Happy New Year, My Dear, Dear Siestas!
This morning I slipped out of bed while Keith and Beanie were still sound asleep and snoring. (Yes, both of them and both were under the covers.) I threw on my robe and slippers then did what I do almost every morning: I went over and pet (nearly shook) my trusty Sunny Dog to make sure my 15 year buddy was still alive and with me. I mostly have to touch her to communicate with her because she can hardly hear anymore. Praise God, she stirred immediately and jumped to her post right beside my feet. A northern had blown in during the night and the house was as cold as ice. I turned on the coffee maker, made a fire, grabbed my Bible, devotional book and cracked open a brand new prayer journal. (I’ve used the same one for years. I absolutely love the lay-out and the way it organizes your petitions and intercessions. It’s by Debbie Williams of Hill Country Ministries here in Texas.)
As I rubbed the clean pages I wondered what kinds of records and requests would fill them before the year ended. I thought how thankful I was to be a follower of Christ and not have to fear the future. I’ve lived long enough to know there will be pain, perhaps even suffering, but I also know that God will see us through and show us – not only His faithfulness but – His GLORY. A far more priceless gift than painlessness. I also know we will laugh (because that’s what our family does) and learn (because that’s a high priority to this bunch of book-junkies). I pray continually for God to grant my loved ones and me a Spirit of wisdom and revelation and I pray that for you, my dear Siestas, as well through the year ahead. To see Christ revealed then know what to do with that revelation is the highest mortal experience.
I told God this morning how thankful I was for His penchant for new beginnings. Just think about it. He’s the one who came up with New Years so we could have an annual new start. But we don’t have to wait that long. He also came up with 12 different months, 4 seasons, and 7-day increments we call weeks. But we don’t even have to wait that long. Every single evening the sun goes down and calls it a day then greets us the very next morning with a whole new start. Let’s face it. Sometimes a day’s so tanked, it just needs to end. Aren’t you glad a bad day always does? But, then again, we don’t even have to wait till morning. Because of Christ, we can have a new beginning any old time.
We are never further than about 18 inches from the next new start. All we have to do is hit our knees, repent, and ask God sincerely if we could just begin again. When secular psychology talks us out of taking personal responsibility for some of the messes we’re in, they inadvertently talk us out of repentance. And nothing is easier than repentance if we’re a willing soul. I told God this morning several things I just don’t like about myself. I told Him that I was sure He had His own list of things He wanted to work in me through 2008 but that I wanted to put some things out on the table, too. I have a feeling based on the conviction of the Holy Spirit that our lists are fairly similar. I jotted down four major things I’d really like to see change in me this year and I wrote them in the front of my new prayer journal so I can check with God on our progress here and there throughout the year. From the look of things, God and I are liable to be busy this year but that’s okay as long as we’re close. I love Him so. And want to love Him so much more. I know you do, too.
Oddly, in a way that only someone who knows Christ can experience, I didn’t feel condemned by my list. I felt free. Relieved. Not long ago someone I love said that he didn’t want anything to do with Christianity because of all the guilt it imposes. I was mystified. Guilt is the very thing Jesus has freed me from. Somehow, they just don’t get it. After I made my list today, I felt a release of hope and joy because I know without a shadow of a doubt that, if I’ll trust Christ and let Him help me every single day my feet hit the pavement, I have the victory. I am more than a conqueror. I’m not left to my own devices. I have divine power from the Throne of Grace and the indwelling Presence of Christ. So do you. Beloved, those are reasons to look forward to the coming year with a heart of celebration and expectancy. The plans God has for you in Christ are GOOD. And PROFOUND. We don’t want to miss them for the world.
I just want you to know that I look so forward to sojourning with you through the year ahead. God is already looking at our future as if it’s past. He has it planned to a “t”. Not one ounce of pain will be purposeless and not one inch of progress has to be joyless. There will be laughter. And there will be lessons. Guaranteed. If we will let there be. As my devotional reading pointed out this morning, God has Promised Land He wants each of us to possess this year. It is “a land the Lord your God looks after. He is constantly attentive to it from the beginning to the end of the year.” (Deut. 11:12) That means today all the way to next December 31st. He will be with us, Siestas. Every single one of us. WE CAN DO THIS. And, glory to His gracious Name, we can do much of it together.
May the beauty of the Lord your God be upon you, Darling One, and may He establish the work of your hands for you. Happy New Year with love.
Thanks Beth. I needed some clarity. I tried to have normal expectations for my holiday season with family. My boys had a wonderful Christmas, which is very important to me- but I left our families feeling abused, hurt, mocked, and disappointed. I have told the Lord how I’ve been feeling- I trust him to help me sort some things out. If I was who I used to be I would have spent at least one day in bed feeling sorry for myself or taken it out on my husband. Instead I talked to my husband about a few things, and talked to the Lord about most things- I spoke his Word over me- that I’m not angry, I’m not offended, I will not harbor malice, but will trust he has revealed some things to me to free myself from them. I will keep my eyes and heart focused on him. I must say I’ve experienced a kind of loneliness when it comes to my earthly family and friends- but miraculously I’ve found joy in being a wife and mother. I also must say I feel like a Christian pioneer of sorts trying to be the first generation in my family to love the Lord and worship him every day- not just Sundays and to know Jesus is someone that loves me and that is real and wants the best for me- not a Jesus who is like the great OZ waiting to punish me when I mess up. I do mess up- which is why I need Him and love Him. The holiday family mental games left me longing for my heavenly home. Just sharing. Sorry if I bored anyone to tears. I love you Beth. Thanks for being the Wise Woman in my life.
Rosie with three boys!
Happy New Year!
I am so excited about this new year. Also, much inspired by your blog.
I didn’t write any resolutions this year…nor goals…nothing, but I know what I want out of this year and I know I have to be diligent and disciplined to attain those things. I suppose I can write that down. 🙂 Anyway, I am just super excited to see the Lord move in the lives of people, and I’ve seen such an ernest expectation in just about everyone I have talked to. woo hoo Bring it on!
You have been such an awesome source of encouragement. I pray this new year brings much fulfillment in everything you do.
Happy New Year right back at ya! I thanked God for giving me another day and maybe even another year here — and my resolution/ prayer is from Ephesians 4:1 — “Live a life worthy of your calling.” A worthy prayer and goal, indeed.
Dear Beth, thanks for your words this morning.
Could you maybe explain to us how to use a prayer journal??
This would be helpful to me and maybe to others. Thanks
Yes, Lord, establish the work
Of our hands
Let them toil for your purpose
May they carry out your plans
You’re faithfulness is a solid rock
On which all can depend
You have proven yourself true
And you will prove yourself again
Righteousness goes before you
Glory is your rearguard
You surround us with your presence
And keep us safe from all harm
You are the Good Shepherd
One who cares for His sheep
You lead us beside the still waters
You hold us still so we can sleep
You quiet the ones that fret
You know us each by Name
You save us in our troubles
And deliver us from all shame
You are the One to be glorified
There is no other good thing
By your hand we are satisfied
So to you our praises ring
Happy New Year Beth and all at Living Proof Ministries. I have my new Beth Moore Journal that I will keep each day to Thank my God and Savior for each new day. I look forward to what God has in store for me this year. I open my arms to him and accept whatever he gives me. I can’t wait for Bible Study to start next week. I haven’t missed one in the last six years. You are such an inspiration to me and have opened my eyes to so many things. I hope you have a wonderfully blessed year. See you on Tuesday!. I Love you my friend. Polly
Thank you Beth —- began weeping when you started talking about the new journal . . . timely words of encouragement.
Sweet Beth,
Looks like we may be doing the same devotional (Streams?). And, oddly enough, I also sat alone during this Sunday’s services, too. (Little ones were at home sick. Husband and I did the switch-a-roo with the morning services.)
This weekend I spent every available moment that I could to sneak away and catch up my spiritual journal. I’m not a journal-er, so it doesn’t come naturally. I had 10 months worth of post-it notes on lessons God revealed to me or spiritual highs and lows of the year to enter into the journal. 117 new pages later, my hand ached and so did my heart. Overwhelmed with all that God had done in 2007.
2008 will be another amazing year for LPM and for you personally (Phil 1:6). You have given me so much and I have nothing to offer you except my poor prayers. Thank you for your transparency. (Now, I too need to make my list of things for divine transformation.)
P.S. Prayers for the women’s ministry and a new evangelism ministry are needed.
Love in Christ…a fellow sojourner fighting the good fight in Jacksonville, FL,
Susan
oops! My spell checker did not catch the type-o (excited) in my last entry. Thanks for the journal idea. I ordered one online…My husband thinks I shop way to much online…no kidding aside, I may need to place that in my new prayer journal. Thanks again! Jolinda
Happy New Year Beth,
It is so exciting to read and post on this blog. I have appreciated your studies and insight into God’s word for several years.
2008 proves to be a year of huge change and revelation as God works in my life and that of my family. I am trying to be faithful and trust Him with all of it.
Thank you for your many posts and encouraging words. You are a blessing to me and so many others.
Love You,
Julie
Happy New Year! To the Moore’s, Jones’ and LPM!! You all Rock!
Thank you for this encouraging post Beth. I haven’t had time to make my list yet, but am looking forward to it. I love that we serve a God that heals and does not condemn and who truly does erase our guilt and not leave us swimming in it.
Thank you for your powerful words!
And of course thank you for the most powerful-The Word.
Happy New Year!
Love ya
Kristi B.
Thank you Siesta Beth
I wrote down the information on the prayer journal. I do journal almost daily but so often it is not prayers and I forget who and what I said I would pray for. I am also asking God to give me a verse something I can take to heart. I just love new beginnings and you too sweet siesta
Tealady Tammy
A Blessed Happy New Year to you Beth! My husband gave me one of your CD sets for Christmas. It was you speaking from Psalms at an LPL in Portland OR four years ago. I know because you said you would be celebrating your 25th anniversary in a few weeks. Something you said really hit me…”You can’t be a worrier and a warrior at the same time”. My husband bought this before he was fired from his job on the Friday before Christmas. I’ve been praying two things-a job for him and me to leave it to God and not be anxious. I so need to hear this message.
I want my life to mean something for Christ. I have prayed that I would please Him and honor Him by all that I do. I’m going to pray every morning this year that I would be delighted by Him, as you suggested. I’m just crazy for Jesus and I am so looking forward to this year with Him.
I love you Beth.
Melana in Wyoming
Eher can we get the kind of journal that you use?or can you only get it there God bless love siestas in Christ Victoria
good word beth.
my husband & i had to go thru a file from 2004. as we flipped thru the pages they were like piles of stones marking all God did and brought us thru that yr.
what a timely reminder for us at the top of the new yr.
ooooh i love that He loves us!
lovin life in Him-lisa
Happy New Year!! Thanks for the beautiful post!!
I wanted to tell you – my son saw a blonde woman on one of the floats in the Rose Parade and he said “There’s that girl again that loves to teach everybody about God.” He’s looking for you everywhere!!
Happy New Year to all of you siestas. Love you all –
Cynthia in OK
I know one thing He will do for you this year, Beth, and it’s Isaiah 42:5-7–your beautiful God who created the heavens in Genesis 1, who spread out the earth, who gives breath to every blogger. He says in these verses I have called you. I hold your hand. I will keep you and make you a light to open eyes that are blind, to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness this very night behind computers, in Starbucks, in your neighborhood, in your family. Isaiah 43:19 – I am doing a new thing for you. What a good God we have. Great post.
The emotion I felt when you said, Beth, that you cracked open your new prayer journal can only be summed up like this: Do you love the smell of new books? After three years of sharing life with one of my dearest friends, we discovered, we both have this same weirdness. Can’t wait to smell “Psalms of the Ascent.” Of course, I don’t just smell the book, I do all my homework. 🙂 Love you for all the wonderful smells you have provided. Robin
Happy New Year to you, your family and everyone at Living Proof! Just started week 5 of Breaking Free and was so encouraged to be reminded we have nothing to fear…He has it all worked out. My job is to walk with Him as He takes me through it, over it, around it or moves it out of the way.
Today when I was making up my bed, I found myself thinking about you getting up before Keith and making the fire, the coffee and doing your QT.I have been a Christian now for almost 10 years. I remember like it was yesterday being a baby Christian and so excited about getting up before the household to do my study, which was 5am.As the years wore on and life happened, there were times it was hard to choose whether I wanted that extra hour of sleep or the time with God. During that time in my life, I had a dear friend who faithfully got up at 4:30am for her QT.I have to tell you that knowing she was up before me, already in her chair with her cup of coffee and the Word was all I needed to get me up and going.I did not want to miss out on what I knew she was already getting.You reminded me that no matter how early I get up to worship, there is someone else who is already up.
Thank you for all you do for us!A happy new year to you too!
Love you Beth!
Happy New Year to you too Beth!! You always have the right words of encourgment. I didn’t know what to think about this year but I have a feeling the Lord is planning great things. I love you!! 🙂
Beth,
You inspire me constantly, and we have been through so many journeys together even though we have never met! I had a very strange few weeks at the end of the year and our Christian bookstore FINALLY got “Stepping Up” in, and I was able to start this past week, and the first video when you asked if anyone was in exile, it nearly blew me away because I was, but had no idea why He had taken me there until I watched that video. He was preparing me for a pilgrimage in His perfect timing, and He knew exactly when He wanted me to get ahold of that Bible study. We serve an awesome God! Thank you for being obedient to His calling and for being so special to all of us Siestas out here! I pray for a Blessed New Year for you and your family and all of LPM!!
Michelle
Waco, TX
Dear Sweet Beth and all of the Siestas…Happy New Year!
Thank you Jesus for this New Year!
Hope and Possibilities!
Chances to do it with You Lord!
Each and every day!
Blessings and Love to you all!
I know we all don’t personally know each other…but somehow I feel like we are “doing this life together”!
Thank God for that!
Love,
Donna
Happy New Year! Love to all my blog Sista’s . Beth Thank you again for this blog.
Love ya’ll
Susan Murphy La
I started praying Eph. 1:17-23 about 2 years ago and I cannot believe the flooding of my eyes! I pray that in agreement with you and for the body of Christ!
Happy Anniversary to you and Keith and Happy New Year to you and your family and staff at LPM. Do you know what I love most about this blog? I love you Beth – your heart for God and your studies – so this blog is like getting a personal letter of encouragement and exhortation – that is SUCH a gift from God. Thank you for unknowingly walking me through so much – thank you for always – ALWAYS proclaiming God. You are so loved and appreciated. Sunshine
Thanks Beth for your sound words of encouragement! I so appreciate how you are real to us and don’t try to put on a mask of perfection. Thank you!
I was wondering what you read for your devotional in the morning? What are devotional books you would recommend to us? There are so many books to read but many of them are not full of meat, but rather milk. What would you recommend?
Thanks again for all you do,
Teri
Praise God for New Beginnings!
Happy New Year!!!
After reading the post last night- I was refreshed, I love the visual picture you painted for us in this blog. I then skimmed around the website and found singer Travis’s website and loved the fact that you can hear his music playing while looking…I played it loud and just basked in Gods presence…Another thing I love is that you have talked about laughing with God and I desire that, well today I heard Him giggle, in my ear!! I was just waking up and I was wanting to have my time with the Lord and the alarm had gone off, then I, struggling with my flesh and half asleep said something I thought was very serious to the Lord and that is when I heard the giggle, then I realized what I had said and I was just so- asleep I sounded like a goof, of course that woke me up! And wow did He have something to say to me this morning– what a joy!
Dear Beth,
I couldn’t help but think that one of the things that would be on my list would be that I would no longer be like your Sunny Dog — someone that God has to come over every morning and shake me to get me to jump to my post! While Sunny’s hearing has dulled over the years from just the passage of time and the wearing down of a physical body, our ears can certainly do the same thing from just lack of listening. I want to be the one who jumps up every morning and says, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening!”
Thanks for just being a servant leader, sojourner (as you remind us so often) that is transparent enough to admit to having “a list.”
I’m looking forward to 2008 (366 days in all — love an extra day, don’t you?) and all that He has to teach us.
Praying Ephesians 1 over you and over me this new year, sweet sister!!
Blessings,
Dori
Beth
2008 is the year of NEW BEGINNINGS! I think there are some new journeys, new victories, new challenges and new strengths coming your way and mine this year! ALL things are new, isn’t He brilliant to give us 24 hours and to greet us each morning with NEW MERCIES! Blessings to you as you head back to the office this week –
Sandi Krakowski
Thank you and bless you Beth!
Thank you, Beth, for this post. You bring so much into perspective for me. I had one of those days that I was grateful to see end yesterday. I praise God and thank Him for giving you such wisdom and insight and a medium for you to express it to us just when we need it. If you only knew how letting me see how you have quiet time helps me. I can get under a load of condemnation for even making a cup of tea before my quiet time because it may mean I didn’t put God first. Legalism–I so want to be free of it and am trying really hard. Perfectionism and legalism die hard, don’t they?
Beth,
You will never ever this side of heaven know how thankful I am for these words: “God is already looking at our future as if it’s past. He has it planned to a “t”. Not one ounce of pain will be purposeless and not one inch of progress has to be joyless. “
and then these:
“As my devotional reading pointed out this morning, God has Promised Land He wants each of us to possess this year. It is “a land the Lord your God looks after. He is constantly attentive to it from the beginning to the end of the year.” (Deut. 11:12)”
It’s my figuring that He’s up to some mighty fine landscaping for me right about now, and I can’t wait to see it!! Just tryin to learn my lessons so I can get there!!
Thanks again~
You are loved!!
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Romans 10:15
Beth,
I know this is the 3rd day of the New Year, but I want to wish you and your family and everyone at Living Proof Ministry a happy 2008. I look forward to reading this blog and being able to spend time with you and your loving daughters through out this next year. I am also looking forward to seeing and being apart of whatever God has planned for me this year. Be in prayer for me and my family. I know one thing for sure that God has laid on my heart to do this year and that is tell more people about him. Thank you again.
Becky
Attalla, AL
Praise the Lord!
He is all we need for a victorious New Year. Be Blessed Beth as you jorney this new year and spread His seeds in people’s hearts.
Love,
Hilma
What a beautiful post! You are such a wonderful encourager in my walk with the Lord. I thank God for you. I am so looking forward to what God is going to do this year as well. I am also looking forward to “Breaking Free” in 2008!
I am SO thankful for new beginnings! I’m a little disappointed that family relationships that I’d thought God was telling me would be healed last year weren’t. But I am believing He will! I know He’s been working on me! Like so many of you Siestas I’ve started a new prayer journal as well. I am looking forward to all God has in store for us this year! Every time I see someone mention looking forward to San Antonio I’m saying “me too”! I’m looking forward to it and God provided my ticket!! Anyway, Happy New year Siestas and thanks for the simple reminder that a fresh start is only 18 inches away. BTW… loved the shoes but don’t think
I’d be able to walk around in them at a conference! Maybe it’s just me…
I loved this entry! Thank you so much for this wise and godly perspective, to help my new year get off to a good start! Love you, Beth & Co!
Happy New Year to you Beth and your family. I am excited for this year to start and for all the possibilities God will provide me with to show his love. I know that he will be opening doors for me to pass through and pray that I take the time to recognize each and every opportunity.
I so loved your blog regarding your Anniversary. I have been married 22 years and have weathered many storms also. It is also by the Grace of God that our marriage is as strong as it is. I know that the Lord works miracles and our marriage is still standing only because of our relationship with Christ!! I know as you have stated that it is a matter of staying through the thick and thin of it every day and sometimes it seems so hard but in the end the reward is great. God has so richly blessed me!!! I will pray that for the coming year our Siesta’s experiencing marital difficulties will build stronger marriages through the Word and know that God will reward them for their faithfulness.
I wish for all our Siesta’s out there a blessed New Year and ask that we all let HIS light shine so that others may come to know Christ’s Love.
Lori
God is already looking at our future as if it’s past. He has it planned to a “t”. Not one ounce of pain will be purposeless and not one inch of progress has to be joyless.
There were so many lines in this entry that grabbed my heart, but these wouldn’t let go. 2007 was a year of such pain for my family and me and yet, such purpose. As we continue to wade through the grief over losing our baby girl last summer (as I’ve mentioned many times before) we thank God for every last inch of progress and when we smile, it is because of the JOY in our hearts. Happiness is far too fickle. It is joy we need. I hang on your every word today, as I believe these words were from God’s lips to my heart (sent via your fingertips – how cool is that?) for 2008. I do pray He establishes the work of my hands this year, as many opportunities are waiting just on the horizon and I am not yet sure how the Lord will use the gifts He has bestowed on me. This is a new year. And just as a hard day needs to end, so did that hard year. Rather than dwelling on the truth that 2007 is the only year my sweet Miller Grace will share with me here in this world, I’m thankful for all it held and I’m looking toward Heaven and all our Creator has in store for 2008. Thank you for lifting my chin one more time.
Happy New Year to everyone! I have no idea what I want to change this year, but I’m sure God will show me in time. Last year my life changed so much it’s hard to imagine changing anything else. Many people around here have just said they’re just glad 2007 is over. They’d like to forget it ever happened. It just wasn’t a good year for many including my pastor’s family. I really hope he has a better year. I couldn’t help thinking that the worst thing in my life is going to be hard to forget since I went into 2008 and my grandma’s still not here. Anyway, please pray especially for my pastor and his family. He and his wife have had a lot of health issues. Their names are Dan and Julie.
sojourn! you said sojourn 🙂 oh, beth, you just make me smile so much. thank you for sharing yourself with us.
mama beth, the Lord was so sweet to give me the most beautiful new years last january 1st (2007) with you and thousands of others at Passion ’07 in Atlanta. i grew up in a ministers home, and was baptized when i was 11, but as i got older i slowly began to realized that i had no idea what walking down that aisle had actually meant. until jan 1, ’07. that night after mr. giglio gave his sermon, i met God face to face for the first time. i finally realized that believing IN God (which i had done my whole life) and BELIEVING God (which i’d never done) are two completely different things. that night He introduced me to the POVERTY of my spirit, the BEAUTY of His, and gave me the most awesome new birthday ever…january 1st! the first day of a new year, and my first day KNOWING beyond a shadow of a doubt that i was HIS.
i too cracked open a new journal this new year, along with a new devotional book…some study on Daniel by some girl with awesome hair and the cutest shoes around…you might know her? 😉 thanks for allowing God to use you in my journey to learning how to have a heart like His…love you sweet friend…
Blessings for 2008…When I read about your journaling, my mind went to my granddaughters (I have 3 of them) My journaling for the past 6 yrs has enlightened me and refreshed me as I have read over them many times. I see where I have come from and how much farther I need to go. I also have dedicated over these 6 yrs each journal to each of my 3 granddaughters. I want them to see what God has and will do in my life. One day when they are 27 or 39 or 46 they can read my heart! What better present can I give to them.
I also just celebrated our 41st anniversary and with no $, I took 2 wks and wrote a LIVE LETTER to my husband. (Yes, it was hard to condense 31 yrs into 3 pages but I did it) Ladies your husbands will absolutely love it. I bragged on him, I told him what I most admired about him before we ever started dating, and I thanked him for being the father and leader of our household. I had really thought 30 yrs was a biggie, but now I am more convinced than ever that each year is a biggie!
I am thankful for 2007 and am joyful for 2008! May you all have joy! Debi O Leesburg, GA
Beth,
I like your idea of choosing some things that you would like changed in your life and writing them down now so you can refer to that list throughout the year. I’m going to do that too. Thanks for the encouragement. It is nice to trust God to work in us rather than us trying to change ourselves. We all know how unsuccessful that can be.
So Happy New Year to you and yours and LPM. I am so thankful for all of you. You enrich my life. And this blog is an icing on the cake.
Beth:
Thank you for this post It is a great reminder of new starts and who we are and what we have in Christ.
Not only do I have a list of character things needing to be worked on, but also took the opportunity to do some physical cleaning up and organizing. Simplify seems to be the mode of the week.
Happy New Year to you all.
Kim B. in AZ
My fiance and I had a hurtful fight today about each others pasts. We have both given our lives to Christ, but sometimes it hurts when things from the past surface. Needless to say, we both came across the entry on a new year as well as the marriage entry immediately before. It gave me chills knowing that I hadn’t checked this blog in a couple of days and God had me check it again today, right now. Thank you for your encouraging words! And thank you father for fresh starts and pre-marital counseling 🙂