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 doing Made to Crave for 6 weeks. I got the most wonderful devotional, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. Since the post here to pray for Joanne Heim, I have been blessed by her blog and her friends, husbands and sister. Praying hard for her recovery.
Marilyn from Taylor Mill, KY
My bible study group just started the new David study last week!! I love it so much already 🙂
My Ladies Bible Study group here in Southern Manitoba is doing a Precept Upon Precept inductive study of the book of…James!! We chose to do this before we heard that you were writing a new study on the book of James and now we cannot wait to do that one too once it is out!! WE just know it is all in God’s timing!!
Canada holds a special place in my heart, so seeing your post encouraged me 🙂
I am so excited about the James study- I am retiring in June from 36 years of teaching and plan to lead that study at church as soon as we can get it! Thanks for the heads up on “Courageous”, too- “Facing the Giants” was so good that I had to pause the DVD early on to go get my notebook and pen- took notes all the way through!
May I share some wonderful news with my Siestas?! I was proposed to on 1-11-11 at Toomer’s Corner (Auburn, AL) after Auburn University won the National Championship(I said ‘yes’)!!!! My fiance and I grew up in the same hometown and had not seen each other in 40 years until last October. Our waiting upon the Lord (17 years for him, 12 years for me) resulted in one of the most abundant blessings the Lord could have arranged for us and we know He is right in the middle of our relationship. Tom has already accepted my offer to attend the December 2011 LPL Event in Pensacola- and, yes, I already have our 2 tickets!! See you there, Beth!!
Praising the Lord!
Love,
Fran
Gulf Shores
Congratulations! What a sweet story. Isn’t God amazing! My husband has now begun to attend the LPL events with me. We already have our tickets for next year as well. ;o)
My husband & I are reading the Bible in a year, and next week I’m starting your second deeper still study with Priscilla, you and Kaye Arthur. so excited!
At this moment I am enjoying the last of a snow day which was actually an Oklahoma too icy to drive day. Anyway is was a welcome break from teaching high school math and a fun day of rest.
On Wednesdays I’m doing the revised Heart Like His. Loving it as much as the original although our Wed schedule doesn’t give much time for discussion and I couldn’t get my friends to go this time. I’m reading the bible in one year at YouVersion the NIV 2010 this year. Just a note of encouragement to you out there doing this the first time. This is my 4th time to read the bible all the way through and it gets easier to do each time so hang in there. Also helps if you have participated in bible studies because those parts make so much more sense when you read them again.
Anxiously awaiting Ann Voskamps “1000 Gifts” book to arrive on my doorstep. Thanks Amanda for introducing me to her on your Guatemala trip.
Lisa
I am currently reading through the New Testament in a year from the ESV along with Dr. Larry Crabb’s “66 Love Letters” with a group of women.
I am personally going through Kelly Minter’s Bible Study “No Other Gods.” Oh how the Lord has opened my eyes to things that I have made into gods.
Beth, I came to Tuesday night(for the first time) with a friend and was so very blessed. God has put a hunger in me that doesn’t seem to satisfy. I long for more . . .of Him!
See you next week.
We are starting Max Lucado’s, “Experiencing the Heart of Jesus.” It is excellent.
I am reading Romans, one little verse at a time until I can attempt to grasp it! Also, starting the Revelation study next week with about 20 other college girls! WE ARE SO EXCITED!
Since moving I have not had an opportunity to join a Women’s Bible study, which I REALLY miss. Thankfully, my husband and I were able to join a small group at our church. We’re are currently studying the book of Matthew.
I am excited to be delving into the book of James as well. God has been leading me to this book for quite sometime, and finally I said “yes” as it was confirmed to me and my co-teacher who had been praying over the next study for our Sunday School class… and James it was. On Wednesday night, I’m leading our ladies Bible Study of your revised edition of “A Woman’s Heart”. Only one week in and loving it! What a history lesson you gave us in just one week! How awesome that a Holy God still pursues to dwell with us.
Well, since my goal this year is to keep it simple and have fewer committments (but ones I will actually stay committed to and see through to the end) in this busy season of life….I have dusted off the Me, Myself and Lies bible study from my bookshelf. I did not finish it when you did it as a summer bible study but I am going to finish it this time! I am just doing it in my morning quiet time. I must admit that I have been going back and watching your videos from the summer bible study as I finish each two weeks. How fun! I’m almost half way through already and really enjoying it!
Honestly right now I’m mainly studying my newest baby. I can’t believe she’s already almost a month old!
Unfortunately, my brain doesn’t function very well on two two-hour naps a night, so I’m not really studying much during this season. I am, however setting out on a 1 year journey through the Bible in chronological order and joining the SSMT for my first time.
I’m studying James with you! I have to tell you, when I read the intro to the study, I put my head in my hands and cried. I wish I knew what book you had just read when you wrote that. I am in such a season right now. Just not sure if I want to keep doing something that I know I should. Looking for permission to stop it and not really finding it. Anyway, I’m really looking forward to getting to know James with you.
I am doing Kay Arthur inductive study on Hebrews, “The Key to living by Faith” WONDERFUL!! Also reading “Made to Crave” (a must read for all siestas)
I’m doing my very first Anne Graham Lotz study called “The Magnificent Obsession”. We are only on the second session, but I have loved it so far and God has spoken loud and clear through each day’s homework!
P.S. I always have Starbucks with my movie snacks-I have even placed my Chai Latte standing upright in my purse to “sneak” it into the theater:)
I am doing the weekly devotional (5 days) from our church that corresponds with the sermon from that weekend. Since September our pastor has been preaching on the sermon on the mount – from contempt to being a person of integrity – and God has been messing with me :).
I also am hoping to start Living Beyond Yourself with a couple of dear friends soon. I have been through it once but would love a refresher ;).
We just started the new David study. I love starting a new study!! Our church also began AWANAs for the first time this year, and I am blown away by all the Scripture our daughter is learning! To be able to watch how God is speaking to her little 7-year-old heart through His Word takes my breath away.
Howdy, all! Studying A Beautiful Thing (what Jesus says Mary of Bethany has done for Him) – a study of the last week of Jesus’ life – from Bethany to Golgotha. Such a large part of the Gospels are devoted to these last six days. Love You, Jesus.
Love you, Siestas ~
Warm in Alaska.
I am doing the SSMT Verses. This is beginning my 3rd year. I am asking everyone I know to join me and share their verses either through our group e-mails or on blog I created to share verses. This has been such a gift for me and I can’t thank you enough Beth for getting me started doing this. Learning verses in a systematic way has been amazing.
I have also started using the M’Cheyne system of reading the Bible in a year. It is part of the Olive Tree Bible Reader app for my iPhone and iPad. It is really a neat system. I have come to really enjoy reading and studying my Bible this way. I keep adding commentaries and versions to the app and it is amazing to me how much I have grown in the Word. I was wondering if you are going to do any more apps like the Breaking Free one.
I have also found some great studies by Timothy Keller. My daughter gave me her “Prodigal God” book after her college Bible study group finished it. Now my Sunday School class is doing it. It is truly wonderful. There is a video series and group study curriculum to go with this wonderful look at Jesus parable of the lost or prodigal son. Dr. Keller has some great podcasts that I have been listening to. I would recommend these to anyone.
oh oh oh! i’m excited because i started with an all new group of ladies at my new-to-me church last night. i was terrified at first. i didn’t know everyone. or how to adjust the heat. or where the remote control was. but god is good and lifted me away from my fear and delivered me to the foot of the cross to study god’s word with these fabulous women. we’re doing angela thomas’s living life as a beautiful offering.
something else i’m doing? for the last ten weeks, i’ve been mentoring a 17-year-old girl who is STRUGGLING with anorexia (which is also part of my own story). please, if anyone reads this lift up a prayer for my e. she will have to go to a treatment center in two weeks because she’s not progressing at home. she is terribly, terribly sad. i love her.
At our bible study we have been doing the Patriarches since last fall. I have beeen reading Jennifer Rothschild’s books on my Kindle which I received for
Christmas!….As well as Praying GOd’s Word and several other of your books!!!
Nancy
Bridgewater, NJ
Studying Isaiah with BSF (Bible Study Fellowship)….its been an awesome year!
Well, I teach 4th and 5th graders in Sunday School, so we have been going through the early years of Jesus’s life. This week, we look at his baptism and our church will have baptisms at our 2 services. I LOVE when we have baptisms! One of the people being baptized is a 21 year old woman who has been in a substance abuse program here in our town and just a couple months ago, gave her heart to Christ. AND, on Tuesday the 25th of this month, I start teaching your study on David-Seeking a Heart Like His AND she wants to be a part of it!!! Can’t wait to watch her grow! So stinking excited about her and the other 6 women who signed up. I have missed being in STUDY!
Love y’all dearly.
Today I put “leave” on my calendar at work for Next January 20-21st. YAY!!
Melana
I am FINALLY doing the updated Breaking Free you gifted us with in September. The gals in Clyde got to do it first … now its my turn. Loving it so much… goes hand in hand with the SSMT.
I am heading back to Clyde for a meeting this week – SO happy I haven’t seen my buddies since we were with you!
The ladies Bible study at Church is doing your Revelation study. I have to say both how much I am enjoying it and the amount of homework this time around is just what I needed. There is so much great information to learn it is great!
Just an aside last year on this date my husband and I closed on our house here in Buda TX, the movers came the next day from Kansas with all our worldly belongings, and on Friday I was on my way to Houston to meet you and all the Siestas. What a fabulous whirlwind, God is so good!!
Love you
Shannon
Beth, I’m reading Candace Cameron Bure’s “Reshaping it all”. It is partly her testimony and partly a weight loss book. She uses a lot of scripture in it and God is showing me all kinds of helpful things!
I am still attempting to get through your Esther study. Oh God is so amazing….I was doing it this past fall and then stopped because of dealing with grief. I know I should have stayed and finished but God is so good because another group of ladies at my church just started the Esther study and I will join them to finish this up. The other leader gave me recently one of the dvd’s I had missed to watch..it was session 4, dealing with fear. I had goosebumps (and tears) the entire time watching it. The week I had missed watching back in October was the week my husband left…how crazy is that?! In many ways I am so glad I was not there watching it then, but I was so blessed and ministered to watching it now (and by myself so I could really take it all in!). Yes…no matter what…If this happens…then God…! I can’t wait to get through this study.
I am also going through the Psalms with James Boices’s commentaries. SO good!
Blessings all,
michelle in VT
I just finished going through Jesus, the One and Only. Tomorrow, I start on A Journey through the Psalms of Ascent. I got the study book and audio CD’s for Christmas.
I don’t know what the Psalms of Ascent are but I reckon I’ll find out!
I will be doing your Revelations study starting this Sunday with the women’s group at church. I originally bought the study to do on my own, got sidetracked, but now have a group to do it with! I love seeing what everyone else is studying and it gives me a long list for future studies.
Carol
I can’t wait until James comes out! I’m so excited!!!
We’re in the middle of “Jesus The One And Only” and we’ve begun planning for your simulcast! Our church gets to host you and Priscilla and it’s my first time organizing anything like this. But I know that God is smiling and He is delighted. Thank you for all your hard work!
I’m in Kay Arthur’s “Lord is it Warfare?” study with my best girl buddies from church. (LOVE this study)
And I’m also reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s “Cost of Discipleship”. It’s not an easy read, that’s for sure – and I’m not real sure how I feel about it yet.
Hugs to you!!
I am blessed beyond measure to lead the group at our church and we are doing A Woman’s Heart. I CANNOT tell you how excited and thrilled I am to be doing this study!! I’ve wanted to do it for years but the timing just never worked-until now!
We were so sad that we got snowed out today, but we’ll be back at next week.
Thanks for all you do for us and for Christ-keep fighting the good fight,and know that you are loved and prayed for!
Angie in Kansas
Right now I am reading through the Bible on my own and loving every minute of Deuteronomy, it being my favourite OT book as well as a mommy devotional “out of the spin cycle”. When that is finished I am really looking forward to doing the Paul devotional of Beth’s. I have really been focusing on finding that renewed JOY of loving the Lord and that intimacy that has been missing from this season of having little ones and a new one on the way in April. So I am so excited to be doing the SSMT with a dear girlfriend because I know His Word will pull me through those sleep deprived days when #3 arrives.
I am doing two right now, and SSMT…hope I can keep up! Memorization is hard for me. The first is David-The Making of a Man of God by DiscoverLife, and the second is Pursuing MORE of Jesus by Anne Graham Lotz…loving them both! Not living in Houston anymore, I sure do miss Tuesday nights with you at FBC…wish I could be there!
Staying in the Word by memorizing scripture, of course, and leading a bible study for teenage girls. FUN!
I am revisiting my all time FAVOURITE study:
A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place
A must read for every woman, in my opinion!
I completed the study a couple of years ago, and the Lord just placed it on my heart, so I bought the Revised Study Guide and downloaded the revised videos. Just loving the study … not sure what the Lord has planned (or is preparing my heart for) but I am taking notes. 🙂 I love the thoughts “awe preceeds faith” … and “a return to reverence is the first prerequisite for revival of wisdom” – Abraham Heschel – oh I hope I have that quote right…
Thank you for being so faithful to the Lord, Beth. The Lord has used your Bible studies (His studies) to teach me, encourage me, comfort me, challenge me, and draw me closer and deeper in love with Him. He is life!
To be honest I’m drifting a little without a formal study or book and I’m going to read this post’s comment carefully for ideas. I just did a mini-study of the end of Deuteronomy and the beginning of Joshua because God said I am camped on my own “Plains of Moab” finishing up old business and organizing the new to enter a new land with fulfilled promises and battles ahead.
Three days ago, a friend of mine and I started David: Seeking a Heart Like His. She is doing missions work in Hungary right now and we are discussing the study via Skype.
My husband and I have also begun reading through the Bible. I am reading a passage from the OT and the NT and he is reading chronologically. We both have been praying for the Word to fall fresh on our hearts and that God would stir a passion and love for His Word like nothing else. Can I say that we have already read ahead on some of our chapters just so we can find out what happened with Abraham, and with Jacob and Joseph’s stories? God is so faithful!
Doing the Scripture memory along with all the Siestas and our Wednesday night small group is studying David Platt’s book Radical. WOW! What an incredible book!
I know it sounds like a lot but God has already changed my heart and I can see Him working in my husband as well. I don’t want it to stop! I’m praying we will be obedient in what He is teaching us…it’s so exciting! :o)
Love to you Ms. Beth!!
I have two weeks left of Believing God – it has been amazing! I am starting Breaking Free from Your Sexual Past by Barbara Wilson through the local pregnancy center. We are hoping to offer it as a study to some of the women but they need a few leaders to go through it first. I jumped at the chance – God used her book Invisible Bond to send me on this remarkable journey 3 years ago and I want other women to be set free. God’s timing with this next study is always perfect – especially after going through Believing God. I think I will be able to walk through it now with my foundation and faith firmed up.
Spring study Annointed, Transformed, Redeemed
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas..with another couple on Friday nights. If anyone needs encouragement to stay married go read chapter 8 immediately. It’s killing me..or killing of every selfish thing in me. ouchy-grouchy
I’m enjoying digging deeper with your Revelation study. I’ve always been afraid to read Revelations bc I just didn’t really want to know. I figured ignorance is bliss. But then I finished Daniel & learned soo much that I knew God was pressing on my heart to go further. He didn’t want me in ignorance anymore! Also reviewing my pastor’s sermons on “The 10 curses that block God’s blessings”. Very challenging also. I have my work cut out for me! =)
So I just realized I posted what Im studying right now on our memory verse #2 with the 9,000 entries!!! Thats so exciting by the way!! I would also say and hope this wouldn’t get me kicked out of “siestaville” that if I had a nerve pill I just might take it!! Im sorta kidding!! Its just been a long day but every day is a good day to be alive!!!!! 🙂
I just started your 90 Day bible study of John. I just finished Kelly Minter’s study of Ruth. Unfortunately it is just me solo. I leave the house around 6:30 am & get home about 7pm. I can’t seem to fit an actually bible study with other women in. Maybe someday!
I rarely comment, but you asked a question that really applies to me right now. My grandmother, who raised me, is in the hospital after a fall. She has dementia that has progressed drastically in the last few days–for the first time, she doesn’t know who we are or where she is. She’s been upset and scared. On Tuesday, I emailed my dearest friends before I left my husband and three kids for my second 3 hour drive in 4 days to spend the night in her room with her. I asked them to send me verses they thought might bring me peace, because I’d been crying for hours.
When I got to the hospital I checked my email. It was full of wonderful scripture. I took out my scripture memory notecard spiral (I bought a regular one, and it has 50 cards) and, starting at the back so as to leave plenty of room for my 24 memory verses, I copied down each of the ones my friends sent me. When my grandmother would wake up and start to get worried, I would read them to her. When she was again sleeping, I would read them to myself. Her nurse and I read them together and swapped favorites. I cannot tell you the peace it brought me. My grandmother ended up having a precious few minutes of clarity, and I spent it telling her I love her and hearing her say she loves me back and knowing she meant it. The whole night was a tremendous gift from the Lord.
I’m a rule follower, and I still have a little lingering guilt over using my spiral for an unauthorized purpose 🙂 However, I choose to believe that I only made the spiral more valuable, as it contains not only the verses I will memorize, but also the verses that turned my despair to joy. I’ll keep it forever.
Have started the David study on Tuesday evenings. Whoever thinks humans have evolved since the ancient times could never have studied David’s life. He was Amazing!
Siesta Mama!!
I am swamped with college work and it’s only the first week – not even a full one at that!!
I’m excited to tell you that I’m doing Francis Chan’s Crazy Love with my freshman girls this semester. We start the journey this Sunday night and I’m ecstatic.
I can’t wait to see how it changes us all. God has already blessed me silly with wonderful siestas.
Praying for you and the James study and all of LPM!
And praying so for all of you siestas on here. So thankful for this community group!
Hi everyone. I just started doing “Breaking Free” the updated version. Beth, you sure were on fire last night (2nd video). I also started doing Active Word Daily Devotional on my I Pod each morning. I have grown to love memorizing the scriptures. This year my scriptures will focus on putting God first.
— studying through Isaiah in BSF
— going through The Inheritance at church with 20 other women
— weekly homework in “Cappuccino with Colossians” with Sandra Glahn