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As I shared in my earlier blogs, TMPW has impacted my life in profound ways but the last way I want to share is really the coolest way. As an Activator (see earlier blog), dreaming is challenging to me because I don’t daydream, I just do it as soon as I think it.
However, TMPW forced me to get in that settled place and make a list of dreams. What is so amazing about making a list is that things on the list just start to happen. I believe there are two reasons for this…the power of the mind and the awesomeness of God. When we write things down, our mind begins working on it – even if it is subconscious. I also believe that when God sees us write it down He believes us and begins making things happen to accomplish it. He wants to give us the desires of our heart when we are fixed on Him.
Through the exercise I also began dreaming beyond myself. Because of my self-reliance and independence (read “pride” here), I struggle to dream beyond my capabilities. By using the tools given to me by TMPW I can dream on a whole different level and I so look forward to the amazing things the Dream Master will do in my life in the next 12 months, 3 years, decade.
Come start discovering your dreams! First meeting is this week!! Please contact me to let me know if you would like to come or have any further questions.
Earlier I shared of two ways in which the TMPW impacted my life – living intentionally and the process of change. Today I want to share a fantastic blessing of being a part of TMPW – the books we received. As an avid reader (thanks, mom, for instilling that in me), this component was especially meaningful.
Of all the 30+ books we receive, by far, the one book that had the greatest influence on me w
as Strengths Finder 2.0. It was so impactful that I gave about 30 of these books away as Christmas gifts in 2009. My top strengths were Achiever, Activator, Strategic, Communication and Discipline. They all fit me to a tee and others agreed. It was so influential because it gave me clarity on the skills that the Lord had created in me. I was better able to understand myself and why I make a to-do list on vacation and why I can be impatient at inactivity. I cannot use these as excuses to ignore the Spirit of God in me or the Biblical commands He has given us, but they have helped me know exactly what my role is in His Kingdom.
Another area of growth for me has to be the Sabbath. As an achiever and activator, rest is hard for me. But as I learned through TMPW as well as reading The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan, if I want to restore my soul then I have to rest. I also learned that Sabbath does not mean that I am sitting around doing nothing. I might be taking a lesson at the Apple store or getting a massage. I actually signed up as a monthly member of Massage Envy to “force” myself to rest. Now, I am not perfect in this area by any means but by practicing a regular Sabbath these past three years, I know that resting in Him during a significant transition in my life in the Spring of 2010 was possible.
Would so love to have you join me on July 1st for the introductory meeting! Please contact me to let me know if you would like to come or have any further questions.
In my earlier post, I began sharing how TMPW
has significantly impacted my life. Today I want to share another teaching that I think about on almost a daily basis, The process of change. Here are the four steps:
Step 1: Unconscious incompetence.
Step 2: Conscious incompetence.
Step 3: Conscious competence.
Step 4: Unconscious competence.
It made such sense to me and I began asking myself how do I move – and how do others move – from Step 2 to Step 3? Often, I would know that I was failing in an area but I would not take the initiative to get better. Unfortunately, the only thing that moves me – and I believe most people – is pain. When the pain gets greater than the ignorance, we are willing to move. So when pain comes in my life, whether it is physical, emotional, mental or spiritual – the first question I ask myself is “Is there an area in my life where I am ignoring what I know to be true?” The longer I wait before making the change the greater the pain. This was big motivation to make changes in my life.
It has become a goal of mine to change before the pain gets too great. When I recognize or am told of an area that I need to work on, I try to go ahead and jump on it so that the pain does not have to increase. It has also allows me to free others that may be doing things, as I see it, wrong. When the pain gets great enough in them they will change. (Of course, I have to remind myself, often, that God is usually NOT calling me to be the source of pain for them.)
Come be a part of the wonderful TMPW experience! First meeting is just around the corner. Please contact me to let me know if you would like to come or have any further questions. Plan on being a part of experiencing The Master’s Program for Women up close and personal. You might learn how to avoid some pain!
As many of you know from my posts and in my blogs, I am pretty pumped about teaching The Master’s Program for Women (TMPW)! Why am I so excited about teaching it? 
I am thrilled because TMPW changed my life and when something that powerful impacts me I not only want to tell others but come alongside and help them experience the impact of living an intentional life. Which leads right into the very first example of how it changed my life….
In the very first session of the three year course, there is a teaching from Ephesians 5:15, 16 that says, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (KJV) The keyword to me is circumspectly – coming from the same root as circumference. So I began having a 360-degree look at my life. How was I doing in all the realms of my life (Personal, Influence and Kingdom)? It really prompted me to live diligently and intentionally. I am not one to be loosy-goosy but this really pushed me over the edge to be mindful of every moment of every day.
Over the next week or so I will share three more specific examples of the life-changing impact TMPW had on my life. Please plan on joining me at the next session – it is starting in just a few weeks!! The introductory meeting will be July 1st from 3 pm – 8 pm at a friend’s home, which is located not far from Beltway 8 and Memorial Drive. Please contact me to let me know if you would like to come or have any further questions. Dinner will be served so plan on being a part of experiencing The Master’s Program for Women up close and personal. You will be blessed!
April 28th, 2010 Filed under Personal, Walk by Faith Comments Off
“Any leads?” “Are you staying in Houston?” “What are you up to these days?” These questions and others have been the conversation starters of many of my visits with my friends these past 30 or so days. How blessed I am to have so many who truly care about me as well as what my future holds?
As many of you know, I have felt much like Abraham these past few months. From the Bible, Hebrews 11:8 tells us, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” I was definitely called to leave LifeHouse and upon my resignation, was not the least bit certain of where I was to go next. But, I loved this recent tweet by Suzanne Eller, gave me great comfort “God didn’t ask Abraham to leave his country as a sacrifice, but to move him closer to the promise…”
As I shared in an earlier post, God has given me some direction but it still has been one of the strangest faith walks I have ever been on. What has been so unique about this walk is that instead of being in an “at-ease” position between steps – you know, where you take a step with the left foot and then bring your right foot parallel to your left and stand. This walk has looked more like this…
And since much of this came down during the winter Olympics, apart from the skin tight suit, I have felt a bit like this…
In the ready. On my mark. Awaiting the starter’s gun. Not wanting to miss the signal but also not wanting to get ahead of the voice of God.
Well, now, after being back from vacation for two weeks, I definitely feel like I am in my stride in this next season of my life. There is joy in my steps, my yoke is easy and my burden light. Tomorrow, I will share exactly what I am up!
April 10th, 2010 Filed under Personal Comments Off
In my two earlier posts, I shared reasons for my contentment in my singleness. The first one I shared was that if I were married my focus is divided and instead of just focusing on pleasing the Lord, my focus is on pleasing my husband. The second reason is that if I marry I will still have troubles – different than if I were married but still troubles. The final reason is that if I were married my body would not be my own.
Back to I Corinthians 7 again where it says in verses 4 and 5, “The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” The issue of sex in a marriage is a huge source of troubles in many marriages. For many women, life starts happening, schedules get busy, children come along, etc. and their desire for intimacy wanes. Meanwhile, the level of desire has not decreased in their husband. So there is conflict sometimes when the husband snuggles up to the wife and desires sex.
However, what the Bible says is that when a husband desires intimacy from his wife, unless she can convince him to pray, she needs to say yes so that Satan does not get any foothold in the marriage. If I were to marry, my selfish ways would be quickly revealed and I am certain that this would cause conflict especially because I love sleep!!
April 7th, 2010 Filed under Personal Comments Off
In Monday’s post, I that for the most part I am very content in my singleness but there are days were I struggle. On those days, there are three Truths that I remind myself about that helps me to re-gain perspective. The first one I shared was that if I were married my focus is divided and instead of just focusing on pleasing the Lord, my focus is on pleasing my husband.
The second Truth I want to share about today comes from I Corinthians 7:27-28, “Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.” Here is the Truth: if I get married I will have trouble. Now, as a single, I will have trouble as well – different trouble – but still trouble. And not only do I still have troubles but now I have troubles with someone else.
I sometimes think if I get married all of my troubles will be gone. If I just got married, I would be living on Easy Street and things would be go smoothly. The hard things in life are because I am single. But that is such a lie and the Truth is that I will have troubles, difficulties and challenges – not the same kind if I were single but still I would have them.
When I am eating dinner alone and I see a couple enjoying dinner together, I remind myself that if I were married I would have trouble. When I am traveling by myself and see a husband carry his wife’s bags, I remind myself that if I were married I would have trouble. When I am struggling to make big decisions, I remind myself that if I were married I would have trouble. These reminders keep me focused on the fact that marriage is a wonderful thing but being married will not eliminate problems from my life.
On Saturday, I will share the third and final reason for finding my contentment in my singleness!!
April 5th, 2010 Filed under Personal Comments Off
For the most part, about 90% of the time, I am completely content in my singleness. I truly view singleness as a gift and enjoy it! However, those 10% times when I am not content, my mind wanders through the reasons why I would love to be married. I would love to be married because when done right it is just a great example of Christ and His bride, the church. I would love to be married because of the companionship that it would provide. I would love to be married
because decision-making by myself can be so hard.
It is at these times that I remind myself of the three Truths that help me gain perspective. The first truth is that if I am married my focus is divided and instead of just focusing on pleasing the Lord, my focus is on pleasing my husband. Paul says in I Corinthians 7:32-35, “I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.”
Paul is not saying that it is wrong but that is just the way it is. Once I marry, if I want to please my Lord, I please my husband because my husband has become my number one ministry. As a wife, my calling is to be my husband’s helpmeet…his helper…his mission becomes my mission.
This does not mean that I don’t ever do “godly” things. That doesn’t mean I am not serving the Lord outside the home. Obviously my relationship with the Lord is still primary but how it is manifested in my life most often is in serving my husband. But being married will cause distraction in my life. As a single woman, I am not distracted at all. I am free to move to Africa and minister or stay in Houston and serve in my church’s women’s ministry. I can pack my bags and move back to Atlanta, live in a friend’s basement and write my book or I can flip burgers at McDonald’s and write my book in Houston. I am free to go or stay as the Lord instructs.
This also applies to the day-to-day things as well. If I want to purchase something, I go and buy it. I don’t have to check with anyone. If I want to go away for the weekend, I do not have to look on his calendar to see if we are free. I can just do it. Cereal for dinner—fine. Movie on Saturday afternoon—no problem.
When I get a little restless and desiring to be married, this first truth helps me to get my perspective back on track. I remember that as a single, my only focus is the Lord and I am not distracted by the concerns of the world. On Wednesday, I will share the 2nd Truth that helps me to gain perspective.
December 31st, 2009 Filed under Personal Comments Off
One of the most common comments I hear from people, “You are always going somewhere.” And it is true. I am blessed to have friends all over the world with an open invitation to come. There is Julia in San Salvador, El Salvador who always asks me to come to their lake house. Or Joan and her wanting me to come to Orlando for some “Becky” time. There is ice-skating available for most of the year in Karrie’s home in Brandon, Manitoba. And of course how much I love going to see Vicki and her family on the beach in Edisto Island, South Carolina.
But the most special place for me is in Auburn, Georgia with Team Jenkins. Why so special? I have my own room. When Andrea and Bowdie were building their dream home, they talked about Aunt Beck’s bedroom but I thought it would be a guest room and that is where I would stay. It was to be on the 2nd floor right next to the boys’ room. Well, I knew it was a bit more when Andrea called and asked me what color I wanted the walls to be. What a joy to sleep in that yellow room for the first time in the Spring of 2008!
Well, this past September when I came for a visit I was humbled by the love and acceptance Andrea demonstrated to me. When I told her I was coming she rebuked me a bit since I had not given her much notice (I think it was less than a week) and when I walked into the room I saw what she had been up to. My room was not only yellow but totally decorated with photos of the boys and I.
There was a bulletin board with notes of why the boys and Andrea and Bowdie love me (I am such a “words” girl.)
Aunt Becky's the best because when I make a train track she says, "Good job." ~Jacob
One thing I love about Aunt Becky is she takes us to Waffle House. ~Jarrett
I love it when Aunt Becky toks me to wofol hous. ~Blaine
We love Aunt Becky because she prays specifically for our boys on a regular basis. ~Bo & An
Andrea had even set up a desk in my room with my own coffee mug to have my quiet times.
This is one of my favorite memories from 2009! What is one of your favorite memories?
It was a warm, August day in Raleigh, NC as I sat across a mother of two who was once a college coed in the Sunday school class I taught. It is always a joy to be with my former “girls” and watch as the Lord has made them into Godly women. Anyway, she asked me, “Becky, why don’t you teach a Sunday school class now?” “Well, Steph, I really think I don’t because no one asked.”
As the Lord would have it, less than 48 hours later, Carolyn O’Neal, women’s director at Houston’s First Baptist Church calls and asks me if I would pray about teaching a class. Once again, “here’s your sign.” At first the thought was to start in September but it was just too close so we will launch the new class on 1/10/10 at 8:20 am. I am so excited!!
The new class is for women of all ages and is named Titus 2. In Titus 2, there is a clear call for the older women to teach the younger woman. It is a call that is lived out way more often through modeling than through teaching. The Titus 2 class will illuminate the Word and provide practical ways to live out this biblical mandate. Together we will unite to encounter the Lord in a personal and profound way.
Each day over the next 30 days, I will be posting a new prayer request for the class via twitter (@kbeck) and facebook. Would you please join me in prayer? And if you are ever in Houston on Sunday at 8:20 am, please come by and join us!
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