My Dear Siestas,
I am writing you from an altitude of about 25,000 feet on my way home from Atlanta. I’m in the window seat and it’s a gorgeous day on our trek over Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi and I trust Louisiana and Texas, too. I’m sure I’ve told you before that I am one of those weirdos who actually loves traveling. As Melissa and I often say, our boots were made for walking. AJ is game, too, but two preschoolers have a way of coloring your present views toward air travel. Air Traffic Control is a breeze compared to Air Toddler Control. As for Keith, he prefers his size 13 D cowboy boot on the accelerator of a Ford pickup truck. I’m not a fan of the whole travel ordeal, mind you. A life thrown at the mercy of security lines, weather delays, mechanical difficulties, cancellations, and overbooking will take a toll on you. Sometimes my body feels so dog tired I can hardly fathom doing it all again but in no time I do. God gave me itchy feet.
You are one of two big things on my mind this morning as I make my way back to Houston. To say you completely blew me away with your Scripture memory commitments is an understatement almost too silly to say. My mind is spinning with what God might be up to. A few minutes ago I was looking ahead to the next portion of Scripture that I’ll write about in the James study. It’s James 1:19-21. (I know you are wondering how on earth I can only be that far in the writing process after all this time! It goes very slow because each portion has to be researched, mulled over, written, and self edited before I ever send it into LifeWay. The process takes a year to eighteen months of solid work.) As I read over the familiar portion, I fastened my gaze on the finishing words of James 1:21. It is the exhortation to all of us Christ-followers to humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. My eyes stung with tears.
God’s implanted Word has saved me from myself more times than I can count. I love it. No, I don’t always feel giddy about it nor do I always know what to do with it but the written Word of God hits me often enough in my daily exposure to keep me going back for more. I just do not know where I would be or, God help me, what my life would look like without my battered mind being interrupted and rewired by Scripture. Those words implanted deep into my belief system have convicted me, changed me and, at times, wrecked me. These thoughts are what led me to stop my research that very moment and write to you instead. I want you to know that you will never waste a moment of your life in God’s Word. (Unless you are trying to avoid actually doing what it says. There comes a time to shut the Book and go live the Book then go back to the Book so that You can again live the Book.) As you give yourself to the monumental, ongoing task of studying Scripture and hiding it in your heart through memorization, your life is altered. Unblocked and guarded, the words of God make it all the way into the marrow of your bones. Your way is made clearer, your thoughts brighter, your purpose stronger, and your glory to God greater.
I just want to tell those of you who have committed to a year of Scripture memory what I have a hunch you already know: you will not be sorry.
And that brings me to the second big thing on my mind, tied to you, the first, by way of the very same Scripture in James. I just left Passion 2011. It’s still going strong and will not end until tomorrow morning but my schedule was best suited to the first half of it. (I hate so much to miss Dr. Piper though.) If you’re not familiar with the Passion movement (Louie and Shelley Giglio, founders), I will never do justice to it here in this brief explanation so please google it and behold a mighty work of God. In a nutshell, however, it is perhaps the most powerful thing God is doing among college-age men and women across the globe. Do not believe the hype that Jesus has left the college campus. My whole family and I have had the mystifying privilege of being involved since the national conference began in the late 90’s. Even Keith adores it. Curtis serves as one of the community leaders and Amanda ministers right by his side. Every single time I stand in awe of God’s palpable presence in a secular arena packed with students but never more than this year. The event always attracts way over 10,000 people but this new year it sold out at a whopping 22,000 and about five minutes into the event, it was clear why. God.
No other reason.
He has as uncanny a way of showing Himself at these events and, in light of His innumerable mercies, we can guess why. There is no age demographic at greater risk than 18-25 year olds and He’s chasing them down like He’s got nothing to lose but a generation. Our embarrassingly secular culture (of which, in many ways, we are all a part) would be explanation enough for so many young adults walking away from the faith. Add to it the burgeoning disdain for Christianity and mockery of Christians on many college campuses and you’ve got yourself a boiling hotbed for disbelief. But our God is so faithful. We know He will retain a voice in the generations on the latter-day Kingdom calendar because Matthew 24 says that the testimony of Jesus Christ has to make it into every people group. Revelation 19 also tells us that He will return for a Bride refined and made ready. Jesus will indeed raise His Church to her feet but the closer and closer we get to His return, the stronger and stronger she must be. She will know a persecution and ultimately a suffering that 20th Century Westerners could never have imagined.
I saw about 22,000 reasons for high hopes in the last forty-eight hours. You see, Passion isn’t for the faint of heart. The schedule is packed and the sessions are refreshingly unrushed. About two seconds into the conference you lose that warm, fuzzy feeling that any god goes. If you’ve got an aversion to Jesus, you’ve got an aversion to Passion. The Word of God is preached and taught, read aloud and read in unison. The worship is…well…impossible to describe. Just go right ahead and anxiously anticipate the worship CD that will come out of it somewhere down the road. World missions and the needs of the downcast and suffering are kept at the forefront constantly and the 268 concept for the “Go-Center” is nothing less than genius. (Google all of this if this is news to you. You will be astounded and your faith will surge.)
Even this very moment, the Word of God is being implanted in those thousands upon thousands of young lives. Words that can save. Words that can sanctify. Words that can serve. Words that can send. Words that can be shared.
That’s the power of God. That’s the power of His Spirit. That’s the power of His Word.
That’s the power of Jesus.
Let’s keep saying it until every knee bows and every tongue confesses He is Lord.
We’re missing Passion this year. And it hurts. I called my husband from work today. He was at home watching your portion online. I was JEALOUS. There. a sin. I was sinful because of you and passion! Seriously, I know first hand how AWESOME the conference is. I’m so glad you serve there.
Beth, I’m so glad you were able to go to Passion! I had no idea you were going to be there. A co-worker of mine (we work at Mission to the World) has been serving there over the weekend. I wanted so badly to volunteer, but you must be 26 and I am a mere 25. And since I am out of college and married, it didn’t seem like a great fit for me until next January! When I am 26! I hope to serve alongside you in 2012 as college students from across the nation come together to praise our incredible, indescribable Saviour!
I’ve participated in Passion since 1998. Just this morning I watched your talk, Beth about getting control of the mind. What a relevant message just days after many of us have made resolutions for the new year. I know I need one resolution:: captivate the thoughts in my mind so that every thought revolves around God. If I do this then all the other resolutions will fall into place.
Praise God for the work he is doing through Passion! Praise God for what He has done in me through Passion!
Just watched your session on Romans 12 earlier this morning. After you were done, and the band was coming on, the camera shot was from way up in the nosebleed section. I gasped outloud at all those young people. Can’t get the image out of my mind..what is God going to do with them! Praying His word takes root and that their lives are forever changed.
Blessings,
stephanie
This is my daughter’s second year at Passion. Both times she sent me a text saying: “Beth Moore is speaking now.” Last night she texted that I really should listen to your message!!
A few years ago, I d-r-a-g-g-e-d this girl to hear you speak. She said it was better than she expected ; )
For 2011, she asked for a Passion ticket as her Christmas present. As you said…God.
So glad you had a good trip to Passion! I sure wish all this would have been available when I was a 18-25er! And maybe it was, I just didn’t know about it.
The numbers in our SSMT post is AMAZING!!! I know that God is working in mighty ways through this group of women-7,096 x 24 verses = 170,304+ verses will be memorized!! God’s Word is going to be ALL OVER THIS WORLD! Beth, I can’t tell you how many times over the last year that the scriptures I memorized in ’09 have come to my aide. I did want to share with you tho, that the night I fell in my garage and ended up in the ER I scoured that place from the front door to the X-Ray room for “Mercy” and/or “Grace” and neither one of them were there!! 🙂 But I know, without a doubt, that the Holy Spirit was!
Thank you for all the encouragement you give us in your studies, the LPL conferences, but most of all here where you share the “you” you are because of our awesome God! Safe travels throughout 2011!
Bobbie
Beth, our daughter is there and rubbed it in yesterday that she got to hear you speak – she knows how I love to hear you and this was her first time getting to hear you in person. She has texted me all day today!! Said I need to come next year that it is awesome! She finally got it in July that God wants a relationship with us! She has been on fire since, broke up with her unbelieving boyfriend who told her to chose God or him!! She said that is easy I choose God and walked out the door. She is 20 and has stood her ground so much. Please pray for her as she is searching what God wants her to do. She has always wanted to be a nurse and is in college studying but failing all her courses to do with nursing but As in all her other courses. This is her third year and she does not know which way to turn. Pray that God will reveal His plan for her life while she is at Passion.
Jane, I am praying for your daughter. My daughter is 20, also.
Thanks Sandy, Spoke with her this morning and boy is she excited! Will pray for your daughter too!
I have been so encouraged by the Word these last few days as I have been meditating on it and asking God to give me understanding of His Word and help me hide it my heart. There is a lot of other stuff hidden in there so He is going to have to make the room! And I know He will.
Well I am never one to do much alone. My friends know when I get that wild look in my eyes they better get ready to run with me or quickly away from me. Well so far I have at least 7 ladies and possibly 9 doing SSMT with me. My own dear Mom is in group.
We some of us have never met face to face and have become friends through facebook. We are in SC, MI, WI, VA and TX. We are clocking on the blog but also on a small facebook page that I created so we can encourage one another directly and if someone doesn’t clock in–we can check with them to see if they need some love, a hug and shout of keep at girl–you can do it. I am so excited.
I had some time on my hands last night so I clicked on each page of the comments and did a control F and typed in SC. There are over 200 women within an hour of where I live doing SSMT and I am so excited. I wish that there was a way that ladies all over the country could meet once a quarter in their area to get together to encourage one another to stay on the team. Perhaps too late for this year, but it would be cool if we could use the network of churches that participate in the simulcast as meeting points once per quarter.
Would love to know where in SC you are. We might need to get together sometime!
Jane, I am in Taylors right next to Greenville. If you are close enough, let’s pick a place and plan for coffee. And any other Siesta that wants to join us is welcome to come too! We can meet with our spirals and have a mini “say off” to encourage one another. Perhaps we can find a spot that is a reasonable distance between us.
I just added my neighbor to my little SSMT accountability group, so we are are 8 committed and 3 possibles. I am still hoping God will bring a couple more of my friends into the fold!
Send me an email at [email protected] and make sure you put Siesta in the email title so I know to make sure you don’t end up in my spam folder.
I love Passion. It’s the first time I heard Beth speak and can clearly remember some of what she said 13 or 14 years ago. The heart of Passion changed my life, and really, continues to.
My daughter Rebecca is there. I can’t wait for her to get home and tell me all about it!
Melissa, Talked with my daughter this morning and she is so jazzed up and excited! I am watching this mornings session as I type. Wish I could be there. Cannot wait to hear all about it.
Thank you for sharing Beth!I have never heard of the Passion movement but what encouragement it has brought me to hear what our sweet Lord is doing in this generation.
Praise Him!
my oldest son is 22 and his bride, my dear dear daugher-in-law, is 23. i also have a 20 year old son. they are all strong in the Lord, but only by the grace and power of Jesus will they stay that way. i feel in my bones that Satan is after them with a vengence.
may they stand fast.
amen and to God’s glory is Passion.
jackie
love ya siesta mama. i too am blown away by the SSMT response.
Beth –
Just a quick note to let you know that you’re not alone in your fondness for travel. I’ve also got God-given itchy feet! By the grace of God and his provision for my work, I’m on an airplane somewhere almost every week. And my man is the opposite, the one who loves to stay home.
Perhaps I’ll run into you at an airport Starbucks someday
🙂
How precious is His word. It saves my life every day and my mind. I am super hyped about our SSMT!!!! Posting it on my blog with a link to the instructions. Hope more and more women understand the potency of God’s word in our hearts. A long time ago I saw a video of you saying something I have never gotten over and probably repeat three or four times a week to someone.
“Whatever you are taking in is what you will send out.” Whew! Struck my core. I made a lot of changes in my life and tried to really assess what I was putting in. Things I thought didn’t matter – TV shows, magazines, basically all the trash the secular world is selling. Oh what a difference in my life since putting more of God’s word in. It does heal, sanctify and save.
Happy New Year Beth!
It is refreshing to hear about wonderful things going on in college age kids. I have two young children and hear all the horrible things about college life nowdays, makes me pray harder for them and gives me a stronger desire to teach them right and wrong so one day they will be able to follow Christ instead of the crowd.
AMEN!!!
Just wanted to say I’m so thankful for the Word of God. So thankful God gave it to us. So thankful for my Lifeline.
I am right in the middle of watching your teaching at Passion…good stuff about rewiring the mind. I’m in the midst of a rewiring and it hurts (He is exposing my inner Pharisee and I don’t like it!)
I am overwhelmed and so grateful for this place for us to gather. I’ve been scrolling these verses all day at work, and it really is remarkable knowing there is an army of women in the world working to draw closer to the same God that I am striving to grow closer to. Thank all of you for your honest posts. I will be better equipped because of all of this.
This also encourages me for my daughters. There are gatherings of youth and prayers rising up from around the world. We are in the good fight, and our children are so worth it.
YES He is Lord and I am being INTENTIONAL in making Him more in my 2011! I have to share with you how I did the most amazing thing on New Years Eve. My husband was sick with the flu and resting and the girls where away. So I took to my favorite red paisley devotional chair and I wrote my 2010 memory scripture out as a prayer to God in my prayer journal. This past year I memorized 35 scripture so the prayer covered many pages but it was such a beautiful moment. It was a cherishable way to end a most difficult year. My hand started cramping from all the writing but I couldn’t stop and the overwhelming peace of journeling through those scripture one more time was so comforting. I plan to make this a practice at the end of each year.
Two years ago the Seista Scripture Memory Team got me started into memorizing scripture and now I am addicted to it. My memory isn’t as good as it was when I was younger but I find that I need these scriptures as much as I need oxygen to breath. Thank you for starting this. There is such power in His Word!! Yes, He is Lord!!
Believing Him~Pamela
Beth~You have a beautiful God given gift of putting your thoughts into words and I feel blessed to read and learn from them. Thank you!
Beth,
I saw you online from the live feed yesterday.
You can find the live feed through the 268 website http://www.268generation.com/2.0/splash3.htm
They keep up the sessions for 24 hours.
I first sat under Louie’s teaching at Resurrection Week when I was a college student at Texas A&M in the mid-90’s (when he had brown hair :-). God is still speaking powerfully through him, and I am convicted and challenged by the Word he brings!
Safe travels to you!
Love,
allyson
Allyaggie thank you! As I read page 1, then started on page 2 of comments I was wondering how to log into the the Passion live stream. God is so good. On another note do you still live in College Station Allyaggie?
No, I live in the Houston area, League City in particular. We’re only a few hours away from College Station, though.
Glad you found the link helpful. The sessions were AMAZING. God spoke to me clearly through them all.
allyson
Amen!
Amen! “Awakening”,which is the most recent Passion CD (2010) is nothing short of brilliant! 🙂
I was stunned over this when I read it “It goes very slow because each portion has to be researched, mulled over, written, and self edited before I ever send it into LifeWay. The process takes a year to eighteen months of solid work.)” Oh wow what a commitment to your calling and to Jesus. What a love for His people. Thanks for your labor over these bible studies that further me along this sometimes difficult walk. : ) God Bless
Thank you, Beth, for those encouraging words. I hadn’t heard about Passion before you and Amanda mentioned it on the blog awhile back.
My son is a newly-19-yr.-old college freshman on a secular campus. They don’t have Campus Crusade or any other very visible Christian presence, but his faith is strong now. And I am on my knees praying for him. Your words were a reminder to also be praying for all college students. You are right–there is so much disdain and mockery of Christianity on college campuses, not to mention the world in general. I don’t think Passion is publicized in So. Calif. like it may be other places, but I definitely want to look into it.
PS: I too am stunned by the sheer number of women committed to memorizing Scripture this year. May God do a mighty work in our hearts, and use us for His glory!
I second that about Passion! I have watched the live feed for the past several years, along with the college students I work with. I had a transforming moment during “Jesus Never Fails” by Kristian Stanfill. It has been wonderful, too, to know that those in leadership are the real deal. My brother has worked on the volunteer hospitality team for several years and has been impacted by the sincere hearts of those leading. May Passion continue to grow for His name and renown!
Thank You Sweet Jesus for the Word!
Thank You Lord for implanting Your Word upon many hearts young and old(er)!
Jesus is Power! Amen and Amen!!
Jesus is so amazing! Thank you for loving and proclaiming Him so passionately, Beth. Your love and passion in serving Him has inspired me (as a young woman in my 20s) in my relationship with my Jesus and in seeking to share Him as I speak to young women… I am asking His rich blessings on you right now. I love you!
Thank you for your sharing and service. Safe travels home! In His Love, Leslie from Memphis
I’m afraid. and am defiant, and want to go and take a juicer into that hospital and make smoothies full of stuff that i read about that will stimulate blood cells to formulate. I want to go there in the middle of the night, and put these nutrients into my friend. but, I cant. I just want to. and I dont want to be rejected for believeing in such nutrients – but I cant go and do that, I cant cure my friend, and I hurt because I cant. I’ve not been sleeping much at night- feel that my heart is torn. dont wanta let go. and i wanta fix it but know i cant. and tears sting and flood my eyes and run down my cheeks. and thank you for posting this just now. thank you, beth. pat.
been listening to chris tomlin from passion all evening on utube, refreshing to my hungryness this evening. thanks.
I love Passion and have purchased many CD’s of music from the conferences! 🙂
I am turning 40 this year and am currently in an undergrad program at a local college. Many universities in the area have an adult degree completion program in which the classes are filled with older adults. My school has that program too. When I was deciding about which program to enter I was drawn to the traditional program. Yes, the logistics of going to class while my kids are all at school was a big draw, but part of my decision was based on the students! I wanted to be right there with all of the 18 year old Freshmen! When I complete my undergrad program I’ll go on to grad school with the hopes of helping people when I’m done (I’ll be a counselor) but part of the decision to be in the traditional program was to make a difference in peoples lives along the way! God is so faithful! There’s a group of young women who latched on to me, and I just keep pointing them to Jesus! I’ve had several opportunities to encourage these girls. I’m not sure what He’s up to, but I’m having a complete blast in the process! 🙂 Gotta love those college students!
Thank you for serving so faithfully!
Much love,
Teri
Beth, I was reminded of the hardships our college and high school age Christians face while reading this. I was one of those who “took time off” from church during college, I’m not proud of it, but I hope to make up for it in my children. I was refreshed by this scripture that a dear priest friend posted this morning. “Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12). I wish I would have heard you in college, my search for my ministry would have started MUCH sooner. I love you and don’t know you, but you are a blessing to us at our Women’s Bible Study in Round Rock. We start up again this Thursday, “Jesus, the One and Only”. I might add that WE CAN’T WAIT to start!
Wow. Can’t imagine what He has planned for 2011! Eph. 3:20
Amen! That is a tough age, so many freedoms and temptations pulling at them at one time. Kids have to sort out their priorities and values and parents have to sit back, kneel continually and lift their young ones up into the almighty God’s hands. Our future is not as bleak as many would say. There are good Godly young people in preparation of leadership roles. I thank God for events like Passion.
Jan
I tried to recite my memory verse this morning without reviewing it first. I got every word right. Glory halleluia! Happy flying and thanks for the info on Passion. I’m so excited about every people group! yes!
So proud of you, Melissa!
I can’t tell you how inspirational reading through all the scriptures has been. It was so edifying! I checked a couple of times a day for the last few days just to see what the count was. 🙂 So Amazing to have so many sisters memorizing scripture together. You are all such a Blessing!
Marita
I’m 21 years old and attended Passion for the first time last year. I’m not there this year but will be there next year and I’m so enjoying the live stream online!!
Beth, your talk was incredible. Francis last night talked about changing those things in our lives that DON’T MAKE SENSE..and it just reiterated so much of what you said. Thank you for sharing your heart up there.
To any parents or people my age who don’t know about Passion – Beth is right. It revolutionized my life..and it wasn’t “just another conference.” I left changed, but also with a desire to change more and DO more for the Kingdom instead of just hearing. It led to a deeper understanding of Christ and His desire for a personal relationship with me, though I thought I already knew all of that.
It is seriously a a life-changing encounter with God. Sure, it’s great that Tomlin, Nockels, DCB, and so many more “big names” are there….but it’s not about seeing them..you seriously bond with every other person there in a way that will never be broken because you’re bound by God. You’re challenged to examine yourself and DO FOR OTHERS as scripture’s called us to do. You’re challenged to own your own faith and be uncomfortable.
I’m so thankful for the opportunity last year to go and just to see how God is moving in people my age. If 22,000 students can stand united in Christ to change this world, what can stop us?!
I watched your session online this morning. Was so glad that another blogger had posted the Passion link. Will you be at the Dallas Passion in April, Beth?
Thank you again for all you do!
I won’t be at that one, Sandy, but I’ll miss them so much. I’m back to my LPL schedule by then and I’ve tried over the last year to turn over a new leaf toward my schedule!
Beth – thanks to your daughter Amanda’s tweets about Passion I discovered I could watch it online – and was thrilled I could start my new year off by listening to what God had put on your heart. I had just sat down to watch it when my husband walked in. When I asked if he was ok with watching it – he said “Are you kidding me, its Beth Moore. Why wouldn’t I want to watch the woman who has had such a profound impact on my wife!”. Thank you Beth for all you do – the message you brought to all of those university students was also meant for me.
I heard from my daughter who is at Passion. She was so excited that you were there!
She has been blown away with this conference. I believe she will be forever changed!
Live streaming of Passion 2011 can be heard at: http://live.passion2011.com
I’ve been praying for you and everyone involved. I teach a girls college age SS class – some of my girls are there, and I thank God for the Giglio’s ministry!
Jennifer
Oh what a wonderful and beautiful truth…”You will never waste a moment of your life in God’s Word”. And how merciful God is to have actually given us His written Word, more than just words on a page. It is life and breath. I can’t help but think of
Psalm 119:92-93
If Your law had not been my delight
I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget Your precepts
for by them You have preserved my life.
I am so excited to be part of this journey of Scripture memory with all the other Siestas!
Praying for you as your travel home.
In His love,
michelle in VT
WOW! Go Jesus! Go Jesus! Go Jesus Go!!!! Sounds amazing!!!!!! Do it Lord! (I love Travis’s song!) Blessings!
ps: Awesome message btw!!!
I found the session you did Beth – wow. Here is the link that I found:
http://www.benterry.com/2011/01/passion-2011-beth-moore-session-2/
Thanks for giving us this link. I watched last night and Beth was powerful, as usual 🙂 I encourage all the siestas to watch. This message wasn’t just for college students. We all need to hear about renewing our minds in the Lord. I plan to watch the other sessions too. Thanks again.
my daughter is there~drinking from the fire-hydrant~having the time of her life. she called me to tell me that i am now a grandmother~to a child that she is sponsoring!! we cried together as if she had just given birth!! God IS doing amazing things in these children. Thank you for your willingness to be a part of it. God is changing lives through you!!
I just read your comment to Melissa with my voice trembling from the lump in my throat. So sweet about the child. God is so alarmingly beautiful.
I sat down last night to watching your streaming talk at Passion. Had the hot tea, curled up on the comfy chair, Bible in lap. What a blessing!
Thank you for your faithfulness, Beth.
At the name of Jesus every knee will bow and tongue confess. I get goose bumps just thinking about this verse and it’s implication in our world today. In this day, when some will tell you that we are not to mention his name because it’s not politically correct and would be offensive. Don’t miss this – it’s happening right before our very eyes. Glory to God – one day at just the mention of His name every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He IS Lord. I. am. praising. Him!
Hi Beth and all of my Siestas,
I am blown away by the number of women committed to Scripture memorization! I can’t wait to see what comes of this!
I discovered a book at LifeWay that may help you along this journey…”100 Bible Verses everyone should know by heart” by Robert J. Morgan. I was excited to see it right before New Year’s and bought it as a commitment to SSMT.
Happy New Year and Happy New Minds in Christ Jesus!
Michelle