*To log onto livestream, just click this link. Or type: www.livestream.com/livingproofministries into your web browser. Reminder: If you log on too early, it may be password protected. We’ll lift that password in plenty of time for you to join in! See you tomorrow!
RED ALERT! PLEASE NOTE THAT THE TIME HAS CHANGED TO 10:30 AM RATHER THAN 11:00 AM SO THAT WE CAN CLOSE DOWN BEFORE THE NEHEMIAH FACEBOOK LAUNCH PARTY FOR KELLY MINTER’S NEW SERIES. It is so fabulous and I don’t want you to miss a single word about it if you can help it. I’m not going to miss it either. (I thought it began at 11:30 but I was mistaken!) Those of us who can make it will gather at 10:30 for our Siesta livestream then, as many as possible, jump on Kelly’s at 11:00. If you need to make an understandable choice between the two, attend Kelly’s! Mine is just a chat time and we’ll have many opportunities just like it. The launch party for Nehemiah is a one-time-only skype. Thank you for your cooperation! The following post has now been edited and corrected:
Hey, Sweet Things! Let’s get together live again! Want to?? I have a window of opportunity this coming Wednesday, February 1st at 10:30 AM Central Standard Time for half an hour. Would that work for any of you? I know many more would be available if we’d do the livestreams in the evenings and I hope to schedule some of them accordingly but our little studio and set up for streaming is here on campus at LPM. Since these tapings require a substantial amount of staff on hand, I hate to ask them to work after hours. As it is, they work every Tuesday night this time of year. I so appreciate your patience until we can schedule one after work hours. Until then, those of you who are pretty certain you’ll be able to tune in, consider doing something that might make our time together richer. In a comment to this post, please very succinctly (so that I can read many of them!) tell me ONE of your biggest cares or concerns right now. The devotional we’ll share has to do with that theme – unless God changes the direction – and I’d love to work in some of your own examples. Please, JUST ONE and within a few sentences please. Oh, man, I don’t ever want to play “tick tock, the game’s locked” but it would work most effectively if only the ones who plan to participate in the livestream leave comments to this particular post. If you’re unable to attend, please refrain from writing a reply BUT here’s how you can participate: let these comments morph into prayer requests and pray for some of your Siestas in their areas of greatest concern!
Since I’m posting this after closing and our hard-working Lindsee has already gone home for the day, don’t look for these comments to get moderated and published until well into the morning tomorrow (Tuesday). Thank you so much for contributing!
I hope to “see” many of you Wednesday at 10:30! Oh, and by the way, this one is open to any woman and not just our community so you’re welcome to get word out. As I promised, I’ll let you know when a gathering is really just intended for our active blog community.
You are huge to me.
May Jesus be blatant to you this week! He loves you so.
My biggest concern right now is being able to trust God in every area of my life – my job as Children’s pastor at a thriving church in the middle of cornfields in Illinois, living far away from family & missing them, Single at 26, need for encouraging Christian friends my age, and most importantly-growing in my relationship with God.
Praying for a spiritual breakthrough for myself and my pastor husband. We desperately need a revival in our hearts after losing our first child, almost losing our second and struggling with fertility. I am believing God for abundance, fruit and redemption from our long season of brokenness and barrenness. Please pray that Satan will not have any more ground in our lives and that God will get the glory from our difficulties. Thanks! Love you!
Hi Beth,
My husband is being forced in to retirement with the USPS as the plant where he works will be closing sometime in the near future.
We are not ready financially. We will have a retirement but it will take approx nine months to collect it.
Please pray for wisdom and provision for a part time job for him. He wants to work till he is 66.
I tried to be concise, I really did…Bless you!
Melinda Hohenberger
Just feeling really overwhelmed: As a mother of little ones 7 and 4 years and running my own business as well as “trying” to keep up with everything around the house, it just seems that there is NEVER enough time to finish what I need to do.
My biggest concern right now is for a grand jury hearing in which I am going to have to (out of obedience to my Lord) testify against a “friend” who secretly videoed me.
I have several concerns, but one of the biggest is that my dear 23 year-old son has been dating a girl for 2 years and no matter how hard I try, I do not believe she is the right girl for him. There is nothing I know to do but pray. It’s a heartache to feel your child is headed for a train wreck and you cannot stop it.
I am looking forward to the livestream. My biggest concern right now has to do with some health issues. I have been having head pain for 4 weeks, which the dr’s think is a nerve issue. Had a CT scan and it is nothing seriously wrong. However, I have taken a leap of faith and started a Community-wide Bible Study at the first of the year. I am teaching out of I Peter and we have had over 50 ladies come, praise the Lord! My life is full as I am a pastor’s wife, mom of 2 and associate pastor at our church. The Lord is allowing me an opportunity to have a deeper level of trust and reliance upon Him as I walk through this season.
Church. I love love love to go to church. My husband doesn’t. I want our kids raised in church. He doesn’t think it’s important. He thinks that the way we raise them at home is more important. Been grappling with this one for a while. My desire (and what I believe to be right) vs. honoring my husband. I’d love any help with this.
Since I opted out of chemo and the five yr pill, I just want to know that my remaining time here on earth might somehow glorify my Savior. That’s all. Even tho’ members of my family and doctors say, “She’s got very peculiar beliefs.” I’m just asking Jesus to allow my life to be used to HIS glory for whatever time I have left, and to forgive me for taking advantage of the many days HE’s allowed me. Maybe forgiveness is my topic. Afterall…I am a peculiar person.You know what’s really peculiar? I’ve heard the more peculiar you are the harder it is to forgive. Isn’t that peculiar? Shall we have peculiar high five for forgiveness?
My biggest issue/care/concern right now is my marriage. After 21 years of marriage and eyeball deep in the current chaos of raising two teenagers as well as both of us working fulltime and facing financial challenges like never before we are literally “fighting” to survive and our marriage is taking the toll. There is no passion, no desire, no joy, no peace, no fulfillment, no grace, sometimes no respect, it feels like no love, and certainly no holiness in what is supposed to be this holy covenant. We are 45 years old and we have been dating since we were 17 and married at 23 after college. What happened? How did we get here? How do we get back to what God wants our marriage to be…what we want it to be? So very sad.
I will be attending tomorrow, and the biggest care on my heart right now is working in ministry as a 31-yr-old single. God has blessed me greatly, and I truly have nothing to complain about, but I would really love to have a husband to work alongside in ministry and missions. It’s something I pray about all the time!
Lindsay,
You and I are in EXACTLY THE SAME SITUATION. I am single, 31, and heavily involved in ministry. 🙂
Just last December, God confronted me and said, “Even if I never give you a single baby, or never let you teach another lesson from Scripture, I am enough?” The tears flowed! He continued, “Is knowing ME enough? Is it enough that you memorized Colossians, just to know ME better? Is is enough that you study Scripture, just to know ME better?” The questions continued and so did the tears…The verdict was, “Of course, Lord, you are enough.”
Please don’t take this as preaching at you (I’m sure you have had a similar conversation with the Lord)–just letting you know that you’re not alone! 🙂
Afraid to commit to a life change (losing 80-100 pounds) because I am afraid I will fail (again!!)
Almost every single person that I am related to is going through something major: marital struggles/separation/divorce, drug abuse, chronic health issues, financial trials, suicide attempts, brain tumour…. These are things that have just surfaced in our family over the past two or three months. I am praying that God gives us the strength and the wisdom to journey with these loved ones of ours who are hurting so badly.
I am planning to attend tomorrow. I am sure there are so many Siestas who have much more serious concerns that could use some help. Right now I am just asking the Lord for some guidance in a balance between working and serving my father and mother as my mother is dying at a young age. We were never a close family so I desire for them to see Jesus as I am the only Christian, as I can help them in this difficult time when no other family members are helping.
My biggest concern right now is that my 16-yr-old daughter has decided Christianity is not for her. I know her faith needs to be her own, but its hard to see her struggle with her doubts, and yet push God away too. I need wisdom in what I say, so I don’t sound like I’m preaching or lecturing.
Our youngest (20) just moved out tonight. Our middle daughter’s husband my take a job in another city and our oldest is still suffering from carrying twins and losing one. She is due with her second child in8 weeks and the anxiety is so heavy upon all of us. My heart is heavy for my children and I don’t understand my purpose now that we have an empty nest. Fearful.
Between some siblings trying to blend families after divorce, others not living for the Lord, and my parents caring for my grandparents that live with them (very difficult situation) my thoughts are often on them. Also, my husband and I (he’s a preacher) have had several conversations that leave us frustrated with friends and family…goes back to the thing you mentioned at the SSMTC~most of us don’t have a knowledge problem, just an obedience problem. Seems like so many issues could be smoothed out if we just DID what we know we should do.
Looking forward to tomorrow 🙂
love,
Audrey
My biggest concern is with the depression I am fighting. It’s a big concern, but our God is bigger!!!
I’m currently struggling with my singleness and God’s seemingly lack of direction in my life. (I know that is a LIE as He IS in control, but I’m having trouble seeing His hand in my daily decisions and struggles) I so deeply want community and a relationship with a godly man and am frustrated that I’m not seeking contentment in Christ with where I am right this very moment. Where I am right now is where He wants me to be! I stray from that truth so often.
Thinking of this as I go to bed tonight … LONELINESS. That is huge … to be surrounded by so many friends and still be so lonely … then that leads back to depression … and that leads to the pit that I so desperately do not want to go back to.
My biggest concern right now is for my husband’s job. He’s trying to decide whether to stay in his current job or apply for another job opportunity. Tough decision, especially when it involves working in a church. My second biggest concern is for our finances – credit card debt and two kids in college.
I am so excited that you picked my day off to do the livestream! There are no coincidences, so I am expecting a word from the Lord just for me tomorrow. I am very concerned for my church. God has called our beloved pastor to another church. I am praying for God’s wisdom clear guidance during this transition time.
36 and single for 7 years. Surrendering my willingness – following God NO MATTER WHAT. Even if that means I never get married and have another child, sigh.
Dear Lord, You know my heart is so heavy as I battle this cancer. Now it’s spread to my bones and I’m having so many complications. You know I want to live for you, but my heart is truly breaking because I want to be here for my precious 14 year old daughter. She has gone through so much. I just hurt so much physically and emotionally. I don’t know how to deal with this next phase. I cry out to you Lord, please hear my cries.
Praying God’s healing and peace simultaneously for you, Traci, and those you love.
Praying for healing and peace as well. God hears your cries and He is with you.
Isaiah 43:1
Do not fear for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters I will be with you’ and through the rivers they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the falme burn you. For I am the Lord your God
I don’t know the answer to this question because I feel like it changes with the day. I just want to honor God in all that I do – but especially in my roles as wife and mother. I want someday to hear “well done good and faithful servant.” I pray I will.
Annette, Toronto ON
Increasingly our world does not want to hear about Jesus Christ. They will talk about other “religions,” and will tolerate any “faith,” but not Christianity. I live in
Canada and both Canada and the USA were founded on Biblical principles, yet how quickly that is being forgotten. Revive us, O Lord! May we stand fast for You.
My daughter. My husband has chosen drugs over our family. He just walked out on us. We are currently in the process of getting a divorce. He is now wanting joint custody of her.
My prodigal son.
Biggest Concern: Do my girls “get Him” will they love him with everything they have to stand firm.Have I lived it out in front of them. Does the youth group I work with “get Him” Our world is so noisy, twitter, facebook, text, linkedin, blah, blah,blah…….They will have to be intentional in searching for him. The world is trying it’s best to drown Him out. God forgive us.
I am so thankful for many things, but life feels jumbled. I’ve been a single mom for over 16 years and my youngest of three sons will graduate from high school in May. At the same time God seems to have opened “a can of worms” 🙂 professionally … a nonprofit focus on prison ministry (which I LOVE but doesn’t pay the bills), some nonprofit marketing consulting work and a new leadership position heading up marketing for a Christian university (that wil move me 7 hours away from all three sons this summer). These “worms” aren’t bad, I love advancing nonprofit ministries, but everything feels tangled and wiggly … including my emotions over loving work (if I could just get the worms to stay still) and my changing community with my sons.
I am a pastor’s wife, we left a wonderful 15yr place of service where we were well loved and moved to a place where we were eventually told “we were not a good fit.” My husband had done nothing wrong. We have learned much during this time, my husband has written a book and our God has more than met our needs We have been without a full time job for a year and half now. We sense such an excitement in our hearts yet we are within weeks of our finances being a rock bottom. We are certain that God has “got this” and will turn it around. I just want so badly to finish well and am so eager for our family to be connected to a church again.
Biggest area of concern right now? Learning how to find God in a Real and fresh way, to see His hand Every day in my life and in the lives of those around me. How to Really Please Him.
Hi Beth!
I’m a homeschooling mom….soon to be including my youngest son with Down syndrome (oh he is delicious!). I’m also a writer (working on first book), a photographer (building this business) and the leader of a non-profit that I founded…serving orphans. I LOVE everything I do… and recently resigned from what was controlling me (Real Estate). I want to honor God with every moment of my day and strike the balance I need to be effecient and full of love in each of these areas. I might need to be a better wife too. My concern is balance and surrender. I want to shine for him.
p.s. i’m so thankful i got to meet you at the celebration… such a sweet moment for me.
Praying Ron and Diana. Please give them the strength to endure this time and if it is your will, please heal them. Thank you for this season of relief and peace for me. Please enable me to comfort them and others as you have comforted me.
I am battling with fear. I moved to Oklahom and am finding myself sick with fear of the coming tornado season.
This morning a lady I am friends with on facebook ask for prayer. Her husband Ross accidently hit a 20-year old girl who was crossing the street in the dark. He did not see her. She was taken to the hospital and they haven’t heard anything. Would you please pray for this dear friend and her husband and the victim. They would appreciate your prayers so much.
My friend is Karen Jantzi and her husband Ross.
My husband is in the process of selling the family business and changing into another career field. Plus my oldest son leaves for South Korea in 15 days. I’m trying to consider it all joy when I am forced to make yet another change.
Knowing with definite certainty the will of God. Trusting Him enough to do it when it seems foolishness to others.
Fear. Not letting it rule me. God has been working with me on this, and I must, MUST not be a slacker in this area.
Trusting God’s sovereignty when bad things happen.
Can someone tell me how I participate??
wisdom&discernment,pray our every step brings us closer to God! Blessings to you all in Jesus, your sister&friend
I was concerned with whether anyone will ever love me…I was actively seeking this love…and I finally realized, I need not seek for it. God loves me more than anyone in this world ever will! I praise God and thank Him for loving me first. Last night’s Bible study was just what I’d been needing to hear. Although I’d heard of God’s love before, I’m finally believing it!Thank you God! And thank you Beth for your teaching last night!
Right now, all my thoughts are consumed with trying to have another baby. we were blessed 5 years ago with an incredible little boy. But our desire is so great to add to our family and that just hasn’e happened yet. I am battling feelings of failure and anger towards God. Why would he put this desire in my heart and cause me to wait so long? Tha tis the question I keep hearing in my head and my heart. We have considered adoption and are very open to it. We haven’t started that process yet though.
Praying for you tonight Tara! Our second child was born four (long) years after his sister. I finally came to a point that I gave ALL control to the Lord. I got peace because I knew the whenever or not ever was up to him. I was driving my husband crazy by my trying to control it.
I had to miss the livestream but I DID watch the video just now. Thank you so much for the powerful word. I love having the vision to be able to see myself throwing my anxieties and fears to the Lord! Praise HIM!
I was unable to participate in the livecast today because I was in a meeting at work. Is there a way to watch/listen to it after the fact?
Hi Laura, just click on the link at the beginning of the post and you should be able to watch it!
Thank you! I finally got to watch it.
There is a disconnect in my marriage that is very upsetting to me. We love each other, but we are both pulling back emotionally due to his upcoming deployment. Physically it’s less, the communication is less, and he seems to spend more and more time at work. Lord, help us.
Spiritmom,
I am praying for you this morning. My husband served twenty years and deployed many times. Sending hugs your way….
Hi. I just viewed session two of James – Mercy Triumphs. God’s been waking me up for the past few days at 3am, to pray, no doubt. I’ve sensed more, so I popped in the second session, ahead of God’s current class at my church. I don’t know where to ask this, I don’t know how to leave a question for Miss Moore, so, I’ll send this out to anyone…who cares to comment…What happened to my joy? Miss Moore said to let joy in…well what happened to it in the first place. I know I had it…I don’t know where I lost it. I know I want it back and I know it grives God to see me in tears all the time…I want it back! God bless you who reads this…I’m praying for you right now….it must be difficult to open these and reading someone’s innermost thoughts. I love you.
Beth, Just wanted you to know that I got home one day after my full robotic davinci hysterectomy at City of Hope in California and I praised the Lord thru the pain. I did not have to have pain meds. and drugs. I am praising him for the craftmanship of the doctors and robot. Love, child of God, Kathleen
My sweet ‘daughter’ Emilee and I had the privilege this past Friday of eating lunch with two new siesta friends, Dee Ann and Anne – both from the same area around Greenville, SC. We met in Houston and the airport coming home. They didn’t know each other either. The common bond of our love for the Lord and Scripture memorization brought us together:) I can see some mighty close friendships forming already. God is so GOOD!! Thank you LP, once again for our Siesta weekend!