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 in the 9th week of Revelation, loven it!! WOW, what can you say. I can’t believe I am saying this, but I could use more homework in this study. Thanks Beth its awesome.
God is Awesome.
Just finished reading Made To Crave today. A revolutionizing book.
Made To Crave webcasts each Monday – 4 weeks to go.
On-line study with Leah Adams – From the Trash Pile to the Treasure Chest, Leaving a Godly Legacy. Really good study. 4 weeks to go.
Prepare each week to teach a Sunday School Class.
Morning and Evening – Charles H. Spurgeon – twice a day. 🙂
Shelves of books lined up to read.
Writing week day devotions for my blog The White Stone.
That’s about it for now but in 4 weeks other studies will come into focus.
So glad to be memorizing Scripture with you all. Three years ago the HOLY SPIRIT told me to start memorizing His Word. I finally committed myself to obey Him this year.
Thanks, Beth for this accountability!
Love and holy hugs, Kathie
I’m reading through Isaiah for the first time with a very small group at work. It’s uplifting to have a group at a corporate office having bible study. I’ve learned so much and we’re only on Chapter 8!
The Psalms of the ascent.
Just started…upward to the
next level. =)
I just started studying Deuteronomy. I was reluctant to start with another book of the bible for study without a guide, as it took me a long time to get through Jeremiah on my own last month! That’s a tough book to read all the way through! I have to admit I was not exactly bitin at the bit to get to my bible reading while going through Jeremiah! However there was one night I felt God speaking directly to me through the book of Jeremiah and it was Wonderful. I’ve decided to read Deuteronomy because I feel I’ve been knocked off track recently and I want more than anything to get back on! I want to begin by remembering what God has done for me and my family. What He’s done for all of us!
I am studying Revelation and teaching your study of “Here and Now; There and Then” to my Tuesday morning Ladies Bible Study, also for Wednesday night Bible study I am teaching my youth group “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan which is amazing. I am studying the book of Acts and teaching the Middle High Sunday school class. I am studying the ten commandments and teaching the youth on Sunday nights from a series called “The Ten” And for my personal devotion time I am using the One Year Chronological Bible.
Hi Beth, Well a few months ago we were living on the East coast and found out that my husband was getting transferred to Houston. At the time I was reading one of your books and you mentioned something about Houston, so I looked up your website and found out about the Tuesday night Bible study and was SO excited. I have been doing your Bible studies since I was in college but I didn’t know you were in Houston and never expected to see you other than in a video! So we moved to Houston and I got to go to the Bible study last Tuesday. Thank you so much for that blessing, for opening it up to everyone. What a delight! I am excited to keep coming and to have a new Bible study to work on. God bless you!
In the middle of Hebrews. Picking a book and going through it at whatever pace seems good as I go along. This is much more effective for me than a prescribed amount daily.
Supposed to start Experiencing the Heart of Jesus, Max Lucado but we had 6-8 inches of snow, so we will start next Thurs. Can’t wait!
blessings,
Tricia in KY
Beth,
I love your studies! I was scared of them for awhile! LOL! It was such a gimp in my step. I took “When Good People Do Bad Things” That was my 1st with you. Then I did “Ester” in Jan of 2009. It was LIFE CHANGING! I was a new Army Wife (had been a Marine wife of 8 years) and my husband had just left me and a 2 yr old in WA state. All family and most friends were in NC. I have to say it was God’s way of showing me He had chose me for that time and season! It made the deployment so much easier! I thrived though the deployment.
I am in a PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel)we are offering your “Daniel” study! Love the cover BTW, it really made my spirit leap! I would have NEVER thought about that for the cover of Daniel! OH YEAH!! I am going to be a co- teacher. So I have asked to be in your class or another one on deployment. Cause my husband is going to be leaving again in March. So I am letting God pick where He wants me.
As for active studies, I am finishing up “Good Bible Study Girl” by Lysa Terkeurst. My other group we are staring “5000 year leap” about the 28 founding principles of our fore fathers. It should be good. I am also doing your SSMT! I LOVE IT! I have picked Psalm 23:1-3 as my 1st one. I did not get started till yesterday. I did not know about it. I am seeing God’s provision in so many ways this week and thought that this one would help me to continue to see His provisions throughout the year! New follower to your blog and twitter. Love your studies and teaching. Hearing your sweet southern twang and slangs in “foreign” lands (WA and not NY) makes me feel at home! You draw me in!
Blessings,
Meredith
I’m doing Living Free with a sister back home – via Skype. We meet online once a week to discuss the week’s lessons & get prayer requests. We had both started the study independently a year or so back, and for whatever reason never finished. We were almost at the same point, so we decided to start over together. 😀 Yay!
I am also going back through the Christ Our Refuge Series by Dr. John Barnett. The audio is available for free at Discover The Book Ministries, so i downloaded them & put them on my ipod to listen to while i do stuff around the house. (I also use them for the nights where insomnia strikes, so that i can make use of that time that would otherwise be wasted.) 🙂
I’m uber excited to start “Here and Now…There and Then”! It is not very often that I actually get to participate with just adults, as I’m usually with the kids. It will be a nice treat! 🙂
I am doing the second half of Precept Upon Precept’s study of Jeremiah with a group of sweet women who are so much wiser than I am! I love it, really love it, but it’s heavy! At night with my children, we read “Little Visits with God.” I remember my Daddy reading those same little stories to me when I was small. I keep finding that, although meant for children, God still speaks to me through the verses, stories, and questions of that devotional. I am excited about the scripture memory, too! A friend gave me one of the spirals for Christmas and told me about the Siestas–what a great gift!
This past Tuesday night, I started Breaking Free. This is my second study with this group of ladies who have studied together for more than 10 years. A friend asked what I am studying now, and she said, “Oh. That is the only study I had to abandon.” I’m praying I can break free of anything that hinders me, whatever that might be. I suspect I’ll find out.
Loving Breaking Free!! Currently in week 7. I’ve been wanting to do it for so long and was ecstatic when I heard it had been updated and that my group had selected it. I’m trying so hard to absorb it because I desperately need to be set free.
As part of my commitment to the Radical Experiment, I am reading through the entire word this year (my first time!). I’m reading it in the 1 year chronological bible, and so far I’m loving it. I also plan to start Kelly Minter’s Ruth study soon. Good times.
Isaiah with BSF-it’s a hard book, but God is truly working in my heart.
I doing “Living Beyond Yourself” right now and the Spirit is doing some incredible things in me through it! This study has really blessed me and my family (we have a 4 mo. old baby boy).
I am studying 1 John with a precious sister in Christ and the Tabernacle with my wonderful husband!! I love God and His Word, Jesus!!
Lots going on….
Today had the privilege of hearing Rich Stearns (CEO World Vision) speak at our governors prayer breakfast. Wow…just a snippet of what what in his book “A hole in Our Gospel” but so inspiring. Spoke to a room with many who need to hear the gospel. Monday and Tuesday, had training in Logos (which I have owned for awhile and only knew how to use about 10%.) That was fun!!! I am so fired up to to study the Word, I am jazzed. This past weekend attended a retreat, the fruit of a group I have been privileged to be a part of, with the sole purpose of setting women free from the captivity of abuse of all kinds. My friend who leads had encouraged and trained a group of us to know the Word, live the Word and help others do the same.
So…I am so grateful to God for the experiences this past week. Last week I had surgery to remove a nodule for biopsy, and it was benign, thank you Lord. He has revealed himself in so many ways.
I am working hard at hiding the Word in my heart. Thanks for the encouragement through the SSMT.
Found out in the Logos training you can actually will your Logos license to someone as well. Would be much easier than hauling out all the books! Love you gals so much, pray over you constantly!
Kathleen, NM Siesta
Here and Now, Then and There. Waiting for my revelation from Jesus this week 🙂 Just started Tuesday night, and SO looking forward to how He is going to reveal Himself to me in these next 10 weeks. 🙂
I’m reading/studying from “Sacred Marriage” by Gary Thomas, as I’m getting married in April! 🙂 I’m also finishing up “Discerning the Voice of God” by Priscilla Shirer, as well as your Revelation study on my own…Am also re-reading thru James, as I hope to attend a session of your teaching in Houston!
thank you for your teaching!
Sarah, I don’t know if you’ll come back and read this or not, but I have such hope for you! My husband and I have been married for seventeen years, and we have weathered some storms together. One storm was of earthquake proportions!! I just finished reading Sacred Marriage myself, and that book, along with Beth’s Wisdom for Wives, and Wisdom for a Woman’s Sexuality (from her series on Proverbs) taught me so much about marriage that I really didn’t know when I first began. I have such hope that because you are learning these things now, and preparing yourself that your marriage will be blessed. My prayer is that you and your future husband will learn and grow together, and that maybe you will be able to steer around some of the storms that head your way. Blessings to you!!
Hey Sweet Beth~
My church starts your Esther study next week! I just got the members books in the mail today and am so excited for it! I’ts going to be awesome! :o)
I’m on my own also in study. But I’m studying the names of God. Thats what Pastor Craig is preaching on on our campus and I’m studying deeper at home. ELOHIM and EL ELYON …. Creator…Sovereign and MOST HIGH!!! And he loves me and he loves you. WOW!
I am leading a small Bible Study group in “Jesus the One and Only”. It’s the 3rd time in 10 years I’ve done the study and each time I get a little deeper. Right now I am doing day 4 of week 6! I should add that I am on vacation in Hawaii (only 1 more day!) and as I sit here, the surf and sun are beautiful. It’s back to Cleveland and snow very soon, so I’m soaking it up!
I’m studying James with this real nice blonde lady in Houston 🙂 I’m loving it!
I’m reading through the Bible in chronological order, along with my church!
Been doing Jesus Speaking by Sarah Young as a daily devotion. Quite a profound little devotion. Given several away because it ministers so much.
Experiencing The Words of Jesus, Max Lucado
I am doing Breaking Free round 2..thank you so much for updating it…it has been 5 years since the last time and I have new eyes to see what God needs to do….I suffer from “the inability to love others fully including my husband and son”. Please pray that I would be open and willing to do the work needed to be set free from this…I feel like the woman who suffered for 12 years bleeding and only needed to touch his garment…except I am 52 and have suffered much longer. It amazes me how I can have been a Christian since I was 13 and be in bondage like this for so long.
Just started Experiencing God with a group of ladies at our church. I must say I miss you Beth as we have been doing your studies but felt God’s leading to Experiencing God for this term. We just finished Breaking Free in Dec. and I loved what you said on the last page of that study about how it’s alright to miss you but that we don’t “need” you to continue on in our walk with God. I’m encouraging the ladies to memorize the scripture verse each week in the study and have taken up the challenge. My daughters learn a verse every week for their Sunday School class which they recited to me and so I asked if they would like to hear my verse. They were quite surprised that their mommy has to learn a verse every week too. They asked if I was giving the ladies a prize if they learned their verses. I think that having God’s word in your heart and mind is the prize but joked with my ladies that maybe I need to give out Starbucks gift cards or something for learning the verses.
Doing “Breaking Free” and “David”! It is incredible. God has been breaking strongholds in my life. It is an amazing journey–I LOVE GOD!!! Every time I make a break through Satan attacks and this time he almost won. But God was protecting and directed someone in my David study group to me with a song by Misty Edwards called “I Knew What I Was Getting Into!” Wow, what an amazing message for those of us walking the journey to freedom and climbing out of the pit. Copy the link below into your browser to see the youtube with this song in it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWa_YYOF3fs
IT IS FOR FREEDOM THAT CHRIST HAS SET US FREE. Gal.5:1a
Prisilla Shrier’s JONAH, “Living a Life Interrupted”
On the first week, first day of homework and it is spooky how much God knew I needed it.
I’m Studying a life journal reading through bible. Doing a one on one study with a mentor…maybe you e heard of it…living beyond yourself! 😉 its hitting us deep, sista!
I also just started reading Charles Stanley’s new book “surviving in am angry world”. It’s really good so far. Easy read.
Love reading what others are studying.
Your blog is a blessing to me and entertaining!
Love you through Christ!
Until all have heard,
Beth Carr
Besides James and memorizing scripture, I’m doing a weekly Bible study with my youngest’s school moms – the NOOMA cds (Rob Bell) and a daily devotional book. Keeps me on my toes:o)
Oh and trying to finish Shirer’s Jonah: A Life Interrupted that our Sunday School class ladies started in the fall. All I can say is…my life was interrupted. Blessings and trials, but hey, isn’t that living life to it’s fullest??
I just started studying the book “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” by Peter Scazzero with a small group at church. Praying for some healing in my heart…
We just started David this past Wednesday. Excited to see what God has in store of all of us in the group.
Also wanted to tell you that my 19 year old son is doing Breaking Free, he’s about halfway at this point. It is such a blessing when I walk into his room and he is lying in bed with his laptop on his chest watching his next video. He told another buddy about it and he just borrowed the first DVD. My son is even doing the homework.
The truth of God’s word is for everyone!
I haven’t braved the scripture memorization challenge this year – maybe next year!
But just this very night I SOBBED my way through session 2 of Breaking Free Updated, and let me just say I’m ready to do something different – I’m crossing the border!
Figuratively AND literally. I’m leaving Saturday for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We’ll be presenting your Esther material to the women at a Women’s Conference next week.
I’m in Beth Moore overload and loving it! 🙂
I just started a study of the book Radical with friends all over the US! WE are doing the study together and sharing what God shows us via email. It is so exciting to grow and share with sisters that otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to do a study together because we live so far apart. Sometimes I just love technology!!!
Donna
anotherbattlewon.blogspot.com
Your study on Revelation and “Crazy Love” 🙂
I’m almost done with Beth’s Esther, with some ladies from church. Didn’t have any clue how much can be unpacked from that short book!
I’m in the middle of studying the revised Breaking Free, (It might be my favorite) by Ms Beth & I just started a 11-week study called Encountering The World of Islam (Caleb Project) at my church.
I’m praying God will give me love to show them THE WAY. I will visit a mosque, meet and interview a Muslim during the next few weeks under the prayerful direction of our Savior.
Bunches of Blessings to all.
Our Wednesday Bible study group just started Living Beyond Yourself ~ Exploring the Fruits of the Spirit ~ It’s wonderful so far Beth!!
Isaiah .. through Bible Study Fellowship. Has been amazing. Today was Isaiah 36-39. A focus on trusting God. Believing in His word, believing He acts with power through the prayers of his people, trusting Him turns the deepest crisis into the highest praise, and seeing through the life of Hezekiah that prosperity is a greater threat than adversity. Praising God for how he is using this so powerfully in my life.
Jesus the One and Only. I also purchased Operation World and I’m trying to follow along. I’ve been reading Having a Mary Heart in a Martha’s World and am finishing up with it, and just getting started with Made to Crave. Most importantly, I’m having fun talking with my little boy about the Bible, who brought tears to my eyes when he told me that in school when he has quiet time, he gets his Bible out and reads… and has highlighted sections to show it. Guess I’m doing something right. He’s accepted the SSMT challenge, too… just started him this week but he wants to practice saying his verse to me over and over. Thank you for this site and support. God bless you!
We began “The Amazing Collection”, the Bible for women book by book, in January, 2010 and plan to finish this June. This week we are studying 2 Corinthians.
Our ladies Bible study group from my church has just started “Me, Myself, and Lies” by Jennifer Rothschild. It was the summer study everyone did two summers ago but I was in Poland on a mission trip for a good portion of the time and wasn’t able to do it so, we’re doing it now! Boy is it going to be good!!!! God obviously has something in store because we have about 26 enrolled and have several brand new ladies coming. Go God!
Blessings to all!
Ginger
Wetumpka, AL
I am doing that one right now as well! Jennifer is wonderful!
so agree Amber!
We are doing “Prayer that Works” by Jill Briscoe for our Friday morning bible study this year. Tomorrow morning is week 2. Along with scripture memory and reading the bible through in a year (first time for me!), this study is just what I need. I love how God provides just what I need, just when I need it! I feel like I’m a little ambitious with my goals this year, but so far I’ve kept up with everything! Scripture memory has been the hardest though – my brain just doesn’t retain like it used to! 🙂
I am leading Breaking Free to a wonderful group of 25 women in a prison, thanks to LPM! We started yesterday and it was awesome, they loved being able to see Beth on the big screen! This is my third time but first with the redo, I have done the first version twice and my prison ministry is a result of the healing that I received during that time. I can’t wait to see what our amazing God has in store this time, not only for myself but for the incredible women in our group.
Thanks LPM for your great generosity and love for women all over this world.
I will also be co facilitating Daniel at our church, we are going through it for the second time. We finished Revelation in December and we all thought it would be a good time to revisit this study while all this vision stuff is still fresh in our minds.
A lot of homework, this siesta will have to be on her A game and totally relying on God.
The Lord has me leading my 2nd church study where I develop the curriculum. This one is “Finding Joy in the Journey”. I’ve struggled – a LOT recently – with worry and fear and realized how much I’ve allowed my struggles to steal my joy. So, my Pastor recommended that I teach where the Lord has me. I was not fond of the idea at first, but the Lord confirmed it and here we go. We’re about to enter week 3 of a 12 week study.
I have to say that I love teaching about as much as anything I’ve ever done, but the responsibility is overwhelming at times. I feel grossly inadquate, yet the Spirit covers me in my weakness. Praise be to our Father that He can use the most ordinary people for His glory. I am inexpressibly grateful to Him for this ongoing experience and adore what He reveals through His Word.