Beth Moore's Blog, page 47

He’s Got Your Back

Hey, you lovely things! This morning early I got a very touching text from someone that made me start reflecting on so many ways that God seems to go out of His way (if that were possible) to make sure we know He’s got our backs. You know what I’m talking about. Ways that He whispers in your ear or maybe reverberates from the mountaintops that He’s aware of what you’re battling and where you’re hurting. Ways He tells you He has NOT forgotten. Ways He assures you that your prayers are not just hitting the ceiling. That He’s on it and that your life has not for the merest instant been swallowed up in a black hole. That in your WAIT He is at WORK.

So I tweeted these two statements this morning, one right after the other:

First one:

Sit up slack-jawed over all the ways God lets you know He’s got your back. He’ll tell people to pray for you who have no earthly notion why.

Second one:

Per last tweet, I’m glad God can tell people to pray without telling them why. Sometimes I want people in my burden but not in my business.

 

The responses that almost instantly flew up on my phone exhilarated me and built me up in my faith as numerous people told me that they’d experienced the same gorgeous phenomenon. The one bad (and sometimes GOOD!) thing about Twitter is that the space is too limited to get super specific. Now that my curiosity is piqued, I want to hear some testimonies! Tell your sisters here in this community one way God has done this kind of thing for you. Tell us a specific incident or sight or encounter or correspondence He used to make sure you knew that He was with you, intimately aware of your situation. Girlfriend, you ARE very much on His radar.

Let’s testify about some ways God leaves you thinking something like,

“You hem me in, behind and before, and You lay Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me. It is high; I cannot attain it…How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!” Psalm 139:5-6,17

 

In other words…

 

Can’t wait to hear! Just so you know that no one was posing as your own Siesta Mama in that picture…

 

And that bleached blond right there loves you.

iPhone Dump: Random Edition

Good Tuesday morning, friends! It’s a sunny, crisp, beautiful morning here in Houston which is fitting since today is the last night of Bible study. I cannot believe it! These eight weeks might have been the fastest eight weeks of my life. Which is funny since I’m not the one doing any teaching. Grin. But really, we love Bible study season so it’s very bittersweet to see it go. Of course, it’s no shocker that just as I was getting the flow of Tuesdays down, it was just in time to see it leave us. Funny how things work that way!

It feels risky to be posting on a Tuesday since I don’t want to be delayed on anything for Bible study tonight, but as I was deleting a few pictures on my phone a couple of days ago, I decided it might be time to do another iPhone dump.

This edition, as you have already read, is the random edition. Meaning, none of these exhilerating iPhone pictures go together like “rama lama lama ke ding a de dinga a dong, remembered for ever like shoo bop shoo wadda wadda yipitty boom de boom.” Grease, anyone? Because really, that’s the way it should be.

Anyway, I’m running out of minutes. Pictures it is, folks.

This is my view every Tuesday evening. And a little glimpse into Bible study. I thought it was only appropriate to share this with you.

Meet Jenn. Only one of my favorite people on earth and a serious joy to serve with! She is our Tuesday night Bible study coordinator extraoirdanaire. We love her dearly. (Okay, so the first two pictures go together. But the rest, I promise, are so random. Grin.)

Believing God, anyone? I’m knee deep in the study and these truths never leave my mind. Maybe you need these reminders today, too?!

The other morning I was boiling some eggs, and low and behold, I cracked one as I was setting it in the pot. That’s so me. It made for quite the artsy egg.

Only when living with a nurse (or maybe a doctor, but in this case my roommate happens to be a nurse) do you happen to walk into a stethoscope hanging where our keys would typically hang. Normal? Not really.

A few weeks ago, this is what my drive to church looked like. We’ll call it the Great Fog of 2013. It was quite the intimidating, and very s.l.o.w drive that early morning.

A dramatic sun flare. This picture was actually taken a few months back at a retreat I was at, but I ran across it again and it made me terribly happy. Absolutely beautiful.

I bought myself tulips the day before Valentine’s day. They may or may not have been a little gift to myself. Anyway, only a few days later did they look like this. Do you see how pitiful they are, y’all? Oh my word. I’m a flower killer. The greatest thing about social media is that after posting this picture on both Instagram and Twitter, I had enough information to open a flower shop. Keeping these babies alive was no biggie! I was told to cut them, change the water, throw a penny in (yes, a penny), change vases, and a multitude of other things. Unfortunately, none of that worked. I think I just picked a bad batch. Awesome.

When my friends let me love on their little ones, it brings me endless happiness. Sweetness.

Can you say pure joy? I get a glimpse of this smile and dimple nearly every Tuesday before Bible study. This is Jenn’s (pictured above) sweet daughter.

I just have to show y’all both pictures. I mean, y’all. She was beyond tickled and laughing until her stomach hurt. Isn’t that the best kind of laugh? I love it.

These are my roommates. Every now and then when all of our random, crazy schedules allow, we get little date nights. This particular evening, we were celebrating Bethany’s birthday. On those nights, we like to take what we call our “obligatory roommate car picture.” You should try it sometime. It’s fun. This might have been our 15th take as we can never get each of us in the picture.

Just last weekend I got to serve at a conference for college girls called Masterpiece up in College Station. I loved every minute of it. But my favorite part may have been watching these girls go for it in worship. So pure. So sweet. Thank you, Lord.

Lastly, my sweet family. Getting the five of us together is a rarity, but this particular night we were celebrating my parents 34th wedding anniversary! It was a sweet night.

Well, folks. There you have it. The most random, and maybe the most boring post to date.

Happy Tuesday to you!

2013 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 5!

Hey, Darling Things! I was so happy to catch up with many of you yesterday! I was seriously thirsty for some time with you. If you didn’t tune in to the livestream but want to catch up, check the previous post. The video will stay up for a little while. It’s not at all too late to watch it and leave a comment with your 5-song playlist (on that post, not this one please!). That post is about trading in a spirit of despair for a garment of praise!  If you’re game for that, jump back to the previous entry after you’ve left your memory verse here.

Man, oh, man, I was tested all day long yesterday on whether or not I’d permit Jesus to cover me with a garment of praise. Anybody else? The day wasn’t complete until I had car trouble. Oh, and I almost forgot to throw in here that Star and Geli were bound and determined to have my raccoon for supper. I screamed to high heaven and Keith ran out in the sticks barefooted in his maroon Texas A&M pajama pants and called them off. Why the police didn’t drive up to see if there had been domestic violence, I’ll never know. Laughing. Oh, mercy, ladies. We live real lives, don’t we? The kind where you unload a dishwater that was crammed full of dishes only to realize late into the massive unloading that they were still dirty. Blast it.

I’m praising our glorious God this morning while it is still dark outside, anticipating that over the next half hour the sun will rise on a brand new day and it will be a great one. A great one, indeed, Lord Jesus. Bring it. And show Your beautiful self to us in its course.

SO, SISTERS, IT’S TIME FOR OUR 5TH VERSE! You are jotted in my prayer journal this morning where I asked God to keep you steadfastly at the process and to give you joy and victory in it and to keep your soul alive and healthy in His Word. Do not grow weary in your well doing! Always keep in mind that we’re wearing our obsessive minds out on SOMETHING. It may as well be the Word of God with the power to build it back up! Your God did not give you a spirit of fear, Sweet Thing, but of…

POWER.

LOVE.

SELF CONTROL.

I thought maybe some of you could use some fresh ideas this round so I’m going to put a few extras in here today. Two of these are from the Psalm I read to you at the conclusion of the livestream yesterday. The beauty of the first selection is that it would count for both your Scriptures this month since it’s two verses. Now, mind you, you’d still have to document the second half of it on March 15th but that’s easy to do. Right? I felt like God put a word on my heart yesterday that some of us who are really struggling with the memorization process might be making it a bit harder than it has to be in some of our selections. Try to avoid over-complicating it when possible. Only choose a really complex portion when you feel like your life and sanity depend on it and, in that case, go for it with all your might and ask God to empower you to absorb it. OK, here goes:

(1)  It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; (v.2) to declare Your steadfast love in the morning, and Your faithfulness by night.  Psalm 92:1-4 ESV   (See how easy those two would be, Sisters? And it would knock out your whole month of March!)

I’ll go ahead and choose the second one (out of the same Psalm) for my selection this March 1st. I’m choosing The NET Bible for my translation on this one because it makes me happy to use the word happy in a Bible verse. Thank you, Miss Shameless Sanguine.

Beth, Houston. “For You, O Lord, have made me HAPPY by Your work. I will sing for joy because of what You have done.” Psalm 92:4 The NET Bible

 

I’ll throw in one more because I jotted it down on an index card several months ago and set it on my desk at home where I can see it everyday while I’m having my quiet time. It hasn’t finished its work in me yet so, while it’s still on my mind, I’ll offer it up as one more possibility for some of you. I love, love, love this verse in The Message.

GOD, the Master, The Holy of Israel,

has this solemn counsel:

“Your salvation requires you to turn back to me

and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.

Your strength will come from settling down

in complete dependence on me.”  Isaiah 30:15 The Message

Well, amen to that.

I love you guys so much! That sun is just beginning to peak through the trees. It’s going to be a great day.

 

 

 

I Can’t Stand It Any Longer. Let’s Half-hour Livestream: Thursday Feb 28, Noon CST (5-song Playlist)

Hey, Sisters! If you tuned into the livestream or watched the video afterward, this is the post where you leave a  comment with your current 5-praise-song play list! LET’S HEAR IT!!!!! Thank you so much for the privilege to serve you. I have such a great affection for you. May Christ cloak you this day with a practically palpable garment of praise.

In case you missed the original livestream, you can still watch it by clicking here!

 

HERE’S THE ORIGINAL POST!

I miss you guys and your interaction so much right now! In full on writing isolation. For those of you who can, let’s hop on and livestream straight up 12:00 noon (CST) Thursday, February 28th (tomorrow, if you’re getting this on Wednesday). We’ll say hi, have a quick devotion, and pray together. SEE YOU THEN! I love you so much!

To join in with us tomorrow, simply click on this link a minute or two before we air and you’ll be good to go.

And just a friendly reminder for you early birds, if you arrive too early, you’ll see that it is password protected. This is so that we can get it set up and ready to go without an audience. Laughing. If you’ll be patient with us, we will remove the password about ten minutes prior to going live. So don’t let the password mess with you! It will come down right on time.

Also, as always, if you’ve having a problem accessing the livestream channel through the link provided, you can also find us by simply typing “Living Proof Ministries Livestream” into Google.

I Can’t Stand It Any Longer. Let’s Half-hour Livestream: Thursday Feb 28, Noon CST

I miss you guys and your interaction so much right now! In full on writing isolation. For those of you who can, let’s hop on and livestream straight up 12:00 noon (CST) Thursday, February 28th (tomorrow, if you’re getting this on Wednesday). We’ll say hi, have a quick devotion, and pray together. SEE YOU THEN! I love you so much!

To join in with us tomorrow, simply click on this link a minute or two before we air and you’ll be good to go.

And just a friendly reminder for you early birds, if you arrive too early, you’ll see that it is password protected. This is so that we can get it set up and ready to go without an audience. Laughing. If you’ll be patient with us, we will remove the password about ten minutes prior to going live. So don’t let the password mess with you! It will come down right on time.

Also, as always, if you’ve having a problem accessing the livestream channel through the link provided, you can also find us by simply typing “Living Proof Ministries Livestream” into Google.

Sparkly Green Earrings – A Giveaway

The weekend before last (I know, take a minute to figure that one out. It is Monday after all.), I drove myself to Katy, Texas. (While that may sound like I actually ventured out on a road trip, it really just means I drove 30 minutes across town.) (Also, I’m really into the parenthesis today.)

(I’m currently humoring myself and no one else. I know. Forgive me.)

The reason for my 30-minute road trip was because a sweet lady named Big Mama, I mean, Melanie Shankle, was doing a book signing at the Books-A-Million for her new book, Sparkly Green Earrings. You may have heard of her? Grin.

(By the way, if you’re curious as to why she refers to herself as Big Mama, you’ll be relieved to know she explains her alias in the first chapter of her book. But I’ll leave that story for her to tell. A little suspense is a good thing.)

Melanie has been blogging since before blogging became the thing to do, and her blog was one of the very first blogs I read. (How many times can I use the word blog in one sentence?) It was really love at first sight, or read. A few reasons I’ve loved Melanie’s blog are because she’s hilarious, real, a good writer, sarcastic and she loves Jesus. Need I say more?

Also, she does a really fun post every Friday called Fashion Friday, and I don’t know about you, but my materialistic side is really into fashion, and there is always something she’s finding online that’s adorable that I then put into my mental wish list.

Anyway, last Saturday I got lucky and both she and her equally hilarious daughter, Caroline, signed my copy of the book.

Truth be told, I love to read, but for the past week the book has sat on my bedside table. That is until I picked it up yesterday and devoured the first five chapters before I realized I would be late to church and miss prayer time unless I left right then.

(Y’all. I didn’t set my alarm yesterday morning, slept in, and went to our evening service. I don’t know, but I feel like a new woman. It was heavenly. But that has nothing to do with Sparkly Green Earrings. But I did feel sparkly. Whatever that means.)

You know those books that you pick up and they’re just easy to read, charming and you want to keep going because you’ve entered into their world without even knowing it? That’s how I feel about Sparkly Green Earrings. I realize I’m only five chapters in, but I can guarantee you it won’t take me longer than a week to finish it. Honestly, I was a little skeptical at first, not because I don’t love Melanie or her writing, but because it’s a book about motherhood, and, well, to state the obvious, I’ve not ventured into the land of motherhood, nor am I close, so I wasn’t sure if it would apply to me. But alas, it is so much more than motherhood, it is her story of motherhood and it is a sweet one. In fact, she talks about her best friend from the start, and I really resonated with that as I thought about my best friend, and our friendship, especially since she just walked through pregnancy and has her first baby girl that is my current obsession.

I say all of that to say this, our friend Melanie, and her whimsical book, made it on the NY Times Best Seller list this week. Listen, I’m no author, nor have I published a book, but I say that’s a pretty big stinkin’ deal and deserves a celebration.

Need proof? Here’s a picture.

So, to celebrate, I thought it would be really fun to give away ten signed copies of Sparkly Green Earrings! Through a series of unplanned, or planned, events, we have those copies in our possession and they make me incredibly happy. Thank you, Amanda and Melanie, for making the signed books a reality. I know y’all had nothing better to do this weekend. Grin.

Here’s a look in the book.

How about this cover? I’ve tried endless times to get my ponytail looking like that.

Signed, sealed and (almost) delivered. Grin.

Someone else we all know and love also loves this book and the author!

And here is a picture of Nancy and me at the book signing with Melanie. The only thing I’m regretting right now is the fact that Caroline isn’t in the picture with us. Watching Caroline sign the books brought me pure delight.

(Notice the leg pop both Melanie and I are doing. That makes us cool.)

To win your own copy of Sparkly Green Earrings, simply leave a comment with your first and last name. (Side note: I know some of you don’t like your last name on the internet for the world to see, so if that’s you, your last initial would be so helpful. I don’t know if you realized there are A LOT of names on this blog, and not shockingly, A LOT of duplicates.)

For fun, if you’re feeling super creative, you can also tell us hypothetically what the name of your book would be called if indeed, you were to publish a book.

And I’m not even going to pretend like I know what my book would be titled. I’ll just start with “Lindsee Lou”.

How’s that for original? Catchy?

Okay, enough about my non-book.

I’ll leave comments open until mid-Wednesday morning!

Ready, set, go win a book!

At the Risk of Feeling Exposed

Long before I darkened the door to type one word on this blog, I tapped the keys and typed many-a-word on my own personal blog. It would be perfectly legal for me to say it was a thing of the past because I haven’t actually seen the blank screen of my own blog in a mere six months.

Do you see the single tear falling down my cheek?

I miss my blog.

You see, there was something so easy about blogging in my own little corner. I know that blogging is a form of publishing, so while I was careful about the topics I approached, I was also carefree. I could write about the egg I demolished, my lack of cooking skills, being single, a weekend update, my family, my friends and post pictures galore. For the most part, I knew my reader audience and I came to love them. In fact, a handful of them were some of you.

No one asked me to give up my personal blog, I was actually encouraged to keep it, but when the day came that I was asked to write on this blog, as a part of my job mind you, I just wasn’t sure how to keep up with two blogs. I tried, but failed miserably. I can feel my stomach turning again as I remember the first time I ever hit “publish” on my first post here. I stepped into very uncharted waters, and although I’d read the LPM blog for many years and even participated by commenting, I think we can all agree that commenting and publishing are two different things.

Mentally I had to ask myself what was so different about blogging in my own little corner as opposed to blogging here, and I came to the conclusion that I felt very exposed here.

Not only did I feel exposed, but I also realized the weight of whom I was representing. In my little corner I represented my ideas, my thoughts, and me. Here, I represent my boss, this ministry and most importantly, Jesus Christ.

And let’s just get real, my reader audience not only changed, but it grew exponentially. I was comfortable with my mom, dad and best friends reading what I wrote on Lindsee Lou. Since they knew me so well, my blogs never came as a surprise or shock to them.

I’ll never forget the first time I read a negative comment directed right at me over something I had said. It hurt. But that’s the sacrifice you make in sharing your life, not everyone will agree with everything you say, nor do I expect them too, but it was still very personal. I then received another, and another. At some point, you start to develop thick skin and not let it get to you in the flesh like you’d think it would, but I finally had to stop and give myself a little self-talk. Was I representing this ministry well? Was I speaking truth? Was I representing Christ well? If the answer to all of that was yes, then I had to keep writing.

In my effort to protect my heart and guard my identity, I wanted to stop writing because it wasn’t perfect. How disgusting is that? But that’s just the perfectionist coming out in me along with a mountain of pride. Truth be told, I did the same thing with singing. I grew up singing in choir, but squirmed at the thought of singing a solo. Why? Because what if I messed up? What if I didn’t do it perfect? What in the world would people think of me?

Again, being exposed rose up in me. Leading worship and writing, two very intimate things to me. That was until the Lord pushed me out there without my begging or asking. In fact, I even said no to singing at first.

But then I had to come to the conclusion that playing it safe, to protect my identity and what you may or may not think of me, was to actually play it really boring, and quite the opposite of living by faith.

I’m into genuine, sincere writing. And I feel like sharing my life is the most genuine way to go. The good, the bad and the ugly. And you too. Have you seen the encouragement and life-giving words that have been breathed onto this blog? We have the chance here to clothe people with dignity, love them where they are, and cast no judgment.

God is searching for hearts that are devoted to Him. If my heart is devoted to Him, I have no doubt He will return the dignity to me and support me. His word doesn’t return void, and it will accomplish its purpose.

I read this quote yesterday and it stuck out to me like a sore thumb, “The more intimate I am with God, the less intimidating people are to me.” Ouch and amen.

Truth be told, this community has become more and more dear to me everyday.

As I sat in Bible study a few weeks ago, I about had the wind knocked out of me when Beth shared a scripture with us that I have not, nor do I ever want to forget.

“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8

In the middle of my throwing a fit about feeling exposed, the Lord gently reminded me why He’s called me, for such a time as this, to share my life with you. Or, as The Message puts it, we wanted to give you our hearts. And we did. Because you have become so dear to me. To us.

So, here’s my heart, my life, for you.

At the risk of feeling exposed, yet delighted to share my life with you, even if the gospel isn’t proclaimed word for word in each blog post, I pray you get a taste of Jesus Himself here.

Thank you, sweet friends, for letting me take a risk with you. The good, the bad, the ugly, the funny, the serious, and even the mundane.

I sure love you.

I’d Say 15 Years of LPL is Worth Celebrating, Don’t You?

I’m not sure what you were up to fifteen years ago, but fifteen years ago I was a little 12 year old girl quickly approaching my awkward teenage years. To me, that’s a pretty humorous thought.

Why am I telling you this?

Because fifteen years ago, my dear boss, her good buddy, Travis Cottrell along with LifeWay set out on a new journey that we all know as Living Proof Live.  Many of you have been blessed to attend these conferences.  They were designed to “teach women to love and live on God’s Word.”  This year they celebrate 15 years of God’s faithfulness through Living Proof Live conferences. Exciting? Without a doubt!

I don’t know about you, but all of us think that calls for a celebration! And we here around LPM LOVE a reason to celebrate!

So, how does one celebrate around here? Through a giveaway, my friends. Because what says “We’re so pumped!” more than giving away something with zero cost to you? Aren’t you thrilled now?

First off, if you’ve not already seen it floating around facebook and twitter, you might be blessed by this little treasure that Beth and Travis filmed a few weeks ago. (You also might be thrilled to know that Beth prefers to entitle and subtitle this video: “What’s Up With My Hair? Cowlicks For Christ.”) Y’all, I’m dying!

Living Proof Live Celebrates 15 Years from LifeWay Women on Vimeo.

Secondly, because I know you’re on the edge of your seat now, go ahead and take a look at the list of locations that LPL will be traveling to this year. I’ve decided to make it super easy on all of us and list them out right here in this post. Grin.

*Phoenix, AZ – March 22-23

*Greensboro, NC – April 12-13

*Eugene, OR – April 26-27

*Atlanta/Duluth, GA – May 31 – June 1

*Providence, RI – July 12-13

*Sioux Falls, SD – August 2-3

*Bossier City, LA – August 23-24

*Charleston, WV – September 14th (Simulcast)

*Tulsa, OK – September 27 – 28

*Springfield, IL – October 25-26

*Daytona Beach, FL – November 8-9

Now, take a really good look at the cities and dates, do you see any that are within reasonable distance from your hometown? If so, how about you say we send you and a friend to a conference?

So, here’s the plan! We would LOVE to send 15 of you to a Living Proof Live of your choice. Those of you who win will not only win a ticket for yourself, but also a ticket to take someone with you, whether it be your sister, mom, aunt, cousin, BFF or whomever you can think of!

Just a few details you might be interested in knowing is that this is just your ticket to the conference, travel and lodging are details we’re asking you to work out.

To enter the drawing, all you need to do is look at the event schedule listed and in your comment add your first and last name, your email address in the box where it asks for it when you comment (one that is working so we can get a hold of you), and what conference you’d most likely be attending. Does that make sense? Fairly easy I’m hoping!

Lastly, and this doesn’t qualify you or disqualify you for the drawing, but because we’ve recently been asked about it, I wanted to bring your attention back to the Siesta Scholarship Fund. If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, you’ll see us post before each conference with an amount of tickets we’re giving away thanks to the generosity of you, our loving siestas. That fund is still very much open, and you have zero obligation and absolutely no pressure to give to it, but if you desire to bless someone in that way, you can do so by going here. Again, we’re only making mention of it as it is often brought to our attention!

Living Proof Live is actually a LifeWay-driven event, so for all the details and for any questions you have, or are interested in attending and need to purchase a ticket, you can click here. That link will be of much help to you!

We love you ladies! I’ll leave comments open until Wednesday morning so everyone who desires to enter gets a chance!

Now let’s celebrate some good times!

2013 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 4!

Hey, Everybody!

I just loved Lindsee’s previous post! Didn’t you? (Oops, I know better than to ask a question on SSMT day that might tempt you to answer with more than your verse. So scratch that. But at least know that I’ve been heavily into writing lately and am almost desperate for Siesta interaction. We’re going to need a livestream soon and for my sake much more than yours.)  I love some occasional randomness here on the blog. Well, I actually love it more often than occasionally. But I appreciate it most of all when random and awkward meet in the hall and hold hands like seventh graders who think they’re in love. Now we’re talking. Random doesn’t get better than that. And we got some mighty fine random awkwardness out of those lists.

But, alas, today is not random. Today is for taking the next big step in our life-thriving, heart-guarding, mind-saving journey of memorizing 24 Scriptures in 2013. Wooooohoooooo!

I am a little tickled over the verse I’m about to share with you because I really like to offer one up that many of you could consider as a selection in case you’re drawing a blank.  I give that process thought every single time I write an SSMT post and have for each year we’ve practiced it. It’s the least I can do as your resident Siestaville rally girl. This time I just couldn’t make it happen, however, because I’m memorizing out of the Book of Jude and I need to proceed to the next verse. So, with seriousness and focused intention plus a side order of mild amusement, I offer you my official 2013 SSMT Verse 4:

Beth, Houston. But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” Jude 1:9 ESV

What??!? That’s not the exact verse you’ve been longing to memorize? It’s not like I read your mail?? Finding out what happened to the body of Moses has not been your latest Scripture obsession?? This may be the first time – lo these many SSMT years – when no one opts to jump with me into my selection. You’ve got to admit it’s gloriously intriguing though. I’m totally taken with it and have been reading through a commentary as I’ve proceeded in the memorization. Jude is short on words and wild as a bucking bronco in a cramped corral on themes. Don’t dream of suggesting that the verse has little relevance for us. When the enemy is harassing you, just try occasionally saying out loud with lungs full of faith, “The Lord rebuke you” and see what happens. And I’m going to see what happens, too, because I’ve never diligently gone for that approach either. I don’t have many conversations with the enemy and I hope you don’t have an overabundance of them either. Our dialogues need to be directly with God who triumphs over every principality and empowers us with His Spirit and shields us with His hand. But I do indeed at times voice rebukes and occasional directives for him to get out of my yard and away from my family. In Jesus’ Name.

Over the last decade or so, I’ve switched from saying “Get behind me, Satan” when I feel like he’s hard at work around me and messing with my loved ones to “Get behind JESUS, Satan.” Jesus is the one who coined the command in Matthew 16:23 and I’m not at all sure it’s the same ballgame with the same outcome when we repeat the words like we have the exact level of authority. Anyway, I don’t especially want Satan working behind my back. Do you? I want him behind Christ’s. With Jesus in between the two of us, we find safety.

OK, Sisters! Let’s hear your verses! Name, City, Verse, Reference and Translations please! I love you so much. I’m honored to journey with you on this adventure Home.

 

 

Things You May Not Know About Me

I don’t know about you, but I’m a list maker. A lot of days I miss actually putting pen to paper and writing out a list, but with technology these days, that just isn’t necessary. With that said, it will come as no shock to you that the “Notes” app on my iPhone might be my favorite app ever. The lists are endless. And they’re not going anywhere.

Sometimes when I’m at a loss for what to write, a list helps me organize my thoughts, so today I’m bringing you a list. Because yes, today I’m at a loss for what to write.

A list of what, you might be wondering? A list of things you may not know about me. If I knew how long the list was going to be, I’d tell you, but alas, this is all off the top of my head, so by the end of this post, we’ll both know how long the list is. I don’t know whether to apologize or say you’re welcome, but humor me today, will you? I’m laughing. I really do love y’all so much.

1. I have not gone to bed once without washing my face since about the 6th grade. Should I also mention that my morning routine is the exact same every morning? This may or may not label me OCD. And I admit, I have a few OCD tendencies. But don’t we all?

2. I am an inappropriate laugher. It’s very unfortunate. For instance, a couple years ago at our Christmas Eve service, my pastor had us place all of our lit candles into a sandbox. You know where this is going, the sandbox caught fire. I could hardly pull myself together. And there are plenty more where that came from!

3. Contrary to popular belief because of my tall stature, I didn’t play one sport growing up. However, I was asked by both the basketball coach and volleyball coach every year in high school to join the team. I graciously declined. I had more fear of the ball than I cared to admit. Also, I’m just physically challenged.

4. You know how folks like to say they’re having a good hair day vs. a bad hair day? Well, I like to say I’m having a good eyelash day vs. a bad eyelash day. Because of my naturally long eyelashes (I’m not complaining), they have a mind of their own. Some days they are one with the mascara, other days we battle clumpiness.

5. My hair is naturally wavy/curly.

6. I have a 36 inch inseam for my pants. Yes, I am all legs.

7. I was the first of my family born in Texas to a California dad, and a Colorado mom. 
I am so proud. Yes, you could say I love Texas.

8. My claim to fame was singing at the Super Bowl with Josh Groban along with some other alumni from Houston Children’s Chorus when it was in Houston, back in 2004. We sang the ever so popular, “You Raise Me Up.” One of my very favorite memories by far. And indeed, a huge privilege.

9. Although I don’t travel near enough, I do love to travel. Italy is one of my favorite places I’ve visited. I’d love to go back! I think Florence was my favorite.

10. To put myself to sleep, or when I am really tired, I rub my feet together unintentionally. 
I remind myself of a cricket.

11. Colorado is one of my favorite places to be. (Because of the people and the gorgeous scenery!)

12. I majored in Early Childhood Education when I was in college and graduated a certified teacher in the state of Texas. However, I haven’t taught school a day in my life, unless you label student teaching as such.

13. I was the kid that grew up in church, but didn’t make my faith my own until my Senior year of high school. Praise God for His faithfulness and graciousness towards us.

14. I’m not a collector of many items, but I’ve collected and own a ridiculous amount of scarves. I’m not sure if I should be proud or embarrassed since I live in one of the hottest cities in America.

15. My favorite food? Well, it’s a toss up between Mexican and Chinese. Leaning more towards the Mexican. I’m very hungry right now.

16. This is a new fact, but to help me memorize my scriptures, I’ve been putting my scripture as my wallpaper on my phone home screen. Just an idea for any of you visual learners as well! (See visual below. Grin.)

Your turn! What’s one thing we may not know about you? See, these things are fun. Everyday we get to learn more and more about each other. I love it.