Hey, Darling Things!
I’m working from home today and thought I’d take a little break and let my study-brain relax a minute and tune my heart into Siestaville. Let me tell you how proud I am of you for clocking in with the same general number of 2nd verses as you did your first verses. The hard part is not the start. It’s pressing on all the way through the year to the finish. But, then, like all runners that make it across that beautiful line, we get to celebrate a huge victory that only comes to those who sweat it out. We give all praise and glory to our empowering, sustaining God and sit back for a reflective moment, take a deep breath, and feel His glorious good pleasure. Community will become more and more essential as we realize that, without making a public commitment and running the race beside a host of others in this Scripture memory marathon, we’ll probably fizzle out. There is no doubt in my mind that we’re more successful at this together than we are separately. It’s God’s way.
Yesterday was a really fun day at LPM. I already put this on Twitter but it took about a half a dozen of our staff members to put together additional shelves for the books Melissa has acquired since she last worked within the ministry office.
I have promised Melissa my library when God takes me Home, but if she keeps this up at this rate for the next fifteen years, she’s going to pass me by and I’m going to leave mine to Curtis. (That threat won’t mean much to you but it will get Melissa and her dear brother-in-law sparring again over who gets the books which, in turn, gives me a great laugh.) Amanda has been promised other things like what sits on my left hand. But I might spite them all and live a really long time…with colored hair and firm foundations (and I don’t mean the latter in the religious sense. Or the former for that matter. I cannot find hair color in the Scriptures unless I get to count head coverings which, to me, is not unreasonable. In that way and others like unto it, I am a very submissive woman).We’ll see how that pans out. (The timing of my demise not my hair color.)
The other really cool thing we did yesterday at LPM was preview the movie Courageous. It’s the new movie by the people that gave us “Face the Giants” and it comes out in September. (www.courageousthemovie.com) I will remind you guys about it when the release day gets closer but I can’t wait till then to tell you about it. Sisters, it was so good. I don’t want to give away the story line but I can’t quit thinking about it. They have done such a magnificent job with it. We honestly laughed out loud and cried and cheered. I can hardly wait until it comes out. I think God has something far beyond good, solid family entertainment for this film. I’ve told you guys before that, after retiring from the Army, my daddy ran movie theaters so I love few things on this earth more than good movies and great popcorn. (Yes, we popped corn yesterday. And I ate mine with a Starbucks instead of a coke which was an odd pairing and one I might not venture to combine next time.) The primary message of Courageous is targeted to our men who we all know are also targeted by our very vicious enemy. I really believe I can tell you in advance that the guys in your life will love the movie. Mine will and he’s not easy to please. Courageous scores very low on the cheese factor which we know drives most guys crazy about any form of Christian entertainment or encouragement. I dare say that we may be a tad cheesy in Siestaville but we try to keep our Velveeta loaded with jalapenos.
Lastly, I’ll tell you that we started our January Bible study on Tuesday night with one of the best groups God has ever brought our way. We were flabbergasted. May He be greatly praised and glorified in that sweet sanctuary where He’s met with some of His people so many times. We’ll be talking on here about meeting on Tuesdays but we won’t be talking on here about the material because I’ve established a gag order. Laughing. The on-site participants are previewing a (very little) bit of homework so that their experience will be richer but, for copyright’s sake and for future publishing, we’re going to keep it and the session materials low key. It’s not that we’re hiding something. It’s that it’s just a long way from being finished. I also don’t want hype. Ick. Even well meaning hype from those who are sweetly biased. I just want to study Scripture as God presents it to us in His own good time and His own good way. I won’t actually do the LifeWay taping for this series until late April when we do it with a studio audience and I’ll still write through most of the summer. I am reluctant to keep bringing up the series on here because I don’t want to build it all up in anybody’s mind. A curriculum that speaks to one person can hit another person cold. How this turns out is all up to the Holy Spirit but what I can tell you in advance is that, God willing, we will do our best to know that brief Book of the Bible by the time we’re done. Whether anybody will actually “like” it or not is up for grabs. James isn’t necessarily a party bus.
Well, I’ve had about as much of a break as I can afford today. You’re on my mind every day and I pray for you often.
Oh, and this is one reason I got on here today! You know what we’re doing to stay in the Word this early 2011 but what are each of you doing? (Besides memorizing!) Tell me what you’re studying right now!
I love you guys.
I am reading through the bible from cover to cover this year using a bible reading schedule in my quiet time each morning. It is amazing how each day there is something that is applicable to my situation or what I am struggling with. I am also participating in Bible Study Fellowship on Monday nights….the book of Isaiah has been wonderful….
Our women’s Bible Study Growth Group is studying Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer.
I’m about 1/2 way through Breaking Free, studying by myself….and let me tell you, God’s timing is perfect! I’ve done many studies that have your name on them, and I started BF a couple of years ago, only to put it down after the first few pages and think, “Wow, I just can’t seem to get INTO this one…I wonder why??” 2 years later, now is God’s perfect time for me and this study. God is really challenging me to take my time, soak up each chapter, and spend time reflecting on what He wants me to get out of this. It has been challenging, it has been self-revealing, and I know it is right where He wants me to be, praise His holy name. Thank you!!!
Hey Beth,
We have a Monday night group that will meet each week to share our verses, encourage each other, and quiz each other.
Then on Wednesday night we have a group who are going to start Annointed, Transformed, Redeemed study. It will run clear up to spring break. We have had sooooo much snow we opted to hold off starting it for an extra week or 2.
Jan
I am doing the “Faithful Abundant True” study featuring Kay Arthur, Priscilla Shirer, and Beth Moore. We began the study this past Tuesday and it is AWESOME! “We” is a Bible study group at Hebron Church in Dacula, GA. The sweetest group of women you could ever hope to meet.
I’m doing a BSF study of Isaiah and keep coming across little notes in my Bible of things you’ve said in your studies I’ve done in the past. Pretty neat — helps remind me to practice my Siesta verses. 🙂
I’m also doing a chronological reading of the Bible in a year after reading the book Radical by David Platt. I’m halfway through and staying caught up (seeing more little dates with Beth Moore and the study name sprinkled through!). God keeps showing me more and more the richness of His word. He is pulling away scales from my eyes to see and care more about the lost and suffering in our world. Isn’t He is so faithful and good?
PS just ordered and received my Siesta spiral — about to write my first two verses in it! 🙂 Oh the little joys!
Our small group is studying at the “mall” (food court to be exact) and we are studying “Diserning the Voice of God”. God is actively working and is exciting every week to see what He is doing.
Our small ‘in-home’ group just finished “The Inheritance” (awesome, by the way) and I am doing your series on Romans,solo. Thank you for sharing what is going on at LPM and with your family.
My husband and I are reading Home Improvements by Gary Chapman with our Community Life Group. We are just starting the second chapter, but God is already moving in our marriage and our family.
I’m studying “Jesus the One and Only” for the second time. The first time I studied it my Grandmother died. I remember b/c I wrote a poem for her funeral based on some things I had been learning. The strangest thing is, now the second time around studying this, my other sweet grandmother Muddie has gone home to be with the One and Only. She lived 90 sweet years!
On a lighter note…I might think twice about doing this study again…someone else might be taken home….:-)
I currently in week 7 of “David” by you, Beth. Really love to see how God used David with all his imperfections and sins. He was still a man after God’s own heart. So encouraged that God can use me (yes, with ALL my flaws and imperfections too!!) if I continue t draw my wisdome and strength from HIM.
Looking forward to another study. This post is a great way to get recommendations for future studies!!! Thanks.
Reading David Platts’ Radical. (And discussing it in a forum with some other Siestas.)
I’ve increased my prayer time exponentially since our Siesta, Joanne, had a stroke. I love that some Siestas are praying regularly via skype and webinar, I’ve been able to join them several times, it’s such a blessing.
Lastly, I just started The Inheritance with some ladies in an in home Bible Study. I absolutely adore the different generations of women represented in our study…I have a special place in my heart for seniors, we have two of the coming, who just completed their first Bible Study last summer! Their first one ever. I LOVE THAT!
God is alive and active on this earth today!
Much love,
T
I have just joined a women’s group from my church that is studying “Me, Myself, and Lies” which I belive you did an online Siesta study of a year or so ago. I absolutely adore her and am so excited that I will get to see her in person in Greenville, SC in March (along with Casting Crowns)! Thank goodness you are waiting until July to come our way Beth because I just don’t think I could stand myself if you were all here in one weekend! I would come unglued! 🙂
In addition, I’d like to mention one thing I’m doing regarding the SSMT for the sake of accountability purposes. For weeks toward the end of 2011 I felt God was laying it on my heart to take SSMT to one more level (well, maybe two) and memorize one verse from every book of the Bible (in order) in 2011. Yikes. Considering I’ve never even remotely had any kind of consistent scripture memory, this is major and I ask Siestaville for a little prayer on this one! I am up to 5 verses so far (2 of course for SSMT) and God is being so faithful and I’m excited abou the remaining 61 verses to go!
I love you Beth and all of Siestaville! It’s so good to be a part of this community! Oh, and may I mention one other thing (because I’d love for some of you to join me)…by the grace of God, I am now writing a little blog for our Church’s Women’s Ministry so if you’d like to join in, the address is http://bethlehembc.com/wop/blog/.
Have a blessed day!
Amber Moon
Our ladies group is doing Walking by Faith; Lessons I Learned in the Dark by Jennifer Rothschild – so good!
But I have to tell you somthing funny about another book I’ve been reading. It’s from the writings of Oswald Chambers – If You Will Only Ask – about prayer. I’ve had it for awhile and dug it out again just lately but yesterday noticed I have two copies of the exact same book!
My night stand is deep so there’s two rows of books in it and I guess one was in the front and one in the back. What’s funny is I’ve highlighted and underlined in both books and wriiten little comments. I wondered why some of the ideas seemed familiar but the page was still clear… (I always write in a book to help remember things) Guess God knows I need the repetition!
I am reading through the Bible chronologically this year.(Got a book on it last fall and could hardly wait for the new year to start!) Also, studying various smaller New Testament books with Community Bible Study(CBS)like 1&2 Peter, 1&2 Thess.,1 John… And we just started your Patriarchs Bible study at my church.(I need A LOT of help!).*Grin* Joan
Great MT morning! For the first time I’m doing my personal reading thru the Bible in The Message……..I’ve never laughed so hard from time to time…good reminder that God ‘does’ have a sense of humor.
Our womens church Bible Study just started “Deeper Still”Kay Arthur is wonderful…I’d not seen her before, just listened to Precept Upon Precept on the radio…can’t wait to get to you and Pricilla Shirer!
Precept – Leviticus and Kay Arthur’s “Living a Life of True Worship” – Can’t get enough of The Word!
Kay, Muscle Shoals:
In anticipation of a trip to Rome in March, I am studying “To Live is Christ” for the second time. Can’t wait to walk some of the same streets as the apostle Paul! This morning I listened to Session 4 about the second coming of Christ and proceeded to drive my family crazy by singing “The Midnight Cry” for the next hour!
We are starting the Revelations bible study rhis Sunday, weather permitting. We had alot of snow and ice last night and the roads are pretty treacherous.
Our women’s Monday night Bible study just started 1 Peter (precept). I can already tell it is going to be a great time with the Lord!
My husband and I decided to join forces in our quiet times for a while and do a marriage study! I am so thankful for the conversations that have already been opened by it and the prayer we have had as a couple to strengthen and renew our relationships with God and one another!
I just started reading through the Psalms and hope to do it prayerfully. I also want to study God’s promises and work on putting His Word into my mind to transform my emotions and thoughts. I am also reading a book on addictions because I quit smoking almost year ago but gained weight and now I want to answer that craving with God’s Word and Truth. Believing Him, believing His Word, making His promises what I think—that’s the start of this year so far! It’s great.
We just started your study of David at my church this Wednesday. It was awesome and I am so excited to spend the next 10 weeks pouring myself into this one and hopefully working toward a heart like His. Love you Siestas, have a great weekend!
Right now our DT class is doing “Breaking Free”. At home I am doing “Made to Crave” by Lysa Terkeurst. They are doing webcast every Monday night. She has really hit onto something. I am thanking God for women who teach and encourage us to grab onto the hem of His garment and never let go.
Dear Beth: Right now I am taking your James study on Tuesday nights with my daughter Melissa. Also, I am on day 70 of your 90 days with Jesus and for Christmas I received 90 days with Paul which I can’t wait to do. Thank you so much for what you do. My daughter and I love coming Tuesday nights to hear what God will be teaching us through you. It is also a great time for mom and daughter to spend time together. My daughter is 10 and she loves Bible study. I pray she and I can continue to do this for many years to come. God Bless you and your family. Have a great weekend and we will see you Tuesday night.
My Women’s group has just begun the study “Scouting the Devine” (Searching for God in Wine, Wool and Wild Honey) by Margaret Feinburg and if the entire study is as good as the frist session, it’s going to be a great study!
So glad to hear y’all got to preview the movie. One of the youth members from our church, who is currently serving with OM Ships in Turkey, wrote a song that will debut on the soundtrack for the movie. He played it before he left on his mission and I was moved to tears. I can hardly wait to see it on the big screen!
The Beloved Beauties just started Faithful, Abundant, True on Monday night and the homework so far has been so enlightening to me. We took a break from Thanksgiving through the New Year and let me tell you…we were chomping at the bit to be back together and reunited in the Word. All 14 of us thrive on our time together in the Word.
We just started your David study on Wednesday night! I am so pumped and so excited about what God is going to do. We had close to 200 women!
We are studying Jonah in our ladies weekly Bible study, taught by Priscilla Schirer. We are barely into it, but it is good. Love God’s word so much!!
My small group ladies and I are just about to begin a weekly study together, with the book “Crazy Love” by Frances Chan. I’ve just started reading the book, in preparation for our first meeting, and I’m getting excited about what’s God’s got in store for me and the rest of the gals!
I am going to try to read thru the Bible in a year – and hopefully make it this time! And I’m finishing up Believing God with a marvelous group of military spouses here in England. My husband and I will be on the move again in a few months, so I’m not sure what’s next – but I know Who knows and therefore I know it will be wonderful, and just what I need!
I’m reading about Cain and Able. Cain was a tiller of the soil. Able a keeper of the flocks.
Cain gave an offering from his harvest. Able gave an offering of the first born of the flock and the fat. The very best of what he had.
I look at my own life and wonder about how often I give to God just part of my stuff and time, when it is convenient; and how often I give Him the very first and best of what I am, and what He has given to me.
I’m excited to pursue this investigation into my life and into His Word. Beginning with being more disicplined each morning when it is quiet and I am fresh to learn from Him and listen to Him.
Our ladies team from church had the incredible privilege of hearing and meeting Margaret Feinberg at the Lifeway Forum in N.C. in November and we just knew that we wanted to bring her “Scouting the Divine” bible study back to our church. Would you believe that our awesome God arranged things just right and we actually WON the entire leaders kit?!?! Thank you Jesus!! We just had our first lesson Wed. night and we are so thankful.
Just last week, a group of us ladies at church started “Jesus the One and Only.” Very excited about it!
Yum! movie popcorn and coke..
Culture Making by Andy Crouch (although can’t say I recommend it. I’m part of a church plant here in Lex KY and its something our core group is reading. We’ve all struggled with it. Ready for the next one though…..Emotionally Healthy Spirituality…..)
2010 U.S. Master Tax Guide…..yep…..I’m a CPA and it’s that time of year.
and
Bob Books (cause my kindergartener is learning to read!)
I am doing your ” A Woman’s Heart” study, I have done Kay Arthur’s study on Worship and the Tabernacle, I guess I’m a slow learner, I had forgotten some things and learning new. Thanks for your ministry. Lovin my grandchildren,what a blessing
I’m immersed in various things which is good for me right now. The last couple of years I found myself in a pit that I had “slipped” into. I am reading your book “Get Out of That Pit!” and it is truly blessing me. I can really relate to what you said about how the enemy “distracts/forms an addiction/destroys”. Oh my goodness had I been distracted! I am also reading the book of Daniel. I love Daniel b/c he never compromised his faith. Also studying on the rest of God as well as fortresses. I have also been listening online to a series of yours “Proving Us Genuine”. I love your passion! It’s a passion I know I have myself but the last couple of years it got “misplaced”. I am seeking God to get it back and even more so. I want to be on fire for Him…passionate and immovable! Thank you for what you do. For hearing the heart of God and responding to it.
I am studying Isaiah…and living Exodus. WOW! Our God is awesome.
I am excited to share that my oldest daughter and I started the Daniel study 2 weeks ago with a group of ladies from a church down the street from my home. This is not our home church and we thought we would only know each other but the LORD blessed us…2 of ladies in this study we sat with at lunch when we were at the So Long Insecurity simulcast! They remembered us! God is always watching out for us and blessing us abundantly…we are so glad we stepped out in faith and from our comfort zones!! The study has been terrific and the opportunity to be with other believers in the body is a reward all its own. I have also been enjoying the SSMT….it surely has been a great start in 2011. Thanks Beth for being so faithful in your walk. Many blessings to you. Christina – KY
I always read the Bible through in a year, usually an easy translation in the mornings. At night I love to study God’s Word and since 85% of my work time is spent traveling – I always have a bible study I’m completing on my own. Currently I’m half-way through Stepping Up.
I love the ladies in my church, they include me whenever possible knowing I’m in and out of studies, they even e-mail me with comments and prayers while I’m away. A small group of us are starting Knowing God by name by Mary Kassian this week and looking forward to it!
my best friend & i are taking a cue from siestaville & keeping one another accountable this year as we memorize Scripture with all of you BUT ALSO study the spiritual disciplines!
I have done 10 Beth Moore Bible studies in the past but have not been able to do a study for a couple years (health problems). But now I am getting ready to do “Breaking Free”, the one Beth Moore study I have always wanted to do. Will be joining some ladies who have never done a Beth Moore study before. How exciting for us all!
I’m currently reading in Matthew, but the resounding theme for me is God’s power. All my self efforts are futile, but I desire God’s power to be unleashed in me. At the end of the month we will begin Kelly Minter’s No Other Gods. That also seems to fit in with God’s Divine Power.
Your ministry and staff and the work God is using all of you to do is so encouraging, and to do it with your daughters has to be one of lives greatest gifts. Thank you for sharing it with us. I love how you not only share the “work” side of you ministry, but you share you life. Thank you.
As far as study I am leading 14 ladies through the revised Braking Free and it is incredible. So interesting to see how God was faithful in breaking us free thru the first one, but somehow in the past few years there are areas where we have given way once again to captivity. So much to learn in this study we all are loving every moment of it.
I am excited (and please hear my heart this is not meant as prideful AT ALL), God has brought me to a place where I can say I am so in love with my Lord, I am captivated by His word and I thank you for being a tool He has used to get me to this point. (He has also used a very difficult season in my marriage, being a part of a church plant in Montana, parenting 2 teenagers 17 & 19, sending one off to college, health issues, financial issues just to name a few) But He has been my refuge – His Word has been my strength and I am overwhelmed at all He is doing.
May God continue to bless you, your family and your ministry. May He continue to give you insight to the needs of women as you encourage us and keep us looking to Him.
With much Love and thanks~
xoxo
Kelly
I have been working through “Experiencing God” on my own for the past 2 months, but sadly, I’ve only gone through 4 weeks. I’m trying not to get mad at myself for ‘techinically’ being 4 weeks behind. But…it’s hard. :-/
I have been studying about wisdom, understanding and knowledge for the last few weeks. Then, last week I picked up “The Principle of the Path” by Andy Stanley. Wow! Am I getting a boatload of “WUK” (wisdom, understanding, knowledge)! The Principle: “Direction, not intention, determines destination.” I’ve had many “duh” and “well, yeah, Letha” moments with the simplicity of it, and at the same time wondering how I’ve missed it so many times in my life.
We are starting Jesus the One and Only the first week of Feb. Leading a Weds evening and Thursday morning study, can’t wait! We did the Tabernacle in the Fall and felt this was the perfect counterpart ending at Easter. Chill bumps just thinking about it!!
I am studying the new “David – Seeking a Heart Like His” in our weekly Bible study. In my quiet time, I am doing the 90 day devotional on Paul.
Hi Beth – I am studying Romans through devotional emails by Christine Wrytzen. Another Siesta who communicates God’s truth so powerfully!!! http://christinewyrtzen.com/
Love you!!
I’m studying through Matt.5-7 with my dc. Yesterday we began a study of 5:6, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” After some study, we decided that those who have pure hearts get to see God in everything: trials, nature, history, etc. That blessing is not for everyone. How special. Can’t wait to see what else we discover about this verse…..
Thanks for the reminder. I hadn’t thought of it before, but when I’m focused on God (purer heart) I do see Him more actively in my life!
hi Bethy..im in a hard season so i keep myself entertained
with laughter, a merry heart doeth good like a medicine. ha..my older sister patricia is having lymph node surgery
right now in San Antonio for stage 4 cancer. so im watching youtube abt cancer surgery and then i will drive
to San Antonio and c about her crazy fam issues Lord Willing..God is my best friend always and forever. 2 more
weeks Jordan Robert arrives and Jim and i can be a little happy again. hahahah God bless you Suey