I’ve been sitting here with tears stinging in my eyes. Have really felt like bawling for the last hour or so. Finally went ahead and got on my face and took God up on it. Now I’m back in my chair at my backporch table but still can’t shake the feeling. Nope, it’s not hormones although how would a woman in my season of life know, for crying out loud? I think at least that what moves me this moment is the power of the Cross and all this Resurrection weekend represents to those of us who believe. Who keep believing. And I’ll tell you why. When I asked you how you were doing, I had absolutely no thought of tying these two entries together. I had no agenda at all except to simply know how you are but by the time I’d read the first several hundred, I was so moved by the connection that I could not hold back the tears. I’m not even sure I can explain what I felt but I’m going to try. After all, blogs like mine are not meant to showcase beautifully prepared, deeply deliberated, excellently proofed, and perfectly edited theological treatments. Blogs like mine are more for simply throwing it out there to a bunch of friends. For writing like you’d chat. A place – when it’s appropriate – to say it while it’s raw.
I looked at all 700+ comments and shook my head with love and wonder over what a slice of life was represented there. Many doing great, feeling loved, and sensing God. Others dry, confused, and, as one of our beloved Siestas said, “hanging on by a thread…but at least I’m hanging on!” And either set could trade places in a split second. Many probably have even by this time. One sister’s dad died suddenly of a heart attack and she’s planning his funeral this Resurrection weekend. How perfectly appropriate. Another was taking her teenage daughter for her driving test. God bless her. Another had six kids home for Spring Break. God help her. Another had a three year old with head lice but let’s not nit pick. Another’s nephew was killed in a car accident last night. Dear Sweet Jesus. Another found out two days ago that she’s pregnant. It’s her third pregnancy but she has no children. Lost the first two. Please, Lord. Another is heading with a group of 40+ people to Belize to minister to those with severe needs in the name of Christ. Another will spend Easter weekend on the other side of the world from her deployed husband. Another is hearing the voice of God through His Word like never before in her life. Another is a school counselor trying to help elementary children deal with the death of a 3rd grade girl killed by a van while checking the mailbox. Another is at her wit’s end trying to know what to do with an unrepentant, unapologetic teenage son with a pornography addiction. Another and another and another is in financial distress. Another is five weeks pregnant with her first child and spotting some. Another is “cleaning toilets and changing diapers to pay rent.” I loved that. Another is a 49 year-old bridesmaid. We’ve gotta all love that. Another is sitting in Southern Indiana surrounded by flood waters. Another is celebrating at a Pizza Inn with a group of 75-90 year olds who have just finished studying “Jesus the One and Only.” And another is “tired and deflated and ready for this dry season to end” for her.
And Christ is watchful and active and overflowing with unabashed, unbridled affection over every single one of them. As Present in one as any other. As purposeful in the life feeling the least purpose. The most exhaustion. He still raises the dead. Saves the lost. Heals the weak. Sets prisoners free. He never misses a tear. Never let’s us go. He was lifted up so we could be drawn to Him. Killed so we could live. Beaten so we could win. No matter what stone seems to have you entombed, He can roll it away. Nothing can stay in the grave when God has resurrection on His mind. And, Sweet Thing, God has resurrection on His mind right now.
He had it on His mind with every beat of that hammer on the nails penetrating Christ’s flesh. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” Death never gets the last word. Not even the death of relationship. Respect. Well-being. Health. God cannot – will not – leave well enough alone. His business is life and life at its liveliest. Loveliest. May He roll away every last thing that is stifling His effervescence in us. He never promised that life here would always be fun but He mighty well promised that life here could always be full. Every single ounce of power expended on the Cross is yours in Jesus’ Name. Ask Him what that means. How you draw from it. That’s what I’m doing today. Like you, I’ve had innumerable blessings and unforgettable moments of late. Like you, I’ve also had my own heartbreaks, disappointments, and worries. Felt weary to the bone. Frustrated to the core. I’ve cried, too. Thought I was fed-up with some things, too. Wondered if I’d ever change, too. Then comes Good Friday. The violence that says something’s about to be different. That causes our earths to quake. Then comes the Saturday wait that seems an eternity long. Then, finally, FINALLY comes Sunday morning…long before dawn. By that time the Father has waited long enough. And stones begin to roll.
“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us ALL our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Colossians 3:13-15
Some of us are burdened and weary because we never have allowed ourselves to feel the full and free forgiveness of the Cross. What if today you believed it? What if today you believed Him? What if you finally let it go? What if today the deadness in us could no longer resist the sound of Christ calling us forth from the tomb? What if we decided to get up and really live?
I love you so dearly. Blessed Friday of all Fridays and Happy Easter Sunday.
Beth,
What a powerful and sweet post! Talking about our Risen Lord brings tears to my eyes. Joyful tears. He had joy in His heart as He went to the Cross because He was thinking of us!! I love Jesus! I was just writing to my friend who has been waiting and waiting for God to move in their situation and I told her the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in her and He will bring them a resurrection! I have been thinking of the song, Then Came the Morning! Praise God that no grave could hold Him down, He lives and because He lives, we live and we serve a God of breakthroughs and miracles and sometimes He gives us an immediately. I pray that God would bless each Siesta with all they need and are believing Him for. I am believing and needing God to move a few stones for me and when He does I promise I will come back and share and give Him the glory.
Have a blessed Easter.
Love,
Patty
Oh, Beth….
What an awesome response you get when you ask the siestas a specific question!
Like you, I’m humbled to realize the life-experiences that so many are tackling at this very moment. But, praise God!, through you, He’s delivered a precious message of hope for each and every one of us.
The resounding and repeated word in my world lately has been “power” …God’s power… the power He used in raising Jesus from the dead is the same power with which He controls all of creation. There’s NOTHING that can not be overcome through God’s awesome and perfect power!
Thank you, Beth, for mentioning it yet again in your moving message today.
Bountiful blessings to all of you as we celebrate the miracle of God’s most precious gift to us all.
Happy Easter, with love….
Terry
Let me tell you what makes this Friday ever so GOOD for me. My 5 1/2 year old daughter asked me today about the cross. After my feeble attempts at explanation, she then asked me if Jesus could come and live in her heart. What can a mother say?
Of course He can. We knelt…we prayed…and her little face spoke volumes beyond words. I’ve had the opportunity to pray the same prayer with my other children, but somehow today, it seemed so appropriate.
While at Sam’s Club this evening, she told the greeter at the door that she asked Jesus to come into her heart. The kind lady rejoiced alongside us.
Does it ever get any better than this? Today is the day of salvation. Praise his holy name!
peace~elaine
After a season of illness and stress, I have just discovered you and finished my first study of yours, “Psalms of the Ascent,” and your book, “Believing God,” and I’m now reading your book, “To Live is Christ.” All I can say is God has used you to resurrect my weary spirit!
Thank you, Beth Moore, for your obedience. I am honored to “know” you and thankful there are more studies and books of yours I have yet to discover!
I soo needed that-I have been up and down lately like a yo-yo. I’m like this little mess that God scoops up and puts back together every day. I desperately need Him. That is awesome! He is soo BIG that He knows us all and cares about us all that much! It blows my mind:)! HE IS THE LORD
katiegfromtennessee
Dear Sweet Beth,
As you wept, my tears flowed, too, for the overwhelming love of the Lord for me. And once again I know that if I had been the only person on earth, He still would have died that despicable death on a wretched cross so that I might spend eternity with Him through my faith in Him. Our Lord is so awesome, and He will meet every one of these sisters right where she is and give her His comfort in her hours of grief and rejoice with her in her celebrations! As I lay down all the burdens I have picked up that I shouldn’t have at the foot of the cross, I feel the fresh wind of renewal in my heart as the Lord sweeps clean the cobwebs of my life. Amazing Grace….always is there for each of us! Thank You, Jesus! May this Sunday be a true resurrection in every siesta’s life as she re-dedicates her life in service to Jesus. Amen and Amen!
Hey Siestas! I’m praying we all hear the sweet, ALIVE voice of Jesus speaking words of life and love to us on Easter morning just like our First Century Siesta Mary of Magdala (a woman who knew a thing or two – or seven! – about being set free from captivity). Oh my gracious! I just had a thought and it makes me so crazy with joy: every soul populating heaven right now has their own tale to tell of being set free from captivity. That’s what each of us here has in common with all of those who’ve gone before us – we’ve all been set free.
I love you so much, Jesus. Thank You for doing everything you did for me and all of us in Siestaville on that dark, dark, dark Friday, so many centuries ago.
Warm in Alaska.
This post is very dear to me. My precious redeemed sister committed suicide about a month ago. My emotions range from anger at a Sovereign God who is supposed to be good to praising His Name because I know He certainly is good. Resurrection Sunday has new power and meaning for me this year. I now wear a ring on my finger that simply says “hope.” Satan may torment me with grief and all of the “what could have beens”, but I cling to hope that is grounded in truth. I will see her again and God really is good. My sister loved you, Beth. She shared some of your same wounds. Your bible studies gave her such a love for God’s Word. You have touched so many lives. May God bless you for it!
Thank you LORD for your work. Thank you for your suffering, thank you for your willingness to do the will of the Father. Thank you for going to prepare a place. Thank you for the Counselor,thank you for the victory over death, thank you for intimacy, redemption and eternity in Heaven. Thank you for sisters and brothers who point us to you!
I am ever so grateful for what the Lord is doing in my life. It has been the most difficult year of my life. From last April to now. My marriage has been on the rocks and everything I depended on fell out from under me. But God… In His sovereignty became more to me then I knew He could be.My husband is still here, it is still in the process of healing but PTL it is in the process of healing. I am at HIS mercy. I just Love Him.
Happy Resurrection Day, Beth.
Thank you for your love for Him and for us.
Laura B
Before church today, I went for a walk in the hills with my dog. I had quite a time with Jesus, me mostly crying. In my prayers, I thanked Him for the richness of my life. I tried to imagine what my life would be without Him. The only words I could think of were shallow and empty. My life isn’t perfect and I have my struggles, but He makes my life rich and rewarding. My life has depth.
“I’ll never know how much it cost see my sin upon that cross”!!!!
Thank you, Jesus, for Mrs. Beth’s devotion to you. Thank you for using her to speak to Siestaville, and that Siestaville has the heart to hear you. Who, but you, knew that we’d turn into such a community?
Happy Resurrection Sunday everyone!
I am only 25 and all too familiar with the lingering ache that death brings. As I go through a rough week with a good friend, I can only hope that he will not die, and that this mourning is instead the reflection of what my Lord’s death has done for me, and I needed a reminder of that sacrifice.
Thank you for your thoughts, Beth, and the challenge that followed. I pray for true celebration in our hearts for the empty grave!
Woo hoo for what God did through Connie for her patient! PRAISE HIM!!
Beth, that was a good entry!
Happy Easter
Why don’t we? Why don’t I just give up and really live –out loud, without a mask, what you see is what you get. Just Mary — faults and all! People will love me as I am or they won’t. I only want to dance for my King. I’m committing to Him that I will believe Him!
Thank you Beth — I needed that little nudge.
amen and amen! have a lovely, blessed Easter, mama Beth!
Thank you so much for this post and this blog, Beth. This is my first comment but I have been reading for some time now and I was blessed to be in the audience this year in RI. : ) I count myself a Siesta – and though I was feeling very low and lonely today, your post made me remember that I am not. Thank you! And a blessed Easter to you and all the Siestas!
I hardly know what to say, Beth. Words are inadequate and yet I feel as though I’ll explode if I say nothing. Thank You, Jesus, for the cross. Thank You, Father, for Beth. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
I once cried and could not stop after listening to a missionaries testimony and she told me I surely had the Spirit in me. God Bless you Beth. Happy Easter. Cindy in HP, NC
I am studying John, when Jesus returns to the disciples after his resurrection, the part where Jesus asks Simon Peter if he loves him… Oh, I do love my Saviour, how I love him! Today, after a week of what felt like nothing but trials, I am so relieved that the truth is that the word made flesh died so that I can live an abundant life. I am chosing to love and to live today. I will struggle again tomorrow, but TODAY I chose Joy (seems like I heard that advice somewhere). And my son keeps asking “What do eggs and bunnies have to do with Jesus and the cross?”.
May God bless you and your ministry! Thank you for sharing and encouraging.
Beth,
I LOVE this post. It’s my favorite yet. I especially related to the siesta who is on her 3rd pregnancy and has no children. I have been pregnant 6 times and have 3 children. My miscarriages came between my 1st and 2nd children. There is NOTHING easy about it. However, I have a dear, dear friend who called me after my second miscarriage and prayed with me and let me cry without saying a word. Then she said, “just think. When you get to heaven, you will be greeted by those babies and get to start raising them then.” I cannot imagine a more wonderful Heaven than a place where i get to raise my 3 babies while rejoicing and praising Jesus with my other 3 children. Can you imagine? I cannot wait!
Praise Him! HE is risen! He is loving my babies right now! Talk about having the best babysitter!
Tonight I’ll take communion with my family… We’ll partake…I must glory in the precious blood that cleanses me and my family! Amen.
I came home from our Good Friday service, sat down at the computer, and found your new post. I am so knocked sideways by the whole suffering/crucifixion/death story. It just overwhelms me, it is so way too big for me; kept holding onto the six words I brought in with me: “God spared not His own Son” — it is all too much, too much…
And then I read what you said: “Death never gets the last word. Not even the death of relationship. Respect. Well-being. Health…. Nothing can stay in the grave when He has resurrection on the mind…The violence that says something’s about to be different….”
Having lost big-time in the relationship/respect/well-being/health areas recently, been through the violence in my life, it is so good to know that His violation/violence is for a purpose, for our benefit; knowing He’s doing something new for me, I am finding hope here, being reminded of His affection, that He’ll never let me go.
This is Friday; I am so thanking Him that Sunday will come.
The power of the Cross…how marvelous that we don’t have to understand it or be able to explain it or be able to put it into words at all. Just to be in His presence; to allow ourselves to be drawn to Him; to let His pain bring our healing…
Sweet siesta Beth, this post is a real gift — I wish I could make more sense here! Brings hope.
Thank you!
Yes we are all in different seasons yet we are all knit together as one – one family in Christ. I find it fascinating how I can not know these sweet siestas but my heart just loves them so!
I feel their pain and pray for them fervently.
It is Friday but SUNDAY IS COMING!
PRAISE YOU JESUS for your unconditional love and sacrifice!
Blessings,
Kim
what a timely word for me. Just last Sunday, as I was sitting in church, I came to the frightening realization that I have been a follower of Jesus for 12 years, but have never fully understood His love for me. I have come to realize that I am very quick to accept and understand how He can love other people lavishly, but have a hard time accepting the same for myself. So, this entire week I have asked myself: What if it’s true? What if I take God at His word on this and believe that what He says of me is true? What if the cross really is enough? What if I live as one who is fully known, deeply loved? What if Good Friday really is followed by Resurrection Sunday?
Thank you, Beth for your timely word. Confirmation central!
Well, I am gonna confess that I am struggling through your Daniel Bible Study! I am doing it alone which I am sure makes it even harder, but I think I might pass it by tonight because after this post I just had study. Wow, great words thank you for sharing your gifts with all of us. H
Thank you and bless you
I love you too, you sweet thing!!
kari
Thank you so much for the reminder in the middle of a busy week. I truly needed it.
Have a blessed Easter.
I just played Carman’s song “Sundays on the Way” for my husband and kids…man I needed that song more than they did!
Wow I needed that
Happy Easter Beth and family!
He goes beyond my highest hopes and fondest dreams,
He’s everything that my soul ever longed for, everything He promised and so much more…
more than amazing
more than marvelous
more than miraclous could ever be
He’s more wonderful to me.
AMEN!!!
Precious Beth, as I hang another picture on the wall of my “pit”, you have just reminded me to look up and declare, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming!!!” Thank you for throwing me a proverbial rope:)
For some reason this Easter I am feeling the Grace more than ever. I read the story of the resurrection this morning and it kept me focused all day. I wanted to shout everywhere I went that Jesus is Alive!! He is alive and I am saved! Praise God!!!
Thank you for this post. Isn’t it amazing that no matter what we are all going through in this life, we know that God is with each and every one of us, and one day we’ll all be together, problem-free! What great hope!
Oh Mama B! That was beautiful!! And as I read it, thinking about all Ive going on and whats going on in my dear siesta’s lives,I was reminded of what a great God we serve!! My favorite song right now and has been for a while is Lord, You’re Holy. I love the chorus of it:
Wonderful, Glorious, Holy, and Righteous,
Victorious, Conquerer, Triumphant and Mighty,
Healer, Deliever, Sheild and Defense,
Strong Tower, and My Best Friend, Omnipotent, Omnipresent,
Soon Coming King,
Alpha Omega, Lord of Everything.
Holy, Lord you are Holy!!
I love the fact that Our God is all that and soo much more. While He is sharing new things with me and countless others, He is comforting those who need comfort. Protecting those who need protecting. Healing those who need His healing touch. I have been in church all of my life, attending bible study, and working in Christian retail. I know that I am saved but have always felt a little lacking in the relational side of things. Ive had a hard time…feeling the desire to spend time with him, one on one time, feeling like he Could be my best friend if I let Him. My Groom. As a single girl who’s highest desire in life is to be a wife and mother, its hard to let God step in and fill that lonely hole in my life. But He has been wooing me for months now and Ive got such a strong desire dig deeper and start to let go of things. I have never looked forward to a Easter as much as I have been this year. Celebrating that HE IS RISEN!!!
Thank you for you words!! I needed them and once again you have been used by God to share something else I needed to hear.
I hope that you and your sweet family have a wonderful weekend!!
Love to you and all my siestas!!
Nikki
Thank you Beth for your words. We had my Dad’s visitation at the funeral home this afternoon. I’m am weary to the bone but so refreshed by the kindness shown to our family. My Daddy was well loved! As I shared with my 10 year old daughter, Papaw is celebrating Easter with the Risen Lord (face to face). We praise Him even in these difficult days. We will bury him tomorrow and celebrate Easter Sunday morning with a fresh perspective.
Jill in KY
BTW, I have the most incredible church family that has just showered me with love and blessings today! Praise Jesus!
I just finished posting on my blog before catching up on everyone else’s. I, too, have been in tears thinking about the death of our precious Savior and the incredible resurrection. I posted my thoughts and my prayer for this Easter weekend. God’s grace and mercy flow down on me every moment of the day, and I thank you for this beautiful post that reminds us all of the glory of Easter!
Have a joyous weekend!
In Christ,
Melissa H.
touchofglory.wordpress.com
Oh my goodness, our dear Jesus has certainly spoken through your words-we’ve taken the journey that has led us to places we never dreamed we would have to face, Pollyanna doesn’t like most of this journey!- we know and knew many of these experiences were not in our Lord’s plan- but the deceiver has tried to defeat us and those we love-God Bless our children and future generations, as we attempt in our weakness but God’s strength to fight the good fight and continue the hope in our Lord-Bless you dear sister in Christ-you encourage me, which means you touch each of your students uniquely, despite the number in your audiences- Jesus seems to have that ability and you are his wonderful representative and servant- thank you!
Happy Easter to ALL of you Siesta’s..you all are so incredibly precious to me and I am so thankful to you Beth for sharing your faith, life, family, and the wisdom God blesses you with daily.
Reading all whats going on with everyone, knocked me over too. What a privilege to be apart of praying for this amazing group of people. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty. HE IS risen!
Siesta in FL.
Beth… Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. It’s time for me to let Him roll some stones away for good!
Blessings to you and your family this Easter! –Terry
hey mama beth
last easter i experienced my first ever Good Friday service..and it rocked my world. when it ended in a dramatic scene that left us in a dark room, eyes fixed to the cross, i was struck silent. i stood silent. drove home silent. went to bed silent. WHAT IF that had been it. end of story. close the book. for the first time my soul ached and my heart sensed the urgency to which we are called. saturday night i lied awake until the clock assured me it was sunday, and then all at once, PEACE.
HE. IS. ALIVE.
this easter i am thinking of two girls who’s stories have changed my life.
1–eve carson, the student body pres. at unc-chapel hill whose car was hijacked, and she, murdered.
2–a young girl in her 20s at belmont university (tn) who not two weeks ago found out that the house she grew up in had burned to the ground…all her belongings inside…and her parents hadn’t made it out.
both of these stories disturbed me to the core, but the Lord has used the timing of these events to remind me to cling to the TRUTH that HE, my hope, IS coming back for us. the story isn’t over. it has just begun.
Beth – thank you for that – it was beautiful. Brings it all back to where we’re supposed to be. Love you!
Connie – what an amazing story! Thanks for sharing that.
I’ll echo what several siestas said – that I love that we have this blog to remind us that we’re not the only ones trying to “live the thing out”!
Love you ladies!
Cynthia in OK
It’s Friday but Sunday is comin! Praise the lamb, he is holy.
My church has done scenes from our passion play this week and tonight was our crucifixion. I could only sit there and think that I did that to my sweet Lord, those nails were for me, he carried my cross and he shed his precious blood for me and I am so not worthy of one drop of it but he did it freely. We are also at the end of our Breaking Free bible study and last night was the one about agapeo and phileo love, so I am so overwhelmed today with God’s love for us. Bless your holy name Jesus!
The Journey Continues~
A friend of mine died this week on her way to her father’s funeral in Arkansas.
Dave and I just returned from her funeral today. Afterwards, we visited friends in financial difficulty, And now our Easter plans will change after calling my sweet mother and finding out that she is running a fever and has the flu. I sit and wait for my two boys to arrive from college after their finals. I too, want to cry!
I keep telling myself
“BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD” and continue to repeat and repeat.
I am thankful that we have HOPE IN OUR BELOVED WHO HAS RISEN!
I NEED JESUS EVERY MORNING, EVERY AFTERNOON, EVERY EVENING .. EVERY MOMENT OF EVERYDAY!
I look forward to celebrating the resurrection of our Precious JESUS this Sunday morning!
With “Heaven Bound” blessings,
Kim
I just came back from an awesome Good Friday service and so enjoyed reading this post. It reminds me of a song I used to sing in Sunday School-“Jesus is my rock, and He rolls my blues away…” To which I say, “Keeping on rolling away!”
Happy Easter Siestas and Ms. Beth
Dear Beth, thank you for your transparency and your heart full of love for Him and us. May you and yours be blessed to overflowing this Resurrection Sunday.
Yes, yes, yes to all of it Beth. A year ago I would never have thought there could be joy again – but,just as He promised, there is.
One of the things that just astounds me is that with all of those various comments, and really they are just a “few” in the vast scheme of things – He hears us all just as if we were His only daughter. How it makes me love Him.
Happy Easter Beth! He lives!!
That was absolutely beautiful! I, too, read every comment wondering how all my Cyberspace friends were doing and felt a sense of frustration that I couldn’t hug the ones that are sad, jump up and down with glee with the ones that are happy, or share a Starbucks treat with the ones that just need someone to talk to. After all, that is what friends do, right? But if there is one thing God has been teaching me lately, it is to find my satisfaction more in Him than I do in my girlfriends. Let Him be all the jumping, clapping, hugging, crying, listening that I need.
I still wish I could drink Starbucks with all of you!
After crying all day, (over the anniversary of the death of my Jesus and the 2 year anniversary of the sudden death of my earthly daddy…)I listened to your A Heart like His Part 4 Audio. What a wonderful gift. As I drove around today, I did the “ugly cry” all over town. I know that people thought I was CRAZY!(which I normally, consider a complement)The poem about Michael and the story of Blair running hurdles made me bawl…they were so healing. I’m trying to encourage myself in the Lord today. Thank you for helping me do that. You are such a LIASON for the Word of God. It’s like the Word is looking for a seat and your teaching ushers it right to my heart, and says, “Look, reserved just for you.” Bless you Beth!
Sweet Siesta Beth, Happy Easter and Praise Jesus for the sacrifice He made!!! Also, please remember the Lathrop MO. school district in your prayers (I work in the MS office.) Our youth are is a spiritual battle (even tho most don’t know a battle is taking place.) We have had 2 youth commit suicide and a 3rd youth made the attempt (Praise the Lord the act wasn’t completed.) Our town needs to be lifted up in prayer by all Siestas PLEASE!!! We, that work within the District, are just shook to the “core”. Please remember us!! Much love from your Siesta in Lathrop, Missouri!!