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.
a random question, can we still purchase a memory verse spiral? please let me know. have a friend in need of one
Yes, the spirals are available in our LPM online store: http://www.lproof.org/store/search.asp?searchtext=spiral
My 3rd verse for 2011 SSMT is NIV Psalm 40:8 – I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.
Thanks for letting me post early since I’ll not be near a computer at the beginning of the month 🙂 This old brain of mine is not as dead as I thought. I am loving this challenge and have been able to apply my verses to circumstances in my life. YEAH GOD.
Hello!! I’m currently reading “Crazy Love” (whew! What a punch in the gut!) and loving and blabbing all over the place about memorizing scripture! :]
Hey Beth, Columbus Ohio here, We re currently studying your Breaking Free Study. But on a differet note, I have a question. We are struggling with exactly how not to beat our adult children over the head for decisions in their lives. Not necessarly bad decisions in the sense that it makes them horrible people, not at all, but lives where God is not first in their lives. I want so much for them to live blessed lives and yet when we talk about it we end up in arguments and it’s anything but a blessed conversation. How do you handle this and what do you do when it takes that direction?
We are doing Anointed, Transformed and Redeemed by Priscilla, you and Kay! First week done – great study.
I am SOOOO LATE but want to be counted in the Scripture Memory verse for January 15th, 2011.
Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” (NIV)
Becca
Pearl River, LA
I’m doing Jesus the One and Only with some girlfriends from my church. Jesus brings me to tears just about every day, and the more I learn, the more I just want to be closer, closer, CLOSER to my Savior. Thank you, Beth, for your faithfulness and obedience, which have born fruit in this study.
I am on my 7th week of the revised David. It has been truly awesome and God is revealing so much to me about me. It’s great and life changing!
Studying the updated version of A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place with a great group of ladies on Saturday mornings.
My Nursing Research class is studying the first chapter of Daniel and the quantitative experiment that Ashpenaz and Daniel conduct. I was SO HAPPY because I had “done” Daniel with you and had a head start! 🙂 Much love and blessings your way!
I’m working through Believing God and replacing decades-long lies with what God said.
Boy, faith is hard for me. For whatever reason, believing the amazing account of Jesus’ conception through His resurrection comes so much more easily than grasping His promise to care for and work in me. My life feels like I got Plan “B”!
Between learning to Believe God and doing the scripture memorization, that’s enough right now!
Valerie, Spring, TX – doing your new version of David with my Wednesday morning group At Windwood Presbytarian. Boy! Is it speaking to me!
Our lovely Thursday Morning Ladies Bible Study group started back on the 20th. We were delayed a week by snow that would not melt. We have had enough snow to satisfy any Northern transplant that has taken up residence in Alabama. Oh yes, we are beginning the Believing God Bible Study. Having begun the homework I can see I will be forced to be open and vulnerable this season. Willing but not looking forward to it! God bless you and I will pray for the James study. That has always been one of my favorite books.
Beth,
Love hearing what you are up to! I can’t imagine any of your studies leaving someone “cold”!! You are an amazing teacher with an wonderful gift that you are faithfully fanning furiously! And we all love you for it!
My bible study is about halfway through Kelly Minter’s “Ruth” and loving it. I am hoping it will lead us right into your revised edition of “A Heart Like His”.
We can’t wait for James to be completed! 🙂
Angela Thomas’ new study! When Wallflowers Dance 🙂
Who of you by worrying can add a single day to your life? Matthew 6: 27
I have about a week’s worth of homework left in Priscilla Shirer’s “Jonah” study. Very (read: Someone’s been reading my mail) timely and right between the eyes. I’m looking forward to starting Ruth (Kelly Minter)with some girlfriends when January wraps up and is behind me…praise the Lord! He is so faithful to meet us where we’re at to take us where HE knows is best.
Well, this morning I read through Hebrews in the Message so I could get a “feel” for it in contemporary language. It was awesome. The more I learn about God, the more I see how incredible He is! I came away wanting to bring Him glory even more!
I’m reading through the Bible in a year, so currently I’ve finished Job and am towards the end of Genesis, reading about Joseph. Also, my goal is to read a Christian book a month. This month, it’s “Get out of that Pit”, which is so hitting me between the eyes in the best way, praise God. Any suggestions for future books for the upcoming months?
The One Year Bible (NLT) with our women’s and men’s ministry at church (we will be meeting 2x a month for small group accountability, discussion and review) and my husband and I are finishing up the James MacDonald, When Life Is Hard, Bible study with our neighbors (2 more weeks to go!) plus SSMT fo sho!!! And this past weekend, we had our women’s prayer retreat where the theme/word from God was “Love The LORD. Be The Light.” He is teaching us to pray to love Him. Simple yet profound. Bottom line is prayer is important and love is a big deal. Thanks for asking! Loves!!
I am studying Romans right now. I teach an adult Sunday School class, and we are doing 1 and 2 Kings there. I need something New Testament to go with it for myself, and am being astonished at the parallels. For instance, 2 Kings 5 and Romans 3, take a look, or maybe it’s just me! I love seeing what the Lord is showing me. My goal this year, is not to just read His word, but to journal my thoughts about it. It is really making a difference! Add in memorizing verses with you Siestas, and it should be a fruitful year!
Tammy,
Wow! I began doing the same thing in June, 2010. I was going to do a 90 day read the Bible plan, and then a week or two into it I decided to just read at least a chapter a day and journal about it (an informal S.O.A.P.). I have the Archaeological Study Bible and would read through the notes and articles as well as the Scripture. I would also read some of the cross references.
Anyway, as I read through Leviticus, I kept finding myself in Hebrews. Therefore I determined to read Hebrews after finishing Leviticus. It was amazing to see the parallels! I also noticed that I got so much more out of God’s Word as I asked Him to show me what He wanted me to see each day before I read. It was eye opening to see how relevant Leviticus is to today (and I didn’t fall asleep either!).
Anyway, I too noticed that God spoke to me so much more as I practiced that. I would start writing in my journal and things would come out that I wasn’t even thinking about!
Sorry this is long. I get really excited to share such things of God. May your journey this year continue to glorify the Lord and bless you!
My husband gave me the devotional Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. She has several Scripture references each day and I’ve been writing them down in the devotional (it’s one with space to journal).
I am also reading The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee, which has a tendency to take me into Romans and Hebrews. It’s been a very interesting read. His theology is amazing and his analogies make you say, “Wow, I never thought of it in that way.” It also challenges you to move forward in your walk with Christ.
Jennifer-Clarksville,Tn
Just started the Breaking Free study this week!
Dawn, Mt. Olive,NC Rereading “So Long Insecruity”. I’m thinking another go at it couldn’t hurt.
Hi Beth,
I’m on my own studying Job. Learning so much and enjoying it. Our Pastor begins the book of Jonah next week!
Little Monkey’s Mama
Isaiah at Bible Study Fellowship!
We finished 2nd Session of “Here and Now…There and Then” and all I can say is WOW!! Girlfriend, I hope you took a nap after that! Learned a lot, laughed, cried, hugged after the class and cannot wait until next week.
Reading through the Bible in a year with the congregation @ FBCD, called to be a keeper & BSF study of Isaiah! Love me some Jesus!!!
Will begin “Jesus the One and Only” tomorrow with our 4:30 Ladies Bible study group at church. (This was my first one of your studies and it was in the home of a dear friend. I think the tapes were sent out weekly by the ministry that semester to those who had volunteered to host home groups.) Also studying “The Life and Book of James, A Servant of God” on Tuesdays at HFBC.
Doing Breaking Free with two neighbors. Boy is God moving in and loosening the chains! On week 8. The best study I have I have done to date. David’s study is in line to begin in March with church ladies. xoxo
I am attempting to read through the entire Bible in 90 days. Being a perfectionist, at first I wasn’t quite sure that listening to Scripture CDs in my car on the way to/from work counted as “reading.” But I’ve decided that whether it gets into my head via my eyes or my ears, I’m just going to get through the Book!
Our ladies bible study is starting “David: Seeking a Heart Like His” this week. Can’t wait.
We are getting ready to start the (revised!!) “David – Seeking A Heart Like His” Biblestudy! CANNOT WAIT! I have the humbling joyful privilege of leading worship each week – and had a blast finding the songs God wants the women to learn and praise Him with! We are a SMALL church (around 80 people) and 31 women are coming – WHOOO HOO.
Ok, now I have a question about the siesta APP on my IPhone. Are you going to do any upgrades, comments, or postings on it? Or is it just to input our verses each month (which is FABULOUS I must say!). Thank you for doing that – I love having God’s word that I’m trying to memorize in this aged brain right at my fingertips! It’s been a fun journey so far! THANK YOU, thank you….thanx! Blessings to the entire Lifeway crew!
um, just to “clarify”…in my above posting, we have 31 women coming – not all from our church….but still a big WHOO HOO to all those women coming. can ya tell I’m excited?! lol
Studying Isaiah with BSF and reading through the Bible in a year!
My Bible Babes and I are doing the newly revised
David study by Beth Moore. We are 55 strong and loving
every minute of it. I’m also memorizing the entire 139th Psalm in addition to Siestaville Scripture Memory!
Today, I about fell out of my seat when
I read in my homework…”Nabal’s about to be a fable.”
You kill me! LOL!
we are studying Jonah by priscilla shirer. love it..
James is one of my favorites and I’m looking forward to this. Bonhoeffer said “unless God reaches out and grasps” it doesn’t matter how well written the lesson is. That’s why what speaks to one, doesn’t another — it’s the work of the Spirit.
I pray “God grasps” each of you as you all work through this material, Beth.
Dear Beth,
We love you so very much, we thank GOD for you. Thank you for your faithful ministry, we ladies here in Dubai have benefited much and grown in the knowledge and power of the Word of GOD.
Beth one of my personal struggles is to to read the Word consistently and follow a method of studying GOD’s Word. I use most of your studies during my bible study but I want to personally study the Word of GOD too.
Could you please share a few things that helped you study GOD’s Word in depth.
Love & Regards,
Neethu
Dubai
[email protected]
I am going through the book/CD series The Beloved Disciple with a group of ladies from my church. We are in Week 8 where Jesus is walking among the lampstands in John’s Revelation vision. It’s amazing how the verses I am memorizing seem to give extra meaning to everything I am studying and everything I study gives extra meaning to the verses I’m memorizing. The Beloved Disciple is really speaking to my heart about the foundation of agape love. This is the first time I have gone through one of your studies with a group using the CDs. It really adds a whole new dimension that I didn’t realize I was missing. Thanks Beth!
I am going through the book/CD series The Beloved Disciple with a group of ladies from my church. We are in Week 8 where Jesus is walking among the lampstands in John’s Revelation vision. It’s amazing how the verses I am memorizing seem to give extra meaning to everything I am studying and everything I study gives extra meaning to the verses I’m memorizing. The Beloved Disciple is really speaking to my heart about the foundation of agape love. This is the first time I have gone through one of your studies with a group using the CDs. It really adds a whole new dimension that I didn’t realize I was missing. Thanks Beth!
I am doing the Isaiah study at BSF this year. Had no idea up front that I would love a verse by verse study of this book so much but it has been amazing. Probably my favorite BSF study so far…and that is saying something! I also wanted to tell you how much I appreciate a comment you made at the cove years ago. You encouraged us not to only listen to one teacher or do one teachers bible studies. I admit that at the time I was pretty consistent in only doing your bible studies. I was impacted by your encouragement to branch out and have been so blessed because of it! And speaking of the cove…..PLEASE come back!!!!
As they say here in Texas, am I ever being schooled by God this week. Mercy, is this ever the life – and life more abundantly.
First, I am listening to Chuck Swindoll’s Insights on Romans. It is so amazing – amazing GRACE! Let me tell you, Romans will free you up. Added to that, I attended the first session of James and have been blissfully giving my Bible a workout in my daily homework.
What floors me, what takes my breath is how God will take two different teachers, teaching two seemingly different books of the Bible to teach me one concept that I desperately need to know to live more fully in Christ. Just goes to show me once again that I belong to a very big, very mighty, very loving and very gracious living God who loves me with a love so deep, so wide, so long and so high I can’t wrap my finite mind around it. This former captive, this former wretch of a woman is basking in the unfailing, unearned, unmerited, unlimited grace of God.
We will begin Breaking Free, revised version tonight at our church. I did the original years ago and will be leading this one. I can’t wait to find what God has to teach me this time. Beth, we have done all of your studies and can’t wait for the next one. We even did your “Loving Well” retreat and many said it was the best retreat ever. I have encouraged the ladies to become Siesta’s and memorize scripture as well. Beth, you are such an encouragement to us. Love you!
My mother was brought home with hospice care about a week ago. I have been sitting with her as much as possible and treasuring her every breath and word. Most of her words have been to stay close to God and love each other. But we’ve also taken all the old home films from the 60s and slides from the 80s and put them on cd/dvds and have a blast remembering our childhood and all the trips and fun we had together.
As for Bible study….I’m reading through the Bible at my own pace, 3 chapters at least a day. 2 from the OT and 1 for the NT…. but it’s hard to stop at 3 and sometimes I only get a verse done when God starts speaking to me.
I am doing a Bible Reading plan through YouVersion called the “Essential 100”. As I read, I am asking a question to the Father: What do you want me to learn from this? And He is showing me! In addition to that, currently I am studying the spiritual discipline of fasting and believing that 2011 will be a year of harvest on so many fronts.
Our Wednesday night group just started David and I love the whole concept of position not exceeding your passion! Our women’s Sunday school class is walking through the entire book of Acts. We’ve been in it for 3 weeks, and we’re just getting to chapter 2! So much good stuff!
I am studying the book of Lamentations. Quite the book! I had read in it before but never really “studied” it.
Please anyone in Northern Virginia? email me at [email protected].
Beth! I’m studying Breaking Free (the revised edition)! We are in week two and God is doing wonderful, WONDERFUL things!!!!