Hey, you guys!
I can’t even put into words how you’ve flooded my mind as LifeWay and I commemorated the graciousness of our God in 20 years of Bible study partnership. Without you sitting on the other side of that page and that screen, the first study would have become a hideous purple and yellow dust collector at your neighborhood LifeWay Store and the second study wouldn’t exist. For every minute of those 20 years, God has used you to drive me to a blank word-document and type in the words Week One: Day One. Picturing us both – two women (you younger, older, married, single, Black or White, on your 1st study or 15th) trying to live this faith thing out in the harsh world – with an open Bible between us, studying, seeking, praying, page-turning, thinking, discussing, maybe not even always agreeing, laughing, and crying together with one preeminent goal: to love Jesus more when we closed the workbook than when we opened it – this is what God has used to keep me at it.
To share the Scriptures with you. To pursue Christ with you. To run the race with you. To hear Jesus speak through His Word with you. THAT has been ministry to me. I am a girl in the Scriptures who wants to see girls in the Scriptures. That’s it in a nutshell.
I have no vocabulary poetic enough, no font large enough, no volume loud enough to say thank you the way I want to convey it. My heart is nearly sore from all the emotion that I have felt in the last several days as I have glanced back over my shoulder with my beloved man, my two daughters, my son-in-law, and my ridiculously adorable grandchildren. God’s grace has been poured out in scandalous proportions to me because of the cross of Christ. God got us through. And He is getting us through. And He will continue to get us through.
I got on here to show you something else which I’ll get to in just a moment but bringing up my grandchildren makes me think of the picture that Amanda clicked of the kids and me when we were all leaving the hotel for the LifeWay Bible study team celebration dinner Tuesday night.
Come on, now. Jackson was so handsome in his suit that I could hardly stand it and don’t get me started on Annabeth and her purse that her Aunt Melissa gave her for Christmas. Y’all please forgive my hair. I’d already anticipated that the team was going to have terribly embarrassing pictures of 20 years of my huge hair at the celebration dinner and, lo and behold, if it was not as big that night as it had ever been. Poetic justice.
But here’s what I’m trying to tell you about. At the LifeWay chapel service on Wednesday morning, Dr. Thom Rainer (LifeWay president) took a drape off of a breathtakingly beautiful picture (so much prettier than it appears from a distance)…
…then told the audience and me the story behind it. The creative image is comprised of bits and pieces of all the covers of the Bible studies throughout the 20 years plus some cuttings from various pages within the workbooks. I was floored. It will hang in my home for the rest of my days as one of the dearest keepsakes I own. To this former pit-dweller, it is fluid grace stuffed into a frame.
Which brings me to the catalyst for this post. At lunch today I told my staff about the picture and showed them some photographs of it on my cell phone so that they could grasp the idea. They’ll see it in a few days when it arrives but I knew they’d love hearing the backstory Dr. Rainer told the audience. My staff here at LPM also knows that the gift was even more significant and fitting because, throughout the years, I’ve hung a picture in my office to represent each of the studies. For instance, this depiction of Moses hangs on my wall to represent the tabernacle study, A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place.
And this one depicting Peter and John running to the empty tomb represents Beloved Disciple.
This one of Daniel in the lion’s den is one of my very favorites.
You get the idea. So, nothing on earth LifeWay could have given me to represent 20 years of Bible study partnership would have thrilled me more completely than a gorgeous conglomeration of them all.
I got back from lunch and walked into my office and pushed the button on my new coffee maker. While I waited impatiently for it to fill up the cup, I checked Twitter. I could not believe it when I saw that the place of business LifeWay commissioned to create the picture had tweeted me with a link to a blog post about how they did it. I read it, slack-jawed.
Some of you are so creative that I thought you’d get a charge out of seeing how it was done. They took great pictures of the process and you’ll also see the end result. If you like this kind of thing, here is the link.
I could write for hours, telling you how much it meant to me to commemorate these 20 years with my beloved family. They’ve given so much to it. The grace God has shown me through Keith, Amanda, and Melissa for 30 years of ministry and 20 years of publishing is staggering. My heart has been wrecked with love and gratefulness to them in these days of looking back. Rich, our LPL photographer, was there this week at the celebration and, as soon as I get some pictures from him, I’ll do a picture post instead of overloading you with words. I’m trying to accept that most people don’t read long blog posts anymore.
I love you guys. The honor of having served you and presently serving you is a privilege that I can hardly wrap my mind around. I do not take it for granted. You are noticed here and loved here. I’ll be in touch soon. AND, we have our SSMT post coming up in just a few days!
Hold tight to Jesus, Girls. He is everything.
That’s completely beautiful; I imagine that’s what all of us believers and out stories look like and mean to the Lord.
Love you, Beth, for everything.
You are one of the most beloved women in the world who is most deserving of this recognition! God has done a major work in & through you. Praise God for His faithfulness! You have a beautiful family, & all your hard work has not gone unnoticed. I know God is most pleased with you. Just think of your mansion in Heaven..I know it will be decked out. You will truly arrive in Heaven with the words from our Heavenly Father “well done My good & faithful servant.” Thank you for all you have done & do for the kingdom of God! You have brought many people to God, back to Him, or given women the desire to know Him more. Your heart is beautiful..a true reflection of His Son. God bless you & thank you for everything you do!
Amen! So well said. Thanks!!
What a treasure – just like you, Beth! Thank you for your diligent study and service. You are a light for our Lord and we love you.
I just wanted to say there are still some of us out here who love your long blog posts! I follow you on twitter too and that’s fun, but I always read your blog posts (don’t comment often though). We are about the same age (I’m 56) and I have three daughters and the oldest two are about the age of your daughters so I can relate to so much of what your season of life. May God continue to bless you and use you for His glory.
Wow that collage is SO neat! Congratulations on 20 years! I, for one, am so thankful that you answered the call to create and produce your studies! God has used you to take me from a raised-in-church-good-little-Christian-girl to a woman-hungry-for-God! Thank you for letting Him use you for His glory!
P.S. Can’t believe how tall Jackson and Annabeth are getting! So grown up!
Some people may not read a long post, but others of us read and re-read them and love every single word! What a beautiful way to commemorate a lifetime of dedication to our Lord.
Rejoicing with you and yours! How wonderful that your community at Lifeway celebrated you … Your children have arised and called you blest…, your husband stands with you in love and honor…You LORD shows the world He rejoices over you… Zeph 3:17 in a sense lived out before those with eyes to see! Full of joy for you and great gratitude and Thanksgiving! In His Great Peace, Mercy, Grace, Love, Truth, Deb
I love this post and the link was absolutely fascinating!!!! Highly recommend checking out the link to see how this beautiful art was created. What a thoughtful and creative idea.
thank you for sharing the story, thank you for the pictures & those to come…thank you for your obedience & sacrifice so we can learn more about our amazing Lord & Savior!! May God continue to provide a hedge of protection & meet your every need…..
THANK YOU, Miss Beth, for sharing this special night with *us*…AND for sharing that remarkable collage they created in honor of your 20 years and 15 Bible Studies. The explanation on the Lifeway page of how that was made was REMARKABLE!! What a gift to have that additional insight about how they creatively and lovingly honored you.
Happy 20th Anniversary from Siestaville!!!
With EXTRAORDINARY gratitude for you REMARKABLE & Revalatory & sacrificial service to SOOOO MANY in the Name of our Lord.
Pls don’t ever think we don’t read your posts! So grateful to you Ms. Beth. God changed my life through Believing God 10years ago and has been using you since to equip me to work hard to live this faith out. I am forever grateful for you and your mentorship and your faithfulness to Jesus. Thank you for teaching us to fall in love with His word.
Beth, I’m bawlin again. I have been thrilled with this whole celebration as if I’m part of the family! I love this picture and the wonderfully creative people who were involved. How like Our Father!
Thanks for sharing and I love long posts from you!
Love you siesta,
~Dana
Wow! Great gift…your gift of teaching and studies, that keeps giving – even back to you!
LOVED the kids fancy dress. Would have loved a full family pic too!
Those pictures in your office that inspire and encourage you are amazing… how do you work with those about? I would loose myself in thought.
Thank you for sharing. Long or short, we love your heart and that you share!
Daniel was my first study and it holds a special spot in my heart, thank you for all of them.
Oh I wanted to say – LOVE THE HAIR!
This is who you are… and it endears you to me!
How fun to read after getting home from leading Session 2 of Daniel.
I have been doing and leading your studies for over twelve years. Your words fan the fire for the Word. So I join Lifeway and my fellow siestas in thanking you for faithfully following Jesus and challenging us to do the same.
” A picture says a thousand words” — would love to see each picture you have in your office for each study, but the words you write also captivate my attention. The Holy Spirit is so evident, His grace floods the paper of each study that I have completed and I look forward to participating in “Moore” of them. (Ha!) Thank-you for loving Him, His Scriptures, and loving each of us by sharing His truths in the written and spoken word!
Beth, I so appreciate the Siesta Scripture Memory Team. God, my Father, leads me through the Holy Spirit to the Scripture He has for me to memorize. I stand, sit, kneel, lie flat amazed!!! Crazy love of Jesus!!! Finally, my dear Sister in Christ, I love how God gives you one word or a few words for each of the Living Proof Live events. He has chosen to speak to me mainly through giving me One word to ponder or multiple but individual words that He wants to highlight in my life. However, how you take a word and lead us women during a “live” or simulcast event—God’s gift !!!!!
Beth, God has blessed me beyond what I ever could have imagined through your Bible studies. I am working on my third and forth ones right now. God has delivered me and changed me through the studies I have done. It’s fair to say I am completely different… And most likely wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the work you have done. Thank you. Later this year I will finally get to see you at a Living Proof Live event, and I am beyond excited! You have spoken so much life into me and God has been healing things that I was too afraid to admit were broken. Thanks so much for loving us! You are like a momma to me!
Oh! Beth!
For once I am almost speechless!! All I can say is little is much when God is in it! Who would’ve thought? Noone but God!! He still is feeding the thousands with that little boy’s basket of lunch (the original fish and chips).
It is so beautiful thank you that you think of us reading this on the other side of this screen.
It is so humbling to think of how God can use just an obedient child of His and multiply our gifts a thousand fold!
Love You,
Betty
What a precious experience that had to have been. Happy for you! For all things work together for the good…
So thankful for you, Ms. Beth! And I love all the blog posts; short or long, pictures or none. =)
P.S. Your sweet grandchildren are getting SO BIG!
Enjoy! You deserve this time in space. Thank you again for serving us and bringing Christ’s healing love to our weary souls.
That is amazing! And just to clarify something, I love your long posts. (And I’m 25!)
Beth,
Blessed to see how Lifeway honored you in such a profound way. We all know that all the glory goes to the Lord, BUT, we’re all grateful for all the sacrifice you & your family has made these past 20 hrs. I remember you saying at LPL Minneapolis about 13-14 yrs ago how you’ve had to sacrifice friendships so you could be totally devoted to your calling. It spoke volumes to my friend Rhea who preaches locally & around the country. I thought to myself could I give up that???
Praying immeasurably more than you could ask or imagine for the next 20 yrs. He who called you is faithful.
With deep love & gratitude, Michelle
You are SO loved Beth!! I cant imagine where I’d be without Jesus getting hold of my heart and there’s just no way around how very much He’s used you in my life personally Your Bible teaching and studies awakened a hunger in me over 15 years ago, a ravenous craving for the only thing that could satisfy my soul – God’s Word!! And He stirred it up through your willingness to “go first” and confess your mess so we could all know we weren’t alone in ours. That broke more chains than you may ever know. He used your insatiable love for Him and scripture, along with your willingness to be poured out as an offering of His lavish grace to set me free from bondage I didn’t even know I was in!
I will never forget my first Beth Moore Bible study on Wednesday nights at our church: :Breaking Free!! Soon after I read The Sacred Romance and I didn’t know what hit me! But good-ness I’m so grateful!!! Thank you to you and your whole family! This girl and her family are forever grateful for each of you, what it cost you, and the way it’s changed our family’s legacy for good!
And I thank jesus for the amazing team at LifeWay! And the gift they gave you? WOW!! That collage is unlike anything I’ve ever seen!. I loved the blog post showing the whole process. Well, so much for long posts and comments. I hope I get to hug you one day, before we get to Heaven, but if not I’ll be saving a bear hug for you on the other side!!
So beyond GRATEFUL and thankful for your Bible studies. I would not be where I am at today. Study after study you taught me about the ONE who is worthy of all my praise!!! GOD BLESS YOU Beth!
That collage is absolutely fabulous! What a wonderful gift! So thankful for your 20 years with Lifeway! I love all your studies and know and love Jesus better because of them.
Absolutely incredible!! LOVE IT!!!
Amazing! The creation process for the collage was awesome to read/witness. I got choked up reading about how they moved through the process and the verse chosen for the center of the jar sums up how we feel about you. Blessings on the 20th Anniversary!
What an incredible gift. A beautiful kaleidescope of all the colors and the beauty God has brought into so many lives through your studies that have meant so much to me and so many countless others. Little did you know twenty years ago the path God was about to take you on. All the love, laughter, joy, tears…has it all been worth it? I think you would definitely say a resounding yes, because what better yes is there than saying yes to Jesus and the call He has put on your life. Oh beautiful woman of God how you’ve touched my heart and life. You’ve been the the hands and feet of Jesus for me, made His word come alive off the page for me. One thing that blesses my heart to no end is how you share your heart with us on the blog. I always read every word and am a little sad at the end, so no blog post is ever too long for me. Smile. It also shows how much you love us, and that so tenders my heart. Thank you for allowing the love of Jesus to shine through your life in fulfilling your purpose. The picture of Jesus is even more beautiful to this heart of mine because He has shined so beautifully through you. I love you Beth. Mary
What an incredible keepsake – loved seeing the process – and the verse that was chosen, which was so special to us from Children of the Day, was just so perfect, for you have become so very dear to us. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
Loved seeing the collage up close and seeing how it was created. I’m so, so happy you decided to follow the Lord on the path He laid out before you. He’s used you so much in my life. I’m praying for you Siesta and thanking God for you, too. =)
Wow!!! What a treasure for you! Intrigued by the concept and design. Thanks for the link, too!
So beautiful! Much love to you and your family as you celebrate and marvel at what He has done in and through your life! My life and walk with Jesus will never be the same because of your obedience and sacrifices. I’m truly thankful for you and this ministry!
I clicked the link to see how that beautiful piece was pieced. Amazingly creative people over there at Juicebox Designs! Cool to recognize some of the wonderful studies in which I have had the privilege to be involved over the years!
That hand on Annabeth’s hip! I bet she’s seen YOU do that a few times.
What a wonderfully beautiful and meaningful gift. I love the thought that went into it! And as someone else who has been told many times I need to learn to be more concise in the written word, I say “keep up the long blog posts!” They are like letters from a dear friend. So thankful for your dedicated response to God’s call.
You’re such a creative writer. I always enjoy reading what you have to say. I’ve done13 of your studies and loved every one. Your love for Jesus is contagious. What a beautiful keepsake you received. I look forward to reading about how it was made. The graphic designer in me is curious. So Beth, are you going to continue writing bible studies? I hope so. 🙂
Thank you, Lise! Yes, that is Beth’s plan, God willing, to continue writing!
Beth, my heart is full of joy that the Lifeway team and the creative minds that designed and put your flowers together so richly captured how we ALL feel about you! Thanks for so much work poured into bringing the Lord’s Word alive in us. You inspire me to read the Scriptures more carefully, listen to the Holy Spirit for direction from one passage to another and to follow the lead of our Savior as we put each of the treasures we glean into daily application. The journey from spark to flame to raging fire in my heart for Jesus came and remains there through many years of your encouragement to stay in God’s Word!
Love you Beth!
(soooo, when is the next Houston study?! 😉
Thank you so much for your kind words, Charlotte! We will have a couple of local Houston studies coming up this year. Just check our online Events tab, or sign up to receive emails under Houston Connection.
The custom collage made me teary as it brings back such intimate memories. Every one of your studies have meant so much to me dear Beth….I praise Our Lord for you and your diligent work to further His Kingdom. Thanks for sharing the link too! WOW did the artist(s) do amazing work!! Love you SSMT Leader! xoxo
Beth,
What a very beautiful, sentimental picture to be given as a 20 year anniversary gift! I think it is just gorgeous! I know you will treasure it!! 🙂 What a blessing you have been to so many of us over the years as we seek to grow in God’s Word!! Thank you for your servant, teaching heart!
Sooo happy for you that you were blessed with this gift! 🙂
That picture is absolutely stunning. The sheer creativity of the process is incredible. Honestly it’s the only way that I would ever want to see your books cut up. What a remarkable gift. Thanks for allowing the love of God to shine through you to share with all of us
How awesomely done…growing an artwork from the very artwork of words He gave you, Beth! A treasure of appreciation…enjoy it And the culmination of it and all the work of ALL involved
Read every word. Don’t you apologize for long blog posts any more, ya hear? Congratulations on a wonderful journey. I’ve been tagging along with you on a good part of it and so thrilled to consider you s sister. Thank you for the tireless effort on our behalf! Love to you and your family.
Thank you for sharing your incredible story. Just want you to know I read every word
Beth!!!
I read the long blog posts!!! Don’t stop!
I’m so grateful for your ministry and for you. You mean so much to me. Words can’t even begin to tell you how much you mean to me. I just love you so much!
That piece of artwork life way gave you is STUNNING!!!! I went to the link and saw how it was made and I am in awe. It is probably the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Love you and am so thankful for you.
Wow!! That is absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing it with us. I thoroughly enjoyed this post and the link to see how this beautiful work of art was created. Congratulations Beth – such a wonderful gift for you and so very deserving. I will never be able to put into words how much I enjoy your studies (10 so far) and reading your books and posts. I have also been blessed to attend 3 of your conferences. Your love for our Lord and Savior is absolutely contagious. I have learned and grown so much through your studies. Thank you Beth. You are loved and appreciated so much.
What a STUNNING and brilliant gift for you. I love collages. It is such a culmination of planning, choosing, discerning what to put and where… That is one thing you do with your studies. I am just stunned at how beautiful this is. An absolutely beautiful and perfect gift.
Thank you for sharing the link, btw.
Also, I enjoy your blogs. Please don’t shorten them. Just don’t even go there! I am sure someone out there will agree.
Mama Beth, we still read long blog posts from you! Congratulations on 20 years! And, I love that old purple & yellow cover – it was my first study 19 years ago in college with my best friend!
Much love and prayers to you!
I read all the way to the end! Pictures are great, but I really love words too 🙂
Congratulations on your 20th anniversary, and thank you, thank you for doing what you do!
Wow! Just beautiful!! Congratulations on your 20 Years and ALL your Bible studies! I just got your postcard in the mail today! Perfect timing since my long lost sister is coming into town from Albuquerque and is a brand new Christian! I am going to see if she wants to go to LPL and “meet” you! I am so excited and it brought me back to the 1st time I “met” you! Thank you for all you do and helping me grow in my Faith all these years! Enjoy your beautiful keepsake! You are one special lady! 🙂