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
COS was an amazing event, every time, and I mean EVERY time I am privileged to hear you teach, transformation takes place. God’s Truth resounds through every word and all of us within the sound of your voice are being transformed into His likeness. The glory of the Lord was palapable in the sanctuary with women singing praises to our Father, my soul was stirred by the immaterial and the experience was ultimate spirituality. Take heed Oprah!! Living Proof is the real deal. It was an amazing event and my prayer is for “the gates to be sealed with iron and bronze” over LPM because the Kingdom work being done is a mighty thing. Love you guys.
How awesome that you connected with the hotel attendant!!! You know what? I was talking with John Fuller about this weekend and how I felt the need to get my counseling degree or training to help women in crisis. He suggested I talk with a gentleman they did a program with that works with women’s prisons. Does that blow your mind? Half of the questions during Friday’s Ministry Leader Q&A brought up prison ministry… still trying to process…
Your message was RIGHT ON this weekend– many of the things we had been specifically praying about. God showed up so BIG! Hope you got the picture of Pike’s Peak. The women wanted to make sure you get it. 🙂
Thanks for the opportunity to serve! It was the deepest ministry blessing yet!!!
Love ya!
What a blessing this morning to hear Travis and look at the pictures from Colorado. I needed a word this morning. NDOP is awesome. I have been involved with that too. I pray that you will continue to be annointed by God as you prepare for San Antonio. We are preparing our hearts once again for that weekend. Phyllis
Beth,
I praise God for your “Quick Word” today! It was like God was talking to me through you…His beautiful jar of clay. You are so very dear to me. He also showed me today Jer. 29:11;Jer. 33:3; 2 Cor.12:9; Gen. 15:1; and Psalm 46:10. Just had to share with you.
katiegfromtennessee
Galatians 6:6 NKJV
[ Be Generous and Do Good ] Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
Colossians 2:2 AMP
2[For my concern is] that their hearts may be [a]braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love, that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively [b]more intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One).
“As i felt the smallest hint of His love for her, I also got the oddest feeling that He loved me, too” You said it all!I love you Beth.
p.s. that’s why i always had to sit so close…and even watch you read the bible instead of reading along…i just wanted to have that “odd” feeling…miss you so much!
Beth,
I attended the CO Springs LPL event. My husband and I work with the radio station and I begged and pleaded with them to meet you 😉 I just knew that if I could sit and talk with you and have you pray with me…my need to end my life due to my struggles with my “stumbling blocks” would be over. I was SURE you would end that for me. After several phone calls it became clear that your schedule didn’t allow it and I was just so blessed to enjoy the event with my best friend who has walked through my depression with me and been my spiritual mentor, etc. This conference was SO meant for me..at THIS moment in my life and spoke straight to my heart. I haven’t cried in nearly 20 years…and I had an emotional let down at your altar call like none I’ve ever known. I realized at that moment…it wasn’t about meeting you..it was about meeting God at the alter and laying it down. I was so blessed by you..more than you can imagine. My family and 2 small children are so blessed with having me back and with having to worry a little less about me for the first time in a very long time. Bless you and God’s perfect timing working together to save my life!
Ashley
Beth,
We are in the midst of “A Woman’s Heart” with a group of ladies and your posting about the NDOP fit in with where we are in the study. I swiped some of your comments to share this week when our group meets.
By the way, I’m a new Siesta so to speak. I’m a “virgin” commentor and would like to add that I adore your blog. I read every day!
In Him,
Stephanie
We new it would be fun, expected to hear from God, and even had high hopes of sitting near the front but none of us expected the delivery and freedom that we recieved. As we entered the conference, I told one of my friends to get ready and let the spirit open her heart because Beth was going to speak right to her……… Before she even reached the stage, Beth had her hands on my friend Melissa’s face giving her a message from the Lord. That word was confirmed throughout the process of the weekend. On the way home we had some serious giving up to live it up talk! There were 2 major deliveries from the Lord that have changed the lives of all 4 of us. Lives have continued to be effected even as we live out this week. God is such a sweet amazing God! Beth you are such an amazing servant and I hope to someday get the privledge of meeting you~even if I have to wait until you greet me at the gates :0)
Beth, thanks for coming to Colorado Springs, it was truly amazing. I served on the steering commitee w/ Christy Lynn, and we ALL felt like God told us he was going to show up BIG, and boy did he ever!!!! Thanks Again!
Cory
Hi Beth. I recently attended your conference in Jacksonville, FL. I really enjoyed it and wanted to thank you for answering the calling that God placed on your life. I am a MK (missionary kid). I was born and raised in the jungles of Venezuela where my parents have been missionaries for over 30 years! I lived there until i met my husband who came down on a short term mission trip in 2002. We got married a year later and i now live in SC. It’s a lot different then what I am used to but God is faithful. I have been a bit discouraged at not being on the mission field, but God has really laid it on my husbands heart to start a hispanic ministry here, so i’m looking forward to that. I have a book that i would like to send you. It’s called “spirit of the rainforest” it a true story on the yanomamo indians( the tribe i grew up with) it’s a shamans testimony of how Christ saved him. i think you would really enjoy it. if it’s ok, could i mail it to you?
Thanks!
Beth, loved the recap. I do; however, have a question. When are you going to go on vacation? I mean a REAL vacation where you can rest…girl friend, you are wearing me out! I can only imagine how you feel!
Thank you for pouring your heart, mind, body, and soul into women whom you’ve never met but love us anyway. And many blessing to your man and children for sharing you!!!
Dearest Beth
It’s wonderful hearing about the awesome conferences you lead and I would love to come to one of them, but it’s expensive from UK and it would be hard to travel there on my own. Are there any plans for you to come to UK to do a conference in the forseeable future? We’d absolutely love it if you could as we feel we’re missing out here! You’re such a blessing and inspiration to us all, you have such a love and passion for Jesus and the Word of God and His people and are so dedicated to showing us how to go deeper with Him, and at the same time so hilariously funny! You and your family are much loved. I’ve done 6 of your studies, and they’ve been amazing and have impacted my life enormously. There are 3 different groups doing them at my church. Love your blogs and the siestas too. Thanks so much for all your inspiration & love.
Many, many blessings to you all.
Love you loads,
Pam
Beth! My mom is going to the Simulcast with me and one of my new mentors and her family! She told me she’s going this morning! There might be another mother daughter duo going as well from my church!:) God has worked this out!
Yea! Have a blessed day Beth, you and your precious staff and fam! Yea!
katiegfromtennessee
p.s. Siestas, you have a blessed day too!:)
Dear Sweet Siesta Beth: Thank you and Amanda for blessing us with such wonderful blogs. They make my day (week/month)!!! 🙂
Beth, you’ve probably already heard this. Your name was mentioned by Pastor Jonathan Falwell at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg when he spoke about the NDOP and Charles Billingsley sang “It Is Well With My Soul” for last Sunday morning’s worship, just like he did at NDOP. So great to see the unity and universality of God’s true family! BLESS YOU.
Ann in Bedford, VA
Dear Beth,
You are my sister in Christ, and I have great affection for you and your family. I have read almost all of your books. (I like some more than others). Your passion and love for Jesus has had a profound impact on my life. I hope you hear my heart in this comment. I am dead serious. I am trembling and crying.
Will you take a stand next May during NDOP?
Will you pray a prayer in Jesus’ name?
Will you boldly proclaim that there is one Lord over the whole earth, who hears and answers prayers only in the name of His Son?
Will you refuse to participate if you are not allowed to offer an official prayer in Jesus’ name?
Will you suffer persecution for The Name?
Will you stand like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, or will you bow?
Will you love the seats in the front more than Jesus?
Will you love the honor of kings and princes (religious and government) of this world more than Jesus?
I have heard you preach many times, via video and your live conferences, that you have settled it in your heart that you will stand for Jesus even if your life is on the line (remember standing on that stool in India?). Do not rationalize your involvement because the Dobsons are standing right beside you, or because Ravi Zacharias did it.
Men and women around the world die for his name every single day. Standing for Jesus in America won’t get you killed. You may be mocked or ridiculed, but no one is going to kill you. And even if you are killed, praise God you died defending His Name.
I implore you to stand for Christ at NDOP. I beg of you to be strong in the Lord and refuse the praise of men. Women around the world will be watching you. Your family will be watching. Hundreds of thousands of lost souls will be listening and watching — boldly give them the gospel! Not only that, Beth, you will be surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, those who did not consider their earthly possessions and bodies to be worth anything compared to Jesus. They died gladly! And embolden all of us siestas to stand for Jesus at the same time. Dare to be a relevant Christian!
Could it be that a woman will stand for Christ before all the men? How many times have I heard you say that? DOZENS! Well, okay, at least three times.
Oh, how I pray that you will strong in the Lord and in His mighty power, that you will refuse to compromise and eat from the king’s table. How I pray that you will shout it out that there is one kind of prayer that God Almighty will hear and answer, and it is a prayer offered in faith in the name of His only son, Jesus!
Why would you want to be involved in an event that required you to be ashamed of Jesus’ name?
I write all of this with much respect and concern. Part of the problem is that I feel like I know you because of your books, even though we do not know one another at all. I hope that I have not crossed the line with my comment. I hope you are not offended. At the same time, I hope you will not ignore my plea. God has obviously entrusted you with an enormous opportunity. Don’t waste it.
Your young (and slightly over dramatic) siesta,
Leslie
Beth,
You are so stinkin’ cute, I can hardly stand it! I’m glad you had such a wonderful experience at the NDOP ceremonies. They are blessed to have you be a part of it!
Love you,
Kristen
PS I’m sooo bummed I can’t make it to San Antonio. If only Hawaii was closer to Texas. Any chance you can bring LPL to the islands? It would be so fun! 🙂
After reading your blog, I called my the woman who used to lead our Beth Moore Bible studies. She now leads a prison-based Bible study. She was so encouraged by hearing about someone who is now out and a changed person. Thanks for sharing, and letting us share your share!
Peace,
Kim in Apex, NC
Sweetest Beth,
I am a Native Texan who has lived in D.C. for the past 5 1/2 years. Thanks for coming. And praying. Despite everything that is said in the news, there are godly men and women in this city who love Jesus more than life. Glad you got to meet some of them.
Last summer I was one who D.id C.ome to the Women of Faith conference. So looking forward to the Siesta Fiesta.
Have a blessed Mother’s Day!
Love,
Bonnie
Dear Sweet Beth,
I feel like I have been on a long trip, as I have missed checking into my favorite blog for several weeks now. WOW! A lot has happened at LPM and in your family. I loved reading the stories about the NDOP and the desk clerk. And of course, it makes me so very sad and envious to read about all the fun the siestas will have at the fiesta in August since I will be unable to attend. However, I will be with our daughter and her husband as our first grandchild is welcomed into this world! As you know, that trumps a siesta fiesta any day. So know that I will be praying for you, AJ and Melissa … you for a special anointing during your teaching (the Lord always is faithful to do this!) and for the three of you as you are loved to death by joyful siestas.
May your Mother’s Day be an extra special blessing this year! And may Mothers’ Day be a day of joy and blessings to all mothers tomorrow. My best love to you and yours….
just want to say that I am glad to find out I’m not the only person who cannot listen to proud to be an american with a dry eye!
Hey Siestas and Beth and Amanda and LPM Moms:
Happy Mother’s Day!
Blessings,
katiegfromtennessee
I just have to say that this Friday I will be going to see you in Boise ID and I am SO excited!!!! My friend Kristin and I are driving over from Klamath Falls, OR which is about 6 hours but I know that it is going to be awesome to see what God has to say through you!
I can hardly type through my tears. As a freed captive from intense fear, panic, and depression, I rejoice with you in hearing about this newly freed butterfly. My two favorite verses you helped me learn are: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” And, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard (or do I have that backward?), no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him, but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit.” I could never have conceived living without panic. Praise Him!
Can anyone help? I am doing Believing God for the 2nd time with another study group. THe problem is that these gals don’t have the leaders guide book. Our weekly sessions are not going too well because no one wants to lead. Can anyone give us some insight? I have said I will lead, but I need a leaders guide. I just need to know what part do we discuss in the sessions, the It’s Your Turn part? I am going to pray about it and Believe God to help me with this struggling group!