Hey, Darling Siestas! I hope you are well and sensing the Presence of Christ in your every day tasks. I have two quick and very different things to share with you:
First, I want to make sure you know that the last day to register for the Siesta Fiesta gathering is July 22nd, so it’s coming up really quickly. Mind you, this is not the last day to register for the Living Proof Live event in San Antonio. I’m only referring to our Siesta get-together.
*If you want to come but haven’t registered, please do! You can get more info and register by following this link.
*If you’re already registered but have realized you’re not going to be able to come after all, please let us know to cancel you for the Siesta gathering. We really need an accurate head-count to make the proper arrangements. Please email us at [email protected].
*My last request concerning the Siesta Fiesta is hard for me to say but it really needs to be said. Please help us keep the Siesta gathering strictly for the blog community. Please don’t sign up groups of women to come with you that don’t participate in our blog. Those are the people we want so much to come to the actual Living Proof Live event and can hardly wait to have them! Bring them on! Unbelievers and believers alike! Anybody and everybody! The Siesta Fiesta get-together, however, is meant to give you bloggers a chance to get to know one another face-to-face. It is being sponsored only for this blog community. Our purest intention is community and not exclusivity. We just want to have a little family reunion of sorts for the women that have gotten to know each other here. Thank you so much for understanding! Let’s keep our hearts pure about this from every side.
The second thing I want to share with you is pounding in my heart. I don’t have time to write it with my deadline coming up (by the way, your prayers are working! keep them up!) but it’s going to consume me if I don’t. I’m just going to take a very general, short stab at it and hope to feel the relief of getting it out there. My prompting for this word is not coming from the blog community. It’s coming from requests that have swamped our ministry office recently and that we have gladly and compassionately received. The common denominator has been the same: women just totally out of control and doing some really foolish things. I’ve been one of them so I recognize some of the symptoms. And the cries for help. And the misguided desires for the kind of empathy that pats them on the head and says, “Who could blame you? Go right ahead.” Because I love you so much, I want to share what the Holy Spirit is impressing on me in case it resonates. Listen here, Girls. If this shoe doesn’t fit, don’t wear it! Shake it off and know that it’s not for you. But, if it does, be courageous and respond in obedience to God. Let me remind you before I dive into this that God pulled me from the deepest possible pit of sin and no one has been more tightly clutched by strongholds than me. Not one bit of this comes to you from a proud or condemning heart. It comes strictly from love and concern and as one who could have used this word along the way. So here it goes.
Sometimes we just need to STOP IT. Just plain stop it. We don’t need to keep praying over it. We don’t need to keep deliberating it. We don’t need one last shot at it. We don’t need five more years of counseling over it. We flat need to stop it. Like, for instance,
*If we’re married and we’re flirting with somebody at work (calling it harmless), we need to stop it.
*And, Lord have mercy, if any of us are having affairs, we need to stop it NOW. With every second that goes by, the consequences are mounting. Please do not let the enemy trick you into thinking you’re getting away with it. You’re not. Don’t rationalize it. Don’t tell me what a jerk your husband is and how you’re finally in love for the first time. Get some fear of God and stop it.
*If we’re being a brat about something, we need to stop it.
*If we’re still punishing somebody for what they did to us, we need to stop it. Enough is enough. Let God deal with them.
*If we’re trying to do God’s job with somebody, we need to stop it.
No Scripture says it more succinctly and exactly than Isaiah 1:16b: “Stop doing wrong.” Hear the voice of God say, “I’ve warned you and warned you and warned you. STOP IT.”
I say this as a woman to whom sometimes a brief, “STOP IT NOW!” works better than anything. I love you so much and I want all of us to live in the full blessing of God that only obedience can invite. His will is for us, Siestas. Go with God on this or things are going to get really ugly. Take the warning and stop.
Long time reader, first time commenter….
Your word comes on an appropriate day! My husband and I have been in disagreement over an issue concerning his mother and our children. I have submitted in terms of my actions, but surely not my heart. I’ve been, as you said, punishing him for not seeing and doing it my way. Earlier today, I just decided to quit and release it. I have decided that when he gets home from work today, the madness ends and we continue on as before, I shall eat my pride. This word was encouraging to me. Thank you much (as my 2-year-old would say!)
Katie
Ps…I’m really enjoying Believing God right now! 🙂
Thanks. I needed to hear this today.
Blessings to you.
Beth, Your words ministered to me greatly! My 17-year-old daughter is rebellious, lying, sneaking out, etc. — she’s a Christian but the world is pulling mightily. Our home is many times a battleground. Thanks for reminding me that her sin is against God more than me; and, of course, He is ABLE to bring her back to Him. Thank you so much for your obedience to share your heart!
Wow! I guess a lot of us needed to hear that message today. I have been going through some unhappy situations at work and I feel like all I do is complain to my family when I get home. I keep wondering why God is leaving me in this situation? What lessons does our Father want me to teach these co-workers? Maybe he wants me to stop complaining long enough so I can hear that he actually has something to teach ME!!! STOP, STOP COMPLAINING AND LISTEN.
I’m listening Father. Thank you Beth!
Love, Lori
In the midst of an emotional affair (deeply emotionally involved) and I read your blog today. Felt like it was now or never so I read the blog to him but my heart is completely broken. Broken because of guilt towards my God, my family, for breaking his heart and for my loss. Thanks for giving me the courage to be obedient. Thanks for freedom that I know will come but after some deep hurt and guilt. Hopefully its not too late. Thank you for your precious words of widsom. Thank you for letting God use you.
Beth,
Thank you for that, that is so true. Amen SISTER!! I totally agree, the one that struck me was “if you’re being a brat about something, just stop it.” I stop myself so often and think, ‘that is really being immature’. Why is it that we do that? Well, I know why, but ugh!! Thank you for that scripture. I think I need to put it on my bathroom mirror this week and let it seep in. I still remember the story from Believing God about the girl you were discipling and she had pinned the scriptures to her shirt. . . that one was funny, but oh how I need that some days!!
I think I had registered twice? But I have not received anything saying that I have. . so should I register again?
I can’t wait until August.
love you all,
Wendy
Beth, Do you think you say that loudly enough for my brother in jail in Texas to hear you? I’m afraid that nothing short of a knock upside the head from Jesus will get his attention. Still, it would be nice if he could hear a quiet word before he felt the knock upside the head. Either way, I pray Come Lord Jesus Come!
Dear Beth, I am going to be honest here so it may take up some space…sorry ahead of time! I am addicted to food, have been for years and have tried to stop. I am in that area where it feels like if I don’t get it right this time it’s not ever going to get right! I know this isn’t one of your specific examples but it sure spoke to me anyway! I was just thinking that when my husband goes on his walk later that I would eat some cereal and oreos (and whatever else comes to mind and mouth!) And I just had supper and I am not hungry at all but I was going to eat it anyway. I do not purge after I binge (although, I have thought about it many times). I truly feel this is a sin in my life not just a bad habit that may cause health problems later (or that WILL cause problems) but I could not do this right now because my husband would see me so I checked your blog and BAM! you were talking straight to me and I needed to hear it!! I just felt hard pressed to share this with you and anyone else who could read it and I too thank you for your transparency and obedience to the Holy Spirit! Forgive me for the long response and please pray for me to be obedient and to JUST STOP IT!!
Love you lots! Sacha
You know, I want to say thank you to all the seemingly anonymous women who work in the LPM office who’ve been taking the calls and working the front lines. What a community working behind the scenes. Thanks, ladies! We appreciate you and all you do. And we appreciate this strong word. Go, girls! You bless us daily.
Oh Beth-satan lead me into a pit because I didn’t “stop it” and though I have been forgiven by God’s grace I still live with the consequences but I don’t live in them. Even though I thought God was with me through the whole thing, really He wasn’t because it went against His word. You have to “stop it!” if it is not of God…God is more than “that” could ever be-I know. I now know.
Beth, thank you for taking hold of these burdens and being blunt.
In His Graces~Pamela
HALLELUJAH, SIESTA BETH!!
Received loud and clear..
Our time is short and the enemy of our soul is seeking to destroy…Armour up Siesta!
GOD is mighty to save! HIS mercies are new each and every morning…and I’m so glad of that because I need much mercy! Thanks for sounding the alarm!!
Dang, Beth.
Thank you my dear sister who speaks the truth with such love & grace. Bless you for doing the loving thing…even if it is misunderstood…your example inspires and encourages…I strive to imitate you as you imitate Christ…bless you dear one…
Cindy
Take it from someone who needed someone to say “STOP IT’a few yrs ago,you DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT ! want to go there. God was the one I actually heard from and I knew He meant business. Although I’m forgiven and free from my pit, Satan loves to bring a memory to mind from time to time and I do not allow myself to go there w/him !!! Jesus will fill you w/more than anything you find elsewhere. PLEASE STOP IT NOW !!!
Thank you!! I needed to stop being a brat with selective obedience! This registered as such a right NOW, right ON word for the women in the body of Christ, I forwarded it to every woman I know, after I examined the plank in my own eye. Praise God for your willingness to lovingly say STOP IT.
God bless you to meet your deadline!! We’re chomping at the bit for a new bible study!!!! :9)
Beth,
Thank you for the reminder that sometimes we don’t need any more discussions, any more Bible Studies, any more prayer groups–we just need to stop! Most of the time God has told us over and over to stop, but we don’t listen, we just keep on askin’ Him to do something else! And thanks for telling us to get some fear of God! I needed that.
I wish so badly I could be there in San Antonio! Please have another Siesta Fiesta someday!
There is someone in my life that I need to just flat out forgive and stop blaming them for their behavior. Thank you for the smack on the fanny! Sometimes we need that from time to time.
Much love!
Kristi B.
Praying for you as you finish Esther.
Beth,
My bestest prayer sister and I started Stepping Up today. It was awesome. I felt that heaviness you talked about. Then today I read to “Stop it”. I think I need to stop feeling sorry for myself for all the things that are “hard” in my life (there are some biggies) and thank Him for the blessings (there are many). I spent some time with my forehead in the carpet today (and I need to get it cleaned, by the way!- noone should ever inspect my carpet that close but me and the Lord). Just wanted to say you are right on! Deeper Still is still swimming around in my soul! Amen
No one knows but I have been flirting with flirting at work. If that makes sense. I have felt a strange attraction to my boss whom I think is flirting with me and I have been tempted to flirt back. Also I have not been going to church very much lately with the excuse that I don’t feel the Lord’s presence there anymore. I became angry with church leaders when they didn’t want to host the LPL simulcast and that has kept me from God’s house. I really needed the stop it!
Thank you so much!
To Ruthanne – May God grant you that contentment honey! Five children in 11 years is no small feat (did the math). I didn’t see your comment before, but I’ve done the discontentment thing staying home with my own three. Even recently. That one comes and goes. Don’t know why we women fall for the lie that raising our children isn’t a big enough achievement. Maybe the lack of glamour or a paycheck. Whatever, it’s still a LIE! Those babies are worth poring into – don’t look for another life – the one you have is what God wants you to have and he always picks better than we do!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I really needed to hear that. My sister and I have been struggling to get along, and I know I need to STOP IT!
You didn’t list stop eating so much it is killing you. But I think the Lord is telling some of us that. I also believe he will give us the grace to STOP…
Liz Hinze in Oregon
Beth,
Thank you for your boldness and your love for all of us. I sure needed that word today.
Much love,
Anne in MO
Wow, Mama Beth, that one hit home. Hard.
And then, for a little more specific word, I read Vonda’s comment: “forgive my sister who doesn’t think she needs to be forgiven. and STOP letting bitterness and distrust rule my thoughts and actions”.
I have been hearing this message so much lately. I had let the temptation to resent just about everything in my life “make a nest in my hair” and He’s saying ENOUGH RESENTMENT! Quit trying to run the world; quit feeling so put upon when things don’t go like you expect!
Pulling out twigs and bits of comparing my situation to others, of discontent, of dis-courage-ment — I lost my courage — who was it said, “All discouragement is of the devil!” ??
Taking apart the nest, finding whining, and complaining, and dissatisfaction, and judgement…all woven tightly together…
But as I surrender, as I trust Him, as I say, “that’s His business, not mine” this whole nasty nest falls apart.
Instead of trying to put my ducks in a row and crying when they won’t go, I need to just say, “Hey, another duck! Thank You, Daddy!” and go on my way rejoicing. Not stay stuck complaining.
Even then, me, I try and figure out: What are the things I need to do? Who should I talk to? How should I pray? How do I do this?
And you come up with this most blessed word from His mouth, aimed directly at my resentment and discontent: Just STOP!
Hey, maybe even I can figure out how to do that!
Beth, I love you for your loving heart; what boldness! May your summer continue to get better and better…
Alyson
Ruthanne,
I just want you to know I am praying for you and your situation. As a mom of 4…and you must be younger if you’ve only been married 11yrs.
Stand strong…go to Ephesians 6:16 I think…”take up the shield of faith to extinguish the flaming missiles of the evil one”. The missiles are coming @ you and your family.
Also a saving grace for me is Moms in Touch, check out their website @ http://www.miti.org (i think).
Another favorite book of mine is, Praying the scriptures for your Children by Jodie Berndt.
Stand firm in HIM,
angela in nc
It is SO prevalent! It is scary the pits our siestas are falling into! I see it everyday at work AND out in the world – it’s all over the headlines.
Doing Daniel study again!! We are reminded to live in this world to be an influence, NOT to be influenced!!! What timing for this word!
Thanks for letting God speak to you and through you!
Beth;
One of the things that I really can count on and love about your teachings in that you don’t pull punches. You say it like it is and are not afraid to ruffle some feathers in the process. Thank you for being faithful to God, His word, and not just tickling our ears and yet doing it with love. Kim B. in Az
WoW! I thought it was just me being tested and tempted, and pitching my tent too close to Sodom. Thanks
Love you all, Marcy in OR
thanks so much…i was in a wrong pattern of thinking when i read this today. just what i needed to move me in a different direction.
you were His voice to me today, thank you.
cindi
Praise you God through Beth for this timely reminder that I want super glued to the wall paper of my mind. That devil is too busy. I appreciated and learned so much doing your Bible study “When Godly People DO Ungodly Things.” What an eye opener I needed to understand what the devil can and can’t do. But oh the tools God has for us while on this earth. HE is limitless!!!
BELIEVING HIM and Growing in Christ with you, Kim
Father – I seek your forgiveness … for a list so very long. Yes, I recognize you have been speaking to me for a while on this subject, and I’ve been just plain stubborn. You provided a certain eye opening verse from Ezekiel just this morning as well. I’m trembling at powerful messages you have sent ME today. God Almighty, please fill every nook and crany with the Holy Spirit that I may be empowered to fight Satan and may I look only to you for the strength and wisdom needed to walk victoriously with you. We praise you for hearing and answering all our prayers Father. Please continue to gently humble me and to see you standing there with open arms ready to receive me. I do pray this in the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Sprit.
yvonne
THANK YOU!!! 🙂
Whoo, Beth- you know how to say it! I got my stop it from our bible study, No Other Gods with what I watch on TV-
Oh be careful little eyes what you see, ears what you hear, hands what you do, feet where you go, for the Father up above is looking down in LOVE…
Heidi in Austin
Thank you Beth. From all of us who really already knew what we were supposed to be doing, how we were supposed to be acting, and that we are not doing it.
From a Sinning Siesta who needed this the MOST today…(just joking… well, mostly) 🙂
I’m starting the stopping today!!
Okay I’ll stop 🙂 THANK YOU for sharing.
Beth,
It is not a coincidence that this morning Patty and I were on the phone together knelt in prayer over this Siesta Fiesta and especially for you
When she clicked on the blog and read the post we about fell out of our chairs
Thank you for your boldness to address all of these issues
as well as telling us to STOP IT NOW
It is so true that we can wallow in a pit and not even try to climb out b/c we have too many excuses in our way
May God bless you sweet Beth and continue to fill you with wisdom, discernment, peace, patience, and joy!
God bless
Kim
Thanks for being willing to say the hard things.
thank you so much! i so needed to hear somebody say STOP IT. ive been telling God that i wanted to stop but that i just cant seem to. He spoke to me through you. thank you for allowing Him to use you!
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for these ladies I’ve come to know and love through Your word. I thank You for Beth, our fearless Mama, for allowing You to use her as an instrument. Lord, I know that I have issues myself, and I pray that You will help me not to be a brat. You are God, and I am just called to love.
I pray for these ladies, Lord, I pray that You will help them through their trials as they strive to grow closer to You. Lord, You know their need, and no matter how big or small, YOU ARE THE LORD OF LORDS, THE KING OF KINGS, Jehovah Jireh, Abba Father. You are bigger than all things, Lord, and I thank You for what You are doing through this online community. Help us all to draw closer to You, and in the process, make forever friends. I love You, Father, and I ask this in Your precious, Holy Name. Amen.
A very wise woman, named Joy, once told me that blaming all of our “issues” on satan can often be just another way of not taking the responsibility ourselves to just “Stop It”.
It made me realize that it was just another way to place blame for something that I needed to deal with myself.
Thank you for speaking boldly……we all need that little kick in the pants sometimes!
Dear Ruthanne~~ I am praying for you and your longings~ Some Scripture to meditate on:
Genesis 3:2, Eve starting a converstaion with the devil, please stop it! Your thoughts are from Satan. Do not entertain a converstation with him. Phil 4:8
Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovley, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Genesis 39:9 Joseph said: How then could I do such a thing and sin against God? and Psalm 51:3-4 David says: my sin is always before me. Against You and only You have I sinned.
I too have 5 kids under age 10 and I too am at home all day long with them, my husband travels a lot with his job and someweeks I never get a break! I understand girl, hang in there and hang on…resolve to not think on the “longings” and focus on “WHATEVER”!!
I will pray for you!
Love and blessings~
Devy
Just commented, but have to say something to Ruthanne……
I am the oldest of 5 children and not long ago my mom opened up to me about her struggles when we were all young and her life was crazy from the moment she woke up until she went to bed. Many, many times she wanted to walk away. She told me that she started getting up early and began each and every day taking communion. I thought this was strange since we grew up more or less non-denominational and communion was something that happened only once in awhile.
She told me that the reminder every morning of the sacrifice Jesus made for her so she could live under the protection of her Lord, was what kept her from walking away. Please, please, please seek God. He alone can give you the strength, peace, and heaven knows, patience to make through each day!
I’ll be praying for you!
Miss Beth,
Thank you for your words today! They have really struck a cord in my heart…there are many areas that i need TO STOP IT.. some of it is just letting go of my past and allowing God to totally heal my past..
Yes, we truly do reap what we sow…and it is very painful for a long time… even though I had heard if for years, when I was very deep in sin… I said ‘”yeah right,” nothing is happening that I was reaping’ …I didn’t realize that it would catch up to me one day!
Again thank you for your stern words
I love you more now than ever!
Delilah
Hi there Miss Beth,
I pray that going through the process of grieving for my dear Dad three months or so ago does not count in this regards… I know that he is with Jesus now, but I cannot say that missing him is not a huge issue in our lives.
However, I am trying to “go on”, as I am taking 2 three credit graduate courses towards renewing my teaching license this summer. It will still be tough trying to find a “real” elementary teaching job up in this area, but I am hoping/praying that the Lord will continue to provide funding for me to go on to earn my Reading Teacher licensure, which could take up to 2 full school years, including summer courses, I believe. And, that is what I did just to the NW of Houston from 2000to 2004, with Learning Disabled children who were struggling readers, which I absolutely loved doing.
And, I continue to pray for the Lord to take over my heart, mind, soul, spirit, thoughts, words and actions each morning, so that I may do HIS will and not my own… Because, without Jesus in my life each and every moment, I don’t think my life would be the same, even though I have had to face some huge challenges in my life since leaving Houston in June 2004. But, at least I believe that I have been following His will every baby step of the journey …
Believing God for healing our broken [grieving] hearts, moment by moment, hour by hour, and day by day …
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Southern Wisconsin
———————————
P.s. Does anyone out there in Siestaville want or need some water or rain? The flooding situation here in Wisconsin is continuing on… Please pray for that, if you wouldn’t mind… Here are some pictures:
http://gazettextra.com/photos/galleries/gazette-staff-flooding-photos/
However, thanks be to God, my mother & I live up the hill from the Rock River, so we were not affected at all. But, many businesses and others in the downtown area were hit hard. And, as you can see, many people in this area have come together to help one another out of this difficult time here, so we can give God praise for that, too, can’t we??? Hallelujah!!!
Beth, That is one thing that I love about you. You are straight to the point, but it is always straight from the heart & straight from the mouth of God. Thank you so much for your willingness to be that AUDIBLE voice of the Lord, for us and Me!
I needed this word today…it’s time for me to get my Big Girl Britches on and just “STOP IT” in an area where I’ve been pouting cause I’m not getting my way!
Thank You!
LOVE YOU more than my Pink Hair! 😀
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
You speak truth, love and grace!
CANNOT wait to hug the necks of these precious ladies, including yourself, in just a few short months.
Lindsee
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
You speak truth, love and grace!
CANNOT wait to hug the necks of these precious ladies, including yourself, in just a few short months.
Lindsee
Beth,
All I can say is thanks for being so real and not sugar coating things. I’m pretty hard headed! I have a question for you or whoever has a thought on it. It’s about forgiving God. I’ve heard that you can and I’ve heard that you can’t. I think I’m kind of stuck here. Not sure if that is appropriate for the blog but I need an answer. Oh, I don’t know about you Siestas but I like to boogie when I clean house. 🙂 Here’s two songs for ya…Glorious by Martha Munizzi and Pray by CeCe Winans AND Crazy Praise by Nancey Jackson. WooHoo Siestas! Get out the Swiffer and go to town!! See you all in San Antonio! Can’t count…that was three songs.
I’ve been reading this blog for quite a while now, I thought it might be time to join in the “conversation”. Thank you for sharing so boldly through this site. I always seem to walk away with something I needed to hear each time. Today, I just need to stop blaming someone for something and get on with living.
Wow…isn’t it amazing how we all struggle with our “stuff”…and how we can all relate to each other?
I’m on my face for those siestas who are hurting and needing to STOP…whatever “it” is. I’m crying out for you…and for me. Satan is always at work, driven by his desire to steal us away from our precious Lord Jesus. Oh, keep us safe in the palm of your loving hand, our dear Savior!!
I have two sisters, one of whom lives in Australia. I live north of Boston, and my youngest sister lives about 2 miles from my Mom and Dad in the great state of Texas. You know how you feel when your sisters get together with your Mom and you’re not there?? Well, that’s how I feel about the Siesta Fiesta. Left out and pouting. Happy for you but really jealous – especially because you’ll be in one of my favorite places in the whole world, a place where you can eat scrumptious, authentic Mexican food every meal of the day!! Have fun, dear ones…and please eat some chips and salsa for me.
Much love and loads of God’s blessings to you!
Kim