Oh, ladies! Before I say anything else, I just have to tell you that all of Houston is on cloud nine because our weather has been out of this world gorgeous. Coming from the high 80’s last week to the low 40’s this week has put a skip in our step and is undoubtedly preparing us for the upcoming holiday festivities. I don’t know about you, but I like the week of Thanksgiving to have a little bit of chill in the air. It just feels right.
Enough about the weather, though. Mercy, y’all hear more about our weather than anything else. It’s just so fickle that we (and by we I mean me) get really caught up and obsessed with it.
Needless to say, I am thankful for our current temperatures.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, I’m trying to imagine what we’ll all be doing about this time a week from TODAY. Whoa. I’m looking most forward to my post-turkey nap. It always delivers.
Moving on.
I spent last weekend with a handful of middle school girls and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t still in recovery mode. They are pure gold, but our energy levels don’t even compare. They are like the energizer bunny while I am more like a turtle. I like to take things slow and steady. Them? Not so much. I know those of you who work with young girls are laughing. You get me. I’m still trying to decide if they are more concerned about One Direction’s newest single or the truths we talked about this weekend, but I’m claiming the truth that God’s word never returns void, so I’m praying the Word sinks deep in them. Of course, you know I’m kidding about One Direction. Kind of. But if I am going to get in with the young girls, I have to know what they’re currently obsessing over, and well, One Direction has certainly hit a nerve.
(To chase one more rabbit trail, for those of you who have no idea who One Direction is, to put it very simply, it’s a pop boy band.)
Can I just encourage you for a minute? In a world where we hear more negative than positive regarding the younger generation, I want you to know that listening to these girls sing their hearts out during the most simple worship set, and watching them put pen to paper taking notes during each session was by far the biggest delight of my weekend.
Y’all, there are some jewels out there and it is our job to speak truth and invest in them. How are they supposed to be our future leaders if we’re not pouring into them now and showing them the Way now? It’s not easy, but it’s necessary. And you can never start too early.
Oh, how my heart for these young girls beats fast. They need us. And we most definitely need them.
Anyway, I’ll step off my soap box so I can share with you what I really got on here to say. (Sorry for the rabbit trails.)
What I really want to say is, we have something new in our product store that might spark some memory or interest for some of you.
And while I’ve now set this post up to make you believe it’s a resource about the weather or something for young girls, I want you to know that it has nothing to do with either of those things. I do apologize.
For those of you that have asked if you can get your hands on a copy of the LPL Simulcast message: “Girl A to Z: A Call Back to Faith”, today is your lucky day. Our desire on the blog is never to promote a certain this or that, but we’ve gotten so many calls and emails from those of you asking about it, that the easiest way for us to get the message out is through the blog.
The message from the simulcast about forsaking fear and gaining faith was so powerful that I’m still looking over my notes from that weekend, and I know many of you are, too.
If you are one of the ladies we’ve heard from about getting a copy of the message, you can get it by simply visiting our product store by clicking here. We have made it available as an audio MP3 download only. We hope and pray it speaks life into your bones.
We count it an absolute honor and privilege to serve y’all. Thank you for letting us do so. We love you!
Thank you for all of the efforts to bring this message to those of us who were unable to attend. Can’t wait to listen in….
Oh my ~ oh my ~ oh my!!! This is BEYOND exciting — but — how do I do this — totally unfamiliar with what you are talking about — hahaha — HELP!!! Like mp3??? Help — Thank-you!!
Hi Colleen! Just click on the link and it will take you to our resource store. There it will guide you through the process of purchasing and downloading it. Hope that helps!
Can I just say that I love you ladies sooooo much! Thank you so much for doing this. Blessings to you all!
Lindsee,
I just wanted to whisper a word of encouragement: they are listening…. to more than you think.
I worked with our church’s youth group for about 5 years, and taught small group during that time. MANY Wednesday nights, I’d drive home wondering if anything went past the glazed eyes and squirrely-ness.
I got a phone call about a month ago from one of my darling dear ones… she said, “Traci, you remember that one night you talked about repentance, and you made us all get out of our chairs and take two steps, and then turn around and take 5 steps the other way? Well, yeah. I need the references for the scripture you used that night…”
It was about 4 years after “that one night”…
You’re doing a great thing for God’s kingdom by discipling those young ladies! And you will reap many benefits, and God will most likely let you in on the progress He’s making with one or two of them some day!
Traci, thank you for your sweet words. They DID encourage me this morning! And what a sweet call to get from one of your girls. I know that blessed you! Have a wonderful weekend!
Yes, Yes, YES!!! (Referring to your rabbit trails of course.) I love your passion for young girls, as a young adult myself, I feel much the same about them. My life wouldn’t be where it is at now had women older than myself not invested in me and lead me back to Jesus. Keep up the good work, Lindsee!
Hi! PLEASE tell us where u taught with the middle school girls? PLEASE!!!??
We teach a middle school girls youth group and REAlLY could use some good resoirces and encouragement 🙂
Thank u!!
Gris
Hi Gris! I actually spoke at a middle school girls retreat for a church here in Houston that they put on. I don’t know if that gives you any encouragement or resources, but that’s where I was!
Thanks so much for making this available! I was disappointed when I missed the simulcast, but, now, I can’t wait to soak up what our Heavenly Father wants to teach me through it.
Blessings to all of you at Living Proof!
D’Shan
Wow, Lindsee, I was JUST praying about the seed of an idea I had about starting an afterschool girls Biblestudy at the middle school where I teach (public school). Then I read your post. Hmmm . . . what would God have me do? I’ll continue to pray about it. In the meantime, what curriculum/book would you suggest that I use for the study?
Oh Marcia! If the Lord is leading you to do it, then so be it. As far as curriculum, that’s tough because it really depends on the girls you’ll be ministering to. Their needs, issues, Bible knowledge, maturity, and so on. Feel free to email me ([email protected]) and I’ll see if I can help you think of something. I hope that helps!
Thank you Beth for all you do for us, I an so encouraged by this ministry, bringing healing, and help through prayer and Bible study, Paslm 37, Acts 1:24 Love & Prayers, CB
Thank you, Lindsee!
I had to work and could’t attend the simulcast, so I feel so blessed to have it available now. Thank you and Beth and Lifeway for making that happen.
Answered prayer for sure.
Love you all
Margie
Titus 2!
Thanks for the encouragement and the little “push”!
Many blessings to you.
m.a.
Thanks Lindsee. A bit of a rabbit writer myself, I truly enjoyed following your trail. A dear friend of mine loves to randomly exclaim, “Squirrel!” reminding us of the darling dog from the movie, “Up.”
Happy Trails!
Oh.My.Word, Lindsee at the timing of this!!! I already purchased the download last week. I missed the simulcast but loved the printout, so I couldn’t wait to hear what went with it!!!
But, my thrill is over my sweet 14yr old who will be in a disciple now weekend starting tonight. What encouragement your words are!!! How I pray she will be good soil.
You are a blessing! So glad the weekend went well for you. I was praying, Love you!
Oh Thank you! Thank you!!! This means so very much to me (us) that didn’t go to the event. Blessings to you all!!!
Middle school girls are such a joy. Lot’s of energy and lots of hugs! I’ve been lucky to serve for 15 years with Younglife, going on middle school campus and just being their mentor. Also ministering with them on trips to SF and Meico to help the poor with a leadership group of middle schoolers. They really want to serve and love Jesus. Thanks for investing in my peeps this week,as One Direction would say…. that’s what makes you beautiful!
Kathleen, you know you work with young girls when you can end a comment in a song lyric. Well done! Love it! Blessings to you as you continue to invest. THANK YOU! Know your work has not gone unnoticed.
Hey Lindsee,
Question: Is there going to be a way to get the SSMT Celebration mp3? It just sparked my memory/interest after seeing this posted.
I might go “crazy, crazy, crazy” if I can’t get it! 🙂 (OK, not really, but I really wanted to include those lyrics! Ha ha!)
Courtney
You SOOO do not know what a confirmation this post is– and how God worked over the last weekend! I didn’t know anything about this simucast and stumbled upon it and purchased it last weekend while I was stranded in my house for 4 days with no car and bad weather! But it was perfect timing because God was callin me “back to have faith” on something. AND the wonderful thing is the ending of part 2 when Beth mentioned the date– I then understood what God was calling me to. You see on the same day this was being filmed I was celebrating a “faith day” and literally put my foot in the water at a river I pray at, and WALKED across!
Your rabbit trails were enjoyable! Love you and your heart that “beats fast” for the next generation. I believe God is raising up a mighty army in our next generation.
Oh Lindsee! You are surely the bearer of glad tidings!! For random and assorted reasons I haven’t been able to join the Simulcast for the past couple years. And oh, how my heart did break. I even bought the “watch it on your own” option this year – but the day of the simulcast was the first of a ten day visit with my wonderful in-laws (from San Angelo, no less). I couldn’t very well abandon them on their first day here while I snuck away to catch tiny snippets of Beth and Co. – although I did kind of try. Beth’s Houston voice was preaching away in the bedroom on my computer while my mother-in-law’s S. Angelo voice was talkin’ up a storm in the kitchen. Oh. It was just so much Texas. I could hardly stand it for the sheer joy (I do dearly love a Texan accent).
Anyway – I only caught the tiniest little bits and pieces of Beth’s teaching and will be tres THRILLED to hear the whole nine yards!!
Can I beg a prayer request for a second? I have a dear, dear secular Israeli family members (host family from 26 years ago) in and around Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. If it’s in your heart, will you pray for safety for the region — for all the nationalities represented – during this time of escalated warfare. So many people in the Middle East – Jews, Palestinians, others – are meeting Jesus. So many don’t know Him yet. Please pray….
Thank you for putting this up the very morning we were taking our foster babies for their goodbye visit with their mother. I have been praying and very worried about this visit. I listened all morning and we arrived just at the last commissioning was being said. I knew this was for her and I gave away my baby bag (she is due any day) that had gone to Africa with us and back home with us as our 7month old son passed away. That baby bag and your commissioning became one of her first baby gifts for her about to be son on a very hard day for her. The visit went well and I had all the faith and courage I needed. Thank you!
I have twin middle school girls, and I have to confess I didn’t know who One Direction is. I am very blessed that my daughters, who attend a public school, do not get wrapped up in the latest “boy band.” We host many slumber parties at our house too and it always takes a couple of days for me to recover. I love getting into a party theme of some kind and running with it. Lots of memories those parties are.
Thank you so much! Praise God for this message! I have a journal full of notes from the Forsake Fear and Take Courage verses! Your obedience to Gods calling on your life has blessed me so much! Breaking Free got to the root of some unforgiveness and bitterness I was walking around with as a Pastor’s wife, Believing God prepared me for the journey of faith as we left all we knew to plant a church in lower Alabama, and now what is He preparing me for through this message? It is going to be awesome and you sista have been used in the journey!
I downloaded it Saturday and finished listening to it this morning on my run. I have been struggling so much with fear over the past year and it’s time to put a push back!
Thanks!!!
oops…..time to push back.
Hello Beth
We attended the delayed simulcast event at Rosebank Union Church in Sandton, South Africa this past Saturday, Nov17th 2012.
God meets us right where we are at.. during the simulcast He showed me: “you are not where you were a six year ago – you are not where you were a year ago – you are not where you were six months ago – or even last week, for I am doing a new thing in you.. this was a breakthrough for me.. to let go the past.. to stop allowing the past and fear of the past to stop me speaking out about Jesus.. but to trust Him as He is doing a new thing in me.. since the simulcast I have been reminded of the scripture in Isaiah 43 verse 16: “Thus says the LORD……….
‘Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen. This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise'”.
I know He is doing a new thing in me.. His Holy Spirit is working in my life.. the past can no longer hang on like the “snake” that just hung on.
I am so grateful that I was part of this event. He used this teaching to speak right into my heart and showed me something that I have allowed to stop me speaking with confidence about Jesus. How the devil loves to remind us of our past.. I allowed him to even stop me speaking out about Jesus as I felt that those who know my past would think me a hypocrite if i speak out about Jesus.
God is gracious.. none of us deserve this grace but He has given it to us freely… The past is exactly that.. it is past… and God is doing a new thing. How grateful and thankful I am.
I need to share with Beth & Staff how life changing Beth’s prayer was for me. I found myself weeping and I realy felt like it was just Beth & me. THANK YOU I really needed that! It was just the boost of faith that I needed to hear the Lord’s voice again.
Love you all!
Of course, having all the kids and grands here makes #1 on the list of wonderful things about this Thanksgiving. #2 is seeing my grandson Paxton riding on the John Deere (mower) with his Uncle Greg. 22 month old Paxton is a ‘handful’, in a wonderful way, and knowing Uncle Greg took the extra effort to get the mower out of the garage and go for a spin just makes me smile. Kindness like that is often overlooked but I saw one happy little boy and that is all it takes for this Mimi’s heart to swell.
Glad you had a nice Thanksgiving too Beth.
P.S. With my husband recently leaving the corporate world and working from home now as our territory Awana Missionary, I could use a little time alone….:)…
Beth, commentaries!!!!
Pgw for me. Thanks. Have a blessed day.