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 remindg me to choose my words carefully!
that’s reminding:-)
He’s giving me His peace as He takes care of my every need!
He is teaching me that the very circumstances that are so hard are His precious gift to me. His GRACE to me. Not just something He passively allowed. He loves me so much He’s giving me something hard to remove the sin and pride that cloud His influence. He want me to shine like the stars and be a beautiful reflection of Jesus in the dark times.
And today I can say THANK YOU!
He is teaching me that we can never be satisfied with less than His best for us. I can be doing a whole lot of things right but if I havent surrendered all of me, all of my thoughts, all of my desires then I am still just a bystander in this walk with Him. I so desire for my walk with Him to be full of authenticity and the grace of living this thing out to His glory. Still seeking to grow deeper.
He is teaching me to Break Free and to stop “eating the ashes”! Can you guess what week we just finished?? LOL
Romona, East Alton
His Word is Truth. His Word is more True than anything in this physical world. I need to see with my spiritual eyes and hear with my spiritual ears. Looking and expecting to see Him in everything I do.
Thank you for saying this:
“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.”
We have attended the same church for decades and I love my pastor and the entire church family, but I’ve been listening to podcasts from other pastors and feeling somewhat guilty about it because I’ve been enjoying those messages more than what I hear at church. Now I realize it’s because I need that freshness, and there is nothing wrong with it. I can still be faithful to my immediate church family and pastor and praise God for the technology that lets us get new insight to His word.
Promise not to laugh…please…
Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still
the ESV version says to be silent instead of still.. i think God wants me to be ssshhh…
He is doing a work in me, thru me and around me… and I am to stop talking and Let God be God and Debbie be Debbie.
heavy sigh….
Debbie how true this is! I had a very dear friend of me tell me once God will do the fighting, you just have to let him. It’s very hard for me as well . . . I have a hard time Let God be God and April just be April. :::hugs:::
I can relate!!
Debbie, I think if any of us get that even a little bit in this lifetime, God could do AMAZING things through us. Keep learning, keep teaching!
Sarah, Lynn and April: i am just tickled by our Lord and the encouragment from each of you. And Sarah PLEASE KNOW that your words “keep Learning and Keep teaching” were directly from the amazing power of the Holy Spirit and I WILL! Thank you so much!
Patience…to wait on Him to do a wonderful work in me as I strive to get myself back in physical shape. Patience…
Last week, the Lord started convicting me about my lack of follow-through on some things, mostly small stuff. Jon never says anything, but I know I’ve disappointed my husband with my lack of follow-through on things I’ve told him I’d do. Then, on Sunday, the pastor taught on having integrity in our lives. Ouch!! It really hit home with me, and boy was I convicted, and yes, I repented! I know the Lord wants me to be more faithful in the commitments I make, even little ones. I also know that He will bless me for being faithful, even in the small things.
hey beth,
i am learning so much reading the Bible through in 90 days. of course i don’t understand everything (all the different kinds of sacrifices, etc) and i will go back later — but reading it quickly just gives a nice overall perspective. it helps tie things together for me. and reading the OT makes me fear God in a healthy way, and it makes me realize how good we have it in Jesus. As a friend of mine put it — we take Him forgranted. If someone disobeyed him long ago he just swallowed them up in the earth, burnt them in the fire or had someone else kill them. He does not take disobedience lightly. He says over and over I am the Lord your God. He is God — the end. So although i still come boldly before the throne — Thank you Jesus for that, i am trying to remember that He is God and I am most definetly am not! love, kimberly 🙂
Beth,
Please write a study on marriage. I need it. I have been married for 20 years, and you talk about a roller coaster. Whew! I love him more today than ever. And, I love Him more today than ever.
Blessings~
God is teaching me that He is the only one whose approval I should crave. I am requiring an adjustment of my entire attitude I as learn to parent an autism spectrum son. Thank you for the link to Chosen Families. It is exactly what I needed.
My daughter was recently married and lives 3 states away from me. My son is headed to Kenya to spend 3 months with orphans. I sooo love my children and would love to have both of them nearby to see and talk with all the time. I am thankful for their love for the Lord and their independant spirits, but am envious of others who have their children nearby. My prayer and focus in my life right now…total surrender!
After years of an unequally yoked marriage that I did everything I could think of to save, and a 2 year struggle through a divorce and healing, I am dating a very godly man. A man that was prayed for and is such a blessing to me. But doing this relationship God’s way is such a rollercoaster. Today, God is working with me on getting me comfortable with a man who truly wants to love me as God has commanded men to love their wives. It is so foreign that I struggle with feelings that I am not worthy of such love. And yet I know that I am because God loves me. So it is back to Beth’s book – So Long, Insecurity for a refresher. Don’t you hate that you think you have gotten this insecurity thing kicked just to find it raising its ugly head again. My memory verses this month Proverb 31. She is clothed with strength and dignity. She is worth far more than rubies.
to listen for Him and to Him.
He is so wonderfully teaching me that at 60 yrs. old I CAN still memorize scripture. I really didn’t know whether I could do it but I have. I even started on my new verse last night because I had learned the other two so well. I was sitting in the dentist chair agonizing through a root canal last Friday and I thought why don’t I just start saying my verses it was so sweet how the Spirit just brought those verses right up in my mind and calmed me as I sat through the process.
To just be still and KNOW that HE is GOD! Trust and Obey…
God is teaching me patience. Patience to wait on him for certain blessings. Also He’s teaching me to live in His presence daily (in all things)…..not easy 🙂
God is teaching me that His Word IS meant to be memorized, hidden in our heart, and READY for use at any and every given moment! I’ve never felt empowered to do it until now and I’m so pumped! I’m having my daughter, Lily, who’s 4 1/2 memorize with me and I’m inspired and thankful for how much she is loving this too. She helps me memorize, helps me say it over and over throughout every day, and helps me get excited to do it. God is changing how I function and changing how she functions. It’s amazing and wonderful to be a part of. I have to say even this last Scripture we memorized was Phil. 4:6-7 and I didn’t think she could do it, but she has it memorized and I love how she overcame even the expectations her own Momma put on her. God is so good. Beth, I wish there was a way for you to see the video of her saying our first two verses. It’s on my facebook page, but I don’t know how to get it to you. Please let me know if there would be a way….I think you would just love to see her sweet face! : )
This is something I have dealt with my whole life (off and on). Unfortunately, it is an “on” season right now and I know these seasons will continue until I allow God to remove this sin from my life – to not allow or expect others to take the place of God in my life. I never really thought about it as idolatry, but I now realize that is exactly what it is. And, as with any idol (human or otherwise), they will leave you feeling empty, hurt, etc. That is why God wants to be our one and ONLY!
I have been in this dry spell or as I would like to call it the wilderness for about 5 years, it became a comfort zone to me and was quite difficult to get out. This wilderness is very very lonely. But our Great, Big, Wonderful God did not push nor did He demand me to move. He just stayed with me until my senses came to the conclusion I cannot do it without HIM. It never ceases to amaze me how He just waits and knows all.
I am praying more and God not only sees me but He hears me. I am blogging through the Bible in this year with some dear Siestas online (reading 3 chapters a day and then make comments at the end of the week). This has been enlightening and just what a girl needs. Boy, isn’t God just truly amazing.
I feel more at peace and alive now than I did because I have allowed God to move me and I am ready and willing not kicking nor screaming.
Wow, isn’t HE WONDERFUL, MARVELOUS
Love you Beth
Alexia
After 27 years of marriage, we ride the roller coaster as well. There are times when I really do wonder why I married someone who does not understand why we need to repaint a room after 20 years. The painter I hired just adores my husband. So much so, I came home from work to find them watching a fishing show and drinking a coke!
And then there are times like last night when I look over at him and blurt out, ” you are THE most handsome man in the world!” I am just nuts about him, and I find myself falling head over heels with him again and again.
I am learning some variation on what all of the Siesta’s are learning. FAITH. HOPE. LOVE. TRUST. and keeping my mouth shut except to praise!!
PS do you really have a tutu, that is sooo cool!!!
What God whispered as I drifted to sleep the other night –
“Service flows from intimacy with Me.”
So simple, yet so deep for me. I applied it to my marriage too!
Yes, that is a great thought. Service to others doesn’t just include our church family but our husbands as well. Thanks for the reminder!
Shannon
Kissimmee,FL
learning that I have a purpose in life and in order to live it out I need to purposefully direct my decisions daily!
The Lord is teaching me how to keep serving Him in my ministry roles while persevering through the last half of my graduate program. Praise you, Father! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and further, I know that I can do it WELL through Him! To Him be the Glory!
God has been teaching me that when I choose to let something go that He has told me explicitly I need to release, He finds a way to give it back to me healthier than it was when I thought I managed it.
Sometimes it has taken a decade to have Him return it, other times it has just been months. I’m glad I’m learning to let go in order to choose His way.
I am learning to be a God pleaser and not a people pleaser!!
Beth, I so love just reading how your doing. It’s like sharing a phone call together <3
Right now I have been so excited to see how the Bible can be so new and exciting even after reading it over and over again. As if it where the first time I have read it….the LIVING word <3 🙂
Psa 27 – I would have lost hope had I not believed I would see the goodness of God in the land of the living.
I want the goodness of God to be specific here-and-now physical replies to my prayers.
God is teaching me that this Psalm was written hundreds of years before the goodness of God did show up in the land of the living – and it was Jesus. He is sufficient – but when I’m honest, I want it to be relief from my here-and-now physical miseries. And the only relief may be more of Jesus. And that will be enough.
Total and complete dependence on Him
I’m learning that “Submit yourselves then to God” (James 4:7) is like a military term. As in, “get in line with your rank”. As in “don’t act like the General when you’re a PFC”. As in, “face to the floor”……
He’s the BOSS. He’s in CHARGE. And the devil has to answer to Him; all I have to do is resist.
I SOOOO need this right now!
Debbie from Magee, MS:
“The appetite of the sluggard craves but gets nothing; but the desire of the diligent will be abundantly satisfied.”
Prov. 13:4
I unforunately have had to be re-taught that He is my Emmanuel. I know this, yet at times of being alone I get fussy and miserable and mad that my family is busy and I am left alone.
Of course thankfully God called me on this, and pointed out quite succiently that what I was feeling was a lie and brought me to the line of discipline. Which made me fall face first and acknowledged my err and have realised He is Emmanuel!!!!
How sad this close after Christmas, He has to teach me Who He is as He came as Emmanuel, but somehow this child got herself lost in a lie and He delivered me !!!
PRAISE GOD He is still in the business of delivering His children!!!
About a year ago in a discusion with a pastor friend, the word obedience came up. Throughtout the year I would find “that” word in a scripture or a talk I heard, but I would just pass over it. Now, just in the past couple of weeks it seems to be every where, so I decided perhaps I had better look into it. That will occupy my study time, I think, along with a couple of other things.
And, isn’t having your girls close wonderful!! I,too, have both of my girls close, and recently was blessed with a little grandson. There hasn’t been a new boy in my life for 16 years, so I am having so much fun. His big sister is 6, so I also spend lots of time with her as I think she needs to know she has not lost one inch of space in my heart. Keep enjoying your family….there is nothing better after our Lord!
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
The “In ME” you will have peace part!
“HOPEFULLY WAITING ON HIM!” In Jesus’ Love Kathy
Studying “Lord, where are you when bad things happen/” with Kay Arthur. God is reminding me…HE IS IN CONTROL…HE IS SOVERIGN…HE IS THE LORD IN HIS HOLY TEMPLE: let all the earth be silent before him.”
Whatever is happening right now, He knows all about it…
I choose to live by faith and rejoice in my Lord, for He is my strength and he will enable me in all things.
God is teaching me to trust Him absolutely in every situation and to stop stressing about things. Turn my problems over to Him and trust in Him to handle things for me.
Well, you asking for one thing that God is teaching me this week made me pause and wonder, “Just what IS God teaching me this week?” The two words He just brought to my mind are “Trust me.” There are some things where I’ve felt a little dissapointed and some others where I’m impatient.
God knows my heart and my dreams. And He’s telling me to trust Him. So I’m going to give it my best shot. 🙂
Our church is starting a 21-day Daniel Fast on Sunday. Never before in my LIFE have I even so much as considered cutting coffee during a fast (unless it was to intercede on behalf of my kids or husband in a dire situation). However, for reasons unbeknownst to me, I feel so strongly that God wants me to fast coffee! And I have nothing I’m praying for personally during the fast…I feel called to intercede. Long story short, He’s showing me that when He calls, He calls…and it will be more than obvious that it’s Him.
I just need tell someone my news! Since the Siesta picture in Birmingham at Deeper Still I’ve been thinking of a way to use my picture since I couldn’t print it. And today I learned how to make it my desktop background and I AM SO EXCITED! It has been an encouraging reminder of all the women memorizing scripture this year–what a very powerful thing!! Yay Siestas!
Love your post – Kari Jobe is awesome!
God is teaching me to be still and trust Him (or trying to – I’m a stubborn student). I got to use one of my memory verses the other night when my college freshman went on his first overnight “road trip” with a friend. Satan tried to get me to play every single horrendous scenario through my mind, but I started repeating “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You”. It took a while, but God overcame and I was able to go to sleep!
Trusting God, Believing God and Waiting
Girl you are so funny!! I love this blog. I am so thankful He has lead me here. I wish I lived closer I would love to attend your Bible Studies. God is showing me so much right now but the main revelation in my life is to walk and talk more like Jesus. I can not stop reading the Gospels and learning about Him. I want to see others the way he does, forgive like He does, Love like He does. I see that forgiveness (TRUE forgiveness) is so much easier when you turn it over to him. I love Jesus and I want to continue to change for Him to Walk like Him and talk like Him daily!! Praise God for his Son!
What God is teaching me right now:
Listen.
You are correct about “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.”
I have been struggling at work this week so last night God gave me 3 lessons. Actually, the same lesson 3 times (maybe He knows I needed reinforcement). The opening word before our Bible study, the second video from Priscilla Shirer’s Jonah study, and Charles Stanley’s midnight sermon on my local radio station. All three told me it is not about MY timing but HIS timing. And if I get the privilege of being in relationship with Him, I also get the privilege to wait on Him. And He will give me the strength to do so : ) If you’re struggling with me this week too, just know that He is there to lean on and He knows everything that’s going to happen. And I’m going to keep remembering He works all things together for the good of those who love Him.
Whoo! He’s teaching me to take it one day at a time and be grateful. My 8 month old son broke his leg Sunday, and the next weeks are going to be some kind of challenging since he’s pretty much in a full body cast. I keep hearing Him remind me, though, that if I handled it today He can help me handle it tomorrow, and that at the end of it I’ll have a whole and healthy baby, and some mamas take their babies to the ER and have a very different outcome. Once again my unauthorized use of my memory verse spiral (wrote about it in the last post’s comments) is saving me!
God has been working on me on SURRENDER. My word for the year. You know, where it shows up in verses and sermons and conversations everywhere you go?!? To be honest, I’m not excited about it. It’s hard. But He is faithful and I’m confident it will bear fruit somewhere down the line.
Thanks for being so generous with us, Beth. I’m always touched by your love for us!
I am really excited for what God is going to do in my life. I was walking through a job interview process & might have a ministry opportunity. I have a group of wonderful prayer warriors who are with me on this journey. We did Believing God last fall at my church, and now I am at complete peace with however God chooses to work these situations out! I found out this week that I am not going to get the job, and I have a few weeks before I know about the ministry opportunity, but I am amazed that I am completely trusting God and it will be okay if the ministry thing doesn’t work out,either. He is SO good and I think I finally get that He only wants what’s best for me, which is exactly what I want! Thanks for checking in, Beth! Love you and all the Siestas! Joan