Hey, Sweet Things! I am taking the quickest possible lunch break with a bowl of Frosted Mini-Wheats because my head in deep in the books today. Well, actually the Book. I’ve been studying for the Living Proof Live simulcast on Saturday and finished most of my commentary research yesterday afternoon. Not because I was satisfied, mind you, but because time was up. It’s always hard for me to finally go, “OK, that’s enough. Now start organizing what you’ve got.” At that point it’s time for the monumental task of sifting through, setting aside, writing a skeleton outline, then building the sessions on the material that made the cut.THEN, compiling illustrations.
All of this is a difficult process (oh, yes, it is difficult and it tends to get more so with time, not less) and woefully dependent upon the Holy Spirit. I desire so desperately to hear God accurately and with sensitivity but, needless to say, life and self can shout loudly over the small, still voice. Leaning in while everything pushes back can take every ounce of energy you’ve got. We are jars of clay pleading for that all surpassing power that can only come from Jesus. I rarely return from a conference where I taught copious material that I don’t think, in retrospect, I probably should have used that and not this. Said this and not that. Over-analysis is the suffocating tomb of teachers and, if we get trapped there, really good teachers can have pitifully short tenures. Those of us who are going to serve God for the length of our days (oh, Jesus, I want to! please help me!) have to make a choice to move on, whether or not the last lesson went like we hoped. I have to repeatedly ask myself one question: “Did you, as well as you knew how, take them to the Scriptures?” If no, I need to repent. If yes, I have to move on.
Anyway, I’m in the part of the process now where it’s Jesus, my Bible, my notes and me and the sessions are beginning to stand up and take some shape. This can be the most unsettling part because sometimes it doesn’t take shape until the midnight hour. Other times I’m not sure it ever did. It’s a faith walk, Girlfriend. I promise you that. But it is so worth it. Jesus is so worth it. I love the study process and any sense of His presence through the words on that page is what I live for. I am praying the material I feel like God has given me translates well on Saturday but I can at least tell you that I’ve gotten some private tutoring from it. He’s speaking very specifically to me about a particular challenge and changing how I deal with it.
I’ve got a long way to go in preparation so I can’t tarry on here today but I thought it would be so much fun to hear from those of you joining us on Saturday for the simulcast. If so, be sure to tell us the city and the location because it may be that several of you Siestas end up unexpectedly at the same place. Wouldn’t it be fun to meet each other face to face? I’ll also dearly love knowing that you guys are out there, in James 1 terminology, “scattered abroad.” (Which reminds me, we have 27 churches in Canada signed up for this simulcast! We were floored! So happy.)
Oh, before I get off of here, I have to tell you how much I loved your responses to the last post. It was a blast to hear all the ways you planned to stay in the Scriptures this Fall. I was familiar with many of the materials and most of the teachers but some of them were brand new to me. I stacked up some great ideas for future studies I want to take on my own. As my mentor always said, let’s all stay under many teachers! One helps bring us back to the center when another sends us over a cliff.
I love you, Sisters. I think of you every day.
Hi Beth,
Would you ever consider doing a DVD or book that has all your special poems, songs and stories that you have ever told us?
I think many people would love it, I know I would. Can’t wait to see you Thursday. Looking forward to it.
Absolutely! Attending in Rosemount MN at Community of Hope Church…..can’t wait to hear a word from you and gather with this great community of believers – I hope He loves our worship and blesses our time in study.
Leslie
Apple Valley, MN
Hi Beth. Won’t be able to attend the simulcast because I’m going to have a much needed date with my husband but will be looking forward to when this simulcast will be ready for purchasing as a download! I just finished Jeremiah: Eat, Pray, Love and took tons of notes, have typed out scripture to keep in my back pocket (if I could print it on the back of my eyelids I would for Jeremiah 17 and 29) and it spoke so powerfully to me. How is it that I keep looking to other people I’m in close relationship to either be my God or expect them to treat me like their God. Thank you for the encouragement. The Lord bless you mightly!
Where do I find these “downloads?”
Living Proof website. http://www.livingproofministries.com
I think of you and your family every day too!
We are one of the host churches in Canada.
Parkland Fellowship Surrey BC.
We have approx 160 tickets sold! Praise the Lord!
I have been apart of the steering team and more precisely the promotion team leader… never done anything like that before. So to have God faithfully bring us women has been a great answer to prayer!
I am soooooo looking forward to Saturday, we are so busy getting the church prepared for our honoured guests. We have never done this before and so the excitement is palpable as we are now counting down with sleeps!
Thank you Beth for all your work and time and prayer with bringing us a Word from our Lord! We are still praying for you and Travis and the team.
God Bless each and everyone of you!
2 SLEEPS AWAY!!!!
Diana, Love your “2 sleeps away”! As a child we always marked a special occasion or Holiday by how many “sleeps” away it was. I have always done that with my children also. It brought a smile to my face!
Beth,
I will be worshiping our Lord with you from First Baptist Church in Robertsdale, AL. We are close to the Gulf. There are many people still hurting financially down here from the spill and now the tourist season is over but God is faithful.
I just want you to know that His message through you this Saturday will be a blessing to the women of this area like a cool glass of sweet tea on a hot South Alabama day.
I thank God for your ministry. It has blessed me in so many ways over the years too numerous to write.
With Love,
Susan
Is Heaven going be anything like this? It is so exciting, so overwhelming, I cannot sleep and I cannot wait…I love Bible study, especially when there is a group of women who love the Lord!
Beth, praying for you and your ministry. Hope to see the simulcast at FBC in Hobert, Oklahoma.
…Let our desire be to Love you O Lord,
more than anything, more than the breathe we take
Let us love you with all we are,
With all our hearts, minds, souls
With all our strength, and with all our might.
Hey Miss Beth! A friend and I are flying out in a few hours! We will be there, and can hardly wait! Our state is Nevada. The Lord is “taking” me there, and I’ve asked Him to give me ears to hear Him. I need Him so.
Love, Taylor
I am taking 3 other ladies with me to Spearman, TX meeting at First United Methodist Church.
I’ll be attending, along with several women from our church, at Grace Community church in Detroit, MI. Wouldn’t miss it!
Yay! Found someone else going to Grace CC in Detroit!!!
Me too.
That’s just what I was hoping for, Donna! Praise God!
I’ll be attending @ First Baptist Church, Buna, TX
Yes! I will be at the Rosemont Theater!!! Can’t wait!!! Praying for a blessed time in His Word!!!
Beth,
I’m so thankful that you stay obedient and committed through it all so we can get the pleasure of soaking up the treasures you pull out of His Word. I have done many of your studies over the years and I’m amazed every time by the knowledge and “new light” you bring out of the scriptures that I may never have thought of. It speaks of not only your love for the Lord but also your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. I know many women the Lord has used you to reach, shape and mold for their greater good. We love you and thank you again for your servants heart!
I’ll be at Rosemont with my friend and daughter.
Heather M.
Vicksburg, Mi
Yes coming from Ohio can’t wait my 2 daughters and daughter-in law are coming with me and Noel my granddaughter! This was one of their Christmas gifts! I think it was the best gift ! Excited to see how the Lord uses this time together.Looking for a blessing will be praying for you Beth!
I’m not able to make the simulcast this year as it is opening soccer day for may 8 year old daughter, and after much prayer God wants me there for her. I didn’t get to respond to the last post and after today I need to share an awesome story. This morning I attended the first session of Fall Bible Study at a local church. We are studying Beth’s new Revelation study. Earlier this morning in my private prayer time,I was crying out to God to help me overcome some unforgiveness and bitterness that I am dealing with and also asking him to become real to me and show himself to me. Then I go to the study and on the first video Beth is talking about God showing himself to us and then blows me away with the story about putting our “balls” ie bondage down. If this wasn’t enough, I then went to work and decided to take the long way in on a path around a wooded ravine. I turned a corner and there in the middle of all these tall trees was a smaller tree that had somehow broken apart but what was left was a perfect cross!!!!! I almost fell to the ground. Talk about God showing himself. I am amazed at how God orchestrates the events of our life. Thank you for this amazing study.
We’ll be there! Me, my Mama and our friend Claire (designated pray-er during Ruth study)at Morris Hill Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN
Estatic, Can’t wait.
I hope to get to Sherwood Oaks Christian Church in my hometown, Bloomington, Indiana…had lots of family stuff lately and not purchased my ticket, but I sure do need to hear from Jesus through Mama Beth. Thanks for everything!!!
xoxoRoseanna Dubinski
I will be attending Hillcrest Baptist Church in Lebanon, Tennessee. I am so excited and hungry for the Word of God. I thank God for a servant like Beth who gives so much to so many.
Yep, I’m going to Texas to visit family (can’t wait) and while I’m there my Granny organized the simulcast at her church so I’ll be hangin with her there.
Hi Beth. I am so looking forward to Saturday to hear the word the Lord has placed on your heart. I also feel blessed that Travis and his band will be leading worship. I will be attending the simulcast at Calvary Chapel of Westchester, in Irvington, NY.
Attending at Connxions Bookstore in Urbandale, IA!
I am attending the simulcast at Rolling Hills Community Church in Portland, Oregon. We are very excited!!
Me and 5 other sisters will be in Hartwell GA at Cornerstone Baptist Church. Excited to hear what you and Jesus have prepared for us!
We will be watching at The Rock in Winter Haven, FL! We are SO excited to be hosting this simulcast. We were in Tampa this spring hanging on your every word.. a week later–we signed up to be a host for the simulcast!
Thank you so much for all the hard work you put into each message you are called to deliver…we have been praying for you and the team. The enemy has been attacking these past few weeks here–so we know God has something big to say to us through you!!!!
With much love and much gratitude~
Kelly
I’ll be attending at First Baptist Church in Dallas, GA
I haven’t figured out a way to get to one yet, but am still praying that God will make a way! If He wants me there, He will make it happen. Either way, I’ll be praying for you and all those in attendance!
YaY He did it…worked out some details that I couldn’t make happen! I will be attending with a friend at College Park Christian Church in Normal, IL. Can’t wait!!!
My mother in law and I will be attending in Indianapolis, IN at Indian Creek Church! We are soo excited! 🙂
We are hosting the event at Aurora Cornerstone Church in Aurora, ON Canada. So excited and privileged to be a part of the event. We will have over 300 ladies together, YAH! So excited to see what God will do.
So excited!!
Rolling Hills Community Church in Tualatin, Oregon!
You know what I got out of all that? (Please don’t give up on us “bunny trailers”) (Okay, another serious visual..) See?? I had to go to Youtube and listen to Wilson Pickett sing “The Midnight Hour.” (Sigh) Is there any hope for us? Yes, there is! 🙂
“This can be the most unsettling part because sometimes it doesn’t take shape until the midnight hour.”
Bless You Sis!
Carol
Sweet Home Alabama..(aw man, back to Youtube! CYA!)
Blue Valley Baptist Church, in southern Kansas City!
I read your post and tears began. Please do not misunderstand – I’m not comparing my responsibilities to yours. But you expressed exactly how I feel during this part of my faith-walk. I want to so accurately hear from Him and KNOW that I’m doing what He wanted the way He wanted. But I struggle with over-analysis and wondering if??? I keep reminding myself that “faith is the evidence of things not seen” and if we’re seeking Him with all of our hearts, He will NEVER hide from us. Whether I get it right, He is more than able to take my efforts and do mighty works and make something wonderful. Know that I love you, my sister, and I treasure a friendship that will more than likely only be complete in heaven but God has used you to make me grow and think and BELIEVE GOD.
I won’t be able to attend as we are picking and processing dates at the convent all day Saturday! BUT… I will be with all my Siestas in spirit. Praying God’s protection, providence, and profuse blessings on all of you. Especially our dear Beth.
love to all – Sister Lynn
I’m going to the Simulcast at one of those Canadian churches 😀 Bunch of ladies from our Bible Study are getting together and heading to the Brandon, MB simulcast. Woot woot! LOL I’m so looking forward to it and what better way than to get some ‘girl time’ than when you’re all sitting at the feet of Jesus learning something good. (Saying Jesus speaking through Beth, not Beth is Jesus… 🙂
Enjoy it ladies. And may you be richly blessed as well Beth!
Beth,
I’m really looking forward to the simulcast Saturday, I will be attending with 6 other friends from my church. We are going to the Lancaster E Free Church in Lititz PA.
Blessings!!!
I love you too, Beth!!! You are a vessel of God’s love to me!!! Your encouragement and word from the Lord are always timely and just what I need while I am continuing to fight fibromyalgia & depression, and have even had thoughts of suicide in the last weeks (don’t worry, I’m under proper Christian psychiatric care, and my husband is aware of all my ‘ideas’). Beth, I say that not for sympathy, but just to let you know just how far down my thought life and “chemical imbalance” has gotten, and how bad I’m allowing the enemy to beat me up. But you take me into the Word like no one else can, and show me things that should be so obvious to this Christian of 28+ years. Thank you for letting God use you to remind, encourage and teach us women!! I SO LONG FOR THE FREEDOM you are always describing and wonder why I do not feel it!!! Though NEVER, EVER have I lost my faith in our ALMIGHTY GLORIOUS SOVEREIGN FATHER!!! There in Him lies the hope that keeps me going!!!
I will be at Leesburg Community Church in Leesburg, Virginia (50 miles or so outside the nation’s capital) with my Mom to hear your simulcast on Saturday, and I CANNOT WAIT!!!
We’ve got at least 60 women (and a few men!) attending at Holy Cross Lutheran in Rochester, MN. It’s been fun to be the coordinator of the local team. I’m particularly thrilled with our Mighty Men’s Ministry because they are staffing the event for us women so we can pay attention to God’s Word being proclaimed!!
To God be the Glory!
Isn’t it wonderful to watch God lead our men to minister to us in that way? Our men’s ministry is serving lunch, cleaning up, and setting the facilities right for Sunday morning so that no woman misses the simulcast. I’ve been overwhelmed and so blessed by their service.
A group of us are coming from First Baptist Church in Pekin, Il to the College Park Christian Church in Normal, IL. Really looking forward to this simulcast!
I can’t wait until Saturday. I am a sixth grade Reading/Language Arts teacher. I so respect and appreciate all you do.
Richelle
Kingston, TN
Going to the simulcast in Minier, Illinois
First Baptist Church, Coldspring, TX!!
I, along with several ladies from my Sunday School Class will watch the Simulcast at First Baptist Church of Thomasville, Ga. Can’t Wait!
Oh…I can’t wait to hear what God has given us for Saturday! I will be there with my sister from Ohio. We almost weren’t going to be. I was saving up, and by the time I had enough for two tickets, the event was sold out. Someone at our church backed out unexpectedly, so I was able to get one ticket for my sister, but it wasn’t until yesterday that I got my ticket…from Craig’s list. God is so amazing! Thank you, Jodi in WI for selling me a ticket so I could go to the event with my sister. We don’t get to see each other very often, and to get an opportunity to worship and hear the Word together is such a gift! Thank you, Beth for being part of that experience.
My best friend and I are spending the day together at the simulcast in Bridgeport, WV. I’m even giving up my season ticket seat for the WVU vs. Maryland football game. Let’s go Mountaineers!
Beth I will be attending Saturday with my mother in law, sister in law and a friend from Indianapolis. I was wondering if you will have any comp-tickets available as my husbands Aunt will be making the trip from Ohio with my mother in law. She is having a hard time with a sickness of a dear friend and I do not have an extra ticket for her. I am sure the message will be just as powerful as the one we heard in Grand Rapids and I know it would help her to hear it. And Thank you again for helping to me to trust in God. I have found a church and have become a member!!! Can’t wait to see your team in Chicago!! Tiffany
Yeah for Saturday!! My two daughters and I cannot wait! We’re driving down to Rosemont from Madison, WI, Friday to enjoy a girls’ night away, then looking forward to getting up early Saturday, getting in line and looking forward to a blessed time! Praying that the Holy Spirit will use you, the worship team and the wonderful cadre of ladies there to speak to my daughter’s heart to desire a closer, daily walk with the Lord. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!! 🙂
Will be at Rosemont with my daughter.
Betty
Fort Worth, TX
We will join you in Griffin, Georgia. Can’t wait to hear what God has in store. We are finishing the Bible Study with Kay and Priscilla and you were on fire last night!!! Hope you don’t get PUNKED again or maybe so, you had some good stuff going on!!!
Once again your post is timely. I am about to leave for my second session facilitating Believing God and I have had to overcome my unbelief in my abilities, even knowing I can call upon God’s help. I have yet to look back and reflect that I write or say the “right thing”. On a happy note, I will be joining some ladies from our congregation Saturday as we drive to Madisonville First Baptist for our first simulcast and can hardly contain myself I am so excited. I wonder how long it would take me to skip from College Station to Madisonville!!
My Mentor (Janet King) and my mother (Ann Welton) will be going with me to First Baptist Church in Covington, GA.
Any scripture memory sisters going? wear your pink boa !
Deirdre Russell
http://www.streamsofmercyneverceasing.blogspot.com