Hi Siestas! I’ve spent the morning catching up on what’s been going on here in Siestaville and, I must say, y’all have been busy! What an exciting time for the LPM Blog. I have at least 50 emails in my inbox asking questions about how to operate the blog and/or sign up to memorize Scripture with the Siestas this year. I’m planning to write a separate post addressing those questions at some point today. Thank you so much for your patience while I was on vacation.
My little family left for Missouri the day after Christmas to spend a week with Curtis’ family. We had a great visit and enjoyed being there so much. We have a newborn nephew who was a particular delight to all of us. Being around him reminded me of so many things I have to look forward to in my near future. By the way, Baby Girl Jones is going to be here next month. Can you believe it? I’m already 34 weeks!
So, we’re only 5 days into the New Year and I’ve already totally blown it. The parts of me that I hate the most have come out in full force. Anyone else? I hope I’m the only one, but I know there are probably others who woke up on this first Monday of 2009 feeling defeated. Jackson slept gloriously late (thanks to some new dark curtains) and I was able to take my time with my Wisdom for Mothers Bible study (by Denise Glenn of Motherwise) and my prayer journal. Before Curtis walked out the door, I asked him to sit down and pray with me because I was feeling so rotten. His words encouraged me so much. He basically reminded me that the Lord’s mercies are not new every new year, but every morning. Thank You, God! I can already start over again today. I’m choosing to look at my failures as a very keen reminder that any victory in 2009 will come from complete dependence on the Holy Spirit and not from my own strength. In his sermon last night, Curtis said that God shows us our weaknesses to move us past a place of prideful comfort and into spiritual growth. Who is like our God, who even offers us a big ole serving of hope with our humble pie?
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:21-23, NIV)
The fact that God’s tender mercies are new every morning is so encouraging to this old soul.
My God IS faithful and I’m LOVING Him today for that!!!
We are glad you are home safe and sound!
I have big news that I have to ask the Siestas for prayer…my mom accepted Christ 7 years ago and, needless to say, there has not been any “big changes”, I’m sure she thinks I am some sort of Jesus Freak (I am! Ãœ), but you know what I mean…Ladies, my mom agreed, with my asking, to attend Esther starting tomorrow. My mom has never done a study, I’m excited and nervous…I’m nervous b/c I want her to love it and, in the past, I get so “worried about what she thinks” that I get distracted….anyways, I consider this a HUGE answer to prayer…but please keep praying that she will come to love/know/appreciate God’s word….
Thanks Siestas!
Heather
Oh Amanda,
A whole mess of ugly poured out of me and my husband over the last few weeks and I thought we were going to implode… But, God is faithful and we are staying the course. You are a treasure and your authenticity is priceless.
Glad your trip was refreshing and you got home safe. Curtis is very wise and you are very blessed. May God’s glory surround you as baby girl makes her way and her place in your home an dyour heart!
Love you,
Michelle
i blew it big time already, too. in fact, it was new year’s day. ugh. thank GOD for His grace…it is enough!
wow yes….thanks for posting this “probably others who woke up on this first monday of 2009 feeling defeated” –yep, sign me up.
thank you for that verse…it’s going on my bathroom mirror right now.
CAROL ALBUQUERQUE NM GLAD YOU HAD A GOOD VACATION I WOKE UP THIS MORNING FEELING SO DEFEATED TO BECAUSE I HAD TO COME BACK TO WORK HAVING 2 WEEKS OFF TO BUT THE SONG THAT CAME TO ME THIS MORNING AS I GOT READY FOR WORK IS I NEED A BRAIN WASH FROM MY HEAD TO MY TOES YOUR MOM POSTED THAT YERSTERDAY MAYBE WE SHOULD MEMORIZE THE WORDS THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT LOVE TO ALL CAROL
Thank you Amanda for the words of encouragement this day. I need to know that God will let us start over EVERY day. Just adding that scripture to the already growing list of “the ones that I want to memorize this year”. God is laying so many on me that I should do one a week. It is great to be overwhelmed like that though!
Hi AJ,
Thanks for the reminder about God’s mercies being renewed every day and not just every year! I blew it too! Thank you Jesus for Siestas!
Amanda, thanks for being vulnerable and sharing encouragement! I can identify with what you’re saying in this post, and I have to remind myself all the time that “His mercies are new every morning” ! I love this Scripture that you posted from Lamentations, and just decided to memorize it as my first Scripture for January (I’m a little behind:-P). Bless you!
Girl, you are so on target. I got to work this morning after a glorious two weeks off for Christmas, and quickly realized I was going to need three things to survive this Monday.
1. My cutsie note cards with scripture splattered all over them.
2. A big bag of peanut M&M's.
3. A even bigger Diet Coke.
A Moses moment or two would be great to help part this sea of mail that is on my desk. I think it may take that kind of miracle for me to even see the top of it in the next few hours.
Praise the Lord His Mercies renew every morning and sometimes, when we need it, every hour.
Have A AWESOME DAY!!!
Carrie
You quoted my very favorite verse! It is my favorite because I am in constant need of his new mercies- daily even. I am glad you and Curtis and the J-man made it back safely. I will be praying peace and COMFORT for you in the coming weeks until Baby girl is finally here.
Showers of Blessing on Your day.
Thanks for sharing…sometimes my heart aches ’cause everyone seems so perfect and I woke up on New Years day…so very imperfect. You are so blessed to have someone pray you through it.
I love the scripture you shared…I may have to use that as one of my memory verses this year.
“God shows us our weaknesses to move us past a place of prideful comfort and into spiritual growth.”
What a wonderful God that we serve. Thank you so much for sharing your feelings about already feeling defeated. I felt just that same way today. Your uplifting message must have come directly through you from God for me. I love being a siesta! It provides such daily strengthening and support.
To Heather in CA –
It is fine to be nervous, but remember God is in complete control. I am one who also “worries about what my mom will think,” so much so that I have spent much of my life responding to what I think she wants. Turns out, she didn’t need it and all she has wanted was for me to live the life I was meant to. Let the LORD go for a walk with your mom. Let them go; and you walk with Him on tyour own, and I want to hear what comes of this.
LORD I thank you for you unbelievable, earth-shaking ways of bringing people to you and how your ways are not our ways. Please be close and present in both heather and her mom’s life right now, and let this study be a platform of unreal and amazing moments for both women, separate and collectivly.
In the awesome and real name of our savior, Jesus,
Amen
Hey AJ,
I remind myself of this verse often as well! There are some days that I wait til 12:01 to go to bed…that way I know the mercies are already new!
Thanks for the word of encouragemnet
Praying for you and that precious baby girl!
Love to all!
Laura Beth
Continuing to pray for you, your sweet family, and that little girl whose beautiful face you will soon see!
When your mother spoke this verse during the simulcast in August ’08, it was what I needed to push me into a MORNING quiet time. I have always made excuses why I couldn’t do a morning devotion. But when she said “Who couldn’t use a little extra mercy EVERY morning?”
Bless you Amanda in these last days with your daughter on the inside. You bless me so often.
Your mom did real good, filling your shoes while you were gone.
Melana in Wyoming
Thanks so much for that post Amanda. Because, girl, you are not alone. But it is wonderful to have a God who gives hope while he serves humble pie.
Amanda, I blew it at 12:01 a.m. on the 1st! 🙂
Seriously, our daughter was sick so I MADE my husband and son go on to our friends house for New Year’s Eve like we had planned. They argued with me, but I INSISTED that they go–and then I sat there mad all night! LOL…WHY? I don’t know…just me and my self pitty brought in the new year!! So sad.. (I laugh as I type this…cause My beautiful man did exactly what I asked of him and he STILL got in trouble!!) *giggle* Seriously, I need a fresh start each morning..maybe the top of each hour?
Blessings to you my friend-and if all else fails, blame the hormones! :~)
Glory to God that He does give us new mercies..How great is our God?
Blessings!
Jen in MISSOURI 🙂
Amanda, you have a very wise husband to remind you that God’s mercies are new every day, not just every year. How I praise God for His daily mercy! I need it!
Thank you for sharing this encouragement. It’s so nice to hear examples of how spiritual health is a priority in a marriage (or any relationship)- I believe that’s what makes it so strong.
I too am at 34 weeks with my second Little Sprout. I’ll be in prayer over us both in the weeks ahead.
Emily
Amanda,
What wisdom God spoke through Curtis!
I pray that the Lord bless you with a smooth birth of a healthy baby girl that will be used mightily for God’s glory! I pray for her husband-to-be that he will be a godly man who will love her dearly! I know that sounds early to pray that, but just look how fast Jackson has grown. Your mom(Beth) would agree with me–kids grow soo fast! Too fast!
I am so glad that His mercies are new every morning,’cause this girl sure needs them!
Miriam 🙂
Be encouraged sweet Amanda! BTW, the verse you included is what I picked for my Jan 15 memory verse. I shared it with my sons on New Year’s Day with the same reminder Curt gave you. God is awesome! Love you sister. In His Love, Kim in PA
Giving a shout out….Hallelujah, received my Esther workbook today, and our group starts Thursday night!!!!!
Love you all and Jesus especially.
Yes, blown to smithereens. I woke up at 2 AM this morning, couldn’t go back to sleep. The longer I stayed awaked the more angry I became about everything that was “wrong.” I laid there and cried about about how I hate my life and what I’ve let it become and all my failures, which eventually woke up my husband. He too had encouraging words and a gentle touch enough to help me let it go and find some sleep.
You are so right. Well, actually, it’s that scripture that is SO RIGHT. I know His mercies are new every morning because I got a do-over the 2nd time I woke up this morning (6:30 that time). It is just so hard sometimes not to feel consumed. Keep reminding us, OK?!
Amanda,
Thanks for the words of encouragement. This siesta needs a daily reminding of that truth!
The name of my own blog is cindy-newmercieseachday. When I read your blog today I felt such wonder that God does allow us new mercies each second if needed. I have blown it too already this new year and I need multi-mercies.
Love,
Cindy
What an AWESOME God we serve!!! Seriously, new every morning?!! I knew that but I had forgotten it. Thanks for the great reminder. Apparently a few of us needed that. Going to keep on keeping on, renewing my strength in the Lord. I want to soar on wings like eagles!
~Rachel~
Dear Amanda,
I too am a pregnant, emotional, mother of one (15 month old) having the SAME kind of Monday you described. Thanks for the encouragement and sharing your struggle. So good to know I’m not alone, when I can’t even discern why I feel defeated! I have a sweet girl and am hoping for a boy…so excited for you to know the joys a daughter brings!
Glad you are home safe and sound.
Thank you for your post today, it just “happened” to be exactly what I needed to hear!
Hugs to you on this fine day!
I’ve been feeling like I need a renewal of the Spirit for awhile. I pray that 2009 will be the year for all of us to experience a fresh anointing of the Spirit as well as a renewal of our minds. I keep thinking of the verse, “The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” I don’t want control. I want the Holy Spirit’s control! I want the mind of Christ!
Happy New Year LPM! Looking forward to all the wonderful things God has in store for this ministry and this site! It felt good to get back into the groove this morning. A morning that started with a kiss from the hubs at cock’a’doodle dark and the realization that the vacation, it’s all over. But then my day really started with a new hairdo AND our first session of the Esther series! I love a new beginning!
Amen, Young Lady. I am also eternally relieved that His mercies are new every morning and not every year. Man oh man, it would be a mighty long 12 months. You are a complete delight to your mother. I so approve of you.
I love that verse too! What a wonderful encouragement! I was sharing with my mom yesterday that we don’t have to ever be in the valley – if God is our mountaintop and not experiences, blessings, people, etc. and HE promises to never leave us nor forsake us, then we can stay there – on that mountain basking in HIS Presence, no matter what our circumstances or if our day just started out kinda bad. God is Wonderful!
Can’t wait to see your first pictures and see if baby girl looks like Moore’s or Curtis’s! I’m praying for you along with all our Siestas!
Thank you so much for this post! Yes, I began today feeling defeated already and needed the reminder that we get a fresh start with God every single time we need one. His patience and longsuffering with me astound me!
Thank you for your encouraging post.
I do have to say that I was so moved when you said you asked your husband to pray with you before he left.
Not to even mention that he did.
Thank you again for the encouragement. Great is His faithfulness.
Blessings,
Michelle in Vermont
understand completely…if I believed I was as defeated today as I feel I would never get up again. So clearly the work of our adversary – whispering lies to us this way. He surely hates the new graces our Father gives us.
Thanks Amanda. Such a needed word today. Nice to have you back on the blog. We missed you. Your Mom has been keeping us busy. 🙂
Looking forward to each new morning God gives me this year.
Blessings.
I’ve been sharing that verse with others this NEW year, too… and I like to say that His mercies are new EVERY MINUTE if we need them to be. That’s how great our God is.. and in my own studies this morning, it was all about “Let he (or SHE) who boasts, boast in the LORD”. I am boasting in His goodness and BELIEVING that He is about to do something BIG in our family. And trust me… for this once shame-filled, guilt-ridden, “God-can-never-use-me” gal to be saying that.. well, that just speaks to HIS POWER alone.
Happy New Year to you and your family!
Linda
Thank you for the Verse in Lamentations today Amanda… that is EXACTLY what I needed to hear this Monday!
Love ya,
Groovewoman♫
Oh and By The Way….
” Where my Fort Worth Saints at? – **WOOP, WOOP!**
Love ya,
Groovewoman♫
I’m a little late but here is my scripture memory verse:
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord,
which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold he that keepeth Isreal shall neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalm 121:1-4
Barb from Churchill Ontario Canada
This is one of my favorite scriptures. Its helped me along the way MANY times. “For this I recall to mind, therefore I have HOPE…GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS”. So refreshing…thank you for sharing that.
I’m currently doing “Stepping UP” and have been pondering on Psalm 121. I love it.
Have a continual blessed day!
Your Siesta in Hawaii
I discovered as soon as I announced to Jesus that He was going to be my focus, my all-and-all for 2009 and it WAS going to be a Jesus-Year, I seriously came under attack. I have had major anxiety and stress that is totally out of the blue and for no reason. Funny how my scripture memorization begins with “When I am afraid I will trust in You.” Been saying it over and over (when you are walking through the grocery store saying your scripture memorization trust me when I tell you to NOT say it out loud. lol.)
I’m trusting Him and I know this will pass and thank goodness His mercies are new every morning!
Amanda,
Thank you for your humble heart; I needed your words this morning. I was too late to go to my Moms in Touch prayer group, then I was too late for my excercise class. Usually, I have both of those done by 10:40 am, but I was so disappointed in myself thinking it was the New Year and I’m so behind. I think about how forgiving and understanding I am to my own children. To think God created those feelings and how much more He is gracious and forgiving to me. I love the verses you shared. Thank you! I have you in my prayers this next month!!! So exciting! I had two boys and then a liitle girl! Bring on the pink …. and purple …. and orange …. and bows galore. 😉
Your words brought tears to my eyes. We do serve an awesome God. I sometimes feel like such a failure. I have so much for which to be thankful, but yet I have so many regrets. There is one in particular that I so badly want to “fix”, but I need to leave that up to God. I need to remember that I am here to serve God.
I can SO relate to your start to 2009….I have been the same way. So discouraging when I am already so frustrated with myself. Thankful for all His new mercies!!
Awesome Amanda! Thanks for sharing!
Amanda
Thank you for reminding us that God’s mercies are new every morning. I needed to hear that this morning too. It’s my prayer that if God should choose to send me a husband, he would be a good, godly man as I see your Curtis is. However, if He does not, then there is some thing else better awaiting me, just pray that I will continue to keep my focus on our Precious Lord. I will continue to pray for your family especially with your Baby Girl coming soon–What a blessing! Also, I’ll be praying for Living Proof Ministries and the entire Moore family.
Welcome back, we missed you
Sharon
Amanda, we sure missed you!
And here’s a cup of imaginary hot tea just for you. I’ve poured it into a heavy snowman mug that says on the side “CHILLIN’.” And it is Earl Grey steeped to perfection with a tiny bit of honey for sweetening the tea. The steam is still rising from the tea in the mug. And I have a tiny tea cake (butter flavored) with a pink rosebud made out of icing on top to celebrate how close you are to the arrival of BB (beautiful baby)! Pamper yourself often in the days ahead…praying for the very best time of your life as you bring forth God’s new creation in your family!