How is my favorite blog community? I’ve been keeping a close eye on all of you for the last week but I intentionally left our blog wide open to Amanda as she went on mission to Guatemala with Compassion International. I am so proud of her. She went way out – I do mean W-A-Y O-U-T – of her comfort zone to take that kind of mission trip and see those horrible conditions with her tender heart. Don’t get me wrong. Amanda’s always been courageous but she has as sensitive a heart and conscience as anyone I’ve ever known. It’s part of what makes her the wonderful person she is. She can’t look intently at something without taking it on. The only thing further outside her comfort zone than going to those projects and that vulture-infested dump was then asking if anybody wanted to help. That’s the thing about taking a trip like that. Your comfort zone is forever changed. I think God means to get each one of us to a place where we’re more comfortable asking for help than we are with closing our eyes, turning our heads, and letting things stay the same.That applies to any dimension of life, really.
We are convinced that God wants us to take time out of our regular routine around here at least once a year to highlight specific world needs and offer opportunities to help. You are never under compulsion. These are just opportunities for those in search of some. A platform of this kind comes with serious responsibility and stewardship and is meant for more than a social outlet for an isolated sanguine. It’s a frightening prospect apart from the grace and mercy of God. About four or five years ago, Travis and I also heard distinctly (and separately) from the Lord about giving to the poor at our Living Proof Live events. There are so many great opportunities for giving that we’ve chosen to spread it out a little bit through the various arms of this ministry. At Living Proof Live, we partner with Samaritan’s Purse. Here on the blog, we partner with Compassion International and, through the Wednesday broadcast, we partner, of course, with Life Outreach and Mission Feeding. Our efforts are pathetic if God doesn’t add the increase through the power of His Spirit but we trust Him to do so. After all, it was His idea. He is the one who said,
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn and your healing will quickly appear; then righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Praise His faithful Name.
We’ll move now from the sacred to the virtually meaningless and then hopefully back to the sacred. Since I talked to you last…
*I’ve had a weekend off. Got to sleep in. Read, read, read, and go on a walk and, afterward, drive over to see my dear sister, Gay, where she serves Jesus. I am so honored to pursue Him with my very own blood kin. She was the dearest thing in the world to me growing up. We shared not only a room but a double bed. That’s what you do in big families with small bank accounts. The word “mine” wasn’t in our vocabulary much in those days and we were the better for it. We shared the same dolls and were dressed in matching home-sown outfits a good bit of the time. We were inseparable till life took its grievous toll. Believe me when I tell you that we both earned the right to self-destruct. We never quit loving each other even through periods of hurt and silence. We just quit doing life together for a while. God is restoring to us the years the locusts have eaten. That’s another story for another time but one of the biggest things going on in my personal life. I love Jesus so much for what He’s doing. (OK, so that one didn’t turn out meaningless at all. Often when I write, I mean to head one direction and end up in another.)
*I’ve had a fancy dinner with my man. Colin and Melissa gave us a gift card for Keith’s birthday to a steakhouse in Houston that we really love and we shared a crab cake, each got a wedge salad with crumbled blue cheese, steaks (mine 6 oz filet, his, a honking – or shall I say mooing – rib eye), cheese grit souffle, green beans, and croissant bread pudding for dessert. It was incredible and so much fun. My man was so handsome sitting on the other side of that candle-lit table.
*Keith shot in two sporting clays’ tournaments over the weekend and won first place. The man can shoot. I love it when nothing perishes.
*Curtis and the kids flew back from his parents Saturday night and I got to see them Sunday at church. I so enjoyed just sitting with my son-in-law in the worship service. It’s rarely ever just the two of us and I am such a fan of his. We are blessed beyond measure to have the two sons-in-law our girls brought us. I got to have Jackson all afternoon until Curtis grabbed him to head to the airport to get his mama. I would love to have had Annabeth, too, but she’s pretty tanked after Sunday school and church and is most blessed by a nice, long afternoon nap. I’m the same way most weeks. I get to spend many Monday mornings with her anyway so that’s my consolation.
*Jackson had his very first soccer practice last night! Yes, Amanda and Curtis have entered the wild world of children’s sports. He was so proud of his shin guards that he slept in them the first night.I love the little dude so much.
*It’s still 100 degrees in Houston.Do NOT send me any pictures of autumn leaves. Melissa tried that yesterday and I called her mean names.
*There is a rat in my garage.
So, what are you guys up to this Fall? I’d love to hear about your plan for victory over the next several months! What Bible studies are you in this semester? Are you engaged in a small group or are you going solo? Do tell!
Sorry I’m all over the place. I think I’ve had too much coffee.
Thanks for sharing, Beth. Right now the ladies of our church are studying, “Lord, Change My Attitude” workbook/DVD study by James MacDonald. It’s rocking our world and the Lord is speaking to us about our attitudes. We didn’t know how we’d handle a man teaching us via DVD. After all, we are used to you, Beth! Thanks to God for all the great Bible teachers that keep us in the Word.
I’m at a new church…wasn’t sure if God wanted me to rest or minister…looks like I’ll be facilitating a Beth Moore beginning in a couple of weeks! I’m nervous – I don’t feel ready to make myself vulnerable yet, but really excited about getting to know new women. I’ve been without a Bible study since July and am chomping at the bit to get it going!
That is a newsy note!!! I loved it!!
I have a very busy and fun filled Fall planned. I just started your
study of Revelation with a group of ladies from church. I am going on a long weekend trip in October to Durango, Colorado, so my son can spend his 16th bday with his cousin. In November I will be traveling with Joel Osteen Ministries to Sacramento, California, and I will get to see my SBFF (Siesta Best Friend Forever) KIM SAFINA!!!!!! Way excited about that!!!!
I will also celebrate 18 years of marriage to my wonderful and loving husband in November!
God is soooo good!!!
Hi Beth,
Fall in South Dakota is bee-you-tiful (sorry! but it’s true!). I have just started my first Bible study by you. It’s your “Believing God” one. I am most excited about getting to know the women in my group, even though half of them go to the same church as me.
I felt reluctant to sign up because your Bible studies are quite popular in our town, and I didn’t want it to seem like that’s why I was doing it. But I know I am not, and God does too.
Truthfully, I am desperate for more of God and cannot sit in this mediocrity any longer.
My husband has left for Wyoming for mule deer hunting. I learned from other rancher’s wives that in the 1800’s, women literally went crazy in the country. So, praying for sanity over here! 🙂
Thanks for your post; it’s always great to hear from you!
Tessa
Oh goodness, Praying for your ‘sound mind’in Jesus! BTW – LOVE your pic!
My Bible Study group of 8 women will be taking a break from Beth Moore Studies (I think we’ve done them all) and are doing Priscilla Shirer’s “He Speaks to Me.” We are really excited about this study. I’m also leading a group in my church to study our pastor’s book “Change The World” (by Mike Slaughter, Ginghamsburg Church). Looking forward to a good fall!
Hi Beth!
I join you in lamenting the 100 degree weather. But in Tucson “at least it’s a dry heat” as they are so fond of saying.
Fall holds things like picking dates from our trees, welcoming young women for a weekend prayer retreat, a visit from my family, and the regular routine of monastic life!
I will be doing the updated “Breaking Free” for study!
I can’t wait…
so much love to you! Sister Lynn
Sister Lynn – I lived for WAY TOO MANY years in the Phoenix area, and when ever someone said that line about it being a dry heat, I would chuckle and remember hearing a radio DJ once say “…well, yes, it is a dry heat, but so is a welding torch!”
Hope your first (?) summer of Arizona weather hasn’t been too bad.
Adrienne
That’s funny Adrienne… I am going to say the next I hear “its a dry heat” So far I am surviving just fine – thanks be to God for AC!
Adrienne, I love your “well, yes, it is a dry heat, but so is a welding torch!” We lived in the Mojave Desert for 10 yrs and we used ‘dry heat’ a lot! Now I have a new one too!
I love reading your blog! I am enjoying my fall by “leading” a group of about 15 Young Ladies in your Bible study “Breaking Free”. It’s been such a blessing to see God at work. However, satan is hard at work too….but we are praying God’s Power over him.
You are a great blessing!!! Thanks for how you are always pointing other to Christ!
God Bless!
Hello to Beth and all those Siestas out there! It’s raining today in Kansas, and we’re beginning to feel like fall is coming (2 leaves have changed on the bushes outside my front window!). With the Chiefs victory over San Diego last night (in front of the whole world on network TV, no less!), KC is feeling some pride today!
My little group of BFFs is studying Anointed Transformed Redeemed together on Tuesday nights. We’re all working outside the home (all but one of us), and we needed a short commitment study, but with some depth. Boy, did we find it! We are just discussing Week One homework tonight and watching the Week Two video. We chose to meet every-other week, to give ourselves more time to do the homework. Already this week, I’m convicted that I spend more time on the outward appearance than I do on my heart! I want to have a heart for God like David’s. I’ve begun to notice that I spend more time in front of the mirror in the mornings than I do in the Word of God! How convicting. Perhaps the Lord will help me set the alarm earlier so I can squeeze in more quiet time and still exercise, etc., before work. And perhaps He will help me not have to have PERFECT hair (is it ever — really??). I pray so.
Love to Siestaville,
Pat
It’s sun-shiney down Wichita’s way! We did ATR…it was great. And, p.s., “perfect hair” is only for windless photo studios…and about 10 minutes, lol 🙂
Leading at our Women’s Conference this weekend (Angela Thomas is our featured speaker), come back Sunday to awesome evangelism speaker/trainer Mark Cahill at our church. Going co-ed this Fall with hubby for small group study. But, we just started Jen Hatmaker’s “Interrupted” last week…it’s gonna wreck all of us I’m sure (and Please, Lord!)
Loved/cried over the Guatemala posts I read (Amanda’s & a few others). Life-changing…God is AWESOME!
Morning Bethie!
So glad to hear of the going ons in your life! I am just sitting here listening to Matthew West’s new song on the radio and reading blogs. Already had my cup of tea and some oatmeal (because it is getting cool enough for oatmeal now!). I can’t wait to pull out the sweaters and jeans 🙂 Already using the sweatshirts at the h.s. football games where my friends husband is the head coach! Love the fall!!!!!
As for my plan for victory, I am involved with 2 groups this fall. My home group is going through The Truth Project together and I LOVE IT! Nothing like learning…just need to make sure that I am letting it affect me and not just learning! I am also involved with our women’s ministry on Thursday mornings and we are going throuh the book “Wild” by Debbie Alsdorf. This has been so much fun because the ladies of my church are speaking so we get to know the hearts of some of our very own! It is a nice diversion 🙂 I am also reading “Radical” with Marla Taviano and her group on her blog…so great!
I look forward to what God will do in me this fall and winter. My life is still in a great state of change but I am learning more and more what it is to trust the Lord in season and out. The biggest lesson is that my faith is NOT a feeling! Praise Him for that!
I am SO glad that you know that your feelings are not your faith. Neither do your feelings determine who God is, nor who you are 🙂
Awesome.
This TN girl is so ready for fall! I love me some Summer (it’s my favorite season – pool side, shorts, flip flops, summer dresses, vacations) but wow, I’m ready for cooler weather! 🙂 And maybe some pumpkin bread, pumpkin choc. chip muffins and pumpkin oatmeal too! hehehe
I’m currently doing (week 4) Esther with a close girl friend. It’s just the two of us and we’re loving it.
Becky in TN
Lots of plans to walk in victory! Mainly staying in the Word. Our church ladies are going to do your Revelation’s study (starting next week!). I love meeting with ladies I have known over half my life and talking about God’s Word with them! We share, pray, LAUGH…..whatever is needed really.
Going to do the CRAZY LOVE (Francis Chan)study with our College and Career class. Can’t wait! WOW that’s a challenging book. Such truth about “lukewarm”.
And just between us (blog siestas) I read a book on fasting and it is something I’ve only done a little of. Really got a plan (just b/t me and the Lord) about seeking Him more in this way.
He is SO GOOD!
Love you all!
Fall at the Ford house means:
homeschooling a 5 and 3 year old (trying to keep from laughing)…transitioning into long sleeves and jeans :), hiking, riding bikes and spreading applebutter all over toast and biscuits (when Mimi is in town to make them).
finding out the gender of the 4th and final Ford baby. Praise the Lord for babies and Praise the Lord for the end of baby season!!!
Have a great day and I hope you kill that rat soon, maybe Keith can sit up all night and shoot it. Gross!
Beth, Our Monday night Bible Study started back up last night! We had 14 or 16 there! We are doing The Patriarchs! Some of us did it when it first came out, but now we have so many new Sistas that we are all excited to do it again and for the first time! We have been going strong for almost 10 years and all love being back together and being back together with you! Got to see you in Richmond, girlfriend, and am loving being Back to Middle C! It is a privaledge to serve Him!
Dianne and The Monday Night Bible Study Sistas in Radford, VA
So blessed by Amanda and her sweet, sweet heart this past week! The compassion & love that she has for the needy is so apparent in her eyes – if I can see it in pictures, I can only imagine how blessed those sweet Guatemalan people were as she looked them directly in the eyes…I’m guessing it felt a little like they’d been with Jesus.
We are getting ready to start up the new “Breaking Free” for our fall Bible study at church. We have a relatively small church, with lots of ladies who are HUNGRY for more of Jesus. In the past, our ladies Bible study has taken place on Wednesday nights only. This fall, we are stepping out in faith and offering a morning study as well (I will be leading/facilitating the morning study – my first time). It feels a little weird to have our sweet group of ladies divided into two separate times (we all just love being together so much!), but I am specifically praying against any sort of ‘spirit of division’…and instead, asking for multiplication and unity in the hearts of all our ladies. I’ve been asking the Lord for a chunk of scripture that I could be praying over our ladies before & during the study…and maybe even ask them to partner with me in memorizing. The Lord led me to Isaiah 58:6-14. So I was soooo blessed when I read this post this morning and you quoted from that same passage…felt like confirmation. Love when the Lord does that!! Can’t wait to see what He’s gonna do!!
Beth, it’s not the same as a rat in the garage (YUCK!), but I did wake up to find a HUGE (and I mean HHHUUUGGEE!) spider in my kitchen sink. Thank you Jesus, for kitchen sink sprayers and garbage disposals!!!
Myself and a friend of mine did Kelly Minter’s WONDERFUL WONDERFUL Ruth study this summer with you. We loved it so much that we’ve moved on to her No Other Gods study and will be living and breathing that word for the next several weeks.
God’s timing really is perfect…. while I’m dealing with Satan’s attacks in my personal life, my pastor has been preaching about spiritual warfare and Satan’s deceptive tactics while Kelly’s study has been piggybacking with every much-needed message.
PRAISE HIM!!
I live in Central Texas and can echo Beth’s sentiment about not even discussing Fall leaves. We went to a college football game (Sic ’em Bears!) last weekend and I actually thought melting was a possibility. And I wasn’t even the one in Lycra!
But I digress…
I just finished up Beloved Disciple, which was absolutely amazing, and felt the Lord telling me to go back and do the Esther study again. I loved it so much the first time and was so captivated with the story that I moved rather quickly through it and I’m thinking the good Lord is telling me to slow down and soak it in this time.
I’m also feeling very convicted when praying for others because I feel like He says, “Yes, but what are you doing to DO about it?” every single time. I’m feeling convicted and conflicted but an committed to working it out with HIm.
Praying for those in Siestaville,
Casi
Beth,
Our small group Bible study is starting tonight! We are doing your Here and Now, There and Then study. I can’t wait.
Our group of varied backgrounds have done every one of your studies, some of Kay’, Priscilla’s, Anglea’s, Jennifer’s, Liz’s, and I can’t think of any others. Please write them faster– we are running out of studies!!
Here in Middle TN we are having some cooler temps (80’s and a few days in the 90’s). Sorry to mention that, but I LOVE IT. No pretty leaves yet…
Thanks so much for being so REAL. We love you!
Sassy Sisters~ Bible study group
Delightful hearing from you, Beth, scattered or otherwise. Fall? Bible study group on week six of Revelation study. Gettin’ pretty wild. Lovin’ it!
I had to miss the past two weeks for a trip. When I told the ladies I’d be gone, they looked at me like I’d grown an extra head. I said that if your man asks you on a trip that involves a passport, run, don’t walk! We tiptoed around the Bavarian Alps. And yes, they’ve earned all their hype. They are THAT gorgeous!
OK, best part? A Sound of Music bike tour. Who knew there was such a thing? Glory! The darling tour guide was soon to leave the country and said I could have her job. Of course, that’s just b/c I can quote the whole movie. Yes, I can be that obnoxious and no, I didn’t sing the whole time. However I did stick my face through the wrought iron gate at Nonberg Abbey and say (in my best Brigitta voice), “but we just want to see Fraulein Maria.”
Please forgive me for bragging. You did ask 🙂
Wow! I started the fall (I consider 1 September fall) with my man, celebrating 15 years of holy matrimony! We are moving to Ft. Bragg, NC in December so we are heading there to check it out in a couple of weeks.
I home school my kids, so I am busy with them. I also volunteer at our church, so I am always busy with something. Our ladies group is going to tackle Esther this fall. So I am so excited. I have listened to the cd’s several times and can’t wait to get into the homework!
My 13 yr old just tried out with a local community theater for Willy Wonka so if he makes it we will be back in with the theater as well!
God is so good that He allows us to do all these things and use it to show our community the love of Jesus. It is sometimes hard to do when you are bone tired, but His grace is sufficient. (I keep telling myself that!)
So that is the start of my fall, I am sure there will be more thrown in. Oh and hubby is up for promotion so any prayers sent to heaven on his behalf would be so awesome!!
My husband and I are doing an on-line blog bible study “Sweeter than Chocolate: Ps 119” with Pam Gillaspie from Kay’s Precept Ministery. In my quiet time I am doing Elaine Olson’s “Peace for the Journey” intermittantly with Alicia Britt Chole’s “Intimate Conversations: devotions to nuture a women’s soul”.
I am really hoping to be involved in a Women’s bible study this winter…praying God will open that door. I must say though, Believing God is still my favorite among favorites!!
Blessing to you!
Believing Him~Pamela
We just started Esther: It’s Tough Being a Woman last week. I’m so thrilled to be in a study of God’s word again. Can’t wait to uncover His riches and see what He has to say. It’s so fun discovering God! No big plans for the fall. Looking forward to family and friends coming in from NM and TX and celebrating my third wedding anniversary in Dec with my precious honey, Jon.
Hello,
This fall our group is studying A Heart Like His by Beth. The first week and a half is already so good!
Finished the 10 mile road race I had been training for back in August, just doing some maintenance training now. My man and I are going to run over the Mackinaw bridge (I live in Michigan) on 10/9, it will be a 5.6 mile run early in the morning. I understand they hold you at the start line until the sun starts rising, then they release you. Then you run toward the lower penninsula (the mitten) toward all the beautiful fall foilage you can see from the bridge. So looking forward to the beauty!
Our oldest man child has entered the world of ranch rodeos this fall and loves it. (Pics on my personal blog…too cute if I do say so!). OF COURSE, hunting season is upon us…soooooo. Last week, our boys (8 & 5) got up before daybreak, dressed, and went out “hunting” in the pasture. They are way too young for that. About to start One in a Million solo. Right now, eating God’s word up! Love Jeremiah & Ezekial right now.
And I am pretty sure I too have a rat in my garage somewhere.
I have a confession to make and I pray that you’ll forgive me. 😉
My church offered your course on Revelations. It also offered one on Richard Stearns “The Hole in the Gospel.” I know that God is leading me in a direction to do more work along the lines of the latter course, and even tying it in to what I do.
I wrestled and I signed up for the Revelations course because, I realized later, as the Hole in the Gospel required a project and promised action…..I thought the Revelations course would require less.
It kept haunting me. I kept coming back to it. Finally, I gave in and acknowledged that I signed up for something I *assumed* (no reflection on the course itself, please know that!) that it would be less challenging.
So I changed my registration and the Hole in the Gospel is already blowing my mind. We already have a project lined up and God is stretching me in new and exciting ways — already.
Still, all those women in the Revelations course seem to be having a good time and are raving about it. Maybe I’ll hit that one next time. 😉
Love!
deb
Your testimony of obedience struck me. You will see many blessings, I’m sure.
Doing solo The Bible in 90 Days — it may take 93 or 4, but I’m faithfully reading some everyday.
Small group study is 1st Place 4 Health: Balanced Living. Have done several of these, but this fall we have a new group leader and new members so the dynamics are sure to be different.
Continuing my quiet time praying, reading, journaling with my Lord early each morning.
Enjoying the crispness and fall feeling in the air. My favorite time of year.
Jamie–
I did The Bible in 90 Days the summer of ’09. (It took me a few extra as well)…but it felt like a huge accomplishment to finish! The Lord spoke to me and made me aware of so many hidden treasures, I pray He does the same for you!
Loved hearing about all your doings…ramble away anytime!
Our Wed night women’s class is studying He Speaks to Me by Priscilla Shirer. I’m teaching Tough Love, Tender Mercies by Lisa Harper to our Sunday morning women’s class.
Best of all, I returned to Bible Study Fellowship last night for the new Isaiah study. I graduated a few years ago from BSF and had been really hoping they would roll out a new study and my prayers have been answered! Best of all, I’m in a class where I have no leadership responsibilities, and don’t know anyone yet….right where I need to be for some one-on-one time with Father! How blessed am I??? 🙂
I love reading your posts. This is what I am doing this fall…my son and his fiancee set their wedding date for May 14, 2011, and then a few weeks ago, he called me and said they had moved the date up to OCTOBER 23rd, 2010…lol…things are moving rather quickly around here due to that, but I am so excited that he found someone to make him happy…We also got a new puppy and she is keeping things hopping around the Gowen household…potty training is so much fun…
Start leading “Breaking Free” tonight. I am SO excited to see what Jesus is going to do. Best of all, both of our adult daughters are coming.
I have done the course twice in the last eight years by myself, but there is something about doing it all together. I have listened to the Intro CD three times. Just couldn’t wait to start the lessons. I only did two days and made myself put the book away. Can you tell I am excited?!
Terri
Hey, Beth!!
I live in a little small town in north Louisiana. A group of my closest friends and I started “Breaking Free” 8 weeks ago. It is the first Bible study I have ever participated in, and I cannot believe what it is doing in my life. We are doing it on our own, and it’s 6 of us. We meet every Wednesday night, and I can say that Wednesday is my new favorite day of the week! It’s so amazing seeing the wonderful way our God works in the peoples’ lives that I am the closest to. Thank you for all that you do for people, like me, you don’t even know. Thank you for sharing with me the insightful and kind words that you convey so well. I am already looking forward to starting a new Bible study by you after we finish this. I love it so much, I just don’t want it to end!!
God bless you and all the amazing things you are doing.
Love,
Sarah
Beth, I`ve been so moved by Amanda`s posts regarding Guatemala and “Compassion International”. I am going to sponsor a child. I was wondering how do you get the opportunity to go to Guatemala with “Compassion International”? I just can`t seem to stop thinking about this, my heart is hurting for the people, especially the children. Thanks Beth
Thank you, Cathy, for joining us in Guatemala this week! Amanda’s posts were deeply moving and watching her live out Christ-incarnate, Grace-embodied, was inspiring — we all love her!
Yes, to go on a blogging trip with Compassion, you can leave your information here:
http://compassionbloggers.com/take-a-trip
And to visit your child w/ Compassion: http://www.compassion.com/sponsordonor/tours/default.htm
May God abundantly bless you, Cathy — for your heart beating with His…
All’s grace,
Ann Voskamp
Hey Beth!
Well, what a bunch of blessing to have so many great things to share! Ok. Maybe not the heat or the rat. ick.
My small gorup and I are gearing up to start Jesus, The One & Only on the 20th! Eeek! SO SO SO excited.
Every fall, that’s where we are. Cracking the spine to another wonderful study together. Love it.
And, in praying for guideance I’ve added much love to my website & store – HonorCrownedCrafts.com – while also learning a new budget with my man.
& We are still hanging on for His blessing of children even when my heart breaks a little that is has been so long in the waiting.
Oh, and I kinda cannot wait for Thanksgiving! Oh how I love that holiday!
Lots of love to you and ALL of yours,
Stephanie 🙂
I started another wonderful year in Bible Study Fellowship last night as we jumped into a brand new study in Isaiah! A big step for me was to transfer from my long-familiar morning class to an evening class so I could go with friends and enjoy sweet fellowship as we drive to and fro. I’m so excited to see how God will use this Bible study to transform me along with thousands of men, women and children around the world. “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8
A RAT!!! Ugh! So glad I’m here right now . . .:)
I read Melissa’s blog yesterday and cried buckets. And now I just can’t go buy those boots I was thinking about. It totally wrecked my selfishness. Thankfully.
Glad you had a great weekend! Blessings this week!
Correction — Amanda, not Melissa. See, the thought of that rat messed with my brain!
Fall is absolutely my favorite season of the year.
Fall signifies several things to me:
1) My busy season at work is winding down and I will have more time at home with my family.
2) My anniversary is fast approaching (we will celebrate our 10th anniversary in October).
3) Fall Bible study is about to begin. We will be studying in Revelation (Here and Now, There and Then). I can’t wait!
4) God’s beauty is all around me, everywhere I look. From the trees changing color, to the wildlife, to the night sky filled with stars, to the sunny and warm (but not too warm) days. God is the Master at decorating.
In my devotional reading and listening prayer, as well as in my Bible study, I am parked in the book of Romans. I’m using Kay Arthur’s book, How to Study The Bible, the Inductive Method as a guide. I’ve been in God’s intensive care unit for some time now and I think I’m at a tender, as well as critical place in the healing process. To make this comment as concise as possible, I’ll just tell you that I believe God is about to do something ginormous – dawn is about to break! I’m believing God and walking by faith.
Patti Hayes
Hi Patti,
I am anxiously waiting for my copy of How to Study The Bible (Kay Arthur). Maybe we could connect over it?
Rebecca
Hi Rebecca,
We’re getting ready to move and all of my info is about to change, so I’ll reply to one of your comments as soon as I have my new email address.
Take care.
Patti Hayes
Home schooling, starting up a BUNCO group for the military wives here, hosting an international military wives coffee next month complete with American-style fall foodies, and leading a ladies study (No Other Gods) over at the embassy. I’ve been memorizing Scripture and have come up with a way to keep it in front of my face more often during the day- that’s been a blessing.
The chestnuts are falling here in Kyiv, and hopefully the temperature will stay as lovely as it is now- if it turns cold, it’ll be cold…the city turns the heat on Oct. 15.
Thank you for your words this morning Beth- and thanks to Melissa for her beautiful and touching updates from Guatemala. I am writing to my Compassion kids this morning and God is reminding me how I am a servant to them- and that I need to wash their feet- and that it is an honor to be able to write to them and support them. Sometimes I think it gets reversed- people start thinking the poor are the ones who are blessed by us who have more…but in God’s beautiful upside-down way that is not the truth!
I was going to join some ladies from church in a Tuesday morning study but with my husband’s work schedule and my daughter’s preschool set-up I was not able to do so. But I feel this is God’s plan- I need some alone time with Him for sure. (Having a preschooler in the house means that no quiet time is ever really all that quiet). I have a small group from church on Thursday evenings who provide excellent fellowship.
Love to you and your ministry staff!
You are so cute…and that dinner, mercy!
I am getting geared up to be a group leader in our Women’s Bible Study that starts in Sept. and stretches to May. We are doing your study, Jesus the One and Only.
And I am pumped! I have been praying for GOD to stir my desire for knowing HIM and about HIM and more strongly knowing HIS SON, feeling that intimacy(I’m not good with close relationships). He has been answering my prayers and I feel this is on course. I actually had a earnest desire the other night, that I HAD to get to Jesus’ presence. I just had to connect with HIM. It was a blessing! I have OCD so my floor was dirty and I had to vaccuum before I could kneel and of course by the time I kneeled, I wasn’t sure what to say, but GOD knows my state and HE is doing a work. Sorry to ramble.
I also started art school and I love it. GOD’s gift to me in art is amazing, people look at my stuff and say, “wow” and I think, I didn’t draw that, I don’t know how, but HE does!
I am 8 lbs lighter and losing my 40+ lbs I put on during my season of depression. I feel great!
I broke free from my disbelief on July, 10 2010 in Irvine, and HE is healing me in so many ways.
It’s amazing how GOD can turn ashes into dancing in one moment of HIS embrace.
I need a trim.
Heart you – Siesta OC
Hi Siesta OC, from another OC Siesta 🙂
You are going to love Jesus, the One and Only! I didn’t do the study, but I read Beth’s book taken from the study, and it made me fall in love with Jesus like I never had before.
I share in your joy in all God is doing in your life. He is the ultimate Healer, and does redeem our lives from the pit. We have a lot in common!
Love,
Karene in Yorba Linda, CA
Blessings! Karene! So glad to ‘meet’ you! Thank you for your Spirit-filled words, they blessed me. Hopefully we will meet one day!
May the LORD bless your seasons
Siesta OC
Thank you, Siesta OC. I hope to meet you too someday 🙂
Beth, you can make me laugh like no one else :>)Thank you for your recent posting and update.
I am pleased to hear that you and your sister are working on reconciliation – my sister and I are making our own shaky attempts at that as well. I’m sending up prayers for both efforts!
My past month has been a blur. My husband of 4 years and I separated. I am still in shock and still unsure of how the enemy caused my believing husband to throw away our marriage. He has suffered from depression and had (unknown to me) stopped his meds over the past year and a half which contributed to this but . . . ?
I remain certain that God is in charge and that once I am able to stand farther back than I can right now I will see how this all plays into his plans. Thanking Him and praising His providence though because, despite my best efforts over the past 4 years, my house did not sell so, I had a comfortable and familiar place to return to – in spite of myself.
Bible studies – well have tried to get into the Isaiah BSF study here (which looks fantastic) but it is full so am searching. I do have your Daniel workbook as “fall back” but wanted to get into fellowship with some godly women so will keep trying to find a f2f study here.
Hangin’ in there . . Lynne
A lot going on at Calvary Baptist in Many, La. Getting ready for the simulcast this weekend. So excited. Praying that we haven’t forgot anything. We are doing a study on Wednesday nights with our pastor, Spiritual Warfare. Satan has been nipping me all week! I just keep pounding him with the Holy Word! My “man” (I just love it when you say that) and I will be leaving in 10 days for our annual trip to the Ozarks. We are going a little earlier this year than usual. I just hope it is a lot cooler then. Praying for all of you, Beth, for this weekend. I know God will do something great!
I love this post! It is still warm in North Alabama, but we can tell that fall is on its way.
I am doing the book, “Power of Praying through the Bible”. I got this book from my mom for my birthday.
I am looking forward to participating in the Simulcast at Bethlehem Baptist Church on Saturday. Looking forward to Praise and Worship with Travis, too!
Hey Beth, I love it most when you are “all over the place.” Grin. Just started “Here and Now, There and Then” last night, with over 60 plus women or so. We were literally about to jump out of seats! I’m ready for God to do a work in this next 11 weeks! Love you!
Susan in OKC
Between football, soccer, volleyball, cheerleading, and skateboarding. . .oh and school, I am trying to maintain some type of equilibrium at the homestead. My husband and I are committed to a family devotional at least twice a week, and continuing to serve in our local community. I am wrestling through whether to facilitate a Bible Study for my daughter and her 13 year old girl friends with moms. There are several I’m thinking of, one from our Mama Siesta, but I’m not sure yet. I’m waiting on confirmation from Jesus Himself.
Also, I’m hoping to enjoy the holiday season without guilt or gluttony, which isn’t easy, but to breathe it in for what it’s meant to be.
Love you all. This is such a great community of encouragers.
Blessings,
Stephanie
Hi Beth and Siestas,
I am FIGHTING a cold this week. A. little. cold. Puff. It’s a big one. It’s not even cold weather yet!! I fought off a migraine this morning, pulled my bootstraps up because I was determined to make it to my Bible Study group this morning. And how blessed I was to be with sweet sisters in the Lord!!
I have a huge praise! Our sweet church launched a new “convergent” service Sunday. . it’s been a long road and I attend a very historical, old, traditional church. Love it. But it was time for some new, freshness if you will. Needless to say, chairs were set out for 120. . the service was to start at 9, and at 9:10 as the music started, people were still pouring in. Every single new chair that had to be brought in was filled, children lined the front altar area on the floors. . (I am singing in the praise team, so I watched it all take place.) I think the final count was a little over 300! What a blessing to watch unfold. God showed up big and so did the His people. And worship did they ever. Praise God for this huge day!!!
Kids are all in full swing, dance, football, practices, homework. One just started college at Samford in Birmingham, my old alma mater and will be going through sorority rush (that’s another topic)!! So. . I’ve got a 15 month old currently banging on the wall during her naptime and one off at college negotiating things such as her own “bedtime hours” and when to/not to do homework!! Life is full and we are slammed, but serving God through it all.
So happy Fall is coming. It is already back up to 85 degrees in North Georgia today, but it was a gorgeous 54 this morning, I had to even put on the precious cardigan I bought for a steal at TJ Maxx yesterday.
Love to all,
Wendy
I will be in a Tuesday morning group doing “Breaking Free” starting next week at a local church. And the week after, I am starting “Believing God” with another group on Wednesday nights at my home.
My 7 year old son is doing great in the third grade and my “baby” son (turns 3 next month) is in his room napping right now! Also just celebrated 11 years with my husband.
We began Priscilla Shirer’s”Discerning The Voice Of God” last evening for our Women’s Fall Bible Study. First time in years that we have used someone else other than you, Beth! We have done all of your studies and I was so nervous that we would not have good attendance doing anything else. But I am so proud of these ladies..we had thrity five enrolled in a very small town. They are learning to love God’s Word…just give em a good teacher! Thank you Father!
Let’s not be afraid to be generous, siestas. “He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and He will pay back what he has given.” Proverbs 19:17, NKJV Seriously, as if we even deserve to be PAID BACK?! We serve such a good, generous Father.
Hi Beth!!
My fall is looking very quiet. I’ve been unemployed over 2 years now. For now, I’m planning on staying home to take care of my sweet old dog. Idk how long she has left or how long I can afford this, but I feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be. I’m planning on doing some odd jobs to help pay bills and just got a part-time job as the sports webmaster at church.
I hate to miss the simulcast this weekend, but no one around here is hosting it. I’ll be praying for you, the team, and the folks attending. Have a blast!
Love to you
Love your blog. The Bible Study our church’s Women’s Ministry is working through this “Semester’ is Jonah by Priscilla Shirer. Last week was our first meeting. So pumped just thinking about it!