Begin Being (eBook)

Discover Intimacy with God

Jamie Hicks (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
112 Seiten
Bookbaby (Verlag)
979-8-3178-0803-7 (ISBN)

Infos

What is a Christian? Many would say it's someone who serves or accomplishes great deeds for Christ. If you agree, you may live a frustrated life, perhaps to the point of giving up. Jesus said that unless you abide in Him, you can do nothing. Abiding in Christ is what gives you the strength to continue serving HIm. Were it not for a wise Christian counselor, author and speaker Jamie Hicks would still be on the path of doing more and abiding less. She has come to truly know God in these most recent years. She invites you to follow her on an exciting journey to 'Begin Being: Discover Intimacy with God.'

Jamie Hicks taught English and drama for thirty-five years. She was nominated to the Who's Who among American teachers, and her original plays have been performed by other churches and schools. Her favorite pastimes are spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Jamie's life has prepared her for ministering to all ages through her writing and her speaking. Her dysfunctional childhood left her without identity, and unforeseen circumstances as an older adult left her emotionally crippled. Yet God has continually given her the determination and the insight to be an overcomer. For years, God has given her opportunities to share her stories and God's truths throughout the country.

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Your entire Christian life has been built around serving Christ in some capacity. And yet, you feel something is missing. That closeness you so desire with Him just isn't there. But why? It's your misplaced identity. We as Christians tend to base our identity on what we do for Christ rather than on who we are in Christ. This is where speaker and author Jamie Hicks found herself after thirty-five years of serving the Lord faithfully. Up until that time, she had thought that the ministry was enough to satisfy, till it was suddenly taken away. This quickly placed her in a cycle of determining who she was. To "e;find"e; herself, Jamie told a Christian counselor all that she had done for the Lord. With godly wisdom, the counselor made the following statement: "e;Jamie, the Christian life is not about doing but about being."e; This truth changed Jamie's perspective on Christianity. In her book "e;Begin Being: Discover Intimacy with God,"e; Jamie takes you on a journey of how she came to know God in a way she had never known Him before. She realized that her true identity was found in a Person, not in a service. Yet, on this journey, she ironically discovered that the more she learned "e;to be,"e; the more she loved "e;to do."e;Follow Jamie's personal journey of learning "e;to be."e; Before Being Being Produces Rest Being Produces Worship Being Produces Impact Being Produces Fruit Being Is Just the Beginning

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Foreword

I remember when Jamie came out to the car after one of her initial meetings with her Christian counselor. With tears in her eyes, Jamie shared with me the conversation between the two of them. Little did we know how that one conversation would begin a journey that would impact not only Jamie’s life, but the life of others.

I have had a front row seat in watching Jamie’s battle to overcome lifelong struggles. As a husband, I just wanted to “fix it,” but I couldn’t. This was her journey with God.

I have seen Jamie’s journey take her from a life of despair to a life of intense growth in her personal relationship with God. I am thankful that God allowed me to walk alongside her in this journey.

Jamie, I admire you for your determination to be an example for so many, including me. I love you!

-Tim Hicks (Husband) | Evangelist

As far back as I remember, my mother has been busy as a bee. Serving her family and ministry was her crown, even at times to the detriment of her own physical, spiritual, mental, or emotional needs.

The evening Mom sat in my dining room and relayed how her counselor defined the Christian life was an ordained turning point for her. Her busyness with others’ needs became a sanctuary of God’s desires for her. Her insatiable perfectionism became a space for grace. Her never-ending questions became eternal truths. Her constant fighting against the hard became a place of surrender.

This book is her journey. The miracles she experienced are not unique to her but are for anyone willing to lose his life so that he can find it.

J–, thank you for always asking so that you received, seeking so that you found, and knocking so that the door opened. Thank you for never giving up during the darkest of days. I am so proud to be yours!

-Alyece Averbeck (Daughter) | Integrative Wellness Practitioner

My mom has always been a busy bee, and I’ve never known her to be idle. Yet, she has always had time for building relationships. Her life’s passions have included teaching, coaching, storytelling, leading, being a mom and wife and friend, and even washing thousands of dishes at camp. Her busyness was always centered on serving others in Jesus’ name. And what an impact she has made!

But when Mom’s life transitioned at age 61, many of her busy outlets stopped, and many of her “people opportunities” vanished. Her busy life came to a screeching halt. It was in these days that Begin Being was born. Out of a dire necessity to know and love her Savior in a deeper, newer, more intimate way, she learned that doing is not the only way.

Mom, I could not be more proud of you for pursuing Jesus and choosing “that good part.” Through the dark days you found the candle, and I’m forever grateful! You are and will always be my hero.

-Kathryn Robertson (Daughter) | Assistant Pastor’s Wife

Jamie Hicks excels in teaching the Word of God and demonstrating how to apply it practically in daily life. Her lesson on “Begin Being” resonated deeply with our group of ladies, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. It became clear that mere action was insufficient; we needed a personal relationship with God to navigate life’s challenges.

Jamie emphasized the importance of finding strength in quiet times with God rather than constantly staying busy with tasks for Him.

-Jennifer White | Pastor’s Wife

“Just Be!” As I listened to Jamie Hicks give this lesson, these two words resonated in my heart and mind. The seemingly small words have been used to make a big impact in day-to-day life, teaching me how to navigate internally as I face life’s externals.

Jamie has been a longtime friend whom I have admired and learned from during many seasons of life. As an incredible teacher, she has also become a humble student, allowing herself to learn from the lessons the Lord has given her.

I invite each reader to discover that Begin Being is as much a written testimony as it is a written pattern for every reader to learn to be in Christ.

-Debbie Fredericks | Youth Pastor’s Wife

I have kept my little bee on my sink in the bathroom. What stuck out mostly about Jamie’s lesson for me was that I don’t need to be busy as a bee doing activities, especially when I’m doing them for the wrong reasons. But I need to be in Christ, who He has called me to be, and serve. But just because I’m busy in church doesn’t make me spiritual; I have to strive to be like Christ.

-Sarah Bullins Herbert | Assistant Pastor’s Wife & Former Student

I held a “MomsConnect” group that met at my house once a month, and we would fellowship and hear an encouraging lesson by a lady who was a “step ahead” of us in life.

Jamie Hicks came one particular month and gave us this thought of just being, not always doing. We must learn to be in God’s presence before we can do all the things for God!

It was such an encouragement to me personally that day when I realized it’s okay to sometimes slow down and just be! I don’t always have to be doing. There’s a place for each thing. But we can’t miss what the Lord has for us in the quiet moments with Him because we’re so busy doing all the things for Him!

-Ashley Hamilton | Church Event Coordinator

When Jamie Hicks shared her heart with our ladies, I was personally challenged by her message. There was one thought, however, that has stayed with me. The act of being can seem so counter-productive; when, in reality, in the moments when I take time to just be, it allows God to be most productive in my life and in my family’s. He doesn’t speak to me or work in me in my busyness; He speaks to me in my stillness.

-Lexi Ownley | Pastor’s Wife & Former Student

(I received this text the day after personally sharing my thoughts of being with a friend.) I want you to know I have been carrying my bee around in my pocket all day. Every time I touch it, I have stopped and just stood still, closed my eyes, and took a few deep breaths. It has really helped! It is just so weird how easy it was for me to be able to open up to you as much as I did. I was not even planning on it, nor had I even thought about all of that. It actually surprised me when I realized I was talking. I do believe God already knew I needed it, and He prepared you with just the right tools to help me. Words cannot express how much of a help you were to me. I have so much further to go to get to the place I need to be, but I feel I am off to a very encouraging start. You’re in my prayers as well! Love you!

-Robin Dupree | Assistant Pastor’s Wife

I am a “Martha” by nature, so I often find myself busy, busy doing and not being. As a pastor’s wife, we feel like our work is never done, so this comes in handy. But it is not conducive to our spiritual walk.

Jamie’s lesson was a fresh reminder that my first priority should be choosing “that good part.” I want to be like Mary, seeking to be in His presence so I don’t cease to do. I want people to see me just “Bee!”

-Kym Blalock | Pastor’s Wife

My entire adult life, I’ve been a perpetual “Martha.” Busy working, fixing, doing. Mrs. Jamie’s lesson “Begin Being” found me just on the other side of a bout with depression. Frustrated by the worries of life and the cumbersome Christian walk, through her encouragement and edification, something clicked.

God is far more interested in my heart than my hustle. He desires my fellowship over my labor. “Begin Being” teaches us to pause in the chaos of life and learn to simply BE.

-Lyndsey Blalock | School Administrator & Former Student

Begin Being is a challenging, Scripture-filled retreat for the Christian who is weary of doing. As someone who has battled the inner desire to tirelessly do, I was reminded to simply be present with my Lord, to abide, to rest in His presence.

The fear of not measuring up and the feeling that we are never doing enough dissipates when we can learn to simply be.

-Lydia Duncan | Missionary to Poland & Former Student

The Christian life is not about DO-ing. It is about BEing. As I learn more about my God and ALL He is for me, I will learn to rest in Him. “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:29). Hearing how Jamie explained this verse in that way spoke to me.

-Stephanie Tucker | Pastor’s Wife

We all need to slow down! The reminder to “Be still” was so good for me. Out of necessity, it was instilled into me as a child to do! Being raised by a single mom who worked two jobs and was going to nursing school, I was alone a lot. So, if things were going to get done, I had to do them. Also, raising a large family with my husband working long hours to make ends meet, again, if things got done, I had to do them! As a result, it has become more natural for me to do for the Lord, but He also wants me to be with Him! I needed that reminder!

-G— | Friend

After three years, I still have the little bee from when Jamie Hicks spoke at our ladies’ fellowship. I...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 23.6.2025
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Religion / Theologie ► Christentum
• ISBN-13: 979-8-3178-0803-7 / 9798317808037