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.
Dear Beth,
I have a question. I need a real life application to know what to do with the pain I feel.
My history: I am a Christian, I grew up in the church and accepted Christ at the age of 10. I have a relationship with Jesus. I read and study my bible daily. I pray. I’m very involved in the body of christ (sunday school teacher, mops leader, praise team, my husband and I teach parenting classes..etc). My husband and I have been married for 10 years. We have always followed God in our relationship. We are godly parents and my husband does the same things that you rave about Curtis doing from the daddy point of view. I have been a student of your for years. You were the first person I saw really passionate for God! When I lived in Houston, I would attend your bible studies and sit in the front row…you can see me in Believing God and Living Beyond Yourself. I even volunteered at living proof one summer before my first child came 5 years ago. We met once a Lakewood(summer session), but you wouldn’t remember me. I am about Amanda’s age and my children are 5(today), 3, and 17 m. Two fun boys and a darling baby girl. They are usually joys to be around.
Anyway, the way I feel attacked lately is by seeing or reading 🙂 about the love and relationship a young grandmother has for her grandchildren. My mother and mother in law have great ministries and serve them faithfully, but I don’t understand why my children take a back seat when it comes to time spent with grandparents. (My love language has to be quality time!) I don’t feel I can express these concerns with them without causing some hurt because they do what they can. Beth, what do I do with this great hurt I feel? I can’t make them spend time with their grandchildren. How do I guard myself against this hurt? This week in particular, I find myself in tears so much. I have responsiblities also, I can’t break down over this each time I’m reminded of this loss…What would you say?
Listening,
Crystal
BTW…I’ll be joining BSF for the first time…we are going to study Isaiah. (Good choice..talking about God healing our hurts at the point of fracture.)
Sweet Crystal, I’m so not Beth. But please allow me to interject something and then, hopefully, Beth will give a much better answer later.
I believe your hurts are big and quite valid. Parenting is tough. It just is, even under near perfect conditions. And while we hope for the support of our families of origin, most especially our mothers, there is no guarantee.
May I say, attend well to your heart. Don’t try to just ignore the hurt or pretend you’re over it. Let God have full access to this. Over and over again. We don’t have to be unaware of the devil’s schemes against us, and hurts that lead to resentment and bitterness are one of his specialties. Beth’s study “Breaking Free” was very powerful in my life in a somewhat similiar situation when my kids were young.
We can’t control how others treat us, but by God’s enabling grace, we can control how we respond to them.
We’re doing “Jonah” by Priscilla Shirer. The Lord’s already using it to turn my life around! And we’re excited to be hosting the Living Proof Live Simulcast at our church this Saturday! Praying for you, Beth!
So grateful (as you are with you sister) that God is restoring my relationship with my brother!! I have tears in my eyes as I think of how God applied His healing balm to our crumbled hearts. Praise Him!
Just started Esther last week with 3 of my bible study sisters. We are also starting Jonah! We will love hearing from God in these studies, as well as hearing you and Priscilla!
I do my study everyday at Subway!!! I have been able to talk with many brother and sisters in Christ and some who are just puzzled by all my pens, workbooks and bible translations!
Love you dear Beth!
This fall I will be co leading the One in a million study. After we finish that one, we plan to do the Inheritance study by a certain author we love.
Amanda you and Ann have posted some very thought provoking stuff. Thanks for sharing with us.
Hello Beth,
Well right now I’m getting settled and adjusted to baby #4. She is such a sweet blessing and is 4 weeks old already! Our 4th girl in 4 years!
I was excited to see what you wrote about you and your sister sharing things and how it made you better people because you didn’t have everything in the world. Recently after baby #4 was born people started saying rude things, and wanting to know why we have so many kids, and making comments about how we need to give them GOOD quality of life and children are so expensive because you have to buy them SO many things they want! It’s so hard for people to understand why I don’t think things are important for them to have. It’s so much more important for them to have God, each other, loving parents, and a home than anything else this world can offer!
So far as bible studies, I’ve been trying to get through your “Heart like His” study. It’s been so good for me. I actually feel like I’m reading about my husband when I read about David’s heart towards God. It’s been very eye opening for me! I’ve also started my own women’s ministry blog, since I’ve not been able to participate in church much with this pregnancy. It’s a proverbs 31 wife challenge. It’s been great!! I’ve broken apart Prov 31 and give different challenges each week. It’s been so awesome!
Love hearing about you and your family! God Bless!!
Beth….
so good to hear from you…. and i love hearing how proud you are of your daughter and her trip to Guatemala! is she the one who used to say every morning, “Are you gonna boss me today?!?” i JUST heard you say that on a DVD today with my Bible study group….. and I’m so glad you asked what study we’re doing this fall….. I’m doing the “Living Beyond Yourself” bible study with an awesome group of women from my church here in Fullerton, Ca. it’s an amazing gathering of women… young / old, married / single, with kids / without kids….
and today’s lesson was so pertinent… and I KNOW you KNOW every time we do one of your studies, God’s timing is absolutely perfect. i wish i could show you a picture of my “viewer guide”…. not a single space to write anymore!
This year has been such a journey for me…. of learning about myself…. going to Christian therapist…. doing Daniel, Breaking Free, and reading “So Long, Insecurity” (in that order)….. and then hearing statements like “take sides with God against your own self-evaluation.” Beth… i have been my own worst critic… and my self absorption has hurt God so much. I have to ask God to forgive me of this disgusting sin everyday. Every moment. why would I believe the lies from the pit of hell over the truths that God speaks through His Word???
anyways… we are only in week one…. 2nd week of homework… and I’m sooooo excited as to what i will learn…. and learning more about how to “pour forth” the ministry of the Spirit.
and thank you for pointing me to Psalm 45:11 – “The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord.” i needed to hear that.
Always love your updates.:)
I miss the changing of the seasons SO much!!
A baptist church here in town (Round Rock, Texas) hosts your Studies twice a year. They offer the study on four different nights so that just about everyone is able to participate. This fall we are doing your Revelation “Here and Now There and Then” study! It kicked off last Thursday night with a group of about thirty women. I too LOVE Ladies Fall Bible Study! Praying like you said that the Lord will give me fresh disclosure of himself! He has already!! It would be too long to post here. I need to write some on my blog…He is SO good and faithful!
Love.
Suzi
I’m listening to our weather report as I type, and we’re looking at 105 and we’re so excited as the low is in the 70s (upper mind you) but at least no longer upper 80s for the low. We met for our first study tonight and we’re doing something new, Priscilla Shirer’s, One in a Million. Wow, I want to be one in a million and enter the promised land. I already talked to one of the gals since we left and we talked about leaving Egypt (the world). We’re so surrounded by it, challenging. Two of my daughters are in the study and I’m blessed beyond words. Next Monday a new ministry for moms of young ones starts at my house, just for them to get together to support each other in that mommy of toddlers stage of life. Mind you I’m a grandma watching my 3 toddler grandchildren. The Lord gave me the idea as I led “Loving Well” this summer. Okay, I’m going in too many directions. Thanks for all you’ve taught me!
Beth,
Well, since you asked…I am swamped this fall! I have gotten myself into two major ministry events and am loving every minute of it! My mind keeps saying that I should be stressed out, but my spirit is flying so high that I know it is only by the grace of God I go, checking things off the “to do” list every single day.
My largest project is to be the leader of a Presbyterian Pilgrimage weekend (a 3-day renewal retreat) in Nebraska in October. It cannot get here fast enough for me. I love it so much.
The other large project is to co-chair and m’cee a women’s one-day retreat in my town. Last year we used “Loving Well” and God moved in big ways in the hearts of women. This year we are using Lysa TerKeurst’s newest study “Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl” and I have every confidence that God will move in big ways again.
My third largest project is taking over the once-a-month elementary youth group at my church and designing a curriculum from my own mind and heart.
Throw in a trip to North Carolina to serve on a Pilgrimage weekend out there, the usuals of life with our six kids (two of whom just started jr high), an adult Sunday school class, and a blog (which is starved for attention), and I am swamped!
But loving every minute of it. Well, most every minute.
You’d be proud of me, though…I actually said no to something so as not to go too thin. I am skipping the fall women’s Bible study, which was no easy task mind you, and will be missing “Jesus the One and Only”. Don’t tell me how good it is or I will feel bad. 🙂
Thanks for asking about us. You are loved!!
Shelly S from Nebraksa
What am I up to this Fall? School starts in August in Japan, so I’m in full swing already. This is my second school year after moving to Tokyo from Malaysia; I’m originally the US. School season means bible study and prayer group. I have the privilege to faciliate a Breaking Free study in our missionary community. The LORD has brought eleven dear sisters to share the journey so near and dear to my own heart’s journey. Father keeps teaching and drawing me into His loving arms, pouring and caring while He leads me to share in this new place. I am struggling with the culture change from US to Malaysia to here–even in the body of Christ. Last week I confessed I’ve been cautious over word choices and recognized some ugly fear of man/insecurities surfacing. Thankfully I know Papa only reveals to heal and that I am in good hands. Why can’t we worship however joyfully without labeling eachother?I’m resolved to be transparent and real, using wisdom and leading as to know my safe places….Been reading Shattered Dreams and have seen a tender start to the year as one of my son’s classmates lost his mom to a driver asleep at the wheel. Hard to think she was just walking across the street and now is gone! Praise that she is attending prayer group and bible study face to face with her Savior! Just sad for us here–even moms who did know this sweet sister are grieving and facing the fears we can all experience about death and leaving our kids behind. We studied Esther and faced our fears last Spring and we know we are BELIEVING GOD no matter what. Praise be to our God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ! He has given us new birth into a living hope! 1 Peter was our school summer memory verse (all 100 verses of it) and Father is ministering to us even before we needed Him to! Well, we are praying for a BIG BIG GOOD to come from this tragic event. I’m asking for no student in this class to leave this year without receiving the love of their savior. I know that not even death can keep this sister from sharing her life for Jesus! To HIm be the glory!…..ok, I just want to say that I read Amanda’s blog yesterday and have had waterworks ever since. I’m gonna embrace these tears and ask Father to use them to water His garden in Japan with them. Use them for good, Daddy. Not one wasted. Love to you, Beth and sisters, from Tokyo.
Hi Beth, I won’t send you any physical pictures- but how about this mental one?
Walking my 2 bigger girls to school, 61 degrees, sleeves/jeans, leaves falling on our heads. 🙂 Come to Wales!!! 🙂
What a blessing to wake up and hear about all of the studying going on everywhere. To not only hear but to feel the excitement of learning from our God.
Our Women’s Ministry is heading into our second week of the Patriarch’s. We have 44 ladies this fall either attending Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. It is becoming so apparent how the Holy Spirit speaks to us individually through the Word. One person talked of how learning about Abram’s stop in Haran with his family while on his road to Canaan was a wake up call to her to not get stuck in the “usual routine” and to get back to God’s specific call at this time in her life. Another shared that taking a trek down to Egypt was her call to travel back to where God wanted her to be at this time in her life. What a blessing.
In our Women’s Sunday School class we are taking the Gospel reading for the week (I attend a Lutheran church) and studying verse by verse. I put together notebooks for each of the ladies with the scripture for each week through Christmas. The past two weeks have been so exciting as we study the gospel of Luke and learn from Jesus’ teaching on discipleship. Here once again, we are learning if we will only ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance/teaching, He will bless and bless and bless us with wisdom, knowledge and understanding. This past Sunday each lady had experienced a different lesson from the same 10 verses of Scripture. God is doing a mighty work in our lives.
Friday morning I leave to spend a girls weekend with my sister-in-law and her best friend in Florida. We will be staying at her mother-in-laws home on the beach at Fernandina. I can’t wait to see how we will be blessed.
Sorry to hear about the rat. About a month ago I was cleaning and heard a very fast “slap slap slap slap” and saw a blurr. I screamed and do believe I jumped from my knees to a sitting position on my couch in one very quick motion. My husband just looked at me and laughed when I said, (at the very top of my voice) “I think it’s a skank!” Very unemotionally he said, “Well how do you think she got in here and she must be very small!” I continued yelling – “I mean a skink!” It was a skink and we don’t know how it got in the house but we still laugh about me saying “SKANK”.
I hope everyone will have a great, awesome day with the LORD.
I love that Jackson get to play soccer. Your story of letting him sleep in his shin guards reminded me of my son at age 5. He played indoor soccer in the middle of winter his first year. It was so hilarious the first day he put on his shin guards. We were at the gym and he said, “Mom, kick me!” and being the great mom that I am, I did (not hard of course for all those ready to call Child Services). People looked at me like I was abusing my son and I’m sure I probably should have thought twice about it but my tough guy just wanted to know that his legs really would be protected.
Now 5 years later we are preparing for our first ever swim meet and he is nervous again. I wonder what he might ask me to do this time, you never know with that kid.
Thanks for encouring all of us to keep on keeping on with our Savior.
We travel a lot because of my husband’s work so this fall I am going visiting southern baptist churches, so many great churches so little time. I am going to attend a couple of bible studies, kay arthur and somebody named Beth is doing the other one and meeting some new siestas along the way. I wanted to share something so wonderful yet a lot sad. Last weekend, my brother-in-law who is early stages of alzheimers was baptized after an almost 40 year marriage mostly not going to church with my husband’s sister. What an awesome weekend for him and my sister-in-law. The picture of them is worth more than a thousand words. You must be so proud of Amanda. Can’t wait to hear more of your family’s adventures.
The Lord is rescuing me from many, many years of being trapped in a sin-repent-sin cycle of bulimia! I am in the midst of a wonderful Christ-centered, 60-day experience which God is using to renew my mind and change my heart. I had no idea how many lies I had believed. He has been so gentle with me as He unwinds the thorny vines of self-hatred, and self-abuse I had been strangling myeslf in. So, this fall, I can and will experience my favorite of God’s seasons instead of missing out on the blessed life God has given me with my husband and children because of my preoccupation with food and a number on the scale or on my tag of my jeans.
Praise God!!!!!!
Living Beyond Yourself, Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit. We just started this study last night and actually had more people come than had signed up. We have to rush order more workbooks. Exciting!
Our church, FBC Naples is doing So Long, Insecurity together with help from our wise & anointed pastor’s wife, Janet Wicker. She is going through scripture with us as we read & discuss this most needed book. How appropriate that I showed up the first week to a study addressing insecurity only to find that my sign up card (the one where I indicated the table of good/secure friends with which I ALWAYS sit) was “misplaced” & I was seated with strangers! Talk about confronting my issues with insecurity before even doing my first chapter! I guess God wanted to be sure I was fully aware of my insecurity from the get go!
As far as Fall, I can relate in So. fl, I always say the only way we mark seasons around here is with coffee creamer… You know it’s Fall when you buy Pumpkin Spice. Winter is Peppermint Mocha, etc!
Love y’all! Thx for being y’all!
Hey Siesta Mama,
We are really exited about our first ever Siesta get-together just for fun and fellowship! On October 9th the girls who live close enough in NC VA and SC (5hr drive each way) are gathering at my house on the lake for the day to have lunch and take a boat ride and then talk our heads off about you and our Bible studies all day. I plan to get out some old VHS tapes and show portions of the old Bible studies you did before Lifeway had you do them over again. Some of us can say we knew you then and others can just marvel at how far you’ve come! One reason we decided to do this now is because my sister Carolyn from California will be here and she missed seeing everybody in Richmond. So, as you say, “Shoot fire, we just need to get together again!”
We are Beth’s Raleigh-Greensboro-Richmond girls!
Dear Beth – thanks so much for sharing! We love to hear. Fall is gearing up here in New England and, not to gloat, but the air was downright crisp last night. The leaves are turning early and the pumpkins are coming out. I am excited to be new a study by Kelly Minter, “No Other Gods,” with women at church this fall. And I’ll be helping my little girl adjust to first grade and my son, who has autism, start preschool for the first time later this fall when he turns 3. God is good…
Ladies Bible study begins TODAY – praise Jesus! – and we’re doing “Covenant” by Kay Arthur. Next month, my husband and I head to Kerrville TX to see our youngest son at Shreiner University.
I am kicking off Fall this Saturday (9-18) on my 50th Birthday. My beloved and I are flying to Calgary, Alberta Canada and then hiking in Banff and Jasper National Parks for 10 days!! He’s made me keep Oct 9th open because he says he has something special planned for just the 2 of us! Hmmm…..
My sweet family already threw me a surprise party over the Labor Day Holiday weekend complete with one of my children (who lives out of state) coming in, with spouse and kids in tow!
After the brutal summer we’ve had (a daughter is in rebellion, my FIL passed away suddenly and the next day my precious Mother was diagnosed with cancer) I am ready for this season!!!
I haven’t made up my mind on what I intend to study next. I’m planning on listening to God intently while I am on our trip. Being in His creation has a calming effect on me like no PROZAC ever could!
Connie Hopkins
Denton, Texas
Wow, sounds like you had a well deserved weekend, praise the Lord!!
God has blessed me with the opportunity to speak at a women’s retreat at Seneca Lake Baptist retreat center this weekend! I’ve got big shoes to fill as the two topics are Identity in Christ, which I’ve really enjoyed preparing for, and a Cinderella story. That one is suppossed to be funny, I had no idea how difficult it is to be funny when you’re ASKED to be funny!! God is going to show up either way I know, and that’s the point anyway.
I’ve also started a book called “Search for Significance” by Robert S. McGee, wow, what an awesome study so far, he gets into some rather deep subjects that can be hard to face, but his presentation is really great. I’m also getting ready to start writing my first book!!!! I’m titling it “We all Have Tattoos”. There’s such a stigma about tattoos, that had our church been different, I may not have been blessed with the Lord’s call in my life, and my husband and 2 boys wouldn’t be becoming the fine Christian men they are. I ask you for prayer for God’s wisdom and mercy as I venture out into the unknown with this, can’t wait to see what He’s going to do!! I’m also getting started on a study called “Living By the Book”. Anyone ever done this one?
I’ve babbled enough now before I’ve had me coffee this morning. May God bless your day!
We just started “Faithful, Abundant, True”!!! Small group at church. Love, love, love our ladies’ Bible studies!!!! I’ll be leading Randy Carlson’s “The Parenting Challenge” in October and November. Looking forward to that!
Also trusting God to tell me (through my doctor) that I am cancer free on October 6th at 1:00. PET scan October 5th. Praying that the surgery and radiation were successful and that God has chosen to rid this body of that nasty stuff!
Hey Beth…Thanks for asking! I say that because I have been blessed with a WONDERFUL opportunity and love being able to talk about it. This fall…while outside everything is dying (yes, here in MI, I am seeing red, orange and gold already), I am going to GROW, GROW, GROW. I have been accepted to participate in the Chuck Colson Centurion program. YAY!!! This program involves reading, watching movies, music, teleconferences, regional gatherings, webinars and writing…giving me a firm foundation in the biblical worldview so that I will be better equipped to teach. I have already learned so much…
Hi Beth
I love reading your blog. We are going through teaching our 15 year old daughter how to drive this fall. I love the fall time. I love to watch God’s paint brush over our landscapes. We live in the south so it’s still hot now but can’t wait to watch the leaves change. At church our ladies group is going to do a study on Jonah. I am looking forward to it.
We just kicked off Believing God at the Warrenton United Methodist Church in Warrenton,VA. For most of the class, this is our second time around with this study. In particular, my great friend Amy had taken this a few years back. She just recently had a beautiful baby girl named Sophie who has a rare genetic disorder that causes seizures, Tuberous Sclerosis. Sophie will need brain surgery once she reaches 4-6 months and has been in and out of the hospital more times than I can count in her first few weeks of life. I am so grateful that Amy has decided to come despite all this and raising 2 additional school aged children. She is teaching our class that we need to Believe God more than ever!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for this study and please pray for baby Sophie.
I’m sorry it’s still 100 degrees there…I’m in Lancaster Co. Pennsylvania and we have some of those leaves you speak of! I just started your To Live is Christ Study at a local church and I’m loving it. I’ve never really done Bible studies until last when I tried Esther…I’m hooked! There is so much to learn in His Word! I do have a question for you. In both Esther and Paul you put so much emphasis on getting quiet time done in the morning. And while I understand and agree with your logic, I find it extremely hard to do. I’m the mother of a 6 and 4 year old and I’m having our third in Feb. I’m tired. Getting up that early is not always doable, especially since I am NOT a morning person. I wish I was sometimes. So, my question is, when your girls were little, did you still get up extremely early or did you just fit it in when you could?
Ahhhh fall in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia….have to tell you the colored are typically phenomenal! So far—just a few leaves.
Started the new Breaking Free 2 weeks ago with our college age focused church. http://www.aletheiachurch.com Can you imagine the impact 20- twenty somethings could have now and in the future? Whew!!!! Go God! Off to study…
Peace,
Cynthia
Hey sweet Beth!
I absolutely live and breathe randomness so much of the time so I love these posts! 😉
We just joined a brand new church a few weeks ago so I’m still trying to find my way. I’m doing Revelation solo. I’m so thankful for the opportunity via technology to still be able to do bible study even when its solo. However, my personality is DYING for a group.
My kids are busy playing football and running cross country so we are all over the place but I love every second of it. I’ll be praying over Amanda and Curtis as they enter this new season. It can bring out the worst in me…i’m way too competitive, but I’ve chilled out over the years.
Anyhoo….would you be so kind to say a prayer over this girl who is not a speaker but has been asked to speak this Sunday night at a womens event?? Its an awesome western event called “Bibles and bling!” How cute is that? Anyway…I’m able to share how God brought me through an intense wilderness season this past year. Isaiah 58:11 is the text.
Love you all….So thankful for this group!
Fran
TN
Beth,
Our group, the Beloved Beauties, from Florence, SC are traveling to Chicago tomorrow to see you. To say we are excited, would be the understatement of the year. We have done several of your Bible studies and the group keeps getting bigger and bigger. We named ourselves the Beloved Beauties after our Esther study, where you kindly refer to women as beloved and after Psalm 45:11.
I thank the Lord for you answer to His call, because through Him and the messages that He has given you, I have watched myself and several ladies grow in their walk with Christ.
See you Saturday!
I failed to mention that our group starting your study on Revelation last night. We are thrilled to be back in the Word together after the summer.
My girlfriend and I are facilitating Priscilla Shirer’s “One in a Million” at our workplace this fall. I’m so excited tog et started!
Hey, Hey, this past Sunday started the Women of Faith Study A Grand New Day It’s not too late to begin again.
Kay,Midland
This is a season of much transition (and I pray healing). After three years of homeschooling combined with caregiving for my parents with Dementia/Alzheimers, I am home alone. My father passed away in April, after 2 1/2 mos. in a nursing home. Nine days later, my mother had to go to a nursing home after a complete break with reality. My children are all back in school, and my husband is back to work (he’s a teacher).
I have been exhausted and depressed dealing with guilt and sadness. It has been the loneliest most difficult years of my life. Were it not for God, my husband, and my children, I’m not sure where I’d be. It has been a season (15 years) of God stripping away just about everything. I understand that He gives and takes away. Sometimes I have been able to rest in that, but other times – not so much! I long for His healing and restoration (I am praying for Him to restore the years that the locusts have eaten).
We are also in transition looking for a church (very difficult and another part of the stripping away). I am going to be doing the 8-week study, “The Changing Power in the Blood of Christ,” by Jennifer Kennedy Dean, starting at the end of this month. So looking forward to being in His Word and fellowship with a group of women who believe in His love and power. God’s blessings to all, and thank you for any prayers offered on our behalf.
Oh sister. Praying for you in your loss and adjustments. He loves you so!
Thank you, Kimberly. I appreciate your prayers. God bless you.
Beth, glad you got to read-
Amanda-glad you are home! Shin gaurds to bed-all boy.
Melissa-where are you?
Our chruch ladies are doing Patriarchs-but I will be in the nursery, and I’ve done Patriarchs, but may do it again. We’re studying ancient history this year(my daughter and I) and her book and Patriarchs start w/the Tower of Babel. Divine syllabus. I love it.
I love reading about the everyday things going on in your life.
The sweet ladies in my church and I will begin Faithful, Abundant, True next Monday (Winkler’s Grove, Hickory, NC). I have missed Bible Study with these ladies and can’t wait to get back in the thick of it. A good portion of us saw you with Kay and Priscilla in Greensboro, NC last year where we heard Kay and Priscilla’s same messages. We wanted so much then to take a deeper look and this gives us our chance.
My advice for Fall …. even in these NC Mountains, the temp was 90 yesterday. Ugh! That ought not be so in September! My kids and I came in after school, I shut the blinds (out of sight, out of mind), lit several Bath & Body candles in Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin, made hot chocolate with whipped cream and pretended it was chilly outside.
That’s our perspective.
We love you in Hickory, NC!
Beth! We are doing your Revelation study in our church Hoffmantown in Albuquerque!! We had a great group last week and are excited about tonight!! Everyone thinks it is a wonderful study!! My 4 siblings and I are dealing with care for my 89 yr old mother. she refuses to let us do anything for her care. We are split about some, and it is hard. Pray for us that we can glorify the Lord in all we untertake. My Son is a coach of a girls volleyball team here and the season is in full swing. I just pray for his witness to all the girls. Love you!!
Beth – We will pray for cooler weather for you!!!! I just can’t tell you what a different outlook on life I have since it doesn’t feel like 100 degrees everyday.
This fall is going to be wonderful, we have finally found a small group in our church that we love! We have started a new series on the book Plan B by Pete Wilson, which is wonderful. I am once again enjoying hanging out in my hammock reading and I feel that I have been filled with a breath of a fresh spirit from the Lord. (After being in a dark place for 2 years.)
This weekend I am looking forward to attending the Beth Moore Videocast. 😉 I am just telling ya, Lexington blessed my socks off and I am looking forward to Saturday.
I have joined a new Women’s Bible Fellowship and am being challenged like you wouldn’t believe.
Looking forward to a hayride in the Smokey Mountains and then a good old fashioned bonfire to roast weenies and marshmallows on.
Fall is my favorite time of the year!!!! I tell ya what I am just so filled with Jesus that I am sloshing over.
I have been attending the Prodigal Chid Ministry meetings at my church. It is for parents with prodigal children. It has been a blessing for me.
I have been doing Join the Journey with my church. We are taking the year to read thru the Gospels.
I have also been doing your 90 Days With a Heart Like His daily devotional and….I have started your study on Revelation.
Thank you!
It seems all I do is cry anymore. Tears of joy, humble tears, tears of understanding. Thank you Beth for your random thoughts sprinkled with so much of God’s love. I thank Him for moving the mountains in your personal realtionship with your sweet sister. (I felt the hug between Gay and Travis when they met at Fall Forward, had to hold myself back to go get one from her too). I was humbled by Amanda’s sharing of her heart, and intend to look up tender hearted in Strong’s because I just know it will say the Greek/Hebrew translation includes teaching others much. The tender hearted feel from the heart first and they get it to their very core sooner. Congratulations to Keith! My son competed for a time in Skeet shooting! I am so proud for you Keith. Beth I watch Wed with Beth this morning when Keith was on there as a guest with you reviewing James and Betty’s new book Live with Love I just gushed tears when Keith raised his hand to speak (ha) and stated “you gotta quit hurting each other”. Wow. My husband and I battled like a cow and a bull for 29yrs and Keith is so right, neither of us would ever win, we’re both too much alike, it took getting to a point like Keith said you just gotta quit hurting. Then blessing upon blessing after downloading and sharing your hairbrush testimony this week it was shared after the interview. God does speak to us! He keeps reminding me that love really is the greatest. I am so ExCiTeD! I am facilitating for the very first time one of your studies (Believing God) on Thursday pm at our church. I had 17 the first night, and expect more. Blessed Lord sent about 8 Aggie girls and they all promised to bring more this Thursday!!! I was invited into two of the girls home when I took them their workbooks and we sat at their table for over an hour praising Jesus and laughing about life. I sense a new beginning for me getting to know the Aggie girls, and once they are bitten by the Beth bug, I know there is no turning back! God is so good. We have a morning LBC studying the same study, this class was added for those who work or could not come in the a.m. I also started last week Here and Now, There and Then Revelations study at another LBC at the same time. Loving combining these two studies. See why I can not stop crying. 🙂
Hello! You are very encouraging and I am so grateful to ‘know’ you. I just want to say thank you for sharing your daughter’s blog, it was truly eye-opening. Also, I wanted to mention that I am participating in an accountability group that is being hosted by http://www.goodmorninggirls.org and I am so encouraged to be in God’s Word. The group started today and I am so blessed to say there are 5 ladies that make up my own online accountability group, most of them being my best friends since high school, over 7 years! Thank you for your blog and everything else that you’ve published! God bless you!
Oh I just had to add one more thing, grin. More studies to list for a lifetime because Beth asked again what are we studying hallelujah!!! When I visited the two Aggie girls and in our getting to know each other I found out both are seniors, and one is leaving when she graduates to go to China and teach English. Not through a mission field. Madi shared she had been concerned about staying active in a church. She was so happy to hear there are online Beth Moore and other studies. I came home and copied all of my “last a lifetime” Bible Study/book suggestions from this blog to a little notebook and I put my original list in an envelope for Madi so she will never be without a study! I also picked her up a copy of Voices of the Faithful it was the one book I mentioned she wrote down right then and she said she was for sure going to get before she left. 🙂
Fall ladies Bible study of Now and Then… Small group start up again, cannot wait. But received word this morning, that one of our guys was seriously injured horseback riding. His horse spooked, there is some pelvic bleeding, wife was not with him but is on a plane now, Pray please for Jeff and Tammy.
Taking my grandson to Bible studies with me. I love it. Apple orchards, fresh cider, fall festivals and COLTS FOOTBALL. Yeah I know they didn’t start out with a win, but it was just the first game.
My “Tuesday morning group” of 8 has chosen “Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed” as our fall study. Just discussed week 1 yesterday and watched Priscilla’s fine first session last week. It takes us twice as long as recommended to finish any study published. That’s because we will discuss the homework one week and watch the video the next week (or vice versa) and most of us need 2 weeks to do 1 week of homework! We have such a rich, full prayer time and don’t want to ever cut that short and if we did prayer, discussion and video watching all in one sitting, our time together would have to last all day–which would be fine with most of us but our families might object!
I did not ever post a final comment on the Ruth study. Many gals in the above mentioned group along with about 15 others did Ruth this summer with you. We were on a little bit different timetable so I wasn’t always good about posting about our discussions. We finished strong and all loved Kelly’s writing and what we “gleaned” (pun intended) from the book of Ruth this summer. Thanks for the recommendation!
Oh, my other personal “plan for victory” includes memorizing all the Scriptures and Key Passages that I’m teaching 30 3rd-5th graders at our church for Bible Drill!
Just wanted to let you know that our group of five ladies is doing “A Woman’s Heart, God’s Dwelling Place” at Candy’s home. We are using the revised workbook but the old videos that we borrowed from the church library. We are loving it and so thankful to you for pouring your heart into the studies. I just keep thinking about what you said about spending that much time in God’s word, that we will see change. God bless you and your ministry – you have helped so many people draw close to God because you make us realize that He loves us so much, that He is the Real Thing, and He has the plans!
My precious group of gals got together Monday evening for our first night of Bible study together for the year. It’s like Christmas morning opening up the Bible and a new study guide, couldn’t stop smiling. We are headed down the hormone highway with Esther. Our summer was hard but we marveled at God’s faithfulness to our prayers when we were apart. One shared how she carried our picture to court and took it out and prayed “with us” before the proceedings began. There is nothing like a group of God seeking, praying females. Praise you again and again Lord!
I’m sorry but I can’t get that rat out of my mind. Nothing haunts me like a rodent where he ought not to be.
I am blessed to be part of a great church in Georgetown, Texas where one of my roles is small group coach. I am over 6 women’s Bible Study groups – which means I get to visit each one of them and I am attending one at our church – Out of the 6 Bible Studies there are 3 Beth Moore’s – Breaking Free, Jesus the One and Only and Living Beyond Yourself! At our church we are doing Anointed, Transformed and Redeemed! Thank you Beth for sharing your life with us! What a blessing you are and will be to so many this semester! Your efforts were not in vain!
I am the mother of 5 children 3 grown boys, last boy is a Sr. in College Yipee! Two adopted daughters – one home schooled this year – freshman in high school and the other 8th grade.
Hopefully some fun times with my man of 24 years will be going in this semester too.
I love people, and love serving the Lord!
Our Ladies Bible Study at our church in Georgia just began our eleventh year of studying the Bible together with five rotating teachers. We studied Daniel last year and felt that a natural progression was to move on to the Book of Revelation. We are looking forward to a good study this year.
I’ve never understood how you are who you are, and how you are able to be close to so many people after having gone through what you did. It just does not compute for me.
I “moonighted” on my home church while following my husband overseas and across the country on military tours. I met people and experienced God’s glory in ways I never imagined. I was introduced to awesome bible studies and sermons as well, and sat on the edge of my seat, drinking in every word. Now we have come back to our very conservative and, dare I say, stilted church. I am on fire for the Word and this church does not fuel anything except fellowship with lifelong friends. Many have left for other churches and a few ladies have requested that I initiate a bible study. Although I am a teacher and broadcaster by trade, I am very young in the Word. These women can probably quote the bible better than I can, but have no idea how to relate it to their lives.
Does anyone have a suggestion of a good initial bible study for a novice facilitator who will study hard, but will be learning right along with the ladies in the group. Kind of like a “Bible Study for Dummy Facilitators, Study” . Thanks Siestas.
I decided just this week to start a study on focused prayer. I had considered doing your Paul – 90 days study, but the prayer study, an old one, HeartCall by the NAMB kept calling to me. I blogged about it this morning and the confirmations that lead me to that decision. I’m on my on right now but praying that I can get our ladies at church back into a study.
Quick prayer request – my mother has pancreatic cancer and is in the midst of radiation and chemo treatments and my father had some surgery this week. They are both pretty sick and trying to stay strong. Prayers are very much appreciated.
I’m praying for you too and the women’s lives that you touch.
Dear Deborah,
Praying for you. I just added your blog to my favourite list to review later. Keep yourself rested.
Sending up a prayer right now.
Rebecca