The Power of a Name
Hey, Siestas! It's Saturday morning and I'm at AJ's having so much fun. I flew up yesterday afternoon so that Jackson and I could have a date last night. We made Mommy and Daddy go to the movies. He and I are watching Wonder Pets so I'm going to see if I can drop you a note really quickly while he's preoccupied.
Something so fun has happened in the last few weeks. Jackson has discovered words and he says everything under the sun. (He can say Bible and knows what he's talking about! Oh, the joy!)In the midst of an exploding vocabulary, he's started calling me a name! Yahoo-Jah!!!!! (He named Keith first - PawPaw - and I may never hear the end of that.) I think my granny name is going to evolve into "BeeBee" but right now it's more like "Bibby" with a big accent on the second syllable. So darling I can hardly stand it. His little lips make the cutest shape when he says it. (He's saying it right now. I think I'm on borrowed time. Writing fast. If I have a ton of type-o's, you'll know why.)
So, anyway, last night after I rocked him a long while, laid him in his crib, covered him with his blanket, and slipped out of the room, he stood straight up in the bed and started calling, "BibbEE!! BibbEE! BibbEE!" He never cried. He just called me over and over. Too much to resist! It was everything I could do not to go get him. I kept thinking to myself, if I give in to this, I'm going to ruin that darling child's good bedtime habits. He's a very active little guy and the fact that he's been easy to put to bed at night has been AJ's saving grace. I paced outside his door nearly laughing out loud, saying, "Oh, my word! Oh, my word!" and wishing I had someone to call so they could hear it. Keith was out of town and cell range so I texted Melissa back and forth for the next thirty minutes to keep the little dude from hearing me. He finally went to sleep and I like to think he dreamed of a fun next day with BeeBee. I woke up really early and could hardly wait until he'd start the name-calling up again and I could go in and get him. And sure enough. (OK, well, actually, it began with a few seconds of Daddy and Mommy but I beat AJ to the nursery door and when I opened it, he said, "BibbEE!!")
Try to stay on track with me here. Between a toddler crawling on me and giggling, Noggin going strong on the television (don't even try talking to me about not letting a child watch a little Saturday morning TV) and Beckham barking outside, I'm having a little bout of ADD. Oops. Just got a beach ball in the head. On borrowed time here. Run fast with me. So, last night I just all at once had this revelation. You young moms have already thought it a thousand times and I'm sure I did, too, twenty-five years ago but one of the beautiful things about time is that you get to relearn things as if they've never occurred to you before. It hit me how much God loves for us to call Him by Name and that, when we cry out to Him with titles that have become such meaningful endearments to us - such expressions of relationship, those cries are utterly irresistible to Him. Sometimes, because He knows what we need more than we do, it may seem He's not responding but, in reality, He's right on the other side of that door greatly moved. And timing His obvious entrance just right.
Simple truth this morning. God LOVES to hear you call Him by Name. A Name that MEANS something to you. A term of deep endearment. When the spirit within you cries out, "Abba, Father!" your voice is irresistible to Him. If you'll permit this English teacher a double-negative, God never DOESN'T respond. You may not see Him right away but He will be right next to you all along. He hears you and He WILL act at exactly the right time. Somehow it was profound to me. We - fretful, inconsistent children weak in our natural selves - MOVE THE HEART OF GOD. Because that's the Way He wanted it. Every single time we cry out. Every single time we use His Name and mean it. We are heard. His heart teems with affection and His retraint demands His own long suffering. Take heart!
"Those who know Your Name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You." Psalm 9:10
I so love loving Jesus with you.
posted by Beth @ 8:10 AM
147 Comments
147 Comments:
Thank you Beth for those words this morning. As I sit here after my third dose of chemotherapy for breast cancer, I know that He is never far away from me as I cry out His name - Great physician heal me! I too love loving Jesus with you.
Just another siesta from Louisiana.
Thank you for blessing me this saurday! :) And thank you for loving on children when the world doesn't more often than not! Your grandson is so lucky to have you and his parents and Keith!
Dear Beth,
Thanks for the reminder. Sometimes when your in the throws of parenthood to 3 lovely children (ages 3, 5 and 13) it is difficult to remember things like that. Enjoy your time with your little man. It is so great that you can come and give AJ and Curtis a break every now and then. I know that they so very much appreciate it as well!
Have a blessed day!
Terri from Alabama
That's a powerful word this morning, especially considering you were listening to Lenny, Tuck and Ming Ming too!
Awesome reminder and much needed today. Thanks BibBEE.
my adopted "grandbaby" (he just turned 2) calls both my husband and me "Bappa". . .it's just too cute to stand! I love crying out to my Father, and knowing He is listening, and He hears. And when He doesn't answer right away, it just makes me even more excited and loved and anticipating His response.
Good thing it's just beachballs rolling and tossing around. . .
Gesh women you are amazing! I love that name your grandson calls you! its so cute! you always encurage me Beth and yet agean you did that this morning whith this post! thank you Beth and i love you!
God always seems to use our kids to teach us these simple yet profound things.
I never learned about our Father the way I have after becoming a Momma (even though balls to the head are pretty common around here too...LOL!)
...and I love loving Him with you. I truly believe that He loves spending time with us as you and all of us Grandmas love spending time with our "grands". I was a stay at home Mom and will be eternally grateful that I was given that time with my two children, but there's something so rewarding to be able to spend time with our two granddaughters! They are their Mom made over and I love reliving the fun we had with her and her brother.
Thanks for sharing with us, BeeBee! The girls name for my husband is an original for our family. Ashley's first Christmas with us (at 9 mo.old) my husband would sing Hey Hey, good lookin' to her. After they got home she would walk up to pictures of him and say "HeyHey"!!! And it has stuck...she's 13 and still calls him that. He grins from ear to ear anytime one of the girls call out to him--he's at their beck and call!!
Love those little ones!!
Blessings!
From Mimi to BeeBee, I say a big haleleujah(sp?)! I knew he would come up with his own special name and oh how special it will sound to your ears!! And I also say right now I am shouting to the Great Physician and Healing God with all my might. Whether we are suffering physical pain or spiritual pain HE is always there, leaning forward and listening closely. I love HIM sooooo much!! I love you and your precious family, too.
Thanks, Beth, for that word. It was EXACTLY what I needed this morning as my husband and I struggle with infertility and financial hard times because of it. He is the Great Provider - in all things. We are at His complete and utter mercy right now, which I know is that best place to be, but boy, it's scary!!
How precious and wonderful God's word to you and to us was today! Thanks!
And thank you, God, for Noggin...where would I be without The Wonder Pets, Jack's Big Music Show, and the "Backyards" as my girl calls them. :)
Once again, your message was just what I needed to hear. Thanks--and have fun with the kids this weekend.
Good morning Beth, I am just checking in and I was blessed to be reminded of the fact that Jesus does hear me and is excited when I call uopn his name. I do forget that from time to time. I am also excited for you as you get to spend time with your little man. Being a grammy myself I know how precious this time in our lives are. There is nothing like it! Now go and enjoy! Love loving Jesus with you. Carla
Thanks once again, dear Beth for your funny and very relatable life stories and for giving us such an awesome reminder of how our God longs for us to be so close to Him! Sometimes it feels like He is so far away... I'm sure that's how Jackson felt last night about you! But you were right outside his door, hearing him everytime! WOW! God Bless you today, thanks for your encouragement!
BibbEE!
How precious! You may be quite right in that Jackson's name may evolve into to something else. My mother's name is Frances. Years ago when Greg, my sister's first child tried to say her name he said, "fat fan". Although she is by no means fat, we thought he was so cute calling out "Fat Fan, Fat Fan". Greg was Mom's first grandchild. Eventually, Greg was able to articulate Gran Fran and she has been known to all her grand children with this endearing name. Tomorrow, my family will join Gran Fran for Sunday lunch and birthday cake. We look forward to a great time together as Mom celebrates birthday number 83.
God is so good!
Love you bunches,
Mary
Thanks,BeeBee! When my then 3-yr-old was in time-out, she cried & cried about being separated from us even for a few minutes. I remember thinking how moved God would be if we had the same attitude about being separated from Him. How our utter sadness over the separation would change our "bent to sinning" (at least, willful sinning). It's amazing what they can teach us.
Thank you for sharing with us. This blog is a blessing in that we see everyone has struggles and it's not just me!
I continue to struggle with the death of both of my parent's this summer and the outstanding medical bills.
My sweet little niece calls her "gramdma" my siter, Nan....shortened from Nanny...I think Bibee is great!
That was just beautiful! It touches my heart so much to think that God's heart skips a beat when I call out His name the way mine does when my two girls call out for me. It reminds me of the passage in 'Get Out of That Pit' about God gently putting his hand under our chin and raising our face to him like you would a small child (I know the wording isn't right, someone borrowed my book) but that passage just brings me to tears.
So BibbEE, the next time you need someone to call to share in your joys, you may call me :o)
Have a blessed weekend!
Cindy
"In the midst of an exploding vocabulary, he's started calling me a name! Yahoo-Jah!!!!!"
For a second Bibbee, I thought Jackson was calling "yahoo-jah"! :o I would have considered that REALLY impressive for a little tyke and some divine revelation! ;)
Love in our best interest--agapeo love...see, I'm learning--even at 50+ years of age. Yahoo-jah, ya'll! :o)
I can see you thinking about pulling out that hair (but remembering not to because we took a long time to get our hair that way)to get to the little dude when he was calling for you! LOL I love it!! These are such precious days and sometimes I miss them but then again I don't want to lose track that these days are also precious days with even a almost 13 yo! God is so good and we all are so blessed.
How sweet , I was to be Granny but at the hospital 13 yeras ago they said your to youg(have no idea what they ment) so someone said I call mine Memaw that is my name the frist time he said Memaw was something I can never expalinMy husband is Pa & I Memaw.Now that is to 3 boys 13,12,3 love it.Yes God does hear us I call own him all the time.Hes the one & only one that is really all ways there .A for my morning I had a great time with my 4 month old lab Zoey, still havent eaten ha God bless to all by the way what is the time diffrance from ther to NC Love sister in Christ Victoria ps have safe trip home
Oh BibEE! That's really profound! I havent thought of that, and I'm a mom of 4 littl'ns. Maybe that's why you DID think of it...you're "BibEE" and are at that time of life where you can enjoy that sweet baby, spoil him, take all his "sugars" and then mom and dad do the raisin'. We moms tend to get tunnel-visioned with the "raising" part and you "seasoned" (wink, wink!) siestas get to see it from a whole new perspective.
Thanks for taking a little time from that sweet boy to share that with us! I'm a "hunting widow" today so maybe I'll work on learning my special name for our Lord! I may even mispronounce it, but now I know that will make Him smile a bunch too!
Sunny
That brought back a sweet memory. A couple of years ago a very dear friend thought her grandson would never talk. I kept telling her that one day he was going to just start spurting out complete sentences. Well he did and we can never get enough of what he has to say. He knows he is a joy to all of us so his mom brings him by our office severl times a week to entertain us all. He too chose his own name for my dear friend and it is GRAAAA.
He absolutly looks at anyone who refers to her as grandma or something similar as being nuts. She is GRAAAA.
I will never forget what a joy it brought to her when he called her by the name he chose the first time. I pray for one just like your Jackson someday, until then I will just love the daylights out of my frinds sweet grandson. Have a wonderful time this weekend and thanks for sharing with us.
Beth, I am a new mom to a 11week old baby girl, Mallory. God has taught me so much about himself just in these few weeks about what he desires from us! I am also in the middle of "believing God" and have loved your words on leaving a heritage of faith for our children and descendants. My husband and I are speaking words of life over her every day! Thank you for all you do... I take the videos home from my small group so my husband can watch them. He loves you!
Have fun with Jackson....
Joy in Birmingham
Oh...I just remembered that I have a book called "Wonderful Names of Our Wonderful Lord" by Charles E. Hurlburt and T.C. Horton. It's a very small paperback (95 pages) and it lists each name found in both OT and NT, a scripture where it's found, and a description.
Just thought I'd pass that along if anyone wanted to check it out.
Sunny
Thank you so much for the words of wisdom! I can't tell you how excited I get when I hear Mama from my 15 month old. That's something to think about God having those same thoughts and energy about me and you. Wow! He is an amazing God! Who wouldn't want to live for Him?!
Holly, Ga...soon to be NM
Is it just me, or does anyone else shudder to think there was a time when we didn't know Christ and have Him to depend on. I rely on God so heavily right now and it's hard stuff, but to remember today that He is with me makes it possible. Praying for you (our siesta)in Louisiana-you hang in there and pray expectantly. Thanks Beth again for hanging in the real world with us...SHELL
That is such a great picture! Thanks for sharing.
P.S. Siesta from Louisiana - I am praying for you!
Thank you, Beth. I desperately needed that today. It's been one of those weeks ... you know. :)
Love you bunches. Thanks for sharing.
Monica
You're so right. I hear God speaking to me through my own voice when I am dealing with my two and four year olds. Even in the grief that has come in losing their baby sister after just five days this summer, I find the joy of God's love for me in the simplicity of life with preschoolers. Thanks for getting that. :)
Thanks for the reminder, Beth. I needed it. Hearing, "Mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, MOMMY!" all day long has grated on my nerves lately and made me kind of a growly mommy. It never grates on His nerves... and I'm so glad!
Have a great weekend, Bibby!
BibEE you are a treasure
what a sweet thing to even thing of blog-land while having that darling thing peg you with a beach ball.
growing up the daughter of a minister, i knew God my whole life, but i didn't make Him mine until January 1, 2007...the first night of Passion in Atlanta. i am not a mama, but i have experienced this very thing you are talking about--relearning things i've known and even told to others my whole life, but now they are so much more dear and personal because i GET them. it really is like experiencing it all for the first time..and it is just the SWEETEST!!
the 15 mo. old that i nanny for is just learning how to say my name and (although i'm sure it's worse with your own child) there are few things that will slay your heart more than that darling thing calling you with that big grin on his face :)
I'm convinced that the reason Scripture tells us that children are a blessing from the Lord is because we learn so much about God and our relationship with Him through them. They are at least a double blessing from Him! I just need to remember that the next time I'm cleaning pen and pencil marks off the computer screen from my little angels! :) Enjoy your time together!
I so love loving Jesus with you, too, dear Beth.
The tears stream down my cheeks as I ingest the truth of your words and the wonderful reminder they are to me.
God has been telling me all week He's not forgotten me or the desires of my heart. The picture you painted of Him standing outside my door unleashed the dam that was holding back my tears until this very minute.
So, thank you, precious siesta, for your words of truth at just the right time.
Enjoy that darling Jackson to the fullest and don't forget to post photos -- even if you are wearing fuzzy slippers and watching Noggin : )
Thank you for blessing me today. I am home alone and spent from being at hospitals with my father and ministry weekends out of town over the last few weeks. How I smiled reading about Jackson.
I lift up our precious siesta who had her 3rd dose of chemo to the Lord and pray for healing.
I am working on the last Esther lesson, I can't believe the study ends on Tues night. I cry every time I finish any Bible Study because I want it to keep going and going and going...
I pray the words from Ps 138 bless you today.
I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
before the "gods" I will sing your praise.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.
3 When I called, you answered me;
you made me bold and stouthearted.
4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD,
when they hear the words of your mouth.
5 May they sing of the ways of the LORD,
for the glory of the LORD is great.
6 Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly,
but the proud he knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,
with your right hand you save me.
8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.
Annette
What a beautiful thing to imagine. I don't care how deep that pit was you all came out of, there must have been some powerful fertilizer down there to yield such beautiful people! Thanks be to the Great Gardener!
You are so sweet BibbEE!! I know that boy adores have you as his Bibbee...precious, just precious. I love you too Beth. Have a wonderful weekend with your family.
You words shared with us are always a blessings. What a great way to start a Saturday!! Blessing to you Beth!
I cried out to Abba, Father this very morning...a heart-wrenching cry for Him to help me! I am struggling so in knowing what He wants me to do in my life and where He wants me to be. I have been struggling with a prideful heart and have begun to even find fault with my brothers and sisters in Christ at church....my role as sunday school teacher and women's bible study leader no longer brings me joy because I feel I am being a hypocrite because of what I am feeling in my heart. God's Word tells me though that He will never leave me nor forsake me and if we call our to Him, He will hear our prayers....
Thank you once again for sharing from your heart....
Thank you for that awesome reminder, that God so loves for me to cry out to him.
JUST PERFECT Words this wonderful morning!
You are so right and your family is blessed to have you!
HUGS
Thank you Beth. That's just what I needed to read today!!! I'm going to keep calling out to my Father.
On a related note, I'm pleased as punch to be the mom of a sweet two year old, and I LOVE it when people enjoy my daughter. It makes me think how God the Father must feel when we love His Son. Can you imagine?!!! I can't quite, but I like to try!
Thanks for sharing yourself and your faith with all of us!
how sweet! What a lucky little boy Jackson is--enjoy your time with him!
Thanks for the reminder that it's in His time. As a mom sometimes I get so frustrated hearing my little ones call to me constanly...do you think He ever gets that way?
Oh, I love it! I'm a young mom and totally "got" what you were saying. I hope the time with Amanda, Curtis, and Jackson has been awesome!
"Bibbee!"
I Love it! My kids call my Mom "Boppie"
What a beautiful reminder! So sweet! I will treausure that truth in my heart!
Thank you! Emmy : )
Blessings to you and yours, thank you for the word this morning !
Father, Dear Father bless those I love in your name and you know that new name for this grandmother, bless her Lord real good because she sure blesses you and me at the same time !
God Love you BibBEE !!!!!
Jesus Chick NC
I just smile because I can picture you smiling as you wrote this! The fact that he says Bible and knows what it means is so sweet!! I love 'Bibby" and I know it was hard not to run in and pick him up. I struggled with that when my boys were that age! I was told I held them to much as babies but I don't think you can hold them to much. :)
Have fun with your little man. Have a blessed weekend.
We are settling in our new home and new city. It has been an amazing adventure with God on this new journey. The enemy has reared his ugly head but God is in our midst and has done mighty things. I am not sure what God is doing but I am having fun watching and waiting!! Right now I love calling on my Shield and Protector, Provider, Lifter of my Head and my Delight. He is Majestic and Beautiful and He is Faithful!! He is with us wherever we go!! Thank you for this post!!
Love You,
Patty
How do you resist such cuteness! I would have been in there in a heartbeat!
This was a good word this morning. Sometimes I feel like I'm a little child, in desperate need for my Abba Daddy to hold and rock me for a little while! Sometimes all we need to do is say His name.
Have a wonderful visit!
blessings,
steph.
Beth,
Thanks for the word. Wow - to think that the God of the universe loves to hear me call His Holy name!! It's almost to wonderful to grasp. But that's our God - almost to wonderful to grasp. How He can loves us frail, demanding children just amazes me still. You enjoy your time with Lil' Dude. Lil' ones become grown before ya' know it. My "baby" is 12 and nearly as tall as me!
And thanks to your example, I'm loving our Lord Jesus more and more every. He really is "The One and Only"!
The Journey Continues ~
Bon Giorno, Beth "BiBEE" :)
My husband and I just returned from Rome this morning after celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary for 10 days.
ROMANTIC AND WONDERFUL!
It was a treat reading your blog. Watching cartoons with Jackson sounds like a perfect Saturday morning. :) I understand how you must have felt listening to Jackson calling out to you. When I returned this morning, my little 5 year old nephew, William called to say how much he missed me. Isn't it wonderful how the LORD gives us such precious gifts through little ones voices. We all just want to hear someone call out our names in love. My two sons, left text and phone messages for us when we arrived at the airport after flying 11 hours 45 minutes from Rome to San Francisco. Just hearing their voices was the perfect gift!
I have some stories to share with you ~
10 days earlier, as Dave and I boarded the airplane, we sat across from another couple. I cracked up when the woman and I pulled out our Beth Moore Bible study books and Bibles at the exact same time. See what an influence you have on us Siesta's!!.
Actually, she didn't know what I was talking about when I asked if she was a "Siesta" but I did share about your website and blog. Hopefully, she will be joining all of us when she returns from her trip. :) I am excited to return to california so my honeykins and I can eat some chips and salsa after having pizza, gelatto, espressos, for the past 10 days.
I have so many stories to share but since this is YOUR BLOG, I will say ~ Ciao for Now! Give Jackson an extra smooch on the cheek from this Siesta in California.
With "Heaven Bound" Blessings,
Kim Safina
www.kimsafinathejourneycontinues.com
Great post. Thanks.
Oh I'm sure Jackson loved having his "Bibby" there with him. My youngest today said his grandparents names and we had to call (b/c they are 15 hours away from us) to let them hear. You could just hear the GLEE in their voices as you heard a little one say their names. Of course I love to have my name called too! Fun times! It is fun to experience God in a new way as a parent. To understand the parental side of God is just too cool. To try to fathom that love is just beyond me! Have fun with all your kids while you are visiting!
Hi Beth,
When my granddaughter was Jackson's age, she called me G.Her parents thought that was going to be my name, but I had other plans. I waited and patiently, too and in just a couple of months she was saying Granny very clearly.Abby is six now and in the first grade. She has a dazzling personality and scored very high the first time she was tested. Beauty and brains. Her brother Adam (the love muffin) is in kindergarden and for now is letting his sister run his life. They are both so precious and the joy of my heart.
Kathie
So glad you're getting in some grandbaby therapy and such fun. It's definitely hunting season. However, I kidnapped Mike away to New Braunfels this weekend all in the name of celebrating his dad's b-day.
There is such power in His beautiful Name.
I love loving Jesus with you all too! Isn't it great being part of the family. By the way, I have a ticket to San Antonio, and will now likely not be able to go. I would love to give it to someone who can go! I shall so very miss the SIESTA time, but will be so happy when someone else can enjoy it in my place! Please email me at grayse1@earthlink.net, and I'll mail the ticket to the first one I get a note from!
:-)
So sweet and such a great reminder! I remember thinking a similar thought when my daughter was a baby... but it was about smiling. If it THRILLED my heart so much to see my baby girl smile at me, how much must it thrill God's heart when I stop and smile at Him??? : ) Thanks, Siesta!
My heart could hardly stand this!!
It was melting by the end of this post....and then the tears. Thank you for sharing with us the beautiful analogy today. It's completely true. He loves to hear us call Him by that most personal name....and then, He's waiting for His big entrance!!!
Beautiful Ms Beth!! You love that little guy to pieces and give him tons of extra love from his extended blog siestas!!!
Hugs to you all~
Fran
Oh how I needed a Word today..thank you! I walked in the 3 Day 60 Mile Breast Cancer Walk last weekend only to find out 2 days ago I am in need of a breast biopsy. My mind is full of all kinds of crazy thoughts and I keep trying, sometimes very successfully, sometimes not, to remember whatever is true, right, noble...back to Omaha Beth! I have 4 little girls that need their mommy and this just CAN'T be cancer, it just can't! Calling out to my precious Redeemer who knows me by my name.
Thanks for this tonight!
And, pleeeease come to the UK!
I don't think I ever knew you were an English teacher, (political science major?) but now it all makes sense. Present active participle and chiastic structure. Not many people from Arkansas and Texas git into that much! You know I was born a 7th generation Texan, so I know these thangs. You're a delight to me. Love, Annette
So precious, that grandbaby! I am always blessed when I stop by the LPM blog with something I need to hear. I think it is very cool that he's learning to say "bible" and your special name at the same time. Your grandson is a perceptive little guy.
Thank you so much, Beth!! I so needed to hear that. I needed to be reminded that He is on the other side of my door - hearing me call His wonderful name and He is waiting for the perfect time to answer. He is doing what is best for me just like you did what was best for Jackson (and yourself cause you know Amanda would have knocked you into next week had you messed up the lil' guys bedtime routine)hee!hee! I'm so thankful that my ever loving Father knows what is best for me and is willing to be silent for now for His Glory and for my own good!! Praise His Name!
Love you, Beth and Amanda! Thank you for the time you take to keep us all encouraged!! Ya'll are such blessings to the rest of us! Enjoy your weekend!
Blessings upon blessings!
AHhh Beth. So good to hear from you today. And what a great word to hear.
Joanne, a dear siesta who posts here often, posted a similar message on her blog the other day. It would be worth ALL of us checking it out. (Copy and paste following link to browser)
http://onesoblessed.blogspot.com/2007/11/i-can-hear.html
A little confirmation never hurts... and since He is clearly speaking this to many... I thought I'd include her site. (Hope you don't mind WCM)
Happy almost Sunday all. I too love loving Jesus with you all.
I know The Father wanted me to get this sweet message right now. I needed to see this child calling out to the trusted loving parent. I love that you were tickled with the calling, but you were well restrained not to rush in without a life lesson on waiting.
I'm calling ABBA FATHER, COME TO MY SIDE AND Rush to our aid in Jesus Name! Amen
I forgot to add that my daughter, even when she just started naming people, loves nicknames. My dad called himself Pawpaw and my mom Grandma, so when we got to the other grandparents' house, I just called them Grandma and Grandpa. Well, my then-1-year-old would not have it. They were dubbed PopPop and Bee...no one called them that; she just decided to name them.
Then just this past spring, what we thought was out-of-the-blue, she started calling my husband "Daddo". We couldn't figure out why. Then we realized he calls her "kiddo" all the time. So, she nicknamed him "Daddo". Before that though she was calling me "MoMo", and I don't call her kiddo. Uncles and aunts and cousins are not safe either from her nicknaming-fascination. Nothing is ever mean-spirited, just funny. So, who knows? I would love to be inside her little mind with all of its goings-on and big ideas. :)
Ms Beth,
Oh what a sweet sound - to hear your darling Jackson call you by name!!
I love the analogy of calling God by name and having Him hear sometimes even pacing outside the door b/c He wants to come rescue us but knows we have to learn the lesson.
Have a great time at AJ's with your sweet little Jackson. We love you!
Kim
Beth,
I loved this post. I was just talking with my daughter's best friend last night about names and how everyone just seems to "fit" their names. And how parents take great care and thought into naming their children (most of the time).
BeeBee seems to "fit" you! I love your Jackson stories. I'm sure it was very hard for you to stand outside that bedroom door while he was calling your name. God must feel that way, too, but He shows himself when the time is right because He doesn't want to spoil us, either.
And I love loving Jesus with you. :)
With tears I receive it...to me, at a time like right now, I just say, "Father" over and over. There is nothing like knowing that above all He is my Abba Father. I rest in that. On the other side of the door, you say? Oh good! I need to know that right now.
Love you Back, Jackson's BeeBee!
holly
"BibbEE!!"
What a fitting name for a dear grandmother that loves the Bibb-L-EE so MUCH.
So sweet how you describe God loving to hear us Call out to him. My son is just about Jackson's age. I love hearing AJ's stories of Motherhood...it feels like we are walking side by side sometimes.
I love to hear "MOOOOOOMMMMMMMMIIIIIIIEEEEEEE", even yelled at the top of his lungs. So even better than I call out to God Father is the say way. Thanks for sharing.
How fun that you are spending time with your favorite little guy and I'm sure Amanda and Curt are happy for some date time. My bible study group is about to finish up Living Beyond Yourself. We were trying to come up with something to do during the short time we'll having during the holidays and found an Advent devotional - Praying God's Name for Christmas time! We're so giddy to have been lead to it. Thank you for the beautiful reminder to use Daddy's name.
I'm always shaking my head when I read this blog and think "That's what I've been thinking about lately!" I play a lot of Travis's CD's and also Michael W. Smith. In the last few weeks I've noticed how many "Name" songs are on these CD's. I've been singing them with extra gusto lately, and explained to my 9 year old how much Jesus loves to hear us saying His name.
Amen BibbEE, Amen!!
Melana in Wyoming
English teacher...LOL, I thought I was the only one that said that:)
No wonder why I can pay attention to you so well:)
I would have loved to see your face as you stood there and listened to Jackson call your name:)
I hope you have a great day:)
angie
P.S- a friend of mine was sharing with her mom a devotional I wrote, and her brother who wasn't a believer she told me turned the TV down to listen to it:) PTL!
God just rocks!- and I am WAITING for my " Stepping up" study to get here, its taking forever!LOL
I forgot to say my mom is GG for great grandma, my 13 year old grandson called her that because my sis thought of it.Mom loves it G.G. as I do.I am Memaw my husband Pa & my mom G.G..My sis Nana.we all love our names.God bless love sister in Christ Victoria just forgot to put in about my mom because great grandma ar great.
I'm new to this blog and it's been so fun getting to "know" you all on a more daily basis! I'm in the middle of my second study with you, this time Daniel, and it's blowing my socks off! There's nothing like a bible study high!
These have been the biggest blessing of my spiritual life thus far.
In response to your post... Yes, God teaches us such amazing lessons through our little ones. I've got 8 daughters and the lessons never end! Blessings today! Angie :)
As I have studied Daniel these last weeks I have come to call Abba by "the Ancient of Days" and this last year when I did another study He became the "Sovereign One". I wonder what names He calls me and look so forward to hearing them in the by and by :) God Bless you.
Congratulations! You have a
Granny name. I'm so loving Jesus right along with you. A couple of hours ago our Owasso,OK women's ministry group returned from a "Loving Well" weekend retreat with you. Fourteen beautiful ladies heard the words God spoke through you on video(and your announcement of Jackson's arrival). I know you love being a grandma (I was one of your home girls from the time Amanda was married until Jackson was born.) Thank you for serving God through the video for us. We had a great time this weekend.
How great that you are able to spend time with your little guy. It is so refreshing to know that God responds to us at just the right time. I hope your family realizes what a great BeBe they have. That name seems to fit. It is as unique as you are! Thanks siesta for the encouragement!
Amanda from SC
thank you Beth. I lost my sister in law last week to cancer and I have been crying out to him and I know He is with me. Thank you for giving me heartfelt words I needed to hear.
YOu are such a blessing siesta...such a wonderful blessings.
Oh that was just WONDERFUL! And the scripture you put at the end could not have been more perfect for me...we put it on the birth announcement we sent when we adopted our firstborn son 7 1/2 years ago! How true, how true! God so often whispers (Ok, sometimes He raises His voice) as I mother my children. I love how He uses my attempts to train them to train me.
This is so sweet and perfect for me. I have even cried outside of my daughters door because I felt so bad about not getting her. That is probably why she STILL doesn't go to bed at a decent time. I so love the Lord for seeing us and being "El Roi" like you taught us in the Patriarchs!!
Much love!
What a blessing it is to have grandchildren. I love to hear my 2 year old grandson call for me after his nap--"Gwammy where are you". But greater still to know that our Heavenly Father calls out to me encouraging my fellowship with Him. Double blessed to be Will's beloved Grammy and God's beloved child.
Oh, isn't wonderful being a Grandma, or "BibBEE"?
Really, what you shared was so profound. No matter what name we use to call upon Jesus, He hears, and He longs for us to call out to Him...
Blessings to you sweet Beth! I look forward to hearing you minister each Wednesday.
I'm still going Deeper, since that awesome conference in Nashville!
Susan
Thank you, Beth. I've never left a message before, but I couldn't resist replying to this one. Bibbee-that's great! Wow, you have an amazing way with words. I never looked at it before from our God's view. My daughter is the oldest granddaughter of 8. (she is 6) We were trying to come up with a name she would call my mother-in-law when she first learned to talk. I wanted it to be "Gram" She was in speech thereapy at the time and she came up with GER. It just stuck. And now my mother-in-law is affectionately known as "Ger". It sounds funny but it has meaning behind it, and I love that!
Beth,
You read a letter I wrote on air once and spoke to me about showing love to my children. As passionate as I was about my children I couldn't "get it" (the love thing) for the life of me. I just prayed that God would show me what it means - if there was more love to be had then He had to show me b/c I wasn't even aiming for love. I was aiming for goodness (Be a good mother, have good kids, be a good Christian,have good quiet times, good days etc). Well, this last year God has birthed a LOVE in my heart for my children. I can't describe the work He has done but when I read your blog I recognize that same work of LOVE in you for Jackson and your girls. Well in all of this love I was walking in it fianlly hit me. As much as I love and enjoy my children, I can LOVE and ENJOY God! That sounds so simple but it is huge. The worries of life and all the WORK that had to be done prohibited me from enjoying my children to the degree that I should have. So what was keeping me from enjoying my God? Those same things - all the things that need to be done and the worries of life. I want to breathe in the gift God has given me through my children and the gift He has given me through His child. There isn't a chore or worry in the world that can outweigh the magnitude of goodness that lies within these things.
Love truly is the greatest thing and it blows my mind that God has commanded us to do this - to love one another. Obedience is fun!
Thank you Beth
Ps. 84
BibBEE ! That's so SWEET !
My sister's name is Martha , and her first grandson started calling her "Mugga " and it just stuck. We're all calling her Mugga now . Its just sweet because he came up with it on his own. My sister's daughters always called me " Ibby " , so then I became " Great Aunt Ibby " which was shortened to " Gribby" . So , my sister and I are Gribby & Mugga !! Precious kids !!
Love you BibBEE !!
Gribby
Beth just when you think "it can't get any better than this"...it just does!
Jackson knows a great thing when he sees it...You walk in the room and "Yahoo Jah!" (simply translated, that's baby talk for "Hallelujah!"-it's a universal word, pronunciation may vary depending upon dialect or whether or not he has his lower two teeth, otherwise, the "J" may be pronounced like a "Y":)
So let's take it from the top. "Yahoo Jah!! BeeBee!!! It's even better than what you led us to believe, the young man is speaking in sentences!! And on top of that and equally important, are we correct in seeing three exclamation points after BeeBee? If so, then his cognitive abilities are off the charts--with the emphasis on BeeBee he's more than just excited...he's excited to see YOU...he's excited to "know" YOU...to "abide" with YOU...to have relationship with YOU! I'm overwhelmed...:)
...I totally know where you are--
you need to start carrying a recording device sister!
I have three children Beth who are crazy about Jesus like their momma, 12, 8 & 6 and all three continue to take my breath away daily....and I homeschool! (How's that for "wonder" working power!)
Just wait until Jackson initiates acts of kindness & love towards others and he has no clue that BeeBee is watching. You'll see those 9 fruits operating on a consistant basis in his little nature and you'll just be beside yourself! Psalm 1:1-3
I'm humbled and in awe of the favor & grace of God on my life--
& I know that not only your girls and now Jackson, will continue to lead you in the miraculous & marvelous ways that the Lord expresses & displays Himself to each generation...they inspire & impassion you to do what you do so well...and your latter will be greater! Keep writing Beth---the best is yet to come!!
...As Misty Edwards sings so eloquently...she refers to the Lord's love in this verse--
"You make ALL things beautiful... just in time! What is the width, what is the length, what is the depth, what is the height? Deep calls to deep..."
In His service--and to Him be all the glory!
xox, Melissa
melissasjacobs@sbcglobal.net
Beth,
Your words about God waiting behind the door for the right time to respond hit a place in me that I guess I didn't know needed healing. I'm sobbing (quietly, as we women can do when we can't let it all out for fear of scaring the family!) as I write this.
I find that my life is not turning out as I expected; I'm also realizing how many expectations I didn't even know I had. And God seems silent and distant as I cry out. I know He's not. I know He hears. And I know it's more about the condition of my heart than about my actual circumstances. How pitiful my heart is at times!
I needed the reminder that He has to wait for the right timing. It's for little Jackson's best that you didn't go running in there to swoop him up for just a little more lovin' and hugs. Bigger issues are at stake - like shaping his character and training his responses. Just like me. Oh, just like me.
Thank you again, Beth, for reminding me of God's heart towards me.
Faran
Wonderful post Beth. I was giggling up a storm and then moved to tears when you talked about God just standing on the other side of the door. Beautiful story, beautiful reminder...
This hits me in the heart this morning.
I work in a classroom with students with autism. Communication does not come easy to them. For most of them, every word is an effort. When one of those beautiful people says my name, in any form they can manage, I cannot help but respond. My heart cannot help but feel the deep joy of being known.
My co-workers and I often call each other by the names our kids have given us. Why? Because those names have meaning. They mean something to us, and fill us with joy and purpose.
Thank you for your sweet reminder that our God in Heaven feels the same.
Siesta BibbEE, Siesta BibbEE!!
Talk about SWEET!!! I too, for just a moment, thought the little dude called you Yahoo-Jah, and I was thinking what an original and unusual name for "grandma". I quickly decided you must use that word quite often when you are in his presence in order for such a little dude to connect that name to you!! Hee!! Hee!! I cracked myself up after reading further on and realizing YOU were giving God a Yahoo-Jah!!!!!!!!! I'll give HIM one with you and join in on your PRAISE....YAHOO-YAH!!!!!!!!
Grandma Beth is now Grandma BibbEE!!! Inside you're probably warmed to boilin' knowing little Jackson knows your name!! Then I smile :) realizing how God must feel inside that I know HIS name!!!!! Makes me WARM ALL OVER!!
Thanks for sharing this precious story. I think I may not have shown the same restraint as you and probably would have knocked the door in trying to get to him!! Must be the bible teacher in you always thinking things through, whew!!!!!
Much Love to you!
Angela - Redmond, WA
P.S. I am crying out for the GREAT PHYSICIAN to come and heal that precious siesta dealing with cancer. I've been walking this same road with a VERY dear friend of mine and now my husband's aunt, so when I am praying for them I will continue to pray for your healing as well, even though I don't know your name.....God does and HE is CRAZY about you!!
So sweet to hear "BibBEE!" Doesn't surprise me that one of his first words would be "bible." You all live and breathe His Word. His Word is like oxygen to you---at least that's what the psalmist said about you. Your joy for Jackson is so evident in your waking thoughts, your wonder-filled moments. Hard to believe anyone LOVES Jackson more than you guys but HE DOES. We sang a few names back to our glorious God in church this morning and I was about to explode in the back row. My beautiful God was right there in our midst---wonder what names everyone is calling Him today after this post. He's my King!
My precious baby son had the habit of raising his hands towards me when I would come to get him out of the crib and it just about made my heart burst... One day I was profoundly convicted of how God must feel when I lift my hands to Him and how sad it is that I hold back the lifting of my hands because of...well, any reason. Those hands must be raised...because we need Him so!!! Thanks for this reminder...I'm calling His name AND lifting my hands!!!
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!..." I Jn 3:1
Beth,
What a lucky daughter you have for having a understanding grandma - oh excuse me - bibee! It's so hard to get your child on a good sleep schedule only to have a well meaning babysitter just can't stand to hear him cry. Thank you for being you!
Dear Beth, You have blessed us once again with your profoud insight in discerning God's divine hand on our ordinary lives -joys and struggles! Your words touched me to tears as I pictured our Father listening to the calls and cries of His children and how His heart is touched. Thank you! In Jesus' Love Kathy Knoblock
"every time we call HIS name and mean it, He responds"..how sweet that is to me. I am a cry baby for my FATHER..usually more like "Yahweh! Abba!" Just love how HE grabs me up and out.
Glad you are having a good quality time with your grandson. I loved the times with my grandma, and think about those times so often.
Praying for you and yours Princess to Princess
Beth:
What a gift God has given you to see Him in everything and the passion you have for Him is awesome. I so greatly admire people with these qualities. I believe that many of us Christians could get whole lot more passionate and purposeful in finding God in the everyday things of everyday life.
Thank you for helping me to see god in the everyday stuff.
Kim B. in AZ
PS. We had session two of the Daniel study this week and we had 23 women and still more want to come. This is huge because our church is small (about 70 people) and many are from other churches. Praise God for braking down walls.
Beth & Amanda, I found your "blog" by accident last week and have furiously been reading from the beginning & have arrived to current date. I live in Kansas, attended WOF in Denver with Beth! Our small town holds COMMUNITY bible study each week, & we are on week 10 of Jesus The One And Only. NOW THAT IS A NAME! Love you and feel the Siesta "thang" going on. Lovingly, Yolanda
Beth, you have no idea what those words mean to me today......I am walking thru the most difficult time in my life right now & what you stated about the Lord loving to listen to us cry out to Him, really moved me. Thank you so much....
Thanks for the encouragement. I needed the reminder from discouragement from long unresolved answers re health issues and great difficulties at work. It feels like the Lord is not advocating for me, though we are to rely on Him for that. He is El Roi, the God who sees me and provides in advance. I long to see it.
Thanks,
Lois
Hey Beth and Siestas! I have been an a avid listener and "gleaner" but have not had the time to post! BUT today this post spoke to Me and if I didn't say something I just may explode!
We are finishing up Jennifer Kennedy Dean's Bible study of Secrets Jesus Shared. It is amazing! I have the complete privlege of knowing her (and love her to pieces!) We have been learning about how God is always at work in our lives but sometimes (most times, truly) it is like a seed planted in the ground and a lot of the growth happens underground that we do NOT get to see. But change is happening and growing ....... God is at work with every specific detail of our lives! This lines up with our study perfectly. I hope it is okay to share with our group on Wednesday morning. We have a great bunch of gals who are so dedicated to growing in their walk with our Sweet Jesus. We are a group of new mommy's to treasured grandmas! And everyone in between! BibBEE and AJ, you girls would fit right in and are welcome any time!
Thanks Beth for the wonderful words as I know that I get frusterated with my 3 ages 2,5,7. Right now the decibels in my house are higher than they should be and I am going to be cleaning Moon Sand out of everything I have soon. I find encouragement in knowing that I can call on the Lord anytime and he is listening. My mom was killed in a car accident 4 years ago and I feel for my children that don't have a "cool" grandma to dance with and call cool names. She would have loved it just like you do. You make me smile :) everyday.
Blessings!
Angie in SD
You will never know what the last 2 paragraphs of that post just meant to me.
Amy
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! I was literally begging God for the salvation of my husband this morning. I so want my children to have a Christian father! I believe my husband will be saved but I would like it to be today! I was pouring out my heart to God about how I desired my children to grow into godly adults. I was telling God that I knew how important a godly father is and just crying out to Him. My children are believers and seem remarkable strong in their faith - God brought to mind, "all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose." All things!! Even an unbelieving father! Then I started praying for my children to love the Lord with all their heart and that they would pursue Him all the days of their lives!
And, I realized that my timing would be today, but God's timing is perfect. Then I sit down and read this post and now I know God is pacing just outside the door!!!!
And, I love Him so for giving me what I need when I need it!!! Not when I think I need it!
oh, so sweet of a reminder!
I love loving Jesus with you,too!
((hugs))
I needed to hear that right now. Thank you, Beth.
Ohhh ... I love that! What a beautiful image. Totally brought tears to my eyes. Thank you, BeeBee. :)
I am soo glad that you now have a name, Bibbee!! Well you know what I mean!! Lol! So Jackson has decided what all the future grandkids will call you.... He did good!! I did that for my cousins and we have a Nanny and we call my grandfather, Nandaddy. I talk about my grandparents all the time and people think its soo funny that I called him Nandaddy but its who he is now. He even calls Himself that! There is only one Nandaddy!
As a nanny, the kids I kept called me Kiki and then my little cousins started calling me NikNik so I go by both. My roommate still calls me Kiki. And I absolutely Love it!!
Names are soo important. You can tell what kind of mood the person is in by how they say your name. Remember as a kid when your mom busted out with the full name, you knew you were in trouble!! And when your sister would call your name you knew she was about to ask you to do something for her. A lot can be said by just saying or calling someones name. A cry for help or a shout of excitement to see them. The same applies to our Father in heaven. He has so many names for us to call him by. Thanks for the reminder of how important our names are. Our names and those around us.
Hope you had a blast with the WonderPets, The Backyardigans and Jackson!!
Loving loving Jesus with you!
Nikki
Thank you for the simple reminder that my voice is irresistible to Him. I needed to hear that today.
BTW: The Wonder Pets rock! They have such sweet voices. My daughter loves the one about the cow and the twister. ;) She's four and loves high drama.
What really hit my heart that my Father knows me by name and that when i call out his name he is there. Tears flow because i realize again of his great love for me. I am his child and no matter how often i call on his name he is always there. I pray you have a blessed day.
Beth, thank you for blessing my day! I am soooo happy for you! Praise God for His gift of a grandchild :)
"There have been names that I have loved to hear, but never has there been a name so dear to this heart of mine, as the Name Divine,
The precious, precious Name of Jesus."
Blessings,
Kim Conger
.
Thank you for your sweet post. I think you wrote it just for me. God is calling me to do something that I really do not want to do. But I am obeying and there is such a peace in that decision. And yet I am so afraid; afraid of the aloneness that I am sure is going to come with this decision. And then I read you post, which reminds me that my God is enough. He will be with me, and He will answer each and every time I call out in my aloneness. I am so thankful that God is a God for me alone, and that I don't have to learn about Him through someone else. He longs to speak to me personally and to answer when I call.
Thank you!!!! I'm in a tough season, and I needed to be reminded of that!
Beth, I love the way you take ordinary - c'mon, ball to the head!!! - and make it Holy!!! I can tell you just where I was the first time my daughter said "mama", then it became "mommy" and now - thanks to Kanga & Roo - it is "mama" again. But, no matter what she calls me at the time, I feel loved (ask me again when she is a teenager and the names are not so nice!!!) and I can't wait to see what my new little girl will call me!!! You are right, when we call HIS name - whatever name we use - He must feel our love and need for Him and I pray that it does His heart good!!!
Thank you for that word mi Siesta!!!
Love ya!
Becky Jo
ps - Gotta love them Wonder Pets - TEAM WORK!!!! This is SEWIOUS!!!
I needed to hear that.....thank you Beth!!!
"The Name of the LORD is a strong tower the righteous run to it and are safe." (Prov. 18:10)...so safe!
Blessed be the Name, that glorious Name! Emmanuel God with Us.
Beth - A word in season - that's a gift you possess, and all for His glory. Thank you so much for reminding us to cry out to Him by Name!
As I am anticipating my 50th birthday this Friday (Nov 16), and the arrival of my first grandchildren (TRIPLETS!!!) in about 2 1/2 months, I've been thinking what my grandmother name may be!
I had decided it should be "Gran Jan," (I love it :)!) but I picked the name - not my yet-to-be-born grandbabies. But, if you can be BibbEE, I'll take what I get!!!
You precious woman - I love you so much.
I'm so proud of you!!! How you resisted going in there and picking Jackson up is AMAZING. As we say here in Georgia, "that would have been some sweet sugar." (kisses).
I love you,
Georgia Jan
Mercy, oh Mercy... Why would anyone, especially an inspired writer, use a double negative? What do they mean?
It's like a verbal dead-end, a syntax trap... it offends the ear, confuses the mind.
Col. 1:13
Thank you Beth for always sharing. I am so glad you have that wonderful, cheerful little guy, Jackson in your life. I mentioned that his eyes have your eyes, your daughters eyes in his eyes. I see that many times when I see him smiling. (where is my paint brush!) What's in a name. Of course there are so many names of God. I remember you teaching on the names of God. Also, I am enamored by the galaxies and nebula. WOW. I've done some paintings of those, it blows me away when I see them. Just blown away.
1 O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
love you allison
Beth,
Thank you for that encouraging word. It goes along with something the speaker at church said last night...the God of all creation wants to speak with ME...How awesome is that. We know that truth in our head but to "chew" on it for a while and let it sink into our heart is a wonderful thing.
Thanks for thinking of your siestas while you had your precious boy. We love you
Donna
Beth glad you are having a wonderful time with your Grandbaby.
He is so cute!!!!!!!!!!. Anyway I was reading Denise Jackson's Book about How the Lord restored Her marriage and she says that she did one of your bible's studies I thought that was totally awesome the Lord is totally using you in alot of women's lives including mine. Anyway Have an awesome Day!
Love ya,
Susan-La
Amen.
Grandchildren are precious...or so my mother tells me. Haha! Glad he has found his name for you. That is a blessing.
Beth, I really needed this posting this morning. I did cry out to God yesterday and I knew deep down he heard me, I just needed it to be affirmed. Thank you for being sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading. If all of you Siestas could please pray for my 29 year old brother who is battling drug and alcohol addiction at this very moment. He needs Jesus to fill that void. Thank you! PJ from Georgia
I left a note yesterday but I need to tell you one more thing. Last Wed. In Bible class we watched the 7th video the series A Woman's Heart God's Dwelling Place. Beth, at the beginning of the teaching you made a reference to Hebrews 4 of ourHigh Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses. You went on to define the mercy that we find at the throne as "God's tender reguard towards man's misery consquent to sin." You paused and said "Someone tonight needs to hear that." God, in His mercy, knew that almost 2 years after that was taped, that I would be that someone who would need to hear that definition of mercy. I know He had other's too that needed that wordbut I personally wanted to thank you for allowing God to powerfully use you to speak through you during a time of need that I am experiancing. In Jesus' Love Kathy Knoblock
I physically could not have children and at the age of 31 and single had a total hysterectomy. I wanted children more than anything in the world and grieved for such a long time for the child I did not have. One of the greatest joys in my life has been my nieces and nephews who have loved me and let me spoil and love on them like they were mine. Now with great niece and nephew there is nothing more wonderful than when they see me at church or at their house and they run to me yelling "Diddy, you here, you here". (My name is Kitty and that is how they say my name.) My heart jumps for joy as I pick them up and they hug me so hard. I may not be their birth mother, but my love is just the same as their mothers. Oh how God leaps for joy when we call his name -
"Father, your here, your here." How it fills my heart to know that he is always there for me and when I run to him he picks me up and holds me in his arms.
Beth,
Thank you for this post! My father went to the emergency room last Tuesday after a heart attack and then had a triple bypass on Thursday morning. My mom and I love laughing, crying & just doing life together with y'all on this "blob" and since we have been living in the waiting room for the past several days we have missed our sistas. I am printing off the posts and will take them to mom this evening up at the hospital! I know she will be so encouraged by them :) Also we have been watching the "Life Quakes" series on Life Today (how relevant!) and wanted to say thank you for "doing real life" with us! :)
Be Blessed!
Lauren
P.S. Dad is doing well... We give our Lord Jesus all the praise & glory! :)
PJ from Georgia, I just prayed for you brother and will continue to pray so hard for him. I, myself have only been sober for a year and a half so I know what he's going through and I KNOW he can be set free!
Beth, I loved you message and what an adorable name. My daughter and now the whole family calls my Mom White Gramma and my husband, Josh's mom, Blue grandma. We never understood why and still don't. We were hoping someday she would be able to explain it to us. Apparently she doesn't even remember naming them that cause a couple years ago when I put them to bed and we'd been talking about the grandparents, cause one of them was coming the next day I think. Or something like that. She suddenly said, "Mom, why do we call them that?" So I guess we'll never know. We suspect it's the vehicles they were driving at that time. My Mom had a white car and his Mom had a blue pickup.
What a sweet "Bibbee" you are! That is just precious! I have one just about the same age as Jackson and I always smile at your stories as all these tiny tots seem to be just alike!!
I also love your thoughts on God calling us just be our own name...it's such an amazing concept to think of the Lord callin us each one by one, name by name!! mmmmm.
Beth, You have such a gift with words! I find myself going from laughing to crying in one post...the truth of it all is overwhelming sometimes! I'm so glad that I can know that this swing is because our God is SO BIG, bigger than my lingering post partum hormone swings! (smile) Thank you for continuing to share with so many hungry women. Thank you for continuing to point out truth. Thank you for praying for all of us. Thank you for the encouragement to young moms (mine are 3, 2, and 1)! Thank you for just being you, and for being such an open vessel for the love of God to pour out of. I hope that someday if I run into you at Starbucks (as if I can do anything other than a drive through with my little ones...) that we can chat over a mocha and I can tell you face to face how much I appreciate your ministry. You are a blessing!
I needed to hear that this morning - this day. Thank you.
The tears stream down my face as I ponder "Abba Father." A few short hours ago my husband of 33 was given the diagnosis we had been dreading and praying against for months. We have not spoken of it to anyone as if not saying the words will make it not true. My broken heart is pleading for an entrance by my Heavenly Father. Is He really just waiting to make a grand entrance? What will I tell my 4-year-old daughter? Will she say again, "God didn't answer our prayers Mommy." I pray we see the criticalness of this cup that did not pass.
Dear Miss Beth, This wonderful post reminds me of a song by John Waller (from the CD The Blessing). It's called Your Name (I think (btw- should I be losing my memory at 36?- help me Jesus)) and it lists many of the Names for our Lord and I just love to sing it! It has helped me learn the meanings of some of His Names. I can tell you too that in some of my darkest hours crying out His Names (in the warfare) has brought me peace and victory! Love you so much my sister. I can almost hear that little man and see your smiling face, BibBEE! Love in Jesus, Kim in PA
What a beautiful metaphor you gave us! You, pacing outside Jackson's door, delighted; our Lord, right next to us, totally consumed by us calling Him by name, delighted. I can hardly take it in, it's so precious.
I love learning about Jesus from you, and love loving Him with you, too.
xoxo
My dearest Christina,
God always answers our prayers. My husband, like yours was also at the age of 33 given a diagnosis we did not want--retinitis pigmentosa. I have no idea what your particular suffering is but I know that God will be faithful to lead you and your husband as He has been faithful through these 20 years since that dreaded diagnosis was made to us. Sometimes faith isn't pretty--sometimes it takes all we have to hang on--but the alternative is fruitless despair and endless destruction.I speak from experience. I let go of God's hand and plummeted into a living hell. But He did not let go of me and He brought me out of that hell. Thank God! I would rather live through suffering holding onto His hand, then live without Him.
I sit hear writing through tears and with amazement at how greatly Our Savior works through you Beth. I was catching up on the blog for a minute today because I needed it after a sleepless night. I was talking to God this morning at 4:00am lamenting the fact that I haven't been in His Word as much as I should lately; that I'm once again in a cycle of turmoil in my life which I can't seem to break free from; and the audacity I have to cry out to God.
Then a post you wrote 4 days ago spoke to my heart so sweetly yet severly that it could have only been from the Great I AM.
Thanks to you for letting Him use you in all circumstances and sharing with us. And thanks be to the Lord Jesus who stands at the door deeply moved, waiting for the perfect time to take action.
Beth it is so good to be able to be blessed with your story of Saturday morning with Jackson. I don't have the blessing of a grandchild as of yet but I do have a 2 yr old nephew Braydon. I always thrills me to hear him call out to me. My mom babysits him during the day while his mother,(my sister) works I sometimes will go and see them on my lunch break. As soon as he sees my vehicle he will run through my moms house calling my name. I know how much this thrills me. Now to be able to know how much it thrills our Father when we run through our house (of life) calling out his name. Thank you for your words they are always a blessing.
Becky
Attalla, Alabama
Your every word blessing my heart - thank you
Dear Beth, I was in Orlando, FL in at the Lifeway Nat. Women's Convention in 2004, where I heard you teach from the Book of Daniel. (The "Daniel" study is one of my top three favorite.)
I got a copy of a little book that Mary Kassian put together, "Time Out-Planning a Personal Prayer Retreat." It has an extensive listing of Hebrew names of God, titles, descriptions and works of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. I have been using this book every day, incorporating theses names as I pray. It has been amazing how I can see God moving and working in my life as I pray and learn these wonderful names. The more I can learn about Him, the better I can know Him, and the deeper my love for Him grows.
I am, this week, in charge of receiving, packing and shipping some 10,000 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child - so I am calling out to Yaweh Tsuri-O Lord, my Strength!
God Bless you and your ministry to the Body of Christ.
Dorcas
LOVE that borrowed time reminder. That is how ALL of my blogs look because ALL my time is borrowed time at the moment! :) But I am loving every minute of it. Just glad the blog is not posted in real time. No telling if it would even make sense!
Much love,
Ang
I don't have time to read through 139 comments, but I wanted to share because my little one who turns 9-months old today has just started saying "Mamamama" when he's crying and wants me. I'll be preparing his supper or warming his bath or putting away clean laundry where my hands are full, and he's sitting at my feet crying out for me. It's heartbreaking and a little funny at the same time, but yesterday it made me think of the Lord. Then, I read Beth's post this morning. My thought was that when we cry out for the Lord, He NEVER has his hands full! What an awesome thought! When I crawl to him and cry out "Dadadada" he will pick me up and cuddle me every time. We serve a powerful and loving God! Praise Him!
Beth, I am a grandmother of 7 precious ones. The first grandchild always names you. She started calling me "Bubba", but it morphed into Bebe. So, just to let you know that the sound of that will forever bring joy to my heart and to yours. God bless you. Elaine Ross
Beth, you are amazing! You so know just the right words. It's definitely God and his timing. Even as I write this, my two biggest (5 and 3) are calling my name for more dinner..."mama mama mama". I've said "hold on" and now they're making it into a game. As a mom of 5 (5,3,& 3 month old triplets), you'd have thought this would have come to me forever long ago. But it didn't. And just when I was sick of hearing it...ready to change my name...I read this! Such an encouragement. Thanks.
Sweet Beth,
Such true words about our Heavenly Father. His grace is sufficient always in all things. What a special time with Jackson....I love the name BeeBee! Could be translated into the QUEEN BEE, too!
Love you, dear one! Can't wait to see you on Friday!
dear Beth, my son left home this mda. 11-12 after a week-end in hodpital with him from him taking cocaine. we thought he would not pull through, but God intervened. we came home and he left. i believe in his deep down heart he loves God, and us, and is just frustrated and confused and very deceived by the enemy and the high he gets from drugs. he is only 17 and will be 18 in feb.he graduates in may and wanted to go to college to go into medical field. he is very smart academically. we have sought Godly counsel and are trying to be sensitive to god's spirit. it is not a coincidence that i recived your note today. this is the first i ever get from you. please pray for his safe return and salvation. the dr. says if he ever uses cocaine again it will kill him, but philip thinks he can still smoke pot , i believe. i know where he is staying and i am fasting and praying. please pray. I hope everyone who reads this will pray. his name is philip bailey. thank you and God bless. you are such a mentor and really minister to me. cindy bailey
Perfect.
I couldn't help but laugh out loud thinking of you today in Target. I was standing an aisle away and heard this loud, "NAAAAAna! NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAna!!"
With it being Christmas time, there were lots of mothers and daughters (and apparently granddaughters) shopping - and "NAAAna" had moved an aisle over.
I stood there in the store listening to this little (probably about 2 or 3 year old) granddaughter call for her Nana and thought of you and Jackson. It was adorable - and if you could have heard her wonderful Texas accent, it would have made you laugh too.
I named my grandmother "BeeBee" or "B.B." 23 years ago! What a great name to be called!
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