Priscilla Shirer's Blog, page 67

When Are We Going To Get It?

I've been playing in a sand volleyball league here in Dallas and had my last game last Wednesday night. We ended up losing in the playoffs which was a huge bummer but I'm actually grateful because it allowed me to sit and talk with one of the girls on my team while we watched the final game. All of the sudden I found myself having such a sweet conversation with this girl as we got into the details of our lives.

Turns out, Becky and I both went through quite a difficult journey this past year: a relationship with a guy that ended unexpectedly, family struggles, roommate conflicts, and our own battles with illness. As she was sharing with me about everything she had been through, I felt like she was basically telling my own story along with hers. 

One thing in particular that she said stuck out to me. She metioned that she wished she could be in the next season. She doesn't feel settled, is looking for a new job, hoping for more community. The next season...

In fact, it seems like most conversations I've had as of late center around this very subject. People everywhere seem to be in a season of "transition". Not quite sure who or what they are supposed to invest in, not seeing the breakthrough that they are wanting; hearts burning with passion but feeling a little clueless as to what to do with it right NOW. 

But what is scary to me about all of this is that those who are already in the next season that we think we want to be in are saying they wish they could go back to our season so that they could do it better, or more fully or absorb everything there was to learn for that time. 

Do you know what I'm talking about? Seems like I always hear parents with grown children talking about how they wish they could go back to the days of changing diapers and having little babies around, and parents with new babies talking about how they wish they could go back to the times when it was just the two of them in an empty home, and the newly married woman longing for the days when she lived with her friends and didn't have to tell a man where she was going all the time. But then the single girl only wishes that she could finally meet the man that she will hopefully spend the rest of her life with and the woman who has been married for a bit just wishes that she could finally get pregnant, and so on the story goes....

Can I be honest and say that I don't want to be that person? Unfortunately, in some ways I think that I have been. But if I can't learn to live FULLY in what God has for me today, then I'm afraid I might spend the rest of my life longing for something that will never fully give me the hope and life that I so desire. 

How do we do it? I don't quite know the answer right now. But I'm thankful that I get to hear from people who have gone before me to provide wisdom and help. And I'm thankful that God is Faithful and I can trust Him. And I'm thankful that I am surrounded by people who love me and are committed to seeing me live out my destiny. 

Today, I'm praying that we "get it". I am praying that we will move from a people of longing to a people of experiencing! 

Have any wisdom of your own to share? Would love to hear!

Linnae

The ALWAYS God

I love the Hankins' family...They are this tall, lithe porcelain-skinned family with high cheek-bones and a measured passionate approach to life that is simply stunning to see played out in every day.  It's not uncommon to walk in their dining room at night and find the leader of an African nation or pastor of a local church or poor college student.  They feed folks, left and right...physically, with big pots of real-Italian spaghetti and wedding-like cake...and spiritually with simple thoughts that can only come from time spent with The Father and a life well-lived in The Word.

When I was living with them, I noted one day how kind they were to each other.  Elizabeth looked at me and gave this giggle like she had this beautiful little secret she couldn't believe I didn't know.  She replied, "Well, it would be kind of silly not to prefer those we love most, wouldn't it?"  The conversation was interrupted and I was left to my reverie on this:  to prefer those we love most.  Hmm...I know I didn't always do that.  I used those closest to me as bouncing boards or stepping stones or fall-back plans...unkindly and unintentionally tossing them into the 'to-be-used' pile.  That was my issue wasn't it?  I wasn't being intentional.  I wasn't looking for ways to prefer those closest to me.  Over the next 3 months of living with them, I watched...and learned...and eventually learned to emulate them.  Now don't get me wrong, they were absolutely precious and giving and utterly kind to everyone who came across their path (remember the varied assortment of folks I run across in their dining room?).  But the kicker was, they loved those closest, well.  They loved those God had especially given them to love, well.  

To prefer those closest...they would leave the last piece of cake (everyone's favorite) for Dad coming in from a long day at work.  They would get home early if they knew one of us would be there, just so they could have a cup of coffee and a quick chat before the activities of the evening tore everyone back out into the night.  They would see me coming in from a crazy day at work, pause whatever they were reading, and rearrange their introverted evening to include a walk around the block with me.  It was just that simply:  They preferred each other.  They preferred me.  

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The ALWAYS God 

Recently I was out running and I just kept thinking about the one thing that has remained the same for the past 33 years of my life:  

God.  

His pursuit of me.  

His watching out for me.    

He tells me I am His favorite.

He prefers me.

 

And this started me thinking...He's the ALWAYS God.  He's ALWAYS there.  He's always preferred me.  He always will.  

 

Because of my time spent in the Hankins' house, I realized I've developed this funny little habit.  If a close friend says thank you for something that I did, something that I didn't think twice about because I "prefer" them, I respond with "Always."  Meaning: I will always (to the best of my abiity) do something if you ask me to.  I will always be there to support and love you.  I will always prefer you.  Always....for as long as I have breath. It's not always said with passion.  But it's always (pun intended :)) said with the same conviction.  That "always" is my promise to be there.  

Today as I sit and look on the character of God, His "Always" has stuck out in a way that is stunning....

He is wooing, always.  

He is convicting, always.  

He is changing, always.  

He is breaking-through, always.  

He is cleansing, always.  

He is fiercely loving, always.

See the pattern?  Funny thing, it goes on forever...always.  My prayer for you today is that you might breathe in The Always God and live out the always preference to those closest to you today.  So let's help each OTHER...what is one way we can hold you accountable to prefer someone close to you?  Is there a favorite shirt of someone's you can iron?  Is there a note of encouragement you can write?  Is there an hour you can rise just a little bit earlier so you can spend a little more time together? Let's share with each other and then show those we love by our words and walk!
Love you fiercely...always,
annetta 

A Doggone Good Salad!

Well goodness, it's taken me alot longer than I thought it would to get this recipe to you. About a week ago, I tweeted a photo of a delicious salad I made for my family and many of you responded to it with giddy delight.

 

The sight of this (semi) healthy offering loaded with all of those colorful goodies made your mouth water just like it does mine every time I make it. I promised the recipe and can only apologize that it's taken so long.
Now, before I give you the details, I need to pass on the credit for this bountiful goodness to The Neely's . Their cookbook is filled with all sorts of sumptuousness that I've enjoyed making for my family. This one, the "Chopped Salad with Barbecue Ranch Dressing, has become a family favorite and is in their cookbook, "Downhome with the Neely's: A Southern Family Cookbook". RUN to the bookstore and grab it . . . (and get a copy of The Pioneer Woman's cookbook while you're at it!)
Enjoy!

CHOPPED SALAD WITH BARBECUE RANCH
4 strips thick-sliced bacon
2 eggs
Kosher salt
1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed
1 cup chopped seedless cucumber
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup chopped yellow bell pepper
1 cup orange (or red or yellow) grape or currant tomatoes, halved
4 ounces crumbled blue cheese (Priscilla's note: I normally use Gorgonzola cheese).
1 large head romaine lettuce, trimmed and chopped
Freshly ground black pepper
Dressing (recipe below)

Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, then transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to cool.

Bring a small saucepan of water to a gentle boil. Carefully place the eggs in the water and simmer for 9 minutes. Drain the eggs, and rinse in cold water until cooled (the centers should still be a bit creamy).

When the eggs are cool, peel and thinly slice them. Bring a large skillet of water to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt, and blanch the asparagus until just tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain the asparagus, and then shock it in ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain and set aside.

YOU CAN SERVE THIS SALAD TWO WAYS:

FOR THE MORE TRADITIONAL PRESENTATION:
Toss all of the salad ingredients with the dressing in a large bowl, and then divide among individual plates. (Be sure you distribute all the goodies evenly, or people will complain.)

FOR AN EVEN PRETTIER PRESENTATION:
Arrange the cucumber, onion, bell pepper, tomatoes, blue cheese, sliced eggs and asparagus in rows, separated by color, atop the romaine lettuce on a rectangular platter or in a large, shallow serving bowl. Crumble the cooked bacon over the top, and serve the salad with dressing on the side. Season with pepper.

Makes 6 servings

BARBECUE RANCH DRESSING
(Makes 1 1/2 cups)

1 garlic clove, minced
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons Neely's Barbecue Sauce*
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Neely's Barbecue Seasoning*
3/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon dried dill
1 tablespoon snipped fresh chives
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Whisk the garlic, mayonnaise, buttermilk and Neely's Barbecue Sauce together in a medium bowl. Add the vinegar, Neely's Barbecue Seasoning, onion powder, dill, chives and parsley, and whisk until smooth. Cover and chill 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.

Priscilla's note: I normally use whatever barbecue sauce and seasoning I have on hand in the pantry but just in case you want to go all out here's the recipe for the Neely's version!) 

*NEELY'S BARBECUE SAUCE
(Makes 2 cups)

2 cups ketchup
1 cup water
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard powder
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup apple-cider vinegar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 tablespoon Neely's Barbecue Seasoning

Combine all of the ingredients in a large pot or a Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Reduce the temperature to very low and simmer, uncovered, for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat, cool, and use as needed.

Sauce can be stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.

*NEELY'S BARBECUE SEASONING
(Makes 2 1/2 cups)

1 1/2 cups paprika (basic paprika not labeled "sweet" or "hot")
3/4 cup sugar (reviewer suggests using much less)
3 3/4 tablespoons onion powder

Stir together the ingredients in a small bowl. Stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, this seasoning will last for up to 6 months.

5 New Friends!

Friday was such a fun day for us at the office because we had 5 gals over from The Oaks School of Leadership. These super fun and talented ladies are giving their Friday mornings for the next several months to serve and partner with us in what God is doing at Going Beyond Ministries. 

All five of them are in a time of life where they are seeking Gods direction on what He might have planned when they finish this 2 year program - whether that's worship, church planting, creative arts or business. So you can imagine that we are thrilled that they not only have decided to spend time with us each week but that we get to invest in them as well. It's such a beautiful thing that God has allowed and we couldn't be more grateful! 

I thought it was only fitting that you all get to meet them so here is a picture of all of us right before we had our meeting on Friday:

From the left all the way around to the right: Annetta of course, Alex, Michaela, that's me, Andi, Kristina, Hannah and delightful Priscilla

Today, would you take a minute to pick one of these cuties sitting at the table and pray for them? We know God has great and many plans for their lives and we are praying and believing for big things for each of them. How awesome is it that we get this opportunity to be with 5 such talented and beautiful girls? 

Watch out women's ministry.... you don't even know what's coming! =) 

How He Loves

Had a thought I've been sittin in for a few days...thought I'd share...

He is nuts about me.  Crazy, head-over-heels, nuts about me.  In fact, the biggest, best thing I can do today is bring Him my weakness...and watch Him meet me in that place.  He's not confused about my weakness.  Um, He created me.  He knew I'd have questions and hurts.  He knew I'd deny Him, just like He knew Peter would deny Him.  In fact, Scripture is pretty clear that I can't do it on my own. I am overwhelmingly in need of His grace to be strength in my weakness.  What He wants from me today, is just me.  All of me.  Relying on Him.  Coming back, again and again, to let Him love me, transform me and instill more of Him in me.

Because He delights in me, my value doesn't lie in my ability to do things for Him.  Don't get me wrong, I think He loves it when we love on Him by serving.  He loves it.  But my value is in who He says I am.  And He has called me His own.  Serving in His Kingdom is just the loose change of the equation.  The crux of the matter is:  He calls me His own.  The serving part is the result of that.

Hope your weekend is better than ever...the best is yet to come my friend!!

 

xxox,

 

annetta

Beth Moore Simulcast Give-a-way and . . . a little note

So glad you are here today!

What a fun day this is for us to get together. Giving gifts is my love language so on days like these, I wake up with a smile on my face, excited about the opportunity to toss a little happiness in someone else's direction!

But first. . a quick note. 

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Some of the girls in our GB office have been watching some of the blogging trends out there lately and have seen that many are shifting away from posting daily entrees on their blog. Instead, writers are posting 2 or 3 times a week in an effort to produce quality blogs and to give their readers enough time to really enjoy, consider and comment on them.
I really like the idea of giving you more time to read our blogs and express your sentiments about them. I know few women who have the time to read blogs every single day so maybe backing off a little will be more in step with the rhythm of your life and give you an opportunity to really get involved.
Our goal is to really connect with you so we want to find the best way to do that.
So. . .you can expect a new blog on the GB site every Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week - and the occasional Tuesday or Thursday if I've just got a post burning a whole in my hand that I just have to let you read immediately :)
Thanks in advance for your continued support and participation!

Alright then. . .back to our regularly schedule program :)

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The 2 winners of the simulcast registration are:

1. Marina
2. lovedbyGod2

 Congratulations to both of you! I'll admit that I'm anxious to know if you'll be watching from home in your pajamas all alone or if you are inviting a small group over to take in the event with you. Remember, no matter where you are or how you choose to participate, I believe that God is going to stun you with His Word and His presence. Please email us your contact information at info@goingbeyond.com.
Have fun!

By the way, all of you are invited, you know? It's a cinch to register and you don't have to be an expert in technology to get logged on (I'm so glad or I'd be in serious trouble). I'll be watching from my home in Dallas and you can do the same! Click here for more information on how to find a group or church that is doing the simulcast in your area or to register to do it yourself!

I'll look forward to seeing you here on Friday here on the blog and then joining you and thousands of women all over the globe at the simulcast on Saturday!
You are loved!
Priscilla

Fall Football

Saturday was a full, fabulous day for the Shirer's. We woke up to find that the 100 plus temperatures that had been ravaging our city for many weeks had subsided overnight. Apparently, the Lord heard our prayers and harkened to our cries for deliverance from the unapologetic, browbeating heat that has been baking our skin to a golden crisp every day of this summer.

The morning was cool and airy; the light breeze sweet and refreshing . . 

. . . just in time for

Yes. . it is that time of year again. The football frenzy has begun all over the nation but, for me, this season will feel different than any other has. It's one thing to watch other people's sons play the game but it's another entirely to see your own get knocked down by some menacing heartless hooligan or get piled up on by a crew of savage adolescents who obviously have no home training and will no doubt end up being non-functioning members of society.

I'm sure of it.

Saturday, my boys donned their pads for the first time on the field of play. They proudly hustled out onto the green, helmets secure and mouthpieces in place, with their chests poking out - inflated by that football arrogance that seems to hit all of the male species during the fall. 
It was cute. . .and sweet. . .

. . .and unnerving.

It was only the restraining power of the Holy Ghost that kept me in my seat instead of hurdling the fence line to grab some rowdy youngster by his face mask to drab him off of my little sweetie pies. Good thing I didn't know which parents belonged to which kids or I would have grabbed them by their faces in their children's stead. Since they wouldn't have masks for my hands to clench I'd just have to grab hold of whatever body part my fist came into contact with first.
It's their fault. They should have trained their kids better.

No doubt law suits and restraining orders would have been issued.. . 
. . .but I don't want my children to have to visit me in jail.

So. . I kept my seat. And my husband is so glad that I did.

Fall football is not going to get the best of me. I'm praying to that end.
I think I need you to pray for me too.
Priscilla

Beth Moore Simulcast Giveaway

So excited to tell you about Miss Beth’s simulcast next
Saturday, September 15 and how you can watch it live for FREE! 

Priscilla’s got all the details. Click play below!

(http://vzaar.com/videos/1066422)

I mean, who wouldn’t jump at the chance listen to one of our
favorite Bible teachers of all time for free?

Here’s all we need you to do: Submit a comment below telling us how your life is “living proof” of God’s love and grace by
Tuesday September 11.

We will choose not one, but TWO, of you and announce the
winners on Wednesday September 12.  Good
luck!

For more information about this event, click here

Autumn Where Art Thou?

I love all of the seasons. Each year, I anticipate all four of them eagerly. Tired of the blustering winters and bulky coats, I yearn for the new life and bold colors of spring. Then I look forward to the lazy days of summer that call for tank tops, flip flops and swim suits. After a couple months of wiping sweat from my brow and paying a ghastly cooling bill for air conditioning at home, I look forward to the less intense searing heat of autumn.
It's the gorgeous season when the leaves change colors and the temperature cools. It demands light sweaters, cute boots and cozy leggings. And right now, as the thermometer reads 101 degrees at my home in Dallas, I'm anxiously awaiting the fall season.
Turns out, some parts of the country are already experiencing some of the benefits that the next season will bring even though it's not officially inaugurated until the 22nd of this month. In more northern US states, some are dipping into their winter wardrobes in the evening and pulling out some attire to keep the night chill off of their skin. They are thinking about hot soups and hearty chili for dinner and getting their fire places ready for marsh mellow toasting.
I'm a bit jealous. . .cause it's still hot in Texas. And when I say hot. . I mean it. It actually feels like cool weather hates us, is playing a cruel joke of hide and seek and hidden itself in a place never to be discovered again.

I don't like hide and seek. Never have.

So, I'm a bit jealous of my sweater wearing, ankle-boot clad sisters in the north and I can't wait to join their ranks.
If only Texas temperature would cooperate.

Sometimes I wish my life would cooperate too.
I often get jealous and impatient if I notice "cooler weather" settling into another person's life while mine is still scorching hot under the intense rays of some circumstance that has been causing the sweat to bead up on my brow. When I begin to see a nice breeze brushing across someone else's cheeks ushering them into a different season that I think I'd much prefer, I can become quietly frustrated and envious. 
And sometimes, impatience rules and I start to change my wardrobe too soon - wearing something that isn't suited for my season of life.  So instead of dressing for my situation, I want to put on an outfit that isn't conducive to what the Lord is doing with me. Foolishly, I wear autumn attire when I've got summer weather to contend with.
Doesn't make any more sense than me putting on my wool coat and stepping outside this afternoon.
It would make life a whole lot more difficult and uncomfortable than it has to be.

You and I better stop taking our cues for what to wear from another region's forecast. Sure, some other woman might look good and feel great in a huge, cozy, comfy sweater today . . . if that's what her weather calls for.
But, right now, I'm in Texas and it's far too hot for a sweater of any kind. The sooner I get that, the more I'll enjoy the season that I'm in. . . .

The sooner you'll enjoy the one you're in. . .
 . . .the one in your city. . . .
. . and the one in your life.

Priscilla

Fam Time

I had the absolute best time with my family this past weekend in Memphis. We were all together except my sister and husband that live in Colorado and they were (obviously) greatly missed. 6 adults, 6 kids, and 1 dog in 1 house. Good thing we love each other so much =) 

I have 5 nieces and 1 nephew, the oldest being a 7 yr old girl. That oldest one was attached at my hip every second of the day. From the moment I walked in the door Thursday night at 11:00pm until the moment I left Monday morning, I could be sure that Gracie Lyn would not leave my side. 

One of my favorite moments with Gracie was on Friday morning. Usually when I wake up, I make some coffee and then get to spend a good chunk of time by myself reading, praying, worshipping or (because I am single) doing whatever it is that my heart desires =) This was not so much the case over the weekend. I found myself with my usual coffee, books and music in hand but this time Gracie's big beautiful eyes staring right at mine beckoning for some attention.

I had two options at the moment. I could either tell her I need "alone time to spend with God", or I could incorporate her into what it looks like for me to spend time with God. The more I thought about it, the more I felt a tug to include her rather than exclude her. 

The next few moments were so incredibly precious to me. I asked Gracie what it was that she wanted God to do in her life that day and we got to pray for those things. We got to listen to some worship music and sing, and then she sat there while I read a bit. 

Nothing earth shattering happened, except for the fact that I was totally encouraged by hearing from a child how they connect with God. Honestly, it probably did more for me including her in my morning rather than excluding her. 

Child-like faith. We are supposed to have it, right? We hear it come out of Jesus' mouth several times and it is the basis of Priscilla's study, He Speaks To Me.

It made me wonder if our blogging moms have "spent time with God" with their kids. Have you? What did you do? Do you have any suggestions for the other mommys out there or any stories to share?

So much to learn from our little ones! Fill us in . . .

Linnae

I had to show off the little ones =)