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.
Hello. Our group in Cape Town, South Africa, meets on a Wednesday morning. We are studying “Anointed, Redeemed, Transformed.” I have also joined a Thursday evening group & there we are studying “Discerning the voice of God”. Hope I manage 2 studies at once. “I can do all things through Christ …”
Love
Colleen
First memory verse.Sorry to be late.”The Lord is good to those who hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. It is good to wait patiently for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:25-26 NIV
In the wee hours of the morning, before heading to the office and fulfilling my day job, I jump (ok, throw myself) onto the treadmill. Our grown son’s room was converted into the “gym” two years after he left for college. My darling husband installed a DVD player and monitor in front of the treadmill, just above the window. To start my workdays, I walk 2 miles for my health and watch bible studies on DVD for my spirit. Right now, I am in session seven of the HERE AND NOW ~THERE AND THEN study of the book of Revelation, by our anointed Beth Moore! AWESOME!!!!
Carole Thomas
Imperial, California
By staying in the Word: Tuesday Ladies Bible study (When godly people do ungodly things.) We have 3 ladies that do not attend church BUT this past Sunday. One of the ladies invited the 22 year old to church and she accepted Christ and that was a PRAISE as Bible study this past week! We’re praying for this 22 year old- for God has Great things planned for her!!!
I’m attending “School of Christian Studies”- we’re studying “Christian Theology.”- get this! We have a 11 year old who shared she wanted to be a “preacher” and so she is attending right along with us…what a joy!
This coming week. First Baptist of Petersburg, WV is holding the (PIT) Point in Time- counting the homeless in the area. With that we’re having homemade soup and sandwiches for all those who come in. The AWANA group is bagging a jar of peanut butter, a jar of jelly, a loaf of bread and a Gideon Bible in the bag for those to take with them.
Thank you for asking..lifting LPM up in prayer. May God lead in that which He has prepared you.
Hi Beth ~ Just wanted to thank you for emailing me that sweet note. It meant a lot to me. 🙂 I haven’t gotten the chalkboard put together quite yet. I have a large vintage frame, but need to get hubby to cut the wood so that I can chalkboard paint it. It’s a work in progress…..like me!……but we’ll get there sooner or later. lol! Thanks for the tip on choosing scripture. I never know where to look or how to start, and your blog is really helping! Blessings to you!
xoxo laurie
SO blessed to be able to meet with 3 different groups of women each week to study God’s Word: Wed. mornings, 4 of us discuss The Alpha Series, by John Glenn (not the astronaut 🙂 – so freeing. Thurs evenings a group of us meet in our community’s historic Town Hall for a non-denominational community Bible study using Kay Arthur’s “Lord, I Want to Know You”. Huge blessing to see women from different churches in our area come together to learn more about God through His Names.(we had to promote it as a “Book talk on the Biblical names of God”. Like that would limit who He would send. Ha.) On Fri. mornings I am with another group studying Kay’s book. Round that out with the Siestas, and I’m in an incredibly enriched season of life! Lord, let me use what I learn for Your Glory!
Last Tuesday night, a group of 82 ladies from our church, gathered for our first week of doing the Beth Moore series “Living Beyond Yourself.”
This is exactly what I needed at this time in my life and it is touching me and speaking to me in a way that no other study has before.
Thank you Beth, for being a willing servant of His and helping Him speak to our hearts in a way that brings us closer to Him.
Getting ready to start John: the Beloved Disciple. I can’t wait!
Actually going to my first study tonight, Breaking Free. Can’t wait!
Hi Beth – here in cold wintry Manitoba Canada – I am studying your revised David: Seeking a Heart Like His bible study. Just one week in – and LOVING IT!
I’m leading my Lifegroup of single 20-something women in Tommy Nelson’s “The Book of Romance” on the Song of Solomon. I’m so excited to see how God grows them and me this semester!
The Patriarchs (Encountering the God of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob)with 4 other women. We have been meeting once a mo. for about 5 yrs now studying God’s word. We have seen Him do some wonderful things in the lives of our families & friends in our time together. Thanks Beth for obeying Christ to lead other women in His word,your willingness to be real before us women is an awesome thing !!!
Hi, Beth & Siestas!
I am in a small accountability group with 5 other good and Godly ladies. We decided to celebrate Christ’s birth by reading chronologically through the Bible beginning on Christmas Day 2010.
As we progress, we are learning different ways of studying the Bible. So, in the end, I think we will learn at least six different techniques for studying the Word. I’ve created these fun little worksheets for us to fill out each day to document our journey. To hold all of the worksheets together, we designed binders entitled, “Daily Resolve” with a shout-out to Daniel 1:8. They are so cute and I just know you would absolutely love them!!
How sweet will it be on Christmas Day 2011 to open up that binder and see how the Lord carried us through? Three cheers for the journey!!!
Be blessed!
I am doing Beth’s Daniel bible study with a group of about 14 women. It is very enlightening and interesting.
On Wednesday evenings, we are in week three of the new David ~ Seeking a Heart Like His… and the timing could not be better.
With my ladies at church we are looking at some OT stories and the faithfulness of God. I am leading and writing it and loving every minute of digging in and studying. In 2 weeks I start with a womens prision group and we will be doing Precept Ministries Forgiveness: Breaking the Power of the Past.
Hello Beth,
I am so excited to be facilitating the Believing God Bible Study with some women in my church! We just finished the first week and I can tell this is what I need for this season. I trust God that it is the same for the others. It is so fun to watch the Lord get into our lives (and truth be told..sometimes not so fun) and “mess them up” for Him! I know we will all come out stronger in our FAITH which makes it all worth it! Thank you for allowing God to use you in writing these great studies!
Millie
Natalie, Missoula MT. I just picked up Max Lucado’s Experiencing the Words of Jesus. I’m hoping that my husband will study with me. Blessings to all of my siestas!
My Wed night study is going thru Daniel — love it but we are in the prophesy part and WOW are we learning 🙂 Also working my way thru Lisa TerKuerst’s latest book – “Made to Crave”.
Beth, you are such a delight and blessing, and what a sense of humor you have! We giggle regularly at your anecdotes and stories, and we just love you sister!! Our current Bible study is going through your Daniel study, and oh my golly goshes it’s amazing! Glory all to God, he speaks through you in such an extraordinary way! Thank you for allowing him to use your broken, imperfect vessel to minister to so many of us ladies across the globe! Here in Chicagoland, we are blessed each week as we study, pour into, seek after, and read extensively what God is teaching us in Daniel. Many abundant prayers & blessings to you!!
Our couples’ small group is studying “Defining Moments” by Andy Stanley. Awesome!
We did that in our couples Sunday school a while back – loved it!
Six of us are studying “Live Relationally”- Lessons from the Women of Genesis by Lenya Heitzig & Penny Rose. Fresh Life Bible Study Series. Waiting for James to come out…we have done ALL of Beth’s studies so far 🙂
Ms. Beth, I just started a new 2011 “semillero” (Spanish for seed bag)…that is what I call my spiral note card holder. If there is one thing I would have to thank you for is for telling the world about using index cards to write Scripture and to pray God’s word for the season you are in. I am alive today and growing in the Lord because of this….praise God for having you out there to help us ladies, of all ages. And while I am at it, thank you for having the nerve to say that God brings joy and excitement. I can’t tell you what a joy zapper it is to have people make it seem like loving God means not expecting joy. What in the world? That is such a lie…and I believe the church finds itself in the spiritual emergency room often because of such a lie. I know I have. Keep being wild! And wielding the most powerful thing on earth…the Word of God. I love it! Oh, and I think you are the only woman on earth that can wear animal prints and not look weird. That is a compliment because I love animal prints, but can only get away with leopard print heels. Don’t mess with a women in leopard!
I don’t have a spiral for my verses. I use a 3 x 5 binder. I took copies of my verses I started this year, plus some of last years verses w/ me when I went to my mother’s deathbed & funeral. I didn’t come home w/ any cards. Aunt Carola kept giving out her cards along with her hugs. I know it’s part of what Mom and I had prayed that both her life and death would be for her family. How exciting to have to make new cards. We won’t know ’till we get to heaven the full fruit of the seeds we plant.
My ladies’ group begins your “David” study (the remake!) Feb. 1. I’m studying up now to be ready. Personally, I’m looking into spiritual disciplines. SOLITUDE and SILENCE are on board now. Yikes…
Isaiah with BSF and Daniel by you 🙂 with small group from church! Crazy how the two meld together all the time…
Hi Lovely Beth and Siestas!
I’m doing Isaiah in BSF…sometimes intense, sometimes super hard but always wonderful!
Our women’s study here in VERY COLD Ottawa, Canada (today is -25) is focused on the first book of John – called Jesus full of grace and truth. It’s already been a tremendous blessing as it has led us to consider Jesus as fully God and will soon delve into Jesus as fully man. It’s Awesome (in the real sense of the word) how John has packed the first few words of his Gospel with the entire message of the Bible! Praise God for our women leaders and their faithful teaching.
I am reading The Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson. It is an excellent book! I never knew that was a name for the Holy Spirit!
isaiah w/bsf, james w/you and Luke w/myself and the Holy Spirit -So i’m reading Luke 24:12 and wondering if Acts 12 isn’t a personal hand-delivered message to Peter! This is the kind of “event” that builds us up and strengthens our faith…..could he really wonder or doubt (luke 24:12)after this? God gives all of us personal “events” to strengthen our own faith…i just pray for open eyes, ears and heart so i can receive them!
Hi Beth, I am doing Revelation,David Jeremiah’s CD study with my small group.I look forward to doing your study on Revelation also. Do you ever wish you had more hours in the day so we could be actively involved in several Bible Studies? I do, but who would do all those wonderful things at home for all those precious family members God has blessed us with.
I am staying in the word by having a group of ladies over for Bible study on Wednesday evenings. We are doing Anointed, Transformed and Redeemed. We all have never done any study with Pricilla, but we all really loved her. Next week we get to hear from you Beth. Looking forward to it!! My daughter Kaylee who is 2 years old really likes when she gets to watch, too. She has been hearing your voice since she was in the womb. 🙂
Right now I am staying focused in the Psalms… such an encouragement to this momma of young ones, who always feels like she is drowning in failure!!
Hi ya ladies.. Greetings from England. I must say that your brief question brought to me conviction Beth. When we were stationed here in England 2 years ago, I went through a huge mourning process of leaving my wonderful Christian family in the church I loved. But I “pulled up my boot straps” and determined that he would provide the same or better here in England.. Guess what?? He didn’t. We have been in England for 2 years and I still do not have a permanent church home and I only have 1 friend. We do have the PWOC (protestant women of the chapel) where there are bible studies to get involved in and although I was not particularly moved to participate in any of them this semester, out of my own sheer desperation and need for fellowship with sisters, I was going to just sign up for one anyway. But when I was busy making “my” plans, the Lord gave me a very clear NO!. So, I say all that to say that I have been on my spiritual pity pot for a couple of weeks and have been neglecting my own private study with God. Maybe subconsciously I thought I was punishing him for not allowing me to participate..LOL At my previous church, we had a wonderful Godly man who was full of depth and knowledge of Christ and he would always start conversations with, “what you been reading lately?” Meaning of course, in the Word. It was such a challenge to me to always be prepared with an answer and to stay read up in scripture, in case I ran into him..LOL Sounds like an awful reason but it did keep me accountable to my own personal reading versus bible study reading. I do love a good bible study and while I have grown through many of them, the most growth has been when it is just me sitting at the feet of my Redeemer and sadly I have let it slip by due to my own selfishness..I say all of this to say, thanks for the reminder. I really do need a good dose of study in my Master’s words. I am still unsure of why he has taken me away from all those precious saints back home in Louisiana but I this I do know.. He has my full attention-undivided- and I am willing to hear him. So, I am getting off my pot and I will keep you posted as to the direction he leads me on my study time with him.
Oh Danielle!!!
I know EXACTLY how you feel! I am not in England but I am in TN 3 1/2 years…moved 2200 miles from CA where I was born and raised! It has been a good move for our family but we don’t have a church either and VERY few friends…like 2! I don’t know why God put us here and what He has planned but I am reading my Bible and I have a good devotional and I’m memorizing scripture with the Siesta Scripture memory team…it has been helping! Please know that you are not alone…I am sending you a big hug and love across the miles!!! I will pray for you!
Hugs,
Donna
Hope God blesses you in England…from a Louisiana Siesta
danielle, parts of this struck a chord & convicted me. thanks for sharing your heart. how sweet that time alone with Him is. yet i also know the encouragement of believing friends, so i’m praying that for you. blessings~
Danielle, you may be aware of it but check into Beth’s online studies. Believing God and Living Beyond Yourself. For a nominal fee you can participate in these studies and there is a blog linking those who are studying so I think you would feel like you were in a community of beleivers in the Word via the internet. Beth also has numerous other avenues through Life Today (Wednesday’s with Beth) that you can watch without a fee. This is how I get my fix even here in the states when I need a Beth Moore sermon. grin. If you would like to email me [email protected] and I’ll send you the website addresses and be your across the pond friend. I know it isn’t the same as face to face, but who knows you might find some interested ladies who would be willing to study the above mentioned lessons at your home, all you need is a computer and the workbooks can be ordered. There may be a way to download homework too, but I had a workbook so all I needed was the dvd series provided.
Beth- We are doing the Inheritance Study in our Wednesday night study at Hoffmantown Church in ABQ NM. It is “AWESOME”. We have around 50 women coming and we are having a wonderful time! I went to a women’s retreat this weekend and Myra Green did “The woman at the well” and we studied about Living Water… It was so wonderful. I learned so much. She has such a heart for the Lord. Love you xoxox
Just now checked in on the blog. I have been down with the shingles; so I do what I need to for the boys during the day and hit the sheets anytime I can & early at night.
Wed night girls: We are doing ‘David’ by you.
Fri night girls: We are doing ‘Ruth’ by Kelly Minter. I did it with the summer blog group so I am curious to see my answers now at this stage. I will use a different colored pen from last time.
You know…we have yet to find a church here where we feel at home…sad but true. None have been welcoming and all feel cold and forced…God is waiting for something special I can feel it…we will see! SO to that end…I’m reading my Bible…doing daily devotionals…AND I am so proud that I have memorized BOTH of my scriptures to date!!! This is a HUGE thing for me since I started memorizing last time and didn’t make it through. I am making a huge effort and God is rewarding me! I’m renewing my mind with His scripture and am LOVING IT!
Thanks for encouraging us!
Donna
Beth, I have my own spiral but not the siesta spiral. I just want to make sure that “my” sprial will work for the event next Jan.
Oh yes, Shannon! Yours is perfect.
Our Thursday night girls are doing “No Other Gods”. We are in week two and have mercy it is good. Challenging, but good.
So thankful for our Siestaville!
Stephanie
Beth,
I’ve been involved in Stepping Up for months, but have never had such a difficult time studying as I have the psst year. Having been through at least nine of your studies, I know how to get in depth and get into the word, but the past year has left a void that I do not know how to fill. I am a 58-yr-old single woman (25 yrs) with five children. It has been my most challanging position in life. I was such a terrible mother to my children when they were younger. Sometimes having three jobs to survive, I had nothing left for my children by the time I got home so they raised themselves. The time that I spent in numerous ministries – which I thought was setting an example for them – proved to be just the opposite. My oldest daughter was sexually abused by my ex (her step father, my oldest son is scizophrenic, my midde son was a heroin addict and now has severe anger issues, my youngest son battles alcoholism, and my youngest daughter has so many issues. I have failed my children and I don’t know how to fix it (and know that only God can). Our lives are a mess. It seems that the more I fall on my face and beg for God to heal our family, the worse it gets. There is not enough space on this page to tell you what all has happened, but the pain is overwhelming. My son disappeared two days ago and is in a delusional frame of mind that scares me. My heart breaks for my children and I feel as if my heart will break in two. Christians don’t understand mental illness, alcholism or drug addiction and I don’t even want to talk to them any more about my family. How can a family like mine ever be healed and become who God wants us to be? I’m tired and lonely and sick most of the time now. I miss my children and just want a “normal” family.
Betty, my heart and prayers go out to you. You are not the only one who is going through or has gone through, a similar situation. Know that God knows where you are. He has not and will not forsake you. Keep praying. You can’t go back and change the past. Forgive yourself.
I lead a small bible study for young ladies….I usually share what the Lord places on my heart but decided to choose a book & right now we are reading Priscilla Shirer’s One in a Million.
This is my first year joining in the scripture memory and it has been such a blessing. Nothing better than His word! 🙂
Started a mission at church today on the holy spirit. Start a Beth Moore study on Wednesday. Thank you, your studies always make me smile.
psalm 141:5 let a rigtheous man strike me-it is kindnes;
let him rebuke me-it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it.
Dorcas from Texas: “What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.” Hebrews 11:1 Life Application Bible
hey Seistas,
i am continuing with Romans. Part 2 will focus on Chapters 6-8. I love Romans but it is hard to get thru. Sometimes I just want to give up. Oh to persevere thru the hard stuff.
We are starting your Here and Now, There and Then this week at a local church. I have been with the same group of ladies for over 8 year – there are about 10 of us that get in the same group each time and we have been through so much together! Our ages range from 40 to 80 – we have a great time together:)
I am going through “When Godly People Do Ungodly Things” for the third time. It is a wonderful book, Beth. I would ask all of you to please pray for me. I am going through such a valley that is is difficult to see a way out.
I’m into a study of James led by a woman named Beth Moore but, apparently, I can’t talk about it LOL! This is the most crowded I’ve seen the place – couldn’t get in for the longest time (partly because I couldn’t leave work on our part of town until 6). While I heard others complaining, I was thrilled that there were soooo many people there to be in God’s Word. I love seeing that huge place packed to the rafters. I had to walk in and see it before I went to the chapel. You’re soooo big on the screen there – hahaha. See you Tuesday!
Studying Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Our little church started “Esther, It’s Tough Being a Woman” 2 weeks ago. Beth, it is amazing. Our church attendance is around 140-150 on any given Sunday. 14 women signed up for the afternoon study group and 39 for the evening group! That is more than a third of our church! Our leaders have made it really special. We take turns by table assignment bringing dinner for the whole group. We eat on cloth table covers and have candles and flowers in the center of the table. It might be tough being a woman, but being part of this great group of women is easy!
I’m studying thru your Esther Bible study with my ladies’ class at church, as well as inductively going thru Matthew ch.23. Which is related to a book I’m going thru for an *open courseware class* (so the class video lectures/notes/assignments listed are free -only cose is if you choose to invest in the related texts if not found at the library!)that is called Jews and Christians Throughout History. It’s put out by Notre Dame University. I can’t afford to get all of the books that go with this class, but one I’ve borrowed from my pastor that goes with this class is called HAS GOD ONLY ONE BLESSING: Judaism as a Source of Christian Self-Understanding (by Mary C.Boys). In the last two weeks I’ve read & reread thru Nostra Aetate (text is online), as well as DABRU EMET(“truth speaks”->text is online).
The rabbi who taugt that class, he has since died of pancreatic cancer, unfortunately :-(. From the video lecturess I watched online, he seemed to not only be a good professor, but he was also passionately working with others towards respect and understanding between Jews and Christians in the areas where agreement has been found/can continue to be found in.
A friend blessed me with a gift certificate and I was able to order two other books(used)for an OT survey class online thru Yale’s *open courseware* offerings. But I’ve already started watching the lecture series for this one too.
That’s all!