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.
First, I’ve adored every single post by Amanda and all the other bloggers from Guatemala. I cried through most of them, but I think that’s what the Lord wanted me to do. That and sponsor a child through Compassion! I am currently studying the Patriarchs with a small group of ladies at my church. Such a blessing, as your studies always are, Beth. Thank you so much for letting God use you so mightily!
Nothing like another woman who enjoys serving God and studying His Word.
Last year at our Women’s Retreat the ladies gave away shoes and clothes they wore to give to the Women’s shelter for battered women. There was not a dry eye left in the place. We cannot wait for this years retreat.
It is exciting! God has so many things ahead in this year
I can hardly wait. He has on our agenda to do Samartain Purse, which I dearly love.
Beth, I could not wait to share this with you. We are studying “Esther” and I have gotten such a wonderful respond from women during our discussion times and through your videos. The women have opened up like never before and actually sharing things we never have. They are drawing closer as a group and to God. One lady never came to any of our Bible studies and she wrote me a note thanking me, which really make me feel so humble before God. He is our provider through all we do.
We have had so much fun studying Esther. Cannot wait to do another one of your Bible studies!
I am sure we will go on a mission trip this summer with our church, it is to early to tell where right now.
We have a Women’s Brunch every year and invite other church women to come.
Our main focus will be touching other people’s lives, so they may know Christ. Our calendar is almost full of things to do__never a dull moment here with the Lord!
Have a heart for giving__give to God-our heart, our all…and God says: I choose you!
Give Him thanks and praise for all things.
( Happy Birthday to your man, Keith)
Keeping you and your ministry in prayer. Amanda magnifies the Lord! Beth you have an inner beauty that reflects the Lord!
We start Breaking Free next Tuesday night. I can barely wait. 🙂
Just trying to do life with friends.My precious friend is trying to carry on after her husband of36 years filed for divorce.Life is crappy sometimes!1
oh mama B how i’ve missed you!! i am so sorry about your rat… may it NOT die in the middle of your wall where nothing can be done until it dries up and stops smelling! * spoken from a bad experience!! 🙂 my fall is looking like a time of harvest and new hope and I have just never loved Jesus more. my fall study is with my new church, it’s a precept. my mom’s doing your revelation with her group and i’m jealous. i’ll get my beth study in january. but i’ll see YOU in october beloved siesta mama!! love you dearly!! hugs!
I wholeheartedly agree with Leah Adams about the “Covenant” study. It was amazing!!! So much scriptural instruction, from Genesis to Revelation. Many finally understood how to rightly divide the Word. The study required a lot of personal study of the Scripture, one reason it was so powerful. The Lord used the study to convict one participant that she was not truly saved and she then accepted Christ as Savior two weeks before her wedding to a believer. Praise His Holy Name!
I am an Aggie just down the road and I am leading a college woman’s small group through my church. We are going to be talking about Woman and discipleship and studying 1 Peter. I am excited and anxious to see how the Lord is going to grow me in leading this group of wonderful girls 🙂
My prayer is the Lord’s name will be made much of and that He will triumph in these girls hearts.
We love that you are all over the place. 🙂
I am doing Priscilla Shirer’s “One in a Million” study with a great group of girls from my church. We are meeting at a friend’s townhouse — she has a little boy, and his dad is babysitting upstairs. It’s fun to have baby screams in the background.
The study is wonderful — very timely in my life. We just finished week 4. Last week’s video was a highlight for me. Priscilla pointed us to Hosea 2:14 and told us that God allures us and speaks kindly to us in the wilderness. It’s where we see Him more clearly and grow to love Him more dearly.
🙂
I’ve just started your Esther study and I’m so excited! I’m in a group with some of my favorite ladies at church. We’re going to have so much fun growing through this study together. I’m also doing Marla Taviano’s “Radical” read-along and the things I’m reading are on my mind all of the time. I wasn’t going to do the read-along because I have a habit of spreading myself too thin and not doing anything as well as I should but God kept putting this book on my heart and I think it will be life-changing.
Hey Beth,
Thanks so much for “leaving the blog wide open” for Amanda. Her blogs have touched me and reminded me of the many blessings I walk in (even when my house seems too small and my closet seems too empty). International mission trips are the bomb!!! (I just dated myself by using the phrase “the bomb”, didn’t I!?)
This fall, I have the priviledge of helping leading a ladies encounter retreat. Forty-eight hours at the Cross, on a beautiful mountaintop in Arkansas, great food, cozy sleeping arrangements, and amazing worship with nearly 100 women that love each other. (Well, they come in bound up but leave free…that’s when the “loving each other” kicks in.)
I’m preparing my messages for the retreat. I haven’t read Christian fiction in years and just the other day Mardel’s had some on clearance. I purchased them, of course. They were on CLEARANCE…you can’t pass up a good clearance sale! So I will probably dive into those books. As for the serious stuff, I don’t have any plans just yet. I have a great devotional that I do (Rick Renner’s Sparkling Gems…they never get old!) However, I would love some Siestaville suggestions on a great bible study…
Just read the dreadful misspellings in my previous post. “Priviledge”…really? “Helping leading”…ugh!
Hi Beth!
I am facilitating your Revelation study at our church. It started today, but unfortunately I couldn’t make it for the first session. My precious 3 yr. old son, Lee, has pink eye and bronchitis. I have a wonderful friend who subbed for me and said that we had 34 women attend…and more will be there next week!
I am a stay-at-home mom with two boys (3 yrs and 19 mos) so every day is non-stop.
My husband and I teach a newly marrieds Sunday School class at our church, too. We are studying Ephesians, and I have to teach this weekend, as he is in NY for job training for 2 weeks. Not sure how I am going to prepare for that with the boys at my feet. Actually, it would be easy if they would STAY at my feet. 🙂
Thanks for all you do in His Name.
Dear Beth,
Everything else you said was completely wasted on me the minute I read “I have a rat in my garage.” I had a mouse issue last Christmas and I’ve just now been able to have my quiet time again at my kitchen table without the fear of one coming out from my laundry room and trying to join me in a little Bible study!
But seriously, I heard it all and love that we can all do life together in this very uncommon way!
Well, we are in a struggle. Actually, an all out battle…a war. My 9 year old who is oblivious to what is happening said twice yesterday, “I hate war. I’m afraid of war.” Out of the blue. I think God wanted me to hear those words just so I would realize that I might hate war, but He doesn’t want me to be afraid of this one. This one is worth fighting for — in an “on the wall with Nehemiah” kind of way — fighting for our family, for our children.
But the struggle has its benefits and I’m claiming victory through it all, as we all push through the yucky stuff of the war and get to it. Major skimming going on here in our house. But I know that what is being skimmed needs to go and I’m just asking God to be glorified through it.
Prayers won’t be wasted on me, my husband and our 14 year old son over the next few weeks, maybe even months. If you think of me, mention my name to Him. Okay?
I love this group of women on the blog. Who would have ever imagined that God would put us all together on something called “the world wide web?”
“Now I’m turning you over to God, our marvelous God whose gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends.” Acts 20:32 The Message
Blessings,
Dori
Dori, I stopped and prayed for you. Praying for God’s comfort, His protection, and His guidance in the coming months for each member of your family.
God bless,
Amy T
THANK YOU, SWEET AMY T! 🙂 That you would pray for me, then take the time to tell me that you did — well, I am blessed.
Dori
I am in my second semester of grad school, working on a master’s in biblical studies. This semester is the first (of two) of Hebrew. Since I have to devote quite a few weekly hours to that, I thought it was best that I didn’t commit to a small group this fall. I hope to resume small group activity after the new year (I hear Hebrew 2 is easier), because I dearly love digging in the Word with other gals. In my solo study, I am going through 1 and 2 Kings this fall. I love being reminded of His faithfulness and sovereignty!
Glorious Fall!! October is absolutely my favorite month in Texas and I’ve only got 16 more days to go.
Speaking of October 1st, my husband and I are traveling down to Austin, Texas to participate in the Together for Adoption conference. We are excited about what God wants to teach us that weekend. We haven’t adopted yet, haven’t even started the process, but we know that’s something God has called us to, so we’re making preparations.
As for Bible study, God has abundantly blessed this fall. I’m doing Here and Now, There and Then coupled with A Modern Girl’s Guide to Bible Study by Jen Hatmaker with a group of lovely women. I’m also participating in an online read-along of Radical by David Platt. I heard a great one-word summary of the first chapter today – ouch.
And now I need to go pray again about this darn 95 degree heat in Dallas…
I just laughed out loud, Beth. You do crack me up!! Bless your heart, it’s been a crummy day so I needed it.
I’m doing a study of women in the Bible called, “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” It’s taught by a team of four women at my church. Very exciting to learn under different folks, and to see them take the step of faith to “do it scared” (as they have said it) and fight the temptation to compare themselves as teachers. This morning we discussed Rahab.
This year?
Right now, the facilitator of our women’s group is leading us in Jennifer Rothschild’s “Me,Myself, and Lies.” When we finish this in October, I will be teaching. I’m not sure of the topic yet, but we have some baby Christians in our group, and I’m thinking about covering some doctrinal basics.
May I just say that I avoided women’s ministry for years. As a single person, I was intimidated by all the marriage and family issues that most women bring with them to Bible study. One blessing has been to partner with the leader of our women’s ministry who acts as facilitator for the study. She has oodles more experience at the relational aspect of ministry, and she has been so gracious about letting me take on the Bible study aspect. It seems obvious to me now, but I’m such a loner by nature that it had never occurred to me that this kind of ministry ought to be a team effort.
Jennifer Rothchild has a very sweet spirit in the Lord.
I had the privilege of meeting her at a Women’s Retreat about two years ago. ( The group of ladies I was with wondered what was taking me so long to get back to my seat, but I was talking to Jennifer and buying one of her books.) She is a blessing and her workbook is good. I’ve also done Me, Myself and Lies, but on my own. Have a blessed time and I will pray for your group.
Just started your Revelation bible study this morning!! Mind spinning with all that was in just the first lesson!! Looking forward to journaling how God is meeting me everyday!!
I loved reading about wearing the shin guards to bed! Hah! I love little boys. I remember seeing my little nephew trying on all his equipement when he started football. Especially the little cup which he tried on over his pants.
As for fall… my church does Wednesday night supper and Bible study which Ihave been involved in for quite a few years. We do the Amazing collection, Beth Moore and Priscilla Shirer.
I’m teaching the Beth class and its on Proverbs. Wising Up!. We started out with 10. The class is so fun that word has gotten around and we are up to 20… and going on lesson 4. We even love it when you step on our toes.
Heidi
So by no pictures, do you also mean no mental pictures of me in a long sleeve tee-shirt, jeans, sweatjacket, and winter slippers? Does that also mean you don’t want to know I ran a mile in 48 degree weather this morning? No? Oh, well then. So sorry. 🙂
I just started last week Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed. I think you might have heard of it? So far so good. Although, Priscilla could GET OFF MY TOES for a pair of minutes.
I can shoot clay pigeons too. I can shoot them in the center and watch them shatter in a million pieces. I am woman, Here my rifle report! One has to know how to shoot in the frozen North.
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Barbara
New Orleans, Louisiana
Our church has already started Fall Bible Study. I am taking the Revelation Series.
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.
This statement really hits home for me. God has been dealing with me in this area. I reflect back to the Esther Study. If this happens, than God.
My daughter (21 year old Ali) and I are doing Esther at home since her college schedule doesn’t let her go to the small group. Then my small group at church will start Esther. I’m so privileged to do this with my gal and my girls!
I’m seeking God’s direction regarding writing–thinking about starting a blog. I’ve finally gotten to the point of knowing that, whether or not my writing is published in some form, I HAVE to write. It’s good to be doing it again after a too long sabbatical from it. I’m sensing God’s pleasure in this process.
Love all the posts. Thanks for sharing your lives with us!
I will share with you what we did in our small group when we studied Esther. We made an cake with a crown on top and added the verse “as such a time as this”.
We also gave away gift with crowns, or queen attached.
There were key rings, picture frames small ones, and necklaces etc. Then, we also used the instruction book to type all the questions out ahead of time. The personal and discussion questions. This took alittle time, but it was well worth it, because I gave it to them to bring to class the next week and it helped take up less time and gave more time for talking about the study. Hope you have a good time and enjoy.
I will pray for your group of ladies! God bless you.
Thanks, Joyce! What great ideas!
HEY YALL AND BETH! OUR LITTLE COMMUNITY OF LIBERTY CITY,TEXAS (JUST OUTSIDE KILGORE, SURELY YOU HAVE HEARD OF THE RANGERETTES LOL?)IS STARTING TONITE AND I THINK WE WILL MAKE IT A 6 WEEK STUDY AND SEE HOW IT GOES.WANT IT TO BE LAID BACK AND WE HAVE A DIFFERNT MIX, ALL AGES ,BACKGORUNDS,ETC!!! I’M EXCITED FOR WHAT GOD CAN DO THROUGH THIS BOOK! I HAVE EVERY INSECURITY IN THIS BOOK AND THEY ARE TEXAS SIZED!!!HAHA!PLEASE,EVERYONE PRAY FOR US!XOXO
Hi Beth! I love to read your “ramblings”; they make you sound like the sister I never had.
I will be involved in 2 Bible studies this fall–one called Living With Unmet Desires: Exposing the Many Faces of Jealousy by Shawn Lantz (sister of Selah’s Todd Smith) and the other one is your Revelation study. One reason I love being retired is having more doors of opportunity for small group study!
I just started “The Beloved Disciple” on John with our church evening study. 20 women came. I always wish I had a “privacy sobbing booth” when I watch your videos. I hold back the sobs and tears just leak out my eyes and down my face. You expressed the joy at being our friend, and I’ve felt that way too though I’ve never met you. It was a tender spot and I really wanted to sob about it, but had to wait until I was in the car on the way home. I do believe I saw red eyes on a few of the other ladies too. Lol Thank you Beth for being our friend.
BSF classes start tonight for me here in Tulsa OK. Yea!! I wish I could direct people to the web site so they could look into it but it’s been down for several days now. It’s a very intense Bible study and this year it is over Isaiah. I also shared a bed with my older sister. She is my best friend but we lost each other for about 20 years because of those darn locusts. It’s fabulous to get to reknow someone you love when you forgot how much you love them. Say that sentence 20 times really fast!
I am working on planning my wedding, running a ministry, and training to become a Christian prayer counselor so I had to sit out of bible study this semester and I’m sad. But it came at a perfect time as you couldn’t do one anyways. 🙂 But I promise that I’m still very much emersed in His word. I love you guys! 🙂
I love this post! My brain always things in random thought patterns like this. I know I’m in company of my best girlfriends if that’s how our conversations are going… 🙂
I’m going Believing God for the first time. Oh, is it good! I’m still in the first week… but I love it. Our church is the “host church” for Beth’s upcoming Living Proof Event coming to Spokane, WA in October. We are beyond excited!
We started your study on Revelation on Sunday. I am so excited! Our pastor has been going through Revelation on Sunday mornings for the last several weeks (we are on chapter 6) so I must be needing to know Revelation! My son is a sixth grader and is on his school soccer team (a very small Christian school so he gets LOTS of play time) so that is what we are doing for now. Oh, and the fall yard work. 🙂 I just got an Iphone, so I’m also exploring all of that and doing a daily Bible reading plan on it. Hmmmm…oh yeah, AWANA has started back up so that is another main focus for the fall. One more note, I stepped on a small snake in my yard this weekend, so when I read about your encounter last weekend, I could relate. Mine was very small and could have been mistaken for an earthworm except it was not dirty and was quite a bit longer. So, it could have been more traumatic and I’m just praising God it was not! Have an awesomely blessed fall (whenever those of us in Texas might get there!).
This fall (which has not arrived in South Alabama YET) I’m recovering from minor surgery! Headed to Huntsville, TX on Thursday to visit a college with my precious daughter!
Compelled by Love is the Bible Study we started Sunday!
Thanks so much for sharing your life with us!
Our group of 8 women from a few different churches is doing “Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed.” We just started today. I’ve started a new part-time job, and the part about David being anointed and then going right back to being a humble shepherd hit home for me. About that rat–I agree with the post above that said you will not want it to die in a wall. We bought a house up north with a crawl space years ago, and kept wondering if our teenaged boy had some smelly shoes or something till we found out there was a dead rat under the floor. No wonder we don’t have a crawl space in Florida–can you imagine what could thrive under a house in Florida?
We appreciated Amanda’s posts, as our nearest Christian radio station had a DJ and small group going to Guatemala Sunday to distribute 27,000 pairs of new shoes to children. We are glad to remember it’s not all about us and our little problems.
I just love you so much, Ms. Beth.
I am in the middle of Living Beyond Yourself, which I started right after we finished up Ruth. You will believe, I’m sure, how acutely God is working in my life in conjunction with EVERY SINGLE DAY of study. This is the real deal!!
AND, I am SO EXCITED because tomorrow I am starting a Precept Upon Precept study of Hebrews with the women’s bible study at my church! Just saying “my church” is a miracle… let alone the fact that I am doing a precept study of Hebrews with a bunch of other women there, let alone that I am filled with GLEE about it! 😀 Will wonders never cease? I pray not!
My husband and two daughters are joining in the Wednesday night classes at church too… this is going to be one wonderful season in our lives… not at all surprised by the amount of turmoil going on around us. Not at all surprised it comes when I’m studying peace and patience. Not at all surprised that every SINGLE time I need something HE is there, before I even know it!
OH, how I LOVE His word!
Hilary
Oh, so good to hear from ya!! I’ve been checking in on Amanda’s posts, but haven’t responded to a one. Too much. Just too much. Do you not LOVE Compassion Int’l?? We have been so blessed to be a part of that group for several years now. Amanda’s posts have me stunned, heartbroken and MOTIVATED.
I’m currently writing up a Bible study to serve to my ladies’ group in a few weeks on having a hard heart. The Lord has been chipping away at the mortar I’ve built up around my own heart for some time now, and it just seemed like an obvious lesson for me to teach. They always get lessons on whatever Jesus and I are currently working through, so they have an inside look at the wierd, quirky nature of their minister’s wife….but as wierd and quirky as I am, Praise God, He hasn’t left me to myself yet. He is SO Faithful.
Stay cool in Houston. Eek. We love ya.
Beth..I am thrilled to tell you that I am teaching a bible study to a bunch of young women!! I have written this bible study called “Spiritual Makeover”. It is a framework to follow as we study the book “Having a Mary Spirit”
What is super fun about the Spiritual Makeover booklet is that I walk the girls through the routine of getting ready every morning and relate it to spiritual growth. For example, washing our faces relates to forgiveness, putting on foundation relates to making Christ the foundation of our lives, etc.
My boyfriend calls is “Redeeming the Ritual”….I hope to see some redemption in our lives!! God bless you for teaching and leading me for the last five years. I am so inspired to help women draw close to God like you have done for me.
Alicia
I love the shin guards! I have two boys, and when they were little, they both loved to wear any new piece of sports equipment they had just acquired EVERYWHERE. I remember driving to my sister’s house one Christmas, and stopping at a rest stop and my son getting out of his car seat with a bicycle helmet strapped on his head. The people there must have thought I was the most over-protective mother ever.
I’m going solo with the Breaking Free study right now – on week 3. Beth, you’re stepping all over my toes with that pride thing (grin). No more pretending …
I am on a bit of a hiatus this fall. God’s been prompting me to slow down a bit, and spend some time focusing on our relationship, so that’s what I’m aiming to do. I will be chasing my 4 kiddos around in the process, but I’ve eliminated pretty much everything else out that’s extra.
These past few weeks, I have been slowly going through the Kelly Minter study from the blog this summer, and have a friend in town that’s going to join me via email conversations. Being a country girl 40 miles from town is a blessing most of the time, but can be a little frustrating when she’s looking for some adult fellowship!
God’s teaching me knew things in different ways however. I’ve been helping outside quite a bit, as we are short one hired man. So I have been doing lots of ranch work: working cows, operating machinery etc. Today while working cows and calves, the importance of leadership was driven home by that very herd. They milled around in one pen and milled around–seriously frustrating all four of us on two legs–until finally one brave cow stuck her nose through the gate and headed into the next pen and the rest of the cows started following the tail ahead of her. Leadership is so important, and Godly leadership is crucial, because people want someone to follow. Better to follow someone to safety than to hell!
I have to say I was moved by all the posts from Amanda and the other bloggers last week 🙂 Very touching and yes…my family and I were moved into action. We sponsored our very first Compassion child–a little girl from Guatemala. We cannot wait to receive her packet of info to begin corresponding with her 🙂 I have taken note of how much the letters and emails mean to these kids. Thank you for sharing this–I am thankful to know this as my family and I get started on our sponsorship journey.
As far as a fall Bible Study–tonight I start BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) which will continue through next May.
I am also soooo looking forward to your 4th book in the Personal Reflections Series on the life of Paul to come out on October 1st. I have completed the other three and with each one God targeted them at just the right time in my life as I went through some troubled waters during each of the 3 month studies on Jesus, David, and John.
I highly recommend these studies to everyone!! Even if you have already completed the DVD teachings and workbooks of each.
I’m excited to work my way through the life of Paul and his journey of faith! Thank you so very much for the Personal Reflections Series!
Love you Moore ladies! Thank you for doing what you do for our Lord!
My husband and I are headed to Santa Fe, New Mexico the first week in October. I am excited to see some fall foliage, eat some good green chili enchiladas, and read by the fire.
I had to laugh over the “rat in the garage” comment. It really sounds like something you would say and have us in stitches about … “Don’t we all have rats trying to sneak in through our garage”. lol!
I’ve been watching your blog extra close to see if you would give us a peek of what you’ll be talking about this weekend. Our church has undergone a fabulous change and we now house FOUR bodies of Christ in our building. Ladies from all four churches are coming together on Saturday to attend the Simulcast that you are doing this weekend. I am knee deep in tickets, ordering food, planning the lunch space and helpers, and all that goes into having a group of women come together to be blessed and bless one another for a day. It’s like Christmas, but with Beth Moore. I can’t wait!
I want you to know we’ve been praying for you. Our prayer is for God’s anointing upon you, and a UNITY among the women who are gathered this weekend. They will know us by our love, amen?
Blessings on you this week, Beth!
So Beth,
You crack me up! I am sooooo excited to be attending your simelcast this weekend in Rome, Georgia. I was just trying to see what you are going to be speaking about. As usual, I can’t wait to hear what the Lord lays on your heart…maybe only today or tomorrow or even on the plane to Chicago. Isn’t our God awesome that way? Well, I do have a question for you. A girlfriend of mine and I are desperately studying in Proberbs…yes, the Proverbs 31 Woman. We are both seeking God’s guidance in molding us into such. However, we have been guided to the beginning of Proverbs and are slowly getting to the 31st book. I have been made aware that you have written a book about the Proverbs 31 Woman. I would love to know the name and any insight to our study. My heart is longing for God’s word! It’s a place I have never been before in my Faith…Wow! I just want to feed this desire correctly. Thanks for your continuous ministry…praying for you on Saturday. Katie Kilgore in Carrollton, GA
Beth,
I am so thrilled to know that you can be all over the place and still make complete sense.
This past Thursday a group of us ladies met for our intro session for “A Woman’s Heart, God’s Dwelling Place.” I had done the former study several times years ago. I just want to thank you so much for slowing down!! :0) I was a little leery to do a revise study, but I want to say, God really did revise it. I love it more than I did 10 years ago!
Thanks for your servants heart. You have taught so many well.
Terrie
We are starting Priscilla Shirer’s One in a Million this coming Tuesday. I spent all day today getting lesson stuff ready for the ladies in my two groups. We have several new “non-churched” ladies coming to our morning group and I am EXCITED about that!
I loved Amanda’s posts from Guatemala. I needed a friendly kick in the pants to get back on track with corresponding with our new little girl in Honduras.
Bible Study: We are doing “Discover Your God-Given Gifts” by Don and Katie Fortune. It has been very eye opening for each of us as individuals as well as beneficial in understanding the “whys” of other’s behaviors, attitudes, actions, preferences, strengths and weaknesses.
It’s not heavy on Bible study though, so I’m searching for some guidance.
Feeling challenged by the teachings of a Messianic Rabi who visited our church. Need to do some research.
Loving my boys! Hubby plus a 5 year old and almost 2 year old.
Like you, maybe when it’s not 100 degrees in Tucson we’ll venture to the park or the zoo or the pumpkin patch.
Just started in a study on forgiveness at church. Our group went from 15 to 30. Seems to be a theme in my life. He has been so sweet to restore relationships and bring closure. Don’t give up, it had been 30 years since I had seen family members. He is in control.
I have been blessed with a lovely group of women for our “small group”. This is my third semester with these ladies and average 20 blessed souls. We have done Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed. Breaking Free, and we are ready to start Discerning The Voice Of God with Priscilla Shirer. We are also looking forward to you coming to Birmingham, AL in December 2010 for Deeper Still. We will be attending as a group. May God bless you and yours.
1. Plan for victory? To stay in the word because I know,I KNOW what I am capable of, and without God, it isn’t pretty.
2. I help facilitate/lead a group of Community Bible Study gals and we are 1/2 way through Priscilla Shirer’s latest study on Jonah. Also, am working through John MacArthur’s “12 Extraordinary Women of the Bible” with two girlfriends.
3. This fall has me also walking through something that has been not that far back in my history…cancer. I walked this soon to be 8 years ago with my Mom, and now with a friend that was my refuge in my growing up years as I came from a hard/difficult home life. Can I tell you, this side of heaven is not for the faint hearted. I’ve got tears rolling as I had to tell my Mom good-bye and I am only hours from telling my friend as well. I saw her on Friday, and it was a joy to do so. I plan on going again tomorrow as her body is shutting down. I am standing on the promises of Jesus and clinging to John 16:33.
4. I am also continuing with my scripture memorization, almost 36 by the time December 31st rolls around.
I am so thankful to be a part of this group of women that love Jesus like I do!
I just wanted to tell you that I love you!
Yolanda,
Praying for you. It must be so hard.
Rebecca
Yolanda,
You and your friend are in my prayers.
Much love in Him,
michelle
Thank you ladies so much, your prayers mean a ton!
I love you too, Miss Patty!!!! Looking forward to seeing you in 2011 😉
Beth,
I LOVED how you posted things in bullet points to summarize your life…so I’m gonna try it here!
*Just got done today with two GLOWING Parent-Teacher conferences for my twin boys…I am always a bit nervous…more because I feel like I have gone back to school along with them! They are thriving…all the praise to God!
*We are awaiting the most awesome financial blessing FINALLY (a big project for my husband) which is approaching us in God’s timing and we are already Thankful and Grateful!
*The trees here in Nashville desperately want Fall to come but it was 91 here today…so I feel your pain for Fall!
*I am reading through the New Testament in 30 Days…solo!
*I am working on my front yard with reckless abandon and God has reminded me just how much I love to be outside and garden! How awesome is that! (I got poison ivy this past weekend…but the yard is really shaping up! LOL!)
*Through all of the craziness I have been able to work a lot in my boys school…which is my absolute favorite blessing of being a stay-at-home mom and one that God continues to bless me with! I love love love it and I am humbled that he has allowed me to do this!
Ok…that’s all for now!
Hugs,
Donna (the mom of twin boys!)
Thanks for the update Beth! And yes I am blessed to be in a study with a group of ladies from my church: “Faithful, Abundant, True”. We had our first time together last night and we watched the first video….Kay Arthur spoke. Oh my goodness! The LORD had filled her so full and she was just pouring it out! I loved it and was convicted to the core! A newer believer was there and she was pointing to her heart as she said…”it was gettin’ to me right there!” Really looking forward to going Deeper Still! Love ya’ll there at Living Proof!
Well, I am going to the Beth Moore simulcast Saturday! I am so excited about getting that spiritual “shot in the arm”!
Life is good- I am in my 36th and last year of teaching my darling little kindergartners. I just got a new puppy- Bailey, 9 weeks old! He is 7/8 schnauzer and what a little darling- “just what the doctor ordered” for a single lady whose grown children and family live waaaaay too far away! I do have the sweetest doctor, and she was so right about this!
Happy Fall to you, Beth- I think our fall will be just like yours, so we both will have to live vicariously through the Siestas up north!
Love,
Fran
Gulf Shores
Also attending simulcast at my church here in Indy. Can’t wait!
Well, we have a little mouse in the garage and I am trying desperately to get rid of it.
I have decorated my home with my cute Fall decorations. I turned 46. SEC football started, color me happy or my school’s colors of orange and white. 🙂
In our Wednesday night Discipleship classes, I am reading “Crazy Love”. This book and the videos are amazing and thought provoking and truly is changing how I worship God and my prayer time!
In Sunday school, we are studying Jonah by Priscilla S. This study has been something else and I have loved every convicting moment of it!
This weekend I am going to a wedding to see a sweet young lady get married. We kidded with the mom of the bride that it was a sin to have the wedding on football Saturday when Tennessee plays Florida. lol SO, they rented a banquet hall with 2 big screen tvs. Only in east Tn. lol
Much Love,
Patty