Happy Thanksgiving, My Dear Siestas!
I got up early this morning and recited to our gracious Abba a long list of things I’m thankful for today. Important things like the laughter and love of family. Like lives of purpose even in pain and relief to our insufferable egos that it’s not all about us. Like fellow sojourners who make me want to love Jesus more. Like favorable prognoses for a couple of loved ones recently diagnosed with cancer. For heroic determination to bring glory to God in the lives of several others with less favorable prognoses. For the steel resolve of people I know who are determined to fight the good fight of faith even if it kills them. For four generations of Moores that will celebrate Thanksgiving together today. For our only missing loved ones, Melissa and Colin, and the joy of picturing them gathered around the table with Travis and Angela and Jack and Lily Kate and Levi Cottrell. For two six month-old puppies that bring so much life to this house and for the great relief that they’ve finally quit trying to dig up Beanie and Sunny. For a Texas Chocolate Sheetcake cooling on the counter and the heavenly scent of our very own Natalie Mikles‘ Buttermilk Pie baking in the oven. (Siesta Fiesta Cookbook, p.277!)
Oh, mercy. And for you, Siestas. And for you. I am so thankful for you. You have grown so dear to me this year. Such a blast. Such encouragement. Blessed Community. Day before yesterday I was on a walk with God at our cactus-ranch with my Scripture memory index cards in tow, reciting them to the One who wrote them. This is one of my favorite memory segments of the last year and with deep sincerity and teeming love I speak it over you this special day:
“I always thank my God for you because of the grace of God that was given to you in Christ Jesus. For you were made rich in every way in Him, in all your speech and in every kind of knowledge (dig Paul’s inspired concept of real riches! these riches are already yours! claim them and put them to use!) – just as the testimony about Christ has been confirmed among you – so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. GOD IS FAITHFUL, by whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 NET
We are rich in every way.
Nothing makes us richer than the knowledge of Christ and the everyday-speech to share it with a hurting, wandering soul.
We do not lack a single spiritual gift we need to fulfill our destiny.
We will be strengthened by God to the very end then we will flat-out see Jesus.
He will never – not ever – be unfaithful to us.
Yep. That makes for a mighty happy Thanksgiving. Do not under any circumstance let Satan steal your joy and your gratitude today. Get down on the floor of the bathroom at your relative’s house if you have to and grab it back in Jesus’ Name. Give not one inch to your betrayer nor trust his lying tongue. Love the Truth today more than your turkey and dressing and gratitude will flood your heart.
Thank you for being such a sweet part of my life and my pursuit of Jesus. We are a mighty cloud of witnesses. Let’s cheer each other onward, Dear Ones, for the joy set before us!
I lift you to our Father with joy and gratefulness today, Siestas. Thank you for everything.
I am so encouraged by your words, as always. I am thankful for your ministry to women in love with Jesus all over the world and to those searching for that everlasting love. Thank you, Beth.
What a blessing you and all the Siestas are to me!! Who would have ever thought that women across the country who I only know through blogs would one day be so precious to me.
Happy Thanksgiving! Beth, it was great to hear from you.
You reminded me of the many, many things I am thankful for.
Every good thing is from the Lord.
As silly as it sounds I am thankful for my dog, Max. We have had him for about 1 1/2 years. We found him at the pound. He has been such a joy. I changed my photo on the blog so you can see him.
Hugs,
Mary
How did you know I was on the floor in the bathroom at the in laws house? Between doing my Believing God hand signals and running to “church/confessional” in the restroom…the relatives think I twitch and have bladder issues! So be it, no one suffered my unkind words or bodily harm!
Happy Thanksgiving. We do have a lot to be Thankful for this year. Thank you Jesus!
Praise God! Thank you for sharing that scripture today; God is so good to give us everything we need in Jesus! Happy Thanksgiving, and enjoy that buttermilk pie!
I needed that encouragment to get on the floor of the bathroom and take it back!! A wonderful day, but tough to be the hostess of a house full of 18 in-laws while my family celebrates together 80 miles up the road. I am so thankful for both of my families! And for my sisters in Christ!
Happy Thanksgiving, Beth! Thank you so much for your encouragement and for sharing your walk with God. Your witness and testimony have made all the difference in motivating me to seek God and to follow Jesus with all I am and with all I have. I fail alot, but I never give up. You gave me permission to keep trying when you said it’s not perfection God is looking for but consistency and that it’s not about what we deserve but about Who we serve. Blessings to you and your family this Thanksgiving holiday.
I really needed this today. Thanks for the encouragement.
Happy Thanksgiving Siestas! I am so thankful for this blog!
Thanks, Beth — and now let me cheer you on, too! Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving Beth and your family! I thank God for you also. Just when I was ready to give in to the enemy’s snare, I read your blog and found words of encouragement from our Lord’s holy word reminding me to keep my mind fixed on who is really valuable to me- my Lord, my friend, my Savior. I am so in awe that He still wants to pursue me when I’m in a weak moment of flesh. Oh the mercies and love that I find in Him. Love you much Beth for always using God’s word to help get us refocused on Him. Carla Lee
Wow! That’s what I did–how funny! We spent the day with some family members that can be a bit troublesome, but I determined that I live for the Maker, not them, and they are not entitled the rule of my life, He is! I knelt facedown in the shower singing “Facedown”. It was a great day! What would it have been, had I not obeyed His gentle call?
Thank you Beth for your words of encouragement. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Thank you Miss Beth for being an obedient worshiper, teacher, leader and servant to all of us who are growing in wisdom, stature, favor with God and with each other. You have the annointing of Christ Himself on you and we are blessed to be sojourning along with you on this path to eternity with our King. Thank you for making Him so real to us. I am grateful for you.
Thank you, Beth! And HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! Amen!
Janine
Ok, so this was the part that got me “We do not lack a single spiritual gift we need to fulfill our destiny” because most of the time I feel hopelessly inadequate (and I suppose we are supposed to in a way, so we’ll rely on him).
Thanks for the encouragement.
Happy THanksgiving.
Karen
Dripping Springs, TX
Thanks for sharing your life with us!
I so appreciate the encouragement to not let Satan steal our joy. I feel like I have been attacked the last couple of days and needed to hear that!
I thanked God for you today!!! “Fellow sojourners who make me want to love Jesus more”.
As I read this 3 of my 4 kids are sleeping at their 'grammy & pa's' house and my baby is sound asleep in her crib. I love my quiet time to read 'my storys'.
I am so thankful for the One who has made me glad. And with joy in my heavy heart I proclaim the good I am thankful for in Jesus, for He will never be unfaithful.
BEAUTIFUL
Oh, so thankful for you too! Satan was lurking around this morning waiting for me to wake…I’m so thankful that all I had to do was close my eyes again and speak my sweet Jesus name…to send him packing.
And thank you right back lady!!!!!
How cool are you, that when I hear you speak or read your books or check this blog, I long for more of God in my life.
Today, I’m grateful for my family of dysfunction because OH MY WORD are they a training ground for the world. I swear a day with them is worth three years in seminary.
I’m not kidding about that. But, I have to laugh about it to keep from crying. My entire family needs Christ so if any of you feel compelled to pray for them, I would be doubly grateful.
Much love to all The Siestas! Especially Mama and Hermanas~ (I think that means sisters…I hope I just didn’t call Amanda and Melissa a dirty word)
Amen and Amen !!!
I am also incredibly grateful for every one of the 25 extended family members and 1 life long friend, Melanie, whom we consider our "adopted sister". And, I think that she is God's child, which makes enjoying her friendship even better.
I am very thankful for those dear, dear friends whom I was called [by the Lord] to move away from in Houston 4 years ago. Two of these friends are particularly special to me. The first one is named Larry, whom I met when my friend Donna, and her daughter, Chrissy, that I moved down to Houston with and lived with from August 1995 chose to move back to Wisconsin in Fall 1998. Larry rented a room across the hall from me when I had to start renting a room from people at that point in time. Larry is now 75, and became like "my second Dad" to me down there. And, I used to wonder how & why God chose to place us together in that home, but now I know why; Larry is my brother in Christ Jesus, and really seems to enjoy "having an adopted daughter" in me.
The other friend in Houston is named Jeanette C. We worked together in the same school district. She was my primary Para-Educator/aide for my first 2 years when I first started working there, and she blessed me so! Then, she got sent away to go work at the new school after that. =( We were both so sad! But, we still got together during school wide faculty meetings [it is a small district]. But, moreso than that, God gave me THE most precious gift of all two years after I left Houston. On June 6, 2006, the Lord helped me humbly lead this dear friend to salvation in Christ Jesus over the computer and telephone ! Hallelujah !!!
And, of course, there is one more very special sister in Christ that I was forced to leave behind in Houston, too. My dear sister, Bible study leader, teacher, and acquaintance/friend, whose name just happens to be our own Beth Moore… She and another dear aquaintance, named Susan O'D, from KSBJ, showed me what God's love could be like… which eventually caused me to accept Jesus as MY personal Lord and Savior…
And, right now, a song of Travis' is going through my mind. It goes something like this, Let us Praise Him in the Sanctuary, let us break out the praise !!! And, to that, I say HALLELUJAH !
And, most of these dear people are not from Houston; many of them I do not even know their names, nor where they live. The many sisters who have prayed for me through likely THE most difficult year of my entire lifetime, the year that I lost my dear Daddy [Duane], the day after Easter this year, due to complications from the Leukemia that he was diagnosed with in July 2007… I do NOT have enough words to even thank these precious women of God; my sisters in Christ on the Lifeway Forums.
It has been 8 months since my Dad passed from his hospital bed into Jesus' arms, but we still miss him so much! And, these sisters know just who they are. I just want to let all of Y'all know how special you are to me, and to helping me learn how to go baby-step by baby-step through this thing called the "grieving process as a Christian"… And, although this process will continue on for quite some time, I know that I know that it would have been SO much more difficult if all of Y'all dear sisters had not "been there for me" … THANK YOU !!! I love each and every one of you so much !!!
And, I am so very thankful for my pastors: Pastor Greg J. and Pastor Phil S., and Pastor John S. from my home churches here in Wisconsin, and for my mom's priest, Pastors Randy & Mick, and Sister Lauretana. And, for all of the very caring medical staff in the chemotherapy unit and others who took care of him when he was hospitalized this past Spring. Please bless all of these people, Precious Jesus!
And, for the other Bible teachers whose books I have read and studied from during this time, on top of Miss Beth's…
And, to the Lord, [who quickly became my personal "Comforter & wonderful Counselor"] for giving my Mom and me [in particular], the grace, love, and peace that passes all understanding during this time of sorrow. And, for helping us turn this time into the beginning of our time of "remembrance" … Thank You, O my God …
I could write a book about the things that I can be grateful for this Thanksgiving Day, but I will spare Y'all the rest, and just share that with the Lord …
In Christ's Love,
Jennifer O. [aka: Sparki2003]
Southern Wisconsin
Blessings on you, sweet Beth, on this Thanksgiving day. Thank you for your inspiration and for the fun we have on this blog!
I gave thanks for you today as well. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift of Christ Jesus, most of all.
And thank you dear Sister Beth for all you’ve done for me in the sweet name of Jesus. I am changed for the better.
I was just thinking of Sunny and Beanie today and wondering if you still miss them or if Queen Esther and Geli have helped ease the pain. then you go and tell me that your two friends are trying to dig them up! Never a dull moment at the Moore’s. Thanks for sharing your Thanksgiving. The best is sharing it with family, biological AND spiritual.
Love you,
Mitzi aka Grandmamitz
Thank you, Beth. Happy Thanksgiving!
Miss Beth and family,
It is those of us who read this blog, the ones who are so blessed with you. Granted our biggest blessing in our life is God… but He gave us you, who ministers to each of us, as if you were in person with us as we pray, cry before God of all the hurts that the enemy likes to bring up. You have inspired me to not allow him the satisfaction of getting my joy. With great appreciation I thank God that He has given you to us! Thank you for the love and care
God bless you.
Delilah
Thanks for your note today Beth and Happy Thanksgiving to all of the siestas here! I’ve been lurking more than blogging but am ever so thankful for this wonderful, safe and encouraging place … The LPM Blog (aka: Siestaville).
Thank you, Beth! I included you and your sweet daughters on my thankful list this morning, the day after a very busy, stuffed Thanksgiving. The manner in which God uses you to reach us is just, well, mind-numbing to me. My sweet friend, Jill (Jillybean’s Day) and I are working our way through Jesus, 90 Days with the One and Only. She’s in Montana now and I am in Virginia. It has been such a huge, huge blessing to both of us. The Lord’s word and then the revelation He has given me through your commentary on it…well, just wanted to say thanks for allowing Him to use you as He does.
Hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving.
Oh and your Texas Sheet Cake recipe is a regularly requested meal around my home…that and a glass of cold milk…who needs anything else?
Much love.
I cannot tell you the joy that filled my heart to find that you have a blog. I am amazed at the wonderful sisters that I have found here. But now you!!! I have enjoyed your Bible studies over and over again.
Thank you for digging out the wonders of His Word and for sharing it with the world.
May God continue to bless you richly in all knowledge of Him.
God Bless you Beth.
Becky
Happy Thanksgiving, Beth! I am thankful for you and your ministry that absolutely stirred in me a love for God’s Word and now I cannot get enough! I am better because of you!
Amen! I have so much to be thankful for and as I started Thanksgiving Day in my place, on my face, I was truly filled with gratitude.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hugs,
Adrienne
Oh, boy, been in that little bathroom praying during holidays for a quarter of a century! And you, Beth, bringing that to my attention makes me recall all the saved loved ones that were in attendance yesterday that were so lost. And am sorry I didn’t go back to that bathroom and raise my hands and praise God for those saved loved ones! I’ll do it now, with one hand typing…may all who go behind us find us faithful, God! Thank You, God for SO MANY BLESSINGS! Oh,Siestas in blog land have a blessed left-over week-end!
Amen Siesta Beth! I am certainly enjoying being thankful – especially with my sweet hubby have 2 – yes 2 – days off in a row. We haven’t had that since early Fall. Thankful my mentally ill sister has safe place to spend Thanksgiving. Thankful my Mom is still on this earth.
Peace,
Kim in Apex, NC
Beth;
Happy Thanksgiving. This post is such a great reminder. Life has been so busy lately that the thankfulness or should I say the expressing my thankfulness to God has been rather minimal. I too have many things to be thankful for. Thanks, Kim B. in AZ
I am thankful for the encouragement that this blog provides. I am so thankful for the Heavenly father who draws us to Him through the sacrifice of His son.
I am thankful that yesterday was a huge blessing for my family and a witness of God’s healing from so many hurts from the past and the harsh feelings toward one another.
I am thankful that even though my husband is unemployed and the world does seem a little bleak, God is the same and He has a plan for our future.
Thank you for everything! : )
God’s richest blessings to you…for reminding us of His richest blessings..”in all your speech and in every kind of knowledge” HIS PRECIOUS WORD…Thanks for pointing me always back to HIS WORD… thank you Lord for answered prayer in family relationships yesterday, I didn’t have to get on the bathroom floor!! You were already covering it all with your GRACE, LOVE and UNITY! Thank you LORD! for Sweet Siestas who love you like crazy…
Jan
Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to include us. You and your family are so loved!
Amen.
Beth, I lift YOU to our Father with joy and gratefulness. I thank YOU for all you do to enrich my life through the knowledge of God’s Word. I am so thankful that God led me to your ministry many years ago. Because of your faithfulness to be obedient to the Lord, it has continued to encourage me in the good times and especially the bad times. Love you,Siesta!
Pray you all had a wonderful, peaceful thanksgiving. We’ve been blessed by this community of siestas. God supplies all sorts of blessings to encourage us and to keep us on the path. May the beauty of His presence wash over all today. In Jesus’ Love Kathy Knoblock
God bless you Beth. Our family is dealing with a bad prognosis for my uncle who has cancer. He’s only 49 years old and my aunt is really having a hard time. We continue to pray God’s Word over him and refuse to give Satan an inch. Thank you for your prayers, verses, and words. This blog is truly God sent.
Salina (in Kentucky)
Oh Beth I wish I would've read this yesterday. Wednesday night hubby & I got in a terrible fight, very ugly. Forgave & made up but not until last night. I wish I wish I would've gotten down on the bathroom floor.
You are a blessing in my life…how much God may never let you know. Just keep doing what He asks of you because there are so many "me's" out there that need to hear His truth put out there the way you do. You get right to the point & I just love you for that.
Love you much & thanking God for you.
Lelia
Thank *you* dear Friend for your encouragement.
I lived this out yesterday and needed to see it in print today.
Praising with you,
~Deborah
In return bless you and yours,
With much gratefulness in His Name
JesusChick NC
Thank you!