Hey, Darling Things!
Melissa and I worked out of town most of last week in New Orleans so I feel dreadfully out of the loop. (That’s a story for another time and an experience that proved very fruitful to our souls.) I was also leaving some space for our beloved Amanda to do some blogging about her trip with Compassion International to Ecuador last week but, alas, her laptop completely crashed and it was everything she could do to borrow laptops and get articles up on her own blog. They had limited time and internet access so doubling up on two blogs was almost impossible. She’s going to stop by later this week on the blog and give you some highlights. We are so glad to have her home safe and sound and grateful to God that He uses her to bring attention to poverty stricken children. Amanda had the opportunity to be under the leadership of our good friend Shaun Groves and to serve alongside many of your favorite bloggers and women I’m so personally crazy about: Melanie Shankle (Big Mama), Sophie Hudson (Boomama), Kelly Stamps (Kelly’s Corner) and Ann Voskamp (A Holy Experience). To say that I’m thankful to our own Lindsee for her partnership in serving you is an understatement. She grows dearer and dearer to us everyday.
Let’s see now. What have I been up to? I know one area where I could catch you up! Like many of you, church life is a huge part of my personal life. We are officially heading into our third month as a church plant at Bayou City Fellowship under my dear son-in-law’s pastorate here in Houston. He has done a magnificent job of leading the charge and bringing the Scriptures. You’ve also never seen a core team work any harder and with any better attitudes. You may recall that we are renting space at a large Christian high school so everything has to be set up from scratch every week for the many children and for anything else unique to BCF. (Like signs, posters, welcome tables, community group information, the platform for worship, etc.) I shared with you several months ago that I was just going to serve wherever they asked me. So, here’s what I’ve gotten to do so far and have loved every single second of it:
*My main job is greeting so I do lots and lots of that. I say a plethora of hellos and ask about their week and I also hug anyone that looks like she needs one or just wants one. I also try to read that look on a face that says, “Don’t touch me.” And then I usually refrain. If I don’t, I usually wish I had. Grin. I just hate the awkwardness of hugging someone who doesn’t hug back.
*I also help with the coffee bar each Sunday morning and I have told Pastor Curtis on a number of occasions NEVER to underestimate the ministry of coffee. We find out just how crucial we are every single time something goes wrong resulting in a dismal coffee fail. (Which has indeed and unfortunately happened on several occasions. The shock and awe on disappointed faces were enough to leave Melissa and me nearly permanently scarred. Caffeine addicts without their caffeine should have their pictures plastered on warning posters. They are dangerous. I nearly wore a bicycle helmet the week following our worst debacle.) We usually serve two different flavors: Texas Pecan and Cocoa Nibs (I never know what to think about the word “nibs.” I wouldn’t have chosen it.)
And, of course, we serve real half and half. That’s key to a decent coffee bar. Powder is unforgivably lame and, should you set it out on the counter, no one will take you seriously as a coffee connoisseur. I also bring some holiday flavorings that tend to be big hits. My friend Beverly Newman (a Christian counselor I’ve known for I bet 20 years and a new member of BCF) has a young adult daughter who is a fabulous cook. Almost every Sunday morning, Beverly brings a silver platter of baked goodies via her talented offspring and we set it out near the coffee. We’ve had all sorts of creations like, for instance, carrot cake balls and oatmeal raisin cookies. Yesterday she sent delicate, nearly paper-thin sugar cookies in the shape of gingerbread men that only had a hint of gingerbread in them. I nearly cried they were so good. Needless to say, it’s first come, first serve so they don’t last very long.
*One week I got to help take the offering and it was so exciting. I was nervous that I’d drop the plate or miss a row or repeat one twice so I prayed that I’d do a good job at it and, frankly, I may have, to God be the glory. Laughing. One of the things that’s so exciting about a church plant is that you are OUT ON A VERY THIN LONG LIMB. Out there at high risk. Many don’t make it. At my beloved church of nearly thirty years, unless we were in a building campaign, I don’t really remember being intensely prayerful or hyped up in the spirit over our offerings. I say that to my shame. It’s such a big church with so many faithful members and I guess I just had the feeling that it would all get covered. We participated in giving, of course, but I just can’t remember often feeling a deep sense of urgency. Taking the offering is a whole different thing at a church plant. Some of you know exactly what I’m talking about. Our pastor is very serious about missions and outreach so, on several occasions, he’s designated a large part of what we receive toward another ministry. I’m so thankful for that. I respect him – and his wife – very much.
*And, last but far from least, I get to help on occasion with the elementary school students during children’s church. I love getting to do craft-time with Amanda. She works with the children every other week so she stays quite busy on Sundays and it’s fun for us to partner. Twice I’ve gotten to teach the Bible lesson and I just love it. It feels so good to be teaching on Sunday mornings again. The kids get really involved in the lesson and answer back with great gusto when I ask them to repeat something. They also use a lot of their limbs during worship and I like that. I tend to use mine too. Yesterday our lesson was out of Genesis 18 when the three visitors appeared to Abraham. I got four volunteers to help me act it out: three boys for the visitors and one girl to play Sarah and yours truly was Abraham. On Saturday night, I wished so much that I could find one of those long fake gray beards to wear during the lesson but I did not have time to acquire one. I was so mad at myself for not thinking of it sooner. If only I could have remembered where I last set mine. I had several wigs for such occasions but, sadly, no spare beards. The children and I talked about what kind of meals we might make if God and two angels visited us one day while we were in our tents. Hands down, the children believed God and angels alike would most appreciate macaroni and cheese and who could argue with that? Others felt that pizza would be particularly hospitable. They were so enthusiastic that I had a feeling like God would join many of them for lunch that day. They just might not know it.
I had a really sweet moment yesterday that I pray God will seal in my memory forever. Miss Cassie was leading us in children’s worship and all the other workers and I mixed in with the children. We were all on our feet ready to give God some raucous praise and my darling Jackson caught my eye and motioned for me to come worship by him. It touched me so. I really didn’t know what he’d think about Bibby serving in his class but I knew then that he was not embarrassed. He’s such a champ. Miss Cassie leads us in very upbeat worship where we can sing loud and do lots of hand motions. There was even one time when we got to pogo (one of my love languages) and turn around in circles and pump our right fists into the air as we sang “One way, Jesus!” (I’m laughing but also getting a lump in my throat thinking about it.) There we were, a grandson and his grandmother, grinning ear to ear, jumping up and down side by side, praising Jesus, the worthy Son of God.
And I realized how many of my prayers God had answered. As I lived and breathed, it was praise-dancing with granny. In public.
You mothers and you teachers of children, do not dare minimize the power and importance of your labor. The great commission is never more readily received than by the flailing arms of children.
Oh, mercy. I’ve got to get ready for staff prayer time and devotional. Better run! Forgive type-o’s! How are you girls doing???
Beth (and the rest of you sweet siestas): read this if you want the socks blessed offa you!
aliscorner-indy.blogspot.com
Isn’t God amazing?
I was at the Living Proof Live event where you announced that you were going to be a grandmother …. (was it Knoxville?) Anyway I remember you talking about Praise dancing with Granny. That is so awesome! It has now come full circle. I’m rejoicing with you! 🙂
I used to help my mom in children’s church, and I would always lead the children’s worship. The first song that I had taught the kids was One Way, and it was such a blessing to see the kids jumping up and down and pumping their fists in the air for Jesus. 🙂
Oh Beth, I love you so! I think you need to ask your pastor is there is money in the budget for some praise banners. HAHA!
You are building such a legacy with those dear ones! You are all blessed!!! May God continue His work.
Loved that! Thanks for sharing it. I’d love to come visit you guys but I teach little ones each Sunday. I love, love love watching them praise & worship Jesus. On those Sundays when I’m behind a curtain (getting ready to pop out as one of the puppets) I’ll peek through to watch them. So fun to observe their little personalities: the unsure ones who just look around, the all-out “free spirits” whose arms and legs don’t stop till the music does and recently a little 5 yr old who does “The Robot” to every song – and she’s good at it!! 🙂 As long as I’ve been in childrens ministry, it never gets old. What a privilege!
Love you guys,
Loyce
Beth, I can only imagine what you must be experiencing at BCF. I pray God blesses the endevours of all who are working diligently to show others His love.
We are doing somewhat the same thing as we were collecting money yesterday morning with that similar sense of urgency. Our church has outgrown it’s current space and we are in desperate need of more space for children, adults and we really would like to have an area for more community outreach services.
Thank you for sharing your stories of the new church. I for one am praying for you all!! Much love to you and yours.
I am so happy your prayer for praise dancing with Granny was fulfilled! I remember you writing about doing that with Jackson and his friend and saying Curtis joked Jackson wouldn’t have any friends if that happened. Now look at Jackson in a room full of friends, praise dancing with you at his DADDY’s church. How sweet our God is sometimes. Tickles my heart.
Hi Beth!
Thrilled to hear from you! So glad you and your loved ones are well. I remember the first time I heard you speak of praise dancing with granny! You’re a blessed woman indeed Beth and I’m so happy for you! 🙂
I’ve got so many balls in the air right now I know it’s only by the LORD’S strength that I don’t drop them! Between working two jobs to make ends meet and taking three college courses to earn my BA I know He’s the One equipping me to do it all. PRAISE HIM!
I’ve been wishing for weeks I could pick up the phone and call to tell you something. I hope you read it here. I’ve sat under your teaching since 2001 and can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard you say that you’re head over heels in love with Jesus. What I’ve been wanting to tell you is “ME TOO!!” I’ve been a Christian for many years and I’ve always loved Jesus but He has done and continues to do such a work in me that I can hardly stand it. For the first time ever in my Christian journey I’m head over heels in love with Him and it’s a blast! I keep telling Him I don’t know what He’s done to me but please don’t undo it! I don’t ever want to go back to the way I was!
Please remember me in your prayers. The LORD is on me about something but I just can’t quite put my finger on what it is or where He’s leading me. As I live and breathe I believe He’s calling me into the ministry which totally blows my mind after the pits I’ve been in throughout my life. But that’s the way our Wonderful Savior is! He’s all about blowing our minds with things we would have never imagined!
AIN’T NO HIGH LIKE THE MOST HIGH!!
I love you,
Kim
Hi Mama Beth! Loved reading about the ministry going on at the new church! It has been a rough couple of weeks in my neck of the woods…two (young) deaths in my extended family and my mother-in-law had a massive stroke but is doing amazingly well. It has been very hard but God is good. All the time. Glad to hear Amanda made it back safely. I have been following the team and praying for them. It was great to hear from you today!
Oh, sweet Mama Beth! I have printed off that second to last sentnce in your post and stuck it inside my Bible! As the chapel director at my daughters’ school that is a word I need to read over and over! It is such a joy and a privilege to bring Jesus to those young hearts. And at the end of chapel each Weds I am so hugely blessed, I kick myself for the occasional Monday and Tuesday foot dragging that happens when it comes to putting those lessons together. But God blessed me with a hugely inspirational insight for our curriculum this year and I am so delighted with what we’re teaching those kids (and ourselves!) in the process! It is impossible to forget that we are in the process of making disciples every single week! What an honor and a joy that is!
Beth,
I am doing awesome these days–the Lord is talking my ear off…and it is incredible…!
He speaks to me in “echos” (Margaret Feinberg terminology) where I see the same idea/concept over and over and over again.
My current echo is “You are Mine, and I am Yours.” What a blessed echo, Amen?! He has been telling me this over several days now. I wanted to comment and tell you because YOU were a part of His echo today (or more specifically, your WORDS in your new David study)! I did Week 9 Day 4 today where you say, “A heart that makes Him its own–one which can state ‘He is mine’–is a heart that cannot help but love.” I threw my hands up in the air and said, “I love you, O Lord (Psm 18:1)!! You are mine, and I am Yours!” What a glorious truth?!
I will be curious to see if everyone else’s workbooks say the same thing at bible study! I’m tempted to believe that God rewrites things just for each of our needs! But then I think, “Nah, He’s just THAT big. He never needs to play catch-up…He knew He wanted those exact words on that exact day for ME and had you write them 16 years ago…” He. Is. Unbelievable.
Thank you for your unending and immeasurable ministry to my life! You are my “living hero” (Week 9 Day 3)…
Excited for SSMT tomorrow!!
I love you.
Courtney
For the first time, I have begun serving in the children’s department of our church by teaching 3 yr. old Sunday school. I have served in different areas of our church before, but this is new to me. I must say that it is pure JOY to teach those little faces. They often pick their noses and need tons of bathroom breaks, but I know in my heart that among all those distractions, God’s word is being planted in their hearts and deep in their little souls. Praise the Lord!!!
I also love that two of those nose picking children are mine 🙂
Well…what isn’t 🙂 ( HUGE GRIN)….
Let’s see, I just got back from a visit to Colorado to see some sweet siestas last week…I just had my 11-11-11 birthday and got engaged the same day…:) and I also will receive my very long awaited AA degree in December….WHEW.
I just have to mention this; Nehemiah prayed to God before he served the King..I saw this come to mind twice in one week, and I think I finally get it. HE IS SO FAITHFUL…
Well, I’m going to go jump on some clouds and moonbeams now…catchya later:)
xoxo
angie
Beth, your comment about Praise dancing with Jackson almost brought me to tears. It reminds me of the scripture that says (in my paraphrase) to seek God and His kingdom and he will give you the desires of your heart. Scripture also says that He is faithful to watch over His word and perform it. I distinctly remember you sharing at a bible study on a Tues. night about a conversation you and Curtis had way before Jackson was born. You said something about praise dancing with your grandchild(ren) and their friends and that Curtis replied something about “if he has any friends” (referring to what might happen after the praise dancing).
God is so good to us.
Hi Beth! I can relate with trying to refrain from hugging those who are not open to hugs; I would hug everyone that walks in the doors of our church if I could!
For the last few years our church has gone through some major loss and pain. But yesterday God blessed us with seeing a couple re-unite in marriage during the Sunday morning worship service! It was a time of rejoicing and jubilation! We saw the result of much prayer and believing God that He can do beyond, beyond, beyond, what we could ever ask or imagine!
Beth – your story of helping out at Bible class made me think of my son’s Bible class teacher – Miss Dee Dee. Every week she goes ALL out for the lesson. She dresses up and acts out the lesson. One week she brought toy swords talking about the strength God gives. Each child got to keep a toy sword. My little boy went to bed with his sword and when I went to check on him later he was fast asleep, but he was holding that sword up high in the air! I snapped a picture! They soak it ALL in and I love it!
Aww, I love it!! How much fun to worship with Jackson!!! I helped my dad with the kids in our church a few Sundays ago and the worship part was so much fun!! We all danced to the praise songs and I had my 5 year old niece by my side!! It was wonderful!!! There is just nothing quite like working with kids!!! I spent the whole time either laughing or smiling…..such a blessing!!!
good evening Mama Beth,
so good to hear from you. You just crack me up. I was giggling about the coffee bar as I was thinking well they ought to have a hot tea bar for those of us who love the smell of coffee but for the life of us can’t stand the taste…now flavored black teas that is whole nother thing…hmmmm yummmy!
I spent the weekend with my dear family and a hubby who just told me I am getting a new puppy in the next few weeks…so I am nearing dancing at that thought. A little Shishu…I tell you what I can just aobut love that pup already. I know you understand what I am talking about here.
I so appreciated your comment on teachers and moms and our work. I am a teacher and somedays I wonder if I am making a difference. but you reminded me I have a heart aht is filled with Jesus and I just gotta share it with my little butterflies.
I love you Mama Beth. So glad Amanda is home safe and sound and hope you and Melissa get some relax time this week.
How great that your daughter Amanda was able to go to Ecuador to serve and meet her sponsered child!
My daughter,Jen, actually lives in Quito and volunteers at an orphanage there called “For His children” She absolutely loves it there and knows that God called her to serve His children and yes, she has even eaten guinae pig!
So loved hearing about your growing church and the joy you felt as granny and grandson danced and Praised God the Maker of Heaven and Earth together. I know it was God’s way of saying “Thank you Beth for all you have done to further my Kingdom, enjoy.” 🙂 On a personal note! I am so happy to share finally after asking for a Beth Moore DVD series for Christmas and Birthday I think finally this Christmas my wish may be granted. My husband came in today and asked which study I wanted he had saved some shipping and handling fees on gifts for our adult “children”. I so loved David and picked it, my 18 year old son would love it, and I would have it to share with others. My husband said, oh Beth, I am so happy, that he would watch the series with me (my second time if my wish comes true). This is an answer to prayers in many ways a LPM series by Beth Moore to have home studies and glory a study with my husband. God is indeed good. I love you Mama Beth and Siestas.
Half and half. Yes. I’ve helped pass the offering buckets a couple of times when the guys were short-handed, and I found it very confusing, especially when the person on the end of the row is worshipping and not paying attention to the bucket. Do you nudge them, or what?
You asked how your girls were doing-it’s the night before my 32nd birthday and my hand is holding firmly onto His pinky. he has blessed me with so much- and yet at this moment my heart struggles- struggles to keep handing back to Him the desires to be a wife and a mom- and even as I type this I hand to Him my desires once again- at this moment my lip is quivering and I am desperately trying to trust in Him-
Happy birthday, Kimberly! I pray HUGE blessing and a lot of surprises for you this day. You are loved, Sister!
Oh sweet Beth, thank you for this post & this encouragement!! You are such a hoot, and I love your realness, which always helps bring me back to this blog even when I’ve been away for too long. Appreciate your ministry deeply. Thank you! Love & prayers to you, your family, your church plant, and your ministry. To God be the glory!
{psst and I love the “praise-dancing with granny”!!! 🙂 :)}
I don’t have a spare moment to read any other comments but I was immediately moved to tears by your description of Jackson. I remember when you told the story of receiving the news of Amanda’s pregnancy with Jackson, Curtis and Amanda leaving the package of worship banners on your doorstep. I could just cry my eyes out thinking about it. God brings things full circle.
My heart is so full when we have our four generations in the Lord’s house together!
Oh there is nothing more beautiful than seeing little people praising a big God! Thanks so much for sharing that. And I have to agree wholeheartedly that coffee is certainly a delicate ministry.
My family is being pulled full swing into our church. Over the past year we’ve moved to a new city and had the hard task of finding a new church. Praise God we found one. We had come from a much smaller church and never expected to be welcomed and connected with the body as we are now. Sometimes I think God just knows we need a change of scenary.
One of the hardest parts of moving for me was making new friends. There some major insecurity that goes with that. God is good! He has answered my prayers. We recently joined a small group and I’ve connected with two women in particular who are in the same boat as me and are young moms too.
I’m so excited to see what God has planned for you and for my little family. Thanks for all your encouragement and love you freely give.
Can anyone help? I am so angry with God and I have so much pain in my body I feel like giving up. I can’t feel God. Everyday is a struggle. No one from church has called. Depression is eating me and my doctor is away. The thing that hurts most is my anger towards God for this last year. I can’t read the bible or listen to praise music. I’ve stopped going to church. The church is actually 1/2 the size it was a year ago. I just hurt spiritually and I don’t know what to do. I can’t sleep at night but during the day that is all I want to do.
Hi Rosepetal –
I’m not dealing with anger like you are, but I’m totally in the boat with you about not feeling God and every day being a struggle. I don’t know what depression looks or feels like, but I’m wondering if I’m dealing with that as well. I think what I’m going to do is choose some scriptures and try to memorize them or at least post them on my screen at work. Maybe that’ll help you, too.
Here’s a few to start with:
The Bible says God is our lamp, and that He turns our darkness into light (2 Sam 22:29). He is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). It tells us to cast our cares on the Lord and He will sustain us (Psalm 55:22). And He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3).
I hope this helps you and me both.
Take care.
Hey, Beth. Thanks for the update on Bayou City Fellowship. I had to smile when I read about “praise dancing with granny,” and I know I’d be headed straight for the coffee bar to get me one of those cookies if I were there on a Sunday morning. They sound sooo good.
Over the last couple of days, it’s been a little busier and a little noisier at my place. Much of this last weekend (Friday and Saturday to be exact), was taken up with the remodeling of my tiny little bathroom. I’m having tile put on the floor and bead board put on the walls. In fact,just this evening after work, I made a quick trip to pick up one last sheet of bead board to finish out the bathroom. I’m hoping everything will be done tomorrow. Saying goodbye to linoleum floors and dark, outdated wallpaper is definitely worth the wait, though 🙂
oh Beth, thank you for sharing this! it brought tears of joy….especially the part about the children and God joining them for lunch and of course worship-dancing with your grandson 🙂
I love that (and am inspired by) how you put so much of yourself (you let yourself “be” fully there) in every role that you play. What a blessing to be a hugging-greeter! We could argue that’s one of the healthiest posts 🙂 I know some people really aren’t into them…but most of us are sorely deficient of them. I want to encourage you to keep it up because you are a great authentic hugger, even to complete strangers. (You gave me one in Lincoln this summer, meanwhile God spoke to your heart to share something with me that was an extraordinary answer to prayer!)
God bless you!
This post had me laughing out loud, because I’ve often thought how much I’d just love to bake something for Jesus someday. Never said that out loud to anyone, but I do love to bake, and who better to appreciate it than Him?
I’ve missed checking in lately… been so busy trying to sell our house as my man’s job was transferred to a nearby city and the commute is more than we bargained for. That’s all that’s been in my world. So love the update in yours!
Blessings,
Sasha
oh, how I love the picture of you and Jackson jumping and praising God!
I got to be part of my 3 year old 3granddaughter, Mercie’s healing this week. 8 days ago, the Lord, touched my precious Mercie and healed her as I held her and prayed during worship. It was amazing and I learned a huge lesson about faith this past week. I still can’t talk about it without crying, but God is still showing out and I will praise Him and testify about Him for ever!
Thank you for the update and greetings from Alaska! I’m a new siesta and am hoping there will be a SSMT for 2012! In anticipation, I am got a spiral notebook and am learning my first scripture (Deut. 1:31). I’m so glad to have found your blog!
I got so tickled reading your blog today. We just finished your study, “When Godly People Do UnGodly Things.” (And a joy it was I may add.) In one session you said that you looked so forward to Amanda having children. You said that you wanted to have dance parties with your grandbabies and their friends and dance for joy over Jesus with them and their friends – to which Curtis replied. “If they have friends”. Well, it sounds like they do have friends and look where life has led you to dance with them all. Dance on sweet Beth and enjoy!
What fun to get a Sunday morning update! THANK YOU: “nibs” is so awkward – I mean, really? Please. And what is coffee without half and half? I’m so glad BCF has good theology – and good coffee. And most of all people who love Jesus.
I had to laugh about your praise experience b/c even though I just have teenagers and am not a grandma yet; my girlfriends and I who used to teach in our church’s elementary classes the last couple years would laugh ourselves silly over how out of shape we were – and it only took 25 minutes of dancing around to praise songs to prove it to us every single Sunday. I hope you have many, many years of being able to keep up with Jackson in Sunday morning worship!
Have a great day, Beth ~
So happy for you and your family! What wonderful memories!
Sue
Sandra
Wichita Falls, TX
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise–the fruit of lips that confess his name. (Hebrews 13:15 NIV84)
Ok, I’m jumping the gun. I am caught posting and then reading. 🙂 I will repost this in the proper place. Don’t know how to remove it from here.
You opened the door by asking how we are…short & sweet I’m feeling like a fish outta water that is flopping around. I’m preparing to lead a women’s conference at my church for the first time & find my eyes dropping focus from Jesus. Like Peter I begin to see the waves and feel the wind and I’m getting distracted from where my eyes need to be focused. I’ve added additional prayer & study of the scripture into my life because of this task of leading in ministry. Can I ask what other things do any of you leaders do to keep your focus on Jesus & do battle with the enemy? As a single mom of a deaf/blind child I don’t have the obvious partner in Christ that all of my friends say they use so I’d appreciate any OTHER suggestions. 🙂
Howdy from Ky. You asked the question about how we are doing. Normally I would not say a thing but today I ask for prayer. My husband and I are going through something. We actually went through this similiar situation a few years ago but I was so resistant to learn what God was teaching then. I can see it so clearly now. He has brought a specific opportunity to us and I knew we would end up back in this place again. I knew it and I knew He was showing me there are specific chains that can only be broken here. So here we are and I am in pain. Please pray for me to cooperate with my precious Lord as He breaks chains in my life. God’s blessings to you.
Loved this post! It put a smile on my face and a tear in my eye at the same time.
Hope I will be a praise-dancing granny one of these days!
I just became a Grandma for the first time this past Saturday morning! My wonderful daughter and son-in-law gave birth to the sweetest little 8 lb. 6 oz. boy I’ve ever seen. I first laid eyes on him when he was only 15 minutes old and my thoughts were, “He’s perfect! I know he has a sin nature but he hasn’t had time to use it yet!” 😉 Thanks for the sweet story of Jackson and you. I am the Awana Commander/Children’s Minister at our church and I pray Tucker will want me near him, too! I look forward to many praise dancing sessions with Tucker!
OH MY! This takes me back to LPL Knoxville 05 when you graciously told us Amanda was expecting and all the plans you had with that blessed little one to praise dance and make banners to praise the Lord!! Im just in awe of His Faithfulness!! That was such a fun event. I had my son with me who was 6 weeks old at the time. He was “loved well” during that event!
Im BEYOND excited that LPL is coming back to Knoxville next year! My oldest gets to go this time! 🙂
Thank you for sharing, we have missed you!
I love you!
sure wish you’d post a “sob alert” with some of your posts. I’m traveling with work this week and catching up reading blogs at the Starbucks. Your post caught me off guard. I had to hold it together and not go into an ugly cry when picturing your service and worship on Sunday. I’m yearning to serve and worship with free abandon with others who love the Lord and seek to see His kingdom expand.
I love this post! I have the privilege of working with the kids at church too and just love the praise and worship time! (oh and the craft time too!) The kids just naturally know how to sing and dance for the Lord!! And I am just a kid in a grown up body!! I am not the main teacher, so the kids say I am the “fun one!” I love it! Oh and I agree with the pizza!! We do a pizza ministry at our church! Every Wednesday night we serve pizza to the neighborhood kids! God always shows up there! 🙂
Oh, I can just picture you dancing with your Jackson in praise and worship! I’ve seen prayers answered just in the past months that I had almost given up on, and it joys my heart beyond words. My son-in-law has a Christian mentor at work and has come to know Christ and my husband attended bible study with me this past fall at First. My first granddaughter will be here in January–I’m not sure I would have had enough faith to pray another day, but He invades my heart and strengthens and fills again and again! Just wanted to give Him some praise publicly with you…Hugs.
Hi Beth!
Thanks for making me laugh and smile! I needed it so very much! I loved the thought of you and Jackson worshipping enthusiastically together. I’m hoping that we will all be pogo’ing in heaven some day, singing praises to our magnificent King!
Beth,
It was wonderful to laugh and cry with you!
We are going through the ups and downs of life right now. We are trying to sell our current house and buy a bigger house to accomodate the five of us and our doggy child!
Here is a story I just have to share:
My nine year old daughter informed me the other day that she had a “really big problem”, bracing myself for something very minor to me but would seem huge to her she shocked me by saying, “my friend Jessica does not know Jesus, I have to help her know Jesus. I want her to go to Heaven with me someday.”
You talk about humbling someone and showing them that a nine year old has it WAY more right than her 30 year old mama! I was not sure if I should just get on my face and praise Jesus or call her Sunday school teacher right away to tell her that she is doing an amazing job!
Thank the Lord for kids who remind us that the important things in life really involve teaching people to love Jesus!
Dear Beth, I know this may be off the subject but my Monday night class and I are doing the Patriarchs. In one of your videos you share a story about a girl you trade with that is Muslim. You had told of her coming to your home for Christmas dinner…..we were wondering what came from that and if she had ever come to know Jesus. I have prayed for her!! We have all enjoyed this study so much and feel as if you are our great friend!! We have been meeting every Monday night for almost four years!!! Thank you for your time and faithfulness. I pray for God to bless you!! We love you!
Dear Beth: As I read your words, my heart was taken back to 10 years ago when we were part of the core group of our church. Good times, scary times, and things I would have opted out of given the chance. But through it all I know God has been a part of it and we must persevere. I sit here inspired to fight the fight and continue on even though I must admit that sometimes I want to move down the road to a big, healthy looking church and just sit. Starting James in December and so looking forward to January in Houston. God is good – in spite of myself!
I missed the post yesterday because I was flying from WA state to Ft. Jackson, SC for my brothers graduation from boot camp. Thank you for the update.
You reached your Gilgal while singing and dancing with your sweet grandson…full circle. God is good. 🙂
Hi Bethy from Cabo San Lucas Mexico, marriage retreat
with Dr Young and Jo Beth.
Jim and I are celebrating 30 years of wedded bliss.
Dr Ed Young said that married men need to understand
that their wife need affection communication and honesty
in our relationship.
Thx Beth for all your advice thru the years,.
love God bless you much John 1:1
Suey Caldwell