
In the midst of me trying to sell my home and wanting to be where my Mom and sister are right now, I decided to do this study to “make it” through what I thought may be a long Summer with a home for sell. Would you believe? My mom called me up and told me that a lady from her church called her up and invited her to do a study called “No other Gods”. Well, I was just thrilled!! Over 10 hours away and the Lord knew just what I needed to give me a smile. No, He didn’t sell my home for me in my timing, but I felt like He let me know that He cares- He cares that I get what I’m really wanting, a mom to enjoy the word of God with even if it’s 10 hours away…we are really now just a phone call away to talk about the very same subject and issues…”No Other Gods”. Only He could have orchestrated that! I’m blessed, I’m thankful! I had to share.
And about what true freedom means: I feel like I was asked to pry every single of my 5 fingers off of everything I thought I had already given Him.
Beth, I too have a hair problem. Thank you for opening this up so we all can feel okay to be vulnerable enough to admit this! 🙂
I am meeting online with two ladies I’ve never met who live in different states and I am blown away by these women. How open and generous they are in sharing their hearts!
This study has opened my eyes to areas of idolatry in my life I never knew existed! I’m sure everyone is saying that, but it is so true. Thank you for organizing the Siestas to participate in this piercing study! My summer motto is: Make Room for Him. Praise to Jesus for Kelly Minter writing this study!
I could never fully express how much you and your bible studies have blessed me – have transformed me through the power of Jesus Christ. Thank you, Beth. I can’t wait to see you next month in SA!
I loved the Hair 101 lessons. Though I was watching the video with a ponytail and a cap at the same time! My excuse: so much easier with the pool and tennis practice with my boys everyday.
I am going solo with this study. Several months ago I was even thinking that not everything can be the truth that keeps my mind so busy. I typed that sentence out and taped it to my mirror to set my mind straight about true and truth. Oh boy, do I ever have trouble totally letting go of the envelope. I am working very hard on giving it up to God and knowing that He is on my side and will take care of everything!
I have been trying to become a blogger for some time now, but I am not sure that I have. I don’t know what The Gathering is. If there is anybody in or around Wendell, NC that does please let me know. I want to get involved with the Lord and make some lasting friendships. Life is so lonely when you are alone.
Ruth
Beth you are a mess, a God-given mess. Your newest family member is just adorable an she truely fits that name Star. I wish I knew more about The Gathering. I miss participating in a Bible Study. It’s kind of lonely here in Wendell. I love being connected through this blog. It is fun and it keeps me God forfilled in many ways. Thank, I love all of you.
Ruth
Hello from Missouri!
We had a smaller group last night but still great fellowship. We’re totally enjoying the Bible study and all your helpful hints, Beth!! You’re cracking us up! We’re all starting to open up a little more with one another and let our hair down (out of our ponytails). 🙂
Thanks so much for facilitating this and all your encouragement. You’re awesome!
Anne in MO
P.S. Anonymous (#45), please know that I am praying for you. You are so heavy on my heart right now.
Rockford IL youth leaders . . .
-We carpooled to Tona’s house!
-We had a wonderful meal!
-We talked through the questions.
*Although we did focus on our own lives and idols, we spent part of the time talking about the girls we work with (jr high and high school age). It was great to share our hearts for the girls and the struggles we encounter working with teens. We want our girls to have a passion for God’s word and to realize that He is the ultimate thing. Everything and everyone else will disappoint.
-We followed many bunny trails:
*how ChaCha has all the answers
*how Rose got skinny and didn’t know it and was NOT tempted
*how Erin and her sister “shared” the bathroom
*how Beth used to always hang out with skinny boys
*how Keri tried to change her laugh
*how Tona halves a recipe
I am going solo. So thankful for the accountability this summer!
Desperation causes us to do stupid stuff. I have a allowed a friendship of mine to become an idol. And in so doing, I have turned down invitations from others or simply not committed to doing something simply to leave my time free “in case” my friend should call and want to do something. I was kind of aware of it before this study, but God has really shown me how I have allowed this person such a place in my life and I am working on correcting that!
Girl, you just crack me up! I took a glance over at my hair products and immediately apologized to my hair right then and there! Hopefully it will reward me greatly in the morning!! 😉
The one thing our group keeps finding as our biggest battle is our “image” which is ultimately pride. Everyone in our group is “high profile” (whatever that means)in the music ministry at our 14,000 member church here in Charlotte so we all struggle with our big “hair” getting in God’s way – and the head under it!!
This study has been amazing – has knocked us all down a peg or two – and has us tearing down some SERIOUS high places we each thought we had long destroyed.
One of your questions about an idol relationship that was restored was that of my dad. We had an AWESOME relationship when I was young but some things happened in my teen years that nearly tore my family apart – mostly at his doing. We then became very “surfacy” with one another, painting on that face of “deceit” just to get by. However, I developed lupus and after the birth of my 1st child my parents moved closer to me. Then my dad developed brain cancer and the Lord granted me the honor of caring for him thru his illness and ultimate death. While it was the hardest thing I had ever done – especially being pregnant with baby #3 at the time – I wouldn’t trade a minute of it. The Lord restored what the locusts had eaten in our relationship and I just can’t wait to see him when I get to heaven.
We’re truly loving this study and thank you for taking us here!!
Val
NC
Oh, my word….hair-etic….I just about fell out of my chair laughing! And given that I have unruly hair that never seems to want to cooperate, can I just say that this mane o’mine must just be in a state of permanent rebellion against all of my mixed messages and product abuse…If only I had known! LOL
Anyway, I am a “solo” but I am loving the study and am learning so much from it.
I found several things really profound in the past two weeks of the study and I definitely agree with the insight in the statement about how Satan tells us what’s true but never the truth. I think that Satan just uses our natural inclinations against us in this case…we don’t like to see the bad things about ourselves or to question the things in our world that are comfortable, and he takes advantage of that. There are so often true things about our fleshly selves or the “world” that we’ve chosen to surround ourselves with that we must correlate with God’s word or filter through the Holy Spirit in order to determine “the REAL “truths” about them. Lying is when someone outrightly tells themselves or someone else a falsehood…but I think we’re more likely, as good-hearted Christian women, to just deceive ourselves most of the time….to not allow ourselves to “see” all the facts (not consult His word or allow the Holy Spirit to work in us) about a given situation and because of that, we are just wandering through life virtually blinded. I can’t even count how many times I’ve just worn my spiritual RayBans and let myself just go through life not picking up on the Light…cause if I didn’t LOOK I didn’t have to SEE myself and what havoc I had created in my life! I’m glad to report that I have made some progress…but, like most of us, God’s still working on me!
Thank you so much, Beth…and all you other Siestas out there….I appreciate your dedication to this ministry!! Y’all bless my heart each time I log on. I thank the one True God for each of you and hope that you have a wonderful two weeks until we “meet” again!
With loving thankfulness,
Staci
I am so blessed to watch this video and read all these comments. I am not doing the study because I am walking through “Living Beyond Yourself” with my sweet sister-in-love. I needed to learn how to let The Spirit bear fruit in my life. But I love how we siesta’s can get on here and just know that we are not alone.What an amazing group of women you are!
Although I am not reading the book along with you I can answer pretty much all the questions. I will limit myself to question #3.
I met my husband when I was 15 and he was 16. We started dating a year later. He became everything to me. He was stability and I came from a very instable home. He loved me all the time and not just when everything was in the right place. When we married at the age of 21 I still held him up (in thought but not in words) as my rock. It took a few years to transfer that to my loving Jesus who is now the Rock of our marriage. My husband never knew that I regarded him as such, and when I told him recently he said something to the effect of “I never knew that.” But my God did! I love that God made right and holy our covenant of marriage. Our marriage motto?…Selflessness Reciprocated….something that is beyond us, except through total dependence on the one and only living God!
Ya know…I was dreading this weeks bible study. My sisterface and I meet and I was dreading the whole Leah & Rachel talk because their situation is totally mine. I had to come clean and let my sis know that she was my idol…along the lines of jealousy anyway. She's got the looks, experienced love, has the family, blah blah blah. She was a bit surprised, but said "you're the one that has everything" … now that was a shocker to me, so I said "what do I have?" She said "God, that's everything; that's what I want."
How humbling to find myself seeking things other than the Lord!
Anyway, I thought for sure I would die if I had to share my "stuff" with her, but it wasn't bad at all…ok, a bit scary, but it ended well.
ps…my sisterface shot me a glance at your baseball cap comment…I do, however, keep it to the weekends…um, and after work, and on jeans day at work…
Hello to all the summer bible study siestas! I wasn’t going to do this study but I’ve been lurking and feel 100% convicted that I need to get moving and get caught up. I’m jumping in solo from Tucson. I’ve been reading through many of this week’s comments and there are so many that could have been written by me. I have to add Beth, that your new canine baby girl is just SO cute and sweet looking. So glad you have her! Gotta go find a book so I can join in the discussion next week!
I love you Beth,
The hair-a-tic comments made me bust out laughing. You are a funny siesta.
Kim
Mama Beth! You are so funny. It makes us all feel like you are our best girl friend. 😉
I really enjoyed my “new fangled” small group that meets by cell phone. 2 here and 2 there on speaker phone. It was a blast. We laughed and talked about our two very different dinners. Next time it will be a conference call, because I WON’T miss our time together. It is much to important to me to be encouraged by my “Siesta Girls”! Thank you for the thought provoking questions.
To the Siesta about the confrontation with her husband…been there…done that…had to go to a counselor, but God has restored, rebuilt and made better than ever before!
We had another fantastic time at our get-together! We were down a couple of folks, but they were with us in spirit. Ginny, Becky, and Heather continued our dessert tradition with Apple Cinnamon cake–yum! And Heather brought her 5-year-old daughter, Makenna, who insisted she be allowed to “talk about Jesus with the big girls”–now who could resist that?
Thanks for the hair pep talk–As one who rarely wears anything but a pony-tail, and another whose hair is definitely confused about the expectations placed on it (long or short, just make up your mind already!), we needed some encouragement. And Queen Esther is just beautiful! Congratulations on your new arrival!
We gained some valuable insights from this meeting and are looking forward to the next one!
Ginny, Becky, Heather, Martha, Lacey, and Makenna
Here are the answers that Sunshine and I came up with in our study
1) The one thing that comes to mind here is money – especially with the rising gas and food prices. God clearly states that we are not to worry about what we will wear, eat, etc; – that His kingdom is first…yet I find myself worry about what we will eat, wear etc; It is true that we may not have enough money – but the truth is this God provides. He states it over and over and over
2) Oh wow – I think I have an entire collection of envelopes – I will pray about something and then come up with a back up plan. I love the imagery this quote painted. I need to visit the mailbox and mail some stuff – for good.
3) UGH – this is a hard one. I have several relationships – core ones that are going through the pain of this right now – so far I have not gotten to see what it is like for one to be put back on the right track – but with God all things are possible.
4) Another tough question – so much of my life has been back tracking from the decisions made in the moment of absolute desperation. In fact there are too many to list and too many that I would be embarrassed to share. The solution is for me once and for all to resolve that my hope is in God – no where else – no one else – He alone is it. Keep Jesus forever in front of me so that when I look at anything I have to see it through Him (kind of in my mind as if I had to put Jesus on like a pair of glasses)
and:
1) Satan has twisted truth until it wasn’t truth anymore
2) I really liked the quote about mailing the letter but not letting go of the envelope! That sounds so much like me! Which envelope am I most prone to hold the edge of? Probably those that involve my family. I’ll pray but then not let go of the worry about it.
3) Having knowledge and discernment, helping us determine what really matters would help us to know whether or not a relationship was healthy or idolatrous. I have had one relationship that was unhealthy and idolatrous that God changed into a healthy one and that was my relationship with my husband (before we were married).
4) I have acted out of desperation in relationships when I was single always looking for love, approval and affection. When Kelly talked about being willing to give yourself for merely crumbs in return that really reminded me of my friend and I trying to “win†some guy we thought was “the one†and being so excited by the smallest crumbs of attention they gave us. We really bent over backwards sometimes trying to get noticed…so SAD! Of course we weren’t walking with God then.
Someone posted a comment from Dallas about going solo and I tried to click on it, but couldn’t get to their blog. Anway, if anyone is in Dallas and would like to attend a group even if only once, please email me – we would love it! My email address is [email protected].
Beth quoted from “Streams in the Desert” and referenced a page number. I musgthave a different edition than she is using and wondered what daily reading she was referring to.
Siestas, on and all…
So many of you have commented on how Beth makes you laugh. I am laughing, then I show my husband who is laughing and our kids are joining in at the end, to find out what mom and dad are laughing at, and see sweet Queen Esther. I know my family doesn’t really KNOW you Beth, but sometimes, we sure feel like we do. Thanks for sharing so much of your life with us!
Regarding the study. Wow, does it hurt so good! Practically speaking, discussed a lot of coming to know how we hold onto that envelope and prevent the Lord’s work. In God’s presence, more transparency, exposure of the darkeness to the Light, prayer and anticipation of redemption. There are some heavy burdens. If the Lord lays this group on anyone’s hearts, please pray. We discussed how we can be pressed on every side but not crushed. Blessed be the name of the Lord. He is our strong tower! Our prayers affect change in the heavenlies!
Thank you for letting God initiate this study through you!
Love,
Jina
We had a great get together last night! I made an asian chicken salad and some dark chocolate brownies! I know its not about what we ate…but it is part of it, right!
Good discussion about our fear and how we say we trust but our actions show we do not. Prayed for clarity and wisdom about seeing truth and not being deceived by things that may be true but are not Truth!
Thanks, Sweet Sister Beth, I adore you! God is so good ~Amen!
Miles City, MT
Our group meets on Wednesday evenings, and this week we had a lot of catching up to do since we hadn’t been able to meet since our kick-off.
We talked for over 3 hours! The discussion was great, and a lot of it centered around “people-gods” we’ve had: our husbands, best friends and pastors. Glory to God, many of those relationships are transitioning into healthy ones – it seems God may have even brought one of our sisters back to our area to change and redeem her relationship to one of those “people-gods.”
All in all it was such a good time of reflecting and sharing. We split the memory verse up in 4 parts and almost had it down by the time we left – more glory (and majesty and power and authority) to God! 😉
Thanks for giving us such fabulous questions, Mama Beth :).
Our group of 6 on-line via email from all over the U.S. couldn't help but think of Leah & Rachel, and some commented what they had learned about this from our Patriarch's study. The fact remains that this is a descructive "habit" of desperation to be grasping/hungering for approval, to be needed, desired, wanted, loved…to the point of manipulation. DESPERATE FOR ATTENTION.
God is our answer. Yet there are times, that we slip into this, Lord help us! We desire to do so no longer!!
Also the point of Satan telling truth but not being TRUE. He hates anything to do with GOD, therefore Satan wouldn't dream of being TRUE.
Lots to grasp, and we come expecting and hungry to do so!
My friend and I just finished our discussion of NOGS session 2 over a wonderful lunch. We ate outside on a beautiful South Carolina day with the breeze blowing, and for a July day in SC that is a minor miracle in itself! We talked about waiting on God, about competition, about the devil telling us what’s true but never telling us the truth, and how we are so prone to fall for it. Even though we are going through differnt trials, we can relate to each other’s situation. What has been such a blessing to me is the ability to do Bible study one-on-one with a best bud…to have time to sit and chat especially during the busyness of summer. A blessing that was totally unexpected! What an AWESOME God!
I am soooo excited I get to see Siesta mama tomorrow night and Saturday morning!
Can’t wait to see all the LPM Live!
Ufda, can’t wait to give you’all dat dare a Big Minnesoooot”a” Welcome! 🙂
I log on and read all the comments after wataching the video. I am not comfortabe commenting. But when I read littlerad’s comment I had leave a comment. When I was 6 I was burned over 70% of my body. My mom and dad told me this is not what defined me – not what was on the outside but on the inside. I had 5 brothers and sisters and they never made a remark about it and if anyone else did dad always said that God had a special purpose for me to let me live. (the doctors had told them that i didn’t have a chane of making it.) But Satan told me I wasn’t worthy of being loved even with this great family suport. I was saved when I ws 16 and tried very hard to live like God wanted me to but I couldn’t do it. I needed approval and did things I wasn’t proud of to get it. When God finnaly ogt my attention my making sure that I was being still and listening to God (Very Sick in the hsopital and not allowed vistors)I turned my life over to God to become the Lord of my life depending on him for my needs. I thought I had idols undr control until this study. God is presently sifting me to bring me to where he wants me. Thank you for this study and all the women who comment. I have learned so much and God is still showing me things that I overlook evey time I read the comments.
We met last night (Mom, Grandma, and I) and had a wonderful time. We made the Caprese Salad from the workbook as well as Corn on the cob, watermelon, and ham. For dessert, we did the apple crostata and it was heavenly!
Over full bellies, we discussed Weeks 3 and 4. We spent the majority of our time talking about how Satan will tell us what’s true but not necessarily the truth. How this is true in so many situations, where Satan leads you to generalize one incident to the future. We were challenged that we have to know God’s Word and the Truth that He tells us, so that we won’t fall prey to Satan’s lies.
We also talked alot about the difference between idolizing someone and loving them. Ironically, in our lives, this positive transition occurred after we realized that they were just humans. We saw their weaknesses and that they were not perfect. Humans are never meant to wear the shoes that only God can wear, and fill the holes that only He can fill. (On a side note- this is one reason why I love this blog! We see you for who you are- a human, who has weaknesses, hurts, and bad days- just like everyone else. That’s why we love you so!)
The last thing that just struck us was how much Leah and Rachel both struggled- We had never realized that Rachel too had idols, even though she “had it all.” What an eye opening lesson!
Thanks for facilitating our discussion and for your hair tips. They were hysterical!!!! Lord, help us not to be “hairetics” and send mixed messages to our hair!
Hi Beth!
We’re checking in from Mpls/St. Paul [and are so excited to welcome you here, and so sorry about the humid, rainy weather; hope you brought all your hair stuff, even though we find you quite beautiful even on your small hair days. : ) ]
Our little group of three has also been challenged and blessed by this study. Thank you so much for suggesting and facilitating it.
I have to apologize in advance for the “un-lady-like” nature of what I’ll share from our studies, but it has been a “theme” since the first moments we met and is really quite fitting:
The very first time we met, as dinner was being placed on the table, we somehow got on the subject of colon cleansing. We were horrified, curious… and couldn’t let it go!
So here’s the thing: some of us are regular (stuff in, stuff out!); others are more clogged and need some extra help to clear out the junk (shall we call it sin and idols?!); and almost of us (sorry…) have stuff that we don’t even realize is in there clinging to the walls of our insides – even if we are regular – and it is inhibiting the absorbtion of all the vitamins and minerals we take in each day; and it’s keeping us fatigued and tired and less healthy than we otherwise could be. We need a good internal cleansing! (Make sense?!!)
So, in relation to this study, we are praying that God will do an amazing internal cleansing of the sin and disobedience and idols that have been clinging to the insides of our hearts — some we didn’t even realize were in there — so that we can know and grasp and absorb more fully the love of Jesus and be filled to all the fullness of God, love and serve Him more, and be fruitful for Him.
Linda (for the girls)
PS: To the Siesta who shared about her Siesta’s idol being *herself* at 25 yrs old – that rocked my insides. It never occured to me that a younger version of me could be one of my idols, but I think it has been: back when I could run long and far (now I can hardly go a block); had a nice, clean car (pre-children!); and so on… Thank you so much for sharing that. I need to let go!!!
I’m doing this summer study with a great group of women, but I wanted to comment about a personal idol I realized this past week. My father is one of my ‘idols’ – not in a good way. He was a cruel, abusive man who still controls me even though he’s no longer alive. Through this study I’ve realized that an idol is something or someone that monopolizes my time, thoughts and attention – and my father does that through my continual struggle to be ‘good enough’ and to please him. I shared this with a counselor today and she is ready to help me work through the painful memories and let my standards be set by Christ and not my earthly father.
Flying solo but no so-low and still enjoying the summer with my favorite siestas. Great HAIR-atic tips, Beth. You think it’s b/c we don’t know exactly what we want but we what it to always look great 😉 I’m a clip and pony tail queen in the summer so I got the message that less is more!
Star is quite the precious little one. Happy weeks 5 and 6 to everyone =) J
We just finished up our fellowship time. We are getting so much from the study. I have a foggy issue going on that I have been praying for guidance from the LORD and more and more I think the fog is clearing! Amen. During our dscussion of question 3 regarding people we may have made into our idols, one of our ladies brought up a new side to it. Have we made ourselves idols to others by trying to fulfill all their needs or a number of other things. It really made us think on that one.
On a lighter note, two of our five ladies were in ponytails!!
We loved the Mini Cucumber Sandwiches and Banana Pudding. Thanks Melissa for passing on the yummy recipes.
God Bless,
April
My son just wave back to star your puppy as you where holding her up and waving her paw my son wave back
:)!!!
Beth I am confuseing my hair first its in a pnony tail have the time its so hot here in Tx’s and if I style and fix it its of know use as soon as I walk out I pull it up.
Yes my hair doesn’t know what I am trying to do. and for the recorder I love Big hair!!!!marina
I CANNOT WAIT to see you, Siesta Mama, in Minneapolis this weekend!!! I have never been to any conference before. Hopefully you’ll find our “Minnesota Nice” to be true! =)
Almost everyone in our group had underlined/highlighted the quote from Michael Wells and we have all fallen victim to this ploy of the enemy far too many times.
As for the envelope – some of us are holding on with both hands, all 10 toes and our teeth. Help us Lord! 🙂 Thanks for sharing that powerful example, it was very eye opening.
We love you and appreciate you so much!
Our group was lively and fun as usual! Our answers to the questions were:
1. Our TEENAGERS will tell us what’s true, but not always what is true 🙂
2. Most of us have an entire mailbags filled with envelopes we won’t let go of – we all agreed to continue praying about this control issue.
3. Someone in our group thought about our husbands as an idolatrous relationship turned wonderful. Many agreed that, when our relationships first started out, we IDOLIZED our husbands, but, as time moves on, we learn God is who we (as a couple) worship.
4. Lots of wonderful discussion on the Rachel-Leah story!
I’m behind, but have done enough to know those “true” things that Satan has been speaking over me continue to have a hold on me. I am having such a hard time getting it together; it’s true I’m not supporting my husband as I should, it’s true I’m not caring for our home, it’s true I am missing the mark so often with our daughter…however, I suppose the truth is NOT that I’m a complete failure and will never get it together. I am begging God to help me claim His promises and to be an overcomer, to reveal His truth to me. I know He will prove faithful. May I prove faithful as well and relinquish any functional gods I am serving…
Questions 1.
You missed God. You had an opportunity to make things right and you did not. So, now God is distant from you and you feel bad, guilty, and there is no way of getting around this. With this lie, than I think I am doomed and I don’t think I can ask again and plead my concern and my struggle. I think, black and white and that God is a bit upset with me that I did not step out and trust Him. I don’t see that though I might have missed an opportunity that I can come back to Him and tell Him about it and ask again. I just feel so bad and ashamed not understanding that His love is greater than all my sin.
Question 2.
me
Question 3.
I wish I could say I have experienced this but I have not. Usually the door is shut and I have to walk away. I can only think of one friendship where I was pretty obsessive with the woman and only with time passing by and yet she was still there in a good way for me. Over the years the relationship smoothed out and I relaxed knowing tha I was loved not rejected.
Question 4.
Cost of my desparation has caused me to not focus on being creative in my work. A potential long-lasting friendship. To forget God and who He is and live in the lie that He does not care about my situations.
aea
Oops, I completely forgot to chime in Tuesday night for our little group. We are still working away together here in North Georgia and loving every minute of it!!
I thought I would die when I watched your video and my hair was in a ponytail!!! Luckily, though, it was pulled back with a new, cute barrette. Whew! What a close one :). We had our third meeting on Tuesday. We talked a lot about what is true and the truth AND really knowing the truth. We related all of that with how we are raising our children. Thank you again for organizing this study!
I’m solo. My ah-ha moment the past two weeks was Kelly’s discussion of making up lies in her head. I do that all the time. I assume I know what the other person is thinking and then use those thoughts as the truth.
I honestly never realized that was what I was doing. Over the last few days when I realize that I am doing that I have stopped and asked Jesus for Grace to just STOP that behavior.
Greetings from sunset siestas! The only foot soaking during bible study this week was a baby gator lounging at our umbrella stand in the lake….ughhh…gators don’t have pretty pedicured toes, it was very distracting! ( I thought of your hubby joining you girls for footsoaking in the tub!)
Looking at Leah and Rachel’s desperation for approval and how we place relationships in a idolatrous context, we agreed that the ONLY way to maintain a healthy balance is to:
1. recognize who God is in my life. “O God, you are my God.”Ps 63
2. Know that God has a plan for me. “For I have a plan for you….”Jer 29:11
3. pray for wisdom and discernment so we do not stray from the good life God has ordained for us. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”Prov 3:5
Hezekiah is my ebenezer, my rock of remembrance.
16 years ago a study of Hezekiah brought me face down before God praying for my dying husband to be spared that my young children could grow up with their father so that they might understand the relationship they should have with their heavenly Father. God granted my petition for life and gave it abundantly. Our children are grown and raising children in the Lord. Last September, God called my husband home to Glory, his work here was complete at the age of 56. My family bears witness to the mighty hand of God who is rich in mercy and lovingkindness. We submit to the will of God.
We are a big hair family, so I am a hairatic too! It was also noted that I have sticky notes on my study guide. 😉
Grandaddy says the Tuesday night dinners are great! Melissa, you are right, the crostata is very forgiving. Grandaddy said, ” it tasted a whole lot better than it looked!”
I am thankful to be a siesta!