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It was a great weekend at the Desperate for Jesus conference at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship. Fantastic messages from Beth Moore and Tara Jenkins, and then the always popular panel discussion.

I know God did some business with each woman who came, but I've gotta tell you that the highlight of MY weekend was being mistaken for my hair idol, Beth Moore.

HA!

I think I was really in the spirit on Saturday morning, when I happened to style my hair the same way she did hers that day. I was going for volume on top, but after I saw the fabulous way she achieved hair height, I realized that I could learn some things from that lady:

1. I need to invest is some new hair products.

2. A personal hair counseling session with Miss Beth couldn't hurt, either.

Anyway, I dug up this photo from about 3 years ago at a Deeper Still conference in which she was kind enough to pose with me. My resolve to keep studying the Word and keep growing my hair out have deepened since then. I think if Miss Beth could gain about 15 pounds ('cause I sure ain't losing it!), and I could work on my tan and hair, we certainly could pass for sisters. OK, cousins.

Yeah, I'm still flyin' high.

Glad you're back today 'cause now that we've made each other's acquaintance I'm anxious to connect you with some folks who I think you'll be so blessed by.

Years ago, I got a chance to meet Jan Johnson albeit only by phone - and yet in the short time we spent talking, I was encouraged and redirected in so many ways. As a young woman trying to navigate the ins and outs of my relationship with the Lord, Ms. Jan spoke wisdom into my life that was extremely pivotal in my life - personally and in ministry.

While I've not had the chance to meet her in person (I'm hoping to attend one of her conferences one day) I'm continually blessed by the word the Lord places on her heart every month through her "Wisbits" - articles she writes for anyone to subscribe to.

I'm so glad that you guys are encouraged by The Jewelry Box articles on our site so I thought I'd share with you a bit of what encourages me regularly.

You'll want to subscribe as soon as you can. You'll be the better for it.
Here's July's wisbit

Be blessed,
Priscilla

As one who is used to cooking great vats of food for a busy family, I suddenly find myself at a loss. I've got a few days with no one else at home - just little old me - and I don't know how to prepare food for just one person!

I know, I know. The answer is: GO OUT TO EAT!

And believe me, I will.

But on my own, I'm actually too lazy to get into the car and drive to food.

I basically want to open the refrigerator and have something leap into my hands that can be eaten immediately. Out of the container. Without a fork or spoon.

I took a field trip to the grocery store to find what *I* would like to eat during my days of solitude. I found yoghurt and fruit, some pasta and marinara sauce, crackers, chocolate/raspberry cookies, chai tea, and individually packaged molten lava brownies. I'ze livin' large, man! Woot!

But I got confused in the frozen entree aisle and left without making any decisions there. Are any of them any good?? I hate to waste my valuable alone time testing frozen macaroni and cheese with a side of green beans if they are going to taste like the cardboard box.

I need help! After 27 years of operating the family cafe, I could use advice on how (and what) to eat alone. Tips, brands, restaurants, take out....give me the low down. And I promise not to eat with my hair net on.

Rachel

What do you eat when you're on your own??

There was a feather explosion in my bedroom last week.  My down comforter popped a seam when I was making the bed, but I didn’t have time to fix it that day. Each day, little tufts of floating feathers came drifting out, settling on the floor, the night stands, the dresser and chairs.  When I finally got around to pinning it shut (a temporary fix), I had to laugh at all the white fuzzy bits that had weightlessly found their way into every corner of the room. Inside drawers, under the bed, behind the furniture, in the clean laundry, the gentle puffs came to rest. Silly things! As I brushed a tiny feather from my sleeve, I was struck with the contrast to something else I’ve been fussing with recently. Only it hasn’t been as pleasant.

See, we have these wild plants that bloom beautifully in the springtime, but come summer, they put out thousands of small seed burrs.  They aren’t the kind that hurt when you step on them, but they are the kind that literally leap onto your clothing as you pass by - and stick to you like velcro. A simple walk to the outside trash bin can bring scores of these prickly, irritating things on your clothes. And you don’t even want to know what a fluffy dog looks like after he’s been outside!

These burrs have found their way into the house, onto the furniture and into my laundry. As I pull clean clothes from the dryer, I find them sticking everywhere. They especially love to hide in places that can create embarrassing situations later. Let’s just say they know how to find underwear seams. They itch and irritate, chafe and scratch. Yikes.

Soft feather down and prickly burrs.

Their contrast reminds me how like they are to the words we choose to say. 

The sweet, uplifting words of a friend have often floated into my heart and softly soothed me with their gentleness. A sincere compliment, a note of thanks or a shared laugh over coffee finds its way to the dark recesses of my life and brings delight, long after the fact. These weightless tufts of kindness drift and settle, drift and settle... putting a smile on my face as I think of the words that have touched me. Like the finest down, those tender words soften the hard edges of life.

What a stark comparison are the burrs of sharp critcism or thoughtless comments that have stuck with me for too long after they've been spoken. They attach at the seams and rub me the wrong way, irritating and chafing, bringing me down with negativity. And when I try and brush them off, they leap onto someone else and work their evil. Long after an unkind sentence is delivered I’m still picking at the burr, scraped and scratched by words that have left their mark.

Let me ask you: What kind of words will you speak today?  Will they be the prickly burrs of criticism, or will they be the soft down of kindness? Each will find lodging with the hearer: one to bring discomfort and pain, the other to bring joy and delight. I encourage you to take a moment to pause before you open your mouth today, and choose to speak sweet words of life and healing.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

Blessings today, Rachel Anne

It was so great to meet so many of you yesterday. Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to share your sentiments with me and the team. I assure you, I've read every single one of them and desire so much to respond personally to each. Somehow, I bet you understand if I'm not able to. :)

However, now that we're on a first name basis, I thought I'd just share something a bit personal with you. (After all, that's what friends do, right?) The Lord and I seem to have this little inside joke that's just between the two of us. It's just a little Father-daughter endearing exchange that's made its mark in our relationship. It all began a while ago when I was memorizing Job 28:23-24:  

God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells,

For he views the ends of the earth; and sees everything under the heavens.

The idea of Him knowing the place of everything under the heavens took root in my heart and I began to seriously seek His attention any time I'd misplaced something, or was in need of something that I couldn't track down. I cannot begin to tell you the number of times, He's surprised me by sending me to just the right location to find something that I'd been searching for, for hours on end, or the times He actually laid it on someone else's heart to give something to me that had just been a quiet desire in the recesses of my heart. In one case, after searching for over three months for a precious brag book containing my kids' pictures, I prayed a teary-eyed prayer that God would search the whole earth and find it for me. I came home that afternoon to find it (you won't believe this) on my pillow . . . like a little gift from heaven. It seem to me that God was saying, "I've just been waiting on you to ask ME where it was. Next time, don't let it take you so long to ask."

So, three months ago I ask the Lord to find me some shoes. These shoes.

You see, I'd purchased these in a beige color from Nine West. I didn't actually have a chance to wear them for quite a while and when I did, I was in love. They were the most comfortable pair of high heeled shoes I'd ever spoken in. After a full day of standing on a platform teaching, my feet didn't hurt a bit. (comfortable shoes that are also cute are a speaker's dream!) I immediately called the Nine West store and began searching on line to find the shoes in black. But I was too late. They were out of stock and no one was offering my size or the right color on Craig's List or Ebay.

So, after a few weeks of looking and being disappointed, I remembered the track record I had with God regarding things like this. I said a brief but very important prayer, "Lord, I'd really love to have these shoes. I know you are fully aware of where a pair are. I know there are far more important things for you to take care of today but. . . can you find them for me?"
That was 3 months ago.

Last night, I went on ebay, typed in the same search criteria I've been using for months and up popped a brand new pair of the shoes I've been looking for . . . in the right color and the right size.

I was beside myself. It's a miracle . .. A SHOE MIRACLE! And sometimes, finding a perfect pair can be the biggest miracle of all.
I'm so glad the Lord cares about my feet being semi-comfortable when I'm teaching. I guess it's a small thing in the grand scheme of life, but it's HUGE to me. 

My God knows that and  . . he cares!

Thanks for the shoes Daddy,
Priscilla

The other day, I popped into one of my favorite Dallas malls. I had one whole hour that I got to use meandering in and out of stores; window shopping and trying to keep my money where it belongs - in my wallet!

There was one store in particular that caught my eye. Forever 21 is normally a store that I steer clear of. There's something about  the chaotic arrangement of the clothes, the loud music and huge crowds of young'uns that seems to give me a bit of a headache. But that day, I just couldn't resist. You see, I love the fashions in there and today I was drawn by an outfit that was on a mannequin in the window. So, I waltzed in and, gladly, there weren't many people in there. I shopped around for a bit and found an inexpensive vest that made me smile.

I was waiting in line at the counter when a sweet, friendly woman walked over to me and said, "Has anyone ever told you that you look like Priscilla Shirer?" I thought about pulling her leg for a little while, but decided against it and told her who I was. We exchanged warm pleasantries and then I got to meet her daughter and friends who were with her. And low and behold, after a few minutes of conversation her daughter pointed out her T-Shirt that I'd unbelievably overlooked.

I was stunned. . . and encouraged. You see, on this side of the computer, writing and studying and praying for you, I don't always get to see the faces, hear the stories or. . .see the T-shirts (who knew that anyone actually wore them except me?) So God uses my encounters with random strangers (who immediately become sweet sisters in Christ) to put a face with our mission to help women "go beyond" in their relationship with the Lord.

So I say "thank you" to the Forever 21 lovin' posse I met today. What an encouragement to hear what the Bible studies and conferences have meant to you and to see you sporting our GB gear.

Making the acquaintance of these sisters made me think of how many of you I've not yet had the honor to meet. In fact, our website statistic thing-a-ma-jig tells us that there are tons of you who are visiting the blog and reading the posts but don't leave comments that give us a chance to "meet" you. Nothing wrong with that but I thought a wee little "roll call" would be nice. And since I may never step foot in Forever 21 again (pending the music volume level and crowd control), we might as well meet right here. I can only imagine what an encouragement it might be to the folks that are working along side of me at GB Ministries for you to leave a quick sentence or two about a conference you attended, or resources you've read, a conversation that's unfolded, a devotional you've read, post you've encountered on this site or life change that's developed as a result of our prayers for you.  It certainly is our privilege to serve you and we hope to meet you someday - face to face.

Until then, we'll keep on serving and going beyond. . . right along with ya.

Looking forward to meeting you today.
Priscilla

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pikaluk/2226737894/

You know how there's one elementary teacher that makes a mark on you that lasts forever? Long after you're out of school and thrust into the throngs of life, there's something he or she did that sticks with you, no matter what path your life follows.

Honestly, I've got a few of those, but none more special to me than Mrs. Hall. She taught the 6th grade at Brook Hollow Christian School in DeSoto, Texas. She was the teacher every single student couldn't wait to have - and when it was finally my turn, I was not disappointed. She left an indelible imprint on my life (not the least of which may have been the imprint she made on my backside when I had to be paddled for misbehavior. Yes. . . I was "that" student). It's been my joy not only to have been taught by her, but to still call her my friend. She lives about 3 minutes from me and I make it my business to stay connected with this wonderful woman whose gift of teaching has not waned one bit through the years.

You see, she's still teaching me. There's just no chalk board or report cards connected with the lessons. And yet, they still come. Yesterday, she sent me this email.. . to encourage me as I journeyed through my day. I thought I'd share it with you.

Thank you, Mrs. Hall.
I love you.
Priscilla

Every now and then, something crosses our path that we think you might like. Here's just such a one: Tomorrow, July 16 at 8/7c, NBC will be airing "The Jensen Project," brought in part by Moms4familytv.com.

Hey, it's a family movie night!!

Now, I think we all know that network TV is a rotten place to find family entertainment. I've complained about it many times myself. But the regular moms at moms4familytv.com decided to do more than just complain about it. They took matters into their own hands and went straight to the top to help get great family entertainment back on TV. I appreciate NBC, Walmart and P&G for stepping up to create some quality movies with star casts, like The Jensen Project. You can actually purchase the DVD's at your local Walmart - they are calling these "Family Moments." (The Jensen Project goes on sale July17, and the previous movie, Secrets of the Mountain is already available.)

Here's what moms4familytv says:

"These shows deliver exciting stories with realistic characters you can identify with, and feature strong, positive family depictions. But best of all, they do all of this without foul language, explicit scenes or overtly violent acts. That means you can bring your whole family together without the worry about diving for the remote.

However, this effort only works if families support these programs. If you want to have more opportunities to watch TV together with your family, then please be sure to put these family TV events on your calendar. Better yet, share this information with a friend, and let them know that great family TV is back."

So here's our chance to tell the networks and sponsors that we WILL watch good stuff if they'll air it. I'm thrilled to see something like this, and NBC deserves some applause for doing it. Break out the popcorn, throw some pillows and blankets on the floor, and make it a family movie night!

Want to help spread the word? You can "Like" the movie on facebook, and tweet about it, too. You can become a "mom 4 family tv" by getting involved here. Hey, why not change our culture, right??

Rachel (I like Kettle Corn popcorn with a teeny bit of added salt)

...and a cold Pepsi

Not long ago, I found myself driving alone to one of my son's hockey games. Night had just fallen, and the sky had begun to twinkle with starlight. Suddenly, a brilliant shooting star blazed through the sky, its flaming tail streaking after it in an awesome display.  I gasped involuntarily at the sight, and said aloud "Look at THAT!" even though no one was with me.  And in almost the same moment as it appeared, it was gone, swallowed by the inky darkness as if it had never burned through the atmosphere.  I came to a stoplight and continued to stare at the sky, blinking in disbelief.  Did I really see it, or was it just my imagination?

The suddenness of the star's glorious descent left me feeling oddly unsettled.  In that split-second encounter I was amazed, dazzled and awestruck by the vastness of the universe, and humbled by my own insignificance in light of it.  Fragments of scripture rushed at me, like loose musical notes of a song you can't quite remember.

"The heavens declare the glory of God..."

"He placed the stars in the heavens..."

"He knows them by name..."

"We are like the grass, which today is and tomorrow is gone..."

The light turned green and I continued on my way, pondering both the brevity of life and the hockey game that would be played that night.  It seemed like God had sliced through my busyness to remind me that He, the Eternal One, beckons me to look up and see His handiwork.  He calls me to seek Him.  He pulls me toward Himself.  He waits.  Sigh. And much of the time I'm simply oblivious to His voice, so wrapped up in my own stuff.

The last scripture fragment floated, then settled on my heart.  "He has set eternity in the hearts of men..."  When I got home that night I eagerly opened Ecclesiastes to read the rest of the passage. What a feast for my spirit.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.  I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.  That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil - this is the gift of God."

Our brief lives are filled with things like kids' sports, committees, work, and activities.  In light of eternity I suppose most of them are pretty silly. But, wait. They are also GIFTS - to be enjoyed and appreciated. 

There is beauty in seeing your children play and learn. 

There is satisfaction in a job well done. 

There is joy in being with others. 

And in the midst of it there is God, working His eternal plans in our lives. Sometimes it just takes a falling star to remember it.

Dazzled by Him, Rachel

What is going on in your life that is a gift from God for you to enjoy?

I love Going Beyond staff meetings. Priscilla always makes sure they revolve around food, and we all really appreciate that.

Priscilla makes some fab-u-lous waffles, served with blueberries, syrup and whipped cream. Yum!

Yes, there is fruit for Linnae, our Health Leader. (I ate her portion of waffles, just to help her out.)

Someday we will look back on the days of staff meetings around the kitchen table and say, "remember when...." This is Jerry, Linnae and Carla - all looking so official with their laptops. They are each so good at what they do!

My favorite part was when Linnae read some of the testimonies that have come in to Going Beyond, telling what God is doing in people's lives as a result of hearing Priscilla, reading a book or going through a Bible Study. What an awesome privilege to serve God's people....especially over brunch and coffee. :)

Rachel