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.
You’ll like this little kid story. So I’ve been working on my verses and the first one I did included the word mercy several times. This one I’m doing now is Deut 24:17, all about walking in His ways and obeying them. To me, that is applied to making good choices about food. So last night I made brownies but I was trying to be strong and not eat one. My precious girls (ages 11, 9, & 6) were deciding how many brownies there were and who all was going to get to eat them. I “declared” I was not going to eat one and my youngest, waving at my notecards, goes, “Oh yeah, you can’t because of that mercy thing” ….. I thought, oh my word wouldn’t Beth and the siestas love that story! And here I get to tell it! Enjoy a laugh on us in TN!!!
Mercy! Knee slapping funny Melissa!
Church history and Hebrews! The semester’s about to begin up here in Boston. I’m really valuing the way the Spirit was moving throughout the world in the 1500s!
our wednesday evening Bible at Bethel Baptist Church in Cherry Hill NJ has been God’s gift to about 35 loving, enthusiastic women who thirst for what God provides in His Word. This time around we are studying Faithful Abundant True – so we can all grow deeper in our relationship with Him..I am a gardener and the parable of the sower and the seed is one I relate to.. so I pray that we are the seed that falls on the rich soil of God’s Word with our hearts and minds and spirits entrenched and nourished by it -our faces upturned toward the Son..-
I’ve never tried memorizing Scripture before, but I’m so enjoying it! The verse I’m working on now has me meditating on what it means to have an UNDIVIDED HEART. It’s so sweet to have the Holy Spirit as my Teacher. Love it!
I wrote my memory verse on the chalkboard in the breakroom at work so I, and the girls I work with, can see it all through the day. Sneaky me!
Other than SSMT, I’ve just started reading through the Book of Daniel again. Haven’t read it since doing Beth’s study on Daniel. Thinking of dragging out my workbook to flip through as I read through the Scripture!
It’s such a privilege to be able to be in God’s Word with other believers, and I thank God every day that my husband now joins me in a CBS couples group. We have just started Book 2 in the CBS study of the Book of Revelation.
With my Wednesday night gal pals, I am just starting Kay Arthur’s study of Philippians and Colossians, “That I May Know Him.”
Thanks for askin’!
Beth, I would love to know what study, besides James, is God calling you into these days?
Margie
Beth,
Started Week 2 of Jonah: A Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer. . . Loving it!
My small group is slowly going through Esther (some of the gals are new to studying the Bible and one has a child with special needs so we take 2 weeks for every one of your weeks). Learning and praying about each of our destinies in Christ! I’m also reading Revolution Within by Dwight Edwards–great foundational truths about what Christ has done in us…a little hard to get into at first for me but chapter 8 has blown me out of the water with its truth! I plan to read Francis Chan’s Forgotten God next.
I am doing blogging through the Bible in a year with some ladies online!! It is awesome.
Alexia
Beth,
Four of our incredible high school senior girls are working on memorizing Colossians. As we eat, we breath Colossians. As we work out, it’s Colossians! As we lay our heads down on the pillow, Colossians is on our brain!
Cant wait to introduce one of these seniors to you at LPL Little Rock- she’s on our steering team!
Blessings sister!
It’s such a privilege to be able to be in God’s Word with other believers. And, I thank God every day that my husband has now joined me in a CBS couples group. We’ve just started Book 2 in the CBS study of Revelation.
With my gal pals, I have just started Kay Arthur’s study of Philippians and Colossians, “That I May Know Him.”
Thanks for askin’!
Beth, I would love to know what, besides James, is God calling you into these days.
Margie
South Carolina
Precept Upon Precept Sermon on the Mount.
Its really nice to hear how daily life is going for you. I’m not surprised at all at the Tuesday Bible Study. I thank God everyday for your submission to him to teach us. I wouldn’t be wear I am today at all without it. The study of Paul started the reopening of my heart to God again.I am currently in your study “Stepping Up”. I’m also reading the daily devotional from Women of Faith which is so encouraging.God is making SO clear to me that I want to keep “hoping” in my circumstances changing or dreams being fulfilled instead of hoping in Just Him, which is the only place real hope, with joy and happiness will ever be found. Gosh, I hope I can really grab hold of this Truth before I’m old and gray. Well the snow storm arrived again. It’s very beautiful and pure. 🙂
Studying the book of Matthew, no curriculum, just the bible.
I just started Here and Now, There and Then last night and loved it. LOVED IT! I am sooo excited for these next 10 weeks – woke up this morning and prayed just like you said “Lord reveal yourself to me today!”
Had one of the best days in months. And this unexplainable peace, I am so excited to see what He has in store for me.
I am doing The Patriarchs with a wonderful group of ladies at church. We just finished week 1 and WOW! God used the things you said about fear to speak directly to me. God has me out of my comfort zone, and I can feel the fear of rejection and fear of failure holding me back at times. Thank you for being a willing vessel that He uses to bless so many of us.
Lisa
I am studing the history books, currently in Judges. Just took a good look at the later life of Gideon and his
decendants, not so happy an ending. I am looking forward to getting to king David and will pull out my Beth Moore study A Heart Like His (I think that was the title) anyway looking forward to getting it back out. Loving the memory “club” and have several friends who are doing it but I do not think they have put their names on the blog. What if there are thousands of others like them who are memorizing along with us anonymously! Shalom
Just started “David, A Heart Like His” with my church group. So excited!
The neatest thing happened to me the other day. My daughter called me and asked me out to lunch. At lunch, she told me she had come across Beth Moore’s Verse Memorization of 2 verses a month and she was doing it. I told her I was doing it too and immediately started saying our verses to each other. Now, she is my memorization partner.
I’m preparing to facilitate a morning and an evening group for Siesta Mama’s “Here and Now…Then and There”. In preparation, I’m studying Dean J. Piper’s study on Revelation called “Is He Coming Soon?” Also reading my NIV Life Application Study Bible book of the Revelation and its Study Notes. I can’t wait to get started with Siesta Mama’s study!!
My Sunday School class is finishing up Stepping Up-Psalms of Ascent this Sunday. I MUST tell you this Beth, you will love this……..our class has no name, just Womens’ Bible Study class. They put me in charge of naming our class(with class mind you:) Well, the ladies submitted me their suggestions online, I made a list, printed them out and handed them out. They voted and I stuck the ballots in my Bible to count, etc. later in the week. Then, we watched our/your video for that week. At the end, you asked us to stand up, shoulder to shoulder, and you prayed over us. You said something to God referring to us as “King’s Daughters.” At the close of the video, we ALL said ALOUD, “Well, leave it to Beth to name our class!” We took a vote then and there to forsake our filled out ballots and adopt King’s Daughters as our new class name!
How awesome is that!
Eva in Knoxville
The Gospel of Luke with my Community Bible Study class in Fort Myers FL.
I am starting the Daniel Bible study with a group of women at our old church (the one we used to go to). And I am studying the Bible with the book “What’s the Bible all About: Bible Handbook” with my regular Bible and my new Case for Christ Study Bible. I am so excited about all of this!
I have been truly enjoying God speaking to me through “So Long Insecurity”. I have been so ready to embrace a new more secure life by depending on God for my strength. However, just as it was all getting good, God forever changed my life and not in the way I had hoped. Just last week, He took my mother home. The void in my heart is so large and the pain is so deep! I would sincerely appreciate any recommendations on a Bible Study that might help me get through this very difficult time. Any thoughts?
Our Tuesday night group (wonderful women!) is starting a John MacArthur study of John.
Tuesday night I started a new study w/ our women’s group at church….your revised and updated “A Heart Like His” study. I will admit that I was not overly thrilled when I heard weeks ago what the material was going to be this time, but I went anyway, and after the first session and video, I could not be more excited about the next 10 weeks…I KNOW down deep in my toes that God is going to use this in a powerful way in my life. I cannot wait to see the fruit from it.
Also doing SSMT, and excited about that! I just have the best feeling about 2011…I hope I don’t recognize myself for the new person God has transformed me into by this time next year.
Just wrapped up Breaking Free and start the “Revelation” series of yours on Sunday. I just viewed the first DVD and it is going to be amazing! Thank you Beth!
Hi Beth!
I cannot wait to see Courageous. Taking my sons to see it.
Right now I am studying your study David. It’s my second time to do it and I will be facilitating it next month on Wed. night at church. I am also bringing a small group of women from church to see you in Charlotte. Some of them have never been to an LPL conference. I am excited for them. 🙂
Also, rereading Radical and getting ready to preview a book/ study by Calvin Miller on Love.
Have a wonderful weekend. It’s snowing here in Tn. (again) will be staying in and studying and cooking and watching some basketball. 🙂
Love you too!
Patty
Beth,
As I read your post I couldn’t help but think that you are a Micah 6:8 kind of lady. I love your humility. It radiates from you and even though I know you wouldn’t want me to brag on you…it’s true.
This year the Lord has challenged me to study all I can on obedience. However, I’ve put it aside over the last week to pour over scriptures on healing and encouragement. I have so many friends that are in difficult places. So many with health issues: Joanne (stroke), Diane (cancer), Sam (cancer), friends of friends fighting for life; friends with needs for jobs, selling of homes, etc. It seems a bit crazy…and emotionally draining.
However, as I’ve sought God’s word for others and lifted them up in prayer, God has brought such a peace to my own life. The more I seek His healing for others, the more He comforts my soul. He is so good and I am just determined to believe He is at work in it all.
On a totally different note…my husband, daughter and I just got calls from school/work. We all have a snow day tomorrow! Thank you Jesus!
Blessings,
Kimberly
Enjoy your snow day Kimberly and may God’s healing touch fall on your family and friends!
I’m reading Made to Crave by Ltsa TerKeurst. Missing my Church Ladies and Bible Babes — I may have to get them together again for a new study!
Hi Beth,
Isn’t it wonderful to study from home sometimes? I’ve enjoyed sitting in our big family room chair with my feet on the ottoman slowly reading and studying the book of Matthew from the Holman Illustrated Study Bible. I also read the 31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers almost everyday (for 14 years now); it keeps my heart and mind focused. I facilitate too a small group for our women’s Bible Study this year, Wisdom for Wives … talk about a great study!!
Love you Beth and am praying for you and your dear family!
Your Siesta from ATL … and a daughter soon to join:)
I am doing the New Breaking Free Study. I did the first one ten years ago. So, now I have both books with me. When I answer questions in the new one, I look back to see what I wrote the first time! I crack myself up sometimes. Ten years can be like a lifetime ago. I have a tender heart for that time in my life. I needed “Breaking Free” then and I am excited about exploring it again. I know God has lessons on breaking free for me to learn today. I need it now, too!
Doing 3 of your studies simultaniously: David on my own, Wising Up with a large ladies group on Wed. mornings and teaching your Daniel curriculum on Wed. night ladies class. Love it. Cannot get enough. Have done just about every one of your studies. Can’t wait for new ones to come out.
My Hubby and I just started a group doing Francis Chan’s “Crazy Love.” We weren’t familiar with him, so we are excited to see what God has in store! We’re also attempting the Bible-in-a-year plan…so prayerfully we’ll stick that out too! So blessed & thankful to be bonding over His Word with my love.
Our ladies at church started “David, Seeking a Heart Like His” last night. I was so blessed my the video last night. Just the word I needed from God right now. I laughed when I saw that you wanted to know what we’re doing bc I literally have the book in my lap under the laptop!
Also reading “My Utmost for His Highest” every morning.
Love you precious Beth!
I am 12 years old, and did Daniel (by Beth Moore) last summer, I just finished the Patriarchs (by Beth) and am in the 2nd week of Believing God! (also by Beth!) I love the study of God’s word!
Hannah that is wonderful! God is working in your life in awesome ways so keep following Him!
Wow Hanna! good for you. When I get to these studies I wish I had you to discuss them with. What wisdom your 12yr old brain must store.
I’m using ‘Insight’s Bible Reading Guide’ by Chuck Swindoll to read through the Old Testament this year for my personal study. And last night we began Priscilla Shirer’s ‘Jonah’ study. Love it so far…especially the idea that Interruptions are actually Divine Interventions. How true!
Guess what?! My husband got me the 90-day journal on your study on Paul for Christmas and then he said (wait for it!). . .”If you don’t mind, I’d like to pick up a copy for myself and do the study with you.” Mind?? I can’t tell you what a big thing this is for us–both Christians since we were young but never really studied the Bible deeply together. We are also in the midst of a church change, which has been difficult for our entire family. God is so good to bring this now.
Also, a side benefit to the Siesta Scripture memorization that I hadn’t thought of–I picked Zephaniah 3:17 to memorize so I could pray it over Joanne. But then I got thinking about the context, which led me to dig into 1 Kings and realize exactly how evil Judah was at the time,and yet Yahweh still said that he would DELIGHT in them! Can you believe that? I think there’s hope for me yet. Anyway, I’ve loved how this verse has caused me to dig deeper. I’m planning to read all of Zephaniah next.
Just finished So Long Insecurity and was so blessed. Now am reading Breaking Free and loving it. I am just so glad God gave you the gift of teaching.
I just finished SLI as well and just loved it. I hope God touches you through Breaking Free!
We are starting “A Woman’s Heart God’s Dwelling Place” this Sunday! I am so excited to have some homework to do and some accountability to do it. That’s the reason I facilitate, because then I have to do it! Love ya much Beth!
Pam
My ladies in GAB (Gals and Bibles) in Frederick, MD are doing none other than YOUR Esther study. It’s been great, we are on week 7 and have been enjoying the full coverage, commentaries and background on it!
I’m also studying “The Kingdom, and Power, and Glory: The Overcomer’s Handbook” By Chuck and Nancy Missler with our life group.
And my husband and I’s small group are studying Revelations!
Whew! God’s keeping me busy in HIS word and with other beleivers!
I am in the 4th week of helping facilitate”Let Prayer Change Your Life” by Becky Terabassi on Wednesday nights at church. It is powerful and convicting! Following the death of my husband on December 24th, 2009 I have led a Bible Study in my family room with young moms. (It doesn’t seem that long since I was where they are!) My two daughters get to come to the study and all of those sweet women have been my joy when grief wanted to take me under. We meet at 8:00 pm after they get supper and homework done and their little ones ready for bed. We will begin the book “Radical” on January 24th and I am so excited! I have been using Beth’s CD series “Delight In Him” to help prepare. I can’t wait to see what God will do with all of us!
Right now our women’s group at church is going through Prascilla Shirer’s “Jonah”. Just started the first week. Should be excellent. I get the added BONUS of leading a table for it. 🙂 For the summer, I’m hoping to purchase your Revelation study and offer that study in my home. And in the interim, I plan to continue my in-depth study of Psalm 119 as much as possible… with the limited resources I have (Basic Quick Verse’s commentaries, Strongs Dictionary, Interlinear Bible…). It’s been amazing and awe-inspiring to study God’s Word on “my own” like this. And the memorization of course—which I don’t usually get a chance to jump on here and fill out due to my 2 boys under 2 who vie for all of my attention as often as they can. My word for 2011 that I hope to make a reality in my faith walk this year: Word. Lots and lots and lots of God’s Word this year! Thanks for this blog! HAve loved following it since almost the very beginning! I was there for the first mention of “Siesta” and everything. Love you all!
I’ve been doing your Esther study!!! I missed it when my Bible study group went through it a couple of years ago because I had a baby right smack dab in the middle of their scheduled weeks. I knew I would get behind so I sat it out. I’ve been doing it on my own with the cds and LOVING it! My husband was even getting in on it when I listened to session 7 cd yesterday.
Also, I just have to tell you this. Yesterday I got the times wrong on my spin class and showed up about 30minutes early. Thankfully, I had my SSMT spiral with me! I worked on Psalm 33:18-19 on a treadmill until time for spin class. But by the end of spin class I was confusing the last part of the verse to say, “to deliver them from death and keep them alive in spin class!”
Just started Breaking Free!
Every other Friday, I lead a Bible study of women from ages 22-75, various races, multiple churches…we’re doing Beth’s Daniel, as I felt strongly convicted we needed this message right now. We’ll do Kelly Minter’s Ruth in the fall.
Personally, I’m doing the study “Living With Unmet Desires” as God continues to work with me on my issues. [He’s been speaking Isaiah 52:12 to me for months now, as He heals me over a good number of things.] I’m reading CS Lewis’ “The Weight of Glory”. Reading through Isaiah on my own. In church, we’re going through Ephesians verse-by-verse [3:10 blew me away last night]. It often seems scattered, but God is amazing at putting the pieces together at just the right time and in the right way!
My sweet man & I are doing your Revelation study here at home. It has lead to many a late night reading into Daniel, as well.
Quick, funny story:
We went to bed right after watching the video about the 3 beasts. My guy woke up looking ROUGH the next morning, stating, “I am exhausted. I did Tae-Kwon-Do with the beasts all night in my sleep.” Tee Hee. He did look like he’d been in battle. That is one mind-challenging study!
I am also giving my mind Revelation breaks by reading in Mark. I am experiencing for the first time in my life a real love and excitment in being in God’s word. It is actually fun to study the Bible! is that okay to confess? -outloud.
Just started Jonah by Pricilla Shirer.
I belong to a blessed group of ladies called the Yahweh Sisterhood. We’re a group of 16 women who span in age from mid-20s through late 80s and WE LOVE EACH OTHER!
We also laugh…we light a candle to symbolize the Holy Spirit’s presence. Today, our leader couldn’t find it and with a totally serious face said, “Has anyone seen my Holy Spirit?” We died laughing. There’s a joke only believing sisters would find the least bit funny.
We’re studying “Jesus, The One and Only.”
Amazingly profound.
Jesus the One and Only just might be my all-time-favorite! It was the first of Beth’s studies that I did and I fell in love! Enjoy it!!
I love the idea of your group! So special!
I wanted to tell you girls about a book I picked up today – 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart by Robert J. Morgan (on sale at Lifeway right now for $9.99). I heard some talk about it on the radio the other day and thought it would be a great resource this year. Some of you other gals may want to check it out. It’s far more than just a list of 100 Bible verses. It takes each verse and details the verbiage and helps with application. I’m starting it tonight before bed and I’m sure my spiral will end up packed with many of them.
Much love, Sweet Siestas!
Hi Bethie and sweet siestaville sisters!
I am reading through the bible this year with my church. So far, we are up to Exodus 6. It has been a great thing for me already. In the beginning it was kind of hard to get up and going but I am in a pretty good groove now.
I wake each morning and through puffy, sleepy eyes I open my copy of Daily Light and read that. Then I make my way to the tea pot and get my morning drink going. I am reading the Sarah Young devotional (can’t think of title right now) and Morning and Evening. So after those short readings and often times recovery from being hit over the head with something impacting (usually from M&E), I jump into my bible reading for the day. If I have time, I process what I’ve heard from the Lord in my journal. Don’t always but like it when I do.
Our womens ministry is going to study Revelation with our Siesta Mama! I am so excited about that.
It has been a good year so far. I look forward to God working in mighty ways through us this year and love that we get to share it with each other!
PS. God has created a little sub-group of us who are memorizing scripture together. We come from across the central valley to Texas…so neat! Nothing like having the smaller intimate accountability group:)
I just completed week one of Priscilla Shirer’s Jonah with a wonderful group of women at the Bemus Point United Methodist Church! It is amazing to learn that those interruptions in our lives are really divine interventions!