Hey, Sweet Things! I’m sorry I’m not able to check in more often during this season! It’s mostly just me on here with you these days and the balancing act of a heavy writing and work schedule with a very busy family imposes some sizable limitations. To say that we all miss AJ is a vast understatement! I’m still so proud of her for the decision she made on behalf of her family. It was the right thing but we surely do have a gap around Siestaville. Thankfully, I don’t have a gap in my heart and home where she’s concerned. We all live life in pretty close community. Her little family is unending delight to me. We have LOVED having Melissa and Colin back! Their apartment is just darling and we so hope they stick around a while. Something really fun happened last night. Melissa and I knew we were going to be out much later than usual because we were hosting guests after Bible study so she asked Colin if she could just spend the night at our house. She lives much further out than Keith and I do and, after dropping me off at my house, she would have been super late getting back to her apartment. Colin blessed her to do that then called back a little while later and said he’d just come, too. So he packed a bag and they both stayed at our house. That is one reason why we love him to no end. He is a family man to the bone. Hopefully Melissa will be able to say hi a little more often on here in the near future. We are keeping her hands full but she has a soft spot for Siestas. That’s a fact.
I’m just sitting out on my back porch having a few minutes to myself. I’ve been throwing the ball to Star and watching her and Geli chase birds and reflecting on the last day or two. God brought us another astounding group of women last night. I have never seen a larger group with a smaller feel. What I mean by that is, they participate like they’re all on the front row. If I ask them to repeat something, they do it LOUD. They stay right on point and they’re happy to tell me if I miss a blank on their handout. (I love that. That means they’re paying attention.) Honestly, I think this is one of my favorite Tuesday night groups ever. I know, I know. I say that a lot. I fall in love easy. But my worst nightmare is that I’d just keep “teaching” the same people the same thing year after year after year after year and nobody’s heard a fresh word in five years but everybody’s too fast asleep to realize it. O Lord, deliver us. This is one reason why we have to study under many teachers and why teachers have to serve different groups. Sometimes we need to shake it up. It’s so easy to grow dull of hearing even a voice we dearly love. Sometimes all it takes is a break. Other times we need a change. Knowing the difference is critical.
I am so relieved and grateful to our merciful God that, for now, He’s bringing numbers of people we’ve never seen before and even their presence there stirs up the ones who have been around a long time. I love the familiar ones and the new ones alike. My concern is that women be in the best environment for learning and living the Scriptures. When we’ve ceased hearing or changing, we need a new environment. I am also mindful that, as I beg Him to keep me fresh and thrilled in His Word, that He often uses difficulty to answer that prayer. About the time I’m feeling a little lifeless or dull, something happens to make those words jump off the page again. Most of my revivals come from survivals. I still need Him so much. I need His Word. I need His Presence. I need His help. I need His deliverance. It’s weird to realize that sometimes our desperation for Him is an answer to our very own prayers to love Him like nothing else. He is so faithful. I shake my head at the wonder of Him again today.
Last night we had a treat that many of us are still talking about today. Kari Jobe and her band led us in worship. Many of us were first introduced to her through “Revelation Song” and are familiar with her through the Gateway worship projects. She is tremendously gifted, blatantly anointed, and absolutely delightful. Amanda had the joy of hosting Lysa TerKeurst at Bible study last night and afterward for a quick bite while Melissa, Michelle, and I hosted Kari, her mom, her sister, her coworker and several lifelong friends. By the way, you guys, Lysa TerKeurt’s book Made To Crave is flying off the shelves and into the hands of women who are being deeply effected by the power of Christ. It is one of two books I plan to read next. Made To Crave recently hit the NY Times Best Seller list and we praise God for drawing attention to this powerful message and messenger. I noticed that a number of you were reading it in your comments to the last post. We got to have Lysa at Bible study last night because she was in town for interviews all day today on our local contemporary Christian radio station, KSBJ. (89.3 FM – find it on line. You will love it.)
Here are a couple of pictures we snapped with our iPhones last night after dinner with Kari. We took several of the whole group with a regular camera but those haven’t made it to me yet. Is she the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?? (Yes, single, but not presently interested in everybody fixing her up with their best single guy friend. It is a shame though, isn’t it?) I was so glad that I changed my mind at the last minute and didn’t wear my tutu. She might not be ready for us to dress alike yet. I am going to get me one of those headbands, however. Just think what a poof I could get going with one of those.
This is Kari with Michelle who did indeed wear her tutu. You just can’t see it in this picture.
Well, my man is acting like he’s hungry and I’m supposed to do something about it. I am especially taken with him right now so I’m going to hop off of here and tend to him.Keith and I ride a roller coaster…and it’s sort of on the upside right now. Thank You, Lord. I don’t know why but I’m laughing out loud.
I’m so happy to touch base with you today! I love you guys like crazy! You know what I’d like to hear this week? One thing God is teaching you right now. Just one. Do tell.
Your Mama loves you.
God is teaching me to love difficult people. In my flesh, I do NOT wish them well, but my prayer is that I’ll be able to see them as God sees them in their lost state.
God is teaching me that he will provide. No matter what the need is a difficult person at my job, a cell phone that works, a reassuring comment. If I would just let go, He’s got it covered.
OK, one thing God is teaching me right now…
God is teaching me to STOP seeking the approval of others.
As I was sitting in my car yesterday, waiting to go to a meeting, I was tossing around a few anxious thoughts…most of which involved worry about what someone was thinking of me. All of a sudden, it was like God interrupted the “conversation” going on in my mind and clearly said to me:
“STOP being distracted with worry about what people think of you. I love you SO much, I sacrificed my only Son for you. THAT’s how much you mean to Me. And you are wasting time seeking approval from everyone else because I love you most and I APPROVE of you!!”
🙂
Hallelujah!
Amy … Wow isn’t God Awesome! I just jumped on here to leave a comment and your’s popped out at me. God & I have been working on that exact topic this whole month 🙂 Take a look at my blog if you want to see my thoughts – for what they are worth (haha). Will be praying for you!
Beth…you are so much fun!! We may never meet this side of heaven, but I’m really hoping that my log cabin mansion is somewhat close to yours…do you think you’ll be bouncing like Tigger up there??
A cool thing happened to me as I was taking my walk a couple of weeks ago and asking the Lord to show me to the next scripture vs. He has for my earthly training…the word “refuge” kept coming up. When I got home, I went to the Bible Gateway and found Psalm 5:11 (I’ll let you all look it up)…anyway, this past Sunday, our Pastor was teaching about prayer and God being our “refuge” and He used Psalm 5:11 in his message. The hair stood up on the back of my neck…I just absolutely love it when I get those little nuggets of surprise from Him!!
God is teaching me that He has been revealing himself to me in the daily little things that I was overlooking cuz I was looking for the big moments.
What a great point!
He just spoke to me through your words… oh, He is so good. Thanks!
Hi all!
Mostly I just lurk here, but feel prompted by the Lord to tell you He is challenging me with all of my different kinds of idol worship. It is a deep, deep work and is wrecking me and making me His at the same time. And my prayer is Psalm 119:5-6, “Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.” (Many tears wept over this…)
Love you!
I’m learning that God doesn’t leave me when I mess up and that I look forward to His mercies that are offered me each and every morning.
Amen and amen, Marlyn. Thanks for sharing this scripture. I’m so glad you posted.
Oh…and one more think…after a meeting last night, He is teaching me about submission to authority. I’m afraid I have a looooooong way to go…but, I’m making a wee bit of progress. Praise Him!!
“Let go and let God” He is telling me to give him ALL control of me and my life.
Right now the Lord is giving me a huge lesson in Patience!!! I have taken the hardest teaching job of my life (after 9 years in the classroom and 1 year subbing) working with Special Education students at an altenative school where all of the students have been expelled from their regular schools. Every day presents a new challenge and it is extremely emotional and exhausting work, yet I feel as if the Lord has led me here for a reason, so I trudge on.
God is showing & proving Himself to me in such a mighty & powerful way. On the 1st day of this year, 01/01/11 @ around 11:00 p.m. I was involved in a car wreck with my 15-year old daughter who was in the passenger seat. We were sitting at a red light & someone just ran into the back of our car. No one was hurt, but we were pretty sore for about a week. That was the 3rd wreck (the 2nd in only 7 months) in which my car was totalled. None of the wrecks were my fault.
With that said, all of my devotions & both sermons that I heard on the 1st 2 Sundays in January 2011 talked about trouble, trials, & tribulation. (I jokingly told one of my friends as well as my pastor that I am just getting mine [trouble] over early this year!) And then in the James homework last night (as well as the study Tuesday evening), the focus was on joy in trials. Wow! Our God is the God that can & does & will entice joy in the midst of trials. His protection is humbling & His provision is overwhelming!
Getting back to this particular trial, since I had to buy another car my car payment increased (praise the Lord that I was not upside down on the loan with my 7-month old now wrecked car), but my God supplied not only by an unexpected increase in pay, He doubly blessed by a retroactive cost of living raise that I just found out about today! 🙂 Thank you Lord for your abundant & timely provision & for your overwhelming love for us in & through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Thank you, Beth, for being obedient to the Holy Spirit’s promptings to study James at this particular point in time!
Looking forward with great expectation to what God has ahead for us all. With much love from one of your new homegirls!
There’s no way I can do this without Him.
[“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16 (NIV)]
To love my teenager…anyway. LOL
Amen sister! 🙂
To confess the Word into my situation!
He is teaching me to let go and believe and trust Him.
God is (and has been) teaching me to trust in Him. Completely. I am learning that there is a huge difference between saying you trust in God and truly trusting in Him for all your needs. I keep telling myself, “God has a plan for me even if I can’t see it right now.” It’s not always easy, but His way is best.
God is teaching me to be more patient with my children.
Thanks for your many few minutes Beth, I could cry just thinking about how we are on your mind. I know what you mean sometimes, I want to just jump up in church with a standing ovation and I would be a fish in a fishbowl I just must go ahead and do it!!! no matter what. We need fresh!!!! But for sadder things at hand, please my dear siesta’s pray for my family this week. My husband lost his father night before last and none of his side of the family is saved including him. My husband I mean. This has been a real raw few days. Please pray that God shows himself BIG, pray for me to have preception, to know what and when to say the right things. Pray for my daughters and sons who know the Word as everyone is talking about heaven. This is so hard, especially when my youngest comes to me in private and wants to know, “is Dado with Jesus?” because she knows Dado didnt know the LORD. And she is worried. When my husband came home the next morning after his dad died he said “I wonder if my dad knew the Lord” All I could say was “I don’t know but you need to make sure you do” Sisters Pray for my husband’s salvation.. I feel like I am babbeling but I know you guys know…. love you
Marlinda
Pam, Campbellsburg. In. God is teaching me that He hears our prayers and giving revelation over and over to the intercessers group at chuch. Just blows my mind !!! Comformation like you would not believe. I love it
Love ya Beth
God is continuing to teach me to not build my own “Babels.” The Tower of Babel passage struck a cord in me almost two weeks ago, and still continues to pound out sin in my heart.
I know I long to do God’s thing, for His glory, whereas those building the tower were focus on power and their own glory. But God is making it clear to me that I am too similar to them in my thinking. I get a great idea into my head, usually inspired by a real, practical need, and I’m ready to erect at tower of ministry that satisfies a deeper desire for significance and control.
God is teaching me to stop building, and seek His face instead as I meditated on Psalm 27:4. I know He longs for me to be satisfied by His precious daughter and to find rest in His dwelling place. I am slowly learning to let Him be God and work in His time to accomplish His purposes in me and through. It isn’t that God is saying “no” to the idea, but rather to wait on Him for permission to move forward, trusting Him every step of the way.
I’m especially grateful to God for your beautiful blog today. You talked about your being desparate for Him yet feeling lifeless. I have been feeling just like this all week. I keep trying to seek Him harder and harder (extra time reading His Word, meditation, devotions etc…)to find Him but not exactly finding what I am looking for. You know, much like going to the fridge for something to eat but nothing satisfies. I have been praying that He helps me with this and then I read your blog and you said, ” …sometimes our desperation for Him is an answer to our very own prayers to love Him like nothing else.” Thank you God for your revelation today. Thank you Beth for helping me to find it. I guess He is just trying to teach me that I just need to “love Him like nothing else.”
He is teaching me patience! Something I find hard at times. He is gave me a reward so to speak this week to show me that patience pays off and I tell you I had tears in my eyes. So I am slowly learning. Love hearing from you Mama Beth.
love to all of you!
Today, he used something you wrote about “prioritizing not just the good but the goal…” I wrote a blog post about it, and while I understand if you’re too busy to read it some other busy mom might find it helpful:
http://mississippimom.com/http:/mississippimom.com/thursday-thoughts-prioriting-not-just-the-good-but-the-goal/
Thank you for this post…today’s encouragement continues!
Name one!!!!! For crying out loud. Ok, (but I have more)
One thing GOD is teaching me right now…TO NOT give the enemy anymore PR – and to just BELIEVE THE GOODNESS OF GOD!
I am so thankful to Jesus for knowing I needed to know you. Even thru studies and this blog, you have been used in ways, I cannot even fully explain. You are ONE of my favorite people!
U R tutu cute!
Love you and rejoice in the joy of your marriage. So happy for your out loud laughing moments!
Here’s my nugget, Mizz Beth:
“Daddy comes. Abba comes!” http://momof4braves.blogspot.com/2011/01/daddy-came.html#links
I am falling in love with His Word. The more time I spend in His Word and with Him in prayer the more I want of Him! It’s wonderful. I get excited just thinking about reading and studying. God is so faithful!
I LOVE KARI JOBE!!! And LYSA T!!
What a fun life you lead! Wish I could hang out with all of you!
I know, right?!
God is teaching me to trust in His Soveriegnty. I, for sure, may not understand everything He is doing or even how it will work out, but I can toatlly trust the plan He has! So thankful for that!
Love Ya, Siesta Mama! (had a dream about you, a few weeks ago. We were all at conference and me and a few other Siestas were helping you cut out little, chocolate bunnies out of brown construction paper for everyone to take home. I have no idea?! I hope you are laughing, it made me laugh. And you know, we’d ALL help you cut out bunnies if you needed us to! :0)
Cathedral City, CA
To be Obedient…… I am slowly but surely learning Obedience. 🙂
I’m still trying to process this, but here is what God has spoken straight into my soul just this morning through a wonderful pastor/teacher right there in TX from a little church named “The Village”. As I’m folding laundry, doing my SAHM thing, with my IPod in one ear, and the other open to listen for my 2yr old darling boy, I was getting a fresh word from Pastor Matt Chandler. Is God just a concept to me? Is He something I have knowledge of, and even some desire to know? Or…am I living under the glory of Him? The pressing, weighty, “can’t help but be changed” glory of Him? Has His Glory changed me? Do I take in what I hear of truth, let it settle down deep in my soul, then live out of that truth? Honestly, I HOPE so…but I am praying right now that the Lord will search my heart, and change me if need be.
God is teaching me to not be so easily offended and to be more bold towards people who share their unsolicited opinions…that make me spiral back into a pit. Life is tough…so is the judgement from others. Especially when they tote their cross necklaces and pretty Bibles and point a shaming finger. I used to be fiesty…now I’m chicken.
God has wrought such a miracle in my life this past year…physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. I marvel at His grace and His working in my life. People tell me all the time that I’m a totally different person and my response is that it was a “God thing.” But over and over again I come back to the fact that I am “LIVING PROOF” that there is a God. I SO GET now why you called your ministry “living proof”……because I,too,now realize that I am living proof that the God of the universe loves little ole me. Amazing, drop-to-your-knees in awe amazing!
God is teaching me that what goes on in my mind controls more than I was giving credit. He is teaching me to trust Him & my mind WILL be renewed! Paying attention to what I talk to myself about and learning ways to combat the attacks daily- amazing stuff & so much more peaceful!
How steadfastly FAITHFUL God is EVEN when I am not (2 Tim 2:13). Seeing His awesome work in my life … in SPITE of my slacking-self!
And, oh how I just LOVE this community of fellow-seekers.
PTL for willing vessels!
God is teaching me that I really need to pay attention to what Him – not to worry about the “what ifs” of my life.
He’s teaching me He is enough 🙂
Beth,
Thanks for your post, and sharing about Kari Jobe! I just love her music; she is truly an anointed worship leader. And I am reading Lysa Terkeurst’s book which is really speaking to me too.
God is teaching me that my time of waiting is in His hands. Just like what I’m studying in Revelation we are all waiting on Jesus’ return. Only The Lord knows the timing of the answers,but we are to be ready. And trying to find the strength to not complain in the waiting, is really hard.
Blessings Siestas!
Lisa
He has been teaching me that my family and I are special to Him. And He has been showing in it a few special ways this week. Thank you, Jesus for Your love!
FAITH. God is teaching me to have faith. . . . whatever you ask for in prayer, believe you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24)
I am learning to trust and have patience. Two things no matter how hard I want to do, I struggle with. My job is going to be eliminated on Feb 28th and my 4 year old baby has to have an MRI tomorrow. God is working and I can feel Him guiding me and holding me right now. I know this experience will one day be used for his glory – but I don’t like being so out of control. (So I’m learning to give up my plan to follow HIS)
Stay current…in the word, in the work, and in prayer.
…about the promises. I’m hearing it everywhere in a new way. I hope to seek them out, study it. I’m doing that with the memorization and I bought a new book on it…I want to study it and find those promises, what it is God is pointing me toward. I am excited about REALLY believing and having my emotions and thoughts changed more to His.
God is teaching me that I am enough…just as I am. And that He is always working things out for good. I know that already but He is really reminding me of those truths lately. It’s like there are neon signs flashing just for me wherever I turn lately. I feel Him pursuing me and I am being very mindful to slow down and wait on Him.
Thank you, Beth, for your updates. They always edify and brighten my day.
Have a blessed day!
Love what you articulated in the blog, to find a fresh word from the Lord, so appropriate for my husband and me right now, as we are church shopping. The Lord clearly showed us that it is time to leave our church, but hasn’t shown us where we’ll land yet. But, at the church we visited last Sunday, I did experience that fresh word from the Lord.
What a wonderful smorgis-borg of information kinda update! Been missin you.
OKay, I actually had to walk away and think about your question about where God is challenging us. And I would have to say, where I am right now with God, I am feeling less challenged and more soothed. Life is challenging me, people are challenging me. Oh, the devil is very much active. But I catch myself running into the arms of God for the comfort I need. I do know that He prunes us and nudges us in areas of discomfort for His divine purpose. But here lately, I am feeling less nudged out and more pulled in.
His love and concern for little ole’ me overwhelmes me daily. In fact, the song “who am I?” by casting crowns has become my theme song of lately.
He’s teaching me how and when to stand up and fight for myself (as He is for me). Typically over areas of imbalance (be it circumstantially or relationally).
Hi love!
God is reminding me as the gentle shepherd,He delights in surprising his lambs, and in encouraging us intimately, as only He knows how to, in the midst of the battles we are fighting.
UPS just delivered Made To Crave to my door last night and this morning, only two chapters in she is already convicting me to the core. What a blessing.
Sorry–forgot to add this–through Lysa, God is teaching me that I have indeed made food an idol. I have been learning for a while now to turn my eyes to Him more and more and now we are tackling the food realm of that. 🙂
I was SO worried about my teenage son. I’ve been praying non stop for him and last night the Lord arranged time and open hearts for a long talk. I learned that God is in control and working! Wow!
Last year was a freedom year–free from insecurities, among other things. Now I’m learning to live in that victory, and the word that keeps coming up is fearless. To trust Him with the situation no matter where I am or what is going on…fearlessly. My memory verse right now is Psalm 34:4 “I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.”
God is teaching me to live a life that is pleasing to Him, and to not worry about everyone else. To follow the precepts that are in His word and live a life of good character. Let me tell you it can and has been a lonely place to live especially at work. Thankful when I go home my Godly man is there for encouragement. All I want is to live a life that is pleasing to Him, and will bring honor and glory to His name.
Stephanie, TN