Hey, You Darling Siestas! I am beside myself with joy over all of you who will be able to join us for what I hope will be the First Annual Siesta Fiesta and I’m so sad to miss all of you who won’t. Every single one of you is dear to us. We’ll make sure you who are attending have all the information you need regarding pertinent events. At the same time, we won’t let the blog become all about that until then. We have some fun blog themes planned for the summer that will include all of us.
Just thought I’d share with you a bit before I leave work today. I’ve had a very busy week and weekend and my poor blonde brain has had it for today. I thought I’d set aside the research and just spend this last little while chatting with my very favorite blog-folks over a few of my favorite things that happened over the last week:
1. National Day of Prayer in D.C. was incredible. So profound. What could be more important than praying for our nation? My task was to shadow Dr. Zacharias so that I could learn the ropes. I bet Keith and I don’t have to tell you how meaningful our time was with him and his family. I fell in love with his wife, Margie. I had the unspeakable privilege with a number of others to get to attend a reception in the State dining room at the White House. (I drank coffee out of the most beautiful cream colored china cups with gold edges. It tasted extra good somehow). I also got to be part of a group that gathered there in a press room to hear the President give a very warm, endearing address about God and the vitality of prayer. We may or may not have the opportunity to visit the White House next year as an official part of NDOP because we’ll be under a new administration so I was extra thankful for the joy.
2. After hearing from President Bush, Keith and I jumped in the car with the Zachariases and headed to the Pentagon where Dr. Zacharias spoke at an NDOP chapel service there. This was one of my favorite parts for many reasons, but perhaps most understandably because of my Army heritage. Oh, how Major Dad would have loved that visit! We, then, went to the Cannon Building where the major event took place including messages, incredible music, and powerful intercessory prayer. During the service we sang all the patriotic songs that mean so much to us, not the least of which was the National Anthem. We closed with Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be An American” and I nearly bawled all the way through it. I’ve got a lump in my throat just thinking about it.
3. Now that I’ve told you some of the serious and profound things, let me rewind to my induction to the NDOP observances and tell you something funny. Keith and I were invited to a private dinner the first night we arrived consisting of about 20 people involved in NDOP. The FIRST THING that happened was the presentation of a gift to me from a darling woman who was attending this dinner. The gift was tucked inside a leopard print gift bag that had pink fur around the edges. Inside were…no, not White House mementos…no, not NDOP leatherbound daytimers (there were no such things)…inside the decorative bag were HAIR PRODUCTS. Yep, shampoo and what was famed to be the best gel in the whole U.S. of A. I’m proud to be an American. (I’ve got to admit, good hair products could be something to put your hand over your heart about.) I had two questions immediately overwhelm me: A) Was Dr. Zacharias awarded with a matching set of hair products? I conjectured not. B) Could I trust a woman from the dry, cold North to know how to hold hair in the wet, hot South??? I had the biggest laugh ever. Ellie May had come to D.C. yet again…but this time she was not leaving empty-handed. I wanted to beg Dr. Dobson’s and Dr. Zacharias’ forgiveness for bringing my reputation with me to NDOP but, alas, I believe I got away with the awards under their radar. Could they not tell from my hair though, I ask???
4. After all the observances for NDOP ended, we flew straight to Colorado Springs for the Living Proof Live event. On Friday, several hours before the event, I met a woman who told me about someone she and her group had encountered while checking into their hotel. As the woman checked in their sizable group, she asked why they’d come to town. When they explained, her face became radiant with joy and surprise as she testified of taking one of the Bible studies in prison and receiving Christ Jesus as her personal Savior. I was beside myself. I asked my buddy, Rich, to take me straightaway to the hotel so that I could meet her. She was not working the desk at that exact time but I was able to write her a letter and invite her to come as our guest. She had to work that night but we saw her bright and early Saturday morning for the second and third sessions and we gave her and her friend seats right up front. We hugged like old friends who hadn’t seen each other in way too long. She and I were two captives set free and not one more than the other. I could see her face the entire time I taught and, in doing so, strangely saw my own. I loved her so much. In fact, more than is possible for strangers. I knew it was the love of Jesus using my simple frame as a momentary conduit. As I felt the smallest hint of His love for her, I also got the oddest feeling that He loved me, too. After all, He came for people just like us. All 9,000 of us. None needier than the next. All saved by grace. Freed by grace. Oh, for grace to love Him more!
I cherish all of you so much. Allow me to voice special gratitude and affection to all of you who attended the Living Proof Live event in Colorado Springs. We are so grateful for the privilege to serve you. Let’s you and I give it up so we can live it up! Matthew 16:24-27
Tags: National Day of Prayer
Not sure if the my last message made sense. What I was trying to say didn’t exactly come out identical to my words. Arghhhh…. Please feel free to delete this and the last message. I think when we see a strong, Godly woman, it can create/stir a desire within our souls to connect and experience a connection that can bring out mentoring/wisdom/ etc. So, what I was trying to say was that I need to be careful that I am seeking Christ First and Foremost. Hope that clarifies.
Through Him,
Kimberly
Girl, you are so blessed to be in Ravi’s company! God loves you so! Green with Joy for you!
That was the best post ever! The NDOP is such an opportunity of a lifetime. Thank you for sharing. From one hair product junkie to another, what kind of gel was that? The humidity is killing me here!
Dear Sweet Beth. I love how you connect with us through our imperfections and weaknesses. Isn’t that just how our beautiful Jesus reached out to others.
I was sitting here thinking how alike we all are. I was picturing our beautiful sister as she sat studying God’s word through your bible study and how she probably never thought she would ever meet you, never mind sit in the front row of your study through an invitation sent by you!! Is our God not an Awesome GOD!!!
You touch my heart when you tell such sweet stories.
My Son who is in College recently told me that he feels he has to “be someone else” when he is with other Christians his age. I simply told him that it is through our imperfections that we connect with people. When we show our true selves that is what people relate to. No one is perfect and we shouldn’t act as though we are. It opened up some great
dialogue between the two of us. He was so worried about people having high expectations of him and not being able to meet those needs. Praise God that he gives us his forgiveness and Grace when we fall short, and we often do.
Thank you for being yourself!!!
That is the most precious story of the prisoner set free. Wow. It brought tears to my eyes. How sweet that you went to find her. God bless you Beth!
Jean
That story reminds me of a time a few years ago when my young family was sitting in a hotel lobby having the free continental breakfast before we headed home. There was a young woman there with an open Bible, engrossed in what looked very much to me like a Beth Moore study. After walking by a time or two and craning my neck to try and see which one it was….I finally just asked, “Is that a Beth Moore study?” She smiled and said, “Yes it is, have you done them before?” And then we proceeded to discuss which ones we’d done and loved, and how much they had blessed us. Complete strangers in a hotel lobby…bonding over Bible study. 🙂
Way cool, Beth!
Thanks for the recap. It was wonderful! I will have that sweet desk clerk on my mind all night and praying blessings all over her.
I love you!
Anne in MO
That’s my Jesus bringing you two captives together! Isn’t He just amazing?!? I am so glad you took the time to “apprehend” her. What a blessing it must have been…for both of you.
And I am glad you were selected to shadow Mr. Ravi. I can’t think of a more perfect choice. Genuine. The real deal. Tell us more…how was your heart burdened for this country? Did God give you a WORD you can share with us? I know I was just so knocked to my knees by His Holiness.
Rest up and have a blessed week. You deserve some pampering!
Amen! Whether it’s a thief on a cross or an ex-con manning the check in desk at a hotel – SAVED BY GRACE is what counts. Thank you to ministering to that siesta. And reminding me to minister to the folks in my path everyday!
AMEN!
Kim Feth in Apex, NC
I am getting so excited to see you in just a couple weeks in Boise! We just found out that my girls have their black belt karate testing the same night. 🙁 Darnit. So you’ll forgive me if my heart will be a little divided for awhile….
In the meantime, I hope you get all rested up from your adventures to DC and Colorado. 🙂
Also, I’m taking my first ever road trip cross country this summer. From Idaho all the way to Tennessee, Kentucky and back. Just how do you keep your hair a’holdin in the humidity over there? I’m used to dry weather!
I don’t know how you do all that you do, but I am so glad you do. Hope you get a chance to visit Patti while she is in town. I miss you!
Love, Annette
The Journey Continues~
GOD BLESS YOU AND GOD BLESS THE US OF A!
With “Heaven Bound” Blessings,
Kim
http://www.kimsafinathejourneycontinues.blogspot.com
Ms. Beth,
Thanks for sharing all the fun details of your trip. Thank you, thank you for being a part of the body of Christ and going and physically being there for the NDOP. What a blessing to have an event like that, I agree who knows (only the Lord) what is in store for our country, even more of an incredible blessing so many leaders including you were there this year.
I love the hair product bit. I am all about hair products!! My daughter and I just donated our hair for a worthy cause, we each cut of 10 inches and I have been sad my velcro rollers just won’t fit in my shorter hair the same way. Oh well, it will grow.
Thanks for all you do to serve the Lord and serve women in His name. I am so thrilled to learn of the woman that came to the conference. I know that’s why you do it, to see those come to Him, ready to be there, ready to learn, ready to receive, and God NEVER lets us down. I know she received a blessing from Him, because I have seen Him work at Lproof conferences in mighty, miraculous ways, even in my own heart.
Thanks for always sharing with us,
wendy
I am reminded of a Casting Crowns song, “Love Her Like Jesus”. How beautiful and precious you are, sweet Beth. I would love to meet you in person…you gotta love you, you know what I’m saying????!!! I don’t know about you, but if we don’t meet this side of Heaven, we are going to have one rockin’ party once we get there!!! Much love and prayer for you, Siesta!!!
Wow, Miss Beth,
What an awesome experience your visit to Washington with a special tour guide must have been!!!
However, I almost fell over when I received the lproof prayer email saying that you were going to DC and then to speak in Colorado Springs… I am surprised that you didn’t just take the day off, my dear sister!
Oh, what a sweet thing that was for you to do for that former inmate/now sister in Christ. Of course, I know it wasn’t you, but the Holy Spirit inside of you that did this for her… And, He always has such awesome ideas, doesn’t He?
I guess I must have been a very blessed young lady to have been able to be in your former SS class after I felt the Lord leading me to make your church my “home church” after my salvation in Christ Jesus. But, I still feel privileged to know that I was allowed to help vote Pastor Gregg M. into ministry there back in April 2004, as I still listen to his sermons online sometimes and I still get so much out of them!
I am trying to get back to working on the “Patriarch’s study”, but was interrupted by my Dad’s passing away [but into Jesus’ arms; praise God!].
Love ya, big sister!
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer O.
Southern Wisconsin
What a sweet story about the desk-clerk. God just works in the coolest ways. I got chills reading about Jesus loving her through you.
Your time in D.C sounds wonderful! I, too, can not get through the Lee Greenwood song without tears rolling down my cheeks. I LOVE that you received hair products as your “official” gift! Too funny!
Cara
I wanted to go to COS for the LPL conference. I used to live there, used to attend New Life Church, used to visit Focus on teh Family… used to tour the Olympic Training Center… and boy do I miss it all soooooooo.
Thank you for sharing with us of the lady from the hotel. I love that you went to the hotel to find her. That you invited her as your personal guest to the conference. That you hugged her with the love of Jesus and that you saw Him, in You, in HER all the while you were sharing on stage.
I am changed just hearing the testimony of the faithfulness of the Lord through you this past weekend.
Be Blessed Beth.
Chelle’
My friend sang “It is Well With My Soul” at that event. Glad you had a great time.
Wonderful! As I read your post and watched the video from CO Springs, I just kept thinking of the song, “O Victory in Jesus…” What victory we have when we know Him! My sweet sis, katiegfromtennessee, has shared with me numerous times about the fellowship and prayer support that comes from this blog. I have been reading posts and comments for several months now, but I really want to be a “siesta” – praying for ya’ll, being loved on, and sharing in the victories! The affection you have for one another is truly a blessing. Thank you!
My blonde brain feels tired for you. I pray a load of rest for you right now. What a privilage though. How amazing is God?!! Then getting to meet that desk clerk. I’m so thankful that God gives you those moments that encourage you to keep going strong. What a joy to get to throw your arms around each other and just thank Jesus for His grace. Glory!!!!
Ellie Mae ROCKS!!! lol
What an awesome story! I was led to the Lord by a man who was fresh out of prison and on parole…I often wonder what became of him. I am glad you had the opportunity to embrace such a treasure.
My breath still catches and my heart pounds heavy when I think of this past weekend…what a blessing! Thanks.
As I was reading the story about the hair products I could totally hear you in my head telling it (accent and all)! Thank you for sharing and letting us be a part of all the neat things you get to go and do. I cried when I read about the woman at the front desk.I think we all feel like we have that kind of relationship with you- that we are all your personal friends and you would give us great big hugs if you saw us on the street. I would say almost all of us just know you through the TV screen and this blog.It is amazing and such a gift you have that you are using SO well to God’s glory! Thank you Lord for our sweet friend Beth and how she allows you to use her to bless and encourage us so! Love you so much!
Suzanne
Our little group of ladies had such fun on our pilgrimage from Western Kansas to the Colorado Springs event. We have just begun the “Stepping Up” Bible study, so now it is all about the pilgrimage.
One of my favorite experiences of the event was watching you worship. Such joy was splashed all over your sweet face! It was a special thrill to be part of the multitude worshiping the one who is worthy of praise.
Thank you for the word you brought to us. I marveled at how it is possible to be so convicted and so uplifted at the same time! I have spent some serious time with the Lord working throught the scribbled notes in my booklet.
I think I’m still trying to get over this one stumbling block, but I’m aiming straight ahead and not going off in either direction this time!
Thank you for being so genuine.
Vivian
I love you Beth Moore and I can’t wait to meet you in TX.
Love,
Trudy
You are AMAZING GOD!!! You just keep putting this puzzle of life together piece by little piece. The finished product must be something really special because we certainly serve a really special God!!! Keep amazing me Lord for your Glory!
Beth you amaze me too!! The way God uses you in putting pieces of other peoples puzzled lives together. Touching, mending, loving, healing, piece by puzzle piece ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD!!
AMEN! AMEN!
I love you siesta Beth!
Angela – Redmond, WA
P.S. My heart nearly skipped a beat when I heard what was in your gift bag!!! Hair Products aahh!!!!
🙂
Thanks for the encouraging stories about your week, Beth. Not only are they spiritually encouraging, they also give hope to mommas like me who are in the midst of diapers and tantrums. Maybe there really is a life somewhere down the road where you are able to sit still and drink out of a china cup without worrying someone will break it! Hallelujah!
For any of you wondering if you should go to a Living Proof Live event, or how you would get to one, all I can say is, “Just Do It!” As you’ve read here, God always has a fresh word for you at one of these events. I want to try and get to another one besides the San Diego one I just went to. Be careful they (& God’s words) are addictive!
Love to all the Siestas!
oh Beth…. I feel compelled to confess that I’ve been going through the battle of a lifetime to finally break free of my deadly stronghold that has reared its ugly head once again (an occurrence that always, ALWAYS happens whenever there’s a crisis)…..your beautiful encounter with that “former captive” has brought me to my knees in tears of sorrow, repentance and most of all hope. Hope that I, too, can REALLY get these shackles OFF once and for all and finally become the radiance of God’s love that He has ALWAYS intended for me to have…. I am going to do this, Beth.
Thank you for all you do to the Glory, and the Honor of our Almighty God. I love you.
mariacristina
As a friend of mine said about you – “she is annointed.” I promise when we talk about you it is ALWAYS good!!! I am so excited about the Siesta Fiesta and seeing you in Atlanta. What a blessed summer it will be!!!
Beth –
Thank you for sharing. I too am a captive set free, praise God!
Love and Blessings, Debbie in Tennessee
I am thankful that he set us free! I can’t think about it without thinking of the Newsboys song “I am Free”! That song at our church is becoming kinda like a theme song! We have a prison outreach at our church, so therefore, we have alot of people who have been in prison before and have now accepted Christ. SO.. The song kinda serves two purposes! The physical and spiritual. When we hear them start that song, people are already yelling, I am Free!
Free Indeed!
Lord, I pray, that we would all learn to love people the way you love them. Help us to see the heart of people as you do. O God, we thank you for the freedom that you have given us through your son. Thank you Father, for using Beth and her girls to minister to us women! May we all be willing to serve you and serve others.
Bridgette
What a week, DC and Colorado Springs – talk about a whirlwind! And God used every bit of it to bless us siestas. Thank you so much for sharing. When I read you were in DC for the NDOP, I was so excited for you too be a part of such an event. I’ve never been, but would love to one day. If ever our nation needed prayer, it’s now. And the desk clerk story; is our God good or what?! To quote a dear friend, “He is better to me than He has to be”. :o)
I am so glad that you were able to know of the desk clerk’s story–it had to have been God-ordained. I am sure that she was in need of some special encouragement in the Lord–and Praise God–you were able (and willing)to show her the love of Christ. It brings tears to my eyes to think of the blessing you are to so many. Thank you for touching my life through your writings and allowing me to know Jesus more intimately than I ever thought possible.
I am excited that I am coming to Deeper Still in Atlanta in June but I am also a little down about it. My sister-in-law and I were supposed to come together but she has something else and had to cancel on me. Now, I am feeling all down and out–just feeling kind of sorry for myself. I am praying that a friend will be able to go. I would love to take my daughter, but I really need to share expenses. Pray that I will ask the right person to go with me and that we will both receive a blessing.
Obviously your fame preceded you to Washington D.C. Beth, hair products no less. How COOL!!
You are SO loved,Beth! Always keep it real…even at the Whitehouse! How fun is that!
God Bless You,
Tanya
Beth,
I just have to tell you about my dream last night. You were speaking in D.C. and you came out at the end and were eight months pregenant!!!
How did those hair products work, what was the brand/product?
WOW Beth, It’s awesome what God does in our lives whenever we let him. I had tears in my eyes reading about the clerk behind the desk. Praise God. I live in C/S but wasn’t able to attend. It’s okay because I was priveleged enough to see you last year in Denver. You are such an amazing person and witness to so very many people. We all love you more than words will ever say. Thanks for being you. Hope to see you again soon. Have a great day. Mary Anne from Colorado Springs
Beth:
What an awesome time! To be able to attend NDOP in Washington D.C. with all those wonderful believers would be incredible by itself. Then to have the previlege to minister and love on some precious sisters in Colorado Springs on top of that. HOW AWESOME! God is Good!
Thank you so much for being so relational in your writing, teaching and blogging. You have such a knack for making people feel they belong.
Hugs and Blessings,
Siesta Marita
Now that’s cool……sipping tea at the White House. Do you ever just sit back in awe at what God has done with your life?
I LOVE the story about the sweet desk clerk. What a huge blessing for both of you!
I started not to read this blog right now as I have a 9:30am meeting and did not want to take a chance on smearing my mascara from some tear provoking statement. But, with cinnamon raisin bagel in hand, alas I needed something to do while I ate. And then it was too late…she testified of taking one of the Bible studies in prison and receiving Christ Jesus as her personal Savior. TEARS! Praise Him, PRAISE HIS NAME! I must go and compose myself before I burst into my meeting like a madwoman and fall face down and beg my boss to recognize his need for a Savior!! How thankful I am.
Lisa
Are women the only ones that can laugh out loud one second and be in tears the next? Do men do that too? None of the ones I know. Beth, thanks for sharing those stories. What a great way to start the day.
Love you, Siesta!
Melanie
Loved the story about the desk clerk. The way Jesus shines through you is so beautiful…
Love ya’
Adrienne
Beth,
I didn’t attend the conference in CO Springs. However, when you said “Let’s you and I give it up so we can live it up!” in your post, I think I can deduce what you meant by that. I am going to personalize that statement if you don’t mind so I can remind myself to GIVE IT UP so I can LIVE IT UP!
May God Bless You Tremendously!!!!!
Karen
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/tagblog
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/salt
God will NEVER cease to amaze us will he? Beth,I wanted to send you this. Our local Christian radio host (A GUY!!!) evidently is taking “The Patriarchs bible study and had this posted on his blog! You don’t have to post but I wanted you guys to ENJOY!!!
Beth Moore’s pricey soup
I heard her in person the other day.
She joked that her audience was usually all wearing capri pants, and yeah, being a guy probably limits my appreciation of her. It did take a minute to get over that feminine, (to me) over-emotional way of praying and asking God to bless our time. But soon I was caught up in Jacob wrestling with God and my own reaction to her urging us to not ever let go of wrestling with God in intimacy.
The words came out like they had butterfly and eagle wings, fluttering and soaring, and none seemed to fall to the floor. It felt like each person was given something personal. I know I was — my relationship with Jesus is the most important thing in the world…
You can get the stage, the gig, the platform and draw a crowd and make a knock-em-out impression. You can do that with skill and effort, on your own. And then you can give Jesus credit, even though you did it, and it sounds good, and some people won’t know the difference.
But this kind of thing, where the speaker becomes invisible, and you’re listening to her but you feel like it’s only you and Jesus — that comes at a greater price than skill and effort and perseverence. There’s some kind of soup of brokenness, humility, hopelessness, rejection, suffering and death that cooks for God-knows-how-long into this nourishing bowl of exaltation, healing, acceptance, and new life.
Nourishing for others. Very expensive for you.
And while it’s cooking, you ask, how long? And the only answer you get is, until I say it’s done.
There aren’t many price-payers in the world. There’s way more benefit-getters — I’m one — and the contrast when you’re in the same room with the other one can be convicting and inspiring at the same time.
I wrote her husband a note, but didn’t give it to him — “I don’t know what cost you’ve had to pay to be able to do this, but it’s worth it.” I think I wrote it for myself, as maybe some kind of soup-starter of my own.
I hope you get a long afternoon nap soon. 😉
Your heart message: “we have all been set free by grace” I wish all of us could have that in the front of our minds at all time. It would be a continual party of Joy in Christ & an outpouring of love, not condemnation of others. So glad you’re leading prayer at Nat’l DOP this coming year.
Keep preachin’ siesta
Hey Beth,
That wasn’t those Aussie products that you see on T.V. when they trip the Kangroo I laugh like crazy when I see that commercial. Isn’t it fun being a Girl! It’s kinda of like where the local Walmart cause I wouldn’t want to clean after a Kangroo LOL!
Oh, Beth! I just adore your heart! Thanks for your thoughts and your delightful humor!
And Beth, there is definitely something about the hair product scenario in which you found yourself! I live in South Mississippi, and you have to have good “GUNK” to hold your hair down here, too! I use Texture Magnifier and I LOVE it! It’s the only product I’ve purchased over and over and over again! It works just that good…on straight OR curly hair to boot!
My question though is have you tried the new hair product yet? I know you probably didn’t while in D.C. or even in Colorado Springs because every hair lovin’ chic knows that you don’t try a new hair product while attending an event! That is something you do in the borders of your own home so that if it doesn’t work, you can wash it out and start all over again! hehehehe
Prayers and Blessings!
Rebecca
Praise the LORD. His mercy endures forever. Such an incredible amount of privilege you have received. Don’t you just love Him? Dee
Beth,
You just so beautifelly protrayed what my pastor has said so many times. “See each person you meet as someone for whom Christ died.” I now understand a little better. We are to be conduits of Christ’s love. Thank you for sharing.
KS
How wonderful that someone gave you hair products, that is a mighty fine gift in my book! I can just imagine how it blessed that women’s heart that you looked her up and invited her to the conference. She’ll not forget that as long as she lives. There is nothing more fulfilling than loving others through Jesus.