Siesta Bible Study: Gathering II
Siesta Summer Bible Study (Weeks 1 and 2) from LPV on Vimeo.
Hey Summer Bible Study Siestas!
It’s time for Gathering II! Remember, all comments to this post are meant to come AFTER your small group meeting as a way of sharing a highlight with us from your time together. Try to limit your feedback to one regular-size paragraph and be sure to remind us where you’re from and how many are in your group. Only one group member is requested to give a report but if something huge is happening in your life through the study and your leader didn’t share it, by all means, post an individual comment so your Siestas can give God the praise He’s due.
If at all possible, please watch the video for your instructions for this week’s gathering but, just in case you can’t get it to work or can’t spare the time, here are the activities in writing:
1. By now you’ve been well introduced to the concept of the study. We’re cleaning out our thought closets. On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you individually need this particular subject matter and why?
2. Look on p.13 at the quote in the margin: “Who I am and what I struggle with are not the same thing.” In what way did that statement resonate with you? What struggle do you most tend to define yourself by?
3. Look on p.23, Day 4 of Week 1 at the interactive where Jennifer says, “In your own words, describe worry.” What was your answer?
4. Go to p.44 in Week 2 and focus on the part of the study where Jennifer talks about “faulty assumptions.” I thought this part was incredibly insightful. What is one of your faulty assumptions?
Have a great time with one another and may Christ’s Presence and power be evident in every gathering! You are loved and prioritized here at LPM.
*Previous posts:
Summer Bible Study Sign Up
Summer Bible Study Kick Off
posted by Amanda @ 6:00 AM
262 Comments
262 Comments:
1. This study has been perfect for me. After doing "Breaking Free" two years ago, I suddenly found myself struggling lately. I’m struggling with my Bible memory verses and this study is perfect right now! I see how my thought closet is a mess, and I’m working and praying to clean it out!
2. I have always struggled with anger, low self-esteem, judging, harshness, and this study is showing me the root cause - PRIDE! Things from childhood have caused pain, and I’m seeing the sin of pride all over my thought closet like an ugly orange dress on this summer blue-eyed brunette! UGH!!
And even though I struggle with anger, I AM NOT A BAD WOMAN! I am just a woman! A sinful woman, saved by grace! I can’t change being a woman (wouldn’t want to, by the way), but I can change my anger by God’s power. God promised!
3. To me, worry is being anxious about the “what ifs” of my life. Spending too much thought time on something in the future.
4. My faulty assumption is I will always be “a mess”; depressed, low self-esteem, angry, unloved, worthless (see how they get worse as I go along?!). But God has shown me that this is not to be; there is victory! But the process is slow, and like a dance, I’ll have several steps backwards. But God is able! I will be victorious! God has so much more for me than a boo-hoo, poor me life!
Siesta Mama, I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying my summer study. I even bought the DVDs! I love your hair tips, although since discovering “Big **** Hair” and Velcro rollers, my hair is cooperating! And my highlights look great! Love and hugs to you!
Going solo
Melissa, St. Mary's County, MD
Ok, this is not related (sorry) but just have to say...looking at pics posted by Travis involved a FUN wiffle ball game - nice swing Miss Beth!!! :) SO much of images of Stockdon are bringing a smile of joy and inspiration to my morning. Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him!
We had a great meeting last night discussing these first few chapters. We both shared that it's been so good to be challenged to identify and name our patterns of thinking. One of both of our big faulty assumptions had to do with being in control and being strangled by worry or fear when things got out of control. We were shocked to realize that at the root of it, we weren't that different from the Israelites who believed God hated them (!). We found that one of the biggest lies at the root of our worry was that God isn't good or doesn't want what's best for us. What an insightful two weeks. Looking forward to more Bible study.
Marissa & Nikki
Columbia, SC
The Divado works too, but it won't damage your hair :)
On a scale of 1 to 10, I need this a 12 because of longtime lies that have been a constant part of my life since childhood victimization.
My biggest struggle is the fear of abandonment.
I very much resonated with your broken cup illustration. Someone told me one thing that would help depression is to do stuff for others. I feel like I can't because I'm so needy, like I can't give love because I can't accept God's love - because I am broken like the cup and can't hold God's love. He tries to give it to me but it just falls right through.
When you noted last week that Jennifer was going to be on Dr. Phil, I tried to watch, but didn't see her. Apparently Dr. Phil is on 2 times here, one new (That she was on but I missed), and one "Classic" rerun. The God thing is that I watched the classic show and it was about dealing with grief that paralyzes your life, exactly the topic I needed to hear right now.
Thank you, SiestaMama
Michele
Liverpool, NY
Amber, Rita, Mary Lisa
Alexandria, MN
Our group met last night because one of us was going camping today. We are meeting every week to watch Jennifer's videos and we are having the BEST time together laughing and praying deeply for one another. This week we noticed that although we had a very easy time identifying our labels, we are having a more difficult time letting them go. We are afraid. We want to cling to them because we know them so well.
Each time I've seen the "Bump-it" commercial, I've thought of you, Beth. I was wondering when it would finally make the blog. . .I love it!
I know we are supposed to comment AFTER Bible Study, but I have missed you gals so much!! Either I really need to get a life or I love you all like crazy! I must have checked the blog at least 5X a day looking for posts from the beach and pics of Annabeth!
Nonetheless, I hope you had a wonderful time with your families celebrating the birthday of our beloved America!!
BLESSINGS UPON BLESSINGS!
No, let me change that to
SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS!!
Thank the LORD for the rain today!
Love you!
Roxanne
Good morning Mama Beth,
I just loved having my tea with you. I have to comment first on the bumpits....I have short hair so I am quite sure the small one would not even do me any good in regards to having flat hair...I know yall probably can't believe that we with short hair even have that problem...but I am here to tell you that mousse helps those of us with short hair have some volume...then you blow your hair with your head upside down and put some pomenade in it and toussle and call it good. I would have liked to have seen you in a bump it though.
Now here are my answers. I am going solo.
1. on a scale of 1 to 10 mine was 9. My thought closet has been a mess. I haven't really given it much thought as I was too busy taking care of others especially the past few months when we were hit hard with some storms that just added to my thought closet. I didn't realize that until I got into this study.
2. I struggle with perfection. I think it started when I was growing up as my brother tended to be in trouble so I didn't want to be so I tried to do everything right...I still do that now at times and that surprised me as I wa sin this study that it came to the surface quickly.
3. I describe worry as being scared to death because I am out of my comfort zone and then I am thinking what if I can't do this or that?
4. my faulty assumption has to do with soemthing I have said to my hubby on occasion: If you really loved me, you would not be such a messy person and just clean up. or you would just do what I ask.
It has been a great study so far and I am thankful for my time with God. He has been doing some serious tending to my heart.
love you so much
Tammy S.
Howells NE
Who does that song at the intro?
I love it, and I'VE GOT TO GET A BUMP-IT!
Beth, God is doing amazing things in our ladies bible study.
I had told you that we started with 4 at my home and that He (God)wanted to open it up to our church. We had our
first meeting today so we will be a
little behind.
It's ok it was God ordained.
I am so blessed to be able to minister to all of these ladies.
Here we are
Lyn--facilitator
Wendy
Barb
Starla
Laurie
Pat
Beth
Jen
Marylin
Marguerite
Tricia
Danielle
Mary
Jane
Louonne
Libby
Leonia
Lois
NH and VT ages ranging from 20-60
We meet from 8-9:30 am
There was something that resonated with each of us, and it was different for each one! We were encouraged when Jennifer pointed out the difference between What is/ What if, and also Who I am/What I struggle With. Also, it was amazing to us when we realized HOW MUCH we talked negatively to ourselves and would never talk to others like that!
Thank you Beth & LPM for organizing this!
(There's four of us in St. Louis)
I never would have dreamed the ladies of our group do the same thing I do. We talked today about how our thinking sets us up in our relationships. We want or expect this, but would never think of saying it outloud. When we don't get what we are wanting, we think they don't care or love us. Then sometimes our mates do instead of say that they love us. Sometimes this is very clear for us and sometimes not so much. We talked about our Identity in Christ and how that should mold our thinking when we are centered on Him. Good stuff.
Jan Witt
Morning group about 12 ladies
Topeka, Kansas
Judy Heindl
Cottageville WV
Solo
Group of 7 from Ruston, LA
We met this morning and had great discussion. We watched the video and would pause after each point to discuss it. We really dug into our thought closet and discussed openly with each other some struggles we have had. We all agreed we really need this study right now and are hoping to be better people on the other side of it!
A real quick story of accountability this week. One of our girls posted a pic of herself with her boys on FB and her caption said look at those fat arms. I gently reminded her that those kind of thoughts weren't allowed in her closet and that I thought that picture was perfect. I'm so glad to have a group of girls to be sharing this time with and partners for accountability.
Good Morning,
Our group met last Thursday and there were about 70 of us.
One of the things we discussed was why we need this study so much and why we need to stay deep in study this summer.
I hope I can make this clear:
We discussed how all of us at one time or another have had a big event to attend on a short notice and we go to our clothes closet searching for something nice or appropriate to wear. NOTHING!! Nothing fits or everything we have is worn out. We begin to get frantic and head to the store only to become more frustrated shopping on such short notice. We have not been filling our clothes closet with items we may need to wear for these occasions because we are simply keeping up with the day to day clothes. We decided it is like that with our thought closets as well. We simply fill our thoughts with what will get us through the day but when the "BIG" events rush in and we need to draw on thoughts that will sustain us through tragic and sometimes terrible events we have nothing to draw from. It's Gods Word that needs to fill our thought closets so that when the biggies come we are well prepared. Truth will always fit us, never to big, never to small.
We talked about our "Faulty Assumptions" and I asked the group the question (a hard one, Jennifer ask it also) "How well do you really know God?" Our faulty assumptions coming from a lack of knowledge and relationship with Him. WOW!!!
We are loving this study!!
Blessings for your guidance Siesta Mama!!
Royana
Beth, one thing I forgot to mention was that I am also a "Texas Mare with Texas Hair" and I was blonde for many years. But one day I sat in my hairdressers chair and said "Can we do something different?" and I am now a Red Head with blond highlights. I can not even begin to tell you how the change of color has changed my life. My husband....of 20 years, loves it!!!!! People stop me on the street to tell me how beautiful my hair is. So, being blonde was good but Red is fun!! Try a change Siestas, its great!!
Royana
Our group met this morning and discussed the four assignments. There were 2 absent, but we added another member, Cindy, so it ended up being 3 of us. Some of the things mentioned that we struggle with is perfectionism, insecurity, and pride. We discussed our faulty assumptions as teens and as married women--very interesting conversations took place. We all agreed this was a wonderful Bible study and applicable to this time in our lives. We can't wait until our next meeting!
1. 10- for all the reason we know
2. Struggle- Eating Disorder (using food as a soother, only works for a short period and becomes counterproductive), but I keep doing it- worry about finances
3. Worry- calamity that may or may not happen
4. Faulty assumptions, that I will be ruined by my circumstances
I'm Melissa from Cowarts, AL and I am solo in this study.
1.) On the scale I need this about a 9. I am finally realizing that my thought closet is a mess!!! Satan is all up in my head!
2.) It resonates with me because I have always identified my self as ugly and angry. God and I have been working on my anger lately but I still ID myself as such.
3.) I defined worry as fear about a situation. I will lay in bed at night and just worry and worry. Like you said just letting it naw at me.
4.)My faulty assumption is that no one wants to be my friend or hang out with me. I could go into how that all started but that's it.
Siesta Mama, Beth, I love you so much. God, you, and Jennifer are such blessings in my life right now. I have needed to weed out my mind for a long time and you all are helping me so very much and I love you all for that.
This study is so awsome! Its exactly what I needed at this point in my life. But the more I dig into God's word and this study it seems the more the old devil is trying to put up a fight with me on this. I have had more things thrown at me this week that makes it hard not to think and do everything this study is trying to help us overcome. But the study is helping because as soon as I start with this harmful thoughts or labels in my mind, I easily start to recongnize what is going on and turn to the Lord to help me through it. Hopefully my dilegente pray and time with the Lord will make the devil give up on trying me.
Let the words of my mouth,
and the meditation of my heart,
be acceptable in thy sight,
O LORD, my strength,
and my redeemer.
Psalm 19: 14
Laura V., Knoxville, TN
solo
Good afternoon "Siesta Mama!"
We met over lunch today. We both agreed we needed this study at about the mid-range(4-5). We both noted that were surprised at some of the faulty labels, assumption that came to us over the course of the two weeks. We also discussed how we have both attended professional seminars and noted how they never get to the ROOT of the problem and how to strip away the bad fruit.
This study is a great way to spend a lunch hour.
Blessings to all our siestas,
Mary Ann & Patty
3M Company, St. Paul(Woodbury), MN
P.S. I referred to our wonderful community the other day when I posted a comment on another site ( it was the first time I'd posted on a site other than the LPM Siesta blog.)
I am going solo for this Bible study, but wanted to leave a brief comment anyway. God's timing amazes me. I am very excited to be "cleaning out my thought closet" because I am due to have my 3rd baby in September and my thought closet is a prime place of attack for Satan during those post-partum months. I am excited to be cleaning out so I'm more prepared to deal with the discouragment that tends to come during that season of life. I am trusting God to prepare me as I seek to "let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in [His] sight" (Ps. 19:14) and to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor 10:5). God is so great and I think it is awesome how He brings Himself glory even through a blog!! Thank you for your faithful labor of love (Heb 6:10)!!!
P.S. This flat hair is tempted to try a Bumpit ;)
Our group time this afternoon was very enjoyable and enlightening as we all felt as we began the study that we were wondering if this was a study that we really needed. However, as we got past the 2nd day, we began to realize that God's timing is perfect and that as we live out each day, the words that we pull out of our thought closets impact us more than we think they do. Not only do they impact us but those we come in contact with as well. As a group, all of us realized we presumed when we thought we were assuming and we are now more aware of our faulty assumptions. Thanks so much for your bump it tips and also for your siesta encouragements! We love you all and thank you for all that you do in ministering to women!
Kathleen
Lori
Kasy
Tiffani
Vanessa
Brandon, MS
1--I need this study because I am dealing with a lot of stressful issues and I can get totally into "stinken thinken" again and again. It is a constant battle.
2-I am not the depressed person I struggle with now. I struggle with depression and not being good enough.
3-Worry is something that keeps us from trusting God.
4-If my alcoholic, abusive husband loved me he would get help and quit drinking. In truth the only one who could deliver him is God!
THANK YOU BETH FOR THE STUDY
LOVE IT. I am solo on this study and I need it.
Sharon, Illinois
Ashley and Katie
Knoxville, TN
Greetings Spiritual Mom Beth:
1.A: 10, b/c of fear and worry,K: 12, fear and worry, taking thoughts captive
2. A: fear,K: getting and keeping a renewed mind
3.A: constantly fearing if something will occur,K: practical atheism-my pastor's convicting definition of worry!
4. present/leading FAULTY assumptions:A:In relationships, if they act distant, it is because of me.,K:I will always have to deal with these terrorizing dreams at night and thoughts during the day; they will never go away.
This study is life-changing for us. The Lord is completing what He has started in us. We want to be set free:) MUCH love in HIM,
katiegfromtennessee and Ashley-girl:)
On a scale from 1-10, my need for this study is around 8. Although I know better, over the past year or two I've gotten "entangled" with some wrong thought patterns. Also during this time my confidence has been lower, so when Jennifer made her statement about who you are isn't defined by your struggles, it really spoke to me.
I'm looking forward to the upcoming weeks of study! Thanks for choosing this bible study!!
Patti, Kissimmee, FL
1. This study is way beyond a 10 for me - I've geen giving myself so much negative self-talk for so long that that's my entire belief system about myself.
2. My all-the-time struggle is that I'm not & will never be good enough - not spiritually, but in the physical world - that whatever I attempt will not meet standards - mine or someone else's.
3. Worry is fretting over something you (I) have no control over.
4. Faulty assumption #1: if I'm _____ enough, people will like me.
I SO need wisdom from God - please pray for me!!!!!
(flying solo from Shreveport, LA)
The Closet MakeOvers of Poteau OK met again today with two new members. Angela, Tiffany, Cheryl, Jane, and Roberta welcome Donna and Janice. The group decided we are all at a 10 in needing this study. Bible verses, fellowship, laughter and tears shared are powerful ways to change our thought closets. The definitions of worry were varied but emotion filled. We were glad to find our struggles do not define who we are. We are happy to be children of God.
I'm doing this study "solo", so here are my answers:
1) This study is God's sovereign orchestration of my life. I am working on some very deep-seated body image issues and this is just what I needed. It's as if Jennifer wrote this specifically for me!
2) My struggle is my body image. I have for a while, considered (and defined myself) as the "ugly fat girl". That is not what God would have me think of His creation! Even though I am overweight and not a supermodel, I have worth in Christ (and I need to remember that).
3) Worry is obsessing and having anxious thoughts about something beyond my control. I unfortunately do this quite a bit!
4) One of my faulty assumptions is that because I'm single and have never been married, that I'll be alone for the rest of my life. The truth is that for my good and His glory, God wants me to be single RIGHT NOW. That might or might not continue. Truly, I am never alone because He is with me!
Thank you, Beth, for selecting this study! I can't tell you what a blessing it is already! :)
1.Michel, its a 2,its a process that I have been on for a year. I feel like I've made progress. For Vivian its a 9-10! I'm struggling and I feel that this has arrive in my life just at the perfect time, just like the tea cup, mt bottom has fallen out.
2.We both LOVE THAT SAYING, WOW!!!! For me, V- its like holy cow that was like hmmmmmmm, thank you God for that statement.
3.Michele, definition of worry :obsessive thoughts, chokeholds of all chokeholds(ha ha).V's definition : physical stress!
4.M- Faulty assumption...My family doesn't love me enough to do what I ask right this mighty minute ;0)Like NOW.....(he he)
V-I've really screwed up...how can my kids etc. etc. etc.....
Hello! We're from Ord, NE and we had a small gathering this afternoon of 8 ladies and 14 kids! We had a few ladies join us last minute and thanks to your discussion questions, they were able to contribute to the discussion even though they haven't done the study. We are really enjoying the study, the prayer time and the fellowship. Thank you so much for your ministry!
1. We all agreed this was the study we needed right now. Two of us have been really forced to face up to a thought closet in need of a severe make-over.
2. We've struggled with pride and low self-esteem and rebellion.
3. Worry, we agreed, was constantly replaying the "what-ifs" and is usually based on fears, not facts.
4. We identified with the faulty assumptions - totally. This was really the one that hit us the hardest. Wow! Most of the stinkin' thinkin' that goes on in our heads is from faulty assumptions.
We're glad to be doing this study, no matter how deep it's digging.
Five Siesta in Charleston, SC
Karen, Peggy & Leigh from Montgomery, Alabama. Our group has solidified with the three of us. We had wonderful time tonight going through the interactives. We all need this study for different reasons this summer and are greatly benefitting from getting our thoughts inline with God's word rather than faulty assumptions and inappropriate labels.
Peggy's take on worry was the same as yours(Beth). Worry is a bone we gnaw and sometimes we really enjoy it even though it is a waste of our time. A bone transforms one of our precious labs into a snappy, selfish, mean monster. Worry does the same thing to us.
Till the 21st, Blessings.
Hi Beth,
I'm so happy to be a part of the Siesta movement! It's been encouraging to find a community of believers who are striving to be better. It's down right OUTSTANDING that so many women have a love for God and His Word.
I've been following the blog for a while, but this is the first time I've posted a comment. In fact, this is my first blog ever. I am solo with this study, but having this community of siestas share so freely has helped a lot.
Here are my responses:
1) I rated my need for this study as a 10. I believe strongly in examination. This study was just a refreshingly different way to assess myself. I'm always game for looking at myself from a different angle. If it leads to my being "perfected" then I want it!
2)The struggle I most define myself by has to do with trust. It's hard for me to trust people with my heart. Past betrayals by those I should have been able to trust has affected me; I admit it. Though I have forgiven every single one of them, even sharing Christ with the one who hurt me most, I still acknowledge that I am uncomfortable with allowing people emotionally close to me. I let them get just so close and then I put up my guard. The weird thing is I will surround them with all the love and attention I seem to crave but never speak of. Does any of that make sense?
3.Worry is being unable to control the uncontrollable and yet trying to do so.
4. My faulty assumption is that you can't really trust people with your heart. I just keep repeating to myself that Jesus endured what you endure and He still kept giving His whole heart. Praise God for Jesus, who gives me hope and a promise. I choose to believe the Lord instead of the lies!
Much love in Him,
Kim, GA
jenn in ga here for the gals (stacey, susan, tricia, and nina) in my group in cumming, ga:
we were so impacted by these first two weeks, and we all agreed that she took us from kindergarten (week 1) to college (week 2) really fast! the learning curve has been great, but we are seeing things about ourselves and making progress in how we think.
we are sharing with each other on a level we haven't before, even though we've been together as part of a couples' small group for almost a year.
please pray for breakthroughs and courage to walk out of the prisons we've become comfortable in--fear, low self-esteem, negativity, insecurity, and control. truth can be hard to hang on to, and that's why we need to infiltrate our thought closets with it. otherwise, we forget and begin to believe lies again.
Cynda, Jamie, Joan, Mitzi, Penny, Trish
Newnan, GA
We had three extra this evening that were unable to meet with us last week so it was a 100% increase. We had answers from 2 - 10 about how much did we need this study. We talked the most about worry and how to get it under control. Glad to be in the Word this summer!!
We were able to connect even more through our study today and the questions were great! We all decided we were 10's on the scale from 1-10 of how much we need this study right now.
Loved your definitions of "worry" - couldn't top those. We all came up with the same basic definition that included those subjective words "what if!"
Thanks for doing this study with us, Beth. We are learning so much and can see some progress already!
Sue, Peggy, Janel & Janet in St. Louis, Missouri
The thing that resonated in our group this morning was though our exteriors are very different, our thought closets are all so similar and most stem from labels placed on us or poor examples set for us in childhood. We all agreed that the cycle must end now and not be passed on to our own children.
I personally did Breaking Free several years ago, so this study has really reminded me a lot of that one. God did some amazing things in my heart during that study and I know He is continuing that work through this one. What a joy it was to share our hearts together! We had the privilege of praying over one of our siestas going through a particularly tough time and the Spirit's sweet Presence filled us.
The coffee cup illustration was so powerful! I love that you were paying attention and heard what He was trying to teach through it, instead of simply saying, "Well, that was weird", then tossing it in the trash. He's always speaking. We just need to pay attention.
I stopped at the pharmacy to pick up something on the way home and wouldn't you know it? Right there at the checkout was a Bump-it! I almost laughed out loud! If I had more money, I thought it would be so funny to buy one for each lady in our study, so we could wear them for our group photo!
Can't wait to see what God shows us over the next 2 weeks!
Cleaning out the closets,
Siesta Jill
for The Nest Siestas
Franklin, TN
We had wonderful siesta time in New Smyrna Beach, FL tonight! Tiffany and Sue were unable to be here last get together with Connie and myself(Katie), but they were here tonight and it was awesome. We have two brand new breeds and our kennel is diverse! The tree of us myself,Tiff and Sue all need this study right now on different levels and it was so refreshing to hear one anothers place. I heard the phrase stinkin' thinkin' and absoulutely loved it! We noticed that alot of our stinkin' thinkin' is the same and left over from childhood faulty assumptions. Leaving this evening very encouraged and excited to see what else God has for our thought closet makeover. Maybe there will be three "as seen on t.v." thought bump it's :)
For us,
Katie
Going solo in New Orleans - I guess I'm about an 7- 8 in terms of needing this study - I think age/maturity is doing some work on cleaning out my thought closet - but I still need more cleaning. Worry to me is like our neighbors beagle dogs that bark and howl at night when their owners are not at home - they just don't let up - worry is like that to me - the moment I'm not busy, whatever my "worry" is starts barking and howling at me and won't let up. My faulty assumption is that I can "fix" everything -- not so. God is so good and I'm enjoying meeting with Him as I go through this study. Thanks so much for doing this Siesta Bible Study!
The ladies in our group are on a scale of 8-10 in need of this Bible Study and we desire to grow closer to God through His Word.
Worry is "interest paid on borrowed trouble"
God gives us Grace for the "what is" NOT the "what if's".
We were all in agreement one of our main faulty assumptions is how we are so performance driven as women, Mary vs Martha, have to do, do, do, to be accepted.
We also watched as part of our Bible Study the "3 Lies Video Clip" Jennifer Rothschild has on Youtube.
Connie L, Mary P, Mary B, Sherry Georganne and Connie H
Forsyth, MO (30 miles south of Springfield, MO where Jennifer Rothschild lives)
How much do we need this study? At least a 20 (10 for each of us)! As we met today, both of us couldn't believe just how much we can relate to what we are studying, and how many times God has brought some of these things to mind during the past week. (We got a late start, but we are catching up.) We both particularly related to the section about faulty assumptions, and how we can create an entire scenario based on something we have wrongly assumed. What a pertinent study. Can't wait for Week 3!
Lois and Cindy
St. Louis, MO
Our small group of 8 ladies in Edgewater/New Smyrna Beach Florida met tonight! In fact, everyone just left! I thought it went amazingly well! For the most part everyone thought the study was pertinent. Although a few of the ladies felt it was hard to have to go into the closet in the first place! (easier to not look in there and just buy new clothes I guess!)
The part about what we struggle is not what we are was monumental in many of the ladies lives!
We actually did go over the door that listed our "What ifs" and "What is"..it was very enouraging to read those out loud and proclaim What is!!
Lastly faulty assumptions brought us to realize that each woman (except myself, is a working mother) felt that they were not where they wanted or who they wanted to be at home. There is such a struggle for working Mom's...and the expectations they place on themselves. Oddly enough my struggle is the same, but I am a homeschooling stay-at-home Mom trying to make ends meet financially on my husband's income! Still, I feel like I miss using my talents and gifts that I use to have before I had children. Actually, I don't think it is necessarily that we don't use the gifts and talents God gave us, but we aren't appreciated and don't get paid like you do at a 9-5 job! LOL
All in all it was a wonderful, prayerful meeting and I'm just loving being with these ladies!
Thank you Beth and everyone at LPM for organizing this summertime siesta!
Both of us were here today. We enjoyed the video & time of fellowship together. We discussed how the study was timely for both of us but for rather different reasons. I was particularly touched by the choice of bible verses that Jennifer selected as they were quite timely to read. Lisa really appreciated the idea that Beth brought up in the video about letting God tend to you. We both have good intentions to get all the way through our homework for the next meeting (as two professors, we suspect it's important to hold ourselves to the same standards as our student. we'll get there).
Heather
Lufkin, TX
1. on a 1-10, I'd have to say a 9 or 10 especially right now. My 20 year reunion is coming up so more than usual, I'm focused on what I look like, losing weight, etc... so my thought closet has been darker than usual. I needed this study more than ever.
2. I know I am a wonderfully made child of God, but if you had access to my thought closet you wouldn't think I believed it. I struggle with anger, "it's all about me" syndrome and "am I a good enough mom" syndrome a lot. Especially this year as my son (who has CP) has struggled a bit more in school...and I feel like I have to prove myself to teachers.
3. My definition of 'worry' is thinking about the what if's. I find myself telling my son to stop doing that and realize how much of my own thoughts are focused on the what if's...especially where he is concerned, his safety, etc..!
4. My main faulty assumption lately is defensiveness...just like Jennifer wrote on p.51 "My value depends on being right". It's like she wrote that paragraph for this season in my life and it's a hard thing to stop thinking. My other assumption is that I have to prove myself to others (at the reunion) by being thinner...if that makes sense? It doesn't bother me with myself or my spouse, so what is up w/me worrying about it with people I will not see again for 10 more years?
This is the perfect study for this time in my life. Thank you SO much for getting us into our thought closets, never realized how much cleaning it needed!
Worry and anxiousnesss was the hot topic tonight for us. We shared that we worry about what others think about us. We have a faulty assumption of who people think we are based upon our past. Alisa mentioned one great statement that was taken off of a church sign "The next time satan tries to remind you of your past, remind him of his future". This study has helped us so much and we have agreed to focus on who God created us to be NOT who we assume we should be.
Love,
Locked in the kitchen mommas (hiding from our children)
An amazing time with the girls tonight! God is so good & faithful! Lots of sharing & learning each other's struggles! Amazed at how we see everything good in those around us, but do not see it in ourselves! Before sharing we read James 5:16 "Therefore confess your sins to each other & pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." We ended with..."What is said in this room...stays in this room!" We are all faithfully working & believing for a thought-closet filled with truth! Love the videos! The Mobile, AL gals needed the BUMP-IT tip! ;D Thnx 4 sharing!
This study has been wonderful. Our group has ages from 20's into the 60's and it has been most interesting to see how different ages relate to questions, etc. We have enjoyed getting to know each other in a closer way and growing closer to the Lord. Some of the older ones (including me) started the meeting tonight thinking the study doesn't pertain to us so much but ended the evening realizing that it does. There were 6 of us tonight! The UBCOBM group from Milton, WV.
Two Siestas traveling north to Alaska have made it all the way to Kenai Penninsula with our husbands. PTL for journey mercies! Keith would love it here. Husbands fishing for Salmon on the famous Kenai River tomorrow and on Friday fishing for Halibut in day boat off of Homer, Alaska. We are in awe of God and His perfect timing for this study. We both agreed we needed this study all the way to #10. It's well worth the effort of taking this monumental trip and doing a monumental thought closet makeover. #2. WE both agree marriage struggles always have to be addressed before the bottom of our cups fall out. (Great sign from God on the import of this powerful study!) Both our husbands are newly retired and if we don't get this thought closet makeover, we'll be bottomless cups and not be able to contain anything! #3. We agreed worry is a lack of realizing God is in control and when you fall into it, your mind goes in crazy circles and nothing makes sense. #4. We agree with Beth...faulty assumption with husband doing what they do and believing "You couldn't possibly love me and do what you do!" Help us Jesus! I've been married 38 years, and Kathy 45, and we still both struggle with this! Uggh... It's been worth every effort to find Wi-Fi, get the time to do our study and all the while travel a journey of now over 4000 miles!
Thank you Mama Beth and Jennifer for this powerful and insightful study. It is truly life changing.
Love and blessings,
Pam Houston and Kathy Collier
Anaheim, Cal. currently in Soldotna, Alaska
This study has surpried me in so many ways. I talk to myself so much more than I ever knew I did. Our whole group agreed to that. We decided we were all around 7-10 on the scale. We strulle with perfection, control, worry, having un-Godly thoughts. I was so amaed at how much I struggle with pride and insecurity. We all described worry so differently. We all realized that we aren't in control here, God is so we need to let go and let him guide.
We had several ladies missing tday b/c of church camp and etc.
Keli
Melissa
Ashley
Susie
Lula
Wanda
Katrina
Thank you so much for choosing this study! I have been convicted, encouraged, challenged and blessed by the study so far. I can really hear the Holy Spirit speaking truth to my soul through Jennifer's teachings. For so long I have felt powerless to stand against the lies that the enemy has spoken to me. I now know and believe that by the power of His Spirit working in me, I can have victory in this area! Praise God! I can't wait to get started on the next lesson! Love you Beth!
Mary Beth
St. Louis, MO
We met this afternoon-- due to illness, vacation and family issues only 3 of us were there today. We laughed about the Bump-It and decided we all need to get them and then go out with our big hair. We started our conversation by re-reading Psalm 19 and once again using the visual of a bowl of red, ripe strawberries (yum -- God is good). We had some good discussion around the 4 questions. We all rated our need for this study in the 9 to 10 range and agreed that God is meeting us where we need to be met. We shared our struggles, our definitions of worry and our faulty assumptions and had some rich conversation with each of these. We concluded our time together by praying for each other and for the women who weren't able to be here today. We are loving this study!
Christine, Jeanette and Kristen
from Mundelein, IL
Hi Beth,
The 6 of us met this evening and for the most part we are all somewhere between an 8 and a 10 in needing this study. Many of us struggle with self esteem and body image. We have all believed lies about ourselves or make assumptions about others that are not truth. The question on Who I am is not defined by what I struggle with brought up some interesting discussion. For me personally, I am having trouble decipherin between a root and a fruit. What I thought was a root is a fruit and vice versa! Looking forward to the weeks ahead. We too are going to do Jennifer's videos when we are done.
Robin, Cayce,SC
1, Ten, because my thought closet has been allowed to go unchecked for too many years.
2, That statement is huge! As a child I was told I would never be able to have anyone love me, then after 22 years of marriage my husband left to be with another woman. I struggle with feeling unlovable and no self worth daily.
3, Constantly struggling with FEAR.
4, I am not worthy of love.
Beth- you wouldn't believe us if we told you this but just before our study tonight the four of us were discussing that little hair gadget you demo'd. I said we'd left the 80's and clearly noone was still buying that item from the TV... the girls said that that style of hair is so 'IN' and someone is making a mint off that gadget.
Lo and behold... you yank one out of your goodie back and tell us its benefits. How funny is that? We just laughed!!! I really wish you were with us at Panera tonight to discuss the study and well, hair!!!
We love you and are growing through this study. Thanks for facilitating!!
Chelle', Donna, Sara and Jan.
Pittsburgh PA
Our group had a great discussion this week. Worry was the biggest topic - why we worry, how we worry, how destructive worry can be, and how, ultimately, it is completely unproductive, so we've wasted all that time for nothing. AND - it is often based on faulty assumptions!! It was interesting to see how this group of four - and we've known each other for quite a while - is learning new things about each other and from each other as we open our hearts to one another and to God's word. He has been SO good to us over the past couple of weeks, and we anticipate how He will use this study to allow us to get a glimpse of ourselves as He sees us. We are His daughters - loved, cherished, and of eternal interest to our Father ... what a glorious thought !!
Our group continues to be so transparent and open - i thank God that He brought us together for this study! I think the thing that struck me the most is that some of the things we struggle with and say to ourselves assuming that NO one else would be the same -- and every time it was met with "me too!" We are not alone in our struggles and how sad that we don't share that more often, but choose to isolate ourselves from each other and God!
Cindy, Alisa, Lori, Tina, Adela, Tricia and Laura
1. Numbers were 5,6,8. Has made us more aware of our thoughts and realizing that if we are left to ourselves we are a prideful & rebellious group of gals.
2. Just because the enemy attacks me in that area does not mean I am a failure in that area. Just because I am talked to like I am stupid does not mean I am stupid.
3. "Worry is like a rocking chair- you go back & forth and get no where"
"meditating on negatives & a theif of my energy"
4. Okay this is TOO funny:
"my faulty assumption was (when I first got married) that my husband would not get mad at me no matter what I did because I was so cute"
now for the not so funnies
"what true love is"
"I was not pretty"
"what sex would be like"
We are enjoying the study and the time together! Thanks for doing this!
Group of six from Madison, Alabama. One is "joining us" from Birmingham via feedback through another one of our group members.
The worry definition really was a big topic. We all agreed we are worriers in different stages and that we thought the horror picture analogy was right on.
We are loving the scripture that we are digging into and even if some of the examples/analogies don't quite pertain to where we are, the scripture always does!
We had moonpies with our dessert tonight! Now, as facilitator, I think I need to provide bumpits as a takeaway gift next time!
My name is Julie and I am doing this study solo. Here are my answers:
1)I was a 10 on the scale and I didn't even know it until going through this study. I have so many diseased roots that I am not producing good fruit and the Lord is not being glorified by my life. I want to serve Him more, but I feel hindered.
2) The "who I am and what I struggle with are not the same thing" statement really smacked me upside the head. I needed to hear that truth as I struggle terribly with bitterness.
3) To me, worry is meditating on things I cannot control. It is selfish and sinful.
4) One of my faulty assumptions is...if he loved me, he wouldn't spend so much time at work and would want to spend more time with me. (My husband averages 60 hours per week at work and only gets paid to work 40 hours per week.)
We're a group meeting at a coffee shop in Sturgis Michigan. Discussed many of the same things as previous posts, so I won't add to that, but also acknowledged the word that Beth gave to us at the end to let God "tend" to us when we need to...and for all practical purposes, how do we do that? Great discussions! My ladies are the greatest and I learn so much from them! We are about 10/12 ladies. Thanks for the encouragement!
We all agreed this study is timely. We had good discussion. Thanks so much for leading us! The reminders that we are not our struggles and that we make faulty assumptions were so helpful. Also, your illustration with the cup...it hit home. Oh, didn't want to forget, thanks for the Texas hair tip. We in Wyoming tend to be more brunette. Small world...our fearless leader was shopping with her teenage daughter just today and she made the request to get a Bumpit. So Shelley brought it with her tonight to demonstrate.
1. 9 I guess. I don't feel the need so much for myself but as for my daughters. I don't want to pass on my negative talk to myself to them.
2. struggle to feel self worth...the Scripture memory has helped so incredibly, tremendously with this issue...it has been the most incredible blessing!
3. fretting over things that may or may not ever happen...things I have NO control over
4. faulty assumption that even if I feel or seem that I am different (for the better) I am really not...
I just wanted to add that for me reading the 'list of truths' out loud on page 36 was so incredibly powerful. I even had my girls (9 and 12) read them aloud too.
And also the same thing with the prayer on page 53 stating
'Dear God, I believe...'
Much thanks for this wonderful study,
Michelle in VT
Hey Beth!
'Can't believe you had a raccoon in the attic!! We had 3 on our bird feeder one night and just this past Sunday our neighbor watched a 75 lb. 'black cat' run across our backyard!! Our summer has been HOT and full of critters!!
1. On a scale of 1-10 I feel like I'm between a 10 and 20. I didn't realize that my 'roller coaster disposition' was caused by a terribly overstuffed thought closet competing with hormones! I've allowed faulty assumptions to rule my life. This is a powerful study for me right now.
2. I tend to struggle with low self-esteem and it seems to manifest itself in being judgemental of others, angry over the little things AND I nearly fell off my chair listening to you talk about telling Keith 'no you don't' when he tells you he loves you!! OMWord--I say that and regret it everytime I do. I feel like I don't deserve to be loved. I think some of my feelings are due to the big "M", but I don't know how to tell the difference, neither feels right.
3. Worry is 'creating' the 'what ifs' in my life. Scenarios of what 'could' happen. Wasting God's time, that's for sure. That's why one of my last memory verses was "do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own"!!
4. I've never felt 'good enough' throughout my life. I have the 'if only I had graduated from college...' syndrom.
Beth, thanks for choosing this study. It's a perfect SSBS--it's just me & God working on this one!
Bobbie, College Station
#1 We both thought an 8. We think we're thinking better than we used to...and mostly our intentions are good. But there's still some "stinking thinking" going on. We want to do better!
#2 Who I am is not what I struggle with. This was BIG! We don't want to be defined as controlling, and sometimes feel way out of controlling everything. A lack of discipline has affected many areas of our lives.
#3 Worry for us was all about control....not being able to control what we want to. We replay the same things over and over and over and it wears us out.
#4 Our assumptions- We assume people think just like us....and they don't and our expectations put burdens and barriers on us and them and our relationships.
Melana and Heidi
Sheridan WY
1.Lately I have myself trapped in my own defeating thought life. This study has been great so far! God is really opening my eyes, making me take inventory of my thoughts and reseting my focus.
2. My struggle is myself. My own unrealistic expectations and pride that keep me trapped in self inflicted guilt. My relationships suffer because of the selfish expectations I place on those around me. Just bitterness that I carry around in my purse day after day.
3. worry--thinking about or running scenarios about situations that haven't occurred & I have little if any control over the actual outcome.
4. my worth is measured by the number of things that I am able to complete in any given day....that I can somehow impress God with all my efficiency or something. I'm very much a "Martha" striving to be a "Mary".
Loving summer study!! This study was just the "mirror" I needed put in front of my face...
Going solo,
Kristie in Hermiston
Angela, Wendy, Kathryn, Kim, Amy, Abby and Mindy- Lee's Summit, MO
Wendy, Mindy, Angela, Amy, and Kathryn met at Wendy's house tonite and had really yummy snacks:) We all agreed that this study is really hitting home with all of us, and our thought closets definitely need an updating! We agreed that its hard to label our ugly thoughts because if we wrote them down that made them real and what if someone read them?! We discussed our faulty assumptions and our ugly thoughts and we came away refreshed in the Word. Can't wait until next meeting!
Our group is enjoying the study very much and are are finding it very timely (we found ourselves in the 7-8 range as far as our need for the study). As a whole we didn't even realize how bad we needed the study or just how much negative self talk we are participating in. Our eyes were opened when we realized we are offending God when we bash ourselves the way we do and said we would be horrified to hear someone we love talking to themself the way we do. As a closing we went around the room and shared the truthful labels we each checked as especially needing to cover the lies we've told ourselves (pg 36). We all checked "I am dearly loved" and indeed we are! We are all working on cleaning out our closets so we can see, feel, and accept that truth, tossing out one ill-fitting, stained blouse at a time.
Jen, Jennifer & Kristin (& Jamie - absent)
Bellingham, WA
10 college age women
Phil Campbell, AL
Tonight's meeting was very insightful and encouraging. The honesty that I heard in each voice was very real. It makes me so jealous for each one of us to really "get" that God's Word works in a very personal way. That He is powerful enough to handle our stuff. I've tasted victory in some of these areas before and I'm struggling to keep believing God's Word to work in my new challenges. This study for me is a personal warning to not slip into unbelief after knowing and experiencing Him as I have before.
Beth, one thing that I am concerned about is that each one of us has voiced at one point or another with struggling to see a clear, personal application to some of the lessons. It's sometimes hard to pinpoint our thoughts so we can see the problem clear enough to know what truth to apply to it. God gave me John 8:31,32 to fight against any thought of quitting. I am choosing to believe that if He has led each one of us to do this and if we will "hold to His teaching" on this and not quit, that He WILL give each one of us clarity into the problem, and then incredible knowledge of the specific truth that trumps that specific lie!
We had a wonderful study tonight in Phoenix, AZ with 11 of us attending. Great discussion on Fact/Faith and faulty assumptions. God is doing huge things and we're all so much more aware of our thought lives and each of us are ready for God to do a mighty work. On a lighter note, I laughed my head off with the "bump it" because before I ever listened to you I had one in my own HAIR today. Is that not hilarious. I had to take it out at the study to show everyone.
I'm writing in for my little group of three; Allison, Nicole, and myself. (Sasha)
We really felt surprised by how much we have all related to this study and the fact/idea that we had no clue as to how many negative/wrong thoughts run through our heads each day. It was shocking. We discussed how surprised we are that our minds led us to believe the things that culture and Satan and outside influences tell us.
We answered all of the questions you listed, and the question that I think we could have talked for the entire session on, was number 2. All of us had underlined the "Who I am and what I struggle with are not the same thing." That idea had a tremendous impact on us all.
As an aside, our group was formed via the connecting post that LPM published recently, and we are just amazed at how we have really been able to be vulnerable, and form an almost instant bond without having previously known each other. We really feel that the Holy Spirit put us all specifically together and it's been such a huge blessing to each of us. Just thought you would enjoy hearing that!
Also- we love your tips Siesta Mama. You are the best.
We both acknowledged that we need this study now...a definite "12" on the scale to 10. We both struggle with with thoughts that we are not liked. It was interesting how similar our thought closets are, especially with our faulty assumptions. I testified the difference the Siesta memory verses have helped me take captive thoughts and plant truths, and also gave a new spiral index card set for her to fill.
Thanks for leading us! :)
2 in white house, tn
Tonight was especially challenging for us because we are dealing with the very recent accidental drowning of a 5 year old girl from our small church. It was the first time we could come together and talk after learning the news, and we had a special time of prayer for the family...who are our friends. My husband pastors the church we attend, too.
Our study was great and we are learning so much from Jennifer's teachings. Women are being open with each other about their struggles...and that is an awesome thing to see happening.
Connie
Bolingbrook, IL
Our group met today at Kim's house. We had 5 out of 6 girls there and we had a great time sharing what we are gleaning from this study. Most of us rated our need as 10! Yes - yes, we need this study to help cement the truth in our heads. We shared our struggles, which ranged from being procrastinators to being perfectionists. Some of our definitions of worry are: paralyzing, wasting time in the wrong territory and fearing the unknown. Faulty assumptions is an area that we all identified with. We have been guilty of assuming other people's motives, actions and non-actions. A sweet group member shared this quote that we all liked: "I have no business thinking about (assuming) what someone else is thinking about me". We also pointed out scripture like Phil. 4:8 that remind us what to think on! We are thoroughly enjoying our time together and our study as we clean out our junk (lies) and bring in the new treasure (truth).
Deanna
(Kim's Group - Thatcher, Safford & Pima AZ)
This study is just what all of us needed this summer. It was a 10 for all of us (oops, one was a 12). Our time of sharing was great, dessert wasn't bad either. We had eight show up tonight. We were missing two. Thank you so much for offering this study this summer.
Karen, Judy, Anita, Linette, Kaydee, Priscilla, Billie Jo, Robin, Cheryl and Jeanne
Everett, WA
I am so thrilled and encouraged at God's faithfulness in this Bible Study. When God led me to initiate a group for Me Myself & Lies I decided it would be just fine to not have the DVD's since LPM provides such wonderful, interesting and "Professional" videos and discussion questions on the blog.
When the group God brought together met in my home the first evening I mentioned we would not be doing the DVD's. One of the girls informed me it was not as expensive as I had orginally thought but still more than I had in my budget for this study. We agreed to meet weekly for the accountability and discuss our homework.
After that first meeting God put it on my heart to go ahead and purchase the DVD's and watch Him provide. We had the DVD's for our second week and were blessed from Jennifer's additional information. Tonight God confirmed our group. We have a total of eleven ladies coming from the neighborhood and my Sunday School Class. The ladies understood I would not tell them how much they needed to contribute but God would provide that information to them. I also wanted them to know that it was ok not to contribute as I recognize some of ladies may have some serious financial issues at this time. God is faithful and will provide.
I am excited to report that I have received contributions from all the ladies but two. The last two ladies have already communicated to me an amount they desire and are able to contribute.
The purchase of MM&L DVD Set for our group is not only covered but a little extra has also been provided. Several of the ladies have a real need to be able to fill in all the blanks as we go through this study. Most important for this group is to allow the Holy Spirit to direct it that each lady as well as myself will be changed to become more of who God has created each of us to be by cleaning out our thought closet.
Thank you for allowing me a place to share this testimony of God's faithfulness.
Sylvia V.
Jersey Village, TX
The six of us had a great time in bible study. Each of us responed with a "10" to question #1. Some of us thought at the beginning of the study our closets weren't all that bad. But as the study progressed we each came to realize just how much junk we've let collect. Each of us is thankful for the study already.
Question 2 really hit home with each of us. It became freeing to some and a bit scary to others. The label of our struggle is one that we've worn for so long, removing it seems impossible. But though Jennifer's teaching, we're each seeing the real possiblity of removing those labels for good.
We had some really good answers for the definition of worry. Perhaps the best was "worry steals - it steals your peace, your joy, your time; it just steals". The other point was that it means we're not trusting God.
The faulty assumptions questions gave us much to discuss. Each of us struggles and surprisingly, with much of the same issues. The feeling of inferiority, or not being good enough, was one that was shared by all. Our insecurities lead each of us to produce fruit that was anything but godly. It was an awesome time of sharing. I just know God is up to something big in our lives!
1. I would say an 8. I have had victory over some of my self-talk but after completing the first 2 weeks of the study I have come to realize I have a ways to go.
2. The statement Who I am is not what I struggle with really hit home because that is the way my thought processes went and still go sometimes. One of my biggest struggles is when I beat myself up when things don't go well in the parenting department of I f I don't know how to handle a situation wit one of my kids I label myself as "I am not a good mom" or "I am a failure".
3. thinking about what if's over and over again. I liked what you said Sabrina shared in your group about worry is scaring myself. I can relate to that.
4. One of my faulty assumptions is
if you really cared about me or loved me you would... .
This is an awesome study to do right now and goes great with Siesta Scripture Memory. i have some new verses to memorize. Thanks!
Lucy form PA going solo.
Our loose group isn't officially meeting, just keeping up via email and facebook. With vacations, camps, family emergencies, etc. a couple of our girls have fallen behind, but we're not about condemnation!
Worry's big with me - I defined it as chewing on things that may or may not be based on reality. My problem is I'll take a little something and work myself up into a frenzy. That takes up a lot of room in my closet. My faulty assumption centers on my worth being based on my performance. (me, me, me, my, my, my - hmmmm)
We both acknowledged that we NEED this study. On a scale of 1-10 we were both a 10!!(or higher). It was great to sit down and talk about all of these lies rattling around in our heads.
Thank you for doing this!!!
Bless you!
Jennifer
Our group met last night with 7 of our 9 attending. We ended up talking for 2 hours! The study is great and most of us said we needed it at this time for various reasons some for affirmation of already positive thinking and some for not even knowing how negative they were until doing this study. We shared a lot of personal testimony regarding the faulty thinking. It was so awesome to have Jesus hanging out on my back porch with us...thank you for providing this study for us to be able to grow closer together in fellowship through Him.
Kristy
Princeton, NC
For the Diamonds and Strawberries group in Columbia, SC we agreed that we all were in need of this study to clean out our "thought closet". We shared that we struggle with not being good enough, guilt, and pride. Bottom line, we all agreed, was that we need to be in His Word more to kill those bad roots so that our fruit would be sweet! We discussed knowing the truths but then also believing them.
We are all enjoying this study. We had 10 last night- adding 3 new ones and missing 4. Looking forward to the 21st!
We had a great discussion last night. The topic resonates deeply with most of the women -- we have a lot of yuck stored up inside our heads! Worry is paralyzing -- letting the what-ifs (which usually never happen in the long run) rule over what we know to be true. We have two members dealing with major crises (a husband dying of a brain tumor and a daughter slowly discovering her new "normal" after a brain injury) that found great support and encouragement in our group and in our application of God's truths. I'm excited to see God's hand at work in each of us through this study!
Our study group met on Tuesday - late afternoon. Most of our members work outside of the home, so we don't meet until 4:30 or so. Out of the 15 signed up to participate, we had 6. Our first meeting, we had about that many - BUT THIS WAS A DIFFERENT 6! As the leader, I prayed alone before we began - prayed for God's deepest annointing.
We seemed to do pretty well with discussion. There are a couple of our members that I am not sure what their relationships are to the Lord. But I'll leave that to Him...if He wants to use me in that area, then I am willing.
When it came time to discuss our "worry thoughts", I had pulled up the "Traveler's Insurance Worried Dog" commercial. So appropriate! We all got a good chuckle out of it!
We ran about an hour and fifteen minutes...which puts us at supper time. I would like to keep the study to one hour. So next time, we will watch the video first instead of last. (I had previewed the video so had the discussion areas covered, but most of our members are not familiar w/Beth so I wanted them to get a chance to meet her just as she is.)
Ready to start week three.
Judie, West Texas Girl
The "Extreme Siestas" met for 6+ hours again and agreed that we're all a 10+ on the need for this study. Since we all deal with the challenges of managing our need for control, we LOVED Beth's reminder that we are NOT Lord and Savior over anyone, so we shouldn't expect them to obey our commands. The reminder to meditate on "what is" and not "what ifs" is helping us all recognize & re-direct the negative things we say to ourselves. Cindi reminded us to focus on the truth that "It's what we DO, not what we did." Kim was grateful for God's mercy & grace and shared this explanation: "Grace - we get what we don't deserve. Mercy - we don't get what we do deserve." Discussions were rich and God is patiently and lovingly teaching us all so much about the impact of our words to ourselves and how they ultimately impact others.
Cindi
Julie
Kim
Susan
Asheboro, NC
Our Monroe, Louisiana, group met last night. We were 11 ladies strong and had tacos before discussion time. It was an emotional meeting. Many women were dealing with some stressful issues in their lives. While some had never really considered "selftalk" before, they began to see God work and show them areas in their thinking that needed changing. The interactives were all sections the ladies mentioned wanting to discuss, so Beth, you were right on in your choices for our discussion time! Blessings, Tina in LA
Hi All Y'all on the Beach and beyond!
I have not had a chance to watch the vimeo yet, but I had to cheat a little and tell you about my new favorite movie. It is called Faith Like Potatoes. You have probably seen it, but I was shocked that someone had the audacity to make a movie that displays God bigger than I have ever seen Him in movies!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox I love you so much! We'll talk later in Heaven about it but my faith gets bigger by the day hearing the word of God! I am asking for the salvation of billions through our transformed lives. Nobody else can do it but Jesus.
Our group DID "Do It Daily" met again last night at Starbucks. We all watched the video before we arrived. We had good discussion about all the questions & each talked about other things that really stood out and meant a lot to us in the study. We are all in agreement that we really need a thought closet makeover!!!
Thankful for our Mama Siesta, Jennifer R., and this study,
Jennifer, Rachel, Rhonda, and Bethany
Cartersville, GA
p.s. After talking about worry, we decided it's also like a being in a BRIAR PATCH!
Oh, girl, you speak truth. I need to remember to let God tend to me daily. And honestly, I feel like that's what this study has been all about. God gently pushing at those areas that I'd rather forget about. After 40 something years, it's time.
I marked the passage on page 13 as well. For so many years, I've not only struggled with having been a victim, I felt like it's who I've become. But that's not me. I am not a victim. I am a precious treasure, chosen by God. And I will not wear that label any longer.
For me, worry is fretting over something, turning it over and over in my mind til it consumes my joy, my very being.
I listed two faulty assumptions that I had as a teenager that may still follow me sometimes today. The first was that my worth was based on what others thought of me and the second was that my past made me worthless. While I know that neither of these are true, a part of my heart still clings to them during difficult days. I have found, however, that our scripture memorization is allowing me to replace the "me" statements with "God" statements and that is bringing healing.
While this has been a difficult study, I wouldn't have missed it for anything. Thanks for taking the time to share and encourage. You are a blessing.
I am loving this Bible study. I had no idea how many lies I am telling myself! I do want to just respond to question 2 - who I am and what I struggle with are not the same thing. I am so having a hard time getting this one. ALL my insecurities in my life are based on one thing - being overweight as a child. All my I am statements are related to that. How I respond to others, how I talk to myself, it can all be traced back to that. SO consequently, I really have a hard time saying that what I struggle with (my weight) is not who I am when that has TOTALLY shaped me!
1. A 10, Needed it in the worst way. Wasn't going to do it and God wouldn't let quit laying it heavy on my heart to do it. I knew I was doing the right thing when I started to well up just reading the intro pages for crying out loud.
2. I most struggle with trusting my husband. Shouldn't, but I do. Been married 19 years (today's our anniversary) and it's been great. He's great, but I still worry I'm not enough and he'll stray. Boy, the lies I must be telling myself about how inadequate I am.
3. Wasting time.
4. I'm not good enough to... (fill in the blank.
Going solo and needing this badly.
3.
My siesta friend and I were unable to meet to go over the questions yet bc of being out of town...but we will meet together when we're both here. :-)
1. For me, I'm at #6-7 right now in needing the study. I have done a lot of this kind of work on my thoughts and did breaking free last summer on my own, but was still amazed at how I can sometimes talk to myself and did notice a recurring pattern that I did not see before.
2. I thought this was such a profound statement! I definitely have and do define myself by my struggles which seem to make the struggle that much more difficult to conquer or overcome. It makes it too personal when I define myself as the struggle; how can I overcome something that I am? I loved this! There are probably a lot of things I could list, but a main one would be my anger/irritability/impatience. I act this way a lot bc it is a struggle stemming from childhood abuse and other trauma, but it’s not me. God did not decide to create a grumpy, annoyed person and just stick me with it to struggle with my whole life and never be able to have victory over. I think I tend to feel very defeated in this area of struggle bc that is how I have always defined myself…like, “I am angry, I am irritable, I am impatient, I am mean…”, not saying “I feel angry, irritable, impatient, etc…God help me with my heart and attitude.” Does that make sense? This is really giving me a LOT to mediate and chew on.
3. Worry: rehearsing how things will turn out and playing out the scenarios in my mind…thinking the worst…a spinning wheel that never stops moving in my head. Feeling like I have to "fix" something but knowing the futility of it bc I can't fix it. It's insanity!
4. I think I probably have a lot but one of the most common is thinking that if something does not work out how I had imagined, that I did not hear God correctly or was wrong in what I thought I heard. I assume that it’s me, when maybe I did hear God correctly but instead of waiting on Him to reveal what the next step is, I assume I know what it is and when He has a different plan, I feel defeated, wrong, unable to hear Him.
I am loving this study and can't wait to continue digging around in my thought closet..it's time for a purging~!
I just love you Siesta Mama, the Lord has used you and your words in countless ways to minister to me and breathe life back in this scarred heart!
Blessings,
Melissa G., Concord, CA
We had an amazing evening together last night, full of blessings. We laughed, cried, drank GOOD coffee, cried some more and took turns holding my 3 week old grandson (heaven!)while opening our messy thought closets for all to see. We agreed that the first two weeks were hard and that this self-discovery gave us a headache. Some of us were able to get through most of the assignments while others found it so painful they struggled to get through a few pages. Tears (and a few laughs)were shed over past hurts, labels and assumptions, some going back 40-50 years! All agreed that this was going to be a tough journey but a good and much needed journey. We are expecting great things from our God, knowing He has brought us together with a specific purpose for each individual. One of the more interesting things we discovered was how quickly we jumped to the negative when listing things in our thought closet. Many of us had to go back and add in the good. What is that all about?? Hope we find out! Another was while we all come from different backgrounds and are in different seasons of life we share the same insecurities, pride and low self-esteem. For crying out loud, the slender gals had as many body issues as we fat gals! Praying for all of you as we work to become women whose roots run deep in Christ, anticipating glorious fruit!!
With love from
The Ames, Iowa Joy Group
Before we even watched the video we were talking about how we needed this study. Worry was our big topic of the night and the need to get head knowledge into the heart. Great time in prayer...
Cindy
Pam
Christy
Michele
Shelby Township, MI
We both agreed that this study comes at just the right time for us. The concept of what we struggle with and who we are not the same thing was a lightbulb moment for us. We discussed that worry is distrust in God's ability to take care of us and is all-consuming. Lastly, we talked about our faulty assumptions related to expectations of being a perfect wife, mother, housekeeper, etc.
1) I need this Bible study a 7/10 only because I had a jump start. I have been using my Bible Works software to make pages of Gods promises and His word for my "stinking thinking" for a few months now, I print them out and speak them out whenever needed.
2) Wow, I am learning my stuggles are the blueprint for victories THROUGH Him...I'm learning instead of stuggles defining us they elevate us into His grace...in my weakness He is made strong...BRING IT!
3)Worry to me is the development of negative thoughts for situations that have not even helped yet...it is where stinking thinking can be birthed...uggh!
4)My faulty assumption comes from the D word Divorce. I have believed for years it excludes me from any kind of a ministry to married women. It has fed my feelings of "ugly, unloveable, and too spiritual for a marriage". I'm currently wrestling with that one still...I'm learning to choose to view me with Gods eyes vs. my own...
Lori going solo in Louisville, Ky
Our meeting last night was GREAT. We all agreed that it had come perfectly at a time of transition for all of us; God working through some of our "stuff" before we could move forward into the next phase of our lives. We also all found, as we analyzed our thoughts, that we've basically been operating on false assumptions having to do with our value; i.e. "I'm only valuable if others are pleased with me." The "I am" statements were very instrumental in shooting down that lie.
The other biggie for us was the "I am not my struggles" comment. We determined that if we define ourselves by our struggles, there is no way it can ever "be well with our souls". We must separate ourselves from our struggles for that statement to ever be true. Also, one of the girls said that it made her think of Paul and his thorn. He never gave a name to his thorn, thereby never letting it define him. He only allowed it to be used as a tool to glorify God. GREAT stuff!
Thanks for facilitating this study - it's being used in a mighty way!
Melinda for Sharon, Judy, Laura, Carolyn and Lashea
There were 14 of us present. The only one missing was Jo-Jo who happens to be on a mission trip. Please pray for Jo-Jo and her trip!
1. We all agreed we needed this study off the scale - 11!! We are just loving it and hating it! Isn't it hard to really look inside ourselves that deeply sometimes?
2. We had great discussions about who I am and what I struggle with are not the same thing. We got into what the lies are that we tell ourselves. When some mentioned that they call themselves "stupid" or "idiot", it was interesting to find out others never do that. Eva brought up a good point about how we were raised at home. It appears that some of the women that called themselves names were called those names growing up in their homes. Those that don't have that mindset were not called names at home! Very Interesting!!!
That got us into the subject of what are we filling our families "thought closets" with? We are not just responsible for ourselves but also our families! Although if you ask a man what they are thinking they usually say nothing! We decided that WE fill up THEIR thought closets with OUR OWN thoughts and they are probably walk-in closets by now!! We laughed a lot about that!
3. Here are some of the descriptions of worry:
Fearful, revisiting, anxiety, unnecessary thoughts, not productive, worry becomes a habit, it controls you, gripping fear, defeating
Eva also read to us from Psalm 37 with the key words being:
Fret Not
Trust
Delight yourself in the Lord
Commit
Rest
This is the key to releasing our worries! We must revisit it again and again. We are so backfallen that we must constantly be reminded in the word of His instructions for us. It was a beautiful and tearful time of sharing. Joyce also told us a story of being in constant prayer. It was the funniest story that had us in hysterical, bust your gut laughter! I wish I could tell it but I would not do it justice!
4. Faulty Assumptions:
Fear of rejection
Assumming God should do
things that he doesn't
Viewing others opinions as
Judgements
Wow, what an evening. We are just loving this study and Jennifer!
Thank you Siesta Mama for loving us and leading us through this study!
Lori & the Siesta Sisters
Mapleville, Rhode Island
Four of our 8 met last night and spent 2 hours discussing per Beth's instructions. (Video wasn't working, but we were able to access audio!) We all agreed that on a scale of 1 to 10, we are all 10's as far as needing a constant renewing of our minds. We talked a lot about how we spend too much time worrying and how it negatively affects us and the people we love. We acknowledged our lack of trust in God, and admitted that we can choose NOT to worry. We agree with Jennifer Rothschild that there is no room for negative thoughts if we are filling our minds with thoughts of Who God is, who we are in Christ, turning our worries into prayers, and meditating on the faithfulness of God throughout our lives. We all expressed a desire to be FREE from worry!
The root of many of our faulty assumptions is disbelief. We don't believe God loves us.
Thanks, Beth, for facilitating this study! One of our participants is a new neighbor. After our first get-together two weeks ago, she asked the neighbor who had invited her to join our group, "How did you know I needed this study?!"
Summer Bible Study Siestas in Louisa, VA
In honor of our siesta mamma my group of 20 ladies met last night and feasted on a Mexican fiesta of tacos, nachos, and tortillas! Yum-yum!
Some of our topics of conversation included:
Labels we carry that are unchangable - we did not like the term "label" some felt it had a negative connotation. However, we all agreed that how you view your "label" from GOD should be in a positive light - He has entrusted us to give HIM the glory in all things as we show the world that we are overcomers of the world thru Christ Jesus! It is not a death fate, but rather a life faith!
We also discussed 'faulty assumptions" and how they can root in our lives leading us to produce fruit that is less than acceptable for the Christian who is living a life abundant! All of us harbor roots of pride, bitterness, self esteem (either high or low), and judging.
Looking in our thought closet to uncover the ugliness under the "dirty clothes in the floor" is an unpleasant job - but one that is necessary to be of the mind of Christ!
Each week I try to remind the ladies that "we are to be transformed" and "not conformed to this world" - we are to live life abundant and free in the shadow of the cross!
Thanks to both you and Jennifer for another great week of study!
GVBC Girls in Hoover, AL (Birmingham)
The Tulsa *Soul* Siesta’s kicked off our evening with a fabulous baked potato bar…the tater’s were so large it’s more accurate to say we had a baked ‘football’ bar! It was clear from the get-go that everyone is enjoying the study. We unanimously agreed that we have a greater awareness of our internal dialogues. The questions sparked intimate discussions that were honest and tender. Feeling the presence of the Lord, we created a safe haven to open up our vulnerabilities, truths, fears, and tears….Wow, what a blessed night!
Just finished the Esther series and I am now enjoying this summer study!
My biggest struggle: insecurity in my abilities as a wife, mom, and as a Christian woman.
I love the idea of a thought closet. Days before I started this study, my thought closet was once again unknowingly filling up with lies. Going through the first 2 weeks of this study, I am now doing some "spring cleaning" and reorganizing my thought closet. Praise Him!
Thanks to Mrs. Rothschild and our Siesta Mama for this summer study!
Our time was so very sweet last night--we spent a goodly amount of time on faulty assumptions. One mentioned that her brother planned a trip to visit and told her sister, but not her until right before. So it hurt her feelings. They talked it out and it was fine. We only need to learn how to be open and talk about things, before our assumptions buy us a whole heap o' trouble!
We met last night at Panera with 11 of our 12 girls from Gastonia, NC. We varied from 5 to 10 in our need for this topic but definitely saw that it depends on what season of life you are currently in.
How blessed we all felt to be reminded of some great scripture over the last two weeks and to be filling our "thought closet" with this as opposed to worldy junk!
Prayer time was magnificent and what a bond we are developing together!
Our group last night went really well. Lots of tears, but we've all been trying to let the Lord really work on us and be honest with Him, ourselves and each other. So far, we're loving the study!
Sulphur Springs, TX Siestas!
1. I would have to say that I'm a 7 on the "How much do I need this?" scale. I wasn't aware I had a filthy closet - but I do! I've had a great time cleaning it out! For me, I'm having to also think about how my mind thinks about OTHER people. I don't so much struggle with thoughts about myself, but I do tend to struggle with thoughts about others. However, I realized, in doing this study, that it all goes back to how I feel about ME!
2. To me the quote gives me hope that I can overcome my struggles! As I said before, one of my biggest struggles is dealing with thoughts about others. I tend to talk down about others, I think, as a way to make myself feel better about myself. Praise the Lord who I am is different than what I struggle with! I can get past it!
3. To me, worry is thoughts, that are often petty, that consume our minds. I struggle a lot with worry about different situations. I'm pregnant right now, and obviously worried about the outcome of that. Is the baby healthy? Am I doing everything right? Could I be doing it better? Fortunately, the What Is side outweighs that What If side...I've had EXCELLENT check-ups all the way through!
4. I have to agree with Jennifer in that my faulty assumptions are often about my husband. Why do I get upset when he doesn't do something I ASSUME that he'll do? Why do I create false scenarios in my head that make me ASSUME it's all about me? I can't get mad! I loved the example she gave about bad dreams being similar. When we wake up from a bad dream, we can't be mad about it - it was just a dream! Similarly, we can't be mad because we falsely assumed something to be true! It'll drive us crazy and destroy our minds!
I'm LOVING this study! It's been wonderful!
Going solo,
Lauren - Kathleen, GA
www.laurenandeddie.blogspot.com
I'm amazed at how much my online siesta and I have in common. God definitely brought us together for this. We both really want to "take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ", but I think we're also a little overwhelmed by how ingrained our faulty assumptions are. They're hard to even identify, because they're so much a part of our thought process. And when we try to refute the lies with scripture, we find ourselves arguing with the truth.--"Well, that forgiveness doesn't apply to ME, because I really AM unlovable," etc. We are both willing and ready to change our thoughts, but wow, it's going to be a hard-fought battle, isn't it?
Amy and Carina
Southern California
We met this morning and had a great time together. One highlight was the fact that one of our ladies was actually using a Bump-It at that very moment! Her hair looked wonderful! We're sold!
Like others have mentioned here, oen of the things that seems to be really speaking to us is the fact that we are not the only ones walking around with running commentary going on in our heads. Finding that others (from J.R., to Beth, to other ladies in the group) face some of the struggles we do is really encouraging.
Charlie
Magee, MS
I am enjoying this study very much. I'm afraid I haven't kept up day by day, but I am working to catch up. Really enjoying being in God's Word. I need it sooo much!!!! Love to you all!!
P.S. I appreciated the hair tip, but, I live in Louisiana. I don't know much about the weather in Houston, seeing as how I've never been there, but in Louisiana not only is HOT it is humid. Flat hair is NOT my problem. Frizzy hair is. I would appreciate any tips on how to control the frizz.
We had a great time meeting together and discussing our thought closets! We cracked up at the video... when you started talking about flat hair, Laura said, "I bet it's a Bump It." And it was! We're sold - we both want to get Bump Its now! Siestaville will maintain the highest hair & highest spirits through this summer study! (o:
~Dee & Laura
Kyle, TX
Idaho sisters
Desiree – Rathdrum - North
Amanda – Boise – South
1. Desiree – 6 or 7 – I usually try to keep my mind free of “junk”. But I could really benefit in controlling my mind for weight loss.
Amanda – 7 or 8 – I don’t sit and ponder or worry on bad thoughts. I have other things that stimulate my mind.
2. Desiree – Just an affirmation to me that the things I struggle with don’t define who I am as a person. My struggle is with weight loss.
Amanda – Sometimes the struggles I go through take up so much of my energies that I begin to think that they define who I am. I struggle with being single still at 31 and my weight.
3. Desiree – Always thinking about the “what-if’s”
Amanda – Continually thinking about something that might happen that is out of your control.
4. Desiree – He must not love me because it seems like he doesn’t want to spend time with me. (Speaking about my husband)
Amanda – Had a hard time thinking of one but will be pondering on it more.
Adrienne and I are loving this study! We both had to cram in the last few days of homework today before we watched the video, but we did it together and found out that Adrienne really needs a different Bible to work from! She is starting to love my NIV Study Bible as much as I do :) This study is really hitting home with me this week. I realize that not only my thought closet needs a make-over, but what I put into my kids thought closet also needs some cleaning up! Thanks for leading us closer to Him!
Julie & Adrienne
LOVED Beth's and Sabrina's examples of worry. Great word pics!
Two of us w/ young adult children, both raised in Christian homes, both intentionally striving for God to grow us and use us. Two weeks ago we would have said our thought closet makeover need was 4-5. But once again, God's timing is perfect! -- and He's using this study to help grow us some more. Today, we agreed that while we truly do spend much time thinking on spiritual things, we have some closet cleaning to do! The whole concept of faulty assumptions is going to require more than just a couple of days' work. Our minds are muddled with "old uglies" that have become part of our personalities; we thought we had to live with them, but we're realizing we have to get to the source of those "personality quirks" then pull out our swords and fight with Truth! The need to keep being honest with ourselves and listening to God as He brings things to our attention is uncomfortable today, but oh, how we pray to FINALLY achieve freedom from longtime frustrations. Beth and Jennifer (including JR's videos) are providing the encouragement we need. Beth, we pray God is using this study to minister to you, too!
...Learning and living in beautiful East Tennessee
Solo Siesta-Question #2-hit home-Struggle to remain kind and honor and follow God's Word the older I get especially in what can be a sometimes mean and cruel world & when I "feel" that I have been mistreated by others-especially those close to me. Want to always "revisit" past hurts in my thoughts. Example: Why did this happen, or I could have been this, had this not happened. Leads to counterproductive behavior such as isolation and overeating instead of enjoying the life God has given me, honoring Him, and helping others.
Bremen Summertime Siestas met last night and enjoyed some Firehouse chili courtesy of Renee. We missed Diane but like a crazy person she played tennis that afternoon and had heat stroke symptoms!
1. Scale of 1-10: two 10's and two 8's. We tend to berate ourselves for not being good enough, procrastinate, and bombard ourselves with shoulda's. After being in several bible studies several of us have been working on certain things so that's the reasons for the 8's!
2. We all agreed that financial worries were our biggest struggle - believing God will provide without our worry. Other things talked about were tithing and health.
3. Worry - thinking about something that might happen; too many interruptions of negatives; thinking about things you can't change.
4. Faulty assumptions: "Marriage is a lifelong date." "I don't matter." "I'm invisible." "If you only had self-control, all problems would be solved."
This doesn't really cover all we discussed since we met for two and one-half hours but you get the general idea.
Vanessa, Renee, Vicky, and Pat
The study is great!!! Getting 10+.
Worry - Being eaten away by the flesh eating disease of self idolization. Another definition is a constant state of fear that the worst is going to happen. God is cut totally out of the picture.
Examples of faulty assumptions:
Thinking as a young person that parents are perfect. Only to find out one day that they were filing for a divorce.
Another - No one cares what I think!
Faulty assumptions used as building blocks, causes the tower you're building sooner or later to crash!
Siestas in Seneca Falls
St Joseph, MO three Karen Sue Susan
Yes we met last night. We attend the same church and have a real need for this study at this time. Church has a new young (26 year old) minister, who really needs are prayers. He is trying to lead an older group of people. He comes with a wife and three boys under the age of six plus lots of personal baggage that he needs to deal with outside of Sunday morning.
This is good to bring us back to praying for this kid (we are each old enough to be his mother.
Kimberly, going solo in San Antonio
1. I said 3 and 10, depending on the week of my cycle! I am being totally honest, I have taken close watch over how I treat myself and thus others and there is a week of every month that I just tell myself all kinds of horrible things that I would never say the other weeks.
2. I struggled through my divorce, but have learned that I am not the left behind, divorced woman...I am GOD'S CHILD, loved and treasured, who happened to go through a divorce!
3. Worry to me is concentrating on what might happen that will be bad.
4. If I had cooked, cleaned, etc., just a little better....he wouldn't have left. NOT TRUE, what faulty assumptions we make!
I totally need and love this study! You picked out just the points that I would have!
We all felt we needed this study, which was proved because we all find it very hard to do! What a challenge to put our struggles and faulty assumptions down on paper! Great fellowship and discussion!
Jane, Jennifer, Kathy, Selena, Suzy, Heather, Allyson, Lindy and Ann
Houston, TX
I'm changin' the root so I'll produce good fruit!
Love you!
Joan W. - solo
We had a GREAT night of sharing and laughing at ourselves! It was 4 out of the 6 together last night and we really got real about our "labels" we had given ourselves or someone else given us. I had to sit back and take a good look at the group. We range from early 40s to early 20s. They are such beautiful people with good hearts and a desire to follow God. I couldn't believe they way we described ourselves or talked about ourselves. We all realized how much we need this study and how much we need to stop the self bashing. We did have a lot of laughs because everything bad we said about ourselves no one would have ever guessed we felt that way. We were all really blessed and had a great night.
Emily
Mechanicsville, VA
1. I have had a constant mind battle for the last 3 years that God and I are working through. I am a #10 for needing this study right now.
2. My biggest struggle vs. identity is being divorced for 13 years, not remarried, and no children, and since we women do identify ourselves SO often as wives and mothers, it has been extremely difficult at times depressing to not allow this struggle (or desire to be married and children) to also be my identity. I do teach young children which is an incredible privilege, but when other teachers talk about their husbands and children, I really feel "left out," like something's wrong with me, or that God just doesn't think I'm good enough to be a wife and mom since i'm not. I'm NOT giving up this battle though. My name, Amanda, in Hebrew, means "worthy of love". I think God knew I was going to struggle, and He was already helping me at birth to fight this wrong mindset.
3. Worry: my definition- focusing intently on something with the idea of fixing it somehow
4. Faulty Assumption: thinking that if I perform perfectly then God and everyone else will love me; if I don't perform perfectly, then God, nor anyone else would love me (I have truly, however, accepted Jesus and His blood as my Savior and Forgiver of my sins). God and I are wrestling through this. I've never felt closer to Him!
Amanda, going solo
Olive Branch, MS 38654
We are the online group of 25 from 12 states and Nepal - the "Me, Myself, & My Siestas."
We've become a group of powerful prayer warriors, and we are seeing God move in mighty ways each day. Our Siesta in Nepal asked us to pray for rain - they were completely without water - and it started raining the very next day, and continued. We praise Him for answered prayer.
We also saw a woman known and prayed for by one of our Siestas for a couple of years come to the Lord. She had resisted for some time - she was of another religion. But the Holy Spirit moved and this woman claimed Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Hallelujah!
We also saw answered prayer with health and finances. Praises, praises, praises.
Answers to the questions this week revealed a pattern within our group - God brought each one of us to this study at this time. Amazing - God is so amazing.
1) Answers ranged from 6 to 12 - with the majority sitting at 9 and 10.
3) Answers for this question included: the "what ifs," needless thinking, negativity, trying to control the uncontrollable. One described worry as a weed - taking over, robbing us of joy.
Answers for 2) and 4) were very similar to each other - and what seemed to cause a pattern for our members: unworthiness, fear, and insecurity. This study has allowed us to pinpoint specific areas, and commit them to the Lord.
Thank you for this study - Jennifer has touched hearts and changed lives.
Blessings for a great week.
We are the Bible Study "Babes" from Springfield, MO. We are a group 14, but only 9 of us were able to meet tonight. We have been blown away with these first 2 weeks of study. It's revealing and uncomfortable. Some of us feel that we haven't even begun to dig into the closet that is padlocked. Some of us haven't been able to realize that what we struggle with and who we are, are not the same thing. We are beginning to understand the bondage that we are in. We haven't been "choosy" enough when it comes to the thoughts we allow ourselves to think. We definitely wouldn't be saying these things out loud in a conversation with Jesus. We want to be more aware of this faulty thinking because we are too hard on ourselves. We are working on surrendering. We are so thankful that God is using this study to do a work in our lives and in our thoughts!
Our group of girls all stated how hard it is to really think about how we treat ourselves with our thoughts. However, we are all so excited to see how God provides just the right scriptures to cut the harmful thoughts at the root.
Friends from Little Rock, AR
We're from Ohio and Texas (4 of us total - my 2 sisters, me, and our mom are doing the discussions via email). We all felt we need this study, but it is pretty neat to see how our Mom (someone who has been walking with the Lord for many, many years) stated "I've learned over the years that I need to acknowledge those thoughts that are unpleasing or untrue as quickly as I can....confess them....and get into the
Word." Encouraging words of wisdom to hear as her daughter and as His daughter.:)
My group is my husband and I.
1) 10 - Currently having issues with messed up thought patterns.
6 - Nice to identify the different things going on in my head.
2) It is so true that "Who We Are" is different from "What we struggle with". We may struggle with fear or feeling unorganized and lazy but that isn't at all who we are at all.
3) Worry - irrational fears of what the future holds
4) Faulty Assumptions - need to take care of everything myself; laziness
We had a blast this week sharing, learning, being honest with each other and laughing.
Missy learned an hour before Bible study that her 3 month old niece has a mental disability called preider willies(ms?). She was devastated and called to say she wasn't coming but showed up and said she would rather be with us than at home crying.
Our honest conversation bonded us even more but the best part was the fellowship after. We laughed so much an older woman who was ordering coffee came over and said we were having so much fun she wanted to join us!
These girls keep me honest, encourage me to grow, love Jesus and know how to have fun!
Tampa Girls
Missy, Bethany, Misti, Tara and Kelly
It is late and we are tired, but we thoroughly enjoyed our "group" session tonight. Enjoying the video clips!
I forgot to post our stats:
there are two of us, mother and daughter, Bridgette and Sharon.
Panama City Beach, FL
1. When I started at first I felt I only needed it about a 3 (I read the book already this year, don't need to go over this again... HA!) I would say after finishing week 2 day 5, WOW I am at least at an 8! There were assumptions and roots there I never really got a handle on before.. and preparing for whatever God has for me now is huge in digging up those roots.
2. I have, especially the last few years defined myself as depressed. And needy. Freeing to know the difference between the struggle and identity.
Skipping to #4
My biggest assumption is that my value in Christ and in life is based on my being good enough, perfect... resulting in overwhelming perfectionism, and placing demands on others around me...
HUGE today for me. Like God just turned on the light bulb. Never realized the demands I am putting on the kids, and how I am keeping a destructive pattern in the family, passing it on to the next generation! One pattern I resolve to break!!!
Thank you so much... needing God to tend to me.. been a few fissures.. and had more than you reminding me to take care of myself... and let God tend to me, and heal me so the bottom doesn't drop out.
Amazing timing!
God bless,
Heather,
Solo in Mosinee, WI
I'm solo on this:
1. 20 - For so long I've known that I need to replace lies, faulty assumptions and bad fruit with truth. I'm so glad to do this study and try to learn what truths I need.
2. I struggle with worry, doubt, anger, insecurity, people pleasing. I don't know that I define myself by these, but I'm sure they show through in the way I express myself.
3. Worry is an endless, meaningless, concern about how "we" can/will control a situation that has caused fear.
4. A faulty assumption I had came from people encouraging me to do better than others in order to prove my capabilities since I am disabled. I heard "you need to do things better than others to prove yourself." This made me uneasy whenever I did anything. I always had a fear I wouldn't do something right. If I didn't do it right the first time, I would quit. I can honestly say I don't live by that one anymore. It was torture. Thanks for all you do Beth. Love you and God Bless.
Kara
Streetsboro, OH
Six of us met today, including one new member. On a scale of 1 to 10, we all agreed that we need these thought closet makeovers at a 10! Thank you Jennifer. We are thankful that Jennifer doesn't just tell us what to stop thinking, but also what to fill our containers with - truth. This is powerful. Also "who I am and what I struggle with are not the same" is transforming. wow. Looking forward to the next week's study.
I'm going solo on this, but at this point am wishing I wasn't because there are so many great things to discuss in this study!
On the scale I would say that I am 10+. As I first began, I was feeling like it didn't apply to me at all, but now I'm realizing how negative thoughts are deeply embedded in my heart and life and they need out. I've never realized until this study how deeply they are affecting me.
The quote about struggles hit me so hard. I begin to label myself when my identity and my struggles are combined. I can struggle, but I don't have to BE the struggle. I tend to define myself by my struggle of depression/anxiety.
This study has been incredible so far and I am learning so much about myself and what God desires for me and how that can become reality.
Taylor
Spring,TX
WoW! Great study this week!
We have 11 women signed up, but usually have half of them show up. We are meeting every week.
1. We all ranked our need as very high.
2. This took up most of our discussion time. Our sweet 18 year old sister struggles daily w/ addiction. We encouraged her to think of herself as struggling w/ addiction, rather than labeling her self as an addict. Several of us struggle with rejection. One struggled w/ perfectionism. "It must always be perfect!"
3. WORRY?!? A big struggle for many. We discussed this more than the definition of it, although the 'gnawing' word-picture you gave made an impresstion on us.
4. Faulty assumptions put us way over our ending time! We even cleared up some misunderstandings and faulty assumptions between ourselves!
Example:
I (Jillian) am a VERY slow and VERY thorough decision maker. One time Konnie was 'razzing' me about how long it took me to choose a doughnut at church. It was all good natured, but I felt judged and a little rejected. Konnie brought it up tonight, saying how she admired that trait in me! She knows my decisions are well thought out! I was shocked! FAULTY ASSUMPTIONS!!!
We each discussed how this topic impacts our lives.
We really liked the "truthful labels" p.36. All throughout the meeting we looked up truths from God's Word to speak over each other as we confessed our weakness to believe the lies.
Each week we are choosing a memory verse to give us a sharper Sword of the Spirit.
This week we chose Deuteronomy 31:6
Jillian, Candy, Danika, Denise, Konnie
Laramie, WY
Thank you for sharing with us your insight on the coffee mug. This week I hit rock bottom and I just couldn't figure out why. You see, my family and I have gone through a very difficult year of ups and downs as well as our wonderful, wonderful Fathers miracles that He has poured down on upon us (praise Him)...my husband has been battling cancer this past year. I just couldn't figure out for the life of me just why I felt different this week and I just felt so down...I have to say that you brought it to my attention with your insight from your coffee cup! And how right you are!! I couldn't figure it out because we've been in this battle for a little over a year now and it's nothing new; but I've just discovered that I was taking care of everyone else around me and especially trying to be strong for my children whom are watching us through all of this that I haven't been letting God deal too much with myself. I feel broken and down...I know that I know that I know that God is in control of EVERYTHING!! It's a battle within my own mind that makes everything so hard! I'm going to go and let God deal with my "coffee cup" now--He will bring beauty from ashes~He always does! God bless and thank you for being such a lovely servant to the Lord!
Laura Reed
There are tough conversations when everyone starts digging into their thought closets. Most of the time we don't even realize we have been on such a destructive path. So Tuesday at our noon meeting, what started with pouring out of the hearts, ended with praise for a God that can take all of that destructive thinking and turn it into peace and utter dependence on Him!
Praise You Father!
Paula
Tulsa office meeting
Our group of three met Wednesday and had a great discussion. We are so excited about this study! We all need our thought closets cleaned out and we love the way Jennifer walks us through the process.
We discussed at length, how our roots are determining what kind of fruit we bear. We are examining those roots and killing roots that are not sprouted in truth.
Thank you for leading us through this great study.
Pat S.
Lago Vista, TX
Solo-Breakthrough moment for me has been admitting struggling with envy in my thoughts especially when someone shares "good" news in their life and I am "struggling" in mine. Need to be content in my own life & be happy for others not just on the outside, but in my thoughts! Got to come to terms with this!
My sister and I met via Skype and agreed we don't talk much negative talk about ourselves but need to pay attention to our assumptions most of all. Worry is like a rocking chair, it keeps you going but gets you nowhere!
Checking in...
Carolyn, Oceanside, CA
Judy, Littleton, NC
Beth,
We are so humbled to stand before God, in this group and share the depths of our struggles.
Each of us amazed to see that worrying disrupts all of our lives. For me, worry is a never ending process of negative thinking that touches every part of my life. We each found that simply pondering and wasting time on negative thoughts and not relying on God brings about the "worriers" and "what ifs". and Mark brought worry.
We agree that we are all in need of a thorough Thought Closet cleaning. We are so blessed to have come together to take part in "Me, Myself & Lies".
Marybeth (TX), Kathy, Monica, Miranda, Kaelin, Julie - Lunchtime sista's in Oklahoma
Our group that meets at Roxanne Worsham's house on Wed. had a great Bible study again last night. Praise you Lord. We continually comment about how the Holy Spirit knits hearts together; our fellowship is supernaturally sweet. When discussing our questions many of us mentioned the assumption about "needing to be right" or getting in the last word. Perhaps the sweetest part of our time together is prayer. We are already see God do BIG things... Last night we were running late and decided to do "3 sentence prayer for the person on your right". None of us could keep to 3 sentences, but the thought was nice :) We are so blessed to love Jesus with you! Thank you Beth (and all the LPM girls) for your leadership!
Our group met Tuesday evening and had a wonderful get together. There are 5 of us and that makes for great discussion. One of our ladies has never been in a Bible study before and she is totally embracing it. We all agree that we need this study and are excited to see what God has in store for each of us. Thanks for bringing this to us.
Janet, Judy, Sally, Kathy and Pat in St. Louis.
Doing this solo and just soaking up what God is showing me.
1. 10 - my thought-closet is where I go to beat myself up.
2. This statement hit me square between the eyes with TRUTH that I so needed reinforced.
3. Definition of worry: "stressing & fretting instead of praying, trusting & releasing."
4. When I am hurt or rejected my default is to assume something is wrong with me. I make it about me instead of considering God's view. (I believe...help my unbelief!)
I'm doing the study solo, and have done the four activities ... I need this study a 10. It is making a huge difference in my life. Years of being an abused wife from my first marriage have a way of sneaking in to my second marriage ... I'm seeing so many insights from this book that are so helpful for me. I loved the cup .. thank you for sharing that with us! I do not want the cracks from my life surrounding me and making me useless. Thank you Beth and thank you Lord for this study!
Janet
Grand Haven, MI
Hi Siestas and Siesta Mama!!
I am going this one solo--well not really, because God and I are meeting just about every morning to discover together what Jennifer has to say--and can I say that He has been right here, very present and very God and this thing has been a great joy!!
On a scale of 1-10, I needed this a 12!! I am my own worst enemy and have always been so ready to embrace the lies whispered to me about myself.
The quote on page 13 caused me to tingle from the tip of my toes to the split ends of the hair on my head because I realize that I have always identified myself by those things that I struggle with most. I'm fat, I didn't go to college so I'm not as smart as ______...you get the picture.
I defined worry as thinking on what MAY happen, but I LOVE the example you gave, Beth, of the horror movie in my head. Yep, I view those movies often in my head and I may not have popcorn, but they often lead to some sort of snack!! Hence the situation mentioned above.
One of my big faulty assumptions is that I cannot possibly be loved by God the way He loves others because I am not worthy. Even though I know that NONE of us are worthy of the love and grace and mercy he lavishes upon us, I am more unworthy. But, praise God, I think I'm about to conquer that lie and with His help, I will be cleaning out that filthy closet in my mind and getting it "up to snuff". I can already see results and the soundtrack in my mind (or my elevator music, as I like to refer to it) is already sounding much more like that of a Child of the King!! Praise Him!! I am soooo glad you chose this study. God's timing is always perfect and this summer study is no exception!!
Love to all of you!!
Dana in Halls, TN
The Girls from Plant City, FL...
We enjoyed this past bible study very much. We had a lot of breakthroughs as we talked about the areas of our lives that weigh our minds down. Everyone had an their own ideas of how to define worry. Mostly we talked about the things that cause us worry. Our precious pastor's wife gave us a verse in Phillipians that tells us To be anxious for nothing!!! What a night and our group is so unique. A funny story...as you showed us the new hair contraption The Bump It, our pastor's wife flipped her hair over and pulled one out. She was wearing it...It was hilarious...
Until the next time.....
I'm not sure I can do this. Is this hard for anyone else? I have not made it ONE day yet with out saying mean things to myself. Is everyone having a totally transformed mind but me?
I am LOVING this study!!! This is perfect for what I need at this point in my life, and God is totally rocking my world with this! I'm a Solo Siesta, but that's fine, because God and I have church everytime the Word is opened! I'm in the middle of a move away from the only home I've ever known, and it's got me about to pull my hair out. Sitting down with God and Jennifer in the morning is what's keeping me sane, y'all! I have had to truly examine my heart and my head these past two weeks, and I am already so much better off for it! The portion that has most ministered to me so far was when we took captive and destroyed those negative thoughts in the beginning of Week 2. That's a very easy thing for me to be able to picture as they creep back into my thoughts during the day!!
Praise God, he has been doing so much and opening my eyes to lies that I've believed for my whole life. Lies that had me on the brink of suicide the other night. Now I see those lies for what they really are.
And today, my best friend and I decided that it would best for both of us to have some separation. I admit it was her idea, I reluctantly agreed. She has been the most important person in my life in so many ways and in her home was the first time I ever felt loved and valued. On my end, I know I still idolize her. So today, I am doing the hardest thing ever - to walk away from that and trust that God will provide for ALL my needs.
I am terrified, because the voices are still screaming at me that I'll be abandoned and no one else will love me.
I don't want to live by those lies anymore. I don't want to believe them or let them control me or my emotions.
Anyone reading this, I very much appreciate any prayer support I can get.
Thank you Siestas, thanks Beth, Amanda and Melissa for encouraging us, and thanks to God for being GOD who is GREATER than the world.
I am doing this study as an individual. i just moved to Gallup, NM and haven't found a group of ladies to study with. this has been a great study and so fitting for me and my life today. It's hard to sit at home all alone all day with only my own thoughts to keep my company. what better time to clean out my thought closet!! Thanks you all for doing this study with me. It helps me not feel so alone in this new town. The Word of God is alive and active and always knows just what i need to hear!!
Hello!
We met last night (Wednesday) and our group had a great meeting. It seems to be a slow start for us because we were all searching to find 3 detailed specific examples when we maybe we should have been looking at a more macro view. When we don't pigeon hole ourselves in our thinking, we find that there is a lot more that God is trying to open our eyes towards.
Once the ball got rolling, we found that we are a group of girls (10 of us ages 18-30 in Traverse City, MI) who all struggle with feeling like we have to do EVERYTHING on that to-do list. And, when we don't- we beat ourselves up as that we failed. Letting God guide our days and plans will be helpful so we don't miss out on His blessings simply becuase we wanted to cross off another item on out to-do list!
Going solo...
Worry is the greatest disappointment to God
I am feeling surrounded by women that struggle as I do with self-esteem, pride, judgement. It is so uplifting to know I am not alone in my feelings. IF we could all learn to put "God is in control and knows our needs and takes care of them" in our thought closet, you would find a lot of secure women who do not worry.
4 of us met, I think the age ranges are 60, 50, 40 & 30 ish.
This is an awesome study! Interesting to see how the struggles differ throughout the age differences.
1. Made us realize we needed to clean up our closets even though we thought we didn't...
I knew I needed the study and this was God saying let's trash the 80's & 90's clothing (thoughts)...and for heaven's sake do not drop them at Good Will! (after all this is God's Will!)
2. Most powerful statement!
Some verses on getting over guilt would be helpful.
3. Thinking about things you cannot change. Lack of faith.
4. Are we enabling a problem of a loved one or just caring deeply.
(Thank you so much for facilitating this study! This study is the exact step God wanted me to pursue.)
Amy-GA
1. I most definitely need it!!! If I do not stay in God's Word, I have a tendency to get into some "stinkin thinkin".
2. That statement really stuck with me! I struggle with my weight. I need to loose between 35and 50 pounds. I have actually needed to loose it for some 15 years!!! My struggle with my weight, I'm afraid, sometimes defines me, at least in my mind.
This statement "Who I am and what I struggle with are not the same thing!" is truly freeing!
3. Through Bible Study, I have learned that "worry" is doubting God. If we trust God to take care of us, we are not to worry about anything! And, believe me, I can be a world class worrier. I really try not to worry anymore.....takes a lot of prayer!
4. Your video was so good......I actually have said the same thing to my husband....."If you loved me you wouldn't say that or treat me like that."....He looks at me very confused! Because, of course, he does love me! It's a man thang and a woman thang I suppose! :0)
Thanks so much!
Judy
Linden
What an awesome group of ladies!
As the designated blogger, we met this past week to discuss the first two weeks' assignment. And though two of our members couldn't make it, we added two others.
All of us felt that we needed this Bible study on a high level, and to be able to come together and share with honesty what's in our "thought closets," is something very meaningful.
We quickly got in to talking about all the different roles that identify who we are and how the statement "Who we are and what we struggle with are not the same thing" was very liberating. We concluded that worry was simply not feeling we were in control and realizing that when we worry, we are, in essence, meditating on all the "what ifs" rather than "what is".
I must mention here that one of the ladies in our group did the sweetest thing. She typed, printed, and laminated copies of her prayer on pink paper to give to each of us. Her prayer reads: "Dear God, I will focus on 'what is'. Please make Your comfort my soul's delight. Assure me of Your promises and presence. Be big in my thought closet today. Amen."
We ended our study with having a better understanding of how our faulty assumptions can lead to being presumptuous and arrogant, which produces very rotten and sour fruit indeed. We agreed that our wardrobe should always be the armor of God.
May God's truth and grace purify and guide us all!
We all realized that we all think we "arent good enough." THis was surprising to all of us, because we all think that each other has it all together! Reality check!! Loving the study!
Erin, Angela, Kara, and Megan in Abilene, TX
terry and i had schedule conflicts this week, but we finally got together!
1. we both decided that we need this study very much. i would rate my need at about a 7 or 8, and terry said, "it's off the charts for me!"
2. that quote has been one of the things that has impacted me the most in this study. i struggle with feeling inadequate, particularly regarding my "performance" in everything i do. if it's not perfect, i've failed, and so i struggle with that inadequate-failure mentality. but that's not who i am! it was an eye opener for me. terry also felt that it resonated strongly with her.
3. terry: thinking about the negative over and over and over.
kimberly: dwelling consistently on the worst that could happen.
4. both of us felt that our main faulty assumptions dealt with our worth and where that sense of worth should come from.
thank you, siesta mama! we laughed and laughed about the bump it!
Hi ladies!
1. On a scale of 1 - 10, I definitely need this study a 10 because I am an expert at "beating myself up" with lies about my worth.
2. The struggle I most define myself by is self image, because it manifests itself in all sorts of ways - feelings of worthlessness lead to perfectionism, inevitable failures at being perfect lead to feelings of being stupid, and the cycle begins again. Wow, I really need to get rid of this lie that I am defined by anything or anyone other than who Jesus says I am.
3. My definition of worry is: fretting and overthinking things which might be better left alone; ultimately, not trusting God.
4. One of my big faulty assumptions is that everything is my fault. Ultimately, this is prideful thinking (i.e. it's all about me). Ugh. Help, Lord!
Kati W.
going solo on Ocracoke Island
We are a group of 2. Me and my 77 year old momma (and our lies).....
This is both nailing us...in a good way...highlighting those labels and thoughts.... Faulty assumptions become a key concept. And our worries...lots of fear of what would happen to our loved ones if something happened to either of us. We are loving it!
Sandee and Mary
Folsom, CA
The Heart of Texas Heiresses of God met on Wednesday night. Our planned meeting time is 7:30-8:30pm, and we managed to wrap up about 10pm. We are loving it! Our discussion was powerful and deep, and our connection with each other leaves us all feeling incredibly blessed. Worry did not seem to be a big thing for us, although we all confessed to doing it. Instead we were captivated by our struggles, their roots, and the ugly fruit they bear. We explored this at length, and our closets are looking better.
Blessings, Beth! We love you for the adorable smile, great wardrobe, fabulous zebra pillows, outrageous sense of humor, but most of all . . . your willingness to serve us because you love God.
The Clear Creek Crew in League City was all accounted for this Tuesday evening. All 8 of us enjoyed Iron Soup, Chocolate Eclair dessert, and some deep discussion. The first question started off with most of the group rating 'need for the study' rather low on the 0-10 scale, but as we began discussing it was apparent that we ALL had struggles that we allow to identify us instead of our identity being found in Christ. Everyone was really honest and transparent. This really bonded us as a group and I think we all left feeling connected and challenged.
Allyson
Julie and I met via email again. If we were rich and famous we would have met on a beach in Hawaii. And I would have totally treated!
1. We both were pretty sure we didn't need this study very much in the beginning because we've done this sort of thing before. Turns out we still have some lies to break free from. We give it a 10.
2. Struggles with trusting God to restore the years for children whose parents have had issues and worried that those issues have somehow damaged them. Struggles with health issues. Believing that somehow they could/should have been prevented. It's all my fault. Lots of pride.
3. Worry about mothering. Worry that God will say NO. What is "He's bigger than I am and He's in control." What is "I'm here. Not giving up. Still believing. No matter what."
4. "I am solely responsible for how my children develop and turn out." "I'm not worth the trouble."
Good stuff!
Nichole and Julie
Marion, Iowa
this is martha, solo in asheville, NC. i have to admit i thought this study was going to be potentially cheesy.. *sheepish grin* but i have been proven SO wrong. (and i'm glad!) i wasn't sure exactly how much i needed this right now.. then i showed my husband the book and he read the title and chuckled and said "now that's exactly what you need to be studying!"
i can remember a point in my early childhood where i stopped fighting the hurtful thoughts and self-destructive lies running through my mind.. i remember a point of just giving up and agreeing with the enemy. since then i have grown accustomed to the lies.. i don't even understand it, but its like i get some sick satisfaction in just letting them run rampant, like i deserve those things. i have to admit.. i really think most of those things are true of me at this point. so i think i need this study at about a level 10. :) i have been amazed at what i am "hearing" myself say to myself now that i am actually listening and not just thinking without thinking about it.
faulty assumptions have been and are HUGE for me.. probably the greatest one lately and in the recent past is that human love will be more fulfilling to me than God's love. i mean, i "know" this with my head.. but i am learning it experientially now. it has really come out in my marriage of three years. when my sweet husband fails to love me perfectly, it is so hard for me to surrender those needs for love/affection/affirmation to my God. to believe He is and will be enough if in life i never receive the human love i crave. not that my husband isn't wonderful, he is.. just not perfect. :)
so anyway.. those are some of my thoughts. i am SO enjoying this study, and reading some of the things God is stirring in other siesta's hearts. i do have a question though.. what does it look like to have healthy, God-honoring and God-esteeming self-esteem?? does such a thing exist? part of me feels guilty entering this study like am i just trying to feel good about myself. anybody??
Our group meets on Thursday evenings, so sorry this is a little late! :) One of the things that our group discussed tonight was that the majority of our insecurities and faulty assumptions come from trying to please other people! Yikes. Now if we would just quit doing that and focus on pleasing God, we would be a lot better off! Easier said than done, but we are definitely ready to work on it...
Kirsten
Harrisburg, PA
We had a tender sweet evening as the workbook brought up past issues that we were dealing with. I think the thing that topped our list was how powerful words can be; each of us want to say encouraging things from now on! We sang Ps 19:13 put to music by one of our ladies--an easy way to memorize! Sonya joined our group. We're blessed by the study and our fellowship. Thank you!
I'm a little late in responding, but we had a good study...
Our group meets for Lunch at Mary Jo's house-we had enchaladas with all the fixings and raspberry pie for dessert!!! Awesome !!!
A couple ways worry was described in our group was "strangling" and "a balloon about ready to burst" I was glad to be reminded what God has to say about it in Matthew 6:25-32...Oh how we need to RELY on His word!!
Until next time, Love Tammy in SD
Our meeting went well. Though we are sisters, this is the first time that we have attempted anything of this nature. Praise God that He brought this to pass. I believe this is helping to heal our relationships with one another and helping us to see how we each struggle with similar things.
Pamela, Kimberly, Kristl
Our group is just the two of us, mother and daughter. We began by watching the video session that we downloaded from Lifeway. We are meeting weekly since we are living in the same house.
We had both marked the quote about we are not our struggles. We shared some of the struggles that we are having and how we are learning who we are.
Our definitions of worry both contained the idea of fear or anxiety.
While my faulty assumptions had to do with believing that you some how have to earn the right to be loved, my daughter has never struggled with that faulty assumption. This was a wonderful thing to know.
Karen and Meredith in Tennessee.
We were late in meeting because of working. We had an average of 7 on how much we need tohe study.
We had different ways to explain worry, but liked Beth's "gnawing on a bone"
Loving the study. Thank you
Lori, Judy and Susan
We met on Wednesday night...added one to our group so that now we're a cozy foursome. We sat outside at a local Starbucks on a piazza that was very nice with a delicious dinner and cloth tablecloth and napkins. It was something to see. But the best part...REALLY...was the sharing that we had around the interactives. Two of us are finding that we need this study right now at a 10 level, one at a 12! Wow. How cool that God would bring us together to share and encourage and help each other as we work through some tough truths to get to THE TRUTH. We're all so grateful for the study, the fellowship and how God helped you to pick 4 extremely helpful interactives out of 2 weeks of jam-packed teaching. We appreciate you Mama Siesta so much.
Cindy
Cheryl
Kim
Diane
Laguna Niguel, CA
Springhill Group -
Our group is really enjoying this study. We are finding this studying a great way to relate to each other and keeping us accountable too. This week we really just focused on not letting those words in our thought closet keep hammering us at every point in our life. Every time we do feel those harmful words coming we just need to feel God's love around us. He made us to love us and for us to love Him and we are doing an injustice to think about how bad God's creation is (us).
Our study group includes 3 states & chatting over the phone & emails. We agreed that finding time to answer all the questions throughly was a big challenge for each of us. However, we dug in with God's grace & this is our summary:
1.How much do you need this study:
We rated it 8, and we agreed we can benefit from cleaning our thought closets. However, we would like to spend more time on the the attributes of God for encouragement & less on the negative.
2. What struggle do you most tend to define yourself by?
We agreed that we define,ourselves as mom's,wives,daughters, &
sisters & we struggle with being "Good" in those defined roles. We all want to be "Good" at the roles God has blessed us with.
3.Describe worry:
A fear that stems from unbelief; not trusting in the faithfulness of God in a certain area.
4.Faulty assumptions.
Our insecurties can sometimes keep us from making new friends & having new experience's because we wonder if we "measure up" to the other persons expectations.
Our group: Louise (californiamum) Lacey (Rhinestone Cowgirl) & Lynn (ThePinkboots)
I had to miss our meeting due to a very sick husband. He came back sick from youth camp, poor thing.
1) For me, it is a 10+ right now in my life. I reposted my index card of a saying by you "Our words are potent but God's are omnipotent" and how important it is to speak His words out loud to battle the enemy.
2)That statement reminds me that I am not my illness but a wonderful child of God. My struggle is my value of worth.
3)Worry: a recording that keeps playing over/over to cause fear
4)'faulty assumption': that I am not doing enough for our boys
Okay Siesta Mama, this study is crazy good! I'm flying solo but I feel like I have a whole herd of Siesta sisters supporting when I read others comments.
Personal definition of worry - thinking about something I cannot change instead of letting God think about it for me.
A faulty assumption - "I'm smart." Sometimes I think I'm smart all by my own prideful self. Heck, I've been trained to think this way. That's what law school will do for a girl. I can reason my way over, through and beyond all sorts of situations, thanks to my education but the truth is I am nothing without Christ. NOTHING. He is the smart one. I am just a vessel. So, when I'm tempted to think I can figure my life out, without God, I fall into the "faulty assumption" pit. And let me tell you, it is a PIT.
Mother and daughter, just the two of us, have undertaken this journey together. And both daughter (age 26) and mother (old enough to be her mother) believe that this is an invaluable study.
When we got to looking at the contents of our thought closets, down to the very cluttered floor and even into the dark and dusty corners, we discovered some truths about ourselves that need to be brought into the light.
We came to understand the paramount importance that the weapon of God's truth plays in the "spring cleaning" of our faulty assumptions. We felt that Jennifers's prayer for the strengthening of our unbelief was best completed using the words from our own Beth's "Believing God."...
I believe that God is who he says He is.
I believe that God can do what He says He can do.
I believe I am who God says I am
I believe I can do all things through Christ.
I believe that God's word is (and must be) alive and active in me.
I'M BELIEVING GOD!
Lord, help our unbelief. (Mark 9:24)
Amen
Margie & Laura
Hilton Head Island, SC
1. On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you individually need this particular subject matter and why?
10 - because to not drink or use substance as I have or use my credit cards to satisfy and cover up, this positive thought process is vital for me. Scary to face what you hide. Instead of defaulting to my painful thinking an then drink or take a pill or use my credit cards to cover up, I must think before spending, think before I run out and take a drink or use the substance to get by. Here is a an acronym HALT to remind me.
H (don't get to hungry)
A (don't get to angry)
L (don't get too lonely)
T (Don't get to tired)
The more I dwell the more I swell.
2. What struggle do you most tend to define yourself by?
These words tend to define me: unworthy, stupid, forgotten or not interesting enough. I cover up those hurtful feelings, not seeing the truth that I am loved by God though I feel these definitions. Who I am must not be worth enough and I know that can edge on pridefulness. Giving it up can be darn scary, just like the temptation to drink, take substance to hide or not paying attention to my debts this too is another addictive destructive way that only keeps the lie on me.
3. “In your own words, describe worry.” What was your answer?
Will I be rejected either by a friend, or job, a loss of my ability to paint, by God.
4. What is one of your faulty assumptions?
Painting is a good way of describing what I do in my mind when I do this faulty assumption. I paint this huge blown out of perspective picture of...she/he is mad at me and don't love me anymore (not based on trust) and then I attach God to that. If they are mad than God must be mad because they are so godly. If I perform correctly I will get the attention/love I need or want, if I perform incorrectly than I get the lack of what I need.
That's a faulty assumption...performance. If I perform I'm deluded in thinking that I will get what I need when probably the people I know see right through this and probably wonder, "what the heck are you doing, I love you just like you are, quit acting!"
Allison-solo
Our group met last evening (Thurs. night) and we had a wonderful time of sharing. At first many of us thought this study was for someone else...and then as we all dug deeper, we discovered that, wow (!)this was exactly what we needed. Thank you Lord for your graciousness. Several women are going through significant struggles in their lives and so we camped on that discussion point of not allowing it to define us. The other major point we discussed was our faulty assumptions and how they eventually lead to bad fruit. We realized that we need to hold each other up in fervant prayer to carve time out for this particular study as our thought closets are a battle ground and the enemy would like to thwart the work that God has in store for us through this study.
kzerbe
Lovettsville VA group
1. We gave this study an 8 on the relevance meter. My niece finds this very relevant to what she, as a teenager, struggles with. I find it hitting on some painful areas I've wrestled with through the past year.
2. My struggle has been with certain specific areas of self-esteem. If too much and too little are both manifestations of pride, then how do we get over ourselves? I really thought I had, but when I began dealing with some things with the Lord about a year ago, it opened one ugly can of worms. The 15-yr-old wants to add that her struggle is with her tongue and the unkind jokes she sometimes makes at other people's expense even when she doesn't intend to wound.
3. Worry- Experiencing trouble that hasn't happened yet and probably won't.
4. That other people can define for us areas of self-worth. That God gets as tired of us as we get of ourselves.
Anne
P.s. Sorry this is late. You try catching the kid between work and drama camp!
#1. Most of our group was resistant to this study at first based on the FAULTY ASSUMPTION that it didn't apply to us! We realized that we need to work through this subject matter.
#2. We struggle to be IN the world and not OF the world. Most of our struggles had to do with living an authentic Christian life in spite of circumstances and surroundings.
#3. Worries are fearful thoughts that you can't let go - thoughts that wake you up in the middle of the night like a dripping water faucet wearing away your peace and your joy.
#4. Faulty assumptions grow and change as we do. We need to let go of the false and deal with truth and reality.
Grace United Methodist Church
St. Augustine, FL
23 Siestas enrolled in three small groups.
Our group could not meet until Thursday evening. Because it was later in the evening (after dinner) I fixed a treat for all of us....it just happened to be popcorn with Goober Chocolate Covered Peanuts poured over it!
We all agreed that we need this study, some more than others. One of us said on a scale of 1 to 10, she was an 11!
Worry is a fear of things that usually never happen.
We learned that many of the struggles we face now stem from things we dealt with in our past. Of course this made the false assumptions even clearer to us all.
It was a great time of sharing. Thanks again Siesta Mamma for all you do for us!
The Peeps (Running Group - Vicki Sherry, Tracey Lauri)
Greenwood, SC
We just met for our regular Friday morning Bible Study and have had such a good time discussing this book. We are a diverse group of a cradle roll US Southern Baptist, an adult convert UK Baptist, an Anglican and a Roman Catholic--so we always have things to discuss. We all agreed that we had no idea how much we needed this study until we got into it, but that it is speaking directly into specific situations happening right now. One lady said "the way I talk to my family changes with what study we are doing, but now the way I talk to myself is changing as well." Great discussion followed on always making study applicable. We dwelt most of the time on some unchangeable labels in our group and how to see those from God's perspective and not the world's perspective. I just love how refreshed I feel after meeting. Thanks again for facilitating us this summer.
MiPa, Nicola, Michelle and Rita
PS--my UK ladies just didn't get the big hair thing, but their Texan leader certainly did! lol
Solo-grown weary in serving myself as I am either disappointed or always craving/desiring more in my life or others instead of being content. Somedays long to see the world through someone else's eyes besides my own. That is why children and grandchildren must be such a joy seeing the world through someone else's eyes just beginning the journey. God's Word is always refreshing to me when I get weary on this journey.
There were 5 of 8 members present Tuesday night. We truly had a blessed time in His presence.
1. We discussed how this Bible study was needed tremendously (6 – 10) by each of us because each of our thought closets needed to be cleaned out.
2. We conversed about how our struggles in life and what we truly are do not equal the same. This was not an easy task for us to be honest with ourselves or each other. But, we did it. We shared with each other that we felt “not good enough, overweight, slow, etc.
3. One member’s description of worry was to be totally consumed.
4. Our “faulty assumptions” consisted of not being good enough, being slow, overweight, etc.
Beth, we enjoyed your bop-it commercial!
Ninette G
Seagoville, Tx
1. On a scale of 1-10 mine would be a 10. I have the high expectations set for myself that I never seem to accomplish. Having expectations is not bad, but beating yourself up over them when they are not accomplished is. I constantly want to be better and I don't see myself getting there.
2. I struggle with harshness, worry, hardening of the heart to some things. Things in the past I have pushed down in my heart and that crack in my cup has gone completely around. My bottom has dropped out.
3. My definition of worry is like a dog chasing its tail. I go round and round with only to find there is really nothing I can do about it. My worries seem to creep up time and time again. My fault for not giving it completely over to the Lord.
4. I have faulty assumptions about how things are in the homes of others. I have such wonderful friends that are in my eyes the picture of a virtuous woman. I want to emulate that. I try and stumble. I try and stumble yet again. I don't realize that they do the same thing. In my mind they are so put together and nothing is ever wrong, but coming together to spend time with one another at their homes I see that the do have cobwebs on their light fixtures and dust in the corner of the room. They struggle with finding time for themselves and intimacy with their husbands. I am not alone, but yet I continue
to dwell on what I think it true.
I am thankful to have been led to this book and to this study. My eyes are being opened and my heart softened by the Word of God.
Blessings to all!
I cannot begin to describe the effects this study is having on me. I am realizing the core of my lies, lies in telling myself I am not important.
My definition of worry is, " the fear of being unable to control something or make something happen with a desired outcome." It brought to mind a quote from Albert Einstein, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
Thank the Lord for providing a new way to achieve better results!
I'm still going solo, but sharing with my "wise guides" the journey. Thanks for initiating this study!
~Christine
Spring, TX
Our group of 6 ladies (late 20s, early 30s, some moms, others hopeful-oneday moms) met last night in Macon, GA. We are LOVING this study! Most of us need this study at about an 8 on a scale from 1 - 10. Our thought closets are full of judgmental thoughts, control, pride, gossip, just to name a few. We all desperately want these roots dug up and cleaned out of our minds!!! Bring on the healthy thoughts!!!
WOW I'm so late in posting, sorry about that.
Carrie and I met on Tuesday and we are really enjoying doing some "cleaning of the closet" although this is anything but easy. Our favorite quote so far has been the one, "who I am and what I struggle with are not the same thing" Can I get an amen?!!!
Looking forward to our next meeting,
Dawn and Carrie
Clever, MO
The three of us are really enjoying this studying. We all find the study very timely and helpful to stay on God's path for our lives and not go off our own worthless rabbit trails.
Lydia is thankful to be in the study to help her correct wrong thinking about herself that does not match up to who she is in Christ. Hannah is realizing how ofter her feelings and emotions control her thoughts and, consequently, her actions. She liked the quote on the bottom of page 56: "Feelings are powerful, but they don't always represent the truth". Becky is glad to do the much needed time of cleaning out the all the untruth, unnecessary assumptions, and just plain clutter that can get in her thought closet over time.
Lydia defines worry as: Not trusting God; Hannah defines worry as: Thinking about something over and over again that she cannot control or change; Becky defines worry as: Allowing fear of the unknown to consume her thoughts.
Lydia has recognized a faulty assumption in her life of thinking she needs to change who she is to be accepted by others; Hannah has felt she is incomplete because she is single; and Becky realized always being involved at church does not equal holiness.
Lydia, Hannah, Becky
Choctaw, OK
Commenting for our group from East Tennessee (Melanie - that's me, Crystal, Meagan, Leah, Kellie and Esther.) I forgot to give ages last time: ages 23-28 :)
This bible study - totally amazing. Everyone has been open to share and it is just amazing how everything we say ties in. We were open about our insecurites. Speaking HIS word over ourselves instead of those lies!
1. 10, b/c I am constantly calling myself the names I feel.
2. fat, gross. I’m not really fat. I am actually at a normal weight for my size. I was sexually abused. God explained to me that I hate my body because that is what was abused. However, I can’t get away from my body. The only thing I can get away from is fat. So somehow I associated the abuse with fat. So anytime I feel like I have fat on my body, I feel covered in shame and all the horrible feelings of the abuse. Hence, an eating disorder and exercising a lot followed the abuse. God is in the process of healing me. At the moment, I am not allowed(by God) to exercise.
3. Constantly rolling around “what if’s” in my mind.
4. I’m only valuable if I have no fat on me. (Back to the abuse explaination.)
P.S. My sister realized from the study that she was even thinking negative thoughts. She thought those were just thoughts you had about yourself. So that was huge for her.
We had a great second meeting last night! Several of us have enjoyed the metaphor of a thought closet and the ability to really visualize our makeovers...especially with that stinky, nasty piece of clothing in our closets corrupting the rest of our wardrobe. One of our members had such a good example for worrying, it is like sitting in a rocking chair all day, you keep busy, but really don't accomplish anything. How true that is!
We are striving to revamp our thought closets inside and out and fill them with thoughts based on God's love for us.
Kelley and I met this afternoon via facebook! We agreed that we both needed this study. We are both involved in the scripture memory which we said is necessary to keep our thought closets cleaner. We struggle with our negative self talk so we want God to fill our minds! Kelley is on the road to health and wellness and so a healthy thought closet is a key to her success! We both agree that we dwell in the "what if" part of life. We are so excited about what this study will teach us.
Sallie, MS
We had our phone visit discussion today, Friday,July 10. We are both getting a lot of insight through this study.
1. We both felt we needed this 10+.
I felt it was a direct answer to prayer for help in understanding some issues.
2.We both recognize the difference in who we are and our struggles but it is hard to remember that when things aren't going good.
3. Worry to me is like a dog chewing on a bone. It feels heavy and out of control.
4. One of us felt" being me is not enough"(faulty assumption) and the other has an assumption of not being important and a low priority with people.
We are encouraged that we are going to make progress and become whole persons. Also we "see" the truths but feel we need a second touch from the Lord to see clearer.
Thank you all very much.
Elaina/Indiana and Nancy/Wisconsin
I have been loving this study! I had seen it in the bookstore and considered buying it, then . . . it's the very one you picked for our Summer Siesta Bible Study!
Our discussion this week was pretty much non-existent . . since . . . my partner is on vacation :) . . and I really try not to talk to myself in that capactiy for fear of being LABELED :) CRAZY! HA HA!
Now, to answer the questions:
1. From 1 - 10 proably about a 5. I've been greatly aware of self talk for a long time and have tried to practice "being good to me".
2. It's easy to use our stuggles as labels for ourselves. One struggle that I am conquering is perfection and relating it to who I am. I was taught to do a job well enough to sign your name on it. So when I did something, my self-image was attached to it. If it was not perfectly done, I was flawed. So NOT TRUE!
3. God shared His definition of worry with me a few years ago and it has changed my life! As an employer, I had a very "touchy" situation on my hands and needed to terminiate an employee. There was really nothing I could do at the time -- but worry about the problem. We usually worry about things we can not change. What God wants is for us to trust Him and let Him handle it for us! This is what He spoke to me: When I fret and worry (as a child of God) it breaks His heart. It is really saying that I do not believe that God is trustworthy! He made me realize how miserable I was and that I was making people around me miserable as well. When I really wrapped my mind and heart around this truth, I was changed forever in the worry department. Whew! There are really no words to covey how I saw God from that moment on!
4. As a Pastor's wife, sometimes people "unload, explode or blow-up" in my presence. My faulty assumption used to be that somehow I caused this. But now I know better. {Getting old really does have some merit -- it's called wisdom.} :) I finally learned that I was really a safe place for them. But . . satan would love for me to take it all personal and be defeated! I'm not buying that lie!
Thanks for allowing us to do this study with you. I am looking at doing this with our church ladies in the Fall -- maybe.
A girl I work with came in last week wearing a bump-it and for some reason she decided to take it out which is when a group of her co-workers and I saw it and asked what it was. One of the guys said "oh it is like the spoiler on my car" so I kept calling it a spoiler.
God has perfect timing and this study has arrived in my life at the perfect time. I am also watching Jennifer's videos with it which have been beneficial to me also.
Thanks so much for having summer Bible study.
Mary S
Houston,TX
Sheri, Mary, Sheila, Patti and Joan
Portland, Oregon
Our group met on Monday, July 6th, because I (Sheri, the hostess) was going on vacation. We used the questions in the back of the workbook as a guideline.
One of our ladies said that when she looked up the word meditation... it spoke of rumination... which of course means... CHEWING THE CUD! Isn't it perfect? We think about it... swallow it... spit it up... chew on it again... swallow it... ad infinitum... until we fully digest it...
We all met at Starbucks on Thursday. We are Carol, Jeanette, Lisa and Julie. We all work at Mom's Day Out together.
All of us have walked with the Lord for a long time and at first we didn't think this particular subject matter ranked that high for us...boy were we wrong. It became clear to all of us most of what we struggle with is due to a moment or situation in our lives that something was done to us or said to us by a loved one or significant person in our lives that planted seeds of hurt, fear and insecurity. Worry is fretting and stewing over something that probably won't happen. It robs our peace and joy. Faulty assumptions hold us back from living the life of freedom God intended through Christ. One of us shared her faulty assumption was she could change her husband. Isn't that a surprise!! Who would think that.. We all realized our faulty assumptions were very similar. There is nothing new under the sun. We are very much looking forward to the next two weeks. We are growing in the Lord and in our sweet friendships with one another realizing we all hurt and have "stuff" that weighs us down.
We will begin our search for a "Bump it" this week.
Blessings to you from sunny California,
The So-Cal Gals
Kim and I talked through our session over the phone. We agree that we are growing in awareness of our thought life. We are committed to dealing with our stuff and planting truth in our minds so we can think correctly.
Kay
Sierra Vista, AZ
Kim
Mabank, TX
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