You guys have been so patient with me while I’ve been under a tremendous work load! There comes a time when you just have to put some things on hold – even things that involve people you love – to get as focused as possible to wrap up a project. Since New Year’s Day, I’ve been finishing Children of the Day, teaching a new series on Tuesday nights in Houston, serving at Passion, and at a Women of Faith event called Unwrap the Bible and simultaneously being a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a coworker at LPM. Even recounting it nearly gives me an anxiety attack. I have absolutely no doubt that most of your lives have been just that full. God has been so gracious to us, hasn’t He? He carries us even when we’ve loaded ourselves down in ways He wouldn’t have ordained.
I had originally planned to be finished with COTD before the Christmas holidays. I never would have scheduled all that craziness at the same time. God knew what the 18 months surrounding that project would entail and He sustained my family and faithfully carried us through a very rough season. I did the last editorials for COTD on a conference call with LifeWay a week ago Friday, got on a plane with Amanda and Melissa to Sydney on Monday, then got an email two days later from my editor saying that COTD was on its way to the printing press. Thank you, God. Many of you prayed me through and I am so grateful. A writing project going to press brings a very vulnerable feeling. Some of you know what I’m talking about. You’ve been so close to it for so long that you often have no idea if it’s decent writing or makes a whit of sense. All you can know is that you gave it everything you had.
And the beautiful side of writing Bible study curriculum is that you have the promise of God that His Word will not return void. At the end of the project, I only allowed myself one question: will the readers be able to say at the turn of the last page that they’d diligently studied 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, whether or not they’d always agreed or embraced each lesson? Because of God’s great faithfulness to bless His Word, I pray so. That is my peace. May God bring a 100-fold harvest to those who end up investing their time and energy in the series.
SO, ladies, I am writing you this morning from a hotel room overlooking the gorgeous Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is Sunday evening to you but Monday mid-morning for me and the sun is shimmering on the face of those waters so brilliantly that it’s nearly blinding. I had the privilege to serve at the Hillsong Colour Conference for women that lasted from Thursday evening to Saturday evening then at their main campus last night. I will serve again this coming Thursday through Saturday.
Their women’s conference is so well attended each year that they do it over 2 weekends to accommodate the numbers. The weekends are identical in schedule and content but Colour 1 takes place in a large arena then Colour 2 (the very next weekend and a whole new group of women) takes place at their largest church campus here in Sydney. It only takes the first hour of the conference to figure out why 17,000 women flood the venues. The Spirit of God falls so powerfully during worship that you can hardly sing for wanting to cry.
You would just love Colour. Women of every age and all sorts. Scads of really young women whose faces are just beginning to come alive with the radiance of Christ. The older women are gorgeously fervent in the Spirit. To say that the atmosphere of worship is lively and spirited is understating it. The name of Jesus is outrageously declared and praised. We sing, we get into the Scriptures, we laugh our heads off, and we get mobilized to meet needs and to fight injustice. It’s a full package and that’s one of the beautiful things about it being 3 days long rather than how we normally schedule events in the States.
In between conferences, we get 3 whole play days! Starting today! YAHOO!!!!! I have not had a couple of days off in a row in many months. I’m about to take them and run like there’s no tomorrow. We will start off today being shamelessly predictable: petting kangaroos and koalas. I know, I know. But we just can’t resist it. All we’ll need to top the day off is an Olivia Newton John sighting.
I’m still in my pajamas and we’re leaving the hotel in an hour so I better get with it. It feels so good to have touched base with you, Sisters! I have missed you so much! Thank you for your patience with me. We’ve got some busy months ahead on the blog so I hope, to some reasonable degree, we will make up for lost time.
I love you!
Blessings to you Beth and for all you do for The Lord and the body of Christ!
Our group of 60 some women at our church are doing our 12th Bible study of yours, A Woman’s Heart. Each one we do, we love your beautiful writing, and, our faith becomes alive and active because of the Word and how you lead us through the study.
Enjoy your days off. You well deserve them with your daughters.
Love you,
Judy
We know you love us… and that all your work and effort of these last months is to help teach and encourage and spur us on to deeper faith and love of Jesus. You serve us so well. And we hope you know how much you are loved in return.
Now REST. RELAX.
Blessed by your comments. SO Agree: she serves us so well! (by the power of HIS SPIRIT)! yes she spurs us on to deeper faith and love of and for JESUS! Thanks.
The Bridge Walk is a must.
One if our best memories!
Please try it.
ENJoY!!!
GODSPEED
We have missed yo
We (I) have really missed you, Siesta Mama. So glad you will be back on the blog more often. Our Bible study group is excitedly awaiting Children of the Day!
So glad to hear how the Lord is blessing Sidney and you. Praise his holy name. Also wanted to let you know about a movie that One of Sister’s in Christ and I went to on Sunday afternoon. We had just viewed your video that morning from your study Disciple Now and the movie (Son of God) went along with everything that we went over in class. It was so refreshing to see. God bless you for being a vessel that he can use to minister to Woman. Again that you for sharing Christ. You are in my prayers. Sister in Christ Joyce
You are such an inspiration to me. Just wanted you to know you have set a fire in me to dig deep into scriptures. Studying these days take new meaning in my life. I pray I can be an instrument to one person just as you are to me. I just recieved your study of James and cant wait to start on it! thank you for your devotion to the Lord I pray for the rest of my life I can be half of what you are as a servant of the Lord!
Have a Blessed day!
Cammie in H-town!
Dear Mrs. Beth,
I’m praying for you and your family! God will work wonders through you during the Colour Conference. I’m sure of it! You are a mighty woman of God and so anointed for the work that you are doing. I’ve attended your Houston Bible studies for the past 3 years and I have been so incredibly blessed and transformed by God’s word. You have no idea how much impact the way you teach the Bible has on people. I love your faithfulness and passion. It is contagious in such a wonderful way. During this last Bible study I was there when you said you didn’t want us to get complacent. You didn’t just want this to be another Bible study that we attend. I don’t want it to be that either. I so desire to take the Word that you have taught us and use it and share it with everyone. We will overcome by the Word of the Lamb and the word of our testimony! Thank you for allowing God to work through you! May God bless you Mrs. Beth! with his overflowing favor, grace and mercy!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Haydee
Our. Prayers are with u , Beth! These things have I spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you, and your joy maybe full! John 15:11
Beth,So happy you can have a few days to play and be with your daughters. It’s so neat to see your example as a) being fully committed to what you know you are here on earth for and b) knowing when to focus and let the good go in order to work for the best. I’m struggling with both areas right now and it is such an encouragement to see women walking it out in authenticity.
I’m so excited for the COTD study; I’m so glad it is off to the printing presses!
You are in my prayers; hope this week is a marvelous one!
Blessed by your comments. Thanks. Hope it is ok to reply to replies. I enjoy reading them.
I visited Australia last year and loved it. Bless you, dear Beth. We have missed you and are praying for you. Do the thing that God has called you to. We love you.
I just asked The Lord how is it that I have so much love in my heart for you and your girls. I wept with thanksgiving as I read your blog. It’s like having a dear friend write a card to me. How is that, Beth? I wonder sometimes…will she (you) even know me when we see each other in heaven?
I have learned so much from The Holy Spirit speaking to me from your studies! I wait with anticipation for Children of the Day. Be blessed as you gaze upon God’s creation today (or at least tomorrow since your today has past by now) with your girls! Y’all laugh and have fun!
In Christ’s Love,
Liz
DITTO!!! Well said! although I did not cry (too many tears elsewhere)…in my heart I am full of gratitude!
Enjoy the time you can. I remember one time you went to Africa and asked the Lord to reveal himself to you in nature. I can’t imagine a more beautiful place than where you are to ask again. My small group is so looking forward to the new study! Love to you!
We have missed you!
I have missed you dear Beth!! Enjoy your time in Sydney with your precious daughters.:-) Praying for you♥
Bless you, Ms. Beth! I have prayed for you in this final stretch of writing so often!! Excited to see the finished product!
Beth, I have missed you so much! I am so glad that the new study has been completed and is off to the presses, i must admit there is a little selfishness in that because I have been so blessed by the work your have been so faithful to do and that God has so blessed. Many prayers are going up on your behalf for rest of your body and your emotions and heart. I know so much of you goes into the work you do!!!, Have fun with the girls!!!!! Can’t wait to hear all about it! Love you, Siesta Mama!
Thank you for all you do for God and His Kingdom. Enjoy a well earned rest, and if you have time please post some pictures!
Beth from down under :o) have a great time with your sweet daughters and the koalas! I will be looking forward to studying Thessalonians when it comes out in print. Thank you for doing all the hard work to make that happen for us! Praying God will bless you, your family, your teaching in Sidney and the Thessalonians study.
Praying the land down under will be forever changed by the power of Jesus and 3 Moore’s!
Blessing
Sharon
We missed you too! I hope you’re able to relax and enjoy your few days of play 🙂
And I’m looking forward to the new study!
I’ve missed you too and am so happy to hear from you today! When my husband and I lived in Bangkok, our pastor and his wife were from Australia. We just loved them. Although I don’t know what all the last 18 months have entailed for your family, I do pray that the Lord blesses your time away with your girls and gives all three of you great healing and refreshment of body and spirit as you rest and play in His blessing.
My church has already planned the women’s Bible study for the fall and next spring, but I look forward to working through COTD as soon as ever I can. 1 and 2 Thessalonians are so beautiful, and I’ve never truly studied them in depth.
Grace and peace to you in Christ Jesus, Mama Beth. Much love in Jesus to the three of you.
In these last and evil days, the encouragement that you shared, telling of 17,000 women outrageously declaring the praises of God, are a balm to the soul, mind and heart. Thank you Beth, for connecting with us in such a personal and unashamed joy for our Lord, Jesus! jammies and all. May God surprise you with treats and treasures all week long.
Beth, it’s so thrilling to hear that you’re getting some wonderful “down” time!! =) Enjoy yourself!!
Praying for God to continue to do mighty, mighty wonderful things through you! Also, praying God shows up in gorgeous, precious ways throughout this time you are in the stunningly beautiful Australia!
Mama Beth,
You have been very missed around this parts, but COMPLETELY understand your absence. God is good and He does good. Praise Him!! I hope your days off are full of fun and relaxation. You Texas girls take it easy on the Aussies =) Blessings ~~ dawn
Been praying and thinking and wondering how you and your girls were doing down under. Australia is on my bucket list.The pictures I see are just gorgeous! Enjoy every second. So so thankful for you. I pray God gives you much joy while you are there.
((hugs))
Fran
So good to see your post on the Blog Mama Beth I have missed you. So glad you have 2 days off to enjoy your time with the girls and in Sydney. Definitely looking forward to another Bible study. May God richly Bless you as you rest and get ready for Colour 2.
Carolyn
Oceanside Ca
Glad you are having a great time while serving our God and the many many many women at the Colour Conference!! Blessings to you and those who help you serve!! Praying protection and safety back to the States. We love and Miss you!!!
Beth, I can’t wait for COTD to be out on the shelves for our small group to dig into. Thank you for the blog, you have been dearly missed, but we all understand. Cannot imagine the hours of study and hard work you have poured into it for our good. Lindsee is such a sweetie, we love her so much. God could not have chosen a better sister to keep us in touch with what is going on at LPM. Praying for you and your girls as you enjoy some time off in Australia. Have a safe trip and to God Be the Glory. We Love You too.
Thank you for writing. Enjoy your time down there : )
Beth, I’m so glad you’re getting the play days. Sounds like you desperately needed and deserved them. Have a wonderful time!
Oh Beth, so wonderful to hear from you on the weekend. I was amidst that crowd of 17000 women and was blessed to the core of my being. Not only did I download the tambourine app straight after the meeting but I arrived home (Melbourne) Sunday lunch and told my husband that I would now be joining our families ‘band’ (husband & 4kids) with my TAMBOURINE. I plan to buy a skinned version and keep it with the violins and guitar that sit in our home.
Your word, as with Bobby, Lisa and others blessed me so. I was so drawn to the Jesus in each of you. Sometimes we are drawn to people because they are physically attractive but what makes wach of you even more beautiful is the JESUS inside you.
Thank you for your example as a wife, mother, grannie and woman of God.
Hi Beth,
SO good to hear from you! I knew you were in Sydney by your tweets. The Colour sounds wonderful! Enjoy your play days with your girls!!
Welcome back! Great to hear from you but how understandable b/c wow have you been building the kingdom! Did God ordain the 52 days of Nehemiah (Neh 6:15) building the wall? I wonder if he questioned it too? Yet GOD USED THIS MIGHTILY TO SAVE ISRAEL!!! I would not be surprised if it was a “Nehemiah building time”, 52 plus days for you!
Some of these verses stood out: Nehemiah 4:9 may we make our prayer to God and set a watch against them. (MSG)
15-18 Our enemies learned that we knew all about their plan and that God had frustrated it. And we went back to the wall and went to work. From then on half of my young men worked while the other half stood guard (many prayed for you) with lances, shields, bows, and mail armor. Military officers served as backup for everyone in Judah who was at work rebuilding the wall. The common laborers held a tool in one hand and a spear in the other. Each of the builders had a sword strapped to his side as he worked. I kept the trumpeter at my side to sound the alert….. Nehemiah 4:19-20 Then I spoke to the nobles and officials and everyone else: “There’s a lot of work going on and we are spread out all along the wall, separated from each other. When you hear the trumpet call, join us there; our God will fight for us.” Thought these verses might encourage you!
I believe you are being used mightily and are “a bridge” from the Conservative to the Charismatic throughout the denominations to unite us in the true CONFESSIONS of the GOSPEL as you spoke at Passion. Excited to see the fields He is sending you to and believing He will bring in the FAVOR and the 100 fold harvests! (JOHN 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.) May HIS abiding PRESENCE esp JOY: CHRIST be manifest continually as you enjoy the beauty and the marvel of Australia and do as He leads. How wonderful that He has you in such a great place of worship with daughters and brethren you love! Praying you “Enjoy” every second…how heavenly: “The Spirit of God falls so powerfully during worship that you can hardly sing for wanting to cry.” What a tremendous experience and privilege!
We here in the USA should begin praying that we too will be like you describe:
“alive with the radiance of Christ. The older women are gorgeously fervent in the Spirit. To say that the atmosphere of worship is lively and spirited is understating it. The name of Jesus is outrageously declared and praised. We sing, we get into the Scriptures, we laugh our heads off, and we get mobilized to meet needs and to fight injustice. It’s a full package and that’s one of the beautiful things about it being 3 days long rather than how we normally schedule events in the States.”
Sounds wonderfully BIBLICAL and where THEOLOGY AND REALITY MEET! How I would love to see that more in my life and in USA worship and conferences!!! FULLY ALIVE IN CHRIST AND WITH CHRIST AND EXALTING CHRIST! To truly seek Him and have Him manifest HIMSELF AMONG US! O how He inhabits the praises of His people. May our hearts be pure in motive and worship In SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH and fully desiring to GIVE HIM ALL ROOM to DO as HE WANTS and HIM ALONE RECEIVE THE GLORY!
Hope your days off are outrageous with HIM and your people…
Wow, “petting kangaroos and koalas”: surreal… “I know, I know.” LOL, how I loved picturing this! FUN1. “All we’ll need to top the day off is an Olivia Newton John sighting.” I know we, USA are way behind in time but how bout this “sighting” :https://www.facebook.com/olivianewtonjohn?hc_location=timelin I tried to copy and paste but wasn’t successful. Can’t say I would have recognized her if she was in front of me on the sidewalk so thought it was fun. Hope it brought you a smile.
Thanks for all the serving you brought forth. Great teaching/ RHEMA for me at Passion WOF, and Houston Tuesday eves twice for me! Totally loved every minute and experienced an anointing from the LORD that was exceptionally above …beyond…”infiinetly more” …New Living Translation
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think,” A Ephesians 3:20 thank you to you and yours for helping me experience the TRUE GOSPEL AND TRUE CHURCH and TRUE WORD APPLIED AND ON ME!!! Praise JESUS! You are living proof of the TRUE GOD AND HIS TRUE GOSPEL! Thank you! In CHRIST, Deb
Have so much fun in Sydney! I LOVED our trips to Australia back when we lived in Singapore. Such a beautiful place! Are you going up to the Blue Mountains?
It was super nice to hear from you Siesta Mama Beth!! I am looking forward to Children of the Day coming out in the stores. Colour event sounds fantastic, and amazing, because His presence is felt there each time. I hope your days there have been a stress-free blessing to you!:) Great heart peace, and grace to you, Siesta Mama Beth:):) The Lord has used you to be an encouragement to me tonight. I love you too:):)
Beth,
So glad to hear from you. Happy that you will have a couple of days of play with your girls. Have fun! Will be praying for this next weekend. Know the Lord will show up in a mighty way. Love you, Lynda
Dear Beth,
Thank you for taking time out of your very busy schedule to send us a post and some love! Grin. I hope you had a great and relaxing time with your lovely daughters petting the kangaroos. I’m jealous! Ever since you have said that you are doing a study on the Book of Thessalonians every time I am paging through my bible and come upon 1 and 2 Thess. I think of you and go into prayer for your study. I will continue to pray for you and the Colour Conference. It sure sounds amazing!
I am counting the days until your here in MN!! Can’t wait!
Beth, I don’t visit the blog often but happened to seek it out tonight and I think it is just what I needed. I have started to write…wait let me rephrase that, I have been writing for years but I finally took a dive into letting others read it and I do understand that insecurity but regardless what others think I keep posting on my blog though unfortunately anything about Jesus doesn’t get read much…I still write about the love of my life! Thanks for all you do! You have been an inspiration in my life. Peace to you. Sue
Beth:
You go girl! Enjoy your “play” time with your besties……and yes, we certainly have missed you! I’ve already told our ladies Bible study about COTD and we’ll be diving into it come August! Can’t wait. Prior to that though, I’m off to Poland again for my 7th mission trip/volleyball camp….still loving me some pretty incredible people over there! You guys have fun!
Blessings,
Ginger
Wetumpka, AL
Beth! You’re such a dear to touch base with Siestaville while you’re in Aussie-ville! Have fun with the kangas and koalas and everyone at Colour. We’re having fun up here praying for all you down there ~
Olivia siting! Ha I love it! Yes, so glad you are getting much needed and deserved rest and enjoying your family. I thank God that He kept you throughout this busy season. We all love you and will continue to pray for you and your ministry. God Bless!
Ooops *sighting
Beth, I was at Colour and I have my tambourine app ready! Thank you so much – God used you mightily! xxx
Have missed you, Beth! So happy you are getting some much deserved fun for a couple of days! Praying for God’s blessings over you all for the remaining time away. Enjoy!
have so much fun with your girls. that sounds awesome! sing a new song to the Lord while you’re there together. Love all three of you 🙂 xo
So lovely to hear from you, even if you are half-way around the world! Looking forward to COTD Bible Study. Thank you for being faithful to your calling. We are so blessed. Hugs!
that is just awesome! Been missing you around here for sure but you’ve had your hands FULL of good things from the sounds of it. Enjoy Sydney…boy what I wouldnt give to worship with those amazing Hillsong folks live! Hope your play days are refreshing and just what you ladies need!
Much love,
Sasha
Hey Beth, I just pre-ordered Children of the Day and can’t wait to get started. Thank you so much for your dedication to writing the Bible studies so we may benefit in studying God’s Word with you and others. Have a blast in Australia. Love you sweet lady!!
So, so happy to hear from you and praying you have a wonderful time with your girls!
Just Thrilled for you and your daughters. Praying that you will be filled up and overflowing in the Spirit of the LORD.. Thankyou for sharing with your Sisters in Christ Jesus.. xo
Hi Beth!
Praying God’s blessings on you and your girls and all involved in the conference. I cannot wait to dive into Children of The Day with my Bible Study group. We love you and lift you up to The Lord often. You bless our lives more than I can put into words! Thank you so much for being willing to give of yourself to the point of exhaustion for the sake of women everywhere! We are crazy about you and are learning so much through studying with you. God has surely blessed your ministry and anointed you with an awesome gift. Have fun! You deserve it!
Your Sister in Christ,
Heather