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.
Hi Beth,
Our woman’s bible study group at TRBC will be doing Jonah by Priscilla AND she will be coming to our church April 15-16, How Great is that..
Blessings,
Jeannie
I used to go to church there! Hoping to come down from CT to see P.S. You have a great leader in Lisa B! Just wanted to give a shout out to a fellow siesta 🙂
Jeannie~
We just finished the Jonah study and it was wonderful! Our ladies bible study started a prison ministry out of the service aspect of the study! It has blessed us so! Hope you are blessed by the study as much as we were!!
I’m currently studying Me, Myself, and Lies by Jennifer Rothschild and also reading a blog study called Men Jesus Called which is currently covering scripture in Mark.
studying psalms with the newlyweds at HFBC
Hi everyone!
Together we two other ladies I am about to start studying Purpose Driven Life. We live on a remote island in Papua New Guinea and our Thursday mornings together studying God’s word are a time of great blessing.
Wow!! Hello. What a blessing you all must be to each other!
Chel
I am writing questions and providing discussion leadership on the principle of thankfulness as a way to communion with God. We are using Ann Voskamp’s book, One Thousand Gifts, released just this week. I am writing the Biblical study questions and application. I am asking God to fill our cupped hands so we will live “fully alive” and overflowing to a world that needs to know God is good and that He loves them—no matter the gift received, be it ugly or beautiful.
I think Amanda went on a Compassion trip with Ann so I hope you girls have gotten advanced copies. I am still waiting on mine. I had to read the digital version to prepare for my classes but can’t wait to get the paper copy in hand.
I need a lot of prayer. I have never led a class quite this way but I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for us in the coming weeks.
20th Anniversary Edition of “Experiencing God”
Just wanted to thank you for challenging me to join in the Siestas memory verse challenge. I have used both of my verses multiple times in speaking God’s truth to friends and family members who were in need of encouragment. It is very powerful when the words of wisdom are not my own but that of our Lord! It is powerful as well as invorating!!
Blessings to all!!
…or invigorating as the case may be <3
Yes, isnt’ it amazing how suddenly those verses fit right into a current situation??!! I recently recited some of my verses from last year and one phrase popped out at me in a way it never did while I was memorizing it!!! :)♥ Barb
In between the last semester and the coming one, our small group started a “Secret” semester, before our formal, church groups officially kick off and we’re studying Boundaries bright and early every Saturday morning. I love it! I think women especially struggle with saying “no”, without worrying about coming off as mean of difficult. I do a least, and this study is super helpful. Great way to start the new year : )
I am on week 2 of your Fruits of the Spirit study. I chose Galatians 5:22,23 as my memory verse for this next 2 weeks. Today, as I was watching the video, my little boy (9 years old) came in and did the memory verse out of the blue signs and all. What a blessing that he caught that from me who caught it from you. He did leave out one word. Because he is a rough and tumble boy, I thought it was particularly interesting that the one attribute that he left out was gentleness. 😉 We will work on that one. God makes me smile! Thank you for your teaching!
JOHN: by Max Lucado with a bunch of sweet, sweet gals who are hungry for Jesus!
I am doing the Jennifer Rothschild Bible study Me, Myself, and Lies!!!
Doing the remake of “A Woman’s Heart” with a wonderful group of women in one of their homes. This is the 3rd time I am doing this study but every time I discover more of God and myself. Thank you for being obedient to God to do these studies for us. <
My 9yr old daughter and I have joined a few other moms and daughters weekly for a Proverbs 31 study. Part of the study has them memorizing this familiar passage while they learn some of the skills attributed to this wife of noble character. We are really enjoying it and it’s neat to see her get excited when she recognizes the truth outside her surroundings. I love when she shares “You should’ve seen what God did…”.
Hi Beth!
I would love to get your books too… if nobody wants them, think of me!! ;-))
I am doing a study about prayer and I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
Thank you Lord, for this gift!
Rachel
I am very honored and humbled to say that I attend Sherwood and we have just started the Jonah study by Priscilla Shirer. WOW!! We are 2 weeks in and the Lord has already spoken volumes!!
I have to tell you that as Facing the Giants was being made, one of our biggest prayers was that God would do “exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ever ask of imagine” and as Priscilla says, He has gone WAY BEYOND our WAY BEYOND!!! What a MIGHTY God we serve!!!
Wendy
Albany GA.
I am doing a personal study on what it means to live a victorious Christian life…I am missing out on so much by living as though defeated by sin, when I am in fact a victor through Christ!
I am doing your “Jesus One and Only” Also I am doing the Jennifer Rothschild Bible study” Me, Myself and Lies”!!! The first two are online studies. Than staring the 26th of January I will be doing Lysa TerKeurst “When Woman Walk in Faith” with my church and my sister. I can hear you Beth in Indiana staying gal slow down!!! But I an home almost 24/7 with an ill husband…this keeps the peace in the family (two dogs also).
This week our Tuesday evening ladies study started David.
I love it. My Tuesday morning ladies study is Isaiah and my Thursday morning study will be starting Daniel in February.
At this time in my life I feel the need to do all 3 studies. Crazy hunger.
The original “A Woman’s Heart; God’s Dwelling Place”, and “Proclaim” evangelism training.
My main ladies group is working our way through No Other Gods by Kelly Minter. It has been a real eye opener to how many false gods and idols we have in our lives without even realizing it.A sub group from the main one is studying 1John.
Our ladies group is currently studying “He Speaks to Me” by Pricilla Shirer.
Oh please don’t be reluctant to keep bringing up the James study. I love hearing updates on how its going!
I am trying to decide on a study for our women’s ministry right now….recently finished Exp. God, thinking of Esther next? Also, inspired by you I have put together a local Scripture Memory team. I am not sure so many of us can make it all the way to Texas, much as we’d desperately LOVE too, but we post on fb to keep accountable and we’ll celebrate here a couple times this year.
You continue to be an inspiration! Keep talking to us!
CC from NC
I am still leading the Daniel series, but have finished it myself. Our pastor spoke to our group about part 2 so will look at it again with new insight.
I am doing “Faithful, Abundant and True” for myself right now. Love it! Love it!
Of course, memorizing my scripture for SSMT 2011 and looking forward to seeing you at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, MN on May 20-21. We are making a girls weekend of it.
Mary Ann, Woodbury, MN
Oh and I meant to add how excited we are to be bring both GB and LPL Simulcasts to our church this year….so that’s taking a great big effort but loving every minute of it!
Just finished up the Revelations study this past Wednesday with my EFCC Women. The first Beth Moore study for me. I can not express to you how much you have impacted my life already. I have a new found appreciation and zeal for Revelations! I will read it again and again! Beth, thank you for bringing the most terrifying book of the Bible to life for me. I know now that in it lies the beauty of our forever life with Christ! That is so AWESOME! It is my happy ending. Thank you! Can’t wait to get my personal copy for my mom and daughters.
I’m doing a chronological study plan this year, along with the SSMT. Unrelated, I’m just starting a weight loss program could use prayers. Thanks!
Kings & Prophets (Precept Ministries) with women at church! We are almost done with 2 Kings and will continue with the series.
Sue Carmel IN I’m doing a study of James with a group of gals from my neighborhood and memorizing for SSMT.
Shawna in Alabama is studying Daniel.
I’m working through the new revised Breaking Free and a study by Angela Thomas called “Do You Think I’m Beautiful?” and my husband and I are doing “As Long As We Both Shall Live” by Dr. Gary Smalley & Ted Cunningham. Yes, I do need to be THAT absorbed in the Word that I start and end my day with a bible study!
Hi Beth and Siestaville,
I was hoping you would ask this question. Our group is doing Here and Now~There and Then. We have done two sessions and we love it. Since there is not a lot of homework with this study, I am doing on my own Beloved Disciple. I am getting a double blessing. We did Beloved Disciple a few years ago, but I am doing it again, downloading the video messages and everything. What a treat.
Blessings to you,
Janice
Springville, AL
I am memorizing with you, doing “Anointed, Transformed & Redeemed” Thurs am @ my church. The 2nd day of Priscilla’s week 1 home work took me 90mins! And I used to think you could be tough, Beth. Also in a small group study of Mick Bickle from IHOP “The First Commandment”- “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind.” I highly recommend it. Have a Blessed Day, Barb Shelby Twp, MI
Designed for Fulfillment a study of the gifts in Romans 12, plus the daily readings of my pastors sermon series.
Starting Monday leading revised David, Seeking A Heart Like His with our Ladies Bible Study Group.
For the second time, I’m going through your online Living Beyond Yourself study…complete with the sign language and all! Loving it!
I’m reading Living on the edge by Chip Ingram.
After attending a wonderful church for 30 years where my girls were raised and baptized and where I facilitated every Beth Moore bible study as it came out and taught a ladies Sunday school class( that my daughter named Adam’s Rib) we relocated. It has been three years now and we love our new church and I have been asked to teach a ladies class that has been an answer to prayer. God is so good and I love HIM so. The move was not an easy one but HE led us to a wonderful church and we are growing in HIS WORD. the class is studying Elyse Fitzpatrick’s BECAUSE HE LOVES ME. It is a good book and so practical BUT I can’t wait to get into the Beth Moore study of James. Thank you Beth for being such a fabulous teacher and have brought me into a deeper love of the scripture. Suzann
“The James Party Bus” Sounds like a title to me 🙂 Beth, you just make me giggle.
We just started Daniel this past Tues morning. It was thrilling to have two ladies say they’d never done a Bible study before. Rather ambitious, don’t you think? May the Lord richly bless their bravery. Perhaps Daniel will continue to inspire courage.
Thanks for asking.
Studying how to acquire wisdom through your Wising Up study of Proverbs. Also continuing to study what God has to say about marriage any my role as a wife. Thank you for the scripture memorization encouragement!
First time to ever do a BSF study. It’s on the book of Isaiah.
On the weekends my hubby and I are doing the Revelation study by Mama Beth…excellent!
Hi everyone!
This year I decided to use my husband’s “The Daily Bible in Chronological Order” as a read thru the Bible plan. I can’t believe I finished Genesis this morning! Anyway, that’s my personal reading time. Our pastor also is challenging our congregation to choose a small goal to work on each month (instead of unrealistic New Year’s resolutions). He calls them “Transformation Projects”, “T-projects” for short. =) Mine for the month of January is to choose one verse of Scripture each week and set aside 5 minutes a day to meditate on that one verse. I tweaked the idea a little and am using my SSMT verse as the one I meditate on for two weeks. It’s amazing what God speaks to you thru one little verse and the fresh revelation that can come even after 7-14 days!
I’m also looking forward to the women’s Bible study starting up again at my church. We’re branching out from our Siesta Mama =) and working thru Lysa Terkheurst’s “More Than A Good Bible Study Girl”. Has anyone used her material before? I’m looking forward to hearing what God has to say through her.
May you have a blessed week at LPM!
Love & prayers,
Barbra
I’m studying No Other Gods by Kelly Minter. I remember the Siestas did it a couple of summers ago. I didn’t get to participate then, but I am loving this study now. Just finished the first week, and it has been so convicting! There is nothing like God’s word to show you the truth about yourself.
Meeting with some girls and going to start reading Breaking Free! Praying it will teach all three of us awesome Truths about freedom! Looking forward to it!
I have just started “Jonah Navigating a Life Interrupted” by Pricilla Shirer.
I am also part of the SMT on here, and just want you all to know what a blessing that is to me…really helping me re-wallpaper my mind with God’s Truth! (did Breaking Free over the Fall, absolutely life changing!! thank you Beth for that study…but mostly thank God for His Truth!!!) Love you all!!!!
Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst and reading One in a Million by Priscilla Shirer
Five Aspects of a Woman by Barbara Mouser. Whoa. It’s great.
My mom and I live about 1,000 miles apart, but we’re doing a study together, “No Other Gods” by Kelly Minter. We do our study each day and then email our thoughts and insights back and forth. It’s been a HUGE blessing to my life, and my relatioship with my mom has only gotten sweeter.
“Conversation Peace” by Mary Kassian at The Community at Lake Ridge in Mansfield, TX.
Beth,
I am doing the Priscilla Shirer study “Discerning the Voice of God”. We just moved to the Naperville area outside Chicago. Until my family finds a church home and a woman’s group I can be a part of, this study is keeping me in the word. It has been a great blessing in that I am reminded of the One of whom I should seek guidance and strength from every morning.
Co-leading “Esther – It’s Tough Being a Woman” with another lady to a wonderful group. Only on Week 2 – but we’ve had great discussions already!! Also starting “No More Christian Nice Girl” next week with another group (not leading that one, though)! I’m looking forward to learning more from God and becoming who He wants me to be.