My dear Siestas, I had to fly on here as fast as I could so that I could tell you that I am using something from your input in EVERY SINGLE SESSION! I’m steadily using excerpts from your testimonies on the surveys I took months ago on bondage and freedom when I was first revising the series AND I’m using the hilarious stories you just gave me. Both kinds of input have been PRICELESS to me and to this revision. The humorous side helps lighten up very heavy subject matter and the group has gotten such a kick out of your stories. I wish I could use tons of them but I’d overdo it and it would lose its effectiveness. I just wanted you to know that all your material is right here with me in my hotel room and I’m looking at your examples every day as I prepare.
I know I’ve told you this before but one of the things I battle most these days in ministry is a personal feeling of isolation and the fear that I will lose touch with people. Life is temporarily complicated in that respect. If not for my staff at LPM, this sanguine literally could not take it. In the old days, I could hang around after events and talk with people and pray with people. For this season, that’s not possible and the loss of one-on-one with the women I serve out and about has been titanic. YOU ARE THE NUMBER ONE WAY THAT GOD HELPS ME KEEP IN TOUCH WITH WHAT’S GOING ON OUT THERE. I feel a peculiar closeness to you. A true sense of community. One of our Siestas who also attends my home church hugged me on Sunday and said, “Beth, I love the blog…and what I get the biggest kick out of, is that I think you love it, too. I think you really do.”
Oh, Girls. I really do. You have become such a big part of this ministry. I could bawl about it. But I don’t have time. Gotta get back to it. May God invest back into your sweet lives 100-fold what you pour into mine and others. He has made you a gift. I hope we’re together for a long time.
The rhchurch.org link in Laura’s comment is from a local church in the metro area where I live. The third testimony in the video is a cardboard testimony from a facilitator couple at the H. O. P. E. support group there where I first found the grace to talk through my grief and my passion grew to help grieving moms work through their pain and loss to a place of healing! My cardboard testimony would read: “My son died August 23, 2005 – broke my heart” Other side: “My heart experienced full healing August 23, 2008 through God’s Grace! Isaiah 60:20 “…And the days of your morning shall come to an end.”” GLORY! GLORY! GLORY!
Love you Mama Beth – I would have never blogged a word had it not been for the LPM blog. Can I say that my life would still be a wadded up mess had it not been for finding the humble teachings and the undying passion of a hungry woman who loves God with all her heart and made me hungry to know Him in that way! You have poured into me, thank you for letting me pour back.
LOVE YOU!
MICHELLE
Oh Beth, you are the berries! I don’t even know what I did before I knew there was a Beth Moore in this world. Your encouragement and true love for God has been monumental to me and has motivated me to dig my heels into the word and to grow closer to our God and to know his heart better.
In early 2007, I was downsized from my company of 22 years. I was so downhearted with the reality of finding another job and establishing myself in another company. A good friend of mine invited me to a Believing God Bible Study that was being held at their church on Monday nights. Many nights as I watched you on those videos, it felt like you were speaking directly to me and each week my confidence grew. Since then, I have done A Woman’s Heart-God’s Dwelling Place, Psalms of the Ascents, Living Beyond Yourself, and now will do Esther in January 2009.
You are truly loved by this Michigan Siesta!! You are the best blog pal a Christian gal could have!!
Rhonda Siler
Kalamazoo, Michigan
God is so awesome! It’s like there is this “infinity” sign that we are making all of us together in blog-land. You bless us so significantly with your studies and teaching, and here in turn we are blessing you by just keeping connected to our computers and each other. Who in the world would have ever thought of that? Only God could, that’s for sure! Thank you for continually encouraging us and giving us material to think about, laugh about and grow closer to the Lord. I pray that you are lifted up by all of our prayers and renewed!
I can’t wait to see the new taping! I loved the old one, so I’m sure the new will be awesome!
Beth, I have been so inspired by your teachings and the other siestas’ writings. I’m glad I found this blog! God Bless! charlotte – in Georgia
Sweet Beth,
I just cherish you! I’m praying for a “hundred-fold” word to come out this week. Though we’ve only spoken briefly a few times, I simply love you and am glad our LifeWay Women’s team gets to serve with you.
That set is amazing. I hope your every outfit complements it perfectly 🙂
In Christ,
Regina-
Beth,
I, too, love this blog. Such a bright spot in my day everytime I come here.
It is such an honor to pray for you and I am humbled to be able to do so. It’s good to know specifically how to pray for you.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do for Jesus for us. I hope you get a long Sabbath soon!
love you, Melanie Miller
bless you dear Beth..praying for you. just so you know, my husband is doing the “Breaking Free” study workbook right now. I got it for him and he’s loving it. He said, “Man, this woman makes you work”. Then we were listening to you on the video series, “Who Will You Trust?” that you did with James and Betty.. Whoa, girl, I just heard the part on the questions about trust….okay, God got me on that one and is still working it over in me. keep on listening to the Voice of God as you bless us all. Love, Pam in San Diego
Beth,
I hae just started leading a small Bible Study with the ladies of the Baptist Church I attend here in Kearney, NE. We are studying the Stepping Up. It has been an absolute blessing to me and God has been revealing Himself in so many ways.
Thank You so much for your teaching and explanation on The Feasts. I have never heard them truly taught or preached on and it has just been a blessing to myself and the other ladies in our group.
Through Lesson 2 video I learned even more about the leaven in my life. Each year a Christian couple, from my church, (they are my spiritual parents)gives me a motto for the new year. In 2007, my motto was “Away With the Leaven in 2007”. I knew leaven was sin and throughout 2007 God really worked in my life convicting me of forms of leaven in my life. And believe you me I had plenty as I was just beginning to work through the pain of the sexual abuse in my past as well as dealing with all of the unhealthy ways I had been coping to cover up the emotional pain. Anyway, to listen to the teaching on leaven helped me to understand on a much deeper level to critical importance of ridding my life of leaven.
I just Praise God for how He has blessed and gifted you in your teaching of His Word! I know He has said many times…”Job Well Done, My Precious Daughter Beth!”
Thank you for who you are and for the witness you are for Christ. You are such a blessing to my life even though we hae never met. I someday would love to meet you and be able to tell you in person how much you have blessed my life and helped me in understanding and studying the Word of God.
I dont know if you have any conferences somewhere close to KEarney, Nebraska but if you do, I pray that God would bring it about that I could attend.
Thank You Beth!!!!
Joanie Warner
We love you Beth and it is our priviledge to serve you in some small way as you serve us!
Thank you siestas for your prayers during my recent illness! I feel your love and the Lords flow over me daily!
Prasie you Lord for this special community!
Praying that you finish strong Beth!
Much love!
Kristi B.
Beth, I’m so glad you wrote what you did. It is funny, isn’t it how we have become a community (family)! I feel like we’re just doin this thing (this journey…..our Christian walk together). I feel that peculiar closeness to you and all the blog community….feel that closeness ..having been to many conferences, many events over this past decade. I feel like if I were able to just sit down with you, it would be like we’d known each other forever and oh the joys we’d share! And it is the blog that has helped create this. I’m so thankful that you all started this what a couple of years ago hasn’t it been? I can see how the ministry God has called you to could lead to feeling isolated. Please always know you have at least a gazilion Siestas who LOVE you so much and we’ll always be family! Thank you for allowing us to love you and your family and thank you all for loving us! Susan in Oklahoma City
What you said about isolation really made me think. You know, I don’t normally look at people (especially those in a very public ministry) and think this or that must be hard. I know it’s not true but I think our first impression is always “Wow, they must have a nice, I-have-it-all together, rewarding life”. I tend to think about fruitfulness not growing pains… This said, I want to thank you for what you do even though it brings business and isolation. I want to thank you for making this sacrifice day after day to serve us.
Hi Girls, I am also new to the blog (2 days!)actually new to blogging altogether. Just wanted to let Tara & Rosanna know what a good laugh I got out of their "dog stories" :):):). It is so wonderful to know how many other sisters all over this great country love Jesus and also love to laugh!! May you all have a very blessed night and sweet dreams.
Grace & Peace, Claudine H. Silverton, OR
I love you, Beth!
You have made a tremendous impact on my life@
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
You go, Girl!!!!
Broken free and breathing again!
Cheri
Beth,
You can never know fully the impact of the gift God has given you. I have been a silent reader on this blog. I think I have only commented 2 times in 2 years! The past year in the ministry was brutal to my family. Your blog has been such an encouragment to me. Especially the commissioning words you shared from the conferences. I printed those babies out and would read them for encouragment. You ARE touching lives with this blog… I am one…thanks…and may God continue to bless you.
i am so blessed by you and the siestas on this blog. it is through Believing God that God gave me the faith boost to say yes to being a stay at home mom and i love that I am now living in my Promised Land. Thanks for being used by God.
Dear Beth, I am fairly new to the blogging world and discovered your blog last week! As to what you wrote tonight about “losing touch” – I do not think that could happen! You make us laugh and cry, think and learn! I am currently leading a group of ladies in the Daniel study. We are on week 10!!! This study has blessed my heart so much. The Lord continues to teach me, grow my faith, and I am loving His Word more and more. I can hardly put it down to go to sleep at night! Thank you for helping me discover the Lord in a more intimate and exciting way!!!
Love, Christie Taylor
We love you, too!!! I’m praying for you this week, especially.
Just wanted to let you know that through this blog, your LifeWay Events ( I was just at the one in New Hampshire…wow was God moving or what?!)- and your studies (I am currently doing “Breaking Free” for the first time which has given me a fresh approach to praying for you during this taping time), through those avenues I feel like I know you. Last Wednesday night I listened to week 8 session, I believe…about loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Praise God for His Word and what He spoke to me through that and the previous week’s homework. Anyway, the following day I was on my way to lead praise team rehearsal and found myself at a point where I just needed to literally cry out loud to my Father. I did…so very much! It was wonderful! In what has been a very overwhelming period in my life I can say that I am more in love with Jesus today than I was yesterday! And it only drives me to be in His Word more and to talk with Him more!
The reason I say this, is though I have never personally met you (although I have a wish/dream of spending a few days with you and your family and your staff and your amazing praise team…no, I’m not a stalker, I promise) anyway, though we do not get to connect over coffee or on the phone…we do connect. BEcause we connect through Jesus Christ and through His Word!So…thank you for being obedient to the call of God on your life! I am someone who is falling more in love with God and His Word and I am grateful for the way God has used you and your studies to reach me! Thank YOu!!
Beth, it is such a joy to get to see and hear you here in New Orleans! I came from Cool California to throw my arms around your neck, but understand that God has called you to a season of a fewer number of those moments. So just know that this California girl (and the Summer Siesta sisters she represents) all send their love to you. Your teaching through this revised BF material is awesome!!!!! And I am loving the sharing of the material you have gotten from other siestas. The one tonight about the pastor and his fly attached to the flag…oh my word. Just the thought (I am a visual person) has me in stitches all over again! Thanks! All my love,
Heidi
Beth for so many precious hours through the years I have prayed for you!!! To be prayer warrior on bended knee before my Lord and King is like a fresh breeze of new mercies. And Beth, sweet girl, you are one of the true rewards he touches my every day life with…my sister, my friend, my mentor. To lift you up and watch Jesus carry you to the center of His plan and purpose…well, it’s gets no better within than that!!! So hang in there dear Beth, us “Nonni’s” have to hang in there and be his witness for little eyes and little ears. Love you, SOOOO much. You to Melissa and Amanda, you too!!! Susan
Beth, you are so sweet. Because of this blog, it allows us to feel like we are a part of your mighty ministry work for the Lord, and it is such a blessing!
I can’t imagine being in a place where I couldn’t connect one-on-one with the ladies I minister to, I understand how tough that is! But please know that we Siesta’s understand and are praying that the time comes that the Lord allows for you to be able to do that again. It’s a desire of your heart… it will happen!
Much LOVE,
Groovewoman♫
Oh, how I would like to be at the taping this week. It is the first one that I have not attended in which my husband was on the crew. I feel like I am missing out, but I know I need to be home and take care of my kids this week. God’s richest blessings on the entire project.
Tonight at the taping you were presented a lovely Louisiana back scratcher. You were so gracious to accept this fine piece of culture. Our row almost fell off our seats laughing when you gracefully handed it to that sweet lady that fixes your hair and she realized that it was really the claw of an alligator on a stick. Her face was PRICELESS!
Beth,
Thx so much for your openness in your own life. I’m 28 yrs old and a pastor’s wife. It seems to me that the further into leadership you get, the lonelier it can be. In no way would I want to go back to where I was, but it’s good to know that other leaders go through the same thing.
You encourage me to pursue all that God has for me in ministry no matter the cost of my own loneliness. He is worth it!
Ms. Beth,
I leave your New Orleans Bible study in tears every night. Tears of many emotions. I feel like you are speaking directly to ME and no one else is in the sanctuary. I have been praying for you as I know that it is hard sometimes for you to convey your thoughts and feelings in a short time slot. I have never looked down at my watch…but pray that the session does not end. Meeting you has been one of my life-long goals. I am hoping that it is possible, as my other one is traveling to the Holy Land. I promise to take one minute: a quick pic and prayer. You are such an inspiration to me as I feel God has called me to teach as well. I am comfortable infront of crowds, as long as I am prepared and prayed up! Not only have you guided me through God’s Word and opened my eyes to new things,you have even taught me how to become a better public speaker! Praise God for YOU. I will continue to pray for you as I know your schedule is packed. As for the picture with you, my Momma always said, “You never know until ya ask!”
Love ya,
Jennifer Jefcoat
Seminary student at NOBTS
Sweet Beth,
you are very loved and prayed up! I love getting on the blog and reading what you and others have written. You are such a big part of my life.. it is a blessing to fell a kinship to you and the other Siesta’s! You guys are an inspiration. I love you and your ministry! Looking forward to Ester
Delilah in NW AR
Love you too!! Keeping you in prayer, that you are “exceedingly satiated” with the blessing of our Abba!
karen :):)
Beth,
You’re a blessing!
Praying for you as you’re teaching this week…may you feel God’s presence with you and be strengthened by Him to do all you need to do.
Joy and peace to you, Beth!
I sooo want to meet you and get a picture of us together for my office. Are you doing any sort of meet and greet in New Orleans? You are such an inspiration!
Prayin’ 4U,
Jennifer Jefcoat
Seminary student NOBTS
Oh my gosh, you have no idea how excited I am to read a post from you!!! I’m so glad your taping is going well. Yay!!
My mom and I were talking to some acquaintances tonight about how I used to have very twisted doctrinal views (basically went from one extreme to the other) and I said “Yes, but then I discovered Beth Moore and she got me back on track” And I mean it! Had it not been for your totally awesome, and totally balanced teachings, I would still be decorating my pit.
Thank you so much for all you do for us. And especially for keeping up this blog. It has been such a great source of encouragement for me over the last year or so.
Love & prayers,
Andreea
I read the other day that Martha Stewart had been asked the question, “If you could have lunch with anyone you choose, who would it be?” Her response was George Washington.
Sorry, and no disrespect to George, but I would choose you, Beth. And it wouldn’t be at Starbucks or the mall. It would probably be on a mountaintop in God’s spectacular outdoor beauty. A little coffee, some warm soup from a thermos, a piece of your five-flavor poundcake…all this would be on the menu. And we would talk about what a difference my Christ has made in both our lives.
We are kindred spirits.
He and He alone restores our souls.
But He knows from the beginning with Adam, that we don’t do well alone.
I’m thankful He’s brought us all together to lift each other up and encourage each other here in such an easy place to communicate. (Thanks, Amanda!)
Our hearts are knit together in Christ for eternity!
Love you,
Deborah
Mama Beth, I can’t wait until the study comes out! I did the first Breaking Free about 7 or so years ago and it was wonderful! Thank you for your sweet, sweet words. You are always such an encourager. I am praying for you.
Precious Beth,
This blog means so much to me. I don't comment a lot but I read it every day. It helps me in the isolation & lonliness that I deal with too. God has used YOU and your ministry to grow me so much. When I first "met" you during the original "Breaking Free" I could never have known how God was going to use you to minister to me & help grow me into His servant.
He still uses you and now this community of Siestas to keep me pressing on….I can so relate to what Susan "Evangelistic Chick" said about folks who turn on us because they don't "get it" about our determination to live for Christ. I've been treated the same way she described – even by church folks too. (It helps me to remember how Jesus was treated by "church folks" too when He was on the earth.)
So, when you feel isolated, remember me & all us other Siestas are out here. We are striving along with you to be transparent and to share Jesus' love with those He puts in our path. We are with you, Sister, and we love you!
"We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." -Romans 8:37
Thank you for being who you are!
You are in my prayers.
I love you!
Beth,
I just discovered your blog this week and signed up to pray for you this week while you are in New Orleans. I’m awake at 4:00 AM. Got you covered then. Our ladys at church just finished “Believing God” every time I do one of your studies, I’m tossed, and under such attacks, but it helps me to stay focused and makes me just mad enough at Satan to deliberatly keep my special appointment with my home work daily. I did “Breaking Free” years ago as my quiet time and did God and do some dealing with the past. Thank you for doing it again.
Thanks so much, Because God has given us an instructor in his ways, someone we can relate to.
Johnnie
Hey Beth
Do your brother and his family still live in New Orleans? At one time they attended the church where you are taping Breaking Free. Hopefully you will get to spend some time with them this week. Your in my prayers.
Laura
We love you.
I love you beth…. Your godly wisdom, trials, realness and honesty have given me hope in many circumstances, but its God through you and to Him be the glory. He is so proud of you, you are His girl, with whom He is well pleased. Thank you for being the example you are, a living espistle. Thank you friend. So many people love you!
doing the thang,
Cindy Kelly
Oh and do we love you too! God has used you in my life in a BIG way. Please know that I think of you every day and pray for your ministry and your family. You have been such a blessing in my life and in the lives of others!
Love you to pieces!
Anne in MO
Aawwww, so sweet Beth – we love you to, so much! I feel like I was with you yesterday, in our Daniel study (week 8 and LOVING IT!). That part about you waking up with your hair standing up and straight back – as if you’d seen a vision – cracked all of us ladies UP! Just curious, why is it that you can’t do what you used to do? Is it just too much, too many ladies? Praying for you.
We love you too!
Gulley
Beth,
Thank you for being such a great servant. You are amazing!
Beth … we are here with you.
The thing I love about this blog-world is that I can pop on here and feel like I’m chattin’ with my girlfriends on the phone! LOVE how the Lord can use ANYTHING – even a dumb old computer – to bring His children together! Thank you for doing this and for letting us in. It’s ALMOST as good as gettin’ to hug that neck of yours! At least if we don’t ever get to do it here, we’ll do it at the feet of Jesus!!
Thanks for the effort because I know it’s not easy and I’m prayin’ for the taping sessions and for you!!!
In Christ –
Val
NC
PS- Gonna start “Esther” in Jan at my church!! WOOHOOOOOOO!
I am new to this blog, and not really sure how I came across it, but one thing I do know is that it’s been a blessing. I had no idea that it was Beth Moore’s blog until just the other day. I watch you on Life Today every week. I finally got the siesta thing down after trying to figure out what you were talking about! LOL. Hopefully I’ll be able to attend the next conference.
Beth,
From one Sanquine to another, I too LOVE this blog and I love you! Praying for you!
Laura Beth
Beth,
This is the first time I have commented but I read your blog EVERY day! I just had to tell you a friend of mine is there at the taping! All the way from Ohio! When she told me she was going I told her “Tell Beth I said Hi!” She laughed. But really…even though I have never met you because of your Bible studies and this blog you do seem like a close friend. Thanks for all you do!! PRAISE HIM! PRAISE HIM!! GOD IS SOOOOO GOOD!!!
Beth, you haven’t met most of us…but because of the incredible way God uses you to teach us through Bible Studies, we all feel like you’re one of our very best girlfriends. I have yet to do one of your studies without thinking, “Beth has felt this, too! This is exactly how I feel!” Then, I see where you are with Christ today, and realize I can get there, too. And we ARE going to meet one day. God is going to let you meet every life you’ve touched…and helped pull out of pits. Maybe He’ll even let you peek into our living rooms and watch us study our way to freedom via that “heavenly movie screen” and plenty of popcorn!
Beth, you are so dear to us gals!!!
I can SOOO relate to the isolation of ministry at times and particular seasons. This blog site offers me the view out my window at my desk that I desperately need. Keep those blogs and comments coming! This bible teacher and writer NEEDS (Beth as you would say) ya’all too! Thank you!!! It is so much like grace ~ You really dont know grace, until you really need grace!
Beth, I only wish I could return to you what you have done for me. Be encouraged, Sweet Sister. You are ministering to us even in your feelings of isolation. I am deeply grateful to you for imparting the Word of God to me in such a plain, although sometimes painful, way. I pray the Lord continues to bless you with wisdom and love. Thank you, Deidra