Hey, Darling Things! A quick, random post here. The last day of work before Christmas is always ministry-on-steroids around this place. We close to the public and work like crazy to get last minute details done. Several of us (yours truly included) will still have to put in a few days between Christmas and New Year’s but this is our last day of 2010 as a team. Characteristically at some point on the last day, all of us pitch in and help Diane and Evangeline with resources. Lots of people place last minute orders that they’re hoping will make it by Christmas Day and we try hard to accommodate. This year someone also came up with this insane idea that tagged on, oh, about 6000+ orders and in December, no less. (Perhaps you’ve noticed that we are having to freeze new SSMT spiral orders for a few days because we’ve gone into back order for printing.) But we are so happy and the Lord is so faithful!
Christ has called us to Romans 15:13 over the last week due to some long term struggles a few of us are having. We’ve been saying it back and forth to one another as a reminder of His blessing to us. Maybe you could use this reminder, too. Hopelessness is never of God. Never. Nothing is too difficult for Him. Nothing is beyond His reach. His restoration. Even His reconciliation. I’m going to try to write the verse by heart to you:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
As you trust in Him.
As you trust in Him.
AS YOU TRUST IN HIM.
If we’ve got His Word on it, let’s not stop believing Him for our situations until our lack of hope transforms into an OVERFLOW of hope. Do it, Lord. I felt the victory begin the moment I started committing the verse to memory. God is so amazing.
Anyway, here are a few random pictures from the last two days. I had so many more but they won’t upload and I’m so annoyed. This is a quick pic of our staff Christmas lunch yesterday at Grand Lux by the Galleria:
This is your very own Siesta Mama stuffing envelopes with spirals. That’s my buddy of 30 years, Johnnie, to my right (she’s the one the David revision is dedicated to. That’s my buddy of 20+ years, Diane, to my left. She is one of our LPM managers and one of the people I trust most in the world:
These are some of the last minute orders waiting for our wonderful UPS man.
Gotta go! I get to babysit tonight! I’ll be in plenty of touch around here. I love you guys!
Romans 15:13 has been “my” verse for a few years now as God has been working on my heart to trust Him more and more. The coolest part is how God continues to show me how trust-worthy He is — in the little things and in the big ones. Even when I am having trouble trusting Him (which happens more often than I’d like to admit). But it doesn’t stop His love for me — yeah!!
I got my spiral in the mail yesterday, what an awesome early Christmas present! I cannot wait to start memorizing scripture. I already have two verses that need to be put in my mind and heart……May the entire staff at LPM have a blessed Christmas.
Oh one more thing, tonight is our first committee meeting for our Simulcast that our church is hosting!
I think I got my order in before the freeze!!! I know I got my order in for tickets to the LPL in Little Rock!!!!
I’m so excited.
I want to wish you and your staff a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!
Love the verse. I think we all could use that one.
Thank you so much for your heart and dedication. Merry Christmas to you, to your family and the LPM Staff/Team.
Oh thank you for the “random” post. I love the verse and am adding it to the ones I’m memorizing. My study Bible is NASB so I looked it up in that version to see how it’s worded there:
Romans 15:13 (NASB) – Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Well I’ve done “Believing God” so I know believing Him means trusting Him at His word. Yes, do it Lord! I thought, “hmmm…abounds, nobody uses that word…what’s it mean?” So I looked it up in the Thesaurus…
Main Entry: abound
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: exist in abundance
Synonyms: be alive with, be all over the place, be knee deep in, be no end to, be plentiful, be thick with, be up to one’s ears in, crawl with, crowd, flourish, flow, have a full plate, infest, overflow, proliferate, swarm, swell, teem, thrive
Lovin’ it! Merry Christmas siestas!
Mona
How I need to hear the truth of Romans 15:13 this morning. I copied the verse and dropped it into a word doc and put it spaced out 7 times on a page and will take notes between the printed verse as I talk to clients. I think if it was just at the top of the page, I would get distracted and forget it was there.
Just last night the Lord was already speaking to me to trust Him with several things going on in our lives right now. Thank you Lord for this word this morning. I pray it is a fresh word to my soul today. May I soak it up as if its the first time I’ve ever heard it!
Merry Christmas Ya’ll!
Bless you all this Christmas! I had the pleasure of talking a bit to Diane last week when I ordered spirals for my daughter and I. What a blessing and encouragement she was (is). Say “hi” to her for me! As I told her, I pray for you all there at LPM. Celebrate Him “real good” this Christmas season and may you have a wonderful year that finds you delighting in Him more than you ever have before. Love you. Debbie
Yeah!! That is one of my Favorite all time Verses!!! Merry Christmas!!
Well, Ms Beth you just gave me my first memory scripture for my Siesta Spiral. You and God, of course because I’ve been asking him to show me that first most important scripture to start 2011.
Thank you and the Merriest of Christmases to you and yours!!
Merry CHRISTmas!! I love you guys a LPM so much. Praying God’s blessings over you all.
I got my spiral the other day..and it is beautiful! I can’t wait to write my first verse in it! thanks to all who helped get them out so quickly! Merry Christmas!
I never leave a comment. I am a pastor’s wife. Things seem overwhelmingly hard right now. Thank you, Beth, for this verse that is like water to a thirsty soul this morning.
You are so loved, Chrissy. I’m so sorry life is hard right now. Oh, please, Jesus, run to their aid with wonders in Your arms.
I ran out to my mailbox yesterday in the lovely snowy, rain-sleet mix of the Midwest (gotta love it) and to my amazing surprise there were the 2 ADORABLE spirals waiting for my lit up face. It was as if I was a little girl anticipating that perfect gift. And yes it certainly is!!! I will have to say this is the best material gift of my Christmas. It shows an effort to learn and study and memorize God’s Holy Word!!! I pray that He will breathe and imprint these precious words on my heart and all of you.
I must say that you ladies out did yourself, PERFECT!! PERFECT!!! design (are ya all in the creative arts/graphic design business) because they are so BEAUTIFUL!!
I opened them carefully hoping that through the mail they were handled as diligently and with love as you ladies have done preparing them for my delivery!!
From my house and heart to yours:
HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS!!!
P.S. Beth you have been the most inspiring individual in my world and it is so apparent how you LOVE our LORD and Savior. Enjoy the holidays and your beautiful, precious FAMILY!
I am so glad I am a part of your family blog world and of course THE FAMILY OF GOD!!!!
Love ya
Alexia
Thank you so much for the verse…it’s like you were ‘reading my mail!’ Need that reminder as I deal with some family struggles at Christmas…may peace and hope rule and reign this season!!
Walked into my office this morning and a SSMT spiral was laying on my desk!!! A gift from a dear friend & colleague. I ordered 2 but not received them yet, guess I’m giving 2 away!! Grin.
Thank you so much Beth and all the precious ladies at LPM!!! Praying you all have a very Blessed Christmas and the most Amazing New Year!!!
This was truly a Word from God for me today. I have been feeling really hopeless about a certain circumstance in my life and today was really bad. I opened your blog and you had that verse and it was so appropriate. Thank you for being faithful to what God has called you. Merry Christmas to all of you at LPM!
Those spirals are a great idea and the cover is beautiful, thank you Beth & crew who made it happen.
For those waiting to get one, don’t worry about it getting there on time. You could start writing your verses down on a paper or in electronic form.
I keep mine listed in an Excel sheet. I print out multiple copies and keep them in different places so they are always handy – like my purse, the kitchen, the car, and I always keep a copy in my pocket. When the paper gets worn or I lose it, I just print a new copy.
So even if you already have your spiral, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep a backup list of your verses, even just the reference numbers, so you don’t stress if you lose your spiral.
The Excel sheet I use is very simple, I could send a copy to anyone who wants it. Or you could just list your verses in Word or any other text program. You could even just write a backup list by hand and keep it on the fridge!
I just know myself and the enemy’s tacticts, and if I put too much stock in any one document, he can shoot my anxiety level through the roof if I can’t find that one text. So while I try to stay organized, I also keep God’s Word around in many formats so that if I can’t find my favorite Bible right away I don’t flip out. So if you keep a backup list of verses, you can always recreate a new spiral if needed.
Just a thought.
Got mine in the mail yesterday! I LOVE it! Thank you guys sooo much for all that you do!
Thank you to you and your staff for working so hard to get those spirals out! I got mine yesterday and it made me so happy. Merry Christmas LPM!
I love Romans 15:13!! I especially like the Amplified Bible version:
Romans 15:13 (Amplified Bible)
May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.
Bubbling over with hope!! Thank you Jesus!
And thank you LPM staff for working so hard- I just grinned and teared up and acted like a ninny when I got my spiral.
I’m a backorder girl and I’m ok with it. I’ll use the silly ole boring kind while I wait. 😉
Merry Christmas to every last one of you!!! You are dearly loved and appreciated.
Hugs and blessings,
Fran
Reading this blog was a gift from God to me tonight. During the evening I was making some preparations for Christmas but feeling so hopeless over a long term situation in my life. The term I used to God while I worked was “hopeless” and I felt so weighed down. Then I read your blog and God reminded me through you that hopelessness is never from Him and I had been letting the enemy get the best of me. He encouraged me through Romans 15:13 in such a way I had a better night’s sleep than I have had in a while. Thank you for taking the time to share and may you and all yours have the merriest of Christmases. God Bless You All!!!
I’m like several other Siestas who are claiming Romans 15:13 as their first verse….think it’s a great way to begin 2011!!!!
Also, have recently found out that I am going to be a “Gigi” in mid-May!!!!!!! My step-son and his lovely wife are expecting and this will be our first grand baby. “PaPa and Gigi” are absolutely thrilled needless to say! I’m already praying for this baby girl who will bless our lives.
Merry Christmas Beth and all!
Blessings,
Ginger
Wetumpka, AL
Thank you for the verse reminder. Merry Christmas!!!
I got my spiral in the mail today. It is adorable. I can’t wait to start using it in 2011 in what I pray is a much better year for all of us.
Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of New year’s.
God Bless,
Stacey
I love reading all these comments. As I was reading I noticed how many times you respond to them personally…I think, a. there’s a lot to be said for and about that, in and of itself, and b. oh my goodness – you have to read all these comments to moderate them. If my blog got nearly the traffic yours does, I don’t know if I could manage it, with all else you do. Just sayin…and I totally just added another comment for moderation 😉 I just love your heart and know that I know that He does.
Thanks for that Romans verse, Beth. I was feeling particularly hopeless yesterday about a family at my son’s school, and for a friend who lost her brother-in-law who was stationed at Fort Bragg. I sat down yesterday and read my Bible and had a prayer time which gave me great peace, but this verse is extremely encouraging right now, and a great reminder that I have to do the trusting, because He’s already on the job. God knew I needed that reminder! Have a blessed Christmas with those grandies! My kiddos are 6 and 4 and are SO excited to go to grams and gramps place that they can hardly stand it! Blessings on you all!
This verse came at a moment His knew I needed it most. I just buried my father in law Thursday. He died unexpectedly Sunday from a stroke followed by a brain and lung bleed. Complications from cancer we know now that were in the brain. After an emotional week I arrived home to get the news that one of my dearest friends cancer is back and growing quickly. She is my age 38, and it was all just too much to take in. As I sat there in shock tears and grief this verse came from lpm of Romans and I just keep reciting it again and again. The Lord knows just when and how to speak doesn’t He.
Much love
Pk
Got my spiral yesterday. I feel chosen and highly favored!
Oh Mama Beth, I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and blessed new year. It is so nice to put a face to Johnnie. She has been a blessing to this siesta. YOu all are such blessings and we appreciate all you do. Enjoy your precious families and may His joy reign always.
Love to all the siestas here too. You are my sisters.
love
Tammy
Merry Christmas to all the LPM staff…you are all wonderful!
ps…I had a fabulous date at the Grand Lux in Denver Saturday. 🙂 What a treat for your team of wonder women.
I believe that Scripture will be my first memorized one that’s going down in my spiral! Merry Christmas and God bless!
Okay, the most amazing “GOD” moment just occurred. I was reading your blog entry, and then I came to the part about the verse, and I’m like wait, wait, that is the verse I’ve chosen to start my SSMT 2011 with. I’ve gone ahead and written it in my new spiral yesterday when I received in the mail, (beth, i couldn’t wait). Confirmation from God on so many things. One thing I know for certain, God is right here with me in the midst of this season of my life. He’s so faithful. Thank you Beth for what you do for us Siestas. Merry Christmas, Happy Anniversary (I remember that it’s next week) and Happy New Year, may God continue to Bless you Siesta Momma.
Romans 15:13 is also one of “my” verses right now that is really speaking to me and giving me the peace that I need. Thank you again and Merry Christmas, again!
I got my spiral in the mail yesterday and was so excited!!! Thanks for all your hard work LPM. Merry Christmas and may God continue to bless us all through your ministry.
Funny! That is the exact verse I sent to Diane R. a couple years back. She is indeed a treasure. Her prayer over my migraines when we lived in Texas was both powerful and effective. I never had another one. And Diane humbly prayed for my cousin’s daughter, who tried to take her life after her mom died, is now happily married and walking with God.
His Word reverberates and fills our hearts over and over!
I love EACH of you, and honor you, as beautiful-hearted servants of the Living Lord Jesus. Praying daily for you, too.
With Love,
Holly
Oh how reminding me of Romans 15:13 helped! I felt hopelessness the last couple of days due to problems of family. However, much needed fellowship and time in His word, and the joy came back flowing in. I remembered that I have the Holy Spirit in me and so the negativity was not of God. I feel so good to back in the light as I should be, and I feel much renewed for Christmas! I just know I need to keep praying! Thank you so much for your encouragement, Beth! I hope you have a very Merry CHRISTmas! ^_^
Committing that one to memory! What a great reminder, hopelessness is not of the Lord. AMEN
May you and your family have a most wonderful Christmas Eve. I have always enjoyed the Eve better – it’s the anticipation. Thank you for softening this grinches heart slowly over the years to know ‘as you trust in Him’ in so many other scriptures. I finished Breaking Free for the second time in 10 years today and you end with a simple ‘love you Beth’. And you do love us all and you taught so many of us that we can love ‘all’ as well by the power of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Romans 15:13 sounds like a good place for me to start. I am looking forward to memorizing lots of verses in 2011.
Some of you prayed for my daughter when she was having problems with her pregnancy. She gave birth to a little boy….Mom and baby are fine. Of course this grandma thinks he is the cutest thing ever. I had two daughters, and have been close to three of my granddaughters, so this little guy will be fun. Thanks for your prayers.
I would like to get her involved with this blog. Think it would be great for her. Merry Christmas to Beth and family (home and work) and to all you bloggers!
I JUST shared Romans 15:13 with our Sister Melissa G. who is having a health crisis right now!
MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Please go to my facebook page to check out an updated picture of Dailey Rae (and Jack too!).
http://www.facebook.com/tracy.leary?cropsuccess#!/tracy.leary
Tracy
A huge thank you for this verse from snowy England. It is so very timely for me in so many ways! Merry Christmas to you all at LPM and thanks for the blog, it’s been a beautiful ray of sunshine over the past few months!
Got mine two days ago!!! That was quick. I’m secretly hoping that it was packed you Beth!
Praying that all of you at LPM have a blessed Christmas.
I am totally jealous ya’ll get to sit outside! 🙂
OK, just had to laugh, I went back and took a closer look at the pics. When I looked at the lunch pic, I noticed half way down the table two lovely young ladies in sun glasses looking very sisterly!
Merry Christmas to everyone! Romans 15:13 was one of my memory verses from the last Siesta Scripture Memory team! I love how often those verses come to mind as I face the everyday challenges of life.
Hey Beth,
It has been a long time since I have commented on your site. God has been up to big things in our family and I have felt a “little” overwhelmed by all that goes with it. We moved from our BEAUTIFUL location in Oregon to Kansas City. (Where your treasure is, your heart will be also, right?) I have put a word in that when Heaven comes to Earth, if Jerusalem is full and God needs someone to help Him out in the NW, Oregon would be my second choice. 🙂 In all seriousness, my heart is really for intimacy with Jesus above all else, so the yes to move was painful but right.
I was talking with my husband about you a couple of evenings ago. Your work through multiplying the Word through Bible studies has been instrumental in tilling the soil for God to change me from the inside out.
Blessings to you this Christmas! Praying for special times with your growing family and specifically for you and Keith. Praying that you find divine appointments of connection in the chord of 3 strands.
Abundant Blessings!
Jina Patton
Oh, I so need this verse right now! Help me Jesus to trust You more fully. My hope in Him will not leave me ashamed. So. Cal is being slammed with storms, lots of mudslides and devastated people…but, God! He still rules and reigns even in the midst of the storm.
To our Siesta Mama, LPM and all of Siestaville, praying your Christmas and New Years will be glorious and gloriously blessed in Him,
Pam H.>
Buena Park
Dear Mizz Beth:
I love that message of hope! Thank you for blessing us with the reminder of that TRUTH this Christmastide.
I would love to take my turn to bless YOU by sharing this year’s Christmas column. It tells our family’s story of the unexpected, apparently ill timed, and the impossible that became one of the greatest gifts we ever received. (Sound like another baby you know?) I marvel over this miracle every single Christmas and feel such a kinship with Mary like I never did before.
It’s called “Unexpected Came the Gift.” http://momof4braves.blogspot.com/2010/12/unexpected-came-gift.html#links
Glory to God in the highest, “for with God nothing is impossible.” Now there’s hope!
Fondly,
Rhonda