My Dear, Dear Siestas,
I am in the airplane on my way home from breathtaking New England with a whirlwind-week wrapped up in the Name of Jesus. He alone knows how much your prayers carried us. Never do I ever take intercession lightly. It takes time, concentration, and labor. I am humbly mindful that the requests we throw out to you here are added to a monumentally long list of your own. THANK YOU.
Youāre already up to date on the first three days of our tour but I gave you my word Iād keep you up on the whole week. Praise His merciful, faithful Name, God was unsparing in His Presence among us in both Delaware and Connecticut. The arena on the campus where we met in Delaware was not only full to the brim with people but full of passion for the Lord Jesus. Their praise and worship rocked the whole house. I loved them to pieces and God granted us an altar time that night that I will never forget as long as I live. Our last night was in beautiful Hartford, Connecticut and I was deeply moved that God had us end this ten-year season of Living Proof Live in a church. Thatās where we started these events, stayed for a long time, and where we will no-doubt (joyfully and obediently, I pray) return. Make no mistake. Every time we meet in an arena or civic center, we gather as His CHURCH and He graces it as such but it was wonderful to be back in a lovely sanctuary where God is praised week in and week out. We didnāt have to follow up something like ACDC if you get my drift. We also had a powerful altar time there last night and I can only imagine how God esteemed the many tears that stained the carpet.
After we concluded (late!) last night, LifeWay threw all us team members a surprise party. We had so much fun. Travis and I received three gifts that we will each treasure the rest of our sanguine lives. We were given framed maps of the United States will flag-pins in all 50 states identifying the city and the year we had the chance to serve there. Iāve got to preface the next gift we received with a story. Trav and I were saying at the party how much we wished we had a photo journey of the events in an album. We called over our dear Rich, our photographer extraordinaire, and asked him if heād put together such a thing for us (as only he could do, creative as he is). We told him we didnāt even want a brother-in-law deal. Weād pay him full price for his labor. He promised he would. And fifteen minutes later he was called forward to do his part at our gathering and with tears in his eyes, he pulled two gorgeous, professionally crafted hard-back books out for us. The cover was a picture of one of the largest LPL events weāve ever been charged by God to do. It was at Philips Arena (with CeCe!) in Atlanta, Georgia and the sight of that place filled to the brim is almost unbearable. The title beneath it is, āLiving Proof Live: A Photographic History.ā And, yes, by our very own LPL historian, Rich Kalonick. It is SLAYING. And, oh, Lord have mercy, the hair styles. And, if you donāt mind me saying (he will), not just mine. Travās hair has been through some seasons, too. But he is consistently the cutest thing for the whole ten years! I, on the other hand, have decided, big as it is, my hair looks better longer and blonder than shorter and darker. So deal with it. And, really, I should have gotten a nose job along the way. I used to want one but by the time I had the money to pay for it, I didnāt care anymore. As I look at the pictures, perhaps I should have cared more. (TEASING, GIRLS!) But thatās all beside the point. The point is, it captures a journey of Godās faithfulness amid frail but seeking people. I love every single page of it but my favorite parts of all are shots of the participants in varying states of praise and study, laughter and tears. Man, I am so blessed to be able to minister to women!! You just really get into it. AND, my other favorites are the group pictures of our entire team: tech guys, sound guys, light guys, graphics guys, event girls, Trav and the praise team, and, okay, yours truly. (When theyāve taken a picture without me, I always love to say, āI love it! But thereās something missing. I canāt quite put my finger on it.ā) You cannot imagine the diversity of people and personality God has teamed-up at these events and we have grown into family. I am so thankful for them.
Our third gift was a blast-of-a-video compiled by our dear friend (and team member) Stephen Proctor. Heād compiled all sorts of greetings from team members and participants and a few special guests. Many of the shots were hilarious. I nearly died when it came to the part he shot of the team at an airport. Heād taken them into the nursing room (it was empty, praise You, Lord) to video them so it would be quieter. You can imagine most of them were too flustered with the environment to concentrate on their greetings. The video is complete with bloopers and youād best run to the ladiesā room before you watch them. Other parts of the video made me do what I HATE to do in public: the ugly cry. Man, I hate that. Nobody looks cute doing that. The three gifts were the absolute best-possible ways to document and celebrate a decade of ministry. As LifeWay Vice President John Kramp so aptly put it, we donāt know where God will take us in the years to come ā nor how! ā but today we hold up a stone of Ebenezer and proclaim, āThus far the Lord has helped us.ā He alone did it. He alone gets the glory. He alone decides where it goes from here. Not one of us would dare share one single success with Him. Iād be a wreck without Him.
I want to tell you one last thing Iām taking home with me from New England. My biggest loss ā and itās a BIG ONE ā on the road is that I often donāt get to know any of the women personally. For this season of time, my one-on-one mentoring is done with serious concentration and calling toward my own daughters. They are the dearest ministry I have. Most of what Iām called to do otherwise this season is in a group setting. Iām so thankful for it and I can read a number of things from faces but I always wish Iād had the privilege of hearing their stories. One group of city coordinators sent me home this week with a very well-done photo album of their pictures, personal stories with Jesus, and their journeys over the last year as they worked toward their event. When I tell you I pored over it a little while ago on this plane ride and sobbed, Iām not exaggerating. It was as if weād sat in a circle over a strong cup of fresh Starbucks and shared face-to-face. So many things struck me, some of which Iāve already written back in a letter to them, but one thing I feel compelled to share with you because I respect the same thing in so many of our bloggers. Many of them are living the Jesus-life faithfully OUTSIDE A SPOTLIGHT where theyād more often be affirmed and in the places where it counts more than anything. Where, as my people would say, the rubber meets the road. Right there in their communities, their school systems, amid hectic schedules of carpool and what on earth to cook for supper. Serving their churches, many of which are very small. Some of which lack a little spark. Many of them donāt have a sprawling LifeWay Christian Store near the neighborhood mall nor do they have a Christian concert every other weekend like we have in the Bible Belt.
One NE sister wrote me and said their beautiful city only has one Christian radio station and itās mostly talk radio. Many of you could say the same thing. Numbers of you live in apathetic communities that just donāt give a ratās tail about church or Christianity. Others live in very intellectual communities that look down on Christians like theyāre ignorant and gullible. And yet there you are. Doing the thing. And doing it faithfully. Getting down on your knees at some point every day. Reading the Scriptures. Asking God to help you know Him. Living it out in your homes (is there any harder charge?) and in your work place and communities and finding yourselves wounded and wondering from time-to-time if God knows youāre alive. There is no such thing as serving in obscurity when you belong to Jesus. He is attentive to your labor. He is attentive to your CRY. IT MATTERS.
Sweet Thing, there is no one on Earth God notices more than you. He knows that the atmosphere Heās entrusted to you is not the easiest place on the planet to serve and, yet, day in and day out He sees you doing the thing. He knew you would. Thatās why youāre there. He didnāt bother entrusting it to a light-weight. He knows you may go weeks between true soul-encouragements. Thank goodness we have the example of the man after Godās own heart, who, in 1 Samuel 30:6, was surrounded by bitter people who couldnāt see past their own problems to regard how heād tried to help them. There, weāre told that David encouraged himself in the Lord. Yep, you can do that. When not one single soul bothers to encourage you, you can just go right to the Lord and encourage yourself. How ābout that? Speak to your own insides and say, āWhy so downcast, oh, my soul? Why so disturbed within me. Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God!ā As alone as you may feel, every time you praise Him, some ten-thousand angels jump in the chorus with you and your song becomes a symphony.
Stay faithful, Darling One. STAY FAITHFUL! Every ounce of your effort and every drop of sacrifice are poured like anointing oil on the feet of Jesus.
āI will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.ā Psalm 32:8
Tags: New England Nights
Thank you Beth. What a wonderful post- and what a joy to be able to “follow” you on your travels this week! You are an incredible blessing. Love, Melissa
Beth,
Please don’t ever change your nose,
I love your face just the way it is. I pray God will continue to bless you and your ministry. It has richly blessed me and given me such a passion for God’s word. Thank you. I know it is not easy but thank you.
It has been a long week without getting to log on and read! Beth, that darn nose was what linked this brand new Bible gal to you a few short years ago. Mine too could desperately use some help, but it has encouraged me often that I think you are so beautiful so I souldn’t be so hard on myself. In Heaven, they will be lovely and little! Have a great week!
Kelly
Ugly cry beginning! Thank you Jesus I’m at home on this computer and not in public! Thank you sweet Mama Siesta for 10 years of faithfulness to your Call. Thank you Abba Father for placing the Call in the first place! We all have been blessed by it!
Keep up the fight girl! Your Father is pleased! So are the Siesta’s!!!
We love you too!
(and yes I believe I CAN speak for us all – can I get an “Amen” from someone?)
Val
NC
Beth,
I just got home from a discouraging meeting at church. I am involved in a new ministry, (actually I’m the coordinator so I conduct the meetings). Anyway, we have something big coming up and really need everyone on the committee to help. Very few people were at the meeting. Sometimes I feel like I’m trying to pull a bus all by myself.
I got on your blog and skimmed the latest entry. Two things JUMPED off the screen.
“He is attentive to your labor. He is attentive to your CRY. IT MATTERS.”
Then I saw…
“Stay faithful, Darling One. STAY FAITHFUL! Every ounce of your effort and every drop of sacrifice are poured like anointing oil on the feet of Jesus.”
Then I went back and read the words in between. You have no idea how much I needed to hear those words. God speaks through you. Thank you for typing the words He gives you!
Isn’t God just THE BEST?! Beth, I am praying your team, you, and your family will have a great rest and refreshment from this week’s services. Also, that God would protect you from that nasty evil one, who loves to come and sow doubts and seeds of anxiety.
Blessing on all of you!
Thank you, Beth, for the encouraging words….it has been a pleasure watching where God has taken this ministry over the last 10 years.
Our ladies’ group at church started doing your studies a little over 10 years ago. We started with a handful of women. We have done pretty much every one of your studies. (We are chomping at the bit for Esther to come out!) We have also gone to several LPL events through the years, as well.
We started with a half a dozen ladies and now we are pushing 20 or more. The Lord is so faithful…praise His name!
We look forward to what he has in store for the rest of 2008, 2009 and beyond!
P.S…We recently revisited one of your older studies and we decided you keep getting younger looking with each study. We all think you are beautiful – don’t change a thing about yourself!!
Beth,
Now I am the one crying. Just this morning, I was struggling getting my three cherubs dressed and ready for Church. It was like World War 15 had broken out! my youngest, 4, was crying about EVERYTHING this morning. I would get on twist of the curling iron done… and there would be another wail about something!
As a single Mom, I so often find myself discouraged just trying to do the things I need to do.
I try very hard to do the things I need to do. To keep in the Word. To keep praying. To keep guiding my 3 angels. But, sometimes it is VERY hard.
I appreciate the words of encouragement on a day that I so desparately needed it! That is just how the Lord works… providing what you need… when you need it… through various means!
Thanks so very much!
Thank you Beth,
I think someday you will hear all our stories. I’m looking forward to meeting you, we’ll do coffee if they do that in heaven.
Love you Beth He is also well pleased with you.
Liz Hinze
How precious. Beth… Thank you for sharing this long week with us. We love your zeal for God and the life He’s given you as crazy scheduled as it may be. I personally love the fact that I grew to maturity under your teaching.
As I read the precious words about the album with personal stories given to you by those you served… I thought about two precious books and a boxful of notecards and letters I received after my son died. Those words written on paper of how my son and my family have affected the lives of others just are precious to me. It is the story behind the story of my life – just as all our stories of how you and your family have impacted our lives is the story behind your story and I for one am grateful that you allow us to be a part of it at all. I am so blessed to call you my friend – even if I never meet you face-to-face… But a girl can hope to say thank you in person… can’t she? Love you bunches. You our dear Mama Siesta are precious and we thank God for you.
We love you, Beth.
And there’s NOTHING wrong with your nose!
Anne
Congratulations Beth!! What a Glorious adventure you have been on with Jesus!!! He has blessed us so much through you. Praise you Father for our sweet Siesta Mama. We love her so. Now bless her with new adventures for the next 10!!!! Can’t wait to see what he has in store for us!!!
Beth,
I have come to “know” you,as so many have, as a teacher and leader and pointer-to-Christ. Your teachings have pointed me to the One who changed my life, and who changes my life every day. Of course, no words can express thanks for that.
This post made my heart cry out, Amen, amen!
I am from New Jersey, and now live in Pennsylvania. I grew up in one of those “very intellectual communities that look down on Christians like theyĆ¢ā¬ā¢re ignorant and gullible.” Oh, Beth, I wish you were wrong… but you are not. There are always exceptions, but in my experience, there were few.
My family raised us proactively to be unbelievers. But God had His very hand on my life.
I often, half-jokingly, say that the Northeast needs missionaries as badly as China. Oh,in actuality, it is no joke. And as I type this, God is pressing on me that I must pray for this ‘home’ of mine (can you tell I am doing ‘Stepping Up’ -Psalm 122?), not just my current town – but this region.
Well, I guess the main purpose of this post is simply a thank you. Thank you for coming to the Northeast.
I am so very thankful that God led you to the Northeast, and that you listened and followed. May you have opportunity to return, if God leads you this way again.
Darlene
I have to say that I loved every moment of reading this post. How faithful God is. Celebrating what God has done through LPM these 10 years. But it was when you spoke about David that I broke down in tears. I can, and I will encourage myself in Him. And the angels?!! Praise be to God!
I know you do not know my face, but yet you love me anyway. I know you do because you say so. Oh, I love you too, and am so thankful for you and your obedience to God’s calling on your life. So many days you become that little bit of Jesus I needed someone to be to me. Thank you. I can’t wait to meet you in eternity!
Last thing. Is there anyway you could do a “Ten Years of Beth in Hairstyles” post? Wouldn’t that be so fun??? You’ve talked about it, now I have a feeling we’re all dying to see it š
May God bless you richly. -Jillian
Thank you, Beth, for your continuing encouragement to me. As a 42 year old mother still helping youngin’s learn to read, while the others are at college, I have some days of cramped and confused living. Good “Jesus livin’ kind of stuff”, but nevertheless an odd mix of emotions at times.
I, too, wish your life afforded you a pause to know all of us who love you. But after 5 years of doing life with you via God’s Word, I am content to save it for heaven. My life in my little is more than enough to carry me home where eternity will eternally pause to allow for such sacred friendships.
Until then, much love and peace~elaine
So true it is nothing is harder than our mission field right in our homes. Satan attacks me more here than anywhere else. I let him defeat me far too often. However, I have been on such a spiritual growth journey the past 7 years and beginning to see more and more how faithful He is to bless obedience in my life.
I have seen you both times you have spoken in Knoxville and cannot express to you how much your words from Him have impacted my life. Your studies are a HUGE part of my growth, some studies I have done twice! I even sent you a poem I wrote you concerning Loving Well! Thanks for being faithful to God ministering to so many of us. Your blog is like medicine to my soul always inspiring me to stay in the Word and grow.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Eva in Tennessee
Beth,
You make me smile and I just love you. He puts us in HIS spotlight! That is enough!
xoxo
Mich B
I’m reading with tears in my eyes! Thank you so much for the encouraging words to us who live for Jesus sometimes all alone in the midst of the world, wondering if He has forgotten us. We know intellectually that He hasn’t forgotten, but sometimes we need someone with skin on to tell us.
Thank you!
Wow!
I really needed to “hear” that tonight. Thank you for allowing God to use you to send me that message about how God is attentive. And how he has me here for a purpose, on purpose.
God bless you.
Delina
Thank You Thank You Thank you. Now rest sweet servant of the Lord God Almighty.
Iris
Thank you Thank You Thank You Sweet servant of the Lord God Almighty. Go and rest now, and I know you know but I need to say “you are so blessed.”
Iris
Thank you for your encouragement, Beth. You hold a special place in my heart – your studies have allowed Jesus to do His thing in me! A beautiful work and He is faithful to complete it, Praise God! You and your writing & teaching sparked a passion in me for His Word… for Him really. I think I've said this before in a comment, but you have really been used in a mighty way by God to change so many lives – including mine. I just love you so!!
Tiffany
Fort Worth, TX
P.S. We've never been introduced, but you sat next to me in one of the Siesta groups for pictures in San Antonio and that was a really cool moment for me. š
I also thank you for your ministry! I was at your Delaware conference and God spoke clearly to my heart for the first time in a long time. . .
I didn’t realize that I had been angry at God for over 18 years. That is when my humble, lovable dad suffered and died from pancreatic cancer. Because of your teaching on 2 Corinthians, chapter 5, I was able to once again reconcile with God. Wow! So that is why I was “stuck” in my spiritual walk~
“AND FROM NOW ON” I will reconcile relationships (especially the difficult ones) with the love of our Lord Jesus. I have been holding people at arm’s length for too long. I want God to be glorified in my life!
I also loved your “getting to know each other time” in the beginning. It reminded me of the old Carol Burnett Show!
You are one of the most loving, wise and hilarious people I know!
Please come back to the “Eastern Shore” soon! (And bring your family with you)
Blessings,
Phyllis
Salisbury, MD
So… Having left Houston when I was still a toddler – though my first bike was purchased at a Toy Store there when I was five — a sky blue number with white and silver streamers, a “TOOT-TOOT” horn and a banana seat… cause we still went there every year to see our friends Dee and Woody. WOO HOO! Anyway… Can you tell me a really great place to grab lunch with my husband after church on Sunday before I head on back.
I’m making the trip down to see him this weekend and looking for pointers… Blessings.
Beth:
What an awesome gift you have…a perfect blend of beauty, wit and wisdom. I sooooooo enjoy you.
Thank you for always inspiring me to serve God more fervently.
Blessings to you,
Sandy Cooper
http://www.godspeakstoday.blogspot.com
I was so thankful to read all about your past week and thought that the gifts from Lifeway were so fitting and perfect…..truly, how do you gift someone for serving
the Lord Jesus Christ and proclaiming His Word through teaching and music for 10 years!?
I know I speak for countless women when I say that I am so very thankful that you love His Word.
you get us into His Word….digging like no other studies that I have done. And Travis leads worship in such a
special way. I’ve been blessed by
conferences and studies and I praise God for you and your love and devotion to Him!
May God bless every task He has for you ahead!
love-judy
I just love you!! I know this is random but a question I have always wanted to ask:
As a busy woman/mom/grandmother with such a hectic schedule, how do you find time to do it all? You stay so thin and always look so cute and put together. AND you spend time every day in prayer and study. I’m struggling. either I exercise or I do my bible study.
How do you do keep your cute figure?
Thank you so much for that! I am trying to lead a women’s bible study in our rural church, and right now I feel very discouraged. I will keep you in my prayers.
Thank you, Beth~ Oh, you have no idea how much I feel that I know you. Your words of encouragement in this post are astounding! I happen to live in a community of a very liberal college. My husband and I are raising 3 little girls up in Jesus and your reminder that He sees us (and strengthens us) was much needed! God’s richest blessings on you, my *friend*….let’s see what the next 10 years hold!!
Hi Beth ~ IĆ¢ā¬ā¢m glad you enjoyed your New England trip. I was there in VT with 43 other woman from my area (2 hours away from Burlington Ć¢ā¬ā we packed into a school bus). You gave us lots to think about, whew! THANKS! We were helping you breathe and take breaths that night! I just have to let you know that Delaware is NOT in New England. I know VT is small but please come back! : ) ~kim
Beth –
Congratulations to you and the team on this accomplishment – to God be the glory! I have been a lifelong Christian, but your ministry has spoken to me and lead me into Scripture in a way that no other has. Thank you for sharing your funny and tender moments with us – they bring me laughter and tears. Thank you also for remembering us and encouraging us in our needs – you always have the words we need to hear. Stay faithful, indeed. Love you so much.
Whew! I had to get a fresh cup of coffee before I read the last (most recent post) of the NE events.
The prayer you prayed & blogged, I read an prayed right along with you. I know it was written last Monday night, but it is what my soul needed right at the time, as are the words from your post on the plane ride from NE back to Texas.
My husband lost his job in mid July. He has tons of manegerial construction expereienc. He is has a college degree. But he is hard-pressed to find a job. He is delivering pizzas to support his family of me, and four children (Molly 13, Joshua 11, Elizabeth 8, Jonathan 5).
He has quite possibly sent out 1000 resumes in the past months, but hardly any luck. For the most part, we've remained steadfast and optimistic, but boy, it gets tough.
We've prayed, we've cried, we've been seeking God's direction for him and for our family and it seems like we have heard nothing! But when we take the time and look back at the last several months, we have EVERYTHING.
We may not have full-time, blue or white collar employment, but God alone has sustained our bank account. I truly have no idea how we've come this far.
We may not have insurance, but we have six healthy people in our family (with the exception of my tooth-just had the 3rd root canal on my back tooth, but praise God, it was PAID FOR prior to losing our insurance!)
We may not see clearly where HE is leading or calling us, but WE DO HAVE HIM and I've never seen my husband so engaged and with such a searching, sincere heart toward the Lord.
So, Beth, thank you for the reminder that He Knows, and He is never far away.
Thank you for your servant work in God's kingdom!
Your Sietsa,
Mindy Jo
OH how God is good. Just this morning at church…the church my own husband pastors…I said to God, “I’m tired of this community!” We live in such an affluent place that most people see no need for a sold out relationship with God!! I was wondering how being a room mom and newborn mom even made a difference. Thanks so much for the encouragement. And we’re even doing the David study again right now…so I shouldn’t have needed it!
Thank you, Beth, for timely and specific spoken words that encouraged my hurting heart. As I read your first paragraph I began crying and asking God why am I in a hard place as our church has dwindled in the past 10 years. Praise God for your last paragraphs!! I was able to encourage myself in the Lord by recounting the wonderful things He has done in these past 10 years. Those who remain in our small congregation are faithful people who pursue a personal relationship with their Father. God has used our church to cooperate with parents to raise godly young people who walk with Him as they have left our community. He continually humbles us and causes us to cry out to Him. The Holy Spirit directed your thoughts and words to minister to me with this blog. Praise Jesus.
Oh Beth…thank you for your heart and your “realness”. I brought several ladies from MD/PA with me to Delaware. I can not even begin to tell you how much it meant to have that opportunity to bring them to solid teaching and real ministry from the heart of God! To top it all off a young lady I have been sitting back and watching and praying for finally opened up! I would ask that you please pass a HUGE thank you to the gal on the praise team with the gerogeous long hair for coming and praying with her and over her! Go did a work and will continue to do a work! I love seeing him move and am so excited that you have the opportunity to look back and see all that God has done through your willing heart! Bless you today Beth for the legacy you are paving out for those of us to come behind you and carry!
Can’t wait to see what God does next!
Oh, Beth, for the privilege to pray for you. I am one of many who is so very thankful for your public ministry who feels like we could meet at Starbucks and share our hearts for Jesus. Although I would need a hot chocolate or Coke Zero!
And having just led the lesson on the woman anointing Jesus feet; I so thank you for that picture of ministry.
But I also have to tell you that I have a new favorite song, “JESUS SAVES.” I bought Travis’ Christmas album on iTunes and loved this song from the first time I heard it. I love the “Repeat 1” feature on my CD player. But since there is no such feature on my car’s CD player, I made a CD of just that one song. If anyone needs to know, 17 “Jesus Saves” fit on to one CD! And I turn it up high so that I can sing along. It is hard to drive with one’s hands lifted high.
Beth:
Praise God for all of His blessings that He has given You and the Lifeway Team. It was my honor to pray for ya’ll this last week. I pray for you all everyday but really hard while you where up in our Northern States. A Jesus show I am sure and I wonder, did you get on the airplane and start Clapping… Good Job God, Good Job?
I am so Happy you had a good week and blessed by all you do through His mighty and wonderful name.
The posts were awesome, thanks for sharing them with us.
I love you all.
Lichelle
Y’all, she was just teasing about her nose.
I haven’t the words to express my deep gratitude for not only your words but the heart behind them.
I’m wiping the tears away, yet again. And I am SO glad I waited to read this until I could do so alone. :o)
Thank you Beth, for allowing the Spirit speak through you! HE has changed my life.
I want you and those who are a part of LPM to know you are precious to me. Thank you for your faithfulness to our Lord and for having hearts to encourage us on our journey with Him.
Much love in Christ our Lord! Anna
Oh my Beth…there were so many different things in this post that stuck out and made my eyes fill with tears. Thank you for every little bit.
You are a “Mary” among thousands. You are gifted with praise and worship. You radiate your love of Christ and don’t just tickle our ears with it. We all long to know how to be on your prayer list.
I think everyone needs a “Mary” in their lives. We are blessed by you Ms Beth!
Thank you for your encouraging words. I have been feeling invisible at work lately.
There is nothing the enemy enjoys more than making us feel worthless. When we forget who we are in Christ those old lies start to work.
Praise Him we can encourage ourselves just as David did.
My heart was blessed by your encouraging words, today.
Thank You so much Mama Beth for pouring out yourself even more after having done it for days on end. You are so loved!! Your words always seem to come at just the right time and they are JUST the RIGHT words. We will stay faithful, encouraging each other on this strange planet we live on, looking forward to being together eternally. “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” You truly have been sent for “such a time as this” to encourage us and teach us and grow with us. Thank you Moore family for sharing her with us!!
Lord I pray you give Beth much needed rest. I pray you fill her up to overflowing with yourself, in fact Lord, I pray that for all of us. Keep us seeking after you with all our hearts, minds and souls. Rejuvenate Beth and her family….the Lifeway staff and the LPM staff that serve her so faithfully. Father you are awesome!! And we love you!! In Jesus name we pray!! AMEN!!
Blessings,
Bible Bunny in No MI
Beth, I cannot begin to thank God enough for you! I just have to tell you some things: Your words today are salve for my soul. I am thanking Jesus right now for you and your ministry and all those that make it possible. You have no idea! I am so thankful that God brought me to your Bible studies and to this blog and everything else that I read and devour like a starving woman! I am on my 6th Beth Moore study right now. I am doing Breaking Free with a few faithful women in my church (one of whom is my very own daughter–Praise Jesus!) What the Word of God in those pages and your video messages means to me is beyond description. And I know from their testimony that it is doing the same for them. He knows–and I hope in some way you know–what your ministry means to all of us.
Dana
Thank you for your update and your ministry. I'm looking forward to seeing you in California in June 2009. I've never been to one of your live events and look forward to it. We're finishing "Stepping Up" at Bible Study — A lot of good stuff about family, relationships & connections. I love "the way up is down." What a concept — to be on my face before God and not down by my own doing. Loved it!
From Sunny California!
Dear Beth,
Thank you so much for this encouragement. Like so many others commented here, I can’t tell you how much your ministry means, how much your encouragement means, how much it means that you are continually pointing us all to God.
the best part for me was this:
“Sweet Thing, there is no one on Earth God notices more than you. He knows that the atmosphere HeĆ¢ā¬ā¢s entrusted to you is not the easiest place on the planet to serve and, yet, day in and day out He sees you doing the thing. He knew you would. ThatĆ¢ā¬ā¢s why youĆ¢ā¬ā¢re there. He didnĆ¢ā¬ā¢t bother entrusting it to a light-weight.”
The encouragement for me… to know that God notices, even when I am struggling, even when I am fighting for wholeness and healing. When I am working so hard, so that my family will have a whole, healed wife and mom. So that I won’t be a walking wounded anymore.
I needed to hear that even when I am tempted to run from Him, and try to block out what He is telling me to deal with, He is still with me. he is still focusing on me. He is still helping me.
I am so glad that you had such blessed events in New England. It was a hoot hearing of your travels.
Thank you for the tears this morning, and the reminders of God’s faithfulness. I will not be downcast, I will remember all that He has done, and I will praise Him, my Savior and my God.
God bless you immensely,
Heather from WI
Thank you so much, Beth for that word! God is so good!
Hi Beth – Haven't seen you in a while…
WOW! Congratulations on 10 years! I can't believe it's been that long for LPL. I remember Faith Whatley and I sitting in my office on 4th floor in the LifeWay tower, pondering over things like: "If we have 1500 women on a Friday night, that would be great!" – and the BIGGIE: "Should we get David Moffit or Travis Cottrell to lead worship? Who's the better fit?" (For the record – I said TRAVIS! )
The next date out was #2 LPL in Dothan, AL.
We oversold the 1500 seat church we had booked by an additional 1500 seats and had to move to a dumpy civic hall. Travis was there for his 1st date with LPL, God showed up and WOW! The roller coaster ride began!~~10 years of WOW! God is good. I hope you've enjoyed the ride as well!
I had a great ride the next 2-3 years pulling together sound, sets and stage managing LPL. After that, I took a promotion at LifeWay and moved away from the team that sponsored LPL. MAN, I really missed it!
Well – as things go, I'm no longer working with LifeWay. Many of us were released this year, downsized due to the economy. Would you pray for your old friend Dave, that God would soon lead me to my next place of service? THANKS!
Beth – all the FATHER's BEST to YOU! It was honor to work with you in the early LPL years.
Give me a shout if you ever want to pursue making that "Beth Moore LIving Proof Potpouri" that we talked about years ago! I think we were going to call the scent
"Dust from HIS Sandals" (lol)!
Grace & Peace!
David Hassell
Beth –
You are so Darlin’!
I always think when I see you, that you are the cutest thing. I love how you have your story, your song and I just adore that it makes you the most wonderful friend to have. I just got back from a women’s retreat this past weekend where one (among many) woman spoke, named Sarah Thrash. Please check this woman out, she is great. She is an amazing author and speaker. But the most important thing that has blessed me about her is that she has spent her life living it for GOD and let me tell you, she has been to every continent and goes to different places gladly in the name of the LORD.
Beth, you are an amazing example, and we love you.
And I adore each and every one on your team and involved. I probably won’t ever know all the names of those involved, but what an impact they make.
And to Amy Hartling –
I don’t know what you have been through, but your post touched me and I wanted to let you know that you will be in my thoughts and I am glad that the LORD allowed my eyes to slow and read your post.
God Bless You and Yours.
In the Blessed name of our savior, I pray for all the men and women who make the conscience decision to follow and serve the LORD.
In Jesus name,
Amen
I am so not trying to take this passage out of context (Melissa…he he) š but I just think of how mind blowing the Lord has been with this ministry and how much it has impacted me and thousands of others. YOU WILL NEVER KNOW. Oh how the Lord gets the glory. I have said it before a number of times and will say it again. You or the praise team have NEVER pointed me to you but to Christ.
Romans 11
Doxology
33Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34″Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
35″Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?”
36For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Anyway, thank you…and when I was in Trussville and heard Stephen (who is just too precious single ladies…lol) speak of that video I so wished I could see it!
Also, thank you for pushing me. Thank you for pushing me to believe God. As I raise my own child and I hear people tell me oh she is going to rebel and probably come back to the Lord…I am like whatever (we all like sheep have gone astray) but I am going to believe God for her and like you said in believing God…if we step out and believe God for something and we are wrong at least we believed Him. He blesses our faith.
Also, I have gotten weirder in the last decade. ha ha. No but I have done everyone of your studies and most all of them multiple times. You just aren’t cranking them out fast enough…I AM KIDDING. No but really we are so hungry and I just love those studies. Speaking of living it out at home…
I walked every inch of my home the other night (with my extra virgin olive oil) and marked every tv, mirror, door, step, and window with that oil and made the sign of the cross. Not because the oil matters but because I realize that because of the blood of Christ and the cross He has passed over me with His wrath that I so deserve. Then, while my baby was sleeping I put some on her and prayed over her and then myself. And as my vanity came in I thought…what if we break out because of the oil…and then I thought well, if we do break out at least it will be in the shape of a cross on our foreheads. LOL!!
Anyway, as for me and my house…we will serve the Lord.
Thank you!
Hearing you talk about the Lord makes me fall in love with Him all the more.