Hey, you mighty warriors!
By the time you get this SSMT post, I will be on my way to Nashville for the videotaping of James: Mercy Triumphs. It almost makes me cry to see the actual (recently settled-upon) title in print. So much time and focus and prayer and frustration and second-guessing and bewilderment and wonderment – and learning and thrilling and growing and wallowing – go into the whole process of a Bible study journey. Many tears. Healthy laughs. Big eye-openers. Rich conversations. Moments of, “What on earth was I thinking??” Above all, so much desperation for Jesus. If God doesn’t pour His Spirit into it, it will fall flat like a collapsed pup-tent. That’s the God’s-honest truth. After 14 journeys similar to this one, I know just enough in advance to be dangerous. Enough to start shaking (not with anointing but mostly with anxiety) when the outline first goes on paper. I know now how life’s going to go on in the middle of it and how all sorts of unplanned ups and downs, woes and joys will mark its pages. I know now how I’m going to end up writing about things in my life and family that haven’t even happened yet. Some of them will be wonderful. Others will be painful. It’s kind of like starting a new journal. There is a certain amount of trepidation because you simply can’t guess what will fill those pages. It’s a stomach-knotting blend of anticipation and raw fear. But what I forget sometimes in that anxious moment when I know there’s no turning back is the grace. The goodness of God. The fact that I’m invited to believe He was the initiator of it, as He is in all things faith (Hebrews 12:1-3) and that I don’t have to assume complete control over it. I’m invited to remember what life the Scripture has and how much this woman has to learn.
Good grief. I’m sitting in a salon chair about to bawl my head off. (Writing this to you on Friday.) I’ll try to rein this one in and quit being so dramatic. This is no time to wear you guys out about the James Bible study because Melissa and I still need you to pray us through until the complete manuscript is turned in at the end of summer. The beauty of all the studies prior to Esther is that they were pre-blog and I didn’t gnaw you like a bone throughout the whole ordeal. It’s too late now.
Make no mistake. The studio audience, the LifeWay video crew, and I need your prayers like crazy this week. Yes, pray for us during the day when preparation is taking place but especially pray for us in the evenings on Monday (tomorrow) through Thursday. That’s when the actual sessions will be taped, two per night, back-to-back. And pray big things for the participants, too! They are so incredibly important in the process. Pray for them to get totally caught up in the Scriptures and in what God is speaking into their lives and be oblivious to the cameras. Pray for them to experience a powerful encounter with Christ through His Word and for Him to do something utterly remarkable in each life. THEN, pray for that anointing to also transfer just that heavily to the women who will one day watch the series on the other side of the screen. I requested a smaller group of participants this time (like I have at Life Today – the perfect size!) but that means the cameras will be much more obvious to all the ladies in the audience. Pray also for us to bond in the Spirit right from the beginning.
Thank you so, so much.
I won’t get a chance to blog much (if at all) while I’m in Nashville but Amanda and Melissa will chime in. I will try to get on Twitter a time or two a day perhaps so, for those of you who like that, we’ll stay in touch that way. (@BethMooreLPM – writing that kind of thing always makes me want to throw up in my mouth.)
After the sessions are complete, the video team and I will spend all day Friday doing some additional taping that won’t require an audience. Later in May they will come to Houston and we will do yet more taping. At that time (later in May), I’ll do the intros to the session and also an on-camera dialogue with Melissa over the project. She has been a huge part of this journey. In fact, she was the first of the two of us who felt drawn to this book of the Bible. She is not a camera hog and won’t let me add her name on the cover but it would be a crying shame for the women not to get a chance to connect with her on screen. She has zero interest in entertaining but she has a huge interest in studying. That’s enough to make her push past her discomfort and get on the screen. In case you’re not up to date on her part of the project, she is writing extra study portions 2-3 times per week of Bible study for the student that wants to go deeper.
I am always reluctant (as both my daughters are) to mention two of us instead of three. Amanda, Melissa and I are, as my people would say, thick as mud and we don’t like to pair off. As I mention Melissa often in this process, rest assured Amanda is cheering us on and praying for us every step of our way. She is not actively participating this time in the editorial process (I miss her so much) because her focus and energies need to be on her family but we three women are together continually.
SO, did you think I’d forgotten what we’re doing on here today???? No ma’am. I most certainly did not. All I’ve just told you led to the Scripture I’ve chosen as my ninth verse.
Beth, Houston. “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Yes, Sir! If this selection resonates with you, join me with it! I’d be honored to memorize with you. I will say it over and over this week. Maybe you will, too, and He will hear us each time and find joy in it. I pray with all my sappy heart that the Spirit of God loves to hover over this community.
OK, so what are your verses, Sisters??? DON’T YOU DARE QUIT!!!!!
I love you to pieces.
Teri in Florida
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Billie, Kailua-Kona
“I kneel in worship facing Your Holy Temple and say it again: ‘Thank You!’
Thank You for Your love, thank You for Your faithfulness;
most Holy is Your name, most Holy is Your Word.”
Psalm 138:2 (The Message)
Isaiah 43:2 NIV
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not over-flow you. When you walk trough the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.
Marrissa, Orlando
Psalm 27:14
“rely on the lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”
The NET bible
Libby, Texarkana- He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king. Daniel 2:22&23 NIV
Amy, North Texas
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Megan, Prattville,Al: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His wonderful light.”
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
Psalm 23 (NIV)
Deut. 32:4 “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” (NIV)
Shannon- Charlotte, NC: Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27 ESV
Angie, Wilmington, DE: “Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish.” Psalm 25:17 (NIV)
Rely on the Lord, Be Strong and Confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalms 27:14
Net Bible
Tammy
Cincinnati, Ohio
Ann – Sardis, AL
Php 2:14 (ESV) Do all things without grumbling or questioning,
Php 2:15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Charlotte Ohio
May 1, 2011
But blessed be the man who trusts in the Lord whose confidence is in Him.
Jeremiah 17:7
Debbie, Atlanta
“…and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,…” Ephesians 6:17 ESV
Pam Hamilton, OH
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet with the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. I Thes. 4:17-18 (KJV)
Jeantelle, Lafayette LA
For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.
Hebrews 3:4 NIV
Bunnie, Hume,CA
“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.” 2 Timothy 2:3-4 NIV
Robyn Wright
Topeka, KS
“I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1 (NASB)
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptable with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire,'”Hebrews 12:28-29 (NIV)
Philippians 4:11b (HCSB)
… for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
Shauna, Horn Lake
forgot the city… sorry!
Joining you, sweet Beth …
Shelli, Fort Worth, TX: “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident. Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 NET
from Houston “Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you , and quickly respond to it.” Romans 12:2 The Message
Do not withhold good from those in need when you have the power to help. Proverbs 3:27
Laura, Savannah, GA
Ephesians 6:17 “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (NIV)
Amy aka whimzie, Florida
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)
Holly from Alpharetta “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Marilyn
Fort Smith, AR
“Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16, NASB)
LaTava, Lincoln, NE
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18. NIV
Proverbs 1:33 (NLT)
“But all who listen to me will live in peace and safety
unafraid of harm.”
Kelli, Indianapolis:
But you are a chosen people, a ROYAL priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. -1 Peter 2:9 NIV
Jenny, Sugar Land, TX
James 1:22 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (NIV)
Jana, Quitaque, TX
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Daphne – Winnipeg, Canada: But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 NLT
Betsy, Katy, TX Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!! Psalm 27:14 NET
Carolynn, Holland, MI “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14 NIV)
Wendy and my 2 daughters, Faith (15) and Naomi Hope (11)
Eden Prairie, MN
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Kristen, Allen “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.” Psalms 82:3 NIV
Cortni, Coden,AL “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
Miranda, Fort Payne, AL
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Gal 2:20 (NIV)
Pat, Las Cruces
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thess. 5:16-18 (NIV)
Julie – Wentzville, MO –
Think I’ll join you with this one…
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Emmy- Rome, GA
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 (NET)
Hannah, Maryland, Isaiah 51:9a “Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old.” (KJV)
Lisa Auten, Rogers, AR: “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” Romans 12:3 NIV
Jeanene Newnan, GA
Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithful love; according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion. Wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin.
Psalm 51: 1-2 HCSB
Kelly, Lilburn, GA
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV)
Karen, Lexington, KY. “Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, lord, are good.” Psalm 27:8 (NIV)
Sandy, Maryland, Isaiah 51:9a “Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old.” (KJV)