My Dear Co-laborers in the great Gospel of Jesus Christ,
As I near completion on this titanic 18 month project and it appears that “It’s Tough Being a Woman: A Study of Esther” will sure-enough become a reality, I am overwhelmed by the gift God has given me in you. And just sit there and take this spotlight for a minute and don’t interrupt me. I keep thinking about how you cheered when I walked into our celebratory lunch yesterday after the last lesson had been written. I now want you to sit down and let me stand to my feet, as tall as I can, and cheer wildly for you and your faithful God.
You are the most excellent band of women-warriors I have ever known in my life. And I am so happy to report that I have known many. You work HARD – especially when Houston Bible Study is in full swing – with so much love for one another and such joy that I sometimes can hear you all the way on the third floor. (NO, DON’T STOP! It makes me laugh with you every single time.) People think it would be easy to work for a ministry but you and I know different. We’ve been called to kindness and graciousness even when somebody we serve has a chronic case of PMS. We don’t get to do business like the world even when we ourselves are simply in a bad mood. Day in, day out, when hard drives crash and toilets overflow, you honor your God. What more on this earth could I say in honor of you?
Thank you for so much prayer, for such hard work, for weekday lunches that tickle me, inspire me, energize me, and keep me – a hopeless sanguine called to the isolation of writing – in constant touch with a whole passel of women. Thank you for being a safe place for me to have a nervous breakdown when I’m right at the end of a project, sleep deprived and stressed,and don’t know if I’ll make it. I will never forget last week. There I was trying to keep a stiff upper lip and lead staff prayer time when, out of nowhere, a sob came up from my chest that I literally could not stop…and we group-hugged. One at a time. Even those who really aren’t into that kind of thing. I am laughing so hard I can hardly type and fighting back the tears at the same time. It wasn’t funny at the time but, somehow, it is a precious snapshot now of how we live our work lives. We serve at all our various posts, but in heart at any given time Monday through Friday, we are a group of very different personalities and backgrounds bound together in a tight group hug. God used your empathetic tears, powerful prayers, and encouragements to give me that last little push to finish a long project strong. And with terrific joy. You are my best friends. Oh, that our porches would be next to one another in Heaven.
Please hear me clapping for you.
Man, I love you so much.
Tags: staff
Way to go LPM staff!!!! I hope your slave driver, Beth, will give you all some much needed down time now. 🙂 Thanks so much for pouring your hearts into our lives. I cannot wait to do the Esther Bible study! That’s the book of the Bible God led me to after I prayed for God to give me an unquenchable thirst for his word a couple of years ago. It read like a great novel and I couldn’t put my Bible down.
Beth and LPM staff, your love for Christ is passionate and faithful, and I am so grateful for what you do.
What a sweet, sweet tribute for an amazing group of women! Thanks LPM team for doing what you do so well! Take care, Julie
Thank you all the way from NC for ALL that you do – both seen and unseen, O great LPM ladies!! I pray God blesses you richly and that you always continue to love and support each other the way you do now.
And, Beth, do you think God would allow all the siestas to have a porch in the LPM subdivision?!! LOL! I’m sure I’m not the only siesta who wants to be close to all you great women!
YOU ALL ARE ABSOLUTELY THE BEST!!
Love you, denise
Thank you sweet ladies and Beth!!
Man, you girls will never know how my life has changed since being introduced to Living Proof Ministries almost 14 years ago now! I pray God’s richest blessings and that He would shine His face down upon you ladies and each of your families. Know that this Siesta appreciates how you all have allowed the Lord to use you as His servants to her!
Yes ladies and Curtis…thank you that you love Jesus enough to work for Him in the capacity you do!!! What would LPM be without YOU doing your part.
For you siestas wanting a picture…go to LPM page and click on “About Us”, “Meet the staff”.
Congratulations Beth!!!! We love you all!
Just noticed that Curtis is Missing and Melissa is married…time to update girls! 🙂
How lucky you all are to have each other and know you have people you can laugh and cry with and will always be there to support you!! We are very lucky to have all of you!
Love the description about the porches in heaven…I can think of a couple of girls I’d like to live next to as well…God is so good to put people in our lives to encourage us…Looking forward to studying Esther one day soon!!
Beth, you are a dynamo and my life has been blessed by all the many facets of your calling. I always come away from your teachings empowered through the HOLY Spirit and ready to leap tall buildings in a single bound. I am so excited to see how God uses this new study on Esther to impact our lives! Way to go, Beth, and HUGE worship at the feet of my Christ! Jesus, YOU are so beautiful to love us so much! Thank You, Rabboni.
To the precious ones at Living Proof Ministries…I thank you for your calling to serve Christ and all His bride through this ministry. Each opportunity He has brought your way is like a twinkling star in the dark night sky. One star doesn’t give off as much light as many stars twinkling! Thank you all for being lights in the darkness. You shine like DIAMONDS! Only God can reward you for your ministry and I pray that He will bless you abundantly. Unexpectedly. Beyond measure!
You are all my bff!
Beth:
Thanks to your staff for all of their support in your ministry. Even though many of them are behind the scenes, they share in God’s kingdom business on a grand scale. I value their hearts, even as I value yours.
My son and husband have recently returned from a mission trip to Bolivia. They’ve both written reflections on my blog of their experience. The hardest part for me was staying behind and not sharing in the first hand witness of all the sacred shaping that was taking part in their lives, especially my son’s.
If you have the time, I invite you over to read his thoughts. It’s entitled, “Cristo Amado”.
peace~elaine
When we pray for you Beth, we always pray for your LPM staff as well! As someone in ministry, I know hard it can be at times, and also how joyful!
As my husband and our staff finish our last day of summer ministry tomorrow, we know exactly how you feel. We will laugh and cry, probably at the same time.
Many blessings on you and your staff and congratulations on finishing strong! Can’t wait to get my ladies together and dive into Esther!
Much love!
Kristi B.
How incredibly blessed all of you are to work together, love each, do this life thing together.
Standing ovation for Northern Virginia…I’ll be leading the Esther in our Winter study so I am OH SO GLAD for all of your work!
… sitting here with tears in my eyes. Absolutely beautiful. Enough said.
Renee
You guys will never know how much of an influence you have had with my walk with God. I don’t know you but I love you all so much.CINDY in HIGH POINT, NC
I pray that each of us could be a part of such a loving, supportive environment of godly women. I especially pray right now for anyone who feels isolated or marginalized… whether it be by social anxiety, by poverty, by shyness, by divorce, by child-related issues…. May he manifest Himself in our relationships right now, and bring us healthy, God-ordained relationships. AMEN!
Thanks, Living Proof Siestas, for all you do for all of us.
Loving you lots,
Warm in Alaska.
LP Staff, thank you, we know without you there would be no Living Proof ministry. God does provide a “body” for his work and Beth is so right to acknowledge your part in ministering to us. I was planning on writing to “beg” you not to put me in the contest- however, I am happy to donate “many” kitchen items if Beth needs them for the winner. They are in “mint” condition as my kitchen is usually very clean also-I agree, Why would anyone suggest cooking and messing up a clean kitchen. Bless you ladies, I do hope we all live in the same “neighborhood” one day.
I just need to quit my full time job and do Bible study! Seriously doesn’t that sound grand? I want to finish Jesus the One and Only and also do Stepping Up and now Esther. I too wonder when it will be available? Thanks for all you do. I too hope to catch the Simulcast on Saturday!
Hallelujah! We can’t wait to do this study on Esther! God bless each of you at LPM for your devotion and faithfulness to the Lord, Beth and this ministry. This is a huge hug for each one of you….Keith, too! Sweet blessings, ladies!
WOW!!!
O how important it is to have poeple in are lives like that! the kind of poeple we love and who love us and who we can pray,laugh,cry and be are selves with! I think it is amazing what God is doing with you and your staff! I love you ALL very deeply and even though i dont physicialy know you i fell like you are my best friend and mentor mamma beth! I love ya tons! Words cannot even beginn to express how much you have blessed me!
Beth, One of the things I appreciate so much about you is that you ALWAYS give credit to the “background people.” I am one of those “background people” who prefers to be in the background cheering on and supporting those out front. You may be the one we see and hear, but without those faithful servants standing behind the camera (LifeWay AND summer Bible study cameras) answering the calls and questions, restocking the restroom with TP (horrors to be trapped in there when you should be on stage proclaiming His Word)…….we would not be able to see or hear you.
I stand and applaud ALL of those who support and love “our Beth” on a daily basis. Your call to your specific assignment at LPM is no small responsibility and no less honoring to Him than Beth’s call to write and proclaim His Word.
God bless you for acknowledging the “background people” who are indeed NOT “background” in our eyes or God’s in respect to the ministry they provide you and us.
One last comment: Beth, as each of those precious coworkers are standing there hugging you, multiply those arms by the hundreds because many of us would stand there with you and hug and cry.
God bless you, our LPM staff, God bless each of you real good!!!!
Hey LPM staff, y’all are the best! One of my favorite parts of my job at HFBC was working with y’all. And I cannot tell you how sad I was when I learned that aspect of my job had to be passed to another dept. I got an up close look at how much y’all love one another and work so diligently. Working with Susan and then with Jenn made my part of the job so easy and it was a joy to serve y’all and the body of Christ. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Oh, how sweet you are! With love, prayers and a big hug!
Mary
Rock on LPM staff!!
We know you guys are awesome and we applaud your “behind the scenes” work right now, too.
You are much loved as sisters in Christ!
Thank you LPM staff for all that you do. We love you dearly.
Blessings,
Deanna
Porches with swings and plenty of iced tea, please Lord!!
You have such a tender heart and sweet spirit, you must be a joy to work with.
Im looking forward to the Esther study. It will not be this fall however. My little group has voted to do Priscillas He Speaks to Me this time. This next Tuesday will be our last day with Stepping Up. Thank you so much! We have loved it! I have been so blessed by this little group of ladies who give up thier lunch hour to study Gods word, and love every minute. May God bless you, more than you could ever imagine!
Oh! also, Im so excited I have to share…My baby boy :)( 19 ) is coming home Saturday from Thailand. He has been there all summer serving Jesus.
“. . . and ALL the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Issaiah 55:12 Jewish study bible…caps are mine!!!!
AMEN!
LPM Staff You are SOOOOO awesome!
Thank you for all you do.
Blessings,
Marita
Dearest LMP laborers~
My soul is bursting with gratitude over you. You all are awesome! Any sacrifices you’ve made haven’t been in vain. We’re being blessed and we have you to thank! I love every one of you! You are so beautiful! Keep pressing on you faithful warriors!
With much affection and admiration~
Rose
Bravos to your staff. Thanks for helping keep all of us in the Word.
One funny thought…there is a huge poster of your face promoting the live simulcast at a local church that I pass by almost everyday. It’s funny because I haven’t been in the Word like I should and seeing your face smile at me EVERY DAY, I can almost read your mind, “Lori, Sweet Thang, go home and study that Word!” Yes ma’am! : )
Beth,
I know you are praising your team in this post but I ran across this comment on another blog and thought it might bring you great joy:
Beth Moore = Wonder Woman
My mother in law would leg drop me if I ever said anything negative about Beth Moore. But regardless of that imminent danger, I don’t have anything bad to say. I just think she’s kind of like Wonder Woman. My wife is doing a Beth Moore Bible study right now with some other girls. Every now and then, when Moore ignites a passionate idea or a thought, her voice raises up from our living room like Wonder Woman. In my head I imagine Moore banging her wrists together like Wonder Woman. Scattering lies and Biblical confusion aside like so many bad guys and then climbing into her invisible plane and flying back to Texas. What? I’m the only one that thinks that? Fine.
Written by ProdigalJon at
http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/2008/07/325-superhero-guide-to-famous-pastors.html
I believe the hosts of Heaven were loudly applauding every one of you! And, I’m quite certain the Lord of hosts was smiling down upon you all as well!
Can’t wait for the Esther study!!!
I think the LPM staff is awesome too! I used to work for a large ministry for a number of years and know how much work goes into even the smallest affairs. It warmed my heart to hear your outpouring to the group…made me miss my NPO days.
Can’t wait to do the study.
YOU ALL ROCK!!!!!
Thank you LPM staff! We benefit greatly from all your hard work. Thanks for all you do.
whoop! whoop! I’m takin’ Georgia Jan’s clue and join you all in this beautiful
(((((((((((((((( group hug )))))))))))))))) !
and may our beautiful God continue to bless you, Beth, and each and every one at Living Proof!
maria cristina
Sisterhood is a priceless gift from God. It is comforting that God has given us that gift for all times, but especially when we ourselves need to be lifted up. It is those “group hug” moments that we hold so dear. Praise the Lord for another study! I will be looking forward to it!
Love in Christ,
Shelley from Searcy, Arkansas
THANK YOU from me too! You guys are great and and are doing a great work!
Thank you to all your staff and the blessings they help you with in the studies you produce. I so look forward to Esther. But I am also excited because our Monday night group is finishing with Patriarchs and starting on Stepping up on Aug 11th.
Thank you
Becky
Attalla, AL
I just needed your post today because ministry IS hard. And lately I’ve been hit hard by Satan with an attack on me and just wonder if I should continue or if I’m helping a soul at all?? But I know the low moments and the sob in the chest come….I just could relate to your feelings today.
Praise God for Living Proof Ministries Women!!!!!!!! It is wonderful to hear that women that you work with love and support you and each other. In this world of looking out for number one—-it is wonderful to hear of women loving our Father and showing that love to everyone. Bless you Ladies and Bless you Beth. Your blog blesses me every day!!!
I’m so excited about the new Esther study! Thank you Beth and LPM staff for all your hard work.
That was an amazing, gracious, and I am sure, well-deserved tribute to
your staff. I know I can speak for
at least a million women all over the world. . .we all THANK YOU and
YOUR INCREDIBLE STAFF for loving God with all your hearts, and serving Him so faithfully. We are
all so blessed by your work and it
“powers up” are walk with the Lord. . .could go on and on. Just know you are so loved, prayed for,
and appreciated. Keep up the good work=) Darlene
Just wanted to add my thank you to the Living Proof staff, too….
I know it's a team effort. Your hard work (usually behind the scenes) and extreme love for Beth and the women y'all serve is evident at the local weekly Bible studies I've attended. You have a knack for drawing a very diverse group of women under one roof and making all of us feel so welcome and loved!
I appreciate you, too!
Blessings & hugs,
Karen K.
Houston siesta
God has blessed you with a staff that loves you Spiritual Mom Beth, especially when you have poured yourself out and need a ((HUG))! Hugs are therapeutic aren’t they! We all need them-some more than others:)…LPM, you are a blessing:) Most definitely.
katiegfromtennessee
2 Tim. 1:16-18 (AMP), Praise the Lord for your service to us all and Spiritual Mom Beth!:)
Beautiful!
AMEN to you all! I have ordered several items/sent numerous notes to Beth and each and every time I received responses/products quickly!
We are all blessed as a result of Living Proof Ministries!
Congratulations, Ladies. You all ROCK!