Hey, you sweet things! It seems like forever since we’ve talked! Melissa and I had so hoped to be able to blog while we were in the Holy Land but the break-neck schedule and the slow internet made it the impossible dream. We and our group of 100 mighty women boarded two tour buses every morning at 7:30 and usually pulled back into one of three different hotels on our journey around 6:00 that evening. May I interject that it was HOT over there? And when I tell you we pulled into the hotel smelling more like sweaty camels than sacred pilgrims, I’m not kidding. Our consolation was that we all smelled the same. I took a travel size stick of deodorant in my purse and used it on the bus without shame. We’d clean up quickly then head to dinner at 7:00 then Melissa and I would head back to my room as fast as possible where I’d study for the next day and Melissa would down load pictures. We’d fall in our beds, rise early the next morning for more studying then load those buses again. It was a big fat busy BLAST. Not one single regret except that we didn’t have all of you there.
God gave us a fabulous group of women comprised mostly of LPM staff and volunteers (the trip was a thank you to all of them) and we were graced by the faithful presence of our God as we traced the steps of His Son from birth to childhood… to boyhood…to manhood… to His first miracle…to His ministry in Galilee…to the place where His sweat fell like drops of blood…to His cross…to His empty grave…then to the Mount of Olives where He ascended before their very eyes and will one day descend in all His glory…before every set of eyes on earth.
It was truly too much to absorb in one week’s time but many of us will ponder it for months to come. As you know, my darling firstborn was unable to go at the last minute. I am so proud of her for making that decision and, without hesitation, hopping in the car with her man to head for Missouri even before they knew what the outcome would be. I couldn’t quite get my head wrapped around not having her along on the trip because her company is so rich and impossible to replace, just like her sister’s. But I knew within a very short time that they’d done God’s will without question. They wanted so much to be able to see his grandmother before the Lord swept her home. As it happened, He simply could not wait another minute to have her in His presence.
“Arise, my darling, my beautiful one. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone…the season of singing has come…Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.” (Song of Songs 2:10-13)
Curtis and Amanda were there shortly after Grandma Dixon’s homegoing and for the rest of the week. Amanda said that the testimony of a long, enduring, loving marriage between Curtis’s grandparents was so powerful that it would mark them forever.
We missed her so much and I was deeply grateful that I’d already had the chance to take her on that very trip when she was 16. Melissa and I spoke of her constantly. I was touched in many ways this week in the Holy Land but I will share with you one primary gift God gave me while I was there. A number of years ago when Melissa launched full-steam ahead into an academic study of theology and Scripture, I began to worry that the critical aspect of that kind of academic education might snuff the flame that had burned in her from late high school to mid-college. There are many casualties. My heart also dropped into my feet as I realized that she was going to inevitably get hit in my behalf. She is to be commended for the way she handled it but that’s another story. I’ll leave it at this: it’s very hard to see your children have to deal with criticism toward you and be forced to answer for you. I can take the heat but I wish so much they didn’t have to. Anyway, as I sought God with my concerns, He supplied a Scripture that I felt He was inviting me to pray over her and believe for her. My fears were calmed over the completion of her undergrad work followed by two additional degrees. I refused to worry again about it even through some rocky places for her where she had to grapple with what she believed. While we were in Israel, I saw a young woman who had survived with her faith in tact. She is her own person – different from her mother, thank God – but full of passion. I saw a young woman who loves Jesus Christ. In fact, if not for Colin Fitzpatrick, I don’t think I would’ve gotten that child on a plane. I nearly fainted when I heard her ask our guide, my dear friend Arie, about the universities in Jerusalem. Then all I could do was shake my head and laugh. It can be a dangerous thing to raise your children to follow hard after Jesus.
I have seen a fresh revelation of Christ in the last week but not only through tracing His steps in the Holy Land. I’ve beheld it on the faces of His people. Many on the trip and my own beloved daughters, as different as they are, and as imperfect as they’d want me to tell you they are. They have each outdone their parents. Lord have mercy, what messes we were at their ages. Thank You, Lord, for full redemption. For Your willingness to change an entire lineage. Your grace is unfathomable. Continue to use it to set families free.
So, that’s a little of my story today. Thanks for listening to interminable musings. It’s so good to be back in touch with you. I am dying to know what you’re up to! Where does this 3rd day of June find you, my dear Siestas? Help me picture it!
You are so loved here.
Hi Beth!
So glad you made it home safely! God is so amazing! While you were gone, I’ve been digging through your Life Today archives and sitting at the feet of Jesus through His precious vessel, you.
There’s probably no way you would remember this, but I am gonna share anyway, cause I am a crazy Sanguine too! (Doesn’t that sound a little like penguin? Yes, I think it does!)
A few years back, you went to Chattanooga to share your heart with a bunch of pastors wives. I was there…and our group (from Alabama) got to stay on the Chattanooga Choo Choo! It was awesome! I have five children, so this was a much needed break, although I couldn’t wait to get home and get my arms back around them! I drove the other PW’s crazy with my constant, yet somewhat annoying rendition of “Pardon me boys, is this the Chattanooga Choo Choo?”
During a prayer break at the Event, a line formed and you were at the other end. I was so full that day and didn’t really sense a burden to request prayer, but, I just wanted to look into your eyes and say, “Thank you.” Well, maybe squeeze your hand too. When I got on the tail end of that line, your sweet, somewhat tall, guard do-, er, I mean guardian angel told me that it was cut off. My heart sank. Then, I had an idea. It was a stupid one, but an idea nonetheless. Instead of going back the way I came, I went straight ahead, reached out, and gently squeezed your forearm while your gaze was set on a beautiful young lady who knew she had but a millisecond to pour out her heart. I didn’t wanna interrupt that encounter, so I did it as discreetly as I could. (yeah, right.)
Just as I was about to make a clean getaway, I accidently kicked some poor PW’s Bible, materials, you name it, halfway across the front row. I was mortified for a minute there. I apologized sheepishly, helped her gather her stuff, and walked away with a big ole smile. Was it worth it? Yeeah.. 🙂
Bless you, my sweet Siesta.. Next time I see ya, I’m gonna get bolder and pinch yer jaw..um, minus the encore of course!
In Christ!
Carol Skipper
Dothan, AL
Also, I wanted to mention if you felt more “sanguine virtue” go into you that day, it was me.. 🙂
Carol
Alabama
I drove a little over an hour to friend’s house with my 4 children on their first day with no school. She invited over her community of friends and we spent the day doing a makeover for a beautiful mom of 6 that was just diagnosed with breast cancer, stage 3. We were getting her face ready for when she will lose her hair, etc.
As I was leaving we were discussing doing Believing God for the summer 🙂
So glad you are home safe and sound. I do hope you will share pictures with us! It is a deep desire to visit there one day, but for now I will live it vicariously through others. Thanks for always being a blessing.
My husband is up for the interview of his life today. Please join with me in praying for God’s will to be done and for us not to be guilty of being selfish and only desiring what we want!!!!! My prayer for him is let the words of his mouth and the meditations of his heart be aceeptable to our Lord our Strength and our Redeemer!!!!!! Coveting your prayers!!!!!!
June 3 found me teaching the first summer session at the university, discussing the origins of freedom of religion in the United States, the regional distinctions in the cultural geography of North America, and making a scrapbook with each of my sons in honor the love they have for our family pet, a labrador retriever. I never thought of myself as a scrap-booking person. Still don’t. However, I am open to change as I heard my oldest son remark: “Mommy, I love scrapbooks because they help you remember all the joys of life!” Well, I hadn’t thought of it that way.
The 3rd day of June finds me, Beth, at my desk working on our Womens Ministry’s Summer Schedule and looking ahead to September for the start of “Anointed”…. which we are so excited to be able to do. God Bless you and your girls and I a glad you had such a wonderful experience in the Holy Land.
Dear Beth,
We missed you, too, and can’t wait to hear more about the LPM pilgrimage.
June 3 was a very good day. Great day at work followed by great visit with dear friend recovering from surgery. All is well in Alabama!
Love you!
Dianne
Dear Beth,
We missed you, too, and can’t wait to hear more about the LPM pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
June 3 blessed me with a great day at work followed by a sweet visit with a dear friend recovering from surgery.
Love you!
Dianne
I have missed you so much, but am thrilled that you & Melissa got to soak in Israel AND some much-needed time with each other as mother/daughter. I know you’ve missed each other.
Cool story: I teach a 1-3 grade Sunday School class, and my own 9-yr-old daughter is also in that class. Well, through the recent years, she has become well-acquainted with “Beth Moore” as I consume one Bible study after another. (I LOVE THEM!! CAN’T GET ENOUGH!!) She hasn’t quite gotten “bit by the bug” yet, but I am being patient—she is only 9, after all. ANYWAY….so this Sunday we were in S.S. discussing baby Moses, and our Scripture passage mentioned that Moses was a Levite. I off-handedly commented that they didn’t really need to understand what that meant yet, and started to move on. My daughter piped up and said, “Wait! Wasn’t that…like…a tribe of…God….or..something???” I was beyond thrilled that she had absorbed that somewhere. She then grinned from ear to ear and said, “Well, what do you know—-Beth Moore IS good for something!” I tell ya what, Beth…..I have never loved you more than I did in that moment. Tears stream from my face this morning. Thank you for teaching us both Biblical depths AND the basics! YOU ROCK!!!
I’m practicing deep breathing techniques as I stressfully consider the world cup school holiday that is about to hit us! THIRTEEN kids home from school, every day, for six weeks! Johannesburg is rejoicing in world cup madness—I’m evaluating my current amount of patience, creativity, and strength…and knowing I need a miraculous deposit of grace!
xx
amy in south africa
So glad your back in Siestaville. I missed you.
Doubly glad your trip went so well.
Welcome Home 🙂
This June 3rd is Olympic Day at my kid’s school so I get to go be a “helper” …after today only 4 days of school and then SUMMER BREAK!! This is the first year I haven’t homeschooled my kids and I can’t wait to have them home for the summer 🙂
Enjoy this beautiful Friday!
Great to hear of your trip. Yesterday was the home going of a dear friend and father of my pastor and boss. The scripture you shared has blessed my heart at his departure.
Thank you for sharing so richly,
Love you too,
Welcome Home Beth, and the rest of the LPL team! This has been a crazy busy week, with my eldest daughter Holly’s high school graduation…
Obviously it is no longer June 3rd…but today June 4th, 2010, marks my 22nd wedding anniversary! I have been truly blessed by a Godly man who completes me in every way. 🙂
Glad to hear all of you made it back safely. I am looking for a full-time job. I am one of the many who were laid off for no fault of their own. I have had part time and temp. jobs thankfully but I need a full-time job.
So good to hear from you Siesta Mama and so thankful the whole crew had an awesome time! My 3 year old has her first ballet recital this evening! We are heading out to Target to look for some sparkly pink eye shadow!
I am so glad to hear you had such a wonderful trip. The third day of June found me in a quaint little candy store in downtown Chico, CA staring at a mound of Moon Pies. I laughed until I cried and thought of you and Keith and your hilarious post on Moon Pies. I love you all!
This June 3rd I am still on my first cup of coffee (need 1 more) while reading your blog and listening to my kids, 12 & 10, actually getting along behind me. Two dogs at my feet and a 15 year old cat at my elbow. Waiting for my wonderful husband to get home from a “Guys Camping, White Water Rafting, trip.” And realizing how blessed I am and that I will blink and everything will be different soon enough. So I am going to enjoy this day that the Lord has so graciously given me! God bless you and yours 🙂
This 3rd day of June started on my knees- overflowing with gratitude for ALL GOD is and all He’s done for me and my family- “Blessings all mine with ten thousand besides – GREAT is His faithfulness!” Seems like we had a decade long “road marked with suffering with pain in the offering” but we’ve come to “the land that is plentiful where His streams of abundance flow – BLESSED be the NAME of the LORD!!” From our 27 year old prodigal’s return to the Lord (Your Daniel study had tremendous impact – a light went on seeing self loathing is a form of pride and that it was a lie of the enemy that he is “a loser”), to my husband’s incredible job after a year of unemployment,to the miraculous ways He provided and continues to provide during these tough times in Michigan, to the women in my life & ministry that God is drawing powerfully to Himself, to our first grandchild on the way (I’m overjoyed waitin for my first crown! Pr 17:6), to an unbelievable job He provided for our 20 yr old son that he interviewed for yesterday and starts today – yes, in Michigan!, to on & on and ON – God is just pouring out blessing upon blessing!
For the ten years I’ve ‘known’ you, I’ve thanked God for the blessing of you Beth, as you pour out Jesus to so many of us. Your message in Grand Rapids was another awesome example of how you hold forth the truth of God’s word and lead many to righteousness – Jesus calls us out on that limb and what a wonderful view it is from there but how exciting it is to go down with Him and allow Him to use us to love people to Him! You enlighten, encourage,and challenge – when I count my blessings, I always think of you!
I am little slow getting my comment in here it looks like, but anyway I am glad to hear you made it back safely. Cannot wait to see some of your pictures.
It is a blessing when you can travel and visit where Jesus had his ministry and his own pilgrimage through life.
You ask us to tell about our day. I dropped my husband off at work, then the boys and I went to I-Hop restraunt. We ordered delicious, scumpcious, wonderful, undescrible pancakes. They had cream cheese filling in the middle of two pancakes with a topping of stawberries and cool whip.
It was so good with my coffee.
As we sat there I noticed these two teen-age girls sitting catty-cornered from us. One of the girls was speaking with soft voice, but very loud. She said, “I am
taking a break from facebook, I need some privacy for a while.” Well, the people in the next booth in front of her were laughing and so was I. She wasn’t very private talking so loud, but she was entertaining. lol
__I have always love to travel and visit other people from different countries, but most of my travel has been through the military.
I thought I would share this:
There are many places we may call home,
It may be in a nice house built on a hill
Or it could be near a lake where a log cabin was built
There are many places we may call home.
There are places where we feel we are most loved
With loved ones and friends during special times
Where their are lots of joy and laughter along the way
Places where we feel that is secure each day.
But, yet as much as we love people and things
They seem to pass away as time goes on
Houses are in need of repair
And sometimes life seems so unfair.
So, when I think of Home
Or sometimes feel kind of blue
I like to think of Jesus
Who has a home for me and you
Where those we love will be there too.
For Jesus has prepared a home,
Not built by man alone
But a safe haven, I call home.
joyce
Wow, Beth! Very inspirational!! Thanks for including how amazing it is to see God change an entire lineage. Incredible how only He can do that.
I love this blog. Thank you so much for taking the time to share — I am always uplifted when one of your posts drops into my inbox!!
PS – How on earth do I upload a pic?? Help!!
It’s so apparent the rawness of your gratitude, the radiance of your face, after being in the towns of Jesus– the physical journey that represents our spiritual journey. I know many of the ones who joined you, and it was life-changing for them.
I can’t imagine sharing with both your girls (on one trip or another) the contagious love for Christ you wear so beautifully as you saw the places where our history began, where our future will unfold.
As for me, we’re marrying our second daughter within a year at the end of this month in Costa Rica. I’m a glorious mess over the whole deal.
I share your joy. Now, praying for some rest for you. Love, A
June 3rd finds me home with a sick toddler who has a stomach virus that has lasted 3 weeks. I don’t think I can do another load of wash, change another diaper or give another bath! This would be challenging for any mom but I also have a chronic illness which makes even a normal day extremely challenging. I’m struggling with feeling like God does not really care what I’m going through although I know in my head that it’s not true, I guess my heart is not believing it. I know God can use bed ridden people for His good but I just never imagined myself to be one of those people. Who does? It seems like everything in my life is always more challenging than it has to be. I’ve been listening to Josh Wilson’s song “Before the Morning” alot lately and wondering when my morning will come. I have been in the darkness with this illness for 3 yrs now and watch as my friends have been able to go on with their lives while I feel like mine is at a standstill. I know the morning might not come until eternity but I’m really hoping I don’t have to wait that long! I have some really good friends who have stood by me through all of this but so many are “too busy” to make time. I wish they could imagine for 1 day what it would be like to park their minivan in the garage and be stuck at home feeling lousy. Then imagine 3 yrs of this! I guess I’m getting a little bitter which I don’t want to happen. Sorry for the long post. Guess I just needed to vent! I WILL be content in all circumstances…I WILL be content in all circumstances!!
Sharon, just want you to know that I’ve prayed for you, that you receive complete healing and also the strength you need each day. I know a bit of what you’re talking about since I’ve had almost two years of not feeling healthy, while pregnant and now with an 11-month-old. I want so much more for my family than I’m able to give. Sometimes life is just hard, isn’t it? I have to remind myself that God is always present, even when I don’t feel Him.
Well, I didn’t see your post til this morning, but the third of June found me leading a group of 10 wonderful women in our 6th Beth Moore Summer Study and this year it’s BREAKING FREE – I’ve danced around it for nor particular reason for years and I’m sure God has a fantastic plan, painful, but fantastic. I am so thankful for your faithful service to the Lord and your incredible example to all of us in your marriage, parenting and living out your walk with Christ for all of us to watch – YOU ARE AMAZING! So glad that God blessed your travel and brought all of you safely through the journey. Happy weekend!
Me? today? kids still in school, getting out soon and I for one can’t wait. My boys are 9 and 7 and I love spending the summer with them. Brad and I are hosting small group starting Monday nights at our house. I am also hosting a woman’s group on Wed. nights, we are going to be going through ‘the Inheritance’. I am discipling 3 women (one is single and 20, the other 2 are married and in their early 20s). It is my privilege and honor to serve God in this way.
For three years my life was in huge flux (here’s a snapshot…hysterectomy, early menopause at 37 during which my mom was diagnosed with ALS and then 2 1/2 years later rejoiced at her homecoming with the Lord.) During that time I was all over the place, never without my faith but deep in the wilderness to be sure. Jesus never let go of my hand. Now I am a bit in the clearing and seeing brambles and thistles that need to be cleaned off my garments so i can run without burdens. One of them is how much i allowed the world in, as comfort, as distraction. Nothing horrible that anyone would call sin, but it needs to be cleaned just the same. I am getting more into kingdom business and losing friends along the way who liked me better when i was a little more into worldly things. Creates a loneliness and a strength at the same time…can I get a woop-woop siestas? I am new to this group but no less needing encouragement…
“Focus, Toni Focus!”
That’s what I had to keep reminding myself as I read this entry with great interest (how I hope to visit the Holy Land someday!) There were sooo many significant pieces to focus on in this entry. But Beth, having the goofy sense of humor that I do, I had myself a HARD time moving past the visual of you applying deoderant on the bus. BAHAHAHA! (reminded me of the time we took a 2 hour scenic train ride in Iowa, no bathrooms on board, and my 15 month old messed her diaper…forgot the diaper bag in the car. Nice, I know.)
Have a restful weekend.
Blessings,
Toni
btw, ditto what Wendy Ginter said.
It was wonderful to hear about your trip – so full of life-changing God Stop moments. Your adoration and praise for your daughters is a beautiful thing…
This 3rd day of June finds me incredibly thankful for another year of blessings for my children as well. All three accomplished great things in school, achieved new goals, and earned a relaxing summer vacation that starts next week. It is hard to believe my hubby and I will be empty-nester’s in 5 short years. We plan to soak up every moment of our current “season with teenagers” – grateful for God’s place in all of our hearts.
I am also very excited to have gathered up a group of 12 women to participate in the Ruth:Love, Loss and Legacy study!! Talk to you all soon…
Welcome Home Sweet Beth! Looking forward to hearing from Milissa as only she can write. 🙂
Gals, First time commenting here but check in when I can. I am on my annual pilgrimage up north in Michigan to our cottage to spend some quiet time before The LORD. Sitting on our deck, overlooking Lake Michigan, watching the Loons dive in the water and Grateful for Our Jesus and all He has done in my life. These few days alone with Him are of prayer, study, and laying myself before Him, to be broken, cleansed, renewed, and guided as to what He desires for me next. Beth, your post reminded me of days gone by when I first met Melissa and I thought, “this girl is special, deep beyond what I could ever hope to attain”, yet a sparkle in her eye and a zest for life. I could relate to the zest for life and just sit back and admire her depth. You are blessed!! As I know you know! I am blessed cause you and Melissa have touched by life and caused me to Love my Jesus deeper. Love sisters in Christ…Pass it on. nanc
Hi Beth,
I’m new to your blog site but not new to you. I have enjoyed the glimpses of your heart’s passion for others to know about Christ’s hope and love for each of us for nearly a decade.
I just wanted to pop in to tell you that I’ve finished chapter 15 and on to 16,17 & 18 of your book So Long Insecurity. I have to confess that I really didn’t think it was going to be for me. I just don’t have an issue with insecurity(I thought), so I poo pooed it until, that is, the other day when I was strongly prompted by the Holy Spirit to pick it up. Funny isn’t how God knows what you need right when you need it. I haven’t been able to put it down. My husband, my friends and even my hair stylist are hearing about it. The two most powerful revelations for me in journeying through your book have been:
1. I am clothed in strength and dignity.
2. How lovely is this dwelling place.
Yep – I’m standing just a little taller today. Thanks Beth.
Love, Sara
P.s. I’ve been writing lately about my own personal mountain climbing journey. Literally, I’m climbing my first 14er as a dedication to God for the re-building of my temple. Nowhere have I’ve found in scripture the message stronger about rebuilding the Temple than in Haggai. It’s been a year of ‘rebuilding’ my ‘lovely dwelling place’ for His Glory! I’m saying to my ‘mountain’ MOVE! Now is the time!
Your book has solidified and confirmed so many things preparing for my climb. God Bless you Beth
Have been busy with graduation’s, ballgame’s and getting ready for VBS next week. Getting excited to be able to teach 3&4th grade. Also finishing up my youngest son’s baseball season! Very busy week ahead! I am glad you all had a great trip prayed for you all daily! I love you to peice’s thank you for having the heart for women! Reading your book So Long Insecurity! Had it for a while and did not pick it up afaid of what I might find out about myself it is a great book! May God continue to bless you and your family!
Beth, I was so happy for you and Melissa that you were able to have this fabulous trip to the Holy Land, and sad for Amanda, but believing that God’s timing is always perfect for everything. Your family is special to me, even though you don’t know me from Eve. How I would love to go to the Holy Land and walk in His footsteps! It is my heart’s desire to see where He walked with my own eyes. But I may have to wait until He returns. So I rejoice that you get to go, and I so admire Melissa and her heart for study. I can’t wait to read what the Lord puts on her heart to share. This 3rd of June, I am looking forward to watching the 8th and 9th videos of “A Woman’s Heart”, after I have my quiet time with the Lord. I am doing this revised version on my own for the 3rd time. Your studies are so instrumental in my walk with the Lord, and I’m praying that my kids will recognize the importance I have placed on them, and incorporate them into their own lives. My daughter graduates with honors from high school on Tuesday. We went together to see you in Tucson, and while there, she bought 3 copies of the “Believing God” member book to work out with her friends. She hasn’t started it yet, and I’m praying she will have a hunger to do that. My youngest son is sick with allergies today, and summer vacation just started! Hopefully, my June 3rd will be an uneventful day that I can just thank God for when my head hits the pillow tonight. God bless you all…and thank you for being such a transparent servant of God.
This, “It can be a dangerous thing to raise your children to follow hard after Jesus.” so touched my heart. I prayed when my children were born that each of them would be missionaries, which in effect is saying, “Lord, take them to each corner of the earth and declare your son;s name through them. I still pray it and ask for God to give me strength to deal when it happens.
Yesterday was June 3rd. And we went from .44 in our bank account to $201.44 at 5:30 last night. We have had to scrimp for a week and a half, because of a budget error last week. And I had a full-out fit last weekend with God. But I rose stronger, Beth. And yesterday marked a time when I fully said, “Lord, I understand and I believe.” Also? I finished Breaking Free on my own yesterday morning…and I cried at the end as I spoke the blessing over myself. Ashes to beauty am I.
Welcome back! Truly there is a profound effect to travel to the Holy Land. What a blessing to read your blogs and feel a part of your journey, THANKS! and BLESSINGS to each of you.
So glad that you are home safely. Also glad that you all were able to make that trip. Prayed for you all! Missed you like crazy
Welcome back Beth!
Sounds like an incredible week! Some day I hope to travel there! I enjoyed thinking of you and praying for you in that Holy place.
So I have been teaching summer school at Meredith College. We are doing Public Speaking in 3 weeks. We meet for 3 hours each day for the three weeks. Tiring but fun!
But I have to tell you the best thing that I have been doing is listening to So Long Insecurity in my car to and from work. What a blessing! I read the book but listening to you read it brought it to life for me! I am putting into practice the principles you taught us and I really am feeling more secure! PTL!
Good to have you home!
Much love!
l am sad today. I lost my cat today. If I don’t find her by night she will be food for the wild animals. Please pray she comes home.
Beth- I was honored to serve the Lord as an encourager through prayer @ your Grand Rapids event recently, and am still looking at trees differently! Thank-you for daily opening your spirit to hear the Lord’s leading.. As we prayed with women at the event I could see in the faces that the Lord had tugged on their hearts and was pulling them close into His arms. I was so blessed to witness that!!!
I am director of Women’s Ministries within our church, and have led several of your bible studies (Living Beyond Yourself being my favorite, Breaking Free being the hardest – but most rewarding! 🙂 I have witnessed several of the women come to realize (in a dutch Christian Reformed community) that they can actually have a “relationship” with Jesus, and that they can check their “perfectionism & performance” at the door. Your studies have led many in our community to walk on air in Freedom!! <3
Each time we meet as a group we lift you in prayer and pray a hedge of protection around you.. I also pray for you continually in my talks with Him, …that God continues to allow you a fresh revelation of Himself, showing you where He is active and working, so that you can minister to the wounded and spiritually hungry. He has given you such a powerful ability to understand women and to minister to us through your own transparent life message. I think if He renamed His most faithful disciples for current day, you'd definitely be one of His closest. (of course we'd be side by side @ His hem) 🙂
Thank-you for continually being open to His leading.. I KNOW the enemy hits you hard sometimes.. If your one of Jesus' closest disciples, you are the enemies BIGGEST threat! Hang in there girlfriend.. In a blink of an eye you'll be standing with Him, and He's gonna be SOOOOOOOO proud to say Well Done!!!
I know you know all this, but if you the same kind of girl I am, you still need to hear it often!!
Love you from Michigan!
-Kelly Bryant
Women's Ministy Director
Sunrise Ministries
http://www.sunrisemin.org
Thank you for the encouragement as always :). I am so glad you made it back safely!
I am loving the stories from Israel! If you ever take a group again, I’m seriously all over it. Well, I’m all over it with whomever will have me join them. Not that I’ve been, but I feel like everybody should go once if they get the chance. I just can’t imagine! Glad y’all are back safe and sound. Hope you get some rest!
Sweet Beth,
So, glad ya’ll are back home safe. One day I pray that I can walk the Holy Lands as our Lord and Savior has.
My day finds me helping my parents look for a new house. My dad has got a new pastor job at a church in Indianapolis, IN and he needs a house. They are moving from Illinois and I feel very overwhelmed, as I live in Indy. I’m trying to do all the leg work for them here and take care of my own household. I’m feeling very stressed but knowing and relying on God to put everything into place.
Many Blessings, Shonda
Your trip sounds like a dream… I am so happy for you all who were able to go.
June 3rd found me preparing to love on someone who is by any count “unlovable”… it was her birthday, and i wanted to do something special for her. I don’t expect it to change her heart, but i know it’s what the Lord wants. That gave me joy! 😀
“But I say to you who are listening now to Me: [in order to heed, make it a practice to] love your enemies, treat well (do good to, act nobly toward) those who detest you and pursue you with hatred,
Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God’s blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you].”
– Luke 6:27-28 (Amplified)
I too am blessed to have ‘grown’ children who are surpassing me in thier faith and desire to change the world for Jesus.
Thanks for your inspiration, your honesty, and for challenging me to continue to go to God’s word for truth! I am believing God today..and I know that I am his treasure!
So glad you all had a great trip! Looking forward to more stories 🙂
This day in June finds me in a season of an amazing walk of faith in Christ. I believe He is leading more to surrender to Him in such a way as to go and be a full time missionary. I am so excited and passionate about it that I can hardly come to work as I just want to get on the with new place He is calling me to..but the Lord is teaching me that He is not wasting a day while I am still in Houston and waiting upon His perfect timing. He is teaching me to entrust myself to Him fully–trusting and hoping in His steadfast love and delighting with joy in His presence alone. Psalm 16 has become life to me. He truly has become my portion! Would love your prayers.
Thank you Beth for your ministry and heart for Jesus–you are a rich blessing!
So glad you made it back home! Yesterday found me visiting with a dear friend and mentor who was hospitalized with symptoms of a stroke. Praises to our Father who protected her and had her in the right place at the right time.
I’m home with my Muffin. That is good. In the past 6 weeks I have played two concerts, had my studio recital, visited one our daughters and her family in Phoenix, had dental surgery, been to a conference in Minnesota, driven round trip to the DFW airport twice and the surgeon there twice, and Muffin also made a trip to DC and back. Home is good. Very good. But I listened to lots of great music and teaching while traveling!
Well, I just saw the post, so I will tell you what I’m doing, because I’ve been doing it for several days.
I’m wrestling.
My firstborn son has been afforded the wonderful opportunity to go on a trip to Spain with his school. He wanted it so much, that he work during this entire school year to pay for half of the trip. And he mangaged to earn a 4.0 in the process. I’m so proud! I just found out that the date was moved up to June 12th. (The trip date was changed in February, he just forgot to tell me. He is a 17 year old boy, after all.)
The dilema?
I am signed up to volunteer/attend the Deeper Still event in Denver with Mama Beth who has just returned from Israel. Oh, yeah, we are talking DEEPER!
The date? June 12th.
So, do I attend the conference and soak in the words of wisdom from my spiritual mentors;
or take my son, my precious son, to the airport to see him grow into a little bit more of a man as he embarks on his first trip without me, overseas, no less.
He has told me to attend, we can say goodbye before the conference. (I think he doesn’t want me to embarrass him at the airport as I bawl my head off!)
Mama Beth, can I bawl at the conference?
I’ve already started, just by putting this into written word…:`{
Welcome back! We sure did miss you but Amanda did a few blogs while you were gone. Due to time differences here in Hawaii, I am just now getting this on June 4th. I am still homeschooling my three amazing kids…ages 10 1/2, 9, and 7 1/2. We normally go all year long with breaks when dad is off. I am also reading the So Long Insecurity book. WOW, after having done Breaking Free twice at two different times in my life, I thought I would be done with all of those insecurities. Man, oh, MAN was I wrong. I am Praising GOD for giving you the insight to write such a book. @Carol, I too struggle with meeting my mother’s expectations but at least I know I have a loving FAther who accepts me for who I am. You are a hero in my mind for getting your GED after so long. What an accomplishment.
I am looking forward to hearing more about your trip and seeing pictures. This is one trip I hope I get to make before I go to be with JESUS. Out of all the places I have lived…Germany, Alabama,Georgia, Illinois and how Hawaii, Isreal is still one I can’t wait to visit. I am seen many places and been to many but for some reason Isreal holds a special place in my heart.