Good Monday morning, my darling Siestas! I pray you had a weekend full of the grace and truth of Jesus Christ! I am sitting here in my sweaty work out clothes, not quite ready to jump in the shower and hit the pavement to work. I usually keep my adorable namesake on Monday mornings while AJ has some alone time with Jackson in an activity class they attend together. The class for today was canceled so I don’t have a single toddler in my den saying “Bibby? Bibby? Bibby?” every few seconds. Those words are music to my ears so it’s way too quiet around here this morning. I’m usually pretty lazy about getting into work mode on a Monday because I’m babysitting but this time I’m holding back a bit because my physical body feels like God has borrowed it for a quick marathon in Lexington.
There is not enough I can say about our Lexington group. They were just fantastic. We received some hard words from Jeremiah this weekend but those of us willing to open ourselves up to them also got to stick our heads in the fountain of Living Waters (Jeremiah 2). I will not forget that gathering for a very long time.I got to Lexington a day early because the Friday flight landed too late to take the risk. My hotel room looked out over the very center where we’d meet the next day. This was the sunset Thursday evening over that place. I stood at the window and praised God for it and asked for it to be a sign of His goodness to us and a deposit on the full measure of what He wanted to accomplish the next two days.
If you got a chance to catch the previous post, Rich has outdone himself by adding some video to the LPL picture-recaps. I watched it a few minutes ago and nearly cried. By the way, Rich’s beautiful, smart wife Gretchen, and their six month-old Polly were there this weekend. Polly is the cutest little thing. I’m just crazy about that family. Rich’s two girls may or may not have been the final shot in the video. Don’t call him shameless.I got a little Polly time myself. Go right ahead and call me shameless.
Well, I guess I was being prideful because I can’t get this picture to turn the right way. Laughing so hard. It’s saving straight up but it won’t insert straight up. I don’t care. I’m leaving it. Trying to compose myself as I keep looking myself in the eye, sideways.
I got home around 8:00 PM or so Saturday then woke up the next morning to a wonderful Sunday. My son-in-law Curtis was preaching in all our services in Pastor Gregg’s absence and I do dearly love to sit under CJ’s great teaching. Our terrific Pastor will return from his one-month summer sabbatical next Sunday and CJ will start teaching the Wednesday “Mid-link” Bible study again with the new Fall semester. It was an especially great day because our whole section was back in our corner of the sanctuary, all worshiping together with such unspeakable joy. In a church the size of mine (the sanctuary holds 3300 people), you have to go out of your way to plug in and feel like a part of things. You’re not likely to feel a close connection with the whole group but you can get to know a significant, life-changing part of it in a Bible study (Sunday school) class or something similar.
A bunch of us have been worshiping in the same general section of the sanctuary for years and, as I’ve told you before, our ages range all the way from young children to great grandparents. It’s a pretty broad section so there are many whose names are unknown to me but their familiar presence is so precious to me. The summer means travel so it’s been several months since it was full to the brim with this close community of folks. We all hugged and hugged yesterday and much of the time during praise and worship, I could not get the songs out of my mouth for the lump in my throat. And then my son-in-law got up and brought us a great word while I sat beside my firstborn, a young wife and mother pursuing God in the glad and chaotic mix of toddlerhood and preschool. My church is so dear to me. A good, sound local body of believers is absolutely crucial as we take this pilgrimage of faith together. It is God’s way. We were meant to do this together.
Right before the service, my sweet sister in Christ, Allison, came up to me with a big hug and a gift. I love Allison. I love her for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that we’ve made it through some differences. She has been in my classes for years and not necessarily always liked them or agreed with them. For starters, she is a King James gal and I use a number of different translations. One of us is single and the other married with kids and grandkids, so our lives also just tend to play out on separate planets at times it seems. Satan would liked to have caused some really hard feelings between us a couple of times because neither of us is very shy about expressing opinions but he simply did not prevail. And each of us would give glory to Jesus Christ alone for that. Each of us is weak in our natural selves but we genuinely love each other. Yesterday she said, “I made something for you” and placed in my hands five of the most beautiful greeting cards you have ever seen in your life. What makes them so special is that she paints the designs herself. Allison is tremendously gifted. She painted a picture of my best dog buddy of 18 years, Sunny, and it will be on my wall till I’m old and…(did I nearly say gray???). Here are a couple of the cards:
Aren’t they gorgeous? Now, do you want to hear the best part? She said with a sheepish grin, “There is a verse inside each one.” I said, “Oh, Allison, I love them! Yes, I’m so glad to have them! I will use them judiciously and for very special occasions!” Then she said, “And they’re in King James.” And we both bent over laughing. I love that girl. She’s fought a lot of obstacles in the power of Christ’s Spirit to live in the light of freedom. So has her friend Beth.
Because I know you’re going to ask to see it:
That makes me want to cry. I said good bye to that faithful friend two years ago and then I got my new little buddy, Star, a month later. To brighten the mood again, I’ll show you another gift I got recently. It’s sitting right by my kitchen sink this very moment. THIS, my dear Siestas, is one reason why you’ve gotta love women’s ministry:
The Scripture written on it is the main verse from “So Long Insecurity.” It’s Proverbs 31:25 in case you need to remember today that Christ has clothed you in strength and dignity.
Well, that’s my Monday morning hello! Good grief! You’ve made me late for work! I’ll leave you with this verse…from Allison…in the King James.
I love all of you dearly.
PS. Melissa, that was a fabulous post on Friday. Absolutely fabulous.
Miss Beth,
Had to jump on and tell you that our Women’s Minsitry Group is doing the Revelation study!! You would have loved our kick off today. They decided to go with a 1920’s theme. Two of the older gals dressed up in flapper costumes!! They had those hair heads(is that what you call them???) on the tables with 1920’s hair and feathers. They ended the program with a little Charelston Cha-cha Lesson!! Hilarious!! You would have had a blast…I did!!
Hugs,
Michelle
This sounds like such fun!
By the way, are there any Siestas out there who are interested in forming a Revelation study group via email or instant messaging? I would appreciate the opportunity to study beside you.
Beth,
I still haven’t had the pleasure to meet you in person, but have listened to some of your DVD’s that have impacted my life. You are an amazing woman of God.
Thank you for blessing so many woman including myself.
LOVE the sunset picture. I drive to watch my grandson every morning facing the sunrise. God is good!
Our group will be finishing the summer study next week. We had one mom taking her 2 sons to college this week, and one gal is a teacher and had to go back to the classroom this week also.
Our church will be hosting the September simulcast for the 3rd time and then our fall study will be the Revelation study.
Looking so forward to both!
What items is it that has the Proverbs verse on it? It looks like some sort of scrub brush?
Going to Women of Faith this weekend in Indianapolis. Can’t wait!
Thank you Beth for sharing with us the Word
Beth, I’ve been in a summer study of Believing God. We have our last class tomorrow night. Thank you so much for your insights and wisdom. This study came at a time in my life when I needed it most. It has truly renewed my belief and strengthened my faith in the Lord. I almost don’t want to take my blue band off. This has been so special and powerful. We are all driving to Somer’s Point on September 18th to hear you and we are SO excited! God Bless you and your ministry and thank you! Your sister in Christ, Joyce
You should be proud of Curtis he did an excellent job on Sunday. We all should learn to see the LORD as our strong tower. And yes, our church is wonderful. It is big, but my husband and I have found such a great group of friends there. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Beth!
Just wanted to pass along a word of congrats and thanks to your son-in-law, Curtis. I go to First as well, and have never heard Curtis teach. Plus I’m a Pastor Gregg-brat: I attended Texas A&M when he was the Breakaway minister, so I have a hard time not being overly-judgmental when someone else leads our congregation. Anyways, I truly enjoyed Curtis’s word! As a matter of fact, so did my husband, who travels long distances very often for our business- so we ran over to Corner Books and grabbed the audio cd’s of Driving thru the Bible, Elijah and the Summer 2010 MidLink teaching of Curtis’s as well! He loves them too!
Thanks again for sharing your family with us 🙂
Hey there Miss Beth,
I have just had to laugh at how you are becoming such a big part of our family. I’ve been doing the Tabernacle study by myself this summer (actually doing it long distance with my Mom (in AR) and Stepmom (in TX)..funny how God works. We obviously can’t be together, but we catch up and check in over the phone and by text. (You’d love it. Typical 7:00am text reads, “Got manna?” or “Going to collect my omer. Call ya later.” or “Ooooh today is all up on my toes.”
Anyhow…. I was so blessed to find a group locally who is doing the same study a few weeks ahead of me and they let my borrow the DVD’s instead of just listening to the audio….are you bored to tears, yet….
So my daughter, Lexie Beth, wakes up now and immediately asks if we can watch the Bible show. She’s two and just wants a little bit more of the Tabernacle… 🙂 She just can’t figure out why we only get to see one a week.
And my oldest, Brendan, let me know at breakfast yesterday that you, sound like a cowgirl. I know you must be teased mercilessly about your accent and I just needed to affirm that you must be a hick after all. 😉 Because I have family in Arkansas and Texas and he’s never called them “cowpeople” before. I’m just sayin’.
Beth, seriously, I need to, if only via this comment that you may never see,let you know that God has a hold on my family right now. His presence is palatable. His hand only hidden by that thin veil. We see HIM everywhere. All of us, and I’m so grateful for you. Please bury your head in your Bible and come up for air and impart wisdom. I’ve got mine buried too, and I am BEGGING for an outpouring of HIS Spirit and blessing on us both.
Lexington was pure AWESOMENESS!!! Thank you, Beth, for once again showing me what total surrender to the Father can be! I attended your New Orleans event many, many years ago (like maybe 12 years ago) and so I was so amazed to see how big the Lexington event was! I am also very curious how you choose your daughter Melissa’s name, because I am also a “Melissa Gay” and you don’t really come across too many of us! My mom’s name was Roma Gay and so that is how I got my middle name. Anyway, thanks again! I will be eating, praying, and loving my heart out from now on!
My favorite part of this entire post is most definitely the sideways picture. Classic.
All I can say is that the Lexington event blew my mind. God spoke to my heart is so many ways and I stand at awe of his love and grace he gives me. Beth, you are a hoot and we had such a blast diving into scriptures with you. Thank you for your love for God and love for women! I pray you and your ministry is tremendously blessed for the blessings you pour onto others. Can’t wait to see you again in the future!
Dear Siesta Mama,
Thanks for sharing part of your Monday with us. That baby is precious…could just eat her up..Two questions for you? I was riding in my car yesterday and heard on the radio how John Piper had come out with a new book called “Ruth, Sweet and Bitter Providence.” Might be a good follow up to the Ruth study, what do you think? Also I’m just wondering if there is a way to download your message from this last weekend? It sounds awesome!
Love ya, marylee
Anybody notice in the skyline of the picture Beth posted in Lexington that it seems to have the face of someone faintly there?
Yes, Paula, I saw the reflection also–I’m assuming it’s Beth’s reflection as she’s taking the picture. Awesome picture for sure.
Yes, it was my big hair.
Paula,
Yes I noticed and commented back a few messages, and it looks like they were meshed to be there for certain.
Rebecca
Beth,
What can I say about Lexington, Ky, WOW what an experience of God it turned out to be. Our Father God, helped me get through a tragedy that the evil one was trying to stop me from coming. My Christian sister’s and family after we returned back to Albany, Ky, were so supportive and were such a blessing. This was the first of your events that I had the blessing of having a part in. As soon as I walked into Rupp Arena I could feel God giving me strength, whispering it’s going to be okay and telling me my husband was going to be okay. I can’t stop talking about the Conference I share it with everyone. I Love talking about God and telling others about how AWESOME He is!!!!!!! Our group was a total of 20 sisters and have to share this with you!!!!!! On Friday night when we got back to our room I shared with my two dearest friend Lynette and Jane, we all wanted to come to you and invite you to our hotel room for a little one on one. We talked about how we pictured you just sitting on the beds and sharing stories. I have done 7-8 of your Bible Studies we just finished your Revelation Bible Study. Fri. night went way to fast and Sat. also!!!!!!! I Adore God and I LOVE your passion you have for Christ, Thank You for the best weekend it helped me get through that weekend. You know what my hubby was getting better and he is now back home, only GOD could of healed him that quickly, “PRAISE GOD”!!!!!! Thank You Kathy
Good Morning 🙂
oh, Beth – I know what you mean about little baby and toddler voices. There isn’t much i love more than hearing one of my 6 grandbabies saying “Nana”. It may be “joyful chaos” when they are all at my house but then it just too quiet when they leave.
thank you so much for just being you and always bringing us a good Word from our precious Lord.
Beth Herring
Dear Beth,
My husband and I just finished listening to “So Long Insecurity”. I am a survivor of sexual abuse and I have been “under attack” by both my own fears and insecurity (I’m turning 60 on September 3) and I truly believe a satanic attack of immeasurable intensity. For the past 5 years (as I write that, I can’t believe I’ve been going through this for 5 years)where I’ve been tortured by the fear that my husband has been having an affair. He swears that all of my fears are unfounded and when I think of all I’ve put this poor man through during this time, I have to believe him. I just wanted you to know that the Lord has used you to speak directly to my mind, heart and soul. I bought the CD’s about a week ago and I’ve been devouring them, clinging to them as if they were a life preservor in the middle of a raging sea. I have related to every single word you uttered. My husband said it was as if he was listening to me. He said there is no other explanation but that our Lord orchestrated both the writing of this material and our possession of it. I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your willingness and commitment to ministering to women who have experienced this pain.
Kathy,
I too am a “survivor” of sexual abuse an it takes years to over come this. I too bought Beth’s book and CD on insecurity and had a very bad time getting through both.
Please don’t think 5 years is along time to be going through this. My trip has been longer and I am a wee bit younger than you. 🙂 A minister told me it was grieving and it can take as long as it takes. She should know because she is a survivor too.
Hold on and we can talk any time.
Prayers for you, Rebecca
I love your candidness, Miss Beth! You inspire me, crack me up, challenge me, and help me love Jesus more! Thank you!
Beth,
The Lexington Event was Awesome! Our God is so Worthy of our Praise! Thank you for sharing with us. I will never look at Eat,Pray, Love the same way again. Praying for you Daily.
Hi Beth and Team,
I SO enjoy taking my workbook from Bible studies with me to work away on my homework, when I’m flying somewhere. This evening I was flying home after a wonderful and refreshing vacation in Colorado Springs (that’s an extra special place and full of God’s beloved people). Anyways, it was neat that from Chicago to Maine, I had my Daniel workbook, working away at my final session, and my “seat mate”, a middle aged man, who grew up in a Catholic church but then turned away and now he is universal unitarian, was asking about the Daniel study and I was able to share a few neat learnings from the study.
I believe that was truly a God appointment. THEN, leaving the plane, another man came up to me, who happened to be sitting behind us and heard our whole conversation; turns out he’s a Pastor (and actually knows my Pastor) and said he was praying as he heard our conversation.
I am so encouraged!!!! All that to say, it’s powerful how God can give us opportunities to speak of Him and His glory, when we least expect it. Also, let’s take opportunities to encourage our fellow brothers and sisters!!
Hi Beth,
I have just discovered this blog and I want to tell all of the times that God has used your Bible studies to touch me and change me, but I’ll stick to sharing my testimony from lexington. The lexington event was the frist time that you weren’t just on the other side of the screen.
I was so great to see you after being touched by your work so much. I know that it’s God’s work through you and I’m so thankful for your obedience to God. What I always tell people is that I love how “real” you are and how you go deep and encourage all of us to go deep.
This conference came to me in a “desert” season. I had honestly been calling it that as I lost my boss unexpectedly in April during the busiest season of my life where I was in grad school and doing an internship. I work for a small business so all the pressures of running the business fell on my shoulders. At the age of 27, this was difficult. I was fighting dispair and wanting so much to know what my next steps were. The song “Healer” was one that I sang and prayed for my boss as he was fighting cancer, so when it started playing I sobbed feeling God encouraging me to let it go. I felt during most of the conference that you were speaking directly to me. The cool thing is that so many other women felt the same thing. This conference was so timely for me and I’m so honored that I got the opportunity to participate with 11,000 other women.
God is GOOD!!
Melinda Lanier
Does Allison have a website? I think I want to commission her for a portrait of our little Layla!!
She truly has the artisan’s anointing~
Hey There, Melinda!! Thank you so much here is my watercolor website: http://www.redbubble.com/people/allicata
and another of our beloved Abbey…
love the artwork!! being a “king james” gal myself, I would love to meet Allison and see more of her work!! 🙂
Julie!! My kind of girl!! King James gals have got to stick together (we’ve become a minority…hehe) Thank you here is my watercolor website: http://www.redbubble.com/people/allicata
Still flying high from the fabulous time in Lexington! In addition to the awesome teaching and worship, I had an amazing personal experience on Saturday morning…
While walking to the hotel restaurant for breakfast early that morning, I noticed a woman with a badly scarred face in the little sitting area by the entrance to the restaurant. I said good morning to her as I was passing and went on my way. Later, after securing some pretty darn good seats in the arena, I made my way back to the restaurant for a latte to bring in the conference. When I walked into the restaurant, I noticed the lady was still sitting there, this time eating an orange. As I was ordering my coffee, she came up to the bar and asked to throw her orange peel away. She then proceeded to throw up right there on the floor!! The barrista and I looked at each other and she quickly called someone to clean it up. The lady immediately started apologizing and crying at the same time. I felt so bad for her….I reached out and patter her arm and asked if she was okay. She looked at me with confused, glassy eyes and said “I am so sorry,” with tears streaming down her face. I just kept patting her and rubbing her arm. She asked the lady at the bar for a “pop”, but when she told her the price she looked at me and asked if I would buy her one. Of course I said “yes!” I had the lady give her a pop and she just stood there crying. She said “nobody will talk to me, look at me, or touch me because of my face.” She kept saying that over and over, then went on to say that somebody from her church had thrown acid on her face. I threw my arms around her and held her while she cried. I was just floored! Then I noticed that she had a conference bracelet on. I told her to sit down and drink her soda until her stomach settled and then to “go into the conference and listen because Beth had something important to say to her.” When you read the letter and told the story of your sister, I immediately thought of her. Oh Beth, I cannot tell you how blessed I was by that woman and by your words. Thank you for your continued obedience to the Lord and the way that you serve us so tenderly.
Beth, I thought I did my first post on Monday but probably messed it up. I don’t see it and just wanted to tell you how wonderful the experience in Lexington was for me, my daughter and 10 year old granddaughter. I thought my heart would burst watching my precious Gracie diligently taking notes. I brought my own mother’s well used Bible so we had 4 generations there spiritually. It is a memory we will treasure forever. I have a health witness I won’t share now but I am preparing a blog to encourage others facing cancer and other attacks by the enemy on our bodies. God’s Word is our Healing Power and coming to your Bible studies (Esther first and many since) have brought me back to that Power.
Morning! The comments about the KJV vs. NIV/others didn’t hit me til this morning. I went through my inner KJV/NIV battle earlier this year while going through my FIRST (yea!!) Beth Moore study. I was the only one in the group using a KJV (my 30 yr. old Thompson Chain Reference KJV – I was leaving old dry leather pieces in my wake!) I was raised (since birth 1957!) on the KJV (father was a pastor) and we went through some times in some pretty ultra fundamental Baptist groups that would pummel other version from the pulpit. It is recounted that one dear pastor preached (regarding KJV) “If it was good enough for our Lord, it’s good enough for me!!” (Of course, Christ’s words are not only in red, but ENGLISH!!)
So, I compromised – I know, not always a good thing for a Christian to do, but this June I bought myself a KJV/NIV Parallel Bible – it is the best 🙂 I like to think I can have my cake and eat it too!! I still memorize and read the Psalms in the KJV – something poetic about the flow. but love the NIV for it’s easiness in reading and understanding.
My daughters and I are looking forward to our first LPM event in the Chicago area soon!!
And relating to a previous post by Melissa – my dad was the 1966 Speaker of the Class at Moody Bible Inst. I have wonderful memories of running around the OLD campus 🙂 and enjoying Founders Week, even as a young person.
Beth, you have done more for me and my daughter – to help us get back into a relationship with our wonderful Sovereign Lord and Father! Bless you, bless you, bless you! (from my favorite study, Esther!)
I love parallel Bibles, too! Yes, they are the answer. I use one constantly.
Beth,
Just seeing your “clothed with strength & dignity” brushy thing was what i needed today.
I was one of the gazillions of girls who did the SLI with you online. It was so great and a truly life altering book for me!
My husband worked a normal 8-5 job for 30 years. 3 years ago he retired from that company and went to work as a consultant where travel is essential. Needless to say it has been terribly rough on our marriage and me in so many ways. Reading SLI (followed by Priscilla Shrier’s One in a Million!!) was just what i needed to get through each day while he is gone. We have been in counseling for a variety of reasons…mainly adjusting to this new life, kids are gone…we needed to learn how to communicate again! anyway, after reading SLI at least every counseling session i talk about how when the enemy gets me down or I get me down i quote “I am a woman clothed with strength & dignity” Our counselor is even going to read your book!
I can’t tell you how just saying it lifts my spirits!! So today as i am missing my man and counting the hours until he comes home this evening…I AM a woman clothed with STRENGTH and DIGNITY!!!
I get one of my grandboys tomorrow…can’t wait until he can say “Gran”!!
blessings to you Beth!!
karen
I told my daughter who is starting HS in 10 days to memorize Proverbs 31:25. I said “everytime you feel insecure about, school work, teachers, friends, finding a class etc…. just say that verse.” She added “and boys mom” “Oh right…. and boys.”
Blessings to All!
Beth, I left there forever changed!!!! I may never meet you here on earth, but I will be lookingfor you in Heaven to hug your neck!!! GOD IS SO GOOD! Please come back soon!
Greetings Siesta Mama Beth:)
Aww, the Lord was there in Lexington according to my ladies from my church!:) That sunset was beautiful:) The cards from Allison were beautiful too, and the kitchen brush with the verse on it makes me laugh and smile!:) That’s great:) Love your puppies, bless your heart.
katiegfromtennessee
Hi Beth,
I’m new to blogging, can you or your staff let me know if this is the correct avenue? I wanted to share some things from my heart as I just found out about your “So Long Insecurity” book in one of Charles Stanley’s devotional booklets I get each month.
Thank you,
In His Care,
Di
Welcome to the LPM Blog, Diana. You can write a note to Beth and send it 12131 Malcomson, Houston, TX 77070 or to [email protected]. Blessings!