Good Tuesday morning, Dear Siestas!
I pray your week is off to a great start! Mine started with a powerful sermon by my pastor, Gregg Matte, and an equally fabulous worship service on Sunday next to some of the people I love most in the world. Like numbers of you, I’ve been in the same congregation for many years and have deep investments in relationships there. Within six or seven rows of where we usually sit, I have dear friends from kindergarten to their seventies (yes, in our contemporary service). I’ve known many of the adolescents all their lives and have watched some of the young couples grow up, fall in love and get married. In fact, I stood with a few of them. My church is a wealth to me. I had the privilege of praying with one of my close 8 year-old friends at the altar on Sunday whose granddaddy is in the hospital and has her scared half to death. There’s just no way I can tell you what those moments mean to me.
I’m an early riser by habit but I was dead to the world Sunday morning and way overslept the clock. I got up rubbing my eyes and said to Keith, “Blast it, I’m up too late to get ready for church.” He very uncharacteristically said, “You can make it!” and I got ready in a record 45 minutes. (Keith does not have a churchy background and is not very churchy by routine. He is often very amused if I play hooky then act guilty about it all day. He’ll think of things to bait me then laugh his head off when I fall for them.) I told him never to expect me to get ready that quickly again but I was so glad we went. It was a truly great service.
My man is one of the most unique people I’ve ever known. He’ll say absolutely ANYTHING which means he’s been known to hurt my feelings on (frequent) occasion…but then he sends me a text while I’m out of town with just one sentence: Come home to me. And I do. I love him so much. He also does really unique things. When I got home Saturday night, I saw this pile on the kitchen counter:
He saw me staring and said, “Oh, I cut the fringe off that fancy pillow on the couch.”
I’m sitting here speechless just as I was that night. But I am bent over laughing. That’s my man. He thinks an ounce of pretension is worth a pound of manure.
OK, my other random thing is that I have a new travel case for my Bible and computer. I AM SO HAPPY! Perhaps you are not a traveler and do not understand the great importance of your carry on. It is your best friend on the road. It’s under pressure to meet all manner of requirement like fitting in the overhead and going under the seat and rolling down an Express Jet aisle. It also has to be cooperative in the security line when you’re trying to pull your laptop in and out and put it on the conveyor belt. These are not small matters. It also has to fit the large box of Hot Tamales one of the guys from the production team gives me as a reward at the end of most conferences.
To tell you how challenging it is to find exactly the right bag, I have carried the same one for some 12 – shoot fire, maybe 14 – years. The handle is almost impossible to get up and down any more and it’s beat nearly to oblivion. I love it so much though. It’s been good to me. Loyal. I even feel a little guilty about the rest of this story.
Sabrina, my coworker, has tried so hard to get me a new one through the years but I always have a reason for rejecting this one or that one. About a month ago, Hawk and I were at the airport on the way to a conference when we spied a woman with the cutest powder blue bag I’d ever seen. It had never hit me that my bag could be useful AND darling. What was I thinking??? Anyway, we attacked her, got the information on the brand, and ORDERED THAT BABY. Rich and Ron from the LPL team have helped me haul that one black carry-on all over the United States for years. They were so shocked to see the new one, they were too frozen to even lift it in the car. “Whose is this??”
It’s mine! I just love it! And so far, through two trips, it’s passing all my flying tests. It’s a bit too wide for my taste but its cuteness is giving it the advantage at this point and is making it worth the trouble to turn side-ways down the aisle. I may get annoyed with that after a while. We’ll see how it goes.
My small group and I are loving our Ruth study so far! Like some of you, we are meeting each week with one another and every other week with the Siestas at large. The first week of homework is fantastic. Don’t you love it? If you’re doing a different study this summer, tell us what it is!
I cannot say enough about our St Louis group. They were absolutely incredible. God was so gracious to grant us a strong sense of His Presence. He is all we have to offer. All we have of value. So many Siestas were there! We tried hard to get the Siestas together at the end of it for a clandestine group picture but most of them didn’t see the slide we’d been slipping up on the screen during break times. I didn’t get to meet Sister Lynn and I was so ticked! I did, however, see her beautiful face out there. I also got to meet five of our other regulars who were so darling that I could hardly stand it.
Well, Siestas, I better get off of here and down stairs at LPM for lunch. We’re eating in today. You are on my mind every day. Just wanted to say hello!
Oh Siestas. Well, it is a good thing I am doing the Bible Study solo because, well… I just ruined the yummy and delicious sounding chicken enchiladas from Ruth,er Kelly’s study.:( Maybe my enchiladas were from Moab! Well anyway Siestas, don’t confuse English Parsley with Cilantro, it’s a bad move! Blessings to all of you.
My bible study is currently reading “Hole in the Gospel” by Richard Sterns (president of world vision). I highly recommend it. In fact everyone should read it. I hope to do Ruth though in the near future, even if its on my own.
Just had someone from our Ruth group recommend that book. I think I pay attention better when the Lord repeats Himself to me. Thank you.
That book is AMAZING! And soooo challenging!
Dear Beth,
Thank you so much for the St Louis event. Four of us attended from Sioux Falls, SD and we had the most joyous time. One thing I didn’t expect was how the devil would try to attack me when I returned home. Thankfully, one of my sisters in Christ was there for me to lean on and let me know that she has experienced this before as well.
I really enjoyed “unedited Beth”. It was fun to see how real you are. Thank you so much for all of your study and hard work. It means so much to me that you want to educate women about the love of Christ Jesus!
Blessings in Christ!
Monica
Sweet Beth!
In my business (Organize U- Professional Organizer) I have a quote on the back of my business card that says…”If you want a golden rule that fits everything, this is it; have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
William Morris
I believe there are some discrepancies between the Moore “roommates” about what is beautiful and what is not.
Cutting fringe off a pillow that WAS beautiful, clearly makes it not so beautiful and therefore, now….not so useful. That was not fair.
And the point of that was???
I love Erica.
And I love what Jesus is doing on this LPM BLOG to build faith and love and hope in lives across the globe. There is so much “hard life” going on around each of us, and it is so refreshing to see how JESUS is using this unique “Catacomb” to shelter and teach and encourage and BUILD UP the Body of Christ. Go God! Go Jesus! Bring it on Holy Spirit!
Erica, welcome to womens mininstry. We love you and we are PRAYING FOR YOU GIRL!
SEEK and you WILL find Him.
Much love from the unbearable heat in Orlando, Florida,
Kim B.
I LOVE the image of this being our Catacomb !
Love, Linda
Hey Beth, LPM, and fellow siestas!
I don’t always comment but I always read…and I just wanted to say that this community is such a blessing!
I’m loving the Ruth Study too and I Love you all!
Great New Bag Beth 🙂
Beth,
How you get through all of these responses is beyond me! I’m not saying that they are bad. Just the opposite! They are wonderful. I’ve read many of them and just sit and ponder all the truths that are being expounded here. It would take me days, maybe weeks, to get through all of these wonderful responses. Some of the links are amazing also!
Just know that you have an awesome and great ministry. But then we have an awesome and great God too! Oh how he has blessed you and your workers! Praise his wonderful name!!!
Thank you, Kay! Right now I’m not keeping up very well but trying! God is so faithful in our weakness!
Beth – we have put together an online study of Ruth for the summer – we have about 15 ladies joining together from our hometown outside Richmond, VA and a few more from across the country! LOVE LOVE LOVE the study and Kelly’s writing! We have had a few laughs about the questions from the Lifeway folks who wonder why there is suddenly this HUGE demand for this particular Kelly Minter book! We’re all reading together, posting videos and have a special RUTH: LOSS, LOVE AND LEGACY group on Facebook where we can share our discussions and videos!
So happy to have stumbled across this blog; so many of us have been impacted by your work and ministry, but to feel connected with a larger group of folks through this venue is really, really cool. I am excited to experience this study together….
Thanks for all you do, and blessings to you…
Sorry for the last comment. I am just a really big mess right now. I try to be encouraging and helpful to others but at the same time I feel like I am screaming and no one is hearing me. I get so tired of being invisible.
GOD SEES YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE LOVE YOU HERE! YOU ARE NOTICED BY ME!! 🙂
You are not invisible girlfriend! Even if none of us here on this forum answer you….God sees you and knows just what you need.
Praying for you today our sweet little lady bug 🙂
thanku for being so sweet
Oh littleladybug. I feel for you because I am the same way. I speak out trying to defend myself and later regret that I didn’t think more about what I should have said. It is a defense mechanism we use to protect ourselves. I have an trust issue and a control issue because of my past so I certainly understand why you would be hurt if no one responds. Please don’t fly to far away from this blog. I have felt like I am not going to return sometimes, but I see the encouragement these siestas give each other.
Last night I laid down and talked to the ceiling after listening to Beth speak on James Robinson’s show. Here I am talking to the ceiling and crying and saying “So where are you God”. But after the tears I felt completly at rest. Maybe it was exhaustion. I don’t know. So please make a daily visit if you can and I am sure we will all watch for you…Rebecca
You and I have talked back and forth a few days ago. Yes we do have a lot in common. And yes, I lose trust very easy. Control is hard to let go of. I think God and I have been in a wrestling match for a long time. I think I am getting to finally wear out though. I make things so hard. Sometimes on purpose just to try and screw things up. I have been without a job since January because I finally broke down and school and tried to get myself fired. I have been on medical leave since then. That day earned my a trip to the hospital. Do you ever wander how do I get here?
I know how you feel…I’m living in the season of forgotten right now. Hugs to you my fellow siesta!!
Yea -I get ya – my husband keeps telling me he wants his wife back. I keep telling him I don’t have her to give. She is in there somewhere. If I really ever had her to begin with?
Littleladybug; I have asked where my former being was too!! If I knew I’d go get her. What I miss is the energy I once had. Please try not to be so hard on yourself. That is the way I am. Someone can say something to me and I am off to bed for days. I am reading “DEEPER, living in the reality of God’s Love” BY: Debbie Alsdorf. This book has been endorsed by Carol Kent, Jennifer Rothschild and Kathy Troccoli. I have taken some steps I learned from Beth (thank you Beth) and with reading this book I am feeling better.
God gave me the gift of teaching but because of circumstances when I was younger I never made it to teachers college. It is one regret in my life that I have.In fact I didn’t get my highschool diploma until 2 years ago. My parents didn’t show any support when I got it. But through the book on Insecurity and Deeper, I don’t think God will hold this against me. Now all you other siestas tell me if I am wrong please!!! But I have times when I hear a christian speaker and they say something like if you didn’t use God’s gifts you will have to tell your story on judgement day. Yikes that scares me!!!!
My point here is be kind with yourself and keep coming back. All of us have something we don’t like about ourselves and it is only ourselves that we are the hardest on. So imagine how kind God will be. Now ladybug, have I messed you and everyone up good? I hope not’Cause look who’s giving advice. …Rebecca
Awe littleladybug, this touched a spot in my heart. When I was at my lowest a dear person had me say over and over again “God make me who you want me to be”. You may feel so deep in the well, that you can not even find you. Trust me if you just keep repeating the phrase “God make me who you want me to be” I found such release trying to be who I wasn’t, who I didn’t know, empty without direction, because I kept saying “God make me who you want me to be”. “God make me who you want me to be”. “God make me who you want me to be.”
hugs to each of you Siestas!! No-onene, absolutely no-one of us is forgotten!!!! God has His eyes even in the smallest of sparrows!!
I think if is very sweet your Siesta name is little lady bug…it makes me think of whenever I find a lady bug I gently pick it up and love to feel it move tenderly across my finger. I’m careful and in awe of it’s sweetness and God’s creation. God feels the same way about you little lady bug, He is tender, loving, and in awe of His creation. I have an even better reason to be delighted when I see God’s lady bugs in nature as they will remind me of you my Siesta.
Sorry. I feel the need to explain just a little. Not that anything ever excuses rudeness but I am hyper-sensitive about certain things – you know? My fault – I should know better. It’s just that my step-dad used to do this to me all the time. I would approach him to ask a question or speak and he would refuse to talk to me. I could be standing right next to him or right in front of him even and he wouldn’t look at me or speak to me. It was like I never entered the room. It didn’t matter how many times I would say dad, dad, dad, he would refuse to acknowledg my presence. I would finally just walk away. It always made me so angry. So when I asked Beth and the siestas to pray yesterday and no one responded I took it personally. Which was stupid. There are hundreds of emails that come thru here. Mine is not any more important than anyone else’s request or questions. HMMM…come to think of it maybe that’s why my prayer life stinks. Anyway – enjoy the Ruth study. I am going to go ahead and do the Breaking Free as stated in the last blog. Tonight was the first night and all I wanted to do during the video was cry.
So, so sorry Sister. We’re trying really hard but it’s almost impossible to keep up. Please forgive us!
You or the sisters don’t need to be forgiven. I am just a really screwed up person. I walked in for the first time just a few days ago and already I lost myself. What does that say?
That says you’ve come to the right place. We’re all in need of God’s grace and direction around here!
Stacy and Joan I think keeping in touch would be great. My address is [email protected]
However, I am not a very healthy person right now. When I started this a few days ago I told myself I can be encouraging to others and honest at the same time. That is what it seems like everyone is doing. I started out ok but dang it if I am not already in trouble. I don’t know if anyone is prepared for me or if I am prepared for this. I don’t mean that in a mean way but how long before I am cut off. Beth – You said this is the right place. How can you be so sure of that? You don’t know me. You don’t know how messed up I can be. When I tell you that I am really screwed up I mean it. If I’ve scared you all off I totally get that.
Sweet Little Lady Bug, that just qualifies you for the human race. We’re all a bit screwed up here and there. So sorry I didn’t repond to your request for prayer. Absolutely None of us want to feel passed over. I assure you that you are a precious part of this community and fully worthy of our love and attention. And how could I not remember to pray for such an adorable blog name? Thank you for your candor. Isn’t that how we sharpen one another?
Blessings
littleladybug,
So sorry you feel invisible!! I know that 2 others and myself wrote to you concerning your need of a breakthrough. At the very least 3 of us have been in prayer for you! …please scroll back to that page and read messages from us. You are NOt invisible…and we ALL feel that way at times.
Totally understandable, grace extended!
rene : )
I’m sorry littleladybug,
I didn’t see the post. But, believe me Sieasta, You are noticed here!!! I will be praying for you. What’s going on? Here is my email if you need someone to talk to: [email protected]
littleladybug,
I call one of my girls ladybug. She did a project on ladybugs when she was six and I helped her with it. She is my step-daughter by the way. I know that probably makes you wish you had a step-dad like that… But, really don’t because for that one good deed there were a thousand difficult moments that just about killed us.
I want to encourage you with something that helps me so much when I start to feel “recriminations” from the past creep up on me like the one you described with your step-dad.
I ask God if there is a lie I’ve believed about Him as a result of that negative experience. I learned it after I had surgery and God showed me a memory I had where fear had taken root in my heart and it was related to my dad. As a result I had a hard time trusting God because of fear – and, as a result of my not trusting my dad.
When I asked God about the lie He showed me things about the memory that I did not remember.
So here is how it works for me:
1. Father God, is there are lie that I’ve believed about you because of my relationship with _________________? (Usually the first thing that comes to my mind is the lie… You’ll know what He is saying – His sheep hear His voice.) A lie is basically anything that does not agree with the character & nature of God as revealed to us in His Word.
2. Once I’ve identified the lie, I renounce it: “Father God, I confess I’ve agreed with the lie _________________ (be specific – it helps sever it). I renounce the lie ____________________ and ask you now to give me a truth to replace the lie.”
3. I usually get the truth the same way I realized the lie. I will think it – and when I say it out loud I think that sounds like something God would say. Then I agree with the truth: “Father God, I agree with the truth ________________________. I ask now that the Holy Spirit would seal and multiply the work of this truth in my heart and sever the lie and the consequences of the lie from my heart forever by the authority and power Jesus through His death on the cross.”
4. I almost always have to go through forgiveness of the person involved in the circumstance leading to the deception I’ve embraced – even if that person is myself. When I walk through forgiveness I not only say, “I choose to forgive…” But I also tell God any judgments I made against the person who I am forgiving, and the “consequences” of the thing I’m forgiving. “When ________ did this to me, I felt ……” I list out all the feelings I can think of – angry, sad, lonely, rejected, afraid… Any of the ways that the event negatively impacted me I confess it. I then surrender it to Jesus who earned the right to take it to the cross and give me something in exchange. I ask for the exchange. “Is there anything you would like to give me in exchange?”
After I walk through forgiving someone I recognize that the painful memories may still come up and it may take time for the wound to heal like after surgery. But each time I pray and remind myself and God of my choice to forgive and rehearse the exchange I made with Him at the cross. Eventually the wound begins to heal and it doesn’t come up for me anymore.
I’m going to give you an example of this that I had at a class on “Hearing God” one night.
The question I asked was “God, is there a lie I’ve believed about you?”
What I heard in my thoughts was, “That I’m always standing around waiting for you to screw up so I can say, ‘Gotcha!'”
I wrote that down. “Lord, what is the truth to replace that lie?”
I heard in my thoughts, “I’ve got you. Stop trying so hard.”
It agrees with the Scriptures that say He has our names written on the palm of His hands and that He is intimately involved with every detail of our lives, right down to catching our tears in a bottle.
I’d love to know if you find this helpful or not… If you struggle with it you can feel free to email me at [email protected]. I would be happy to walk through it with you and intercede on your behalf as you pray.
Seriously, the way you know it is God is it agrees with the Source of our Knowledge about Him. His Word and the Holy Spirit’s work in our heart.
The wording of the prayers is not so important. There is no formula or “right phrase” just ask Him from your heart believing in your heart that He hears you and will answer you. I’m already praying for you.
You are His daughter, littleladybug, and He has loved you with an everlasting love. His heart is for you and His Word assures us through the Apostle Paul that “There is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
I pray you find the freedom you seek in the power of His Word and His Spirit. Christ died to set you free. I pray the Spirit empowers you to walk in that liberty all the days of your life.
Blessings,
Michelle
I am a prayer warrior on duty for you littleladybug.
I’m so sorry! And yes, I do know what it’s like to be hyper-sensitive! Beth’s “So Long Insecurity” really helped me with some of that. God dug in with that one and allowed me to see things I didn’t even know were there…or even to look for!
I just know Breaking Free will be a blessing to you. I’ve done that one, too, and it was hard on me. 🙂
As always, praying for each siesta, and all whose lives God allows us to touch!
Kristi
I relate to playing hooky and then felling bad about it too. You sharing things (I about let the Arkansan come out there.. typed thang) like that just make me feel that you are not superior to us ..and I know that you don’t want to be that either.. it is just a common bond that connects us to one another… I needed that laugh last night when i read this…Thank you!
Erica,
I know that God really cares and knows our needs and also has a sense of humor…there have been too many times that coincidences have happened that it is impossible to believe anything else, but that God is love, and He cares about even the tiniest need we have. He has always been faithful to answer my prayers.. even though a lot of them are ‘no’ , or ‘wait’.. some have taken nearly a life time to be fulfilled.. but they are.
I pray that God will rain down on you to the point you have no doubt who He is…
Beth,
I am new to Siestas.
My 17 year old & 15 year old daughters and I are doing “A Woman’s Heart” together this summer. I am so excited. It is their first Beth Moore study and I feel so blessed to get to do it alongside them. We’re doing the updated version and loving it!
Laurie,
I am also doing that study with a group of 16 women and I LOVE it ! Welcome to Siestaville.
Love, Linda
I am new to siestas too! I am currently working through “A Woman’s Heart” on my own. Plus “Ruth.” That is neat to do with your daughters. I hope to do that in a few years. My daughter is ten right now.
Lauri, you will love this study! “A Woman’s Heart” was my very fist study and it opened my heart to God’s Word. I am so happy to see you are doing this study with your 15 & 17 year old daughters how blessed you will be.
Queen Beth, Amanda, Melissa, Siestas in Siestaville, and Visitors,
You are always on my mind, too. I’m so nuts over y’all I don’t know how to stand it!!
Jesus be praised for this community!
Doing The Inheritance this summer. Incredible! Love you!
Princess Beth
Does the bag come in red? How about leopard print?
Yes, red, but in a more upright version. It’s really cute.
I want to know what the name of the company is and the website that you ordered it from. I want one!!
Thanks
Dear Erica and Rebecca,
As you grow in your relationship with Him, staying in the Word and prayer, God will help you see His love for you. That is how it has been with me. It is like He brings the curriculum to me on a point He is trying to make, with a study, a book, a song, a sunset, all on that one theme at that particular time. I have come to just expect that now. 🙂
Also, almost every time I have had a huge crisis, or just been discouraged, or even at a celebration, I have seen a V of geese fly overhead, and it is like a message of God’s love for me, something between me and Him, a reminder to me that He is alwyas caring for me. One time it was winter and so cloudy I could not see them, but I heard the geese. I am praying He will show you a special something, just between you and Him, too.
One of my favorite books is “The God of All Comfort” by Hannah Whitall Smith, and I would so recommend it to you. 🙂
Much love,
karen
“You both precede and follow me, You place Your hand of blessing on my head.” Psalms 139:5
Okay Beth–
I’m falling more in love with these Siestas everyday! You sure do know how to raise an awesome family of God! 🙂
When I saw the picture of the fringe left on the counter, I had a flashback to an earlier blog with pictures of orange peels, a tape measure, and the trash can! This most definitely confirms the phobia you mentioned in that blog ;).
I pray that you have a blessed Thursday.
In His Love,
Donna Benjamin
My mind is blown! Thank you Erica for asking this question!!! Man, is this the story of my life. I love love love when I finally raelize I AM NOT ALONE in this one.
Keith and my husband would get along just great!
We have a group of about 23 ladies doing The Inheritance this summer…and it is great. We are taking possession of our inheritance! Thanks, Beth, for another great study.
Erica,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
He didn’t wait until I cleaned up my act to save me. He loved me enough to die for me while I was a lost sinner. How overwhelming.
How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
Good Morning, Siestas!! Okay, Beth, you asked if any of us were doing “other” Bible studies. I have been meeting w/a group of precious friends since before Christmas. Over the past months, we have completed the “Daniel” study. Don’t fuss at us for how long it took us! We relished it! We chewed every fact, digested each one, then came back to the table for more!! Needless to say, we were brain-fried by the end of our study. But oh, how our friendships developed! We began going to the local cafe (very small town – not many choices)for supper after study, calling up our husbands to meet us and closing down the cafe at 8 p.m. We never completed a session in less than 2 hours. Most times they ran 2 1/2-3 hours. So – you don’t want to lose anything this precious. We thought and thought about what study to do next…should we wait until fall, should we start another study this summer? Finally we decided – ready for this? – that we would treat ourselves to reading Francine Rivers’ Legacy of Grace. We are giving ourselves 3 weeks to read each novella, then coming together to discuss the character, pray for each other and community needs, and delight in each other’s company. What a blessing! May each of you have a safe and happy Fourth of July! God bless these United States!
I am on my last chapter of Breaking Free! We just started the Inheritance Bible study ( I love it)
beth- quick random question: any chance there will ever be a homework book to correspond to the inheritance series???
Oh, I so wish! Just don’t have the time BUT it was sure worthy of it. Maybe someday!! I loved that Scripture journey so much. Thank you for your interest!
Oh Beth, you just delight me in you sharings and going ons!
I started on Monday and this past weekend to keep the TV off in the morning and be quiet and not even jump on the computer. So, it was so good and very important for me to be still and not start out with outside stimulation which only feeds the black hole of need constantly. But, Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. I remember as a young woman, I would come home from work and turning on the tube. I was feeling low and felt lower with the TV on. Then some people in different places were telling me, “Get in the Bible” and I did. God, spoke to me, he gave me ears to hear. I started writing little praise songs, then.
So, I this Tuesday morning I read, wrote in my journal and played my guitar. There is so much hurt in me that I am afraid to face it. But, may I have the ears to hear and incline to Him in my neediness.
Love you and love you and thank you!
Allison
Beloved Siestas,
I seriously need HELP and prayers and answers!! As I type I am bawling my eyes out. In my first blog starting Ruth, I said my point of life was/is sad! What an understatement. To some this is nothing, but this is my precious child. She lost her teaching job in Michigan after 3 years. She has worked at a minimum wage day care. This summer she has had 2 interviews and lost BOTH jobs. I have seen her work. She is a CI (cognitive impared) teacher for the young. I honestly believe this is where God means her to be. She is awesome!!
Anyway, she calls me in tears and I talk to her about “how it will be okay, it’s just not where you are meant to be..,” but I am starting to doubt it. WHERE IS GOD? I know she lives with her boyfriend (I pray for that too) but is He punishing her? Does God punish because of the sins of the mother? WHY, WHY, WHY??? I don’t understand this. I hurt from the bottom of my soul! I have tried for a year to ask Him..thy will be done…but I guess I don’t have the patience. That’s my sin, NOT HERS. Can you tell me WHY??? I can’t even talk to Him right now. I am so ANGRY!!
So, have I come to the right place for answers? Don’t say my pastor. No spiritual feeding from him…time to move on..
Joan
Joan I am so sorry for the stress that you are feeling. I wish that I had a spiritual answer for you but I certainly don’t. I am in the same position as your daughter (even down to teaching those with special needs). I too am out of work and had an interview this week. I am praying that it would work out. All I can do is say to you what others are saying to me; keep your eyes on Jesus. Because He is in control. He has a plan, what it is we really don’t know but we (you, your daughter and I!) need to trust Him and walk in faith demonstrating our belief.
I don’t intend to make light of your trial or that of your daughhters…I’m right here in it with you! But as my dear friend Colleen says, we have to surrender to Christ. Either that, or turn our back on our faith. He has given us free will. I am in a position where I need to decide this and maybe you are too. I pray that we’d both make the right decision. He is faithful, how can I deny Him?
I’m heading to the coast today and will make sure and say a prayer for you and your girl 🙂
Love and blessings to you siesta!
Bethany (ca)
I am sorry about your daughter’s job. I am a teacher to so I know it can be frustrating. Has she tried looking outside of her area?
Joan, I don’t think I can say it anything different or better than Bethany or Rene did. Just wanted to say that I,too, am also an unemployed Special Needs Teacher right now, and also I know those Mama feelings, too. I will pray for your daughter and you. I am just trusting Jeremiah 29:11 and Proverbs 3:5-6 right now. I know God has a plan for me. I just have no idea what it is right now. I really am praying with you. Thank you for sharing!
Oh, Joan,
I can’t tell you all the thoughts that went through my mind when I read your post. It was as though you were talking about my daughter in some ways. She got pregnant her last semester in college. We thought she wouldn’t be able to graduate, but she did. Then after the baby was born she moved in with her boyfriend (father of the child) and lived near us until this past March. They moved to NH (I’m in NC), 16 hrs away, to live with his mom and dad! I thought I would DIE the day they moved! They were taking my grand baby away!! I took the day off from work and cried all day long! How could God allow this??
Even worse, my daughter & I don’t have the best relationship. Most of the time we can’t even have a conversation without having some kind of argument or sharp words. I’ve really struggled, like you, in thinking it’s been all my fault. ‘I didn’t do something right when she was growing up’, I’m thinking. ‘Where did I go wrong, God?’ ‘If only I had done something different she would be a great Christian young lady with a great future’, keeps coming to my mind. I’m really having to rely on the Holy Spirit with this part now. No more doing it my way or the way I think it should play out.
My husband & I finally got to the point where we started praying for God to just BLESS THEM! Bless them, God. They need You to bless them.
Just yesterday, she and her boyfriend got married at the courthouse. I couldn’t get anything done all day. I read Bible verses, listened to Christian music, read these posts….but every time I walked around my house and looked at a clock, I burst into tears. The time for my daughter’s marriage came and went. I was happy (she was finally getting married) and I was sad (I couldn’t be there for my only child’s wedding!).
And, yes, I can truly thank God. He (my son-in-law now) has gotten a full time job and my daughter is waiting to hear from an interview she had last week. My granddaughter is being taken care of and things seem to be much better for them now.
You see, it has to be God’s way, not our way. We have to stay in the Word and follow Him. Keep your eyes on God. Yes, it’s hard not to be angry. Just give the anger to God and let Him give you peace instead.
I pray you’ll have some peace in your situation. Hope this helps you feel that you are not alone.
Love in Christ,
Kay
Hi Joan . . . just read your post. Is your daughter a Christian? Praying for you.
P.S. I almost get angry when I read how others are so happy and at peace in their lives. Why not me and mine?
Oh Joan,
I can hear the emotion in your voice…and I am so sorry for your pain. Every mother on this blog has known or will know angst at one time or another over what her child is going through. I heard Chuck Swindoll say one time, “You are only as happy as your least happy child”. (Sigh) How true. Of course, I have no specific answers for you. I DO know that you and your daughter are precious in the sight of God the ALMIGHTY Father. DO NOT forget He IS in complete control EVEN IF every thing around you tells you something different. This is where your faith HAS to kick in! Start/keep searching for scripture that God Himself will write on your heart! Don’t stop trusting that God is at work…LOOK for every thing that might be good and thank him that he IS working behind the scenes on your behalf. Pour out your heart to Him and seek fellow believers who can come along side you to pray and listen. The closer you draw to the Lord, the more you will discover His character has ONLY good plans for you. This is a race of endurance. When God is developing our character, He’s never in a hurry. Sweet Joan, do not give up!! I know it is easier said than done.
I share with a heart heavy for one of my daughters, too. I am not telling you anything I do not put into practice myself! Even in fasting and praying, and the answers aren’t on the horizon, I KNOW from the depths of my being MY GOD is doing HIS thing in HIS time and I am one grateful soul that He should care for me.
‘Nough said…going to prayer for you right now.
Loving you and your daughter, and believing GOD for the answers for you..
siesta rene
siesta rene,
Thank you. I keep re reading your words. Something in them resonates within me. Maybe it’s hope?
Please continue to remember my daughter and myself in my prayers.
joan
Sweet Joan.
YES!YES!! You get it!!! I am in tears just ‘hearing’ you speak that out loud! YES! YES!YES!(there is not a jumping up and down waving my hands key : ) !!
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”Heb 11:1
You can take that to the bank!!Not the feelings, or what we see with our eyes, but God’s word. Still praying for you. The Holy Spirit IS talking to you. Remember, pray for eyes to see and ears to hear! I feel confident that all siestas reading will be united in prayer for you!
I am also be asking the Lord to lead you to a church where you will find good spiritual teaching. None of us can make it alone.
xoxo, rene
Dear Joan, first of all I’m so very sorry for the great difficulty and discouragement that is weighing on your heart and mind. Your problems are real life and I don’t wish to diminish them by being so bold as to offer a reply. Your daughter sounds very capable and worthy of a wonderful position.
You mentioned that you’re doing the Ruth study. Do you recall on p.13 the discussion question re: whether or not God still uses punitive means to draw us to Him? (such as sending a famine when the nation of Israel was disobedient). I believe the answer to that question is that God presently treats us as His children that He disciplines and trains. Hebrews 12:5-11 makes this point along with 1 Peter 1:6-7, 4:12-13, and 5:10. Now I am not in any way, shape or form in a position to say exactly what God is up to in your life or that of your daughter, but I do believe these scriptural principles are in play for all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Does the Lord punish children for the sins of parents? Some may disagree, but I believe the Bible gives us a clear “No” on that one. Beth has taught on this in several Bible studies, but the one that comes to mind is “Breaking Free.” The word used for punish was an accounting term that spoke of the natural affect that comes into play with what Beth called “generational sin.” An example would be substance abuse. You could count for 3 to 4 generations the affects that, say, an alcoholic would have on the subsequent generations. But an important counterpoint to that verse is that when we love the Lord and seek to obey Him, He blesses to a thousand generations.(Deuteronomy 7:9). God can trump what sin, left to its own devices would destroy.
I’m praying for you, dear siesta! And asking the Lord to have some more siestas answer you and fill in the gaps I have doubtlesslly left.
Many Blessings.
I hear you Joan. I honestly do not believe God punishes our daughters for our sins. Remember His Grace?
I get angry too when I see how others are happy and have things but I am learning we don’t know what goes on behind their walls. I was very angry with God for along time which is why I feel depressed, but I also learnt that it is ok to be angry and to talk to God about it. Just don’t use the anger to sin. There is a great book called Angry with God By: Michele Novotni, Randy Petersen. It helped me alot when my husband was out of work for over 10 years. Now I am struggling with God’s love, but the sisters here are great and its a great place to hang around. Thinking of you…Rebecca
Dear Sister,
Breaking Free is a great place to start, but if you can stand another book reccommendation, I’ve found “Boundaries” by Dr’s Henry Cloud and John Towensend to be beyond helpful. I can’t tell you how relieved I was to read an explanation for this propensity I have to take everything personally. I’ve been known to sulk and pout for days over something long forgotten by the person who even said it.
I want you to know that I’ve read your commments and you have and will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Love to you,
Patti Hayes
Now I’ve really confused things. My comment above was intended for Littleladybug but I had only clicked on the preview button and hadn’t submitted it yet, so when I clicked on the reply button to respond to Joan my earlier reply was the one that was submitted. Note to self: after previewing a comment, don’t forget to click the submit icon.
Now, this comment is for Joan, although I hope you read down this far, littleladybug and read the comment intended for you.
Joan, I’m praying for you sister, both as a mother and as a fellow-sojourner. I’ve been in God’s intensive care unit for a while, though after the huge marker this morning, He may be getting ready to move me to a regular room, but during this long night, I’ve had close friends who have among other things, reccommended excellent reading material. I’d like to pass on to you one such reccomendation, “The Cry of the Soul – How Our Emotions Reveal Our Deepest Questions About God” by Dr.’s Dan Allender and Tremper Longman III. I’m still working my way through reading this one, but I do know this and you’ll be relieved to know it as well that it is safe to be real with God. Again, I’m praying for you.
Love to you,
Patti Hayes
Does anyone know who sings the version of Just As I Am that Travis did at the St. Louis LPL? I can’t find it anywhere. I guess I’m not searching in the right place. Any help for this Siesta? Loved, loved it!!!
Susan
Erica,
You are right where God wants you to see his love for you. Beth Moore is the most powerful speaker and example of how God loves us. I have discovered it is a “HEART” issue, we have to dig deep into our heart and get rid of all the hurts that this world and people around us have imposed on us, but you have to believe that HE will pick up all the pieces of our broken hearts and heal them completely!! No one else can do that, once you have allowed Him, Our Sweet Loving Father, into the “inner places of your heart and soul” you will feel His love completely, but it takes work girl, it’s hard, it’s uncomfortable but it is so rewarding. If you haven’t done the Breaking Free study I would highly recommend it, it changed my life and my relationship with Jesus, I finally moved him from my head to my heart. Just let Him in and hold on as tight as you can, because it is a “wild ride!”
Love and God Bless,
vonda curlee, Keller, TX
I absolutely love your new carry on the bag! The color just matches your personality so well!
I am pleased to say that this summer I am doing a bible study with the women at my church. We are actually doing the updated version of your “A Woman’s Heart, God’s Dwelling Place” and I am just in awe with it. God is showing me so much. He has even revealed things about me that I wasn’t aware of with the help of His word, your powerful words that He gifted you, and the lovely women in the group I’m with. Week 4 is where I am at, and I just can’t wait!!!!
I love the tote. If you are ever in the market for anotherone, look at the Baggallini bags. Your looks a lot like their carry-on piece. They were designed by flight attendants and are made of very lightweight material and have lots of pockets, zippered compartments, etc. There are purses, wallets, luggage, carry-ons, etc. They are great!
Someone earlier commented about making Keith’s King Ranch casserole for the first time. I must tell you it is a staple at our Wednesday night church dinners. We tried it when you first posted it and it is loved by young and old alike. If we go too long without serving it they will ask about it. Thanks!
OK…I may need this recipe as I made one from a Southern Living cookbook tonight and honestly, I was not all that impressed!! What post was it on?
Hi Beth,
Just my own random thought… HAPPY CANADA DAY to all the siestas from Canada. Also Happy 4th of July for all the American siestas. Anyone interested in a short lesson from Canada can try http://graciejewellery.blogspot.com/.
She actually touches on prayer and the anthem with “God keep our land glorious and free!’
Have a great weekend….Rebecca
Yes, Happy Canada Day!
Happy Canada Day to all our Canadian sisters! This is fun!
Blessings.
My friend Jill and I are doing Living Well, the fruit of the spirit study. Can’t wait to learn a bit more about getting some self-control and a little patience wouldn’t hurt either.
Thank you for allowing the Lord to use you in such an awsome way in this book. He knew when He laid this on your heart that I would need this message like I need air to breathe. My husband of almost 31 years told me on June 1 that he needed to be “alone” to be happy. We are both Christians, but due to some horrible fighting in our church (imagine that) have not been in church for about a year. I’ve known that he has not been happy for a while and would ask him often to talk about it and he would just tell me that everything was “fine”. “Fine” is the univeral word used by men, women and teenagers alike to mean “there is something wrong but I just don’t want to talk about it.”
I have been attending Bible Studies with friends at different churches and keeping up with my private quite times but have watched my husband’s spiritual life grow cold. I have prayed and prayed for him – not preached – but have been active in front of him.
God has been gracious during this time – my husband is staying with his parents – there has been no fighting – no yelling – no cleaning out the bank accounts or slashing clothing. I am in our home – still taking care of the bills and we talk almost daily – never about why he’s gone – but very cordial and long conversations about the days events. Most of these calls are initiated by him and for that I am most thankful. He says he is not interested in counseling. I’ve told him that I meant it when I said “I do” and “Until death do us part” and I still mean it. I have left the door open to re-visit this issue if he so chooses. I told him I still love him and he says he still loves me but that he needs to be alone to find his happiness. This is all in God’s hands and He has pried my “white knuckle” grip off of many things in these last days and helped me lay them at His feet and threatens to “smack my hands” if I try to touch them again. (Ha) I am praying for God’s wisdom and for Him to guard my mouth and my tongue and my heart. God is good.
God has used this time as sort of a “Spiritual Bootcamp” for me and this book is one of many he has given me during this time as well as “Praying God’s Will for your Life” by Stormie O’Martin and “The Heartbreak No One Sees” by Sheila Walsh and “The Red Sea Rules” I can’t remember the author but it is from the Billy Graham Library. I just finished your book the other day and I’m not sure how I have any tears left – this book spoke straight to my heart and has helped me to allow God to peal apart my heart layer by layer and lay many areas out in the light of His love to allow healing to begin.
I have a long way to go on this road the Lord has me on at this time. I have no idea when or how this will all end – but God does and that is really all that matters. My prayer is that I will be healed in the Lord – that my husband will allow God to heal him and that ultimately we will join together again and allow God to work through and heal us together. I am praying God’s word and His promises over my life and my husband’s.
We have a 27 year old daughter who lives in another part of the State and I am praying for her too – she knows we both love her and that no matter what happens that will never change. I’ve told her that God was good when this started – God is good now – and no matter what happens – God will still be good.
Again – thank you for allowing God to use you in such a mighty way. I pray that He will continue to bless you and your family.
In Chris – Carol
I’m so glad you’re here, Carol. You are so worthy of the vast love of Jesus.
Wow, Carol. Thank you for setting such an incredible example for all of us.
Carol, I second Beth’s sentiments I am glad you are here, what a light you are in your world. Thank you for your faith.
Since we still seem to be caught up in the pillow fringe caper, I noticed Keith managed to get it to the counter above the trash can. That was my first thought when I saw the picture.
Midland Kay
Hi Beth,
Thanks for the encouragement to continue to press on. I am doing the Inheritance study with my church right now. Loving it.
Hello Siestas! This is only my second or third post in Siestaville, so I thought I would start by introducing myself to you all. I am 27 years old and live in Nashville, TN.
Beth, I just love watching you on Life Today–you are such an inspiration to me and challenge me in my walk with the Lord. Thank you for what you do!!
Erica, I too, like a few of the other siestas, came to truly know that Jesus loves me only last year, after having a relationship with Him for 9 years. Let me tell you, to finally truly and really KNOW His love–it’s simply AMAZING!!
My mom and dad divorced shortly after I entered the world because my father didn’t want any more children. I was later sexually abused in the 1st grade by a 5th grade babysitter…who was a boy. Because I continually asked my mom about my biological dad, she eventually found him and they remarried. By my teen years, my dad did the unthinkable. Yep, he too sexually abused me for two and a half years.
All throughout my life I knew and had learned about the Bible. I had gone to VBS, was involved in a local church, it’s youth group, etc. however, as the situation at home grew worse after my dad’s arrest, the only conclusion for change that I came to was to put myself in the custody of the state and live in foster homes. I thought that if I could get outside of the environment that caused my bad behavior, change would truly come.
Well, one year later (2001) things didn’t work out, and I now found myself at the doorstep of the Nashville Rescue Mission Family Life Center. I could not believe that my own mother could kick me out. But the mission is where I encountered my Savior Jesus Christ–and for that I am eternally grateful!!
I ended up taking classes to get my GED and had the best Christmas ever in 2002 because I had found out that I now had a diploma. The new year came and I began setting my sights on attending college, specifically, Trevecca Nazarene University. I felt the Lord calling me there to become a teacher. I started school that following August. Unfortunately, the Lord still had things I needed to see and deal with from my past before I could teach, so in July of 2007, I returned to the mission to face those problems…along with a two year period of being incredibly depressed–even suicidal at times.
Last June however, I began to attend a new church and started to seek some Godly counseling and help. Our pastor’s mother in law began to counsel me through a book by Neil Anderson called “Victory Over the Darkness” and it has CHANGED my life forever. Here is one of the sections that shined upon my heart and allowed me to realize the depth of His love:
“Being a Christian is not just a matter of getting something, it is a matter of being someone. A Christian isn’t simply a person who is forgiven and goes to heaven. A Christian, in terms of his or her deepest identity, is A SAINT, A SPIRITUALLY BORN CHILD OF GOD, A DIVINE MASTERPIECE, A CHILD OF LIGHT, A CITIZEN OF HEAVEN!!! What you receive as a Christian isn’t the point: it is WHO YOU ARE. It is not WHAT YOU DO as a CHRISTIAN that DETERMINES WHO YOU ARE, it is WHO YOU ARE that determines WHAT YOU DO!!!!”
“Understanding your identity in Christ is essential for living the Christian life. You don’t change yourself by your perception. You change your perception of yourself by believing the truth. IF YOU PERCEIVE YOURSELF WRONGLY, YOU WILL LIVE WRONGLY BECAUSE WHAT YOU ARE BELIEVING IS NOT TRUE!!!!!!!!!! If you think that you are a no-good bum, you will probably live like a no-good bum. If, however, you see yourself as a child of God who is spiritually alive in Christ, you will begin to live accordingly. Next to a knowledge of God, a knowledge of who you are is by far the most important truth you can posess.”
I hope and pray that you, Erica, will realize the depth, heighth, width, and deepness of the love He has for you.
Kimberly
Darling Kimberly, you have quite a powerful testimony! What a miracle you are! Welcome here, Child. May Christ continually reveal Himself afresh to you.
Dear girl, you are officially the bravest person I’ve met in awhile. Thank you for introducing yourself. I’m Kathy, 46yrs old and live in H’ville, TN. Your courage is…well, encouraging. Glad to know ya.
Kimberly your testimony is beautiful and very touching.
Thank you for sharing. May God bless you on your walk with Him.
littleladybug,
I read your blogs. I hear your screams. You are not invisible to me littleladybug. My heart hurts for my daughter as I said in my blog. I feel abandoned by God, then I realized that I am not the only siesta here in pain. Maybe if we pray for each other God will hear? Maybe thats why we are on this blog. Did He want us to meet? I have no answers except to tell you that I DO see you littlelady bug and even in my pain, my heart tells me that He hears us both too.
Can we keep in touch?
Joan
Has anyone done a study on marriage or strengthening your marriage? I saw.a study called “Love Dare”, has anyone done this study or heard of it? Thank you for any input and I hope everyone is having a blessed day.
Hi Susan,
Love Dare is based on Fireproof, the movie which I highly reccommend. I won’t give away any details because I wouldn’t want to spoil the movie, but it is readily available on DVD at Wal-Mart and Sam’s club. Love Dare books, devotional material, and Bible study materials I’m sure are available through Lifeway Christian stores. I hope this helps.
Love to you,
Patti Hayes
Beth,
You know what made me laugh hardest about the pile of fringe? He didn’t get it to the garbage can!!! And I know now how close it is!!! So funny!
I love the blue suitcase!! I want one.
I am doing your Esther study and love it!
I canNOT get over the pillow episode with Keith! I would have been livid with my husband!! But you, Siesta Mama, handled it with such grace! It is absolutely hilarious though:-)
I am doing “Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free” by Nancy Leigh Demoss this summer with about 8 other women. We are having a blast!!
Much love!!!
Beth,
I just wanted to drop in and tell you I had lunch in Southlake with a new friend about a new ministry opportunity that is coming down the road toward me.
While we were at lunch we were discussing this new online ministry endeavor and your name came up. She said, “She is such a powerhouse for God.”
AMEN! I love you to pieces. God has for this season drawn my time of sitting under you as my “teacher” to a close. But I still find that I consider you my friend. You are a treasure. I love you with a heart full of gratitude to our God for introducing me to you through Beloved Disciple seven years ago. I can’t believe it has been so long.
You are an inspiration and joy to so many, but tonight to me especially.
LOVE YOU. MB
Michelle, that means the world to me. Thank you so much for sharing that. God is so merciful to allow someone with my terrible background to have ministered to you at all…let alone for seven years. Go forward, Dear Sister! Take that next step! I’m honored to be your servant. I have a great respect for you. I hope you’ll stick your head back in Siestaville as often as you can!
I have thought about this for a couple of days. One way is through God’s word. I can’t tell you how often God’s word encourages me. I know there are “dry” times, but I have rarely had that problem. Now there are times when I don’t get in the word, but when I do, He is there! The other way is through the discipline and conviction of the Lord. Hebrews reminds us that God loves those He disciplines. Third, I remember the cross. Is there a greater display of Christ’s love? Not possible. Have a good holiday weekend Siestas.
Absolutely loved the St.Louis event! That was the 4th time I have been to a LP Live event! Wow…It seems as though the question you proposed, “What season of your life are you in?” was a bit disturbing to me! I nearly cried my eyes out when you walked out of that stadium and the Praise Team quit singing… I just wanted to jump up and scream to the top of my lungs from section 112, “TAKE ME HOME WITH YOU” “ANYONE TAKE ME HOME WITH YOU”…You see even though I would call this season of my life “heavy” I was able to release that due to the overwhelming precense of God on Friday night! So when you all left and I knew it was back to the four children I am blessed with…One with Autism and a crazy crazy life we are going through right now…I just did not know how to get that heavy feeling to stay off my shoulders! It was as if someone had stepped up on my shoulders and heart right when you walked out! Now I know for sure that God isn’t only in that stadium…He is everywhere! But it’s going to take a lot of prayer and an almost miracle to get ME through the next couple years with our precious Mason! Thank you for sharing! Dear Beth you have an amazing God Given talent to speak to women! I went home this time just blabbering away to my Daddy. “Can you even believe that God could take one tiny woman and fill her so full of passion and love for him?” If he can do this with her then surely he can and will get me through this season of heaviness!
Much Love,
Lori Anderson
Missouri
Beth Moore. I recently moved from a big city to live out in the country. I found a small congregation, 100 year old church 10 minutes from my new home and began going to a Women’s Bible Study by Beth Moore – the study of Esther. Your study and the way you present your heart for God – I am touched forever. You have affected me. I am sharing with all my girlfriends and women I know you and the amazing way you share the message.
I just wanted to thank you so much for “you”.
Jaime
I’m so blessed, Jaime!! When a man from LifeWay (who became very dear to me) first shared with me the vision for video-driven Bible studies, I really didn’t get the concept. I was afraid that having a teacher on video would keep prospective young teachers from developing their Spiritual gifts. (By and large, that did not turn out to be true, thank God alone.) The only thing that I could wrap my mind around at the time was the possible usefulness in a really small church. That’s what God used to motivate me so it’s so fun to hear someone mention a study being in that kind of congregation, particularly in the country. That was my only vision for it and it still thrills me most of all. God is so gracious.
I am sending this again ’cause the first one didn’t go through. Those ‘locks’ on the counter remind me of my 3yr old granddaughter who on Memorial day needed to cut her hair because it was in her eyes!! She has seen me cut so much hair, I guess. I’m a hair stylist and she has spent lots of time in what she calls “Mimi’s Booty Hop”!! Too Funny. Well, I had to cut more to make it even and it nearly killed my daughter and her husband. Dad’s take these things pretty hard when it’s their only child/daughter. They saved ALL that hair-it was pretty long and very blonde.
Thanks for sharing. And…I love the bag-does it come in pink?? 🙂
First of all… Keith or should I say my Texas dad is brave! Seriously, and even left the evidence Mr.who-needs-a-trashcan-aphobia. Okay so that really cracked me up. I swanny . Is that a word? My Granny Rose used to say that all the time… Well, I swanny. I miss her so much I just can’t stand it sometimes.
I’ve been thinking about something you said in a bible study video. I never knew that Jesus carried on a conversation about me with God until you made the comment and when I understood what you were saying it overwhelmed me. I couldn’t believe that Jesus the One and Only was talking about me 🙂 and it made me want to be good all the time because I sure don’t want them talking bad about me. I bet they have had some laughs on me.
***********LET ME TELL YOU A FUNNY STORRY**************************
We are at McDonalds drive thru and I have just ordered my chicken nuggets and I’m at the window paying… I’m watching this sweet 80 yr old lady and her granddaughter through my rearview mirror and I’m lovin them. They seemed so sweet and I felt like the Lord wanted me to buy their lunch. Now I need you to know that when you decided to do something for the Lord he gets to call the shots and you have no idea what its going to look like.
Were back at the window, Yes I would like to buy the lady’s meal behind me. And why do you want to do that? Do you even know her? I said, no I don’t know her, I just want want to be nice? She said well I haven’t taken the order. Well can you take it now so I can pay you? I’m really needing a nerve pill or something it was almost like she was stalling on purpose just take the order. Finally the moment I had been waiting for welcome to McDonalds can I take your order please? Now I thought that by being nice I would be buying a cheeseburger and a happy meal but listen to what the Lord had in mind. This 80 something 100 pound grandma said, yes lets see I would like 10 double cheesburgers!!!!! and I started praying who would have thought I mean did you tell her Lord I was paying????? I was SO thankful for the dollar menu Thank you Jesus !!!! The girl at the window looked at me and said you still want to be nice I said O yes I do and you can keep the change. Okay so I didn’t say you can keep the change but I should have. At this point it was more important for me to follow through with what I said I would do! I LOVE YOU MY SWEET SIESTA MAMA 44 days till Lexington I can’t wait!!!!!
THAT IS PRICELESS!!!!!!!
Beth, such a cute post and loved the bag. The cutting of the fringe set me into giggles. Only a man would do that!! Hilarious! Erica, I think a great place to start with knowing God’s love is reading the verses in the bible that speak of His love toward us and making that personal to you. Keep reading them until you feel Him saying it just to you. It’s a love letter. He is truly our prince in shining armor.
I can’t believe he did that!
How do you move forward in the season of forgotten? I have never seen a life brought to nothing so quickly, nor do I understand it. I started reading the book So Long Insecurities today, and while I know I have a lot of them to deal with it seems that I am at a season in life that keeps heaping them on.
I know God loves me and I pray over His promises, I know He will bring me through this but how dirty and a scared? I am at a place where my husband has left and I have three beautiful blessing to provide for! However, I have been a stay at home mom for years and with the economy no job (yet). I am trying to sell my home before I loose it but this is not a time to sell! Recently I was also blessed with my niece coming to live with me she is a doll and my heart goes out to her!
It seems like everything is falling apart … So, do I have insecurities … yep … and they seem to grow bigger by the day!
I guess my question would be how do you keep a God – sized faith in the midst of despair. I know God loves me but what good can come out of so much pain?
Did you know that your name is engraved on the palm of God’s hand and your walls are ever before Him. I’m praying that His unfailing love will rest upon you even as you trust in Him
Love to you,
Patti Hayes
I have done only 2 Beth Moore studies, so I’m a “newbie”… and I just discovered this blog….
I’m a teacher and I’m off for the summer…. so I’m going through the archives and reading every entry from the beginning. and I’m sure i’ll be blessed just the same as those who read them “on time.”
I’ve got a lot of catching up to do…. but I will get there…. and I have a feeling i’m going to enjoy every word!
~ elaine, the “late blooming” siesta.
Thank you so much for the message you gave at St. Louis. Our part of our Women’s Bible Study Group made it to the conference and enjoyed the worship time so much. You are blessed by God and it comes through each time we here you. I appreciate all of your efforts that you put into a conference and the seriousness you give to our Heavenly Father and how we should keep our focus on Him and His Word. I love you Beth, and just wanted to share my heartfelt thanks for such wonderful shared study moments with God. Bless You. Mecca