Connecting the Cross and Culture Archives
Monday, May 5, 2008
I DID IT!
Sorry for the delay in posting my big race results (I know you’ve been on the edge of your seats for those who read "The BIG RACE" post)….I have been recuperating and rehydrating since I ran 13.1 miles in 2:10:54. But yes…I did it!!! It was incredible and I am hooked. I told someone yesterday that I believe it was a ‘life-changing’ event for me…that I am different now. For sure! Just call me Speedy P!
I prayed that I would see spiritual application all along the way and I so did, but not in the way I thought I would. Per my post last week…I foresaw so many potential ‘running together’ racing analogies to build on…well all of that went out the window when people in plastic bags for tops got in my way from the get go. It was as if people purposely tried to block me. I am a type A traffic gal for sure and it is where I lose my witness the most. So this was a mini version of that. 30,000 people running on wet roads is hazardous to say the least, especially when many of them began to drop their ‘bag-tops’ on the ground when it stopped raining.
So what was my spiritual analogy ‘ah ha’ moment? The big E girls…ENCOURAGEMENT. My sweet friend Gretchen and I ran this race together and helped each other through (there, the running together analogy. We even held hands as we crossed the finish line. It was dorky but we didn’t care).
There were thousands of people watching us along the way and the vast majority of them stood with arms folded looking at us like we had just run in from outer space, or somewhere less interesting. Gretchen began to actually encourage people to encourage us…I mean people! Help us out here?! I’d say a tenth or less of those watching actually cheered or shook their little CMT tambourines.
I think they either needed more coffee or were looking to cheer their one favorite person whenever they arrived on the scene. Many held signs for that one person. ‘Go Karen, you can do it� or “Janice, here is your sign honey!� I asked God to show me a sign with my name on it even if it wasn’t intended just for me and at about mile 9, there it was….’Go Beth, Susie…and PAIGE!’ I yelled, ‘That’s ME!� in this poor guys’ face and I really scared him I think. Then there was a lady who single-handedly encouraged thousands of runners with a simple sign that read…This sign is for YOU...I tear up just thinking about her. I love that woman. Several people thanked her as we passed.
But when that 1/10th of folks danced, clapped, and whooped us, you could actually feel your adrenaline and drive increase; your steps were truly lighter. After we’d pass such a small cheering section, I’d have to slow Gretchen down from all the excitement. She’d just take off from the joy of it. So, here’s the application gals…. We need encouragement to finish the race, even from people we don’t know. We need to be cheered from the sidelines. We need a sign (with or without our name on it) that says “You can do it.� Whether the road is easy or hard we need to shake our tambourines and smile for each other. It makes ALL the difference. I just finished the Stepping Up Bible Study and as Beth says, we fellow pilgrims on the journey need to encourage each other and we need to watch for the road signs. Now there’s a great tie in. Just an FYI. I saw several that said…�Run like you stole something.� These made me smile.
When Gretchen and I saw the sweet faces of the people who had actually come to cheer us specifically we could have cried if we weren’t so dehydrated from sweating. They were so glad to see us, to cheer us with signs meant just for us. So whether you are the one running the hard road or the one standing by watching….encourage and be encouraged! We are on this road together.
There was another sign I saw….The 2 Timothy scripture…to fight the fight, to finish the race. And I did…and that’s why I loved it so much.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Keeping my promise
Yesterday I promised to post the Boise Living Proof Live slideshow...so here it is! Thanks Rich for again creating a visual memory that is more powerful than words. Blessings as you catch a glimpse of God working in Boise, Idaho!
Monday, July 7, 2008
America at the Crossroads
Hope you all had a great 4th of July celebrating our freedom and independence as a nation.
It only seems appropriate to post the notes from Kay Arthur's message today after the July 4th weekend. So many of you have asked for copies of the Saturday morning message at Deeper Still: The Event by Kay Arthur. My best advice is to continue checking Precept Ministries website to see if they are going to produce an audio copy of the message.
For those of you who attended Deeper Still in Atlanta or those who have ever participated in one of Kay Arthur's Bible studies, you know the woman teaches the whole Bible with every message. Or at least it seems that way! There is just NO WAY to give you all the notes!
However, I did want to give you a few quotes from Kay's message and the seven points with scripture references to help us all reflect on our weekend going deeper still.
These were just a few of the quotes that really caught my attention. I would love to hear what notes you wrote down, the quotes that God used to speak to you.
"All through history they [people] have burned the word of God. People have tried to rid the world of the word of God. But they can't destroy or change it because it will live forever."
"What do they [unbelievers, those who oppose God] want to do with truth...with Christians? They want to keep us in the church. They don't want us in the market place or in the schools."
"We are living in the midst of lies and those lies are going to destroy our nation. What are you listening to? What are you watching? Are you in God's word to form your opinions?"
1. We are to break up the fallow ground. We do this by returning and repenting. (Jeremiah 4:3)
2. We are to mourn. (Jeremiah 9:17-18)
3. We are to pray fervently.
4. We are to love God's word, to know the whole counsel of God. (Jeremiah 20:7, Deuteronomy 8:3)
5. We are to love others as Jesus loved them. (Jeremiah 31:3)
6. We are to introduce people to Jesus Christ. (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
7. We are to rest. Rest in the fact that if you do the other six points you can rest in His assurance. Rest in faith. He is the one who does the work and you are only the vessel. (Jeremiah 33:1-9, 15-17)
This is only the "tip of the iceberg" of Kay Arthur's message. Please share your insights and reflections and let's hear how God spoke to you!
Friday, July 11, 2008
People You Meet
One of my favorite things about LifeWay Women's Events is the amazing people I get to meet along the way. And I'm not just talking about the Deeper Still platform of Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, and Priscilla Shirer!
God keeps putting incredible people in my path as I travel to different cities for Deeper Still: The Event or other LifeWay Christian women's events.
I remember meeting an older woman several years ago in Kansas City. Her fiancée had died a few months before their wedding and she had never married. Instead she invested her life in children and served as a teacher for over 40 years. She said she could never love another man like she loved her fiancée, but she could love hundreds of children...and so she did.
On another trip, our plane (full of people) watched out our windows as a young soldier met and escorted the coffin of his fallen friend to another plane so the body could be returned home to the family. I couldn't help myself when I saw that young soldier standing alone...all alone...inside that terminal. The mama in me had to find out who he was and let him know how proud I was (we are) of his service to our country and to that family. I had to find out his name so I could pray for him. James was so sweet and brave and said, "This is the hardest thing I've ever done. Harder than leaving my home, living in another country, or going to war."
It is funny (not as in funny, ha ha, but funny as in the things the mind remembers)...I can still see their faces...I'm talking details of their faces...and I still see the tears in their eyes.
Well, Deeper Still in Atlanta was no different. I still see your faces and remember the stories some of you shared with me.
I loved meeting one woman on Friday night...it was her 40th birthday and she was so excited to be in Atlanta! When her family asked what she wanted to do for her 40th, she told them she wanted the family to join together in worshiping their KING! So, 14...yes 14 of the women in her family met in Atlanta for Deeper Still! Did I say she was from Puerto Rico?! No kidding...several of them had flown from Puerto Rico to Atlanta for Deeper Still! Her excitement was contagious and I know it was the best birthday ever!
Another group of eight women I actually first met through this...our Deeper Still blog. They connected with one another through the blogosphere and decided to meet, for the first time, face to face, in Atlanta for Deeper Still: The Event!
The common denominator, in addition to their love for Christ, they all lost babies in the last year, most of them actually lost a baby in the last three or four months. And most of them lost their babies to Trisomy 18. You have to get into genetics to even begin to understand all of this, but unlike Down syndrome with its varying degrees of severity, Trisomy 18 is usually fatal. They knew before their babies were born that they most likely would not have them in this life for long. Yet, they opened their hearts and loved them with everything they had for as long as they could physically.
All of these sweet mommies carried their babies and then returned them into God's hands within hours or days after birth. For one of these mommies, the weekend of Deeper Still was only four weeks after she had physically let go of her little one. For another it was exactly one year after the loss of her baby. I think the longest any of these mommies had her baby on this earth was 59 days. Tragic....
My heart was broken by their stories. I still can't begin to know the loss they feel. But I was also so encouraged by their dependence and passion for our great God. To watch them worship was amazing. And I can't begin to express the impression they made upon my life through a few blog comments and a short gathering at Deeper Still to talk and pray and hug.
One of these sweet moms commented that from the moment she connected with the others on the Internet she began to carry these mothers, their families and their precious babies in her heart and in her prayers.
And now, I also carry these eight mommies in my heart and in my prayers...and I will forever see their faces...and their tears....along with a retired teacher, a young soldier named James, a feisty forty-year-old Puerto Rican, and so many others I've met along the way.
What an honor to meet people like you....to see your faces...to see your tears. I hope you see mine too. I am forever grateful to God that our paths crossed on this journey as we go deeper still.
Monday, July 14, 2008
The Bridge
"There's a bridge to cross the Great Divide. A way was made to reach the other side. The mercy of the Father cost His Son His life. His love is deep. His love is wide. There's a cross to bridge the Great Divide."
I woke up this morning with memories of Atlanta swirling in my head and visions of Las Vegas fresh on my heart. Life goes so fast that we barely get to internalize one amazing experience before we are thrust forward to take in the next one in front of us.
That's the way I feel today. Like I'm walking across a bridge here in the weeks between all that we embraced in Atlanta and the God-adventure ahead in Las Vegas.
There are many preparations and lots of planning to do to clear the way for the folks in Las Vegas to get their Word from God on Sept. 5th and 6th. Observing deep and fresh encounters just a few weeks ago at Philips Arena is what is fueling my mind and encouraging me to watch every detail carefully, following God's lead, until we get across the bridge to Las Vegas.
The quote above is the lyrics to one of my all time favorite songs by Point of Grace. It so clearly describes that there is one way to peace with God...through the shed blood at the cross where His Son died in our place. Praise you, Lord, for providing a way for us!!!
I'm a really visual person. When my feet hit the ground in Las Vegas last week for a site visit and luncheon, I felt like a wave came crashing over me. All the lights, the dinging, the music, the advertisements - and that was only in the airport! Las Vegas is so much glitz and glamour.
I met some of the sweetest ladies at our luncheon and reconnected with Jennifer and Diana who have worked tirelessly to build a network for this event. We talked and shared information and prayed fiercely for all the women who would come to the Thomas and Mack Center.
Will you join us in our prayer for women who come with needs that many of us are familiar with - marital problems, infertility, loss, guilt, illness, emotional needs .......
but specifically in this sin-city would you join us in praying that God would draw women from the "the industry" to Himself. Where there are signs lining every street advertising women who have given themselves over to all sorts of things....we know that God wants to gently but firmly lead them to The Bridge that leads to The Cross!!!
Would you offer a prayer for them right here as a comment? Let's bombard the Throne Room on behalf of these sisters.
Betsy
Event Coordinator for Deeper Still: The Event
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Deeper Still: A Divine Appointment Indeed
By the time I pulled into the dark parking lot of the hotel at nearly 1:00 a.m., I was spent. I had been trying to get there for what seemed like forever. My heart was pounding and my mind was racing as I handed my keys to the man at the valet desk and made my way to Room 112. Heavier than either the bag on my shoulder or the box of t-shirts in my arms was the need to look into the eyes that were awaiting me, to fall into the arms it had taken me so long to reach. I wondered if I would cry. I thought I might laugh. But when the door slowly opened, I did neither. There, in that little room, were six of the best friends I will ever have. As I hugged them one by one, I began to wonder if that is what Heaven might be like. Our babies are already there, after all, so we have each spent a great deal of time trying to imagine how our eternal home will be. There in that simple hotel room in Atlanta, in the middle of that June night, I believe we were given just a glimpse.
We stayed awake, chatting in our pajamas like old friends instead of women who had just met until our eyes finally closed. Sweet Kenzie fell asleep before the rest of us, as her body is working hard as the Lord knits her third child together in her womb. What a blessed little girl that will be to have one big brother in the world and one big brother in Heaven. Sweet Maddox was born in January and opened his eyes to gaze upon his earthly father just before he closed them and saw his Heavenly One. In a moment, he changed more lives than most people do in many years. We slept in the next morning, and then made our way down to Starbucks to continue our conversations over the very comfort foods (and beverages, of course) that have helped to sustain our broken hearts this year. Just to sit all together at one table instead of in separate drive-thru's scattered all across the country was a miracle and a joy to behold!
That afternoon, we pulled the brown t-shirts I had carried in the night before over our heads and everything changed. Like soldiers dressed for battle, we headed to the airport to gather one more sister before we went to worship together at Deeper Still: The Event. Just four weeks before Karen stepped off that plane, her precious baby boy Jacob Ryan had left his earthly father's arms for his Heavenly Father's hands. Her third son, he had lived a miraculous 138 days in this world as a Trisomy 18 miracle. It was only fitting that Yvette was waiting there to meet her, too. Her third son, Tristan Asher, was the only other one of the babies represented that weekend who had made it home from the hospital. He, too, was a Trisomy 18 miracle and spent an incredible 56 days under our sun before he, too, found complete healing at home in Heaven. When we rejoined our group, I had the privilege of introducing my sweet new friend to every one in the group and one more special grieving mother, our friend Kirsten. By God's divine intervention, that California girl was also in Atlanta and she needed to look into eyes and be embraced by arms who understand just as much as any of us. Her first baby girl, Chloe Faith, was born into the arms of Jesus in April and changed her life forever. Meeting for the first time was such an unnecessary charade. We knew each other by heart.
Kim and I share the bond of being Kentucky girls. Atlanta wasn't our first meeting. I met her for the first time just days after she was given the incredible honor of holding her third daughter, the beautiful Mary Grace, for seven sacred hours. As long as I live, I will never forget how it felt to see that tiny white casket covered in roses resting silently at the front of all those pews. I knew I was standing on holy ground. It had only been six months since my husband and I had endured that impossible task. It was an unspeakable honor to finally embrace the woman I had prayed so fervently for. It broke my heart to know that she, too, understood the pain of standing with an empty, still womb before a tiny casket that held the treasure she had cherished for so long. And yet, even then, she and I knew that the Lord was working. His plan was bigger than we knew. As we exchanged glances and laughter over that lunch table with seven other women who knew the same secret in Atlanta, we believed it more than ever.
I never dreamed when I held my sweet Miller Grace and sang to her until the angels carried her home on the morning of June 28 last year that I would even be standing one year later, much less standing and worshiping our Maker with the mothers of her best friends in Heaven! The two days we spent together with our arms raised high in praise to our Lord, with the names and life spans of our babies written on our backs, were simply too sacred for words. Try as I might, I could never capture the sanctity of such a divine appointment. We shared everything from snacks to tears as Priscilla reminded us that even the Israelites endured a time of wilderness before they were able to stand on the mountain of God. We wept as we watched her throw her elbow in the air, portraying to us how a mother eagle will offer a wing to her little ones when she realizes they cannot fly on their own. We swallowed hard and nodded when she said the Lord will do the same for us. We sat still while our hearts were absolutely moved as Kay Arthur challenged us to open our eyes and see the state of our nation for what it is. We took it to heart when she called us to action. When we sat on the sidewalk to eat our boxed lunches together, we were more determined than ever to make the most of the moments we are given in this world.
We held our breaths as Beth Moore took the stage. She has played such a crucial role in so many of our lives during this season. When she said she felt moved to offer a time of prayer before she spoke, we needed it more than anyone. When we found the strength and the joy we needed to return to our seats, we were thirsty for a Word and she did not disappoint. Grief has a way of making a girl desperate for relief and sweet Beth reminded us that Jesus is the One and Only Deliverer. By the time the praise band took the stage again, our group of eight from all walks of life and all corners of the nation couldn't help but lock hands in the air. I think I will always count those moments I spent with my left hand in Karen's and my right hand in my dear friend Chrissy's among the sweetest I have known. Chrissy and I share the special bond of having held little dark haired girls for five days before they breathed their last against our chests. There is not a doubt in my mind that Eva Janette, Miller Grace, and all their precious friends were worshipping right alongside us that day.
As the event came to a close, our adventure reached its climax. We filed into a small vacant room backstage, and absolutely could not believe it when Beth Moore and her own baby girl followed us in. I can speak for all of us when I say we would give just about anything to have video footage of those moments to watch over and over again on hard days. With all the intensity of a woman on fire for God and all the love of a mother with a heart broken for us, she called us to our knees. As she, her daughter Amanda, and our dear new friend Michelle walked around us and laid their beautiful hands on us, Beth offered up the most beautiful prayer to our Lord that my ears have ever heard. She was undaunted as the sound of our sobbing and the presence of our Lord filled the room. She continued to petition God on our behalf, to ask Him to be glorified in our lives, to make Satan sorry he ever messed with us, to bring healing here and to transform our ashes into beauty. Though I doubt she knew it, Beth Moore instilled in us that day a courage to pray boldly to our Lord, a hope that beauty is indeed on its way even when ashes are all we can see, and a peace that comes only in knowing that His plan is still to prosper us and not to harm us, to give us hope and a future.
I will never forget standing there with one of my hands on the back of Beth Moore and my eyes on the seven women who held my heart, there on the very day on the calendar that my girl finally received healing one year before. June 28th is a day of redemption indeed. I will forever be moved to envision in my mind, again and again and again, how Beth embraced our sweet friend Kristy that day. She is perhaps the most faithful of us all, as she is the mother of two little boys in Heaven. Kristy and I share the bond of being mothers to little ones whose neurological conditions cannot be named or explained, while the rest of our friends' little ones share the commonality of having been diagnosed with Trisomy 18 prior to birth or soon thereafter. Kristy's second son, Isaac Matthew, would be three this year and Asher Joseph, her fourth son, joined his brother just four months ago. To listen as she told Beth her one prayer request in all of this is that the Lord would be glorified somehow spoke volumes to our broken hearts. Only God.
Overwhelmed by His goodness, resting in His grace, we did what all smart women do: we went to the Mexican restaurant! It was then that I finally had the chance to really talk with Angie, the mother of precious Poppy Joy. Her blog was the first one I had dared to read during those first months after Miller Grace left us. I will never forget praying for that beautiful baby girl while she was in Angie's womb, then marveling over her beauty and the joy that filled her pictures that day in December. When I read of her arrival, the beautiful three hours she spent with her family, and her gentle passing all in one post, I realized for the first time that I was not alone. And I began to suspect the Lord was up to something wonderful. As we sat there, changed women knitted together by sorrow and grace, that Saturday afternoon in Atlanta, it was confirmed. He is absolutely on the move.
The Lord does not always work in ways we expect and sometimes, He works in ways that break our hearts. But He is still good and He is still worthy of our praise. No matter the heartache, the joy will always outweigh the sorrow in the end. The weeping may last for a night - or a year - but the joy is on its way. We may be wandering in the wilderness tonight, but we can rest assured that we are on our way to the Promised Land. We cannot afford to waste a single moment that we are given. Little babies that lived six days, five days, three hours, seven hours, one moment, fifty-six days, thirty-five minutes, five days, and one hundred thirty-eight days came to remind us to live each breath to its fullest. Their tiny footprints are big shoes to fill we know, but it is our heart cry and our sincerest prayer that the Lord might use their little legacies and our lives to challenge you to do the same.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Land of 10,000 Lakes
Florida is the "sunshine" state, Texas is the "lone star" state, and Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes. Who knew there were this many lakes in Minnesota?! Maybe 10,000 malls, including Mall of America--but never 10,000 lakes! From the moment we landed in Minneapolis to prepare for Living Proof Live with Beth Moore this weekend--we saw water...everywhere! I'm not kidding...there were several lakes by the airport and then regardless of where we drove throughout the city we saw more water. What does one state need with so many lakes!?
And then I began to meet the people. I can't speak for all of Minnesota, but the people in the twin cities area of Minneapolis/St. Paul are so kind...but also, like every city, so in need of God. Even with so much "water" surrounding this area...the people here are thirsty. No matter how much they swim, water ski, sail, boat or take in the beauty of these lakes--they are still going to have an unquenchable thirst. Not even 10,000 lakes will quench the thirst they have...because this thirst will only be met by God.
I thought of John 4 this morning where Jesus meets the woman at the well. In verse 13 "Jesus said, 'Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again--ever! In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up within him for eternal life." (John 4:13-14, HCSB)
Sisters, I am asking you to join us in prayer as we drink deep from the well of God this weekend at Living Proof Live in Minneapolis. We don't know all the needs of the women coming for this Christian women's event but God does. And I can just bet that whatever you are going through right now in your life, there will be a woman here this weekend going through the same type of thing. Would you please pray for her?
Also, pray for Travis Cottrell and the Praise team as they lead us in worship this weekend. Pray that we will be true worshipers and will worship the Father "in spirit and truth." (John 4:23-24) Please pray that it will be a time of true worship and ministry of God's word that will change women just like those changed at Deeper Still: The Event in Atlanta. I'm asking God that for this time, instead of 10,000 lakes, Minneapolis might be known as a land of 10,000 worshipers!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Going Deeper Still at Living Proof Live in Minneapolis!
What can I tell you? Living Proof Live with Beth Moore in Minneapolis this past weekend was incredible! Once again Beth brought a fresh word from God to share with the women titled "Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place."
Thanks Rich Kalonick for creating an amazing visual of the weekend!
LPL Minneapolis from Rich Kalonick on Vimeo.
The Minneapolis Living Proof Live event had one of the most tender altar calls. It was beautiful to see so many women bring their burdens and heartaches to Jesus. As you watch this slideshow or after watching it, please pray for these women. So many of our sweet sisters came to the altar...they were literally standing in lines 20 women deep just waiting to pray with someone or have someone pray over them. The women in Minneapolis were so patient...so precious. They had great desires to go deeper still with Jesus, but also had many challenges holding them in bondage. Pray that as many of these women are caught between "a rock and a hard place" they will trust Jesus and their faith will be the one thing that will stand firm in the midst of the difficulties of life.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Taking a Poll
As I've been reflecting on Deeper Still: The Event in Atlanta and preparing for Deeper Still: The Event in Las Vegas, I thought of something really fun we need to do! Before the Deeper Still events we always try to do a "roll call" to find out where everyone is coming from to the women's event.
One thing we've never asked is how many "rookies" and "veterans" we have coming to the events. I would love for you to share with us if Deeper Still: The Event was your first LifeWay women's event! Also, I would love to hear from some of you who are often "on the road" with us at Living Proof Live events with Beth Moore, Going Beyond events with Priscilla Shirer or other LifeWay women's events!
So, let us hear about your rookie experience at Deeper Still in Atlanta or where you've been as a veteran of LifeWay women's events. How has God used these women's events in your life or the women's ministry at your church?
Monday, July 28, 2008
Prayer Line Nightly for Deeper Still Las Vegas!
Dear Friends,
We are so excited to announce that there is a specific prayer line set up to allow women and men to join each other in prayer nightly. How amazing!
This dedicated line will be open nationwide to call in to pray specifically for the Deeper Still Conference. The prayer line started last night, July 27, and is continuing for 40 days leading up to the event in Las Vegas on Sept. 5-6.
Here is the phone number and directions for the Deeper Still Prayer Line. The phone line will be open for 2 hours every night during the following times:
5-7 pm Pacific time
6-8 pm Mountain
7-9 pm Central
8-10pm Eastern
There can be up to 96 prayer warriors on the line at the same time from any time zone.
Telephone Number: 712-432-0031
Access Code: 262799#
Instructions:
To reach the Prayer Call In line, dial 712-432-0031, enter 262799 #.
You will be connected to the conference call.
Every caller will be able to talk/pray simultaneously.
The best way to enter into the ongoing prayer is to state your name, the city/state you are calling from and then listen to the direction the prayer is going and wait on the Lord to direct your prayer.
Although the line is open for two hours, you may pray for 1 minute or up to two hours on the line.
Additional features are available while on the line by using the following keys:
*3 Exit - exit the conference call
*4 Instructions - conference instructions
*6 Mute/Un-mute - caller controlled muting
Frequently asked questions:
What are the costs involved in a Prayer Conference Call?
Only normal long distance charges by each caller's carrier apply.
There will be no bill or charges from Greater Calling for this service.
How many callers can be in a single conference?
96 caller maximum in each conference with no required minimum number.
Can I use a calling card to call in for the Prayer Call?
Yes. You may also use 10-10-### services to connect at favorable rates.
Can international callers participate?
Basically, anyone who can dial a US telephone number should be able to dial a Prayer Call number.
Is this a VoIP service or an Internet service using my computer?
No, this is a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) conferencing service that utilizes your regular telephone.
We appreciate your participation in praying for this conference. May God continue to bless your life as you continue to serve His people.
Many Blessings,
The Steering Team
Deeper Still - The Event
...like a tree planted beside streams of water. Psalm 1:3
www.lifeway.com/women
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed
How many of you are getting ready to promote or start your Women's Bible Studies for the Fall? We've had several questions on the blog related to Bible Studies and tons of you wanting to know more about the Deeper Still Nashville taping and the Bible study created from that event.
Our sister, Deanne, specifically wanted to know more about this Bible study for a group of young women she leads. So, Deanne, I hope this info helps answer your questions and the questions of many others!
Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed: A Study of David is seven sessions and was taped at the 2007 Deeper Still Event in Nashville. The first session is an intro session. The following six sessions explore the life of David in three segments. Priscilla Shirer focuses on David as a young man, Beth Moore examines David in middle-age, and Kay Arthur looks at the final third of David's life.
Each DVD Bible study session is approximately one hour. The Bible study books include daily homework that builds on the DVD teaching sessions. It is a similar format to other Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, or LifeWay women's Bible Studies you may have completed. (Intro session, do daily homework during the week, then meet for DVD teaching session--you know the plan!)
You can use the seven Bible study sessions as a retreat, women's Bible study, or on your own.
Click here to see the online LifeWay catalog about Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed: A Study of David and watch previews of all three amazing Bible study teachers!
The release date for Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed: A Study of David is September 1st...so it won't be long now! And great news for all our Las Vegas sisters...the LifeWay Bookstore at Deeper Still: The Event in Las Vegas will have this new Bible study DVD kit and Bible study workbooks available for sale!
So, that is one option to kick off your Fall Women's Bible studies! What other Bible studies will you or your church be leading this fall season?
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Rapid Heartbeats.. .. ..
Well sisters, we are nearing the end of summer, so our family did a quick trip over to Splash Country in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to make sure we go out with a bang (or splash) before school starts in August. To keep a family of five happy for an extended length of time is no easy task...but I can't even begin to tell you how much fun we had!!!
It was a perfect day. Really...I'm not kidding. It was beautiful and sunny in the morning and then was a little overcast during the heat of the day. As my husband and two older girls took off for the "fun, take your breath away" waterslides, I hung out with my youngest daughter. There is nothing like looking at the world through the eyes of a child. As we floated the lazy river she would get so excited, "Mommy, look at the trees!" "Mommy, we are just floating and floating and floating--this river never stops!"
My favorite and most memorable experience was going down a waterslide with my seven-year-old. You need to understand that we had never been to Splash Country and don't go to water parks on a regular basis. The whole waterslide experience can be a little scary especially when you are seven, or maybe a little older (that is all I'm saying). I put on my most calm, brave face and said, "Come on, we can do this!" As Kaia snuggled next to me I wrapped my arms around her little body. My hand was positioned in just the right place to feel her sweet little heartbeat. It was so precious...and began to beat faster and faster and faster. As we glided down that waterslide, she laughed and screamed (or was that me?) and that little heart just kept pumping faster and faster. As we splashed into the water at the end, she jumped up and down saying, "Let's do that again!" (And of course, we did...again and again and again....)
As I thought about her rapid heartbeats later that day, I also thought of you my sweet Deeper Still sisters. And I prayed that all of us would have hearts beating faster for God as we continue to go deeper still with Him. That is truly what I want for you and for me.
Well, my heart continues to beat rapidly even though it has been days since the whole waterslide experience. Right now my heart is beating faster as I think about this weekend. The Living Proof Live Simulcast Event is this weekend in Louisville, Kentucky and we could really use our prayer warriors. I can't tell you how much prayer and effort has gone into this amazing ministry. We are so thankful the Lord has provided this opportunity for women from churches all over the country to participate in a Living Proof Live Event with Beth Moore. So, pray with us this weekend or join us at a participating simulcast church in your area...and may our hearts keep beating faster for Him as we go deeper still...
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Live from Louisville
I know many of you were part of the Living Proof Live Simulcast with Beth Moore this past weekend in your home church or another church in your community. For those of you who were not able to attend the simulcast event, we wanted to give you a small five-minute glimpse into the work of God in Louisville. We are so thankful to God for the technology that broadcasts around the world God's Word! Thanks again Rich Kalonick for always capturing the power and presence of God moving at these amazing Christian women's events.
Praying the next five minutes you spend watching this video recap will cause you to worship our great God and take you deeper still in your relationship with Him today.
Living Proof Live Louisville KY Simulcast from Rich Kalonick on Vimeo.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Olympic Roll Call!
How many of you watched the Opening Ceremonies for the 2008 Olympics on Friday night? It is always amazing to me to see the parade of athletes waving their flags and dressed in traditional costumes or colors representing their nation! I can't help but envision an incredible worship service to come described in Revelation 5:9...
And they sang a new song:
You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals; because You were slaughtered, and You redeemed people for God by Your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Can't you just see the celebration of Olympic-sized proportions?!
As we continue to countdown to Deeper Still: The Event in Las Vegas, we need to have another roll call. In addition to those who will be attending the Las Vegas event, I would love for all of you to respond and just share something you love about your church, your city, your state, or country!
Let's have an Olympic-sized roll call so we can get a taste of Revelation 5:9 and celebrate the redeemed Christian women of every tribe and language and people and nation who love Jesus and are going deeper still in relationship with Him today!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
3 Things to Win the Gold
It is time to confess. The first step in recognizing a problem and dealing with it is admitting the problem. The problem for me: I am addicted to the Olympic Games. Yes, I know everyone is watching the Olympics right now, but seriously, I found myself glued to the TV last weekend watching fencing or sabers or whatever they call it. I didn't even know it was an Olympic sport and suddenly I spend an hour watching it. (And honestly I didn't have a clue what they were doing!) But now that I've admitted the problem and confessed it to you, let me tell you why!
One of my favorite things is watching the short bios on the athletes. They basically sum up in about five minutes how the athlete has trained and lived for the last four years. Five minutes seems so short! How can you sum up four years in five minutes? Then I watched the bio on Michael Phelps. WOW! So far this guy is the winningest Olympic athlete ever! He now has five world records in five events at the Beijing Games! And to date he has 11 gold medals, which means he has won more golds than any athlete in history! Michael Phelps is set to swim a few more races and may win even more gold and set more records before the 2008 Olympic Games are over!
What makes him so great? What is the secret of the last four years that helps him achieve such greatness in the Olympics? Three things. Yep, that is it, only three. In the bio he said, "I swim, I sleep, I eat." And it showed him doing those three things...yes, even the sleeping part! Well, you know that bio on Michael Phelps just got me thinking about going deeper still with God. What are the three things that keep me going deeper still? If I had to narrow my time down to three things what would they be?
Group Bible Study? Personal Bible Study? Scripture Memorization? Focused Prayer? Christian Music? Service in my church? Worship? Quiet Time? Missions? Ministry? Community with other Christians? Christian conferences and events? Christian concerts? The list could go on and on and on....
And then if you stick with your top three things for four years like an Olympic athlete, how does one's faith grow? What is the impact upon your relationship with Jesus? How does that level of commitment to God impact your community and the world for Christ?
I don't know about you, but I really want a "medal worthy" faith. And if I'm going to take up my cross daily following Jesus (Luke 9:23-24) why not go for the gold! As the Olympic Games for 2008 continue this week, I am thinking about how to focus and train for an Olympic-sized faith. What spiritual disciplines do I need to strengthen in order to go deeper still with God? What about you? What spiritual muscles need a workout?
Las Vegas Deeper Still gals...how are you preparing for God in the coming weeks before September 5-6? Atlanta or Nashville Deeper Still gals...how are you continuing your focus upon God and going deeper still in relationship with Him?
Thinking of you today my sweet sisters in Christ and praying that we are all reaching forward to God's goal and making every effort to take hold of it...Philippians 3:12-14.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Fabulous Friday
We are finishing the first week of school at my house and all week I've heard about "Fabulous Friday." Everyone in my daughter's second grade class has an opportunity to enjoy "Fabulous Friday" if they get a smiley face sticker each day. What exactly is "Fabulous Friday?" From my understanding it means you get a Popsicle and get to play a game at some point on Fabulous Friday as a reward for good behavior all week.
As I've thought about Fabulous Friday, I think one of the best parts is the anticipation for the big day. Each day as my little second grader thinks and talks about what is to come on Friday, the excitement and momentum builds. Friday turns into something more than the end of the school week. It is more than simply popsicles and an extra game to play during one portion of the day. Friday becomes different from any other day of the week. Friday becomes, well...fabulous!
As we build up to our "Fabulous Friday" on September 5 when we all enter the Thomas and Mack Event Center in Las Vegas for Deeper Still: The Event, I thought I would put up some photos from our guy Rich to help you anticipate the experience at this Christian women's event. I am looking forward to the next three weeks as the excitement and momentum builds for Deeper Still: The Event Las Vegas!
Enjoy this Fabulous Friday and anticipate what is to come in only three weeks!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Deep Roots
When we moved into our home in January 2002 everything outside in the yard was dormant or dead. As spring unleashed its beauty, we were thankful we had moved into a home previously owned by a couple from the UK who really knew their gardening. We had all kinds of flowers and plants...an English garden! Just what I always wanted! It didn't matter that we didn't know what anything was or how to tend it--we were just happy to enjoy the beauty!
One of the best surprises was an apple tree planted right next to the deck. It was beautiful in the spring with its blossoms and incredible during the late summer as we enjoyed, picked, and ate fresh apples for months! I remember having so many apples that first year. We gave bag after bag of apples away to neighbors and friends. Seriously, how many apples can a family of five eat...especially when the tree produces several HUNDRED apples...I'm not kidding!
We enjoyed our harvest for another year and then a tornado came through our city. If you can imagine it...in the high winds the tree was totally blown on its side, but the roots were still in the ground. So, my husband, Mr. Save Everything or Mr. Pack Rat (which ever title applies), used a truck and rope to pull the apple tree back up into its standing position. He braced the tree with some sturdy two-by-fours; he watered it, fertilized it, pruned it and took extra care of this tree. That August there were no apples on the tree...zero. I guess the trauma from the tornado had done its damage. My husband continued to baby the tree hoping for a better harvest the following year. The next year the once flourishing apple tree produced about a dozen apples. This went on for another year and another. At one point we just wondered if the trauma was too much...should we just chop it down.
But how could we give up after all these years? We waited and waited...and now we have more apples than ever before. This year the apple blossoms were more than we could count. We actually didn't have this many apples the first year we moved into the house!
I wonder how many of us have deep roots like this apple tree except we are clinging to God. When the tornados of life hit and we are totally blown down those roots hold fast to the Only One who can resurrect the dead. It may take years, but slowly He provides all that we need to produce beauty and fruit in life again.
How many of you just experience devasting loss in your life and wonder if you will ever "be alive" again?
How many of you have gone through trauma over the last several years and are just now beginning to bear fruit again?
Praying and trusting God to bring you through the lean and difficult years. Know that the LifeWay Women's Event Team wants Deeper Still: The Event in Las Vegas to be the turning point...when you flourish in God's Word and worship...and begin to bear fruit again for Christ.
Can't wait to see you at Deeper Still: The Event in Las Vegas as we dig deeper into God's Word, strengthen our roots in Christ as our Savior and Lord, and go deeper still with God in worship and in life...
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
A Message from Beth...
Dear Sisters,
I can hardly wait to see you at our Deeper Still conference this weekend! I am not kidding when I tell you that I've never failed to see God show up with a stunning outpouring in North Carolina or South, for that matter! I've never quite been able to put my finger on why! Often Travis, the team and I see God's mightiest outpourings in some of the smaller areas where people have far fewer events to attend. They are desperate for worship and revelation and, because God delights in that kind of anticipation, they usually get it. The part of the country where we're gathering this weekend, however, is a center notch on the proverbial "Bible belt" yet I've seen God do some of the wildest things there. To be seasoned - but UNSPOILED - followers of Christ is a rare and wonderful trait only the Holy Spirit can explain. I can hardly wait to see what He'll do now.
I am so honored to serve beside my dear friends and co-laborers, Priscilla and Kay. I deeply respect both of them and my own walk with Christ is always refueled by their influence. We haven't been together in a while so it will be great to team-up again. It's a beautiful thing to share the platform with other speakers because, the way I see it, if you don't like one of us, as diverse as we are, surely you'll like another! All of us have different tastes and different learning styles, even if we wish we were too mature for preferences. At one time or another, yours is surely going to get hit this weekend and, if not by someone on the platform, by someone sitting next to you! Far more importantly, God will overcome every obstacle and speak to every willing ear and, if you'll really listen, cause you to receive exactly what He brought you to hear. I'm counting on that for myself. I am coming for a word from God, Girlfriend, and I am positive that I'm going to get it.
Recently I've had a fresh appreciation for what we get to do this weekend. My staff at Living Proof Ministries and I are going through Jennifer Rothschild's Me, Myself and Lies together. (I do tons of other people's Bible studies - like Kay's and Priscilla's, for instance - just for my own personal walk. My worst nightmare is that I'd get where I only listened to my own voice. Can you spell I-M-B-A-L-A-N-C-E??) While we were having group discussion last week and I was marveling over the NOW word God was speaking to every single one of us, I could nearly have burst into tears with the wonder of it. I said to my staff, "It's just hit me afresh that this is the very kind of thing we get to do: we get to encourage women just like us to get to know the Maker of Heaven and Earth and His Son, Jesus Christ, through the living, breathing pages of Scripture. He causes every study - no matter who wrote it - to become exactly what the willing person needed at that exact moment in her life. It's not a man-thing. It's a total God-thing. I do not know where I would be, even right now in this season of my own life, without the hope and direction and exhortation of God's Word. What we're doing works because He works."
That, Beloved Sister, is what we're doing together this weekend. We're reminding one another that God STILL SPEAKS and that He is perfect in His timing and His relevance. If you've never really gotten to know Him personally, this is a terrific time to get started! If you've been listening to Him speak through His Word for years, well then, there's a place to go that's deeper still!
I am floored to be able to serve you. God is merciful and kind to this former pit-dweller. I'll see you Friday!
In His exquisite love,
Beth
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Deeper Still...to be continued!
Although we are not keeping the Deeper Still blog active these days....Deeper Still: The Event is going strong!
We are so excited and looking forward to LifeWay Women's next Deeper Still event with Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, and Kay Arthur in Birmingham, Alabama on December 3-4, 2010! Already we have over 12,000 women registered anxious to hear a word from God as they go deeper still in Bible study and their relationship with Him.
We would love to see you at Deeper Still in Birmingham on December 3-4, 2010 or Deeper Still in Louisville, Kentucky on June 10-11, 2011.
Click here to find out more about LifeWay Women's events or to register for Deeper Still!
Monday, November 29, 2010
ROLL CALL for Birmingham...here we come!
We, LifeWay Women, are thrilled as we look ahead to this week! The first days of December may be packed with decorating and Christmas shopping for many, but for us it is one of our biggest events of 2010!
In a short two days we will be in Birmingham, Alabama for the YOU Lead (Leadership training pre-conference) on December 2-3 and then Deeper Still: The Event on December 3-4 with Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, and Kay Arthur!
We experienced an incredible Deeper Still event earlier this year in Denver, Colorado and are anxious to see what the Lord does in our hearts and lives in Birmingham. Any of you who attended the Denver Deeper Still can encourage those who will be in Birmingham this week with your testimonies and stories. We always love hearing your stories and how God worked through Deeper Still!
It really is like an unopened Christmas gift every time we enter an arena. We've prepared and prayed for you for months. We anticipate your arrival. Then as doors open we see your smiling faces and the gift of God's grace is unwrapped! Did I already tell you that we can't wait to see you in Birmingham this week?!
Just for fun we would love to hear where everyone is coming from, who you are coming with, and how you are getting to Birmingham! So let the ROLL CALL begin! Birmingham Deeper Still here we come!
Pssst--if you can't make it to Deeper Still join us for .mom in Birmingham in September!