Hey, my Dear Siestas! It’s time for our second gathering of SSBS3! As promised, below are your written instructions in case you have trouble with the video greeting. REMEMBER, your comments to this post are meant to come AFTER your small group gathering or your solo experience to tell us how your time went. We hope all of you participating will check back in with a comment at some point over the next several days. (One leader checks in per group and each solo participant checks in.) This is part of the accountability process and will immensely help you stay with it through the very last page. As always, please put your city at the beginning of your comment. Thanks so much for joining in!
Summer Siesta Bible Study – Week 2 from LPV on Vimeo.
Your discussions in this gathering will revolve around different points in your homework. Two from Week One. Two from Week Two:
1. Look back at the middle of page 12 where Kelly had us look up Deuteronomy 23 and Judges 3 to get some background on the Moabites. Read Deuteronomy 23:3-5 together if you’re not watching this as a small group. In your small group, I want you to talk about a few things that have happened in your lives that Satan would love to use to curse you. You can think of it conceptually more than literally if that helps. At the end of class today, I want you to claim that fifth verse together in prayer and believe God to turn those curses into blessings!
2. Turn to the middle of Week One, to the bottom of p.21 and the top of p.22. I loved Kelly’s discussion about her friend “weeping forward.” What do you think that means? Several of you share a season in your life when you feel like you wept forward and several others might consider sharing a season in your life when you wept backward. Most of us have done both at some point in our lives.
The next two are from Week Two:
3. OK, Day Two has a portion that is vintage Kelly Minter and one reason why I love her writing so much. Look at the second paragraph on p.42 where she tells about her sister, Megan. If you were writing a novel that was secretly about yourself right now and right in this season and you had to name it in the form of a question, what would it be?
4. Turn to p.45 and review the part of your homework concerning Psalm 126. Please read the psalm together then discuss your answers to the “Personal Response” question: Practically speaking, how can you sow in your weeping? Don’t miss how much this section has to do with your second discussion question today.
In closing, one of you read the Elizabeth Barrett Browning quote at the end. Let it lead you into prayer and don’t forget to claim those blessings from our first discussion question today!
For all of you participating in the fellowship meal, consider the recipes on pages 62-63 and either do them or some Italian equivalent.
I am so happy to study with you! Stay in the Word and I’ll see you in two more weeks!
Solo in Seattle
1. We are missionaries in Papua New Guinea. My husband had to be med-evaced by small plane to Australia with a severe case of necrotizing pancreatitis. After 2 1/2 weeks in the hospital, our family had to return to our home area of Seattle so my hubby could receive further medical care. A couple of weeks after our arrival, our oldest boy (13) was diagnosed with marginal zone B-cell lymphoma, (ie. CANCER!). I just know that Satan was rubbing his hands together in glee thinking he had taken us out of our ministry and given our family enough to bring us down. But I love how our GOD has been just huge throughout this time. Praise Him that both my husband and son are not only doing just fine medically, but my boy testifies that God has used this trial in his life to draw him closer to Himself. I want nothing more for my 3 boys than for them to truly know and walk with God. Satan may have tried to “curse” my son with cancer, but God meant it for good–to draw him closer to Himself. Thank You Father!
2. I think we weep forward, (cuz sometimes we’re just going to have to weep!) as we weep but keep on trusting Him, keep on believing Him, keep our hand tightly in His and walk with Him, even though we do so with tears streaming down our faces. Almost 3 years ago, when we were in PNG, my dear, dear mother very unexpectedly went home to be with the Lord. It absolutely broke my heart. Words cannot describe how I felt as I walked through that next year. I was in deep grief; loosing a mother is a hard thing. But during a season when I felt so incapable of doing much, I did cling to God. He had showed His incredible love for me by giving me a rare eye disease that brought me home for 5 weeks to spend with my mom before she died. He knew He was going to be taking her home so out of His great love and compassion, He worked out a farewell trip for me (she died a few weeks after my return to PNG). I knew I could trust Him. I knew He knew my frailties and understood the depths of my grief. He enabled me to press on in my ministry in PNG and to walk forward by clinging to Him, though I did so with much weeping.
3. Oh Lord, What Do You Want Of Me Now? (Now who would buy a book of that title?! Sorry. That’s just what jumped to mind.) 🙂
4. When we are in a time of weeping, keep sowing seeds of faith, trust and belief in God. Stay in His Word. Trust in His goodness. Keep living in Him. You will reap inceased faith, a stronger trust and a deeper belief in Him.
(I will probably by off on our camping expedition the next Tuesday check-in day. But though I may not be able to check in, I will still be in Ruth with you all!)
Terri,
I haven’t had time to write my own post yet(I’m also going solo). Just wanted to take a minute read some of the posts of others. You words just blessed my heart as you proclaimed how faithful our God is through such dfficulties. The first two weeks of the study have just been incredible. I’m so thankful I didn’t miss out because I had to go solo as well.
Blessings to you and your family!
Thanks April! Our God is so good . . . all the time! I’m glad I could “meet” another going solo Siesta! I’m enjoying the study too!
Terri,…. I would buy your book.. The title says so much…
Grin. You’re sweet to say so! Guess you’ve felt that way before too?!
You are an amazing woman of strength and dignity and I am so honored to be in study with a woman of such deep Faith! God Bless you and your family. Thank you for your work and witness to God’s amazing Love!
Terri, Your post has blessed me so much. I lost my mom a year ago past June. I am still in a valley with that. I miss her so much still yet. I know God has a plan for me. Thanks for your encouragment.
East Peoria, IL ~ going solo!
This has been a wonderful study so far!
1. I could make a running list of ‘curses’, i think, but the biggest one Satan tries to use is my past relationships. I get deep into comparing what I had then versus what I have now, and it goes on and on, leading to discontentment. I am married to a wonderful man, and i know that God doesn’t want me to let insecurity creep in. So I have to make daily choices to claim victory over that!
2. I loved this analogy of ‘weeping forward’. The best example I could think of was when my dad left when I was 15. The day after he left, I woke up to my piano-player mom singing praise choruses through her tears at the piano. We had no choice but to move forward, and my mom provided me such an awesome model!
3. My movie would be titled “Can You help me love me?”
4. I think sowing through weeping to me means that I can continue to invest in ministry during times of pain and confusion. I know that in my mom’s case, she made the conscious effort to use my dad’s leaving to show me God’s Glory and that He is still in control, and that has been a tremendous guide for me! I would love to think that even when I may be crying, I can still use my life as a model for someone else to see faith, love, and trust through circumstances. Still praying, still studying His word, still worshipping…
Be blessed!
Wow, what a powerful example of weeping forward – your mom at the piano. Who knew that He would use that to bring you closer to Him in this time of your life. What an example of a Godly woman!
Mandy:
Thanks for sharing. I’ve read your post several times, trying to get it to sink in. Can’t get a visual picture of your mom out of my mind. I can “Amen” some of your hurts.
Praying for you,
Melissa
Thanks for sharing, Mandy. Your mother is an amazing woman…very powerful testimony of WHO GOD IS.
Your post brought tears to my eyes… not just your Mom’s story, but also the title you listed for your book. I’ve struggled so much to come to a point where I “like” me… for who I am, no pretenses, no falsity, just me. I still struggle with insecurities, but with God’s help am coming along…
Thanks, y’all, for your sweet words. My mom is definitely my rock, though I’m sure she would say otherwise. Thankfully God brings us through these journeys with people who are strong enough to help carry us sometimes! (And faithfully, He always carries us all!!)
You said to ask questions, so here is my question:
I am going through a transition where I have taught S.S. for years to kids and now I am stepping up to teach women.
God is opening doors and opportunties for me in this area.
This has been real exciting and I am still praying for God’s help each step of the way.
What can I do to be a “Great” teacher and not just a good teacher? Where or what kind of college courses can I take that will help? Is there any online courses for women?
Wow, I was the Children’s Coordinator for my church for 7 years and stepped out almost a year ago into the secular workplace and so I could be a leader in women’s ministry. God has blessed me ever since. If you follow God’s leading, you will be great because He is great. Love the women and listen. Try not to spend too much time trying to figure it out but instead, dive in and enjoy the journey. If you lead like Jesus, you can’t go wrong. Blessing to you.
Your questions sound like some of my questions Joyce. I think God is leading me to leave youth ministry (what I’ve done ever since I was in college/out of college) and into women’s ministry. So much so that many women from a women’s class where the teacher is leaving in August have asked me to teach it. I’m not sure whether to see that as a sign from God that I should move into women’s ministry or what. It’s crazy. I, like you, don’t want to just be a good teacher wherever I teach. Michelle, your words to dive in and enjoy the journey are playing over and over in my head. Thank you both for posting.
Solo in College Station.
1. The curse of an abusive, alcoholic husband of 40 years and depression. God has shown me HE is my all’n all, I only need HIM.
2.I wept forward when I left my husband of 30 years of marriage at that time(1999), because I realized God DID love me and wanted better for me. I weep backward a lot of times when depression overtakes me and I take on the guilt of problems being my fault.
3. I am waiting, what now GOD? I am still married to the man I have loved since I was 17 years old(the love of my life) He is in IL, dry alcoholic, father of my 3 grown children. I am living in Texas with one of my 3 children(they all live in Texas now.
4. Weeping forward as God is my ONE & ONLY and I am so looking forward to being with HIM!!!!
Great Bible Study, it is really making be think and also a comfort.
Sorry making me think.
Hi Sharon! I lived in college station for 8 years! Are you an Aggie or a “native” – haha.. blessings!
Sister Lynn
I think I have become an Aggie. My daughter and son-in-law are professors at Texas A&M.
Thank you for sharing your story with us! I’m praying that God will continue to bring healing to your husband and your marriage. It’s never too late!
Thanks Missy, what has kept me hanging on it God’s grace, I know that as long as my husband has breath God has not given up on him and neither will I.
1. When I was in my early 20’s I very foolishly jumped into a marriage. Within 9 months I was going through a divorce. A month later my favorite aunt died of breast cancer. I just clung to Jesus instead of becoming bitter or angry.
2. Weeping forward…I’ve been very sick over the past year. I had bronchitis which lead to a hiatal hernia, which led to out of control reflux and asthma. Now I have a pre cancerous condition of my esophagus and just had my gallbladder out a week ago. I weep forward because I’m so frustrated, and scared, but I know God has a plan for me.
3. If my life were the title of a novel it would be “Really, God, Really?”
4. When I went through the rough time of my divorce I did a lot of sowing in tears. I sowed my time into serving others. It took my mind off me and blessed me more than anything. I sowed my heart into the youth and singles of my church at that time. I sought the Lord more probably than any other time in my life. I used my “new” single life to be completely devoted to Him in all that I did.
Sorry I forgot, I’m doing this solo in Leander, TX
Kimberly – praying for you!! I have had 3 years of asthma and reflux. feeling isolated from because of illness. But because of the testimony of my daughter that you commented on – I know He will gloify Himself in my situation now as well. Wish you lived in Ohio so we could get together!! Praying for you my siesta!! You are loved by the Creator of the universe and me as well!! Keep pressing on! So blessed by your testimony of serving others in your time of sadness. You go girl!! Praying you sense the love and approval of your King as you press on now. I feel like I love ya and I don’t even know you – must be a God thing!!!
Kimberly,
I am so sorry to hear all you’ve gone through. Praying that Jesus heals you in every way.I also pray for you to see His plan unfold.I love that you were able to give yourself away through your pain.
xoxo, rene
Leigh Montgomery, Alabama
1. Satan has tried and still is trying to destroy my family financially and professionally. My husband and I both lost our jobs within the past 18 months for reasons that were unfair and unethical. We were just plain treated wrong! Lies were believed. In both situations, evil seemed to triumph over good. As our savings, severance and retirement monies dwindled away and we both couldn’t find jobs, we were blessed with divine financial gifts that allowed us to feed our family and keep our home. More than any financial blessings, our marriage has/is growing stronger and we’ve drawn closer to the Lord as individuals and a couple and a family. We are seeing God work this time of loss into something amazing.
2. We have been weeping forward through our season of job loss and financial devastation. I literally have cried myself silly when creditors have called. The humiliation has driven me to my knees and exposed the sin in my heart of worshiping money, a job title, my own personal comfort and security, and etc. Weeping forward draws me to God.
On the other hand, weeping backward happens when I pull away from God and revert to old bad habits. A relationship with an extended family member comes to mind. I find myself weeping with hurt feelings, anger and bitterness – weeping backward – rather than loving this person with God’s love and dropping my personal expectations of this person to meet my needs. It ain’t happening and only God can meet my needs anyway.
3. How will she survive being kicked when she’s down?
4. This questions was thought provoking when I originally answered it in the study. I’ve been mulling this over for days. Practically speaking, I am sowing in my weeping by seeking God constantly, by being thankful and humble even in the worst of times, by praising God as I study His attributes and learn His word, by crying out to God literally and figuratively, by holding nothing back and trusting God. I find myself telling God out loud at each challenge – I trust You!!
Praying for you and your family!
Fredericktown, Oh
going solo
before the questions – praying too for K!! Loved the mic!!! and my golden Retriever Bruce Wayne ate part of psalm 119, 2 chronicles and from s on in the concordance!!! He always sits with me while I study the Word – guess he wanted to taste and see it was good!!!!
1. I literally wept when I read the question. I was just thinking about all this the other day. My one year old was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. My brother asked me – if God were real why would he allow a baby to go through that?? at the time my heart was breaking – I had no answers except “I don’t know why – but I know He is God”. That’s all I had at that point – not He is good – He will redeem – but He is God. Well, that baby is grown up and just got accepted to the pediatric oncolgy program as a doctor to help kids with cancer. and boy can she doctor like no other for she has been a patient all but 1 year of her life. Her body is a battlefield of scars. She pours out her love for the Lord as she doctors every day. Everything she went through (and still going through) at times seemed like a curse – but the Lord has and is turning it into a blessing. There were many other trials in our family – so much so that people said – oh I never want to be like them!!!! But as we wait on Him – sowing our tears in trust – He brings good out of every situation. (even the death of my mother and best friend due to cancer!!!) The biggest blessing is I now can say – He is not only God – but He is the most loving, the most caring, and the most redemptive!!! He is my great reward!! He is just not God anymore – He is sooo much more!
2. weeping forward plain and simple to me is TRUST. But not being fake – taking your pain and heartaches to Him and watch Him bring in the harvest.
3. Isolation leads to?
4. How can you sow in your weeping? I remember something Beth said from one of the studies.. Believing God i think. You gotta know who He is when you don’t know what He is doing. Sowing in your weeping would be holding on to who you know Him to be. Then opening yourself up to Him in the midst. This is the hardest part because all we want to do is get out of the pain. Seeing Him in the pain at first made me madder – if you are here – act!!! Yeilding to that – pressing into Him. He always has gifts and blessings at the table (in the midst of our enemies He prepares a table) We just have to be willing to open the gifts He has for us..mostly more of HIM!!!! He is the best!!
Oh that testimony of your daughter brought me to tears. No matter what God is always good.
BROUGHT ME TO TEARS TOO! Thanks for commenting – teared me up again!! Blessings!!
Joan….What a wonderful testimony…and a great example of faith. We just received word today that a dear friend who has 3 small children has ovarian cancer…has a large mass and it may have spread to her colon. Thank you for sharing because it was incredibly timely for me to read.
My heart is breaking for her. Praying the Lord be huge in her life and He give you wisdom as you walk beside her. He will redeem every tear!! I pray for healing, love, joy, strength and peace for His glory, praise and honor!!
WOW!!!!
Joan,
Wow!Wow! What a curse to a blessing mutiplied that is, indeed!Glory to God! Thank you for sharing!!!xoxo
What a way for your daughter to give God the glory! Look how many lives she’ll be able to enrich with this gift.
What an amazing testimony of your daughter~ brought me to tears as well! Thanks for sharing God’s faithfulness… I needed that today!
What a wonderful testimony of God’s love for us. And I think you’re right about the part from Believing God. A group of us at church just finished this a couple of months ago and sometimes at the most random times I’ll think, God I don’t know what you’re doing, but I know you are God and you are BIG. Sometimes I find that’s all I can believe.
Thanks for sharing Joan.
Kathy, Austin, Solo
Great Study, thank you!
1.What an encouragement for those of us who have been called to somehow stand up and believe “enough is enough” in our generational patterns. I do pray those seeds of prayer soaked in tears of sorrow and desperation will yield a harvest through the work of God. I love that vs. 6 adds “NOT to seek a treaty with these issues” and just survive and tolerate the “curses”- How wonderful that our Lord loves us so much that he wants to transform the curses into marvelous Blessings. Oh, I do love these verses- My greatest desire is to witness this miracle while I am still on earth.
2. I have had no choice but to weep forward. I have not been allowed to “go back” even when I was sure that would be the best solution- I lose ground when I repeat patterns that are out of insecurity, emotional distress or hopelessness- I know this is not God’s will or direction for me
Perhaps Orpah turned back and it was appropriate for her circumstance- I know I have tried to move forward when it was someone else’s journey. They were to move forward without me. I was to stay in my place.
3. Season of my Life “What is Going On Here at this stage of my life????” Why am I being HELD at home, with what seems to be no progress? In my prayer time, I sense God has told me that he wants to have a relationship with me, not just continue DOING for him- I “heard” the word “Intimacy”. I found that one of the definitions of intimacy is “quietness and private atmosphere: to develop a close personal relationship”
4. Personal response- In order for a field to be restored each season, there must be ground preparation and sowing- I may long for a previous season and it’s harvest. Sometimes I mourn after a long dry dark season with no apparent harvest and wonder if it is even worth sowing yet again- I pray to have the strength and hope to continue to sow into my Lord’s field even in tears. My hope is”to return with songs of joy” carrying those sheaves he has provided through his love.
Thank you for taking the time to give us this opportunity – I would have “skipped” a study this summer- I hope Houston is getting some sunshine and that the coast will see less of that oil- Blessings to you and yours
Solo in Morganton, NC
1. My Dad walked out when I was a senior in high school. This was not an unbeliever but a man who had raised me to love the Lord like crazy….who taught Sunday School…who was the head of the Deacons etc etc. So to say it was a shock is an understatement. I was a big time Daddy’s girl and so it fueled the kind of pain that ripped my heart out and also placed in me a deep seeded fear that this could happen again in my future when I one day got married. Over the years Satan has attacked my mind/thoughts in ways to cause me anxiety over potential abandonment. The Lord has blessed me so richly by giving me a husband that is truly more amazing to me each passing day. He is more than I could ever even dreamed to ask God for. So in this blessing also comes an even greater fear at times of being anxious that I could be “cursed” and lose all that I hold dear. Most of the time, through His grace, I have a handle on it…but Satan is wiley and he knows what buttons to push at just the right moments.
2. The years following after my Dad were some of the worst and yet some of the most precious as well and the greatest example of weeping forward that I have experienced. It was during those moments of being utterly unsure of life…that God walked so closely with me. One of the defining moments that helped me to weep forward came during my time in the “A Heart Like His” Study. The section that talked about and explained what it meant to go “further still” was so eye opening to me. I realized that I was at a place where no one else could walk with me to get me through. I had to go alone to the throne of the One who was all sufficient and all understanding of what I was experiencing. Those memories…although difficult and painful…are priceless to me now.
3. Will this mother of two young boys ever wear her sassy shoes again???? (Ok…so not too spiritual but completely accurate of how I feel about the dust accumulating on my closet full of darling high heeled shoes:)
4. To me…I think to sow in my weeping is to get outside of the circumstance itself that is causing me to weep and to look for ways that I can give God glory through my tears. This is not always an easy task and I have missed MANY opportunities to do this in the past.
Becky, thank you for sharing. I know exactly what you mean about Satan planting seeds of doubt in our minds about things that haven’t even happened yet. I’ve been single my entire life but after some things I’ve done Satan’s put in my head worrying about my husband cheating on me when I eventually do get married and worse yet, I’ve given him that room to believe that this is the punishment from God that I deserve. So hard to move past the lies sometimes. God is slowly giving me victory over these thoughts but reading your answer to number 1 made me think about that.
Your family is absolutely adorable from what I can see in your picture and I pray that you get to wear your sassy shoes again! 🙂
Lastly, glorifying God through tears IS hard and we’ve all missed opportunities. Praying that we’ll stop missing them and starting taking advantage of them 🙂
Hair looks good today Beth…
Eunice, NM – 4 of us
Getting a bit of a slow start, but we’ll be up to speed before you know it! Our group consists of my two girlies, ages 24 and 19, the precious aunt of my older girlie’s beau (confusing, I know) and me. We are actually going to combine video sessions 1 and 2 tonight in our first get together. Some of us have finished the homework for the first two weeks and some have not, but we’re going to make this deal work! Absolutely certain that God has a message for each of us through this study…cannot wait to hear it!
You are absolutely right in that God has a message for each of you!
I’ve already received a huge blessing from just the first two weeks and I know y’all will too 🙂 Blessings to y’all on the journey! 🙂
Fayetteville, Ga. Solo
I have had many Satan curses turned into blessings but the most significant one was in my marriage. It was falling apart due to my negativity and control issues. I started Breaking free in late 2001 hoping to change my Husband. I also participated in the Greece/Turkey trip for Beloved Disciple in early 2002. Of course God changed me over time which of course lead to my Husband relating to me differently and saved our marriage.
2. We may weep while God is in the transformation processes because it’s said when things have to change that have become very familiar to us. I am in a weeping forward process with my friend and business partner of 17 years.
3. What’s Next?
4. While we are weeping forward God continues to use us if we’ll let him, to help and serve others knowing that our harvest and joy will come in due time.
Charlotte NC Okay well the city is going to be hard because I am traveling around the eastern part of the US for the summer, pulling a camper. I know crazy. A long story.
But today Charlotte. I am doing this study solo and very excited. Good first day. I am in an “Adventure” time of life. hmm I always seem to be there.
love it, love yall
Gang,
Gotta see those pics of Vangie’s shower!!! Not doing the on-line summer study though our church is doing Anointed, Transformed and Redeemed starting tonight. About 65+ signed up so far. Not bad for a summer study on Tuesday nights, and Friday mornings!!
East Texas – we meet in Longview, but only one of us lives there (and she is a newbie to the group this week – love ya Aimee!!) so we are up to 5 members!!!
1. Many events, things, people, situations were discussed that Satan meant for evil but the Lord used for His glory – miscarriages(one in particular led to the involvement in the group Glory Babies), divorce, leaving churches, flat tires, troubles in marriages, etc. We discussed how all of these things were used by the Lord to strengthen us, and deepen our faith, thereby allowing us to be used by God to counsel and comfort others in similar situations. We also discussed the truth of Romans 8:18, and the hope we have in Christ.
2. Weeping forward means that it is okay to be upset, to cry, to mourn, to be angry even, but it is not okay to stay there. Don’t stay in the anger or the mourning, move on through, move up. Know that, no matter what is happening, God is good. We also discussed times in our lives when we wept forward, and times when we wept backward.
3. Why is my life a hot mess? – Where is my Prince Charming? (and yes, she is married :)) – What are You doing? (and, ‘what are you doing?’ not addressing God) – Do You see me? – and a personal favorite, Why does the cow calve by the creek?!!!!
4. To sow in your weeping is to speak faith, profess His Word, sow in Him, seek Him in the pain.
We also discussed some parts of the study not mentioned in the discussion questions that impacted us in our present seasons of life: sustained obedience, Ruth’s work ethic, and divine orchestration, to name a few.
had a blast – looking forward to the next one!!!!
That divine orchestration just killed me. And it continues to even a couple of days later. I’ve seen His providential hand in my life in the craziest ways that I can no longer believe that anything is a coincidence but everything, EVERYTHING, is of God.
Praying
Jennifer and Courtney meeting in Charleston, SC:
1. Well, the enemy is working hard on us right now and neither of us has seen our curses turned into blessings yet. We’re just learning how to “Consider it pure joy . . .” And, we’re learning that there is something about perseverance through a storm that matures us as Christians. (James 1:2-4) It’s tough but we’re willing.
2. And, we’re weeping forward in our trials. No use in sitting still just because our prayers haven’t been answered yet. Get up! Renew your mind with God’s word! Move forward with Him daily! That’s our goal.
3. Since we’re ladies in waiting, our title would be: “Are We There Yet?”
4. I prayed this very Psalm (126:5-6) over 6 years ago about my situation. I am still trying to sow seeds by praying and serving.
Loved the Elizabeth Barrett Browning poem! I got up out of bed last night to go get the book and read it to my husband – which I usually don’t do because he in no way appreciates poetry. Every common bush is afire with God and I am so thankful that He has made so many obvious to me – especially over this past year. LORD, my we never sit and only pluck blackberries when you are so obviously calling to us from the bush.
We decided to go barefoot! Loving God’s word . . .
Your comment just made me smile and definitely encouraged me today. Thanks for sharing. Praying that because of His love your curses are turned into blessings that are obvious and huge and only from God 🙂
Judy from Littleton, NC and my sister
Carolyn from Oceanside, CA
We discussed all this for over two hours via Skype and still don’t really have answers for most of the curses turned to blessings, but we have wept forward from our mom dying at age 58 and then from my sister’s ovarian cancer. Now we are 30 yrs past our mom’s death and 20 yrs past her cancer and have seen God beyond the blackberries for sure. If anything these trials only made us stronger and brought my sister back closer to God and into Bible study. What a Redeemer He is!
My book title would be, “Were You Taking a Nap?”
(Since I regularly revive my energy this way and when friends can’t reach me on the phone they ask this)
Her title would be, “What Were You Thinking Adopting Two Puppies?”
For Psalm 126, we thought of how we have been taught to tithe and give to the Lord FIRST and now with the economy ripping away our portfolio savings we say “Here I raise my Ebenezer….heretherto hath the Lord helped us!”
God’s blessings on you Vangie!!!! Please share some pictures of the shower and the big day!!!
On to Bible Study questions:
1) I can answer this very quickly, concerning my husband’s ministry. In our 26+ years of marriage and ministry, there have been 4 individuals who have tried to thwart the work God was doing through my husband in some very ugly ways. All 4 indiviuals GOD removed from ministry (yes, they too were in ministry). As we walked through those times, I claimed the scripture from Isaiah 54:17 and our God was so faithful through it all.
2) My “definition” of weeping forward – moving (not necessarily literally, but could be figuratively) on knowing that one is following God’s will but hurting because of the changes that brings. Could also be weeping forward because of the season of life we are in – changes are coming we have no control over them.
When I think of weeping forward I think of the moves we’ve made as our location of ministry has changed. It is always bittersweet to leave behind those we have loved in ministry.
3) Will I survive this?????
4) We can sow in weeping by continuing to serve Him when we don’t feel like it; to continue to praise Him when we don’t feel like praising; to continue worshipping when we feel we have nothing left to give.
Yvonne
Louisville, KY
Solo in Marion, KS
1. My past is filled with horrible choices that I made while I was even more horribly insecure. He has used these choices to call me names, make me feel even more insecure and then go on to make even worse choices. God put me through a sifting season and has delivered me from the shame and reproach of these choices, He has empowered me to feel the effects of His Son on the cross and I am forgiven and made new. I have shared my testimony with several who God has placed in my path. Now that’s what I call turning a curse into a blessing!!!
2. In my mind I visualized a woman driving and crying . . . I think we’ve all been there. When she chooses to “weep forward” she is crying and driving forward on the road God has planned for her to travel, but occassionally looks in the rear view mirror and grieves over what she has left. When she chooses to “weep backward” she stops on the road and even though she can’t go back to what she grieves, she isn’t moving forward. She may even try to find a detour to try to go back, which would take her off the road God has for her.
3. Am I there yet? . . . The last year and half have been a wildly amazing ride with God and I can’t wait to get “there”.
4. Even though my heart breaks, God is calling me to continue in fellowship with other Christians, continue reading and obeying His Word, continue praying without ceasing and leaning on His strength rather than our own. He wants us to continue droping those seeds of truth into our soul as we weep so when the harvest comes in it is one we want to reap in joy. Bring the harvest God!
Amen and Amen! I totally get you on the bad choices which led to more bad choices part but oh how God’s turned what Satan meant for harm into something good by allowing both of us to share our testimonies and give strength and encouragement to others.
I love your driving analogy. Too many times I’ve looked for that detour only to find there was none. Thankfully. 🙂
Thanks for sharing Sarah!
AMEN! Am loving this study and being able to ‘discuss’ on the blog. God is moving in amazing ways!
Two Corpus Christians here…no really that is what we are called! I am 34 and an ‘old’ believer and my friend is 25 and a ‘baby’ beliver. We are learning and having fun studying Ruth together!
We are are still milling over the questions but this is what we have so far…
1)We don’t have an answer for the curse to blessing question, so you can pray with us for open eyes.
2)We have a question: If you are weeping in obedience then you are weeping forward. Can you weep forward with a bad attitude? I mean sometimes I am weeping because I am mad or angry and I don’t want to (fill in the blank). For me (Sym) I don’t want to finish my thesis, but if I have a bad attitude and I do it anyway am I still weeping forward by completing the task God has given me? Or does weeping imply a deep sense of humility and a bad attitude doesn’t count as going forward?
3)Our book titles are:
“How much time is too much time?”
“What the heck am I supposed to be doing today?”
4)sow by obeying.
Solo in Raleigh, NC
1. I was in a relationship several years ago that was completely destructive. I ended up getting raped, emotionally and even physically abused. And yet, after all of this, I couldn’t completely let go. He was the product of a family that had passed on alcoholism and drug use to him (his father is actually the person who taught him how to use). I couldn’t abandon him because I wanted him to have a good influence in his life. Eventually, I had to let go, because I couldn’t do anything for him if he wasn’t willing to do it himself, and I couldn’t fight the losing battle any longer. And it is a big part of the reason I moved to North Carolina. I have recently gone back for a visit since and he has been sober for over a year now. I cried like a baby when he told me his story, and told me how sorry he was for everything he put me through and thanked me for believing in him. It brings a tear to my eye just thinking back on it now.
2. I guess the same experience could be an example of a time in my life when I was weeping forward. It was an emotionally and physically exhausting period, but I knew through all of the heartache and tears, that good would eventually prevail.
3. “What Would Julie Do?”: it would be a story about the decisions I am currently making in my life, and whether I learn to lean on God and seek His will over my own.
4. The time of sowing can be stressful and downright painful. Weeping is something that I think comes with the territory most of the time. But as your weeping, yes, maybe in sorrow, I also think you’re weeping for the time to come when you know the benefits will be reaped.
Julie, that is a very powerful story. I am so sorry those things happened to you and so thankful for glimpses that Christ is already robbing the devil of any glory over it.
Beth – I am not a part of this particular study, but I couldn’t resist commenting. I LOVE the way your bible looks – well used. I used to feel guilty when my bible pages were all folded over and looking like I didn’t take care of it. Got over that – taking care of it means using it. Thanks again for ALL you do.
With much love & prayer
Kim
Kim I am so with you! I love seeing a used Bible – let’s me know that person loves the Word.
Kim — I’ve heard it said…”A bible that is falling apart usually belongs to a woman who isn’t.” 😉
that’s cool!
Oh Teresa…I do so love that!!! I was just in here checking out the study and trying to figure out if it was too late to begin! Does anyone know if a group of women could still access the study and go!!!! We are fired up for answers from God after attending a live LP event! Just searching and searching for more of God’s word in a smaller setting and I accidently stumbled upon this! I am amazed and inspired and praying God works it out for our very small group of women!
I LOVE that! I am going to write that in the front of my Bible. Mine is looking pretty worn, but I just can’t part with it. It has all the notes from all the Bible studies I’ve done that Beth has written and I just do not want to give those up. I find myself reading at least one of them every time I open it!!!! So Beth, if you ever wondered, after all these years, your studies are still making an impact on someone’s life.
Love it!
Teresa, I heard that a couple of months ago from our church secretary and I was like, YES! :^) What’s cooler is that it’s true!
My Bible has definitely been used more since I saw that and I can tell you my life is definitely not as ‘falling apart’!
Chicago, Il- solo but discussing with closer friends and relatives who are doing this too.
I am loving this bible study!
1. When I met my (now ) husband, I suffered from anxiety which lead to depression. Satan could have used this time to break my boyfriend and I up, but instead it brought us so much closer and now we have been married for 2 years and I know that, that season we went through together started a wonderful foundation of relying on God to get us through it.
2. Weeping forward: following God and keeping your trust/heart in him even when going through a hard time.
3. Will you give me the desires of my heart?
Solo in Little Rock.
1. Right now, especially since it is summer break, my biggest blessings can be my biggest curses. Yes, I have three boys that I get to stay home with…everyday! Most days I am so thankful, but others I am secretly planning my escape. They can try my patience faster than the speed of light, but my prayer needs to be that even those trying moments be turned into moments when I praise God that I have three boys to aggravate the tar out of me. Easier said than done, especially since Satan likes the fact that I can also lose my temper as quickly as they can aggravate me. Love the song by John Waller, The Blessing. It is based on a verse in Exodus where Moses (I think) talks about choosing blessings or curses, life or death. We can choose to let God turn our curses into blessings, we just have to loosen our grip on our curses.
2. To me, “weeping forward” means not disregarding our grief or heartache, anger or frustration, but accepting it for what it is-no fun and not what we wanted, and then stopping and looking at it from an eternal perspective (took that from Linda Dillow). How can God use our weeping to grow us or grow someone else? Everything happens for a purpose and I have been privileged to see so many friends turn their pain into a joy that can only come from Him and through faith in Him.
3. Lord, how can I do Your will when I have so much laundry?
4. Like #2 above, our weeping is planting seeds in our hearts and souls that will give us what we need when someone else is weeping. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 that “the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we have received from God.” If we do not weep we cannot experience His comfort, and without His comfort we cannot comfort those that weep. Our weeping sows His comfort not just in us, but others as well.
Love the title to your book!!
I LOVE your book title! I think you should write that book–I’d buy it!!
blessings and laughter-
Karen
Oh how I can relate to your title! =)
Awesome title!
I do love your title!
Love the book title!
I, too, love your book title and I’m sure would be one of many who would actually buy it! 🙂
Is the Linda Dillow from ‘Calm My Anxious Heart’? A friend suggested I read it…last summer? Two summers ago? And I started it but never finished. Maybe I should pick it back up.
Thanks for sharing Laura!
P.S. I love Little Rock. My sister lived in Conway and I think I just love Arkansas in general. It gets such a bad rep but it’s a great place! 😉
Love your book title! And I completely understand the craziness of summer! We are studying in North Little Rock. Feel free to jump in with us if you need some women. 🙂
Solo in Lansing, MI
Invited many women to join the online Bible study and have had 2 takers thus far.
One of my curses was that I am not equally yolked with my husband. But because of God’s grace, we have remained faithful and he has come to know Jesus. Our parenting styles are very different, but recently as I stated my frustration about letting the kids watch an adult program. He mentioned reaping what you sow and it was an aha moment for him at which time he told the boys not to watch the program. Blessing indeed!
I weep forward as I am eternally grateful for the Breaking Free of a nasty cycle in the lives of my family and step family. We have new hope and better relationships that only God could have orchestrated!
Am I being obedient?
Having just finished the study “Stepping UP”, this Psalm has a special place in my heart. It was actually one of my favorites. I’m reminded that remembering the bondage on occassion helps us sow the seeds of thankfulness for a God who brought us out of the bondage. Giving God glory in the weeping is an honor and I love that we can do it freely in this country.
Thank you LPM for offering this study as I was seeking something for over the summer. This fits perfectly. Oh yes, thanks be to God!
Michelle-
We have the same story – unequally yoked marriage and very different parenting styles. Thankfully he is learning God’s grace is enough and I am trying to learn too! Thanks for sharing!
I loved Psalm 126 in the Stepping Up series, too!
Michelle, I just wanted to let you know that it has been such an encouragement reading through these comments and reading your encouraging comments back to people! Thanks for being here and thanks for sharing 🙂
Augusta, KY
Solo
1)There have been too many past could be “curses”/”blessings” for me to choose only one…..A more recent curse is this…..Posting my responses to these questions…..silly…..maybe…..but hard for me….to be this vunerable…..
2)Weeping forward to me means going forward holding tightly to the hand of my God…And in the other hand clenching my Bible…..no matter how painful, or frightening or devastating a situation is….
3)Who am I?
4)To sow…to me…means to take my mind off of myself and work for God…..work for others….That has been my saving oftentimes…..just to pray fanatically…..to focus on what God would have me do for Him or His people even in the midst of the very real and frightening draining moments of my life…..To sow is to gain His perspective on what is important…..really…
I love your question-titles, everybody! You definitely got the idea? I told my small group that mine might be “How Far To The Next Starbucks, O Lord?”
Beth you will be blessed to know that I just got a FB message from a starbucks manager friend of mine who wanted to know if we would be okay with the Venti going UP four ounces in size.
I told her I can never have too much Chai, so bring it on!
AMEN to that!
Oh, Beth, you will love coming to Irvine, California this week. there are 3 (yes, make that 3 Starbucks) nearby the Mariners Church. I googled it yesterday, cause heaven help us if we don’t get our Starbucks on a Saturday morning, (and Friday night before you speak)!! can’t wait till you hit California…it’s a mild 70 degrees….Pam in San Diego ( I did my Bible study post this morning)
Hallelujah! I’m so happy!
Amen and order me a Venti white chocolate moca please
From one caffine lover to another . . . AMEN!
Durant, OK
Today, we were missing 2 of the 8 of our women that started out last time, (because of vacation, they will be back) and had another with us now, (who was on vacation last time), and we have atleast 1 more who is doing the study, but just hasn’t been able to make it to the “lunch and shares”, yet. (Again, we had several teenagers and children in the background,too.)
We are all loving this Bible study so much, and also enjoying the recipes and being in a different home each time.
All of us agreed that at least one of our answers to
#1–things that Satan would love to use to curse us was our past sin. We had a great discussion about how we have to get past that so that we can be used the way God wants to use us now.
2. We also had a great discussion about weeping forward and backward and moving forward with God’s PROVIDENTIAL (I could not think of that word during our time together!) planning of our lives.
3.A few of the titles of our novels:
“Who is this man in my bed. . .what?I married him?”
“What job do you have next for me, Lord?”
“When is it ever going to slow down?”
“Are things going to settle down this year?”
4. It has already been said so well, by so many Siestas going Solo and other groups:
obeying, letting God use us, following God wherever He wants us to go,. . .
Thank you so much, Kelly for writing this study and songs and sharing recipes, and Beth for choosing this and leading us like the Spiritual Mama that you are!
It is hard to believe that I am one of the older ones of our group now, and maybe a little of a Spiritual Mama to others.
Thank you, again for this wonderful opportunity of Summer Siesta Bible study and fellowship!
I forgot to mention that 4 of the women shared that when they had done the Bible Study that Beth, Priscilla and Kay Arthur did together, it had already helped them to begin to quit “weeping backward”.
I am feeling very discouraged about the study, as I’m worrying I’m not understanding the great questions that “Darling Kelly” is asking or I get anxious and feel like a dummy because I’m afraid I can’t come up with the right answer. I guess it doesn’t help that I’m doing this solo…I’m just feeling dumb and discouraged and I’m ready to quit…sorry to be such a downer..
You can do it, Marylee. Don’t make your answers too complicated. If there’s one you don’t get, just go on to the next part of the study or answer what you think she might be asking. Remember, the point is to interact and to draw closer to God through His Word. Don’t let the enemy discourage you. There’s life in the Scriptures! If it turns out this is not the right study for you or for this season of your life, grab another.
Thanks Siesta Mama for the encouragment. I have a learning disability and the enemy likes to throw that in my face on a regular basis. I’ll give it another go..would you mind agreeing with me in prayer that God will give me understanding in a way that only He can? Love ya Siesta Mama..
Howdy Marylee, I know the feeling. Is it possible you are a perfectionist? I struggle with that very much, in all areas of my life. It doesn’t help that I have been a believer for 30 years and my new friend that I am doing the study with is a VERY new beliver. It is easy for me to think I am supposed to know the answers and explain everything to her…but that is not God’s intent! I actually did not answer the questions in my post…because we didn’t really ‘get them’ either, instead I asked a question! You are not being graded on this, so if you don’t ‘get it’ just move on. I remember thinking about several of the personal response questions and I did not know how to answer so I left them blank, then two days later during a conversation with my cousin it hit me…”Ohhh…I get it God!” So don’t give up out of frustration. Maybe you will have one ‘light bulb moment’ during this whole study…but one it worth it! And Beth is right, maybe this isn’t THE study for you right now, but that doesn’t mean you are dumb, maybe just a perfectionist 🙂 I will be praying for you…so let us know how next week goes!
Marylee…I have been there…Keep trucking on! I will pray right now for you that God helps you see what you want him to see! I have had a study like that where I literally got so anxious when I had to go…The next study that I participated in was Esther and it was amazing!! Different women…different place and definately a different season of my life!!! I am still haunted by the fact that I couldn’t finish breaking free and often find myself praying that God will send the right time and place for me to do it again…Go Marylee…Go..You can do it!! Pray and ask for Gods words to speak to you!!! They will…I just know they will if we are willing!!!
Marylee, I would encourage you to stick it out. This is my first Bible study like this. I was kind-of confused and put off by the questions too, but as I continued to read and answer questions, it has made more sense. I have a lot of one word answers, so don’t feel bad to skip questions that don’t mean anything to you. If you would like to discuss any of the questions, just send me a message. I don’t have all the answers, but sometimes it helps to get a different perspective.
Brenda, I’m so proud of you and so thankful you’re here. The more you get the hang of it, the more you will absolutely love it. Look at what God has already done in you by raising you up to encourage another sister. Way to go!
Being able to encourage someone is such a gift! What a blessing you are to many of us here in Siestaville! Thank you!!
When I started doing Bible studies, I would be so hung up on the “right” answers. I think b/c in school the right answers were required to pass. And oh how I wanted to “pass” with God. I’ve changed my outlook though . . . I will answer how I see it or how God is leading me to view it. The answer is usually in the text following or in another day’s study. I figure if I got it wrong then I just learned something. I sometimes even go back and rewrite her answer in my own words in the margin, just to reinforce the concept. I guess bottom line I stopped looking at Bible study as “school” and more like a conversation with God.
I. Hear. You. Sarah. And everyone else that has commented right here. As a perfectionist and someone that always did well in school, I can feel like such a failure when I don’t ‘get’ something the way everybody else seems to be ‘getting’ it. I wonder, God, why don’t I get it?!?
Then I have a lightbulb moment later on in the day, or week and realize THAT’S what you meant. 🙂
Marylee, I pray God shows you what He’d have to show you…whatever it may be. 🙂 Praying for you!
Marylee–
Be encouraged–I have felt the same way! You could answer one of the questions right now–the enemy would like to use the anxiety and “feeling dumb and discouraged” to curse you—BUT—allow God to turn this very situation into a blessing. It is my understanding there should not be a right or wrong answer–lets overcome these feelings and just type what you think–God will do the rest!! Hang in there
Just hang in there. God’s word will work in your life! I will give you my “cheater” tip. If I get to a question that I don’t understand, I just copy the verse in the blank space. That way, I have an answer (because I tend to to stress about that) and I can look back and know that I thought over the scripture.
Solo in Madison, OH – Grateful for this study!
1. Satan really wanted to use a church split to curse my family and my church. However, that was not in God’s plan! God continues to bless both of my families 🙂 every day!
2. I have been thinking and talking about this phrase since I read it! I think Weeping Forward means to allow yourself to feel and grieve without allowing yourself to get stuck or go backwards! A person came to my mind immediately as I read this as an example of someone who weeps backwards a lot! I am hoping I can share this part of the the study with her at some point as an encouragement to her.
3. Is that really what a Pastor’s Wife is supposed to do…be…look like…say…?? I know that mostly I put pressure on myself to live up to my church family’s expectations…even if I am probably making them up in my head!
4. I think I can sow in my weeping by first reflecting on God’s hand in all my circumstances and then by acting on what He continues to put in my path even when I feel more like crawling in a hole and hiding!
Greenwood, South Carolina
1. The enemy has cursed my family for years but God is glorified anyway! We lost our home that we designed and built and were completely devastated! WE loved this home, had dedicated it to God and wanted to use it for His glory but God had other things in store. He did show me a home He wanted us to rent and we were able to get it cheaper than it was supposed to be and a lot cheaper than our house payment. We lived there for a year BUT the beauty of it all was we grew closer to God because of this loss. We completely depended on Him and our rental home was perfect for us. Now remember we LOST our home so it should have gone on our credit but it didn’t -definitely a God thing! A friend of ours mother had died about 2 years prior and his dad called us after we had rented for a year wanting to know if we wanted his home he was going to sale. God completely worked it out and we got this home that is absolutely beautiful and perfect for our family. Still working on it but loving it. Along the way a customer of my husband’s would not pay him the $30,000 he owed him and we have had financial debt but have not done without what we need and finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
2. I wept forward through all this because I cried over the loss of a home but had to continue on to show our children that God would provide for us. Life became much better as we continued on with God walking with us. Weeping backward to me means you weep and stay in the past. God does not want that for us but wants us to go forward – He has blessing galore for us – JUST SEEK HIM and FOCUS ON JESUS
3. What is behind the next door? God led me to stop continuing my education to teach nursing in January and led me to get back into ministry. He wanted me to teach but not nursing – He wanted me to teach His Word and Beth I cannot get enough of His Word. I am doing this study, another online study reading the Chronological Bible through and keeping a journal, teaching a ladies study in my home on Monday nights (Ephesians), teaching with my husband a new believer’s class on Wednesday – loving every minute of it.
4. Sowing while you are weeping can be done if you are moved by the Spirit and as you sow the Word you weep because you are so happy. I have been weeping as I sow the Word in new believer’s hearts and in ladies hearts that are just beginning to understand how to read the Word and are listening and sharing what God is speaking to them. Knowing that God is using me as an instrument for all these things is quite humbling. I do not feel worthy but so blessed.
So Beth what color Bible did you get this time? I have a hardback NASB Key Word Study Bible and am looking at getting an NIV Key Word. Same thing happened to me when my daughter’s lab was a puppy – I was not happy! Having to transfer notes etc over was a pain!
I am loving this study by the way. The book of Ruth is full of treasures I never knew were there. Thank you for doing this
Hey Beth!
I am loving the Ruth study!
I signed on as solo. I got behind from being on vacation so I plan on continuing at a slower pace than the other siestas. I just don’t want to rush through in order to keep up.
My 18 year old daughter has started it as well, and we will finish together.
So, I may not be commenting any more, but wanted to say thanks for bringing “Ruth” to our attention. Kelly Minter and the study are great!
Thank you so much for your servant’s heart and all you do for us!
Melissa
Asheville, NC
Solo in Allen, Tx
1. Satan has had so many opportunities that he would love to use to curse me. A few of these are: an unexpected divorce from my husband of 13 years, the death of a child, and a second divorce, of which I am currently going through.
2. To me, weeping forward means acknowledging the emotion but still moving forward. It’s okay to be sad and cranky and bitter, just as long as you keep your eye on the prize, which is God. (a) Currently I am weeping forward with my divorce. I know it’s for the best, as heart wrenching as it is, and as such I am keeping my thoughts and heart on my Heavenly Father. He will get me through this. (b) An example of me weeping backwards was when my daughter died 7 years ago. I lost sight of what was important for awhile, but I turned back to God with more hunger than I have ever had for Him.
3. My novel title: I need you again… Are you there, God?
4. You sow in your weeping by keeping the faith, staying in His word and living in Him. Remember and TRUST that God knew you before you were even born and He knows what you are going through. He hears your cries and wipes your tears.
Delaney,
I can hear your absolute trust in the Lord;and praying you see Him say yes on every page.
Thank you, Rene. That means a lot to me.
Cheryl H., Huntington, WV (solo)
1. I feel like the enemy tried to curse me and my family when my husband died. However, the Lord has turned beauty from ashes. His legacy lives on in the love he had for God and God’s word in my life and the lives of our two young adult children. Praise God!
2. I think when we weep forward, we share our grief with God, but keep trusting him. We actually sow the seed (His Word) and water them with our tears. As long as we keep walking toward the Father, our weeping forward will result in a harvest.
3. Title of life at this point – Whom have I in Heaven but You?
4. How can you sow in your weeping? Keep standing on God’s Word and trust and obey Him.
Beth, Had to laugh when I saw your Bible. My dog got ahold of one of mine before and tore out the entire Book of Psalms. I guess she had to taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessings!
Solo in Overland Park, KS
1. Wow, waaaay too many suitcases to unpack for this one here! (I can unfortunately, or fortunately, relate to what some have already listed) But, I’ll pick the one where God allowed godly men to do ungodly behaviour (on church staff) in order that my husband would say this is no longer where God wants us….and quit. Which then led us on a 3 month search of where He DID want us.Which led us to Kansas. Which leads me to say that after almost 5 years of being here, the blessings are too numerous to count. And that leads me to…
2. the weeping. Weeping forward was all I could do for MONTHS. To the point where I was on my face claiming Ps.84:11 “No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly”…ESPECIALLY when the ‘good thing’ didn’t LOOK like a ‘GOOD thing’!! I would say, “Lord my job is to allow the Holy Spirit to walk as uprightly in me as possible, and your job is not to withold anything ‘good’ from me.” Now I am being ever so mindful not to weep BACKWARDS, as I had told the Lord (gasp,I know!) I will go obediently for 5 years. Guess when 5 years is up? YEP…this October….and it ain’t looking like our time is done here, yet. Which brings me to the title of my book…
3. “When I said 5 years, did you think I meant in DOG years?”
This was my gut response…I had several other more spiritual titles…which I actually wrote and then felt convicted to erase.
4.Then there’s the sowing while weeping thing. I discovered (as part of my blessing I do believe) that in giving to others while I was weeping, God was able to speak to me and give me direction.
not that anyone would read more, but I have so loved reading all of the cursed to blessings from the other posts that I thought it would help to know why I wept….
Satan meant for it to be so very hard for us to leave and follow the Lord. I did not WANT to go, but we knew we had to obey. My husband said he would stay and flip burgers if I just could not leave. (he is wonderful, but not always that sweet)My Father died after a battle with cancer right after my husband quit the church staff. It was emotionally draining dealing with his 3rd wife who actually hated me; I nicknamed her the gate-keeper. We came home from the funeral, put the house up for sale, packed and sent my husband with 2 of the 4 children to start school there (a daughter to be a jr. in H.S.), and I put our first-born in college (could have been a break down all it’s own).House didn’t sell after 2months living apart. Moved up to live in an apt. for 8 long months (the Lord gave me an ‘apt. ministry’). My mom couldn’t bless the move because all she could think of was that she had just built a house and moved from another city herself to be near us.We left family, friends, and everything familair to us for the past 20 yrs.But we went because God said to go. Not that Kansas isn’t wonderful, it is. But ironically all Dorothy wanted to do was get back to Kansas…thanks, Kelly for bringing THAT up!
people asked if after we got here when things were still so hard, did we question the move? NO..not once. That was the blessing. Being WITH God…always!
May I also just add, these views do not necessarily reflect all of the family members. some of them LOVE it here!
Wow, Rene! Depth just doesn’t come cheaply, does it? No wonder you’re such an encourager on this blog. You have been through it!
And may I say the “doggy years” comment was priceless. I laughed almost as hard as when I listened to Larry the Cucumber’s hairbrush song.
About a week ago I bought a card that made me laugh out loud at Barnes and Noble. And now I wish I could send it to you: Front of the card shows Dorothy in her ruby reds saying, “There’s no place like Paris. There’s no place like Paris.” Inside caption: “Oh right, like if you had a pair of magic slippers you’d be going to Kansas!”
Your testimony is amazing. I’m praying for your whole crew. Even your evil, I mean challenging stepmother. Totally feelin’ ya on that one.
My group actually won’t even meet until this Thrs night, b/c I was oot last week. But boy, am I enjoying reading the book/movie titles.
Thanks for all you shared!
Love,
Kathy
Rene,
I love your title! I really did LOL! I can SO relate! We are going on 8 years here in Amsterdam, I’ve asked God to just take me through one year (sometimes one day) at a time. Your faith encourages me!
marci,
So blessed you see God’s faithfulness…did I understand by your post (“2 more days”), are you FINALLy moving?
I really needed to hear that verse from Psalm 84 today so thanks for sharing.
And I get your book title too! We moved from Dallas to ‘Podunk’ Mississippi when I was in the middle of 7th grade and I absolutely HATED IT. I allowed Satan to use it as a curse for too long but God eventually turned it into a blessing and after living here 10 years…moving back to Dallas on my own, and then moving back to Mississippi, I know that God is good. All the time.
Yes Rebekah,
I will sing that praise with you…All the time. God is good. And after some discouraging news this afternoon, I had to say it out loud. Either I believe it when it’s hard, or I don’t really believe it at all…
so glad to be on this journey with you!
rene : )
There are 4 of us neighbor women that meet in my living room in Littleton, Colorado. And we are having such fun with this study!
1) Curses into blessings include: being laid off of work over a year ago and the chain of events following her being at home that has led her back into a walk with the Lord; dealing with the journey of infertility that led her to accept that her joy comes from God and not from being a mom; a cursed parent role model of marriage that has caused her on many levels to be a happily married lady now; and trials through a horrible year of work that have increased her faith and led her to a more enjoyable job.
2) weeping forward – we all agreed that raising kids is a great picture of this! We agonize over raising them right, to be godly responsible adults and then cling to them like crazy ’cause we don’t want to let them go out into the cold cruel world!
3) Novel titles: “Who Am I to Deserve You?”; “How did I Come to be so Blessed?”; “Dear God, Am I Doing Enough?”; and “What am I supposed to do about a job?”
4)How can you sow in your weeping? embrace God’s coming surprise provision; seek to learn and/or change what you need to learn or change through this season; look for all the good things you have in your life and gratfully focus some attention on those things.
Am I doing this right/short enough? It seems like so much information for someone else to have to read through!
We’d love a report AND some pics from lovely Vangie’s shower! God bless her and her Prince Charming in their life together!
The SkyChair Summer Group checking in from Atlanta, GA
One of our ladies lost a dear friend this weekend and another was traveling, so we were just too siestas this week.
For us questions 1, 2 and 4 kinda ran together. We both had deeply personal stories that I won’t go into here that illustrated times in our lives when we have wept forward and seen curses turn to blessings.
Thank you for making us do question #3. Such fun.
with giggles we submit the following –
Deirdre’s title “why can’t I talk to my mother?”
Liza’s title “why this? why now?”
and Beth, are you saying that you won’t be able to find Ephesians because your new Bible isn’t dog-eared ENOUGH?
I think you need to tell Jellie to get her own dang Bible and a small group of her own. She clearly has something to say!
1. My curse that the enemy meant for evil but God meant for good is my son-in-law. Two years after he and my daughter were married, he went to federal prison for a white collar crime. He will be there, unless God decides earlier, until 2017. The enemy meant it for shame and a permanent reproach to our family. I thought it would destroy all of us. Quite the opposite. My son-in-law is a precious person who loves the Lord, doing his time. My daughter is a rock and her faith has skyrocketed. Our faith has been tested by fire and God has proved so faithful. We would have never known what our faith was made of. God became real to me and for the very first time, I truly BELIEVE Him!
2. I weep forward when I weep with hope knowing God has a divine purpose. I have to keep that before me or I will weep backward, with regret and despair. I absolutely can’t go that direction.
3. My title of my life right now would be “Are You Kidding Me?”
4. I sow with tears when I grieve and let myself feel my emotions knowing that nothing is ever wasted in God’s kingdom and I will reap God Himself in my life. If that’s what it takes, that’s what I will do. I love Him and believe Him. When everything is gone and God and your family is all you have, you realize He is all you need.
Diana,
I loved reading your post. I have an old friend whose husband just went to jail for being the “fall” guy in a white collar crime. They are strong believers. They have 4 children. It’s complicated, but God is there. You are living your faith; and your words are encouraging, thank you.
Praying for your friend’s family that they feel God’s presence in their lives.
warfield va.
this was awesome….i love ruth and her commitment to naomi.
i have often wept back my prayer is that i will weep fwd as His child…He loves me so much….no matter what the circumstances….love you Bibby!!
Coming in from Columbus, Ohio (the land of the free and the home of the Buckeyes) and flying solo. 🙂 I opened a new Bible today as well, but not because my dogs tried to pull an Ezekiel and literally “eat this scroll”!
1. I’ve had some bad relationship experiences that I know the enemy has definitely tried his darndest to use as a curse against me. Especially as a single 20-something trying to remain faithful to the Lord till the end, relationally speaking, it’s been difficult to continue to battle issues of mistrust (and admittedly, sometimes a little bitterness) and live as the free woman that Jesus has said I am. But this text reminds me so much of what Joseph said to his brothers in Genesis after they finally found out that the official they were serving was the brother they tried to kill (and thought they succeeded, no less): “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done…” (Gen. 50:20) Take that, Satan. You lose EVERY TIME. (*tongue sticking out*)
2. Ah, pain. The eternal “frenemy”. Pain can make us either more useful in the Kingdom of God or less so, depending on how we choose to use it. When we are in pain, our CHOICE of response is critical: do we look inward (into ourselves to stew) or upward (at God, “who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases”–Ps. 103)? I’ve had more experience weeping backward than I care to think about, but there have been a few distinct incidences where, only by the power of the Holy Spirit, I’ve been able to obey despite significant pain and despite the fact that the instructions I received from the Lord were NOT what I wanted to be doing at the time. And darn it all if He didn’t pull through every time, just like He says He does.
3. This was my favorite thing, I think. Her sister reminds me of myself (why waste words?). Personally, I’m trying to officiate a tie between “Jesus, When Will I Start REALLY Believing You?” and “Does It Come In Pink?”
4. One word: Serve. I heard a pastor once talk about the endless cycle of selfish suffering because those who are in it don’t know anything else exists in the world. He used a sentence that’s stuck with me for years: “Look up from your pain.”
Good application of the verse from Genesis… and I love both of your titles! I never really liked pink growing up, but it is one of my favorite colors now… and zebra print!
Loved your post. I get it and I think we’re the same person but in different places.
P.S. I totally used the word ‘frenemy’ in our group last night…even more, it’s meant to be. 🙂
I was so encouraged by you sharing. Blessings on this journey! 🙂
Awesome word, isn’t it? 🙂
Spokane, WA
We had a group of 11 ladies and 2 toddlers and 3 infants today! It was a wonderful time of fellowship and growth as we sat around our “salad potluck” and talked about the questions. We mostly discussed what weeping forward looks like and how we can practically do that in our own lives…making sure we have a plan of attack when Satan tries to curse us. We also learned a lot from each other. My 79 (today!) year old grandma had some great stories of both weeping forward and backward in different times of her life. She is such and encouragement to me and I am SO very thankful that she broke the chains of bondage on our family and headed us in the right direction…before I was even born! She is such a big part of why most of our family is whole-heartedly following the Lord. One person taking a stand against Satan and turning to God really does affect the future generations!
“One person taking a stand against Satan and turning to God really does affect the future generations!”
We touched on the same subject tonight in our group. We talked about how we can be a blessing or a curse to future generations. By weeping forward, we can be a blessing to our family in the far off future. How exciting!
I never really thought what my life will mean to my family that follows after me but you’ve just encouraged me TO think about it and live my life in a way that leaves a legacy like your Grandma. What an awesome blessing that she chose to live her life in a way that reversed an entire family’s course…for good! 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Newport VA
1. Satan is trying to use good ole PMS to curse me. Normally Birth Control saves my family and me from the severe anxiety but we are trying to get pregnant agai. It took three years to get pregnant the first time (We’ve blocked that time out) and so I think my marriage is ending one week out of every month. We’re praying ourselves through it for sure.
I’ll leave it at that.
I can totally relate. I have PMDD ( a severe form of PMS) and for almost 2 weeks out of the month I’m super emotional,depressed, confused, anxious, and basically just a mess. I’m desperately praying for God to help me get a control on this. I believe he can help us learn to live abundantly despite our problems. I’ll be praying for you. 🙂
Carol Albuquerque NM
Going solo for this week the seista I was suppose to do this with is having some problems so I will be answering questions for me.
1. Satan would try to use my past to drag me down and uses it to this day to make me fearful and that I always have to seek peoples approval esically families approval.
2. I feel like I am weeping backwards because of job loss over a yr ago and not knowing where or how I will pay things or just doing anything feel like I am not good enough to get a job or that they look at my age and go off of that.
3. Are You Kidding Me One Step Forward Five Steps Backward
That would be the name of my book I don’t know if I would get any buyers.
4.How I can sow in my weeping
To be watering my seed as I am weeping and to shine the Light of the Lord wherever I go no matter what season I am in to Glorify God in my life no matter what.
Thank you seista mama
Congatulations Vangie
Love Carol
Solo (for the moment) in Panama City
1. My family went through a difficult time shortly after I retired from active duty–finances were not what we thought, and it was tough! Through that experience my family grew stronger in trusting in the Lord for what we need, and it has improved our attitude about money and stewardship! I’m sure that Satan hoped we would fall apart, and instead I have an entirely different attitude about being a good steward of God’s money! Yeah!
2. and 4. I think that when we weep forward (or sow those tears) we can learn to trust, to forgive, to lean into the Lord. The mental picture I have of sowing tears is that those tears would grow into something beautiful, but not without God’s loving touch on those tears.
3. I think my book title would have to be “Why so stressed out, girlfriend?”
My sister in law is going through a tough time, so she and I will be doing this study together, even though we live 900 miles apart! Technology is a beautiful thing! Thanks for this opportunity to minister to each other!
From Carolina Beach/Kure Beach, North Carolina our main focus of discussion was on weeping forward and sowing in our weeping. Several ladies have experienced death of husband’s and they weeped forward, realizing God is soverign has a divine plan. We loved Elizabeth Browning’s quote and how living on an island where God’s creative hand is so effident, we sometimes take it all for granted. We decided we should never wear shoes, we are on holy ground.
1. The mistakes I’ve made with my children.
2. I have had a very hard year. My mom died in March of 2009 and my dad dies this last April. Very painful, and emotional time for me. I have chose to weep forward, when all I want to do is weep and not even move.
3. The title of my movie: “She did not received what was promised, but she saw it from a distance” (Heb.11)
4. Be still and know that HE IS GOD!
Marilyn from Amarillo, TX
1. My daughter decided to be a prodigal while in Junior High and part of High School. We did not allow it and fought as hard for her as we could. While on my knees God gave me this scripture to live: Jeremiah 31:16-18 “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears for your work will be rewarded, declares the LORD. They will return from the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your future, declares the LORD. Your children will return to their own land.” And she did.
2. Weeping Forward is best described by Ruth and Naomi themselves. Ruth 1:14 says they lifted up their voice to God, wept and cried while seeking Him. See Q.1 for my example.
3. Mission Impossible? (Can you hear the music playing in the background?)
4.I have to show love to someone right now, that basically I don’t have it in me. Ruth had a love for Naomi that couldn’t have been her own, I know my love must come from God, and I can show Christ through this love.
Key Largo Florida
Our group had several places that Satan has cursed our families and where we are praying to see God’s blessing. Alcoholism, Divorce, obsessive thought life.
Our titles for our novels went something like this:
Why Are you Scared? Will You Commit to This? Will You Finish This?
Several of us shared how we have learned through lessons of weeping backward and also how we still struggle at times when we look back at those times of going backwards. We talked about how we need to look back and learn from those times but not stay in them and now walk in obedience.
We are all loving the study so very much. I love our little group and know that God put it together.
Our group talked about a couple experiences that Satan could have used to curse us. This conversation also dovetailed into the weeping while moving forward question. One member discussed an illness with a family member that could have torn them apart in anger but instead brought them together. Another talked about losing a friend (a soldier in Iraq) and how that led her to working with Operation Homefront. Another talked about graduating from college and having no money, no direction and a whole lot of worry but a part time job led her to discover her life passion.
For our questions we had: What is around the corner? I shaved my legs for this? If life is a roller coaster, am I going up or coming down?
For sowing in our weeping we talked about joining a support group and sharing your experience with others, working on relationships, depending on God, and fighting the temptation to pull away from God, scripture, and friends and family when things are tough.