Hey, You Darling Things! I hope you are so blessed in the presence of the living Lord Jesus Christ this fine day. We have missed you while we’ve been gone and, boy oh boy, have we EVER hit the ground running! It’s simulcast time and, because of God’s graciousness through YOU and our wonderful Siesta Scholarship fund, we have some great giveaways. We are going to do our regular 10-ticket giveaway for the on-site location in Green Bay but we at LPM would also love to support the Houston and surrounding area simulcast sites.
Look several paragraphs below and see if any of these locations work for you and, if so, NOTE WHO TO CONTACT next to it. You are only contacting us directly at LPM if you need a scholarship to the on-site location in Green Bay. Otherwise you are contacting the church itself then their folks are getting the numbers to us and we’re covering those costs.
Some of you have asked a very good question: why are ticket prices different from location to location? The churches pay a flat fee to CCN, the simulcast company, then they charge what they must to cover their costs. Some churches simply have bigger women’s ministry budgets and can charge much less but, I assure you, all those locations are doing what they can to keep the costs as low as possible. Many of them just don’t have an extra dime in these hard financial times.
By the way, I can’t remember ever explaining ticket sales and maybe this is the perfect time: I would give anything if ministry opportunities like these didn’t cost a single cent but, unfortunately, they are very expensive. You cannot imagine all the equipment and personnel involved. This you can know, however. Your Siesta Mama is not putting one penny in her little pocket from any speaking engagement. I donate all speaking honorariums to the work of ministry whether here or elsewhere. When our numbers began growing so unexpectedly and (for this season) we could no longer get our groups in church auditoriums, we deliberated very hard over whether to offer big events like LPL for free or ticket them. We made the difficult choice to have them ticketed because, otherwise, I (or someone else on the team) would be stuck with having to ask for money numerous times at the event in order to cover the costs. You’ll find it both ways out there in the event world.
It’s just two different philosophies and neither of them are perfect but I simply felt more comfortable ticketing up front. I don’t like the choices any better than you do but they are a fact of life. A sense of God’s approval or disapproval is what I’ve sought over matters as murky as these and I am certain that this has been His way for us to operate for now. He knows our hearts and our ministry desires and that we would do anything we possible could to get a person in the door who really wants to be there.
NOW, for the ticket giveaways!!
10 Tickets available for the ON SITE location in GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN. Call Susan or Kimberly at Living Proof Ministries at 1-888-700-1999.
10 Tickets available for Memorial Baptist Church in Pasadena, Texas. (6901 Fairmont Parkway, 77505) – Call the church directly at 281-998-9051 and tell them you desire one of the Living Proof scholarships. Your contact name is Steve if you happen to get someone who is unfamiliar with what you’re talking about.
10 Tickets available for Kingwood United Methodist Church in Humble, Texas. (1799 Woodland Hills Drive, 77339) – Call the church directly at 281-358-2137. Right now I don’t have a contact name for this one but simply tell them you need to speak with someone about this weekend’s simulcast. They’ll put you in touch with the right person. Then tell that person that you’d like to claim a Living Proof scholarship if one is still available.
10 Tickets available for Crosby Church of AFOB in Crosby, Texas. (5725 Highway 90, 77532) – Call the church directly at 281-328-1310 and tell them you desire one of the Living Proof Scholarships. Your contact name is Tiffany.
20 Tickets available at Houston’s First Baptist Church (it’s my home church, Siestas! I’m compelled to give a double portion!). (7401 Katy Freeway, 77024) Call 713-681-8000 and ask for the women’s ministry office then tell them you desire one of the Living Proof Scholarships. (By the way, many of our LPM staff members will be there at the event this weekend including our own Siesta blog master, my dearest Amanda.)
We’re so pumped! We hope so much these giveaways are big blessings to you!
OK, now for the question, my beloved Siestas!! This question is directed to ANYONE ATTENDING THE LPL SIMULCAST THIS WEEKEND regardless of location. Since most of our audience will not be on site where we can see faces and perceive conditions of lives and hearts, I could use your help imagining who’s on the other side of that camera. Would you mind giving me the following 3 pieces of information in a comment?
Your age? (Even the decade is great)
Single or married?
What is the biggest issue in your life right now? Please, please, please answer in only a few brief sentences so I can read each one of them.
So that I can readily distinguish your answers from the rest of the comments, would you please start your comment with the word “Attending”? That would really help. You can’t imagine how your answers will add to my preparation of heart, soul, and message.
We so desire to serve you, Siestas. We want so much to honor God here at Living Proof Ministries. May He be highly exalted and may He show Himself mighty to you this day.
I surely do love you.
PS. I just found this comment from Tracy, one of our Siestas, and I felt like it needed to be posted here so those of you in their area would more likely see it. Thank you so much, FBC Jacksonville, NC!!
Tracy L. wrote:
Our church is offering 10 scholarship tickets too.
First Baptist Jacksonville, NC
1925 Gum Branch Road
Jacksonville, NC
910.455.2700
Call and ask for Juanita and tell her you are interested in a scholarship ticket for this weekend.
Tracy L.
Richlands, NC
Attending!
56 years old
Happily married 30 years!!
Husband retired
I'm still working.
Keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus,
my Rock and my Redeemer!
Son recent college grad still looking for employment.
Ready for an awesome weekend
Bless you and your family!
Attending:
35
married
Biggest issue is defeating Satan in his effort to keep me from strengthening my walk with the Lord and becoming the wife and mother I know God would have me to be.
Attending:
43 years old
My biggest struggle right now is not giving way to discouragement and despair as it relates to my marriage relationship and our finances. I find myself wanting to emotionally disconnect to avoid being vounerable again, but I am thinking that would not be the proper response.
I am so eager for a fresh word this weekend!
Oh Beth, Amanda, LPM Staff,
My heart just breaks. I read over 300 of these responses, and I am so convicted by God of my whining. What is the old saying, "I complained about my feet until I met a man with no legs".
O LORD, hear us crying out to You! O LORD, save! Hear from heaven, and save! I just lift up all these dear sisters to You. Forgive me for being selfish. Come LORD, fall on all of us tomorrow. We need You so much. God give Beth strength and may her words be Your words, used for Your glory. In Jesus Name and by His Precious Blood. Amen
Continuing in prayer for tomorrow-
Lisa in Kirkland, WA
Attending
28
Single
It sound selfish (but it's okay to be candid right? 🙂 but I've always hoped to get married eventually. I always thought I would be by now. Three of my closest girlfriends got married this year and, even though I'm happy for them, I feel like somebody drop kicks my heart every time I attend a wedding. I struggle not only with lonliness, but also with maintaining purity in my relationships with guys. I love God dearly. I feel totally complete with Him, but I long for a husband too. Feeling kind of bitter toward Him because of a season that does NOT feel like a gift to me.
Attending
29
Single
I struggle with pornography. I'm truly ashamed and I'm afraid to talk about this with other women (because it seems like it's only a guy issue). I'm trying to stay pure in my relationships with guys. I know I'm crossing a boundary by taking all this into my mind and heart even if I don't physically act on what I see. I feel ashamed but I keep doing it.
Attending:
26 years old
Married to a godly man
Greatest issues: Desiring to be content no matter the circumstance and to trust that God's will is perfect and kind toward me.
Attending:
34 and married
My biggest issue right now is just having the eyes to see what God is doing in my life–where he is leading us, what he wants us to do. And also having my ears open to how he speaking to me. I want to hear and obey!
See you in Cincinnati on the big screen. :o)
Attending:
41 y.o, married
My biggest issue is trying to live for God and live in this world. How do I block out the human thoughts and feelings that get in my way. Why can't I find that zone where I live for Christ and everything else is of little concern to me. My only consolation is HIS Word and the real characters within HIS word ….they were not perfect and God loved them. As I study the Bible and read the words it gives me encouragement. I thank God for the lives of Abraham, Moses, David, John, Paul, just to name a few and I am so glad he has given us a chance to learn about them. I can't wait to feast on HIS word again this weekend.
Attending
35 yrs old – Married
Biggest issues are the desires to raise my new 6 wk old son to love the Lord and to keep the fire for Christ alive in my heart and in our home.
Attending~
30, single
Biggest issue: serving faithfully in this season of life, being self-less not self-consumed
52
Single
High Point, NC
struggling with life
54, happily married, not only WANTING to know what God's will is for me enough time has passed, but I am desparate and dying more inside every day for a friend, I just need a friend its been 12 years since I have had a girlfriend and the loneliness is really beyond measure. Yes, He can fulfill my needs, but I think He wants us to have fellowship. I have been praying and praying – will He please give me the desire of my heart?
Attending:
50 years old and married for twenty years. My husband is having an affair and has told me he is in love with her. He is a believer and has been a wonderful husband. I am fighting like mad for my marriage and family.
Attending,63 years old, married.
Biggest challenge is time management–retirement is the busiest time of life with commitments and opportunities EVERYWHERE!
I am 41 years old married
going through painful loss of my Dad who lived with us. Our last parent. We are now parentless and childless with a load of 'death / inheritance' responsiblities.
Attending:
32, married
I'm struggling with waiting on God's timing for healing. I've battled depression and anxiety for years, but have recently begun to pray for complete healing. I know that He will answer my request, I'm just waiting on His time (and learning more about Him in the process).
So excited to be at the Green Bay location! See you there!
Attending:
53 years old, coming with a very dear friend of mine.
We live in Baton Rouge, LA.
Hungry for a word of God to challenge me, change me, and make me MORE LIKE HIM!!!!!
LOVE YOU, and thank you for being such an example to all of us♥
attending
46
married
caring for mother with alzheimer's and mother-in-law who has financial & health issues
i love you beth, for all you do!
jan in nc
Attending at FBC Rockwall,TX
Age 41
Married
Biggest Issue: Husband salvation/restoration to GOD
31
Married
Identity.
Purpose.
Greed.
Attending
45
financial
parenting-2 finishing college with marriage plans and 2 more to get through highschool
caring for parents on both sides of the family with serious medical conditions
overwhelmed! fear/worry/anxiety
Longing to trust (that He will provide and care for my family)
see what I mean-I had to post 2 times to be sure it went through 🙂 gotta laugh
Attending. 24 years old, married.
The biggest issues is feeling spiritually stuck.
30 years old-attending with a friend this evening, and alone on Sat…but SO looking forward to it!
I am in the season of letting go and it is really really difficult. I have so many questions, and not enough answers, but of course in God's way…wait, trust, believe is what I hear, and I want the facts, haha!
By Far the BIGGEST issue:
-Christian friends divorcing
(not understanding the covenant relationship and purpose of the Christian marriage)
Heidi in Wisconsin
(not attenting but praying)
Attending – at Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula, GA
Age 35
Married
Due to finances, our church body had to let one of our wonderful pastors go this week.
Attending – at Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula, GA
Age 35
Married
Due to finances, our church body had to let one of our wonderful pastors go this week.
Attending
51
Happily married
Please pray for my friend; she has her ticket; we've been planning to go and now her husband doesn't want her to go! She has chosen to be submissive to him but has emotions about all of it. Please pray!!
Attending:
At 1st Baptist Palmetto, FL
age 55, married 2 boys (young men)
ages 22 and 18. going with my mom Jeanne, age 80 and her friend Barbara age 71.
My biggest issue is dealing with my oldest son's schizophrenia and my mom's aging. God is good!
Susan Bradenton, FL
Attending
44 years old.
Married for 23 years.
Biggest challenge right now: A continued trust in our Provisional God as we continue to dig our business out of the recession while expanding and following God's promptings in it.
38 years old, married and very excited to hear what God has to say this weekend theough Beth. My greatest prayer concern at this moment is two things, 1. Financial burdens due to a sickness recently involving my husband 2. My daughter who has just bagan college to not lose her faith and to be able to move on from a bad relationship which led her into bouts of depression ect. I want her to experience all the Great things God has planned for her life and walk in His ways!
Attending
26 years old, single
My biggest issue right now is trying to find the words to say to a friend who is going through a very rough time in her life. I think I have also come to a point in my life that I have become content with whatever the Lord has for me, but satan keeps trying to pick at me because I do desire to be married, but I am finding peace with the LORD.
Attending
Age: 42 – Married
Divorce – not my own – but all around our family are 3 close families that are divorcing and all with children. Trying to help and not enable. Trying to give good advise/PRAYING when even the spouse that has been left is making unwise choices too. We are praying God's protection over our marriage and these others and praying for all these children who have done nothing wrong and having their security ripped away from them.
56 years old Sunday
Married
Biggest issue in my life is finances. We are at the edge of the cliff of bankruptcy. My husband is 67 and has been without full-time work for 4 years (he was a corporate travel agent – replaced by someone younger and by the internet!). He has been working 1 – 2 parttime jobs through the years since. I am working a fulltime job and a parttime job. I live in fear and anxiety and with my heart pounding. I know God is with me. I know God has been doing miracles along the way. But I don't "like" where I am, and what the journey ahead may hold.
Attending
35, single
Sharing my heart and my life, in complete vulnerability, with someone.
Attending
40 – married
Figuring out who I am in Christ apart from what I do as a mom, wife, friend, etc.
Attending
Age 37
experiencing true freedom, peace, & joy. i am up against a spiritual wall & nothing is changing where i am at–all the prayer i can muster, all the books i can read, rest, scripture etc…i have really been stuck since losing a baby 2 1/2 yrs ago. baby was stillborn @ 5 mos. i can see progress in me but ultimately not much has changed. lots of spiritual apathy as well as tired of how we "do" church.
meant to also say i am married, sorry!
Attending:
29 Years old – married to a new surrendered pastor. attended your minister's wives conference in TN.
fear overcrowding my every day life. fear of losing myself or my husband or my kids.
Attending:We 3 are attending.
58, married, My hearts desire is to have my disfunctional family reunited with God leading our way. 38 yo, married going on single.38 yo daughter has just filed for divorce from alcoholic emotionally abusive husband of 14 yrs., 2 beautiful precious boys age 6 and 5Hurting & needs salvation, Gods guidance.
34 yo single mom of 2.
Daughter 34, never married, two precious children 15 & 12. Been in abusive relationships for yrs.finally seeing God's light, needs salvation and to let Him rule in their lives.
I have been on my knees for over year and know God is working mightily in our behalf. He has already been given us a miracle, He healed my husband of bladder cancer in Jan. Praise His Name. I cannot even believe my 2 girls are going to attend with me and I am so excited. Feel his Spirit working daily.
Married, mother of two girls (4&9), 30 years young, Vacaville location,
The Lord has given me a dream. Now I am patiently still and learning. Preparation season in my heart.
Thank you Beth.
ATTENDING:
-27 years old
-married, just celebrated 1 year
-I've always had an ear to hear the heart of the Father. I want so badly to join a loving, local fellowship where I know I can grow stronger in Christ. My husband is a minister at our current church and He does not think it's time to leave. Could we be hearing to different things if we are supposed to be one?
Attending:
35 years old
Married
Walking through a dark time with my parents. My dad is seeking employment and my mom is struggling with depression. The Lord is our light and hope even in a world filled with chaos.
Attending:
Age – 60
Married
Strengthening my relationship with Him.
Linda J
42 years old, married – was going to attend but not sure if I can now. My biggest issue at this moment is my marriage. My husband is not sure what he believes and my marriage is rocky at this moment. I need to put God first but I need to do what I can to fix my marriage. Not sure if I can ask my husband to watch the children so I can attend.
Attending
Married:
37 years old
Life Issue: Young adult child (20 yo). He seems lost (plain and simple, LOST!)
Spiritual Issue: Learning to "hear" or "listen" to God. Day by day..when He says to get off the lawn mower, I get off the lawn mower now!
3 Ladies who are attending have young adult children. All college age. Each in a different situations some are in distress right now. We're each standing in prayer with one another..this evening will be a refuge for many of us.
56 years old.
Married 34 years.
Biggest issues:
Both parents died last year, 4 months apart. Children all settled on their own, also last year.
Empty nest all the way around.
This spring, husband diagnosed with early Alzheimer's disease (no family history, completely out-of-the-blue).
My issue: trusting God completely, 100% with a very uncertain future ahead for me.
siesta attending the simulcast in Washington state
Attending:
44, single/divorced
Can't find a home church; in a spiritual dry place & feel separated from the lord; unsaved children-1 on drugs another living w/a huge loser trying to con her into marriage;want a life partner
looking forward to this weekend & a fresh word from God.
Attending
38, married to a wonderful man
My biggest issue right now is grief and depression. I've lost my mom and a sister in the past year. I've dealt with anxiety and depression my whole life, and this has made it worse. Some days I feel like I just can't cope. Will you pray for me, Beth?
1. I'm 45,
2. married, and
3. biggest challenge currently is having my daughter and SIL living 1000 miles away – she's pregnant with our first grandchild. We want to be near them desperately. Waiting on God, hoping He'll make it possible.
Will be attending the simulcast by myself in Cleveland, TN.