So as promised here are two more great reads.
1. So Long, Insecurity
by Beth Moore
Finally there’s a book that talks about all the junk that women need to deal with. It breaks my heart to see so many women bound up with insecurity. Beth Moore cuts through all the excuses and gives us the opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit to release us from the insecurity that often holds us back from truly living. This is a book I’ll probably open up regularly to remind myself of the life God has for me.
2. Can I Have And Do It All, Please?
by Christine Caine
The first place I heard (or saw) the name Christine Caine was on Twitter believe it or not! I connected to her through some other people I follow and she intrigued me. I learned that she travels as a speaker, writes, and is a huge advocate for human trafficking victims through the A21 campaign- on top of being a wife and mother of two girls. I remember thinking, “how does she do it?”. Then a few months later a friend suggested I get this book (she had given me the money for my birthday to buy it) so I took her up on it. The name pretty much says it all!
Reading this book helped confirm a lot of things I already knew and encouraged me to continue to pursue what God places in MY heart. So often we can look at those around us and feel pressured to do what they do- I am so guilty of that. But I’ve realized that I’ll never be fulfilled unless I’m doing what God has called me to do with the gifts He’s given me to do it. By focusing on Him and allowing His Spirit to lead us we will be able to do ALL that God desires for us- which is likely far greater than what we think we can do.
“I used to struggle with insecurity.”
I’ve said this phrase countless times over the last 10 years.
In January of 2000 while I was at a college retreat in the mountains of California, I had an experience with God like none other. He got through to me in a way that left me forever changed. I had been in a place of brokenness for about two years, and He was restoring me, but there was still something big He wanted to do in my heart and my mind. God wanted me to see myself the way He saw me- to break me of my insecurity. This was huge for me.
After that mountain top experience, I walked away a different person. Although I still had a long way to go, (and still do!) that stronghold over me was broken. Since then, however, I’ve labeled myself as someone who “used” to struggle with insecurity (in a chronic way).
When I found out Beth Moore was writing a book about women and insecurity, I was thrilled. I was so excited to have the book as a resource for other women! So many women I know struggle with this- I used to struggle with that remember. I was so wrong!
I started reading the book a couple weeks ago and God sure has gotten a hold of me! One of the first sentences that jumped off the page was, “perfectionism is insecurity in art form”. Well, now that might be me.
Or this one. “Are our insecurities snuffing the Spirit until our gifts, for all practical purposes, are largely unproductive, or at the very least, tentative?” Maybe I do still struggle with insecurity?!
Within the first couple chapters, God quickly turned my attention from “what can help her” to “what can help me!”. That’s just the beginning, I’ll post more about some other specifics as I continue reading.
It was way back in the fall of 2000 that I did my first Beth Moore Bible study. I was a junior in college and joined the study to get to know some other girls on campus. I must admit I was skeptical at first. I had never done this style of Bible study before…oh and homework?…are you kidding me?!
Well, it only took one session of “Jesus the One and Only” to realize that this was no ordinary study nor was she an ordinary teacher. I was captivated! Although I had grown up learning about Jesus all my life. I felt like I had been introduced to Jesus for the very first time.
More than her studies, Beth Moore impresses me with her life. She has probably had more influence on me than anyone else when it comes to being a woman in ministry. She’s open and honest, yet she remains serious about God and His Word- oh and did I mention hilarious! And truth be told, I’ve only done a handful of her studies.
A few years ago (2004 or 05?) I was at Living Proof Live conference and noticed Beth’s daughter, Melissa, was with her watching from the front row. Throughout each session she caught my eye (yes, I was paying attention and what Beth was teaching was good too!). I would watch Melissa watching her mom as she taught in front of thousands of women- and those few brave men! I walked away from that conference with this thought: “I wonder if my daughters can/will look at me one day the way Beth’s daughter can look up to her”. This was before I had any children.
I felt like God wanted to teach me something in that moment. No matter what areas of ministry He allows me to serve in, I should be motivated to strive for success if it’s “just” my kids watching me. Sometimes it may seem like it’s only worth all the effort if thousands are watching. When things get tough it is easy to give up when you don’t know if any one else around notices or cares. I felt like God was showing me the importance and the impact that can come from being a role model, example, and leader that my kids can come to and learn from. Since then, when I’m studying or writing studies, I always thinking about how my kids can be impacted by it.
I found Beth’s blog a few years ago, and is one I’ve kept up with regularly. Her and her two daughters, Amanda & Melissa, are both contributors to the blog, and most of the post leave me laughing out loud or crying. If you are a women and haven’t already, check it out- I’m sure you’ll love it!
