Siesta Summer Bible Study (Weeks 1 and 2) from LPV on Vimeo.
Hey Summer Bible Study Siestas!
It’s time for Gathering II! Remember, all comments to this post are meant to come AFTER your small group meeting as a way of sharing a highlight with us from your time together. Try to limit your feedback to one regular-size paragraph and be sure to remind us where you’re from and how many are in your group. Only one group member is requested to give a report but if something huge is happening in your life through the study and your leader didn’t share it, by all means, post an individual comment so your Siestas can give God the praise He’s due.
If at all possible, please watch the video for your instructions for this week’s gathering but, just in case you can’t get it to work or can’t spare the time, here are the activities in writing:
1. By now you’ve been well introduced to the concept of the study. We’re cleaning out our thought closets. On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you individually need this particular subject matter and why?
2. Look on p.13 at the quote in the margin: “Who I am and what I struggle with are not the same thing.” In what way did that statement resonate with you? What struggle do you most tend to define yourself by?
3. Look on p.23, Day 4 of Week 1 at the interactive where Jennifer says, “In your own words, describe worry.” What was your answer?
4. Go to p.44 in Week 2 and focus on the part of the study where Jennifer talks about “faulty assumptions.” I thought this part was incredibly insightful. What is one of your faulty assumptions?
Have a great time with one another and may Christ’s Presence and power be evident in every gathering! You are loved and prioritized here at LPM.
*Previous posts:
Summer Bible Study Sign Up
Summer Bible Study Kick Off
We're a group meeting at a coffee shop in Sturgis Michigan. Discussed many of the same things as previous posts, so I won't add to that, but also acknowledged the word that Beth gave to us at the end to let God "tend" to us when we need to…and for all practical purposes, how do we do that? Great discussions! My ladies are the greatest and I learn so much from them! We are about 10/12 ladies. Thanks for the encouragement!
We all agreed this study is timely. We had good discussion. Thanks so much for leading us! The reminders that we are not our struggles and that we make faulty assumptions were so helpful. Also, your illustration with the cup…it hit home. Oh, didn't want to forget, thanks for the Texas hair tip. We in Wyoming tend to be more brunette. Small world…our fearless leader was shopping with her teenage daughter just today and she made the request to get a Bumpit. So Shelley brought it with her tonight to demonstrate.
1. 9 I guess. I don't feel the need so much for myself but as for my daughters. I don't want to pass on my negative talk to myself to them.
2. struggle to feel self worth…the Scripture memory has helped so incredibly, tremendously with this issue…it has been the most incredible blessing!
3. fretting over things that may or may not ever happen…things I have NO control over
4. faulty assumption that even if I feel or seem that I am different (for the better) I am really not…
I just wanted to add that for me reading the 'list of truths' out loud on page 36 was so incredibly powerful. I even had my girls (9 and 12) read them aloud too.
And also the same thing with the prayer on page 53 stating
'Dear God, I believe…'
Much thanks for this wonderful study,
Michelle in VT
Hey Beth!
'Can't believe you had a raccoon in the attic!! We had 3 on our bird feeder one night and just this past Sunday our neighbor watched a 75 lb. 'black cat' run across our backyard!! Our summer has been HOT and full of critters!!
1. On a scale of 1-10 I feel like I'm between a 10 and 20. I didn't realize that my 'roller coaster disposition' was caused by a terribly overstuffed thought closet competing with hormones! I've allowed faulty assumptions to rule my life. This is a powerful study for me right now.
2. I tend to struggle with low self-esteem and it seems to manifest itself in being judgemental of others, angry over the little things AND I nearly fell off my chair listening to you talk about telling Keith 'no you don't' when he tells you he loves you!! OMWord–I say that and regret it everytime I do. I feel like I don't deserve to be loved. I think some of my feelings are due to the big "M", but I don't know how to tell the difference, neither feels right.
3. Worry is 'creating' the 'what ifs' in my life. Scenarios of what 'could' happen. Wasting God's time, that's for sure. That's why one of my last memory verses was "do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own"!!
4. I've never felt 'good enough' throughout my life. I have the 'if only I had graduated from college…' syndrom.
Beth, thanks for choosing this study. It's a perfect SSBS–it's just me & God working on this one!
Bobbie, College Station
#1 We both thought an 8. We think we're thinking better than we used to…and mostly our intentions are good. But there's still some "stinking thinking" going on. We want to do better!
#2 Who I am is not what I struggle with. This was BIG! We don't want to be defined as controlling, and sometimes feel way out of controlling everything. A lack of discipline has affected many areas of our lives.
#3 Worry for us was all about control….not being able to control what we want to. We replay the same things over and over and over and it wears us out.
#4 Our assumptions- We assume people think just like us….and they don't and our expectations put burdens and barriers on us and them and our relationships.
Melana and Heidi
Sheridan WY
1.Lately I have myself trapped in my own defeating thought life. This study has been great so far! God is really opening my eyes, making me take inventory of my thoughts and reseting my focus.
2. My struggle is myself. My own unrealistic expectations and pride that keep me trapped in self inflicted guilt. My relationships suffer because of the selfish expectations I place on those around me. Just bitterness that I carry around in my purse day after day.
3. worry–thinking about or running scenarios about situations that haven't occurred & I have little if any control over the actual outcome.
4. my worth is measured by the number of things that I am able to complete in any given day….that I can somehow impress God with all my efficiency or something. I'm very much a "Martha" striving to be a "Mary".
Loving summer study!! This study was just the "mirror" I needed put in front of my face…
Going solo,
Kristie in Hermiston
Angela, Wendy, Kathryn, Kim, Amy, Abby and Mindy- Lee's Summit, MO
Wendy, Mindy, Angela, Amy, and Kathryn met at Wendy's house tonite and had really yummy snacks:) We all agreed that this study is really hitting home with all of us, and our thought closets definitely need an updating! We agreed that its hard to label our ugly thoughts because if we wrote them down that made them real and what if someone read them?! We discussed our faulty assumptions and our ugly thoughts and we came away refreshed in the Word. Can't wait until next meeting!
Our group is enjoying the study very much and are are finding it very timely (we found ourselves in the 7-8 range as far as our need for the study). As a whole we didn't even realize how bad we needed the study or just how much negative self talk we are participating in. Our eyes were opened when we realized we are offending God when we bash ourselves the way we do and said we would be horrified to hear someone we love talking to themself the way we do. As a closing we went around the room and shared the truthful labels we each checked as especially needing to cover the lies we've told ourselves (pg 36). We all checked "I am dearly loved" and indeed we are! We are all working on cleaning out our closets so we can see, feel, and accept that truth, tossing out one ill-fitting, stained blouse at a time.
Jen, Jennifer & Kristin (& Jamie – absent)
Bellingham, WA
10 college age women
Phil Campbell, AL
Tonight's meeting was very insightful and encouraging. The honesty that I heard in each voice was very real. It makes me so jealous for each one of us to really "get" that God's Word works in a very personal way. That He is powerful enough to handle our stuff. I've tasted victory in some of these areas before and I'm struggling to keep believing God's Word to work in my new challenges. This study for me is a personal warning to not slip into unbelief after knowing and experiencing Him as I have before.
Beth, one thing that I am concerned about is that each one of us has voiced at one point or another with struggling to see a clear, personal application to some of the lessons. It's sometimes hard to pinpoint our thoughts so we can see the problem clear enough to know what truth to apply to it. God gave me John 8:31,32 to fight against any thought of quitting. I am choosing to believe that if He has led each one of us to do this and if we will "hold to His teaching" on this and not quit, that He WILL give each one of us clarity into the problem, and then incredible knowledge of the specific truth that trumps that specific lie!
We had a wonderful study tonight in Phoenix, AZ with 11 of us attending. Great discussion on Fact/Faith and faulty assumptions. God is doing huge things and we're all so much more aware of our thought lives and each of us are ready for God to do a mighty work. On a lighter note, I laughed my head off with the "bump it" because before I ever listened to you I had one in my own HAIR today. Is that not hilarious. I had to take it out at the study to show everyone.
I'm writing in for my little group of three; Allison, Nicole, and myself. (Sasha)
We really felt surprised by how much we have all related to this study and the fact/idea that we had no clue as to how many negative/wrong thoughts run through our heads each day. It was shocking. We discussed how surprised we are that our minds led us to believe the things that culture and Satan and outside influences tell us.
We answered all of the questions you listed, and the question that I think we could have talked for the entire session on, was number 2. All of us had underlined the "Who I am and what I struggle with are not the same thing." That idea had a tremendous impact on us all.
As an aside, our group was formed via the connecting post that LPM published recently, and we are just amazed at how we have really been able to be vulnerable, and form an almost instant bond without having previously known each other. We really feel that the Holy Spirit put us all specifically together and it's been such a huge blessing to each of us. Just thought you would enjoy hearing that!
Also- we love your tips Siesta Mama. You are the best.
We both acknowledged that we need this study now…a definite "12" on the scale to 10. We both struggle with with thoughts that we are not liked. It was interesting how similar our thought closets are, especially with our faulty assumptions. I testified the difference the Siesta memory verses have helped me take captive thoughts and plant truths, and also gave a new spiral index card set for her to fill.
Thanks for leading us! 🙂
2 in white house, tn
Tonight was especially challenging for us because we are dealing with the very recent accidental drowning of a 5 year old girl from our small church. It was the first time we could come together and talk after learning the news, and we had a special time of prayer for the family…who are our friends. My husband pastors the church we attend, too.
Our study was great and we are learning so much from Jennifer's teachings. Women are being open with each other about their struggles…and that is an awesome thing to see happening.
Connie
Bolingbrook, IL
Our group met today at Kim's house. We had 5 out of 6 girls there and we had a great time sharing what we are gleaning from this study. Most of us rated our need as 10! Yes – yes, we need this study to help cement the truth in our heads. We shared our struggles, which ranged from being procrastinators to being perfectionists. Some of our definitions of worry are: paralyzing, wasting time in the wrong territory and fearing the unknown. Faulty assumptions is an area that we all identified with. We have been guilty of assuming other people's motives, actions and non-actions. A sweet group member shared this quote that we all liked: "I have no business thinking about (assuming) what someone else is thinking about me". We also pointed out scripture like Phil. 4:8 that remind us what to think on! We are thoroughly enjoying our time together and our study as we clean out our junk (lies) and bring in the new treasure (truth).
Deanna
(Kim's Group – Thatcher, Safford & Pima AZ)
This study is just what all of us needed this summer. It was a 10 for all of us (oops, one was a 12). Our time of sharing was great, dessert wasn't bad either. We had eight show up tonight. We were missing two. Thank you so much for offering this study this summer.
Karen, Judy, Anita, Linette, Kaydee, Priscilla, Billie Jo, Robin, Cheryl and Jeanne
Everett, WA
I am so thrilled and encouraged at God's faithfulness in this Bible Study. When God led me to initiate a group for Me Myself & Lies I decided it would be just fine to not have the DVD's since LPM provides such wonderful, interesting and "Professional" videos and discussion questions on the blog.
When the group God brought together met in my home the first evening I mentioned we would not be doing the DVD's. One of the girls informed me it was not as expensive as I had orginally thought but still more than I had in my budget for this study. We agreed to meet weekly for the accountability and discuss our homework.
After that first meeting God put it on my heart to go ahead and purchase the DVD's and watch Him provide. We had the DVD's for our second week and were blessed from Jennifer's additional information. Tonight God confirmed our group. We have a total of eleven ladies coming from the neighborhood and my Sunday School Class. The ladies understood I would not tell them how much they needed to contribute but God would provide that information to them. I also wanted them to know that it was ok not to contribute as I recognize some of ladies may have some serious financial issues at this time. God is faithful and will provide.
I am excited to report that I have received contributions from all the ladies but two. The last two ladies have already communicated to me an amount they desire and are able to contribute.
The purchase of MM&L DVD Set for our group is not only covered but a little extra has also been provided. Several of the ladies have a real need to be able to fill in all the blanks as we go through this study. Most important for this group is to allow the Holy Spirit to direct it that each lady as well as myself will be changed to become more of who God has created each of us to be by cleaning out our thought closet.
Thank you for allowing me a place to share this testimony of God's faithfulness.
Sylvia V.
Jersey Village, TX
The six of us had a great time in bible study. Each of us responed with a "10" to question #1. Some of us thought at the beginning of the study our closets weren't all that bad. But as the study progressed we each came to realize just how much junk we've let collect. Each of us is thankful for the study already.
Question 2 really hit home with each of us. It became freeing to some and a bit scary to others. The label of our struggle is one that we've worn for so long, removing it seems impossible. But though Jennifer's teaching, we're each seeing the real possiblity of removing those labels for good.
We had some really good answers for the definition of worry. Perhaps the best was "worry steals – it steals your peace, your joy, your time; it just steals". The other point was that it means we're not trusting God.
The faulty assumptions questions gave us much to discuss. Each of us struggles and surprisingly, with much of the same issues. The feeling of inferiority, or not being good enough, was one that was shared by all. Our insecurities lead each of us to produce fruit that was anything but godly. It was an awesome time of sharing. I just know God is up to something big in our lives!
1. I would say an 8. I have had victory over some of my self-talk but after completing the first 2 weeks of the study I have come to realize I have a ways to go.
2. The statement Who I am is not what I struggle with really hit home because that is the way my thought processes went and still go sometimes. One of my biggest struggles is when I beat myself up when things don't go well in the parenting department of I f I don't know how to handle a situation wit one of my kids I label myself as "I am not a good mom" or "I am a failure".
3. thinking about what if's over and over again. I liked what you said Sabrina shared in your group about worry is scaring myself. I can relate to that.
4. One of my faulty assumptions is
if you really cared about me or loved me you would… .
This is an awesome study to do right now and goes great with Siesta Scripture Memory. i have some new verses to memorize. Thanks!
Lucy form PA going solo.
Our loose group isn't officially meeting, just keeping up via email and facebook. With vacations, camps, family emergencies, etc. a couple of our girls have fallen behind, but we're not about condemnation!
Worry's big with me – I defined it as chewing on things that may or may not be based on reality. My problem is I'll take a little something and work myself up into a frenzy. That takes up a lot of room in my closet. My faulty assumption centers on my worth being based on my performance. (me, me, me, my, my, my – hmmmm)
We both acknowledged that we NEED this study. On a scale of 1-10 we were both a 10!!(or higher). It was great to sit down and talk about all of these lies rattling around in our heads.
Thank you for doing this!!!
Bless you!
Jennifer
Our group met last night with 7 of our 9 attending. We ended up talking for 2 hours! The study is great and most of us said we needed it at this time for various reasons some for affirmation of already positive thinking and some for not even knowing how negative they were until doing this study. We shared a lot of personal testimony regarding the faulty thinking. It was so awesome to have Jesus hanging out on my back porch with us…thank you for providing this study for us to be able to grow closer together in fellowship through Him.
Kristy
Princeton, NC
For the Diamonds and Strawberries group in Columbia, SC we agreed that we all were in need of this study to clean out our "thought closet". We shared that we struggle with not being good enough, guilt, and pride. Bottom line, we all agreed, was that we need to be in His Word more to kill those bad roots so that our fruit would be sweet! We discussed knowing the truths but then also believing them.
We are all enjoying this study. We had 10 last night- adding 3 new ones and missing 4. Looking forward to the 21st!
We had a great discussion last night. The topic resonates deeply with most of the women — we have a lot of yuck stored up inside our heads! Worry is paralyzing — letting the what-ifs (which usually never happen in the long run) rule over what we know to be true. We have two members dealing with major crises (a husband dying of a brain tumor and a daughter slowly discovering her new "normal" after a brain injury) that found great support and encouragement in our group and in our application of God's truths. I'm excited to see God's hand at work in each of us through this study!
Our study group met on Tuesday – late afternoon. Most of our members work outside of the home, so we don't meet until 4:30 or so. Out of the 15 signed up to participate, we had 6. Our first meeting, we had about that many – BUT THIS WAS A DIFFERENT 6! As the leader, I prayed alone before we began – prayed for God's deepest annointing.
We seemed to do pretty well with discussion. There are a couple of our members that I am not sure what their relationships are to the Lord. But I'll leave that to Him…if He wants to use me in that area, then I am willing.
When it came time to discuss our "worry thoughts", I had pulled up the "Traveler's Insurance Worried Dog" commercial. So appropriate! We all got a good chuckle out of it!
We ran about an hour and fifteen minutes…which puts us at supper time. I would like to keep the study to one hour. So next time, we will watch the video first instead of last. (I had previewed the video so had the discussion areas covered, but most of our members are not familiar w/Beth so I wanted them to get a chance to meet her just as she is.)
Ready to start week three.
Judie, West Texas Girl
The "Extreme Siestas" met for 6+ hours again and agreed that we're all a 10+ on the need for this study. Since we all deal with the challenges of managing our need for control, we LOVED Beth's reminder that we are NOT Lord and Savior over anyone, so we shouldn't expect them to obey our commands. The reminder to meditate on "what is" and not "what ifs" is helping us all recognize & re-direct the negative things we say to ourselves. Cindi reminded us to focus on the truth that "It's what we DO, not what we did." Kim was grateful for God's mercy & grace and shared this explanation: "Grace – we get what we don't deserve. Mercy – we don't get what we do deserve." Discussions were rich and God is patiently and lovingly teaching us all so much about the impact of our words to ourselves and how they ultimately impact others.
Cindi
Julie
Kim
Susan
Asheboro, NC
Our Monroe, Louisiana, group met last night. We were 11 ladies strong and had tacos before discussion time. It was an emotional meeting. Many women were dealing with some stressful issues in their lives. While some had never really considered "selftalk" before, they began to see God work and show them areas in their thinking that needed changing. The interactives were all sections the ladies mentioned wanting to discuss, so Beth, you were right on in your choices for our discussion time! Blessings, Tina in LA
Hi All Y'all on the Beach and beyond!
I have not had a chance to watch the vimeo yet, but I had to cheat a little and tell you about my new favorite movie. It is called Faith Like Potatoes. You have probably seen it, but I was shocked that someone had the audacity to make a movie that displays God bigger than I have ever seen Him in movies!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox I love you so much! We'll talk later in Heaven about it but my faith gets bigger by the day hearing the word of God! I am asking for the salvation of billions through our transformed lives. Nobody else can do it but Jesus.
Our group DID "Do It Daily" met again last night at Starbucks. We all watched the video before we arrived. We had good discussion about all the questions & each talked about other things that really stood out and meant a lot to us in the study. We are all in agreement that we really need a thought closet makeover!!!
Thankful for our Mama Siesta, Jennifer R., and this study,
Jennifer, Rachel, Rhonda, and Bethany
Cartersville, GA
p.s. After talking about worry, we decided it's also like a being in a BRIAR PATCH!
Oh, girl, you speak truth. I need to remember to let God tend to me daily. And honestly, I feel like that's what this study has been all about. God gently pushing at those areas that I'd rather forget about. After 40 something years, it's time.
I marked the passage on page 13 as well. For so many years, I've not only struggled with having been a victim, I felt like it's who I've become. But that's not me. I am not a victim. I am a precious treasure, chosen by God. And I will not wear that label any longer.
For me, worry is fretting over something, turning it over and over in my mind til it consumes my joy, my very being.
I listed two faulty assumptions that I had as a teenager that may still follow me sometimes today. The first was that my worth was based on what others thought of me and the second was that my past made me worthless. While I know that neither of these are true, a part of my heart still clings to them during difficult days. I have found, however, that our scripture memorization is allowing me to replace the "me" statements with "God" statements and that is bringing healing.
While this has been a difficult study, I wouldn't have missed it for anything. Thanks for taking the time to share and encourage. You are a blessing.
I am loving this Bible study. I had no idea how many lies I am telling myself! I do want to just respond to question 2 – who I am and what I struggle with are not the same thing. I am so having a hard time getting this one. ALL my insecurities in my life are based on one thing – being overweight as a child. All my I am statements are related to that. How I respond to others, how I talk to myself, it can all be traced back to that. SO consequently, I really have a hard time saying that what I struggle with (my weight) is not who I am when that has TOTALLY shaped me!
1. A 10, Needed it in the worst way. Wasn't going to do it and God wouldn't let quit laying it heavy on my heart to do it. I knew I was doing the right thing when I started to well up just reading the intro pages for crying out loud.
2. I most struggle with trusting my husband. Shouldn't, but I do. Been married 19 years (today's our anniversary) and it's been great. He's great, but I still worry I'm not enough and he'll stray. Boy, the lies I must be telling myself about how inadequate I am.
3. Wasting time.
4. I'm not good enough to… (fill in the blank.
Going solo and needing this badly.
3.
My siesta friend and I were unable to meet to go over the questions yet bc of being out of town…but we will meet together when we're both here. 🙂
1. For me, I'm at #6-7 right now in needing the study. I have done a lot of this kind of work on my thoughts and did breaking free last summer on my own, but was still amazed at how I can sometimes talk to myself and did notice a recurring pattern that I did not see before.
2. I thought this was such a profound statement! I definitely have and do define myself by my struggles which seem to make the struggle that much more difficult to conquer or overcome. It makes it too personal when I define myself as the struggle; how can I overcome something that I am? I loved this! There are probably a lot of things I could list, but a main one would be my anger/irritability/impatience. I act this way a lot bc it is a struggle stemming from childhood abuse and other trauma, but it’s not me. God did not decide to create a grumpy, annoyed person and just stick me with it to struggle with my whole life and never be able to have victory over. I think I tend to feel very defeated in this area of struggle bc that is how I have always defined myself…like, “I am angry, I am irritable, I am impatient, I am mean…â€, not saying “I feel angry, irritable, impatient, etc…God help me with my heart and attitude.†Does that make sense? This is really giving me a LOT to mediate and chew on.
3. Worry: rehearsing how things will turn out and playing out the scenarios in my mind…thinking the worst…a spinning wheel that never stops moving in my head. Feeling like I have to "fix" something but knowing the futility of it bc I can't fix it. It's insanity!
4. I think I probably have a lot but one of the most common is thinking that if something does not work out how I had imagined, that I did not hear God correctly or was wrong in what I thought I heard. I assume that it’s me, when maybe I did hear God correctly but instead of waiting on Him to reveal what the next step is, I assume I know what it is and when He has a different plan, I feel defeated, wrong, unable to hear Him.
I am loving this study and can't wait to continue digging around in my thought closet..it's time for a purging~!
I just love you Siesta Mama, the Lord has used you and your words in countless ways to minister to me and breathe life back in this scarred heart!
Blessings,
Melissa G., Concord, CA
We had an amazing evening together last night, full of blessings. We laughed, cried, drank GOOD coffee, cried some more and took turns holding my 3 week old grandson (heaven!)while opening our messy thought closets for all to see. We agreed that the first two weeks were hard and that this self-discovery gave us a headache. Some of us were able to get through most of the assignments while others found it so painful they struggled to get through a few pages. Tears (and a few laughs)were shed over past hurts, labels and assumptions, some going back 40-50 years! All agreed that this was going to be a tough journey but a good and much needed journey. We are expecting great things from our God, knowing He has brought us together with a specific purpose for each individual. One of the more interesting things we discovered was how quickly we jumped to the negative when listing things in our thought closet. Many of us had to go back and add in the good. What is that all about?? Hope we find out! Another was while we all come from different backgrounds and are in different seasons of life we share the same insecurities, pride and low self-esteem. For crying out loud, the slender gals had as many body issues as we fat gals! Praying for all of you as we work to become women whose roots run deep in Christ, anticipating glorious fruit!!
With love from
The Ames, Iowa Joy Group
Before we even watched the video we were talking about how we needed this study. Worry was our big topic of the night and the need to get head knowledge into the heart. Great time in prayer…
Cindy
Pam
Christy
Michele
Shelby Township, MI
We both agreed that this study comes at just the right time for us. The concept of what we struggle with and who we are not the same thing was a lightbulb moment for us. We discussed that worry is distrust in God's ability to take care of us and is all-consuming. Lastly, we talked about our faulty assumptions related to expectations of being a perfect wife, mother, housekeeper, etc.
1) I need this Bible study a 7/10 only because I had a jump start. I have been using my Bible Works software to make pages of Gods promises and His word for my "stinking thinking" for a few months now, I print them out and speak them out whenever needed.
2) Wow, I am learning my stuggles are the blueprint for victories THROUGH Him…I'm learning instead of stuggles defining us they elevate us into His grace…in my weakness He is made strong…BRING IT!
3)Worry to me is the development of negative thoughts for situations that have not even helped yet…it is where stinking thinking can be birthed…uggh!
4)My faulty assumption comes from the D word Divorce. I have believed for years it excludes me from any kind of a ministry to married women. It has fed my feelings of "ugly, unloveable, and too spiritual for a marriage". I'm currently wrestling with that one still…I'm learning to choose to view me with Gods eyes vs. my own…
Lori going solo in Louisville, Ky
Our meeting last night was GREAT. We all agreed that it had come perfectly at a time of transition for all of us; God working through some of our "stuff" before we could move forward into the next phase of our lives. We also all found, as we analyzed our thoughts, that we've basically been operating on false assumptions having to do with our value; i.e. "I'm only valuable if others are pleased with me." The "I am" statements were very instrumental in shooting down that lie.
The other biggie for us was the "I am not my struggles" comment. We determined that if we define ourselves by our struggles, there is no way it can ever "be well with our souls". We must separate ourselves from our struggles for that statement to ever be true. Also, one of the girls said that it made her think of Paul and his thorn. He never gave a name to his thorn, thereby never letting it define him. He only allowed it to be used as a tool to glorify God. GREAT stuff!
Thanks for facilitating this study – it's being used in a mighty way!
Melinda for Sharon, Judy, Laura, Carolyn and Lashea
There were 14 of us present. The only one missing was Jo-Jo who happens to be on a mission trip. Please pray for Jo-Jo and her trip!
1. We all agreed we needed this study off the scale – 11!! We are just loving it and hating it! Isn't it hard to really look inside ourselves that deeply sometimes?
2. We had great discussions about who I am and what I struggle with are not the same thing. We got into what the lies are that we tell ourselves. When some mentioned that they call themselves "stupid" or "idiot", it was interesting to find out others never do that. Eva brought up a good point about how we were raised at home. It appears that some of the women that called themselves names were called those names growing up in their homes. Those that don't have that mindset were not called names at home! Very Interesting!!!
That got us into the subject of what are we filling our families "thought closets" with? We are not just responsible for ourselves but also our families! Although if you ask a man what they are thinking they usually say nothing! We decided that WE fill up THEIR thought closets with OUR OWN thoughts and they are probably walk-in closets by now!! We laughed a lot about that!
3. Here are some of the descriptions of worry:
Fearful, revisiting, anxiety, unnecessary thoughts, not productive, worry becomes a habit, it controls you, gripping fear, defeating
Eva also read to us from Psalm 37 with the key words being:
Fret Not
Trust
Delight yourself in the Lord
Commit
Rest
This is the key to releasing our worries! We must revisit it again and again. We are so backfallen that we must constantly be reminded in the word of His instructions for us. It was a beautiful and tearful time of sharing. Joyce also told us a story of being in constant prayer. It was the funniest story that had us in hysterical, bust your gut laughter! I wish I could tell it but I would not do it justice!
4. Faulty Assumptions:
Fear of rejection
Assumming God should do
things that he doesn't
Viewing others opinions as
Judgements
Wow, what an evening. We are just loving this study and Jennifer!
Thank you Siesta Mama for loving us and leading us through this study!
Lori & the Siesta Sisters
Mapleville, Rhode Island
Four of our 8 met last night and spent 2 hours discussing per Beth's instructions. (Video wasn't working, but we were able to access audio!) We all agreed that on a scale of 1 to 10, we are all 10's as far as needing a constant renewing of our minds. We talked a lot about how we spend too much time worrying and how it negatively affects us and the people we love. We acknowledged our lack of trust in God, and admitted that we can choose NOT to worry. We agree with Jennifer Rothschild that there is no room for negative thoughts if we are filling our minds with thoughts of Who God is, who we are in Christ, turning our worries into prayers, and meditating on the faithfulness of God throughout our lives. We all expressed a desire to be FREE from worry!
The root of many of our faulty assumptions is disbelief. We don't believe God loves us.
Thanks, Beth, for facilitating this study! One of our participants is a new neighbor. After our first get-together two weeks ago, she asked the neighbor who had invited her to join our group, "How did you know I needed this study?!"
Summer Bible Study Siestas in Louisa, VA
In honor of our siesta mamma my group of 20 ladies met last night and feasted on a Mexican fiesta of tacos, nachos, and tortillas! Yum-yum!
Some of our topics of conversation included:
Labels we carry that are unchangable – we did not like the term "label" some felt it had a negative connotation. However, we all agreed that how you view your "label" from GOD should be in a positive light – He has entrusted us to give HIM the glory in all things as we show the world that we are overcomers of the world thru Christ Jesus! It is not a death fate, but rather a life faith!
We also discussed 'faulty assumptions" and how they can root in our lives leading us to produce fruit that is less than acceptable for the Christian who is living a life abundant! All of us harbor roots of pride, bitterness, self esteem (either high or low), and judging.
Looking in our thought closet to uncover the ugliness under the "dirty clothes in the floor" is an unpleasant job – but one that is necessary to be of the mind of Christ!
Each week I try to remind the ladies that "we are to be transformed" and "not conformed to this world" – we are to live life abundant and free in the shadow of the cross!
Thanks to both you and Jennifer for another great week of study!
GVBC Girls in Hoover, AL (Birmingham)
The Tulsa *Soul* Siesta’s kicked off our evening with a fabulous baked potato bar…the tater’s were so large it’s more accurate to say we had a baked ‘football’ bar! It was clear from the get-go that everyone is enjoying the study. We unanimously agreed that we have a greater awareness of our internal dialogues. The questions sparked intimate discussions that were honest and tender. Feeling the presence of the Lord, we created a safe haven to open up our vulnerabilities, truths, fears, and tears….Wow, what a blessed night!
Just finished the Esther series and I am now enjoying this summer study!
My biggest struggle: insecurity in my abilities as a wife, mom, and as a Christian woman.
I love the idea of a thought closet. Days before I started this study, my thought closet was once again unknowingly filling up with lies. Going through the first 2 weeks of this study, I am now doing some "spring cleaning" and reorganizing my thought closet. Praise Him!
Thanks to Mrs. Rothschild and our Siesta Mama for this summer study!
Our time was so very sweet last night–we spent a goodly amount of time on faulty assumptions. One mentioned that her brother planned a trip to visit and told her sister, but not her until right before. So it hurt her feelings. They talked it out and it was fine. We only need to learn how to be open and talk about things, before our assumptions buy us a whole heap o' trouble!
We met last night at Panera with 11 of our 12 girls from Gastonia, NC. We varied from 5 to 10 in our need for this topic but definitely saw that it depends on what season of life you are currently in.
How blessed we all felt to be reminded of some great scripture over the last two weeks and to be filling our "thought closet" with this as opposed to worldy junk!
Prayer time was magnificent and what a bond we are developing together!
Our group last night went really well. Lots of tears, but we've all been trying to let the Lord really work on us and be honest with Him, ourselves and each other. So far, we're loving the study!
Sulphur Springs, TX Siestas!
1. I would have to say that I'm a 7 on the "How much do I need this?" scale. I wasn't aware I had a filthy closet – but I do! I've had a great time cleaning it out! For me, I'm having to also think about how my mind thinks about OTHER people. I don't so much struggle with thoughts about myself, but I do tend to struggle with thoughts about others. However, I realized, in doing this study, that it all goes back to how I feel about ME!
2. To me the quote gives me hope that I can overcome my struggles! As I said before, one of my biggest struggles is dealing with thoughts about others. I tend to talk down about others, I think, as a way to make myself feel better about myself. Praise the Lord who I am is different than what I struggle with! I can get past it!
3. To me, worry is thoughts, that are often petty, that consume our minds. I struggle a lot with worry about different situations. I'm pregnant right now, and obviously worried about the outcome of that. Is the baby healthy? Am I doing everything right? Could I be doing it better? Fortunately, the What Is side outweighs that What If side…I've had EXCELLENT check-ups all the way through!
4. I have to agree with Jennifer in that my faulty assumptions are often about my husband. Why do I get upset when he doesn't do something I ASSUME that he'll do? Why do I create false scenarios in my head that make me ASSUME it's all about me? I can't get mad! I loved the example she gave about bad dreams being similar. When we wake up from a bad dream, we can't be mad about it – it was just a dream! Similarly, we can't be mad because we falsely assumed something to be true! It'll drive us crazy and destroy our minds!
I'm LOVING this study! It's been wonderful!
Going solo,
Lauren – Kathleen, GA
http://www.laurenandeddie.blogspot.com
I'm amazed at how much my online siesta and I have in common. God definitely brought us together for this. We both really want to "take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ", but I think we're also a little overwhelmed by how ingrained our faulty assumptions are. They're hard to even identify, because they're so much a part of our thought process. And when we try to refute the lies with scripture, we find ourselves arguing with the truth.–"Well, that forgiveness doesn't apply to ME, because I really AM unlovable," etc. We are both willing and ready to change our thoughts, but wow, it's going to be a hard-fought battle, isn't it?
Amy and Carina
Southern California
We met this morning and had a great time together. One highlight was the fact that one of our ladies was actually using a Bump-It at that very moment! Her hair looked wonderful! We're sold!
Like others have mentioned here, oen of the things that seems to be really speaking to us is the fact that we are not the only ones walking around with running commentary going on in our heads. Finding that others (from J.R., to Beth, to other ladies in the group) face some of the struggles we do is really encouraging.
Charlie
Magee, MS
I am enjoying this study very much. I'm afraid I haven't kept up day by day, but I am working to catch up. Really enjoying being in God's Word. I need it sooo much!!!! Love to you all!!
P.S. I appreciated the hair tip, but, I live in Louisiana. I don't know much about the weather in Houston, seeing as how I've never been there, but in Louisiana not only is HOT it is humid. Flat hair is NOT my problem. Frizzy hair is. I would appreciate any tips on how to control the frizz.
We had a great time meeting together and discussing our thought closets! We cracked up at the video… when you started talking about flat hair, Laura said, "I bet it's a Bump It." And it was! We're sold – we both want to get Bump Its now! Siestaville will maintain the highest hair & highest spirits through this summer study! (o:
~Dee & Laura
Kyle, TX