Priscilla Shirer's Blog, page 57

The BIG Wide World of God

It's been a full wonderful month! I'm in Richmond today, preparing for an event tomorrow that will launch our brand-new Gideon Bible study. It's a simulcasted (link to simulcast) event that I hope you'll be tuning into on your own laptop! You're certainly invited. 

This event is the capstone of what has already been a wonderful month of ministry opportunity for me. Just over a week ago, I was in gorgeous Cape Town, South Africa for a stunning event that brings together women from literally all over the globe. Over 6.000 women gathered for this event but it was only one of the links in a chain of conferences that this ministry hosts in other locations like Australia, London and the Ukraine (where I'm headed next month). Before their yearly marathon of conferences is over, they will have minister to nearly 50,000 women! 

Every. Single. Year.

Unbelievable!

've got to admit, before six years ago or so I'd never even heard of the Colour Conference nor it's founders Brian and Bobbie Houston. The most I knew about Hillsong was that they produced amazing worship music that I loved listening to on my Ipod. Little did I know that there was an entire church having a global impact behind those stunning lyrics. So, I've been introduced to a whole new world of folks who live on the other side of the globe and are serving the same Lord and seeking to build the house of God just like I am.

Just like you are.

They are powerful and the work of God in them and through them is undeniable.

You know what's been interesting? As I gotten to know some of the Pastors and leaders from different parts of the globe like India, France, Sweden and Uganda, and we've sought to familiarize ourselves with one another, I've mentioned names and ministries to them that are a regular part of my life and typical American Christian culture. Folks that you'd mostly likely be familiar with - Chuck Swindoll, Kay Arthur, John MacArthur, Tony Evans, Women of Faith, LifeWay, Beth Moore. For the most part, they just stared at me and shook their heads.

Nope, never heard of them.

What? Seriously? You've never heard of Beth Moore?

But then again, they couldn't believe that I wasn't familiar with some of the men and women who'd most impacted their side of the globe, denomination and church culture.

So, we all laughed, shared a cappucino and marveled and the big, wide world that God has created and how beautiful it is to know that each and every part is needed to reach the whole of it. That there is no one person who is doing everything so each of us has to do something.

It's actually a beautiful thing.

So, tomorrow, I'm just going to do my part and I'm hoping that it will be a blessing to you. We'll have folks tuning in from 46 different US states and other countries like Japan and Dubai. It's always an AMAZING thing when God's women gather over His word in a unified way. All of a sudden the world doesn't seem so big after all.

I'm expecting great things!

Priscilla

It's here!!

Can you tell that we are a little excited about GIDEON and the release of Priscilla's newest bible study around here? I was privileged enough to receive my very own book yesterday! I'm beyond thrilled to start to dig through it and be able to take my sweet time rather than the read throughs for editing that we've done in the past. It's time to absorb it all and see what God has for us through the story of Gideon.

Priscilla is going to be teaching on Gideon this weekend for the Priscilla Shirer Live Simulcast. Please tell me that all of you are signed up! Annetta and I are going to be watching via our computers from our homes here in Dallas while Priscilla and her family are going to be LIVE in Richmond, VA.

So, if you haven't already, go ahead and sign yourself up, invite your friends over, get a baby sitter (or just put all your kids together in a room with a bunch of toys and they will be fine for a few hours =) KIDDING ) and join hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. It will be a good time, no doubt. 

See.you.SATURDAY!

Linnae

Countdown to Gideon - Week 6

 

Hey ya'll,

 

It's the last week before Gideon comes out May 1st! Let the 10 day countdown begin. Take a second to hear the last insider thoughts on Gideon. 

 

( Countdown to Gideon - Week 6 )

 

Wow! I never knew there was so much to this childhood story. Are any of ya'll planning on doing the study? Are you one of our pre-order people? Give us a shout out below. We will be joining you. Next stop: Priscilla live at the Simulcast. Can't wait to see you there!

The GB Team 

A Full Week

It certainly has been one unfortunately eventful week here in the States. On Monday, as most of you probably know, the Boston Marathon went from being a most joyous occasion to a very hard and shocking day as many were injured and lives were taken in the explosions that occured at the finish line. I cannot begin to imagine what that experience was like. 

As if that weren't enough, Wednesday night there was a fertilizer plant explosion not too far from us in West, Texas that also took many lives and injured hundreds of people. 

Our nation is hurting today. I would imagine that there are some of you reading this who are directly affected by both of these events. We so wish that we could be there with you, to support you, to love on you, and to help in any way possible. 

What we can most certainly guarantee today is that we want to pray. Whether you are in Boston or West, or have a need that we can pray for, please let us know in the comments below. We are in our office today thinking and praying for you. And for anyone who is joining us today, we welcome you to join us in prayer for our friends.

You are greatly loved today,

The GB Team

Sunrise

Morning's are interesting.  Some find their way into your home with liquid gold fingers of quiet, pulling you from slumber with a glance in your eyes and a bird heralding it's presence.  Others jar you into existence with a rackety alarm, smothered by pillows, and the demands of the day marching into your bedroom with loud voices demanding attention.  

Whatever morning you had this day, you did do one thing:  you woke up.  Most of us woke up and put clothes on and brushed the fuzz from our teeth and made our way into the world to conquer what little piece we have been given to conquer today.  Others are still in zombie-land, with hearts saddened by tragedies gone by.  Still others woke up to be flung into a never-ending cycle of confusion. 

No matter what happens every day, you and I awaken.  We wake up.  And each day as we awaken we make decisions and position our hearts to decide how we want to mold our day...and our lives.

In a few short weeks, we are gathering in DFW for Awaken.  It's just one night.  Just one night of meeting with women all across the DFW area to breathe in what God has to be saying to you.  Today.  This moment.  It's just one night for God to re-position your heart, to make clear a decision, to focus your eyes...just one night for God to MOVE.

And that's exactly what we're asking Him to do.  Move.  Speak.  Talk to us Father!  We are desperate to hear You!  

What are YOU doing May 23rd?  If you're near DFW, you should join us.  Breathe in God.  Worship with women of all different cultures.  And hear His Word.

 

On May 23rd, we invite you.

 

To AWAKEN.

FOR FREE REGISTRATION CLICK HERE:  http://awakenmay2013.eventbrite.com/

 

(Or click here to watch:  http://vimeo.com/62286236)

FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE:  http://www.goingbeyond.com/events/2013-05-23/awaken

Countdown to Gideon - Week 5

Welcome y'all!  

It's the 2nd to last week...ah!  The countdown is almost in the single digits!!  We.  CAN.  NOT.  WAIT.  To get this study in our hands!!!  Check out what Priscilla has to say about the "original 300", how Gideon won the battle...but grossly lost the war...

 

(Or click here to watch:  http://vimeo.com/63906094)

 

I think it's incredible to hear how someone who's been given every chance to walk the right way, even having a real-live angel show up to give him the vision of the battles to come, can fail so utterly miserably.  He won a battle with a flash of brilliance on the part of the Lord, and then turned around and did the opposite of what God had asked from him....all because of insecurity.  What are you doing today as you are given a little glimmer of vision of what God wants you to do, but circumstances don't seem to match up with the needs of that vision?  How can you choose today to trust God, in spite of your insecurity?  How can you rest in Him in the middle of today?

Love this blog video from Priscilla.  I was convicted as I start this week, asking for more trust in Him as I am confronted with the craziness of Monday.   

You are LOVED!

 

annetta and the GB Team

Waterlogged

 

It’s been five whole days – nearly a full week - since I returned from a much needed spring break vacation with my family. And, no joke, I’m just now getting the last of the sand out of my ears.

My sons’ ears, too.

Seems like no matter how much we wash and clean and dust and shake there are still little flits of golden particles falling off and out of our luggage . . . and hair . . . and clothes . . . and shoes.

Everywhere.

 

 

That’s what happens when you spend the majority of the day – for five full days - on the sandy beaches of an ocean, whipping in the turquoise blue waves and in the much warmer (and therefore parent preferred) pool stationed above it. What a blessing for which I am eternally grateful.

 

And yet, I’ll admit, I’m waterlogged.

 

My boys looked forward to this vacation for at least a year. Nearly every night for the past 8 weeks, my youngest son would look up into my eyes while I tucked him in bed and say: Are we going to the beach tomorrow, Mommy? Some families take the skiing, others to busy, fast paced cities but my boys want to go someplace where they can swim – like little fish – all day. They couldn’t wait to engage in every water activity they could. And they were ready before we even left Dallas soil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Yes, they traveled in their swim trunks so that they wouldn’t have to bother with changing when they arrived.)

 

As soon as we touched down into vacation territory their father and I were required by Shirer-boy-law to jump in and never get out. Instead of having lazy mornings sipping foamy cappuccinos and eating plates of tropical fruit, we were awakened at 6:28am each day (would have been far too kind for them to wait the extra two minutes at least until 6:30am) by excited boys who couldn’t wait to head outside. So, we’d put on our bathing suits to hit the water with the boys.

 

 

 

 

(If you think I’m going to show you a photo of me or Jerry in a bathing suit, you’ve lost your mind.)

 

It was a week of waterlogged fun that gave us much needed time to be together uninterrupted . . . except by the waves. . .and the constant eating. Being able to enjoy it with friends was the icing on the cake . . . even if we were going to be waterlogged after we did it =)

 

 

 

 

 

 

What kind of vacation does your family enjoy the most?

 

Wet behind the ears,

Priscilla

Taking Time to Listen

Life has been a little bit nuts for me lately. There's a lot of exciting things happening mixed with a lot of hard things that I'm having to continually walk through. There's moments of joy and moments when I'd rather crawl in a hole and not come out. 

In the midst of it all, I feel like I have let the craziness get the best of me and I haven't taken the time I need to get away to the secret place with God. Instead of pausing in the midst of the storm, I've just been going and trying to keep up. It is causing confusion in my mind about what God is saying to me and how He wants me to respond. 

On my way into work yesterday morning I was talking to my brother on the phone, explaining to him all that has been happening as of late. His very first question to me was, Linnae, what do you think God is saying? I paused.. and I told him the truth. I have no idea what He is saying. Because I'm not listening. I'm not taking the time to ask Him what He thinks about it all. 

Why is it that when I need to hear God the most, I let all the other voices and happenings of this world take over my time and I'm not intentional about listening to God? 

This time, I'm going to listen. I'm resolved to letting Gods voice be the ultimate one I listen to and give Him my full attention. 

So today, I pause. And I spend time with Him. And I give Him space to speak.... if He chooses to. And when He wants to. 

What about you? Are you lisetning? Are you giving Him space to speak?

Hoping we all gain another level of intimacy with our Father this week!

Linnae

Countdown to Gideon - Week 4

Hey all!  It's already week 4!  Priscilla gives us another little insight into Gideon's story from the very couch she sits and writes from most days...it's fun to see her in her little element!  So, take a second and dig deeper into the backgound of the guy that's been on our minds for 2 years now...

 

 

(Or click here: https://vimeo.com/63494657)

Gideon the rogue, prideful hero...doesn't sound like a perfect bio for a righteous man eh?  How good God is that He showers grace upon us again and again and again...so grateful!  When you hear the story of Gideon is there something that immediately stands out to you?  

Hope this April day finds you breathing in the breath of God as you launch into this week...chase all that He has for you today!  

 

Love you friend,

 

annetta

Power of a Team

Things around our office have been a little bit unconventional these days. We've had lots of random projects and details to work through that require a lot of brainstorming and planning. Photoshoots, filming, new projects on the horizon to dream about, etc. I have been observing how we plan and process as a team, and I'm overcome with thankfulness these days for the team that I get to work with on a daily basis. 

Though we are small in number, I feel like we all compliment each other so well. Annetta and I couldn't be any more opposite in the way that we think and process, but put the two of us together on a project and we sure can get some things done. Priscilla and Jerry are full of brilliant ideas and it is mine and Annetta's privilege to be able to help in any small way that we can to put some feet to their vision. 

We are all completely opposite, but fully beneficial for one another. 

It's important to KNOW the people that you work with, or the people that you are with on a daily basis. It's important to know what makes them tick and what makes them thrive. If you don't, you are hurting yourself and whatever God has for you in this season of life. It's important to put the people around you in a place of growth and utilize the way that God made them. Life is about investing in others and we need each other in order to become the best that we can be. 

Today, I honor my team and am so very thankful for each one of them. I hope to see gifts in those around me and push them towards becoming their best. 

Who can you honor in your life today... and how can you honor them?

Linnae