Leah and I took you to Athens, GA with us! Here we are driving back to Charlotte tonight after our Confident Heart conference today. (I apologize for video whiplash when I try to show you the blog comments I’m reading- but after that I stay steady.)
If you’re reading this via email, just click on the title of the post “A Silly Saturday Video Message” and it’ll take you to my website where you can see my silly message. Also, if you don’t know who Leah is, she’s my dear friend and my amazing servant-hearted ministry assistant!
So, what is one of your “must haves” on a road-trip and…have you ever cut your own hair?
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Had to laugh at your silly video. And yes I have cut my own hair before. It did not always turn out so well, but what can I say. Sometimes a girl’s gotta do whatever it takes.
I am getting ready to try and get caught up with week 2, I have been so distracted this week and it has just dawned on me that I need to bring the matter to my sisters in Christ.
My cousin, Dallis, was diagnosed on Jan 25th with pancreatic cancer. Surgery will be performed Monday, Jan. 30 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis. He is married to Lisa and they have a beautiful daughter, Hope. Dallis is only 46 and realizes the implications of pancreatic cancer. He is grateful that he works among the medical society there and has literally gone from having no clue to what was wrong to treatment in less than a week.
Please join me in prayer for Dallis’ comfort as well as that of his family. Also, for the steady hands of the surgeon. The surgeon is a Christian, he actually came into the room and prayed with the family as he told them of the news of pancreatic cancer.
Be praying that his mother somehow stay calm through all of this as his father, my uncle Rene’ is in the VA hospital there in ICU isolation fighting kidney cancer and running a high temp for which they cannot find the source. I know that Aunt Alice is torn on where to be, so I am praying that God just work miracles in this family.
They have set up a caringbridge network that I am following their journey and posting encouragement. I would like to post a scripture based prayer to the guestbook, but am really having trouble getting words to come together.
I would love if someone could help me come up with prayer where I am praying scripture back to God to cover Dallis through this troubled and frightening time.
Ronda
Praying for you and your family, Ronda.
Here are some verses to consider in prayer:
For your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Matthew 6:8
You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to
their cry,
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and
the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those
in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the
sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort
overflows.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I
take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:2
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Jenn,
Thank you so much. It has just been one of those weeks where I feel as if my brain is not running on all cylinders. I am trying to help keep a large extended family in the loop of everything that is going on. I also have a daughter with Down Syndrome who keeps me busy. So I appreciate the time you took to help.
Ronda
Ronda,
You’re juggling a lot right now, but your heart is secure in God’s provision. My prayer is that He will continue to infuse you with His peace which surpasses all understanding and His continual comforts as you are comforting so many others.
Thank you for reaching out, particularly during this time of intensity in your life!
God bless you!
J.
I love that you took the time to video while on your journey home! BTW, your hair looks great – good job! 🙂
Great video of the road trip. I love how real and down to earth you are Renee. Real people are so hard to find sometimes. But I love this Bible Study and the sharing that goes on between everyone. This study has transforming power. I feel so connected to God and to the people who are apart of this study. Thanks to you Renee for not thinking it robbery to share yourself, family and your ministry.
i love your haircut! you’re beautiful, inside and out! glad you took the time to say hello and look forward to studyin more during the week! hug!
Considerate and thoughtful. That’s what I thought after watching your road trip mini-video. Letting us see real people and inviting us into your lives by sharing. And being thoughtful to those struggling to catch up, to “wait up” for them and delay posting, so they don’t feel so overwhelmed.
I think that is going to be my theme for the upcoming week, to get outside of myself and be considerate and thoughtful.
Also wanted to share this line, stated by my Pastor today, thought it might resonate with some of you, as it hit me between the eyes: Out of our misery, we often find our ministry.
So, if we combine those two ideas, maybe we can all pray for each other, that we can be more considerate of others and ourselves too, because, as we all know, there have been some heavy burdens carried by most of us. I am going to try to meditate on the trials, and pray that God will show me how He can use me to minister to others in thoughfulness. I confess, I get kind of overwhelmed trying to read all the posts, but I will try and lift up everyone as I read this week.
Here’s a new one for you on road trips: Duct tape. I promise you, it is the greatest tool ever invented, and who wants to be stranded somewhere with a hem falling out of your pants, or a leaky radiator hose. Trust me, ladies, I never travel without a roll(go ahead and laugh, but some day you will thank me!)
Loved the short road trip video! I absolutely love road trips! Must haves are slippers for the car (just love being comfy), snacks, water & my Bible & journal! My roadtrip this year is going to be my daughter’s wedding in 20 days! I call her my “road trip”, “cruise”, “vacation”, anything that my money that would have been used for but instead is going to her wedding!
I am thankful that she is marrying a wonderful young Christian man whose heart is set on the Lord! I purchased a Confident Heart book for her as well as my other daughter & two friends and I have been thoroughly enjoying reading it!
I did start chapter 3 last night and am taking it slow so that what the Lord is showing me can really dig down deep!
Thank you for the video clips, the prayers and especially for being open and transparent with us! Love you!
Praying for you through this study. The video about the being “known” was awesome!!! How often do we really hear a message that relates to how Jesus helped Sam at the well. HE knows everything about all of us anyway and HE loves you anyway….unconditional love…LOVE like that you just can’t find on this earth!!!! ONLY LOVE like that can come from GOD HIMSELF…JESUS…..won’t find that kind of love in a spouse, a friend, or on a video chat or on-line bible study….but JESUS is the ONLY WAY….JESUS is THE best HELP.” Thanks for the road trip video…that so too funny….Just had to laugh!!!! I asked my daughter last May before she got married if she thought her husband was going to make her happy. Then My daughter shared with me that true love will never be found in her husband, in her earthly father, a friend, or any one else. Only JESUS can fill us with that LOVE that we ALL NEED!! What wisdom she shared!!! : )
Thanks for the fun video. It’s always good to see that you’re just a “regular girl”. 🙂
Yep, I’ve cut my hair…quite often actually. But, I’m a curly haired girl, and curly hair is very, very forgiving when you make a mistake.
Looking forward to more of this study!
I tried trimming my hair once and my hairdresser said I could call her anytime day or night if I felt the urge again! If I am traveling alone or on a long distance trip with my husband, I love to get books on CD’s. It keeps me alert if I am driving and makes the time pass so quickly!
Loved the video. I love the Bible study – it’s teaching me so much. I am doing a Confident Heart Study in my homes Wednesday morning and we enjoy it so much through the tears and laughter we are drawing closer to Jesus. Blessings and hugs!
Thanks for the video it is fun watching the natural part of leaders. Hope and pray the two of you made it home safely.
I used to travel with my former job and drove all over the state – with diet coke and a snickers never far from my reach.
Hair – as I have aged the one part of my body I never had hoped to thin out was my hair – has gotten very thin. I don’t dare cut it myself as I don’t want to emphasize my bald spots. My hubby this morning in church told me my bald spots were showing…..I figure if that is the worst of my problems I am blessed…
Thanks for sharing this journey – I am enjoying the ride!
Blessings to you and all -Kathy
Loved the video. Thanks for sharing. Felt like I was in the car with you guys. You are cute as a button girl! Bangs looked great. Starbucks definitely a must for me and road trips along with music. I need potty breaks too Leah due to the Starbucks and water. Water bottles a must for me too! Love you guys. Continue sharing. Looking forward to it. Be blessed in Him! Oh and btw, would never attempt to cut my hair. That would be disastrous! LOL
One of my must haves on a road trip is a Bible and highlighter with a devotion I am currently doing. I feel like I need my quiet time even if it is on a trip. On the second question as of cutting my hair–My answer is “yes” I do and have when I am desperate with it. I now regularly go and get it cut like I should. Looking forward to cha. 3. Thanks for a wonderful study.
Jeanie Kelley
This was a great silly video. I’m enjoying reading your book and the bible study. I must have water and my co pilot for my road trips.
Thank you for your video and honesty! Yes, I cut my own hair for years. And I still do my bangs in-between visits to the salon.
For road trips, caffeine (pop or coffee), water, healthy snacks and music!
Thanks for the big smile this morning!
ROAD TRIP PLENTY OF SNACKS. I GET CAR SICK SO PLENTY OF SICK MEDS. I GET OUR DAUGHTER’S HAIR ONCE AND IT WAS HORRIBLE . IT WAS JUST HER BANGS BUT I HAD TO DRIVE 10 MILES ONE WAY TO GET MY MOM TO STRAIGHYEN IT OUT. SHE WAS LITTLE BUT WE STILL LAUGH ABOUT IT. HUSBAND IS A PERFECTIONIST SO I HAD HIM TO READ ON INTERNET HOW TO CUT HAIR BANGS AND IT CUT MINE FOR ME OVER THE HOLIDAYS. IT LOOKS GOOD. I HAVE DECIDED AT 67 TO WEAR CUTE LITTLE HATS EVERY WHERE SO I WANT MY HAIR LONGER.
IT WAS SO NICE TO TURN ON COMPUTER AND SEE A SMILING FACE ON VIDEAO LAUGHING AND JOKING. I COULDN’T MAKE MYSELF GO TO CHURCH THIS AM. I COULDN’T PUT ON SMILE AND PRETEND I WAS OK BECAUSE I AM NOT . WE HAD A CRISIS WITH OUR 17 YEAR OLD GRANDSON & HIS MOM OUR SON’S WIFE. IT ISN’T THE FIRST TIME. IT IS ON GOING THING FOR 19 YEARS. OUR SON IS IN FLA FISHING WITH FRIENDS. WE LIVE IN IN. BUT THE CRISIS WAS HIS FAULT BECAUSE OUR GRANDSON ACTS LIKE HIS DAD WHO WE RAISED WRONG SO IT IS OUR FAULT. WE HAVE NO CONTACT WITH HER BUT IT ALWAYS OUR FAULT FOR THE WAY WE RAISED OUR SON. WHO BY THE WAY HAS BECOME A VERY PROSPERS YOUNG MAN. HE PROVEDES FOR HIS 2 SONS AND WIFE VERY WELL. MONEY IS NO PROBLEM IN THEIR FAMILY. WE ARE VERY CLOSE TO OUR GRANDSONS AND SON IT IS NOT HEALTHY TO BE CLOSE TO HER. THE GRANDSON CAME TO US FRIDAY NIGHT IN TEARS BUT BEFORE HE GOT HERE SHE CALLED TELLING ME . HE WAS ACTING JUST LIKE HIS FATHER AND IT WAS OUR FAULT BECAUSE WE TALK BEHIND HER BACK TO HER BOYS. WHICH I MAKE A POINT NOT TO DO THAT BECAUSE SHE IS THERE MOM. FROM THERE IT BECAME A SCREAMING MATCH FRIDAY BETWEEN HER AND ME AND SON ON 3 WAY CALLING. SON ASKED US TO KEEP HIS SON UNTIL HE COULS GET HOME. THAT DIDN’T WORK BECAUSE SON’S WIFE KEEP CALLING OUR GRANDSON MAKING HIM FEEL GUILTY . HE WENT HOME YESTERDAY . SON STILL IN FLA. GRANDDAD I HERE CRYING AND MAD AND TRYING TO SEEK GOD’S FACE. SO I COULDN’T FACE SMILING CHURCH PEOPLE THIS AM BUT I KNEW MY PROVERBS 31 GIRLS WOULD HELP ME THRU THIS DAY. POINTING ME TO WARD HEAVEN AND TRUSTING MY GOD TO GET ME AND MY LOVING HUSBAND THRU THIS OUR SON IS 41 AND KNOWS THE LORD . HE WAS BROUGHT UP IN CHURCH. HIS WIFE IS 42 . THE GRANDSON ARE 16 & 17 . ALL THEIR LIFES THEY HAVE LIFED IN THIS EXPLOSIVE CONDITION. IT DOESN’T WHAT THE PROBLEM IS IT IS ALWAYS A CRISIS EVERY FEW MONTHS. IT IS ALWAYS OUR SONS FAULT AND OUR FAULT BECAUSE WE DIDN’T RAISE HIM RIGHT. I AM SORRY FOR THE LONG COMMENT I JUST NEEDED TO VENT. THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS . HAVE A BLESSED SUNDAY. GOD BLESS EVERYONE THAT IS ON THE BIBLE STUDY.
I feel your pain – my parents were workaholics and that is the only life I knew. therefore I worked all thru my daughters growing up – her dad died when she was 2 and I was left with a business to run as well as a baby. I got no insurance as my mother in law kept it – so it was a constant struggle.
Now as an adult my daughter feels like I abandoned her during some of her most needy times – I feel I was doing what I need to do as a single mother – there is never an answer. we are about the same age and we did the best we could with what we had to work with. There weren’t all the experts telling us how to raise our children to be perfect and grow up with scars from our caregiving.
Hang in there, it is a tough road but we know God is with us and I always trust it to Him – blessings to you for all you have done for your family!!
Oh Kay, I am so sorry. I sense your heart breaking through your words. Im so glad you shared with us and knew this would be a safe place.
I confess I have been in both places – being miserable and blaming others because I had tried everything to make myself happy and when it didn’t work I started pointing fingers. So ashamed of that time and so very thankful God showed me He was the only one who could heal my hurts and make me whole – not a perfect childhood, not a perfect home life (which I didn’t have) not making my parents feel guilty for what they did or didn’t do (they messed up but they did the best they could and as Kathy shared, they didn’t have so many resources or such an emphasis in our culture now that makes parents feel so responsible for how their kids turn out.
And…I”ve also been the one being blamed for others’ misery and problems. It’s a horrible, helpless place to be.
You can’t fix this. But you can continue to love and support your son, your grandson and even your daughter in law. Just keep telling her you love her and that you are sorry she feels the way she does. It sounds like she’s got some issues that only Jesus can help her see and work through.
I”m praying for you and your husband, to just fall on your knees and carry this whole thing to the Cross together. Jesus is there listening, caring, carrying this with you and covering you with His love. I”m praying the calm will come in this storm, apologies will be made and forgives will rise – restoring what is broken and making your relationships whole again.
We love you friend!
Kay, I just read your post today (Jan. 30th). Hang in there. I am so sorry that satan kept you from going to church. I had a similar thing happen last fall. I went to church alone, because I knew I had to be in my fathers house. All I could do was cry. CRY. My sunday school teacher took me to another room and talked to me. Before that my pastor came and talked to me. This is my fourth church since I got saved 8 years ago. I have felt so loved in this church. I will be praying for that situation. I can’t stand screaming fights on the phone. PRAYING for you and your family. God is good.
Yes I have cut my hair – when I was in my late teens and 20’s I used to cut it all, now only my bangs. I also used to cut my Moms hair and do her perms, along with cut my husbands hair. Now I basically just cut my bangs.
Road Trips – I love them. My husband and I drive from Oregon thru CA to AZ, every year for our vacations to see family. Our have to haves… I pack the whole house and the kitchen sink. 🙂 I take books to read, sewing projects to do (hubby does most of the driving) teaching CD’s and music CD’s…. And really most of the time we just end up talking. 🙂 We stop for coffee or tea and many potty breaks. I look forward to that time all year. We also take little road trips that are to see my family that only take about 5-6 hrs those are fun too.
Renee your video was great, I too really love that you are just you, it is helping me to let go and chipping at the wall I have up – The Fine Wall – I didn’t realize I have so much of.
Blessings everyone.
Lynn
Love the video and your honesty liked the haircut and trying to hide that you needed the highlghts. I so love starbucks too!
your sister in christ Robin
I love’d your video Rene, made me smile BIG! I have to add my thanks to others that you are taking the study nice and slow, with reminder emails. blog posts and videos. I feel no pressure and and definintely hearing from God through this study.
I cut my hair once, and my hairdresser yelled at me!! I’ve never done it again. As for roots, I got so tired of trying to keep up with them and the price of doing so. I finally gave my hair back it’s natural color and now I am very streaked with grey. Was a surprise& shock to my 34 year old son when I saw him at Thanksgiving, “Mom! You are SO GREY!” I like it though – feel I’ve earned every grey hair!
Happy LORDS Day to you all~
Sue
As a busy mom of 3 very active boys (I’m sure some of you can relate) and also a just started back to work full time mom I LOVE being able to do bible studies online. It’s like my own little time God Time. I love reading through all the comments. Even though we don’t personally know each other we share so much in common. God is an AMAZING God and I am truly blessed. Renee, THANK YOU so much for following your heart and God’s will and doing this online study. I have shared it with my teacher friends at school and 1 has jumped on board with us.
Ok, my favorite road trip treat is those big chewy sweet tarts that you get 4 to a package. I eat the apple and lemon ( those are my favorite) and my husband eats the grape and cherry ones (his favorite). Also those big cheap drinks form Racetrack. And yes I too have cut my hair.