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.
I am not going to be apart of the simulcast this time around:)(I WAS at SLI w/1/2 the LPM blog blogroll LOL)..
I am going to be a good girl and study for school,
PLUS I am doing Breaking Free right now…and I don’t want to have to tell myself I have to Break Free from feeling like I have to go to every conference..I think you’d agree Mama Beth!:)
xoxo
angie
I’ll be there live in Chicago! I am looking forward to it very much!
Dearest Siesta Mama,
I will not be attending the simulcast tomorrow, but I wanted to share with you while in prayer today for the simulcast the song Starry Night by Chris August came to mind. And my prayer for you, and all the work on the simulcast,is that you will reflect Jesus, just like the moon reflects the sun.(“I’m giving my life to the only One who makes the moon reflect the sun” ). That all is done in His Holy Awesomeness. love you <3
I’ll be at Christ Community Church in Weston, Wisconsin!
Dawn 🙂
Woo Hoo! I am too! I have to sign in “officially” yet, but yahoo, another siesta?! 🙂 I don’t have a pink boa, but will be wearing my pink Living Proof t-shirt! 🙂
Auburn, Illinois at Cornerstone Church…
Beth, I just have to THANK YOU for sharing your lesson process. As a very small time teacher/occasional speaker it means SO much and is encouraging to know I’m not alone with some of these same thoughts, and that the reality of operating in your gift can feel like the upward climb of the scariest roller coaster. Very cool to have a glimpse into how you format your lessons too.
Wish I could participate tomorrow. Many blessings and much love!
Cape Girardeau, MO @ Cape Bible Chapel
Wytheville Baptist Church, Wytheville VA
Thank you Beth! We are so excited about tomorrow. This is the first annual Simulcast hosting for us. We know our enemy is trying to limit our blessing – but we have been praying him out of our midst. You are such a blessing to us. Thank you for keeping us in The Word.
We’ll be joining you from Sheridan, Wyoming, and are expecting about 100 ladies to attend. We look so forward to these simulcast events, and are anticipating a fresh word from God through you, Beth. We love you and are praying for you and your team as you prepare for tomorrow!
will be at destin united methodist in destin, florida. iam so excited!! going alone but still doing it!!
I’ll be in Powell Butte Oregon watching with my wonderful sisters at POWELL BUTTE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
thank you and God Bless.
Valerie Russell
Hi BM! I will not see you tomorrow but I just found out I got tix to see you in Euless Oct 15 &16, can’t wait!!!
Sadly I won’t be making it. However, I see you will be in MSP May 2011 at Grace Church in Eden Prairie. We will be arranging for a group of us to attend then.
I will be praying for you, Travis and all my sisters attending tomorrow.
Blessings,
Mary Ann, Woodbury, MN
Am so EXCITED about tomorrow! Will be attending the simulcast at newhope church in Durham, NC with some girlfriends. I can’t wait to have girl time AND God time. YAY!! =D
i will be travelling 2 hours to ingersoll ontario-yeh, canada ! – didn;t want to travel alone crossing the border to detroit. (a bit closer) i am anticipating a solid word from the Lord – spoken special to me as it just did not work out for anyone to travel with me ,but i have 2 days vacation- i love travelling alone with travis music and beths different sessions on tape. join me in praying ps.91:11 over all driving all over north america tomorrow – “Our dear heavenly Father, we trust you to command your angels to surround our cars tomorrow and lift them up and out of any danger, to deliver us safely to our place of destination so that you may speak life into us from your precious Word, and then deliver us safely home as it gets dark in the evening so we may then in turn serve others in Your Precious Name. ” Amen.
I am attending in Medford Oregon! So excited-Also just began Believing God study last night- I am believing God for a challenging and blessed time-Thanks Beth!!
I was hoping that 2 ladies from my group would be able to find tickets and come with me & a friend from church. The Lord is good and even though they will not be traveling with us to Chicago, we are blessed to live in an area that has 2 simulcasts very very close to home. I hope that they are able to go to the one in Lowell or Hudsonville MI. God really gave me peace about not getting my way 🙂 I really wanted them to be able to come and experiance it live with me, but it was not meant to be. Our souls will sing together…about 300 miles apart. Praise God. I wonder how many women will be watching in Chicago and everywhere else? I was not thinking broad enough when I was thinking about how exciting it is to be in an arena full of women worshiping, there are many many more singing with us! Sounds like a glimpse of Heaven to me.
Unfortunately not ……..
I already began praying for the event, though.
Have a marvelous time with the Lord, Y’all !
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer Olmstead
Hi Siestas,
I won’t be at a simulcast because I’M GOING TO BE THERE LIVE!!!!!!
I’ll be there with my mom and me beautiful sisters from The Salvation Army, Norridge Citadel. I was blessed to have seen Beth at Springfield, IL last year and that was a sold out event as well. This time Beth was kind enough to bring it to my hometown!
I am so excited!!! I can’t wait to worship and praise with Travis and his band!
Beth every minute spend studying under your Spirit-filled teaching is a privilege. Thank you for sharing your tremendous spiritual gift with us.
This fall we are studying Esther by you-know-who, and Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate by Jerry Bridges in our Womens’ Sunday School. I think this one may make me take a long hard look in the mirror…
LOOK FOR US IN CHICAGO…WE’LL BE THE ONES SINGING FOR JOY AND PRAISING JESUS WITH SMILES SO BIG OUR FACES ARE GOING TO HURT FOR DAYS!!! Love you siestas!
I’ll be there! Our church, Second Baptist Church in Siloam Springs, AR is hosting the simulcast! It’s our first ladies event! So excited for the ladies in our community to hear a word for Jesus!!! Praying for Beth, Travis, and the LifeWay team!!! Thanks for all you’ve done to make this a possibility!
We are hosting!!! Our first time and we pray not our last!
Impact Christian Church in Moon Twp., PA (Pittsburgh Area)
We are so excited our sides are ready to split….see you on the big screen tomorrow, Beth! A small but mighty bunch of prayer warriors has been lifting your name to Him and His name, Glory, for this event….can you feel our prayers??!!
God bless you 🙂
Excited to be joining my former college roomie, Sarah M in nearby Port St. Joe!
Our “God’s girls” are studying the updated version of Breaking Free this fall and we are breaking free of Sat. chores and such to spend the day with you from First Baptist Church Dallas, GA. just west of Atlanta!
First Baptist of Cedartown Georgia with my good friend.
So excited to have found a host site near our vacation location so my mom and I can attend in Somers Pt. NJ instead of in PA where we live. Can’t wait…praying for all…..
I’m so sad to not be going this time due to a conflict….but I’m just here to encourage any and everyone to go if you can. You will be moved, blessed and changed.
Beth, I won’t be participating in the simulcast, but just wanted to encourage you. I have been to many of your conferences and have always felt God gave you just what you needed to say. I experience (in a much smaller way) waht you shared about questioning yourself – did I say the right thing or I should have said that, etc. I have always been blest and God has always taught me something I needed through your teaching! Thank you for being a usable, willing servant! Love you!
I’ll be in Port Arthur, Texas!!!!
Yes, I’m attending your simulcast on Saturday, at the Christian Fellowship Church, in Columbia, MO. Several others from my groups are also attending, and we can hardly wait. I love hearing God’s word through you!
Greetings Mrs. Beth & fellow Siestas!
I will actually be attending the simulcast at a church I’ve never been to yet. lol It will be at the Central Church of Christ in Davenport, Iowa. I actually live 15 minutes away in Rock Island, IL so I’ll just hop on one of the frout bridges we have over the mighty Mississippi to attend this simulcast.
So cannot wait to attend! Prayers for you as you prepare the lessons and a prayer of safety, protection and traveling grace for you and your team. 😀
Watching the simulcast from just outside Toronto in Canada! Can’t wait, praying for you all!
Beth,
I am thrilled to be attending the simulcast at my home church in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada! I’m praying for you as you prepare. May God richly bless you as you minister to us.
Your sister in Christ,
Patti
Our church didn’t realize the simulcast is tomorrow and scheduled a Deeper Still video conference. So I’ll be there and not the simulcast.
We are hosting for the first time at LEFC in Lititz, Pennsylvania. So excited to be a part of this annointed day! Praying for you, sweet Beth, and for every other host site. In fact I’m on my way out the door to help in our set-up preparations. He is so good!!
I will be watching from Calhoun GA. and I can’t wait, I am so excited. <
Would not miss it! I will at attending at Golf Course Road Church of Christ in Midland,Texas! Blessing to you!
I will be attending the simulcast at Aurora Cornerstone Church in Aurora (a small city just north or TOronto), Ontario. Looking forward to hearing from the Spirit.
I’m from FBC Krum but will be visiting FBC Denton,tx! Can’t wait and looking forward to a great time!
Excited to be attending in Columbus, Ohio! Praying for a great, Lord-Annointed Day!
Oh, Miss Beth, I so wish I could attend. I had planned since early summer on participating in the Hunter’s Glen Baptist event in Plano, Texas, but my health just isn’t cooperating.
At least I can be part of your backstage prayer team from my home. Please let us know on the blog how God answers our prayers for your guidance and preparation with exactly the material needed by the women He brings.
The Lord is still working into me the lessons he spoke through you in “The Heart of Your Desires” simulcast last year.
I absolutely love how you learn something every time you study to teach us someting. GROWTH!! It is amazing & we cannot move forward without it.
I am praying for your Simulcast & your ministry.
In Christ Alone,
Wendi Gale
I will be there…with bells on! Can’t wait….
so excited going to first baptist church in lowell mi with 3 friends and my step sister who has never heard of you. knowing it will be a blessing to us all. praying for you and your amazing staff for a good nights rest and holy inspiration for you all tomorrow.god bless you all sweet dreams!! he loves you so much.
I’ll be there at First Baptist Spartanburg, SC with my bff Tammy Grice! Can’t wait to hear from God!
so bummed because i had ticket for chicago….but my 5 week old twins need me at home. i do have a group of friends that will be blessed by their day tomorrow. maybe next time!
We will miss you, Katie, but those babies will grow up before you know it. Stay with those tiny things! May God give you the double portion – one for each baby – right there at home.
Just wanted to let you know what a blessing you are. God and you have really helped and blessed my life. That statement 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.” is what makes you such a wonderful leader. You are so real and we all feel the Holy Spirit leading, pulling, pushing, blessing and saving us through you Beth. Thank you and we will all lift you up in our prayers!
Beth, thank you for sharing your organizational process with us and reminding us that we who are also in leadership need to let the Holy Spirit do His work, and move on!
I will be attending at Faith Baptist Church in Huntsville, Ontario, Canada, with 5 other women from my area, and SO looking forward to it!!!
Will be at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Portales, NM. I’m especially excited that a young mother is going with me that has never heard you speak or done any of your studies. I can’t wait to see her blown away. Oh, and she will love Travis too. Also, I am doing your Revelation study this fall with a group of ladies at my church, First Baptist Church, Portales.
Yea, can’t wait! Will be there bright & early in Durham, NC at New Hope to hear a Word thru Beth! Love ya, Siesta!!
I can’t wait until the simulcast on Saturday. I live in Abernathy, Tx and will be attending here at my church. I have done two of your Bible studies and love them. I almost wasn’t going to get to attend tomorrow but my husband’s aunt ended up having to go out of town for the weekend and gave me her ticket and my mother-in-law is keeping my children so that I may attend. May the Lord bless you as the weekend starts.