So Long Insecurity – Part 1

The long-awaited So Long Insecurity Conference at First Baptist Church of Woodstock, GA and simulcast to 869 locations for an attendance of 300,000 was one of the best events in which I have ever been privileged to participate!

Beth Moore taught from Ephesians 4 on what a “Secure Woman” is using the acronym for the word secure.

S = Saved from herself
E = Entitled to truth
C = Clothed with intention
U = Upended by grace
R = Rebounded by love

E = Exceptional in life

I will share my notes soon and which “letter” meant the most to my heart, but right now I just wanted to share some pictures.

Here I am on the bus with the book written by Beth Moore.  Go get it and read it if you haven’t. It will make a difference in your life and your attitude toward life. 

There were 300,000 women that participated in the conference, and 10,000 of them were at the host site at First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Georgia. They were great hosts and served us well.  I know their pastor, Dr. Johnny Hunt is so proud of them!  This is the women waiting to get in to their seats…

The worship, the Word, and the women were wonderful.  More to come…

Love,
Jan

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Gazillion Georgia Gals at Books a Million to see Beth Moore!

My friend Cindy and I trekked (I actually drove) through the cold rain yesterday afternoon to go see my friend Beth Moore at the “Books a Million” in Peachtree City, Georgia.  There were so many women there it should have been called “Books a Gazillion.” Beth was kind and gracious to all gazillion of them and she signed books for 3 solid hours…she was precious!

The gazillion gals were there to have Beth sign their copies of her newest release, So Long, Insecurity (you’ve been a bad friend to us) and I’m sure to also hug her sweet neck and tell her how much the LORD has used her ministry in their lives.  Now, not all gazillion gals at Books a Million actually told me this face to face (about a billion did), but trust me, I know that’s why they were there! 

Because that’s why I was there…

Beth’s wonderful and extraordinarily capable assistant, Michelle, gave the security guy the “nod,” so I was allowed to get “behind the barricade” to talk to Bethie.  I actually surprised her and it was so much fun! I wanted to support her because that’s what friends do.  Support.each.other.
So, if you haven’t yet done so, go get yourself a copy of So Long, Insecurity, and join in the on-line discussion reading group at the Living Proof Ministries blog.  I believe the sign up is this coming Tuesday.  Go here some time on Tuesday February 9th to get the details. Don’t be insecure, just do it…you will love it. Trust me.
You can also go to Amazon to get your copy! It won’t be nearly as much fun as going to the store and hugging the author’s neck, but it will have to suffice for now. Okay?
Blessings to you all,
Georgia Jan
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THE LORD LISTENED AND HEARD…Malachi 3:16

It was a JOY to participate in 2009 as part of the Scripture Memory Team. One of my verses was Malachi 3:16, and it fit our celebration this past weekend in Houston so well! As we talked with each other and shared our verses, the LORD listened and He wrote a scroll of remembrance concerning the Siestas! Isn’t that the most wonderful glorious news?
“Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard, and a scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name!”
Deborah, Georgia Jan, Beth, Emmy, Wendy

The Georgia Four Wendy, Emmy, Deborah and me were so excited to be in Houston, TX for the LPM SMT Celebration! We had agreed to pray God’s Word together through the promise of Psalm 90:17 “May the favor of our Lord God rest upon us, and establish the work of our hands.”  Indeed He did!

Amanda, our wonderful Blog Queen, had let us know earlier that there would be about 500 of us, and as you all know, that is really a “small group” for a Bethie event!  I loved the intimacy and focus of the Siestas that attended.  The like-mindedness of all of us memorizing scripture for one year together was palatable in that place. It was sweet to see Beth get to be up close and love on the siestas – something she doesn’t get to do in an arena setting.  It was like a family reunion!

I love to make lists, and this list is alliterative.  It covers so many of the wonderful blessings from this past weekend. Nothing.Disappointed.  Nothing!

  • Beautiful Beth
  • Amazing Amanda
  • More Master’s Degrees Melissa
  • Wonderful Worship by Terrific Travis
  • Lovely LPM Staff
  • Hospitable Houston
  • Georgia Girls
  • Sweet Siestas
  • Warm Weather
  • Verified Verses
  • Fantastic Food

But the list doesn’t share details and pictures, so I would love to oblige with that now…

We had a great flight to Houston from the ATL and I knew we were off to a great start as Emmy was ALREADY watching a DVD of Beth on our way there to see Beth.  Gotta love that!  I took this picture from my seat right behind her on the plane!

The Georgia girls started the morning early with some pampering at the spa within the Omni Hotel. Facials, sauna, whirlpool, the works!  It had been a very long time since I enjoyed that type of pampering.  Thank you sweet Deborah for blessing me with that gift!

Friday afternoon I was so happy to see our wonderful worship leader, Travis in the lobby at the Omni. I love his musical gifts, but I love his heart of worship more.  Always gracious, he kindly took time for pictures and conversation with many of us.  Thank you Travis Cottrell for being used mightily to bless this Baptist “music minister’s wife!”

Here are some random pictures of the weekend.  Words cannot describe the fun and joy-filled time we all had together. So much preparation went into memorizing all that scripture, and much preparation obviously took place months before our arrival. The LPM staff are as sweet and helpful as can be.
Here is my friend Lora from By the Lamplight, I loved meeting her! Lora writes beautiful poetry as God speaks to her heart. Maybe she will share the words to her new poem (quite different from her usual writing). It is called “Purse on the Chain,” sung to the tune of “Pants on the Ground” after she saw a purse at the Houston Galleria for almost $2,000.

Here is my friend from Florida, Karen Barrows. She and I met last October in Orlando, FL at the Deeper Still event. We said our memory verses to each other on Saturday afternoon. It was a very special time.
This is the littliest Siesta. Her name is Dailey Rae, and she memorized her scripture too.  She took these notes while Beth was teaching.  Isn’t this the sweetest picture ever? Little girls like her are our future.  Let’s live our lives so that we will be the Titus women that these young ones need.
Here is another friend, Lindsee Eddy.  She led a big group of us to eat at Pappasitos and it was so very good. There was some sort of green sauce on the table that I claimed as my very own.
Beth taught us from Psalm 119, Life with God from A to Z, and it was marvelous!  “I’m a resident alien, seeking direction, in deep want of wonder, in peril and need, troubled by humanity, especially my own, knowing that to follow is the only free road for a straying sheep, longing to be found.”
I love you Beth – thank you for all you do for all of us Siestas and for being my bff. Your life has been used mightly of God in mine.  Thank you for loving on me so that I can love on others. You are a delight!

Georgia Jan

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Bible Reading Plans for 2010

Good Morning and Happy New Year Friends!

If you going to read through the Bible in a year, this Bible Gateway Reading Plans site is a great place to do so!   I’ve always loved this website, and this is just an added bonus to the many other features there! Each of the reading plans takes you through the Bible in a year.

Old/New Testament (one year, starts January 1): each day features a reading from both the Old and the New Testaments, so you read through both Testaments together.

Chronological (one year, starts January 1): reads through the Bible in the order that its events occurred historically. For example, Job lived sometime after the beginning of creation (Genesis 1) but before Abraham was born (Genesis 12). As a result, the Book of Job is integrated into the Book of Genesis.

Beginning (one year, starts January 1): starts at the very beginning of the Bible and reads straight through to the end.

Historical (one year, starts January 1): reads through the books of the Bible in the order in which they were written historically, according to the estimated dates of their writing.

You can have them emailed to you if you want, or you can read on-line.  I actually purchased a Chronological One-Year Bible that I am using. 

Commit to read, pray, study and live the WORD of GOD! You know it is life-changing for it is alive!

Hebrews 4:12 (Amplified Bible)
For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

Blessings to you and your families and friends in 2010!

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Beth Moore: Graciously Genuine, GLORY!

Last weekend I was privileged to attend Travis Cottrell’s live recording concert at the awesome First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Georgia. It was a fast-paced weekend of pure D-E-L-I-G-H-T. I was blessed to stay with my precious friends, Sonny & Mary Perdue…at their residence, otherwise known as the “Govnah’s Mansion.” 🙂 We had two very special guests join us at the Mansion…Mrs. Beth Moore and her beautiful daughter Melissa (who lives here in Georgia). They were delightful…understated elegance, mother and daughter, two precious peas in a pod. We laughed our heads off, enjoyed a meal together, and had the sweet fellowship of Jesus all around.

Having loved Beth Moore “from afar” for many years and having facilitated all her Bible studies…currently “Esther, It’s Tough Being a Woman,” I was so excited about having some face-to-face time with her. Even though I have spent innumerable hours watching and listening to her on CD, DVD, TV…I knew this would be different. To be honest, I was a little jittery inside. I knew for sure that I was going to have a GREAT time…but I wanted it to be a GENUINE time. I wanted to know for sure that the lady IS what she IS and what I felt in my heart that she IS! Praise God, as my spirit bears witness – SHE IS!!! Delightfully real and genuine to the bone. She prayed a blessing over the Perdue home, she loved on their granddaughters, she listened intently as others talked, she came downstairs Sunday morning with her comfy clothes and her black fuzzy houseshoes on and NO MAKE-UP (still gorgeous with flawless skin)! She is no pretense, just precious, polite, and very petite! I don’t know why God allowed me, a simple Baptist Pastor’s wife the opportunity to spend time this past weekend with Beth Moore, a woman who has done more to encourage my spiritual walk than anyone else on the planet…but this I do know: I thank Him and I receive this gift straight from His Hand to my heart. Thank you Jesus – I love You! And I love you all too!

Georgia Jan

PS: I did not take a single picture while we were together – proof of the great fun and bonding time! But my heart holds the memories and will until Jesus comes…Beth said the same thing!

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Excited, Energized, and Eager for Esther!!!

This coming Sunday – January 4th, 2009 – I will begin facilitating the new Bible Study by Beth Moore, “Esther, It’s Tough Being a Woman,” at my church, and I am excited – ecstatic – eager – energized! I have no idea how many women have signed up – I’ll know in just a few days, but this I do know: whoever God chooses to bring to Bible Study will be blessed as she digs deep and determines her destiny.

I know many of you are starting this study soon as well, and some (Jenny Hope!) are already through. I love you all – thank you for your encouragement to me as I began my blog this past summer. 2008 has been full of celebrating for “Gran Jan” and my joy in Jesus is complete. I thank God for my precious grandson and look forward to all God has in store for our family in 2009.

Blessings, Georgia Jan
Romans 15:13

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Siesta Fiesta – Beth Moore!

What a suprise to find this picture in the group of pictures that Rich (awesome photographer for Lifeway) took during the Siesa Fiesta! I was plum tickled and blessed because it was such a sweet, brief moment and I had no idea it was being captured for me…I was simply telling Beth that I loved her – she has meant so much to my life. (I believe our brief meeting at Deeper Still in Atlanta back in June jogged her memory when she saw me walking across the floor at the Alamodome Saturday afternoon as she hugged me and said “Georgia Jan.” I attended that amazing conference with my dear friend, who just happens to be the wife of the Governor of Georgia and her VIP treatment washed over on me, a very un-VIP person, however favored I was that weekend.) So Georgia Jan is a blessed woman indeed. Thank You, Father. God has used the faithfulness of Beth Moore to encourage my heart…as she also encouraged and inspired untold thousands of women around the world. The Bible studies she writes are amazing, her poetry is precious. Her encouragement, her sense of humor and quick wit are priceless (and I especially love, love, love, when she goes into that “Arkansas twang” and talks…cracks me up every time). The truths and reaffirmations of being an heiress – and not a boring one – were so tender. A poignant hit-home truth was that my intimacy with God will never never replace ministry. As Women’s Ministry Director at my church, may I say, help me Lord! Also, any place that God is not occupying – the devil has…my oh my. This was a great trip, however a very quick trip! God gave me and Deborah (Twinkle) favor from the moment we left Georgia in the wee hours early Friday morning until we flew home Saturday evening with the remants of Hurricane Fay’s rain welcoming us! I left with a divided heart, as my first-born’s firstborn came into our lives just five days before I flew out to Texas. But little Zeke is precious and was in the care of his mommy’s love, my sweet daughter-in-love. What a joy to meet so many Siestas – to hug their necks, to pray with them, worship alongside them, and to just laugh and have fun. God is so good and His Spirit was ever-present. Hallelujah and Amen – what a great trip.
Georgia Jan…aka Gran Jan 🙂
Romans 15:13 <><
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