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.
He is teaching me that He is not glorified in my strength…I can be real and transparent and admit my weaknesses—that is where He will come in and redeem and renew—Thank you Jesus!!!
Blessed beyond measure in murray ky tonight. Began a new Bible study with our group. So many new faces and some familiar ones as well. This particular group has been together for 8 yrs! God always has a fresh word. Funny thing about the study we began tonight, (“Anointed,Transformed, Redeemed” from the Deeper Still conference) is that a number of our group was in Nashville when it was filmed! The crazy thing is that there was so much we heard tonight that we forgot we had heard before. It has been a couple years and it was completely fresh to us. Today I had to drive to a meeting about 45 minutes away so I was taking to God and asking Him to show me that I am where He wants me, and if I am not for Him to move me.(I have always desired to stay home, but my husband has always insisted that I work outside the home.) Tonight as Priscilla spoke, she reminded me the David knew Whose he was and who he was. That his position was given to him by God and God gave him the ability to perform in that position. Completely an answer to me that God has me in a place and it is not by accident and He is in complete control, He placed me in that position and gave me the ability to be there. thank you for your faithfulness.
Today He told me that I don’t have to jump through hoops to get to Him, that His grace is enough and He is not going to make me ‘get it right.’ It is enough that I am pressing in and not giving up.
God has been laying on my heart since the beginning of this new year to simplify life to spend more time with Him and His Word, and HIS priorities!! What is so interesting to me is that message from Him to me is being confirmed in several ways. Through a scripture, from a book I read (that really didn’t have that as the subject, but still had something about it in it) and through sermons. I LOVE it when He does that! It helps me to listen better as He confirms what He is saying. So, I am looking hard at my life right now, praying and seeking Him on ways to “simplify” in this life that is always going so fast!
That He alone is enough.
I have enough, I’ve had enough, the great I AM is enough.
Oh, how I wish I could participate in your Tuesday night Bible study. I live too far away. I hope you plan to make this one of your Lifeway Bible studies. Your words speak volumes of Jesus Christ all over them. Thank you Jesus for Beth’s research and how these teach us to love You and adore You more. You are awesome!
He’s teaching me to not go through the motions, to remember that He wants my heart and not just all of the good things I could do. He’s teaching me to slow down & remember that I exist soley for Him and not the otherway around :).
I am learning about contentment. I’m a recovering perfectionist and contentment is something I vitally need to grasp hold of in a new way so I can see why God has been speaking that word to me. It makes me think of stillness, peacefulness, and thankfulness! It just is a single word God has been speaking to my spirit lately and I’m excited to study it and PRACTICE it in a new way during this season of life.
Love you Beth!!! Thanks for all your hard work — you are loved and appreciated so much!!! I love watching you on Life Today! I watch on my laptop while I do my dishes 🙂
dependence on Him to make me a bold witness in spiritually dark places- Romans 12:21
My perfectionism is causing me many problems in many areas of my life. The problem has been clearly identified….solution in many areas to come! God thing I am studying “Believing God”!!!!!
An amazing study. I did it several months ago, but I still wear my bracelet from time to time.
Jessica, I loved it too. I will never forget as I was studying it I saw Beth in Stein Mart one day (with my bracelet on). I stood there a little bit in shock and then quickly called my friend to say guess who I just saw and I’m wearing my bracelet!!
Wow! Did you notice the amount of women being reminded of God’s overwhelming, everlasting love for them? Same with me!
I drove up to work and once again was praying to be even kinder at work so people would see Jesus in me and I could witness to them, when He reminded me it’s Him in me that shows His Spirit. Not sure I am writing that in a sensible way!
Thank you for the warm, sisterly blog. I love it. God is teaching me to “Be still and know that He is God,” to listen to that quiet whisper hidden beneath the turmoil swarming around me. And when I hear, to be obedient–no, don’t question Him–just be obedient. To do His will right away, all the way, with a joyful heart. And, that’s exactly what I plan to do!
Simply, that His love is enough. Our family has come through a rough 7 month transition to Germany, but the clarity of His direction for our lives and the depth of love for each other that He’s facilitated is beyond beautiful. The treasure of Him is all I want.
Well, I think God’s about to set me free from a deeply rooted fear I’ve had for many years. At least I hope that’s His plan this time! I don’t think I can handle having my worst fears come true one more time in this area. I’m definitely being put in a position where I’m going to have to face it whether I like it or not! I can’t tell you how many tears I’ve shed in the last week over this one! Or how much I’ve screamed about it! I scared the living daylights out of my girls one night last week, poor things.
Speaking of Kari Jobe, I saw her on Life Today a couple of years ago or so, I think. Anyway, I fell in love instantly, not that that’s hard for me. I, too, fall in love easily! I don’t know if I could handle falling in love with as many people as you get to minister to! That would be a little overwhelming!
the Lord is teaching me that each moment is an opportunity for me to be in His presence. this is especially hard for me to learn as i’m trying to adjust to the “monotony” of motherhood and housewife-hood. it really is possible to walk in His presence while sweeping for the hundredth time or in the early mornings before i’ve had my coffee!
God is teaching me about trusting and obeying during this time of transition to a new job and new place. It’s something I’ve been trying to learn for 7 years…hopefully this time it sticks!
Right now my husband is on break from Seminary for the next couple of weeks. God is teaching me to appreciate this time that I have with him before he heads back to endless days in the books. It can be easy to wear thin when you spend all day and night together, but I will miss this time when semester starts again.
Glad you mentioned Made to Crave. I haven’t been on here much with the demands of life crazier than ever right now, but have been cruising along on my daily commute with KLOVE in Denver, and listening in on the whole Crave talk lately too. KLOVE has set a goal for it’s listeners to come up with their “one word” for the year, in place of resolutions…and even though I sure felt like finding my own “one word”, CRAVE is all that seems to be coming through. Beth, don’t we all just need to be craving Him? What a better word for our year than crave. Crave fellowship. Crave time alone. Crave only ONE, the One and Only. We crave so many things in life, and forget our most important crave. A few years ago, two words rang in my mind, Deeper Still. I think my deeper still led me to my crave. What’s your “one word” for this year?
God is teaching me that perseverance pays off. I’m learning in everything to focus on what He’s asked of me, push through, and wrestle things out. Sometimes I feel like I can’t handle things anymore. I’ve learned to go ahead and scream, but do it while you’re still plugging away at whatever. (How many times have I cried my way through a workout because I was so exhausted but knew I needed to do it!) Sometimes we just gotta toughin up and push through things. Sometimes life isn’t fair. Sometimes it just plain sucks. But God promises that we can do all things with Him, so the reality is that we can’t lose. Incredible odds, don’t ya think?
“When life gets tough, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, what do we do? We swim, swim, swim!”
I am learning to lean on him. I am God’s girl! I am having some health issues and learned that I may need a colostomy bag. Not too sexy for a 34 year old. I am so greatful however to have a peace that I have a fabulous husband,wonderful family and church family. God is in control. I need to enjoy the ride and see all the oppurtunities there will be to grow in faith and be an example of his faithfullness. It’s all very exciting when you look to the heart of it. “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, There’s nothing my God cannot do!”
Shannon
Kissimmee,FL
From Kennesaw,GA I have been torn by my son’s decision about his choices in life. Sunday pass, God told me to Let Go and Let God. I felt I needed to write my children about how I was feeling. So I wrote an email to my 4 children. At the end, I wrote my January 15 memory Bible verse IPeter 5:6-7 Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, so he may exalt you in due time. Cast ALL your cares upon him for he careth for you. Well when I finish typing the last word in the scripture, God said “Now delete it, because that is what I am commanding you to do.” I just want to say what an awesome God I serve. He continues to look out for me in all my circumstances
Is it OK to be envious – just plain ole green with jealousy? Kari Jobe is #1 on my playlist – I love her ability to lead me to a place in worship that is so precious. And adorable – wow! Beth you should definitely try the headband – you’d be so cute!
Good Morning Siestaville! I am still new here but it has now become my habit to check daily on this website. I do have a prayer request this morning. I am under attack from the father of lies. I know that the liar is continually prowling around looking for ways to defeat us and we must consistently be on guard….well, he has asked for permission from my Father to take a bite. I stand this morning on the Word with my Armor on and I also ask for your prayer. Winter is always a very tough, very tight time for us financially….plus I know that many are in this same place. I am in a transition phase in my life (physically speaking) as I head on towards becoming a more “mature” woman. Well, several things physically are merging together and I have been decreased in my hours at work (plus I have fibromyalgia and it has become very apparent that I can no longer work full-time) and my husbands hours are down due to winter time….well, I have a very bad night last night….I could almost smell the foul breath of the prowling lion. I normally do not ask for prayer in such a public forum and I contemplate removing this request even as I type….so if you are reading this then you know someone bigger than me won out because I felt such a leading in my spirit to post a prayer request. So there it is….my request is not for more money….I have found that there is always a need for money…my request is that I look to God and keep my Shield of Faith up and the Sword swinging. Fear grips me at times. My thoughts beat me to pieces. The Lord took my husband and I through a very dark season a few years back with finances….so I have walked this road before….and I failed so much then in letting fear get a hold. I just feel Him asking me to look to Him….stay firm in my faith….don’t give in to the lies….because He IS good, He does love me! God’s blessings to y’all today.
Girl as a side note, i got to the part where you said you could smell the fowl breath and i put my hand to my face to make sure i was extra fresh today… girl.. what a description.
as a serious note: i’ve been marinating in the most beautiful thought curtesy of James Macdonald’s book ‘Gripped by the greatness of God”. The train of His robe fills the temple. The Serephim sing constantly of his holiness as He sits comfortably on his thrown. At no point are they worried because He is never caught of guard.(this get’s me everytime! i’m spacing out thinking of it!) Darkness is light to him. He is in control. Look to his record of Promises never broken and grip those promises tight!
welcome to the blog, sweet girl!
Praying for you 🙂
He is teaching me to let go of the control and plans I have for my family and my life. Wow! This is a hard one. I want to learn this one. I am desperate to let go!
I have been learning that when I don’t feel His presense He is still there waiting for me to surrender. I feel like my faith has grown leaps and bounds during this season. God is so good and awesome! I love Him so much more everyday!
I am learning the hard lesson that as I sow, so shall I reap. But, He is a forgiving God, and if I confess and truly repent of my sin He will forgive — and that through it all He will never leave my side. He is here for me always and all ways.
God is currently teaching me to get back to basics. He’s schooling me hard on this one. Being relentless, even. But He knows better than anyone how I need consistency! My husband and I now have a motto we live by, and we both are of the sound opinion that it is the Spirit’s way of bringing us back to center: “Low-key and drama-free.” Or K.I.S.S. — “Keep It Simple, Siesta” (which doesn’t really work for my husband, so you can see why we tend to go by the former.) Love you, Beth!
There is nothing I can do, or not do, to make Him love me more or less.
The greatest commandment is to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.
Trust Him.
God is teaching me to trust His heart each day when I cannot trace His hand as we wait on Him to provide a job for my husband and our family. He is Good and His plans are Good and Sure even in this as He allows all things for His very own glory and purpose.
That he is Faithful
God is showing me that His grace is enough & through that my heart is being prepared for the eternal kingdom. This knowledge I’ve been receiving is showing me that I am a great encourager to those who need to be uplifted to the Mighty King of kings!
To be still and know that He is God.
Good mornin’ Beth & all!!!
One thing the Lord is teaching me is to simply TRUST Him. Like the song the Voice of Truth, some things we go thru that don’t make sense are for his glory & our good. I must trust…
Getting okay with where God has you even when you really aren’t okay with it at all. Forcing the flesh to bend the stubborn knee when questions loom without answers…
I am being called to reevaluate what I believe about Jesus and why I believe it, to examine why I worship this Man, and what exactly I am willing to let Him do with me and my life as I strive to worship and follow Him more purely. As a believer for 27 years and a sold-out Jesus girl for 8 years, I delight in being taken to deeper places with Him, by some unexpected twist of events in my live. Or a truth that shakes me from my Jesus-girl comfort zone. It is always an exhilirating journey and, so far, this one has not been painful. Just exhilirating and empowering. I suspect the hard stuff will come soon.
I am reading ‘Radical’ by David Platt. That is Reason One that I have been propelled into this journey. This book is the sort that truly, truly gets into the heart of things. But when you add to this book a huge, heaping helping of Lysa TerKeurst (who spoke live at an event that I attended last weekend, which included conversations with both her and her assistant Holly), well, then you REALLY have something! Made to Crave is next on my reading list, and the only reason I am not yet diving into my freshly autographed copy is that I hate to confuse the thoughts of two excellent authors. But the many wonderful things that she said from the stage were nothing short of God’s perfect provision for me…for this moment in time for ME…and they have put everything David Platt is saying into italics. This journey is truly God-ordained for me. Pray that I go willingly and throw myself completely into it, for His sake. He is so worthy.
Next week I start a 7-week Liz Curtis Higgs study with the gals. Oh, Lord, what shall you do then??
Contentment. I’m restless and it feels dangerous. God save me from myself. “I cling to You, Your strong right hand holds me securely” Ps 63:8
Doing the “Living Free” study for the third time and God is teaching me (again) about pride and jealousy. I have no need for either one but I still seem to have them. Ugh. Being set free by the love of Jesus!
God is good!
He reminded me yesterday. I was running an errand for my husband who is finishing the hardwood floors that he put down last year (another whole “God is good” story). The Lowe’s in our town was out of the polyurethane that he’s using, so I was going to the next town over, which is about 35 miles away, to get some from the Lowe’s there. Now my husband had mentioned I’d need to fill up the gas tank before I left.
Well, I left right after work, after running an errand, and I totally forgot about gas. So as I’m going up a hill and my car starts that sputtering sound and jumpy feel and I’m reminded. So I said, “O Lord, I totally forgot to get gas! Please don’t let me run out on the highway!!” Well, I topped that hill and what do I see…a gas station on the left. I was able to coast down the hill, go through a GREEN light, and turn with NO traffic coming. Now, my car did conk out just past the turn, but I was right in front of the station and I was able to to pull to the side of the road out of the way of the cars behind me (a little humbling as people stare at me as they go by [wave]). I was thanking God that I’d only have to push the car across the street and up into the gas station. Then He showed me He’s “gooder” than that by letting the car start again and giving it enough umph to get up to the pump! Yay!
I’m so glad He gives me these reminders. I need them. I’ve been praying about some heavy duty stuff in which God’s going to have to move in some other hearts. That’s on His time table, and I just have to trust Him, but I know He’s good, and that He finishes what He starts. That’s the main reason my memory verses are centered on hope and trust this year. I’m so thankful that He gives me these little reminders though.
The words in the blog “Most of my revivals come from survivals” truly resonated with me. The last five years have been a very difficult season for me. BUT…surviving it has thrust me into the arms of my Lord producing healing and a revival in my own heart and home. I am learning to trust Him, hope in Him, bathe in His Word, and love Him first above all else. He is sovereign and His love and faithfulness are with out measure or end. Our God is an awesome God!! 🙂
He’s teaching me to be still and wait for Him. There’s so much I want to do for Him and I don’t know which way to go! There is a local women’s ministry in our town that is getting of its feet and I feel led there. I am praying that He’ll show me my role and what He’d have for me to do. I have a burden for college aged girls and to be a mentor to them…so I’m waiting for Him, listening, seeking Him in his Word and through prayer!
God is teaching me that sex isn’t a tool to earn my husband’s love. It is something that we GET to do, not something to do because I am afraid that he’ll leave me if I don’t perform. This is just another layer of being delivered from insecurity. Praise God! (BTW – I didn’t learn these fears from my man. He is the best man I know and is praying me right through to freedom).
He is teaching me He Is (the great I AM) – there is no other! No-one can compare to Him – So to whom do I turn?
In my joy-times and in my times of distress – I must turn to Him.
Hi Beth,
Living fully in the moment and beholding Him there, and watching with gratitude for all the little ways He shows His love for me each day. 🙂
Love you,
karen:)
Good Morning Beth:
I’m learning several things right now, but one stands out! I am passionate about women’s ministry! He certainly created us for relationships-with Him first and with women! So thankful to be a part of your ministry and be blessed by what God is teaching through you!
I’m doing Breaking Free with a friend, just the two of us. We both have realized we have holes in our hearts and we keep trying to shove ’em full of stuff that won’t satisfy. I am learning this week, above all else, God really does love me, and alot. He’s not out to punish me or only tolerate me because of my past, He is CRAZY about me.
🙂 That’s pretty awesome.
Oh Amanda, you are so right. If we all could just grasp that, wonder what He could do through us. We’d be full; that’s for sure! I’ve been praying Ephesians 3:17b-19 for myself and some family members for a while now. I’m starting to get it. I can’t wait for them to. Imagine the possibilities…
🙂
Just one?! Gracious me, how in the world do I choose? I’ll make mine a combo platter, because it all ties in so beautifully.
God is teaching me that He is the only Sovereign God and that by His grace and limitless power, my life, my healing, my walk, the very fact that I am I above ground and living and breathing is a true and living testimony to His love for me. He is God. He is in control, and there is nothing – and I mean nothing that He does not work together for my good. And I mean nothing! Which in and of itself is pretty danged mind boggling considering the life I’ve lived!
Now!
JAMES! Let me type that again JAMES! Beth, when you mentioned that the lesson was going to be technical and to stay with you, my heart did a little Irish folk dance. Why? Because, I knew that God was going to give me some true, satisfying meat in Tuesday’s night lesson. And He did. Stay with you? My mind and my spirit were clinging to your Spirit inspired words like a little circus monkey. Perhaps it’s just the way my mind works, but taking a microscope to the Scriptures to see the way that it all fits together no matter how far apart the books where written, no matter the audience or the intention, is one of the reasons I get up in the morning. Can it get better than that? Well, yes. Getting to hear the Word from the Word’s glorified mouth would be better. But until then, technical study lights me up! Can’t wait until next Tuesday night!
One thing God is teaching me right now is that sometimes its better to just pray rather than trying to talk someone into our out of a big decision. Believe that Proverbs 21:1 is true.
Only one thing…that is gonna be tough, but here goes: self-delusion and exaggeration (swing from one to the other in a matter of seconds!)have been an obstacle the enemy has used to knock me right between the eyes. But I am hearing the reminders of TRUTH from the Spirit: Get Up! It was for Freedom!
And Siesta Momma (aka Beth), I am standing on my feet with my hands UP to the sky praising and dancing and shouting with a heart overflowing with LOVE. Our God is good and HIS LOVE ENDURES. (said with a southern drawl…LOL)
Love you!
-kd
I am trusting Him to give me peace as I face double knee replacement in a few weeks! I want to be in control and I know that “God is God–and I am not!!” Thanks, Beth for your encouraging posts! Anxiously awaiting to seeing you in Baltimore this year!
I so understand the rollercoaster. I may be a youngun in marriage, but we too ride a rollcoaster, and we too are on the upside, and I am so grateful. We were at a wedding last weekend and the vows just rang deep in my bones, especially the ‘forsaking all others.’ It is a challenge not to wonder if the grass is greener….and I hate those fleeting thoughts….I love my man and want him…even on the downside. Thats what I’m learning.