Interaction
I've got to tell you guys something. God has done an amazing thing through this ridiculous blob. (please see story below) He is blessing me with CONNECTION! You have no idea how huge this is. My biggest battle with the growth of the ministry in the last five years has been the isolation it caused. Many of the events grew too large to even make eye contact with numbers of people in the audience and I certainly could no longer hang around afterwards and hug people's necks like I used to. My prayer is that God is greatly glorified by more and more women seeking Him through His Word. I want His goals reached. Not mine. At the same time, I am a dyed-in-the-wool people person and the growth left a vacuum. My worst nightmare is to lose touch with real people with real lives and real stories and a VERY REAL GOD. They incite a Spirit-riot in me that I love and NEED. Many of the letters that come in our official correspondence here at the ministry are too long for me to get to handle and my precious, capable staff has to help me but I can handle these one-paragraph-long notes of yours. (Let's try to keep them fairly concise so I can keep up! Please!) I can also respond generally instead of writing each one back. These entries only take me a few minutes so I can still tend to what God has called me to do. Meanwhile, this little form of interaction back and forth has come as the most amazing, unexpected gift. Amanda, I cannot thank you enough for giving me the courage to do this by promising you'd do it with me so I wouldn't feel overwhelmed. I am so filled with joy, I could dance. Thanks, partner.
posted by Beth @ 4:08 PM
40 Comments
40 Comments:
It is an awesome thing Amanda has started. You mean so much to so many people. It's got to be hard when so many of us would just love a minute of your time. I wrote you a while baack and I knew chances were you could not respond, but your staff did and they hit the nail on the head. And now I am reading your new book and at times I feel like you are in the coffee shop talking right to me. You are doing a great job at follow God. Your Obedience to God has changed my life. One day you and I will meet and I will tell you all about it =)
Love ya Lori
Mrs. Beth
CONNECTION! That is why I love this blob so much. We get to hear from you more often. Thank you for being so real and for doing what God has called you to do. I love how you have taught me to study the Word of God.
Beth,
I LOVE that you can give us a personal hello regularly on this blog! I have never responded to a blog before, but you gave me courage, just like you gave me courage to lead a Bible Study with women--it has become such a blessing!! I first came (divinely) across "Breaking Free" and I couldn't keep it to myself. So I offered to teach it at our little county jail to the women (all 2 or 3) there--they really didn't need me--do you suppose it was the title of the Study? lol So, I led it at my church. Then I offered it at my house in the summer to my nieces and a few other younger women. That was 3 years ago!! We've done one every summer since!
I'm so grateful for the personal parts of your life you share with us. For instance, the birth of your Jackson was so exciting for all of us! You know, when a baby is born, so is a Grandma! I saw you in Grand Rapids Mich. 3 years ago, and we have a whole crew coming from the "Thumb" of Michigan to see you in February! Blessings, friend.
Baby girl--can I call you that if I'm only 22? (sorry its that southern sweet talk thing...*grin*)--you do your thing, and you do it well. :) God has blessed you so, with the ability to articulate the very things our woman-hearts feel but can't find the words to say. Thanks for being our 'Jesus with skin on' and helping us learn to find His heart. God's timing is amazing, and it makes us smile to know He is using us to give back to you what you need as well. You go girl. Can't wait to party in heaven with you..it's gonna be great. :)
blob...that is so great!
Debra
Well, I for one am tickled to death to find you here in what a friend of mine calls Bloggityville. I started a blo(b)! a little over a year ago, and God has blown me away with such an unexpected community of believers. And - GET THIS - the way I found that community of women that I didn't even know is because I had joined an internet study group of Living Beyond Yourself. OH YES MA'AM. :-) He's GOOD, isn't He?
You are a blessing. Know that.
I get the Jesus bumps reading that blob! :) I think it's awesome to see how Jesus is using something the devil means for evil (internet) into something that glorifies Him! Not only that, but encourages and lifts you up! Praise Him for that!
My family and I feel such a connection to you and yours. My dad is a pastor of a brand new church in Alabama. My mom leads the women's ministry and has facilitated your studies since they first came out. I am a 27 year old new mom and have a younger sister. We just love you and your family to pieces Beth!
How in the world did we live without blobs(Ha)! This is the greatest thing you guys have done since doing Passion. Thank you so much.
Honestly, I have to just add that I think God has given you a amazing miracle in doing what you do, but remember its the effort that counts, and God knows your heart, and He knows ours.
Just keep doing what you are doing.
I am sure God will handle the rest.
I know only too well what you mean. I am a counselor and although my work connects me with people, due to the professional limits and the fact some people are scared of a shrink (lol!) I too get into a vacuum! You may not be able to hug our necks Beth but we certainly feel hugged by you as you give us God's Word in such a clear way that we are changed for His Glory! Keep on going!
It is nice for us, too. We all feel as though we know you. You share your love of Jesus with us, and you inspire us to love Him more. You open your life to us, and we feel like you are our best friend. Sometimes when we see you at a conference, or out in public, we do not know how to act. We either overreact and smother you, or we ignore you, trying to give you some space. This "blob" feels like we can pour you a cup of coffee, sit down with you, and just chat.
We love you. You are one of us!
There probably isn't much that most of us wouldn't do for a chance to sit across the table from you at Starbucks and have some one on one time. Most of us would probably even be willing to share the table with another friend or two!
But the reality is ... well, THIS is reality. It's kind of like the friend that you haven't seen in a long time and unexpectedly bump into and pick up very near where your last converstion ended.
Through the Bible studies, books, videos, radio programs and everything else, you've invited us in and the Holy Spirit has made the connection. We all understand the limitations but we also enjoy the connections, like this, that we are able to have simply because God has used you so profoundly in our lives...I'm really speaking for myself I don't know why I'm trying to drag everyone else into it but I'm sure they'll back me up! :)
Having said all of that if I ever should bump into you in Starbucks don't be shocked if I pull up a chair! :)
Beth, I love the interaction as much as you do. I feel for you because I know you would love to interact with us more than you get to and my heart really goes out to you because I am sure it can get lonely at times and that is why I always want to tell you how thankful I am for all that you do and for ministering to us in so many ways. You have been with me thru divorce, poverty, lonliness, cancer and many other battles. I have learned so much sitting under you and have got your love of God's Word and I could go on and on but I don't want to write another novel. Having had cancer and having lost a good part of my upper thigh(due to cancer) I have found encouragement by your words and your studies and conferences. I remember when you were in Knoxville that you were addressing women who had cancer, especiallt breast cancer, and you said thru dramatic surgeries that some women had gone thru did not make them less of a woman. I really needed to hear that because I was having a hard time feeling attractive or lovable after my surgeries. Thank you. Thank you Amanda for starting this blog and I thank God for giving us this place to hangout with each other. How about a Starbucks?
Love,
Patty
dear beth,
once again you are SO real. your ministry is extremely annointed and you are amazingly passionate about our Lord!! that is why we all love you!! sorry to hear about the isloation. dont be surprised if you get a gazillion comments back!
if you only knew on how many levels you have impacted my family. here is just one example...my six year old emma-grace on her own wrote down what she thought my christmas wish list would be.
it was written on construction paper, in crayon, all caps--can you picture it? :). among the items listed were: snickers, peanut M&Ms,
1000grand candybar, (she knows me too well), a candle, brown ugg boots and the last item.......beth moore! what else could a girl ask for:)???? lol-ptl
ps. almost done with daniel,it just dawned on me what i should of given up for the first half of the study..chocolate---oops, what can i say.....i am LEARNING!!!
much love and admiration,
a jersey girl
Beth, Thanks for blogging with us. I just received this blog site http://noahsteven.blogspot.com/
from my daugther and my heart is just breaking but also on overflow with joy. This precious mother has a faith that is just a miracle of God. She is fighting the devil and standing firm against discouragement and anger at God. Tomorrow they are taking her son Noah off life support. He is 7 months old.Please pray for them. She is strong now but you know how the devil attacks when you are weak. Read her story. I know you will be touched. I just couldn't help but send it to you. I feel like I know your heart and you would want to see what the Lord is doing in this families life. Thanks for all you do. I have never had a chance to say thanks. I was in Nashville at the minister's wives conference. You really hit the nail on the head. As a minsiter's wife friends are hard to come by so I know the feeling of isolation. I am new to the blog thing but I think it can be useful to share with others. I know you said make them short sorry. Praying for you always.
We love reading your posts, Beth! We thank you, too, Amanda, along with Beth. :)
Beth, we feel exactly the same way about you. When we watch your videos or hear you speak we want to hug your neck and tell you face to face what a blessing you are or how God has used your message or your studies to help us grow and delve into His word. Your warmth and humor make us feel like you are one of our closest friends. This blog gives us a way to connect with you. Thank you for that. By the way, it was great to see you again in Johannesburg last August. Please come back again soon.
love ya,
Angie Lechner
Beth,
I so value the connection also--for having never met, it's outrageously cool that we CAN feel connected with one another at all. I think the deal is that if we just point one another to God, then He can do this thing, His thing in our hearts. I love that. Love you too. Go ahead and dance.
-Elaine in TX
Precious sister,
I am compelled to pray for you in these days. I am a prayer partner for you by the Lord's leading, and I felt especially burdened to pray for you this morning. I pray the Lord's strength, pure wisdom, encouragement, and wide open doors for you as you send forth His Word. You are a long distance mentor for many of us, and I thank you for your faithfulness.
I look forward to you bringing the Word to Boone soon. I graduated from ASU, and although I know you're probably coming there because of Travis, I feel like it's just for me.I'm also bringing my 12 year old daughter and niece, and I expect them to be blown away, with many seeds of Truth planted and watered. Thank you for serving us. I was in Boone not long ago, and the sun burst forth through the clouds right over the Holmes center. I look for it to happen in the Spirit in May!
Bless you...
C.Shomaker
Thanking God with you, Beth! It is so cool to "hear" from you through the blog (blob!:) I can see your struggle in wanting to keep the personal connection you have had in the past, and how it just isn't possible in the big arenas now. This is so fun though! God teaches me something everytime I read or listen to you teach. Thank you for letting Him use you so powerfully.
Praying for you daily...loving you as a sister!
Tanya
Beth, I hope you know how excited we are to have this kind of platform with you! Amanda, thank you for sharing this with you Mom! There will be a jewel in your crown with the word "blob" on it!
Beth,
I have a question for you. I've joined a new church and I want to be a role model for others in the church. I want everyone to know how wonderful God is. I've always had the need to help others. It's kind of overwhelming because there's so many ways to get involved. Can you tell me how you did it or how I can begin without taking on too much. I am meeting with my pastors next week to get their advice too.
Thanks!
Beth & Amanda--
After teasing my daughter about Instant Messaging (IM) and the like, I am eating my words. I now keep in regular contact with native friends in a remote fishing village in Alaska (we spend summers there as short term missionaries). We even have webcams so we can see each other! (I burst into tears the first time my friend's precious face popped up). All I keep thinking about these technological gifts is what Satan meant for harm God has used for good. WOW!
love and thanks,
Cathy
I love that we can be in touch with you, too, Beth.
God is so infinitely good - and I thank God for finding my way to deeper relationship with Him through you. God bless you and all your loved ones
Sr. Lynn
Beth, I just wanted to thank you for how you have so consistently stayed real and in touch. I sent you a letter a few years ago during a time of extreme pain to thank you for Believing God ( I was oblivious to the fact that you receive so much mail!!). God met me exactly where I was and ministered greatly to me through His Word and your study. I was able to meet you in Vancouver that year and just wanted to take you out for a Starbuck's French Roast. My kids even tease me sometimes by talking with your accent (I've enjoyed your radio/T.V. shows on-line since they started). You truly feel like a sister and I love you like one...God bless, and thank-you, thank-you for your faithfulness to His calling upon your life. Leanne
Mrs. Beth
Our Sweet LORD has also blessed me through your BLOG. The connection has been HUGE for me too. I have had a Spirit awaking this morning to pray John 4:10 for you. I pray for increased knowledge of the Gift of God and the person of Jesus Christ in your life. I ask that you would continue to ask for living water with full assurance that you will receive it. All Glory to God!
much love,
Brett
God is so good! It never ceases to amaze me how much He cares about us. I am so grateful that He chose to give us the gift of friendship, connection and fellowship, and did not call us to walk this journey alone. I am praising Him today for your ministry and for the blessing He has given you through this "blob" interaction! :)
Sweet Beth! You are precious. Consider your neck hugged. I am so glad that you feel that this is a way for you to stay connected - I'm sure I speak for countless numbers when I say that we feel totally connected to you even though we have never met. Just this week I shared the grief with friends who had to let go of their beautiful Weimaraner and at the same time had you and Sunny in mind.
I have the awesome priviledge of working with homeless women in a shelter and just recently began bringing with me to work the DVD's from Believing God for one of my sweet ladies to watch. I told my husband, if I could have, I would have called you and said, "Beth, you have GOT to hear this!" and just held out the phone so you could hear this precious one talking back to you on the TV. I know it would have blessed your heart. I am watching her fall in love with Jesus and He is setting her free from years of addiction and bondage! Woo Hoo! Praise His sweet name!
Thank you so much for your obedience!
Your sister in Indy,
Paulette :-)
Beth,
I wanted to show you some fruit that was borne from Breaking Free. I wrote these songs during this study. I love you guys!! You will absolutely never understand the depth of my gratitude for your ministry.
myspace.com/amyegraham
(paste in your browser)
I will send you a copy when they come in.
Blessings!
Amy
P.S. Jennyhope is one of my best friends and led me to your blob! :-)
I just want to thank you for starting this too. I was surprised when I came across it but needed to find it so much. I am half way through "Get Out of That Pit" and can't put it down! Thank you for being there at the right time. Pray that I can make it out this time.
I have been reading this blob from the very beggining (not long) and wanted to leave a comment but I never have, so I guess now is the perfect time to do so.
Beth, I know you hear this a hundred times a day, but you really are blessing to many women, including myself. I have had the oppurtunity to hear you speak at Living Proof Live 2 times and also at the past 3 Passion conferences, and every time I leave a changed person because of what God had done in my heart. And over these past three years, God has taken me on the most amazing journey in my life so far (I just turned 24). For example, this past summer I began teaching Sunday School to Senior High Girls, and last year at this time I would have never imagined myself doing that or even wanting to, but now I can't imagine my life with out it. God has definetly allowed me cross a huge river of fear in life.
As a side note, I had the privelage of being able to attend Passion 08 with one of the girls in my sunday school class, and I told her to always remember what Beth said, "you have never been in a worse sunday school class than the one I taught my first year." But in all seriousness, I pray that one day God will allow me to be at least half the teacher of His Word that you are.
Bethany:)
P.S. I agree with the earlier post from Deanna about being connected. She said it perfectly!
beth, please do! Dance, that is. love, lynne xoxoxoxo
I LOVE that you have a blog! I am a Houston girl and I thoroughly enjoy your Tues. night Bible study. Thank you so much for being so true to God's word - I crave your teachings.
I am friends with Kelly Minter and know you are as excited as I am about what God is doing in her life! Thank you for being an inspiration to her and many others!
Keri
Hi Beth, I am new at this, I read your 1/11 posting and connected with your sense of isolation. To long of a story, but isn't it strange that in the mist of doing God's will we can find ourselves so alone.Jesus did too. Many times.. I wish I had His strength. Ministry can be soo very bitter sweet. Pray for me and I will be praying for you too! God Bless you Sister, know you are dearly loved by many.
Beth~
I'm glad the ministry has grown. Even now I still feel like you've been my mentor even through video. Whether it was the "hair ministry" or the naming of our 2 stray kittens Buz & Uz. You've shown me the joy of scripture where I'm not dreading bible study so that I just have an answer to fill in the blank. And I have seen in you a true love for Christ that even I too can have.
Thank you Beth,
your friend Rachel
Dear Beth,
This blog is an answered prayer for everyone. After reading your words posted January 11 under the heading "Interaction". It is easy to see why you would feel isolated. We understand why you can't hang around after an event....there are too many necks to hug. The flip side of the coin is thousands of us have been blessed over the years by the lessons God has placed in your heart to share. We feel as if we know you personally. I am thankful for the opportunity to say hello. God has blessed my heart by your willingness to serve Him. Beth you are dear to our hearts at First Baptist Church in Marion, Arkansas. Last semester the ladies studied Daniel and this semester we are having a Beth Moore re-run....for some or our new members we are studying Believing God.
May your heart be blessed today,
Mary Watkins
FBC Marion, Arkansas
I'm just here for the Jackson Pictures!!! I'm kidding....I've never seen Amanda more radiant - or Beth so smitten! It's so precious that you would share some of his stories for all us Granny's in waiting!!!
We Love Ya All at LP.
God Bless,
Mary
I have a blog too - and a small ministry. Feedback sure encourages the heart when you wonder at times or doubt the personal impact you are making on others.
I am so thrilled to find out about this blog today - I just can't tell you!
I love it too! :)
I am THRILLED to pieces that you & Amanda have started this blob page *snicker* because I enjoy being able to feel connected with you Beth. Something that I have yearned for for years now. You are such an inspiration to me and as I see it, my spiritual mentor.
I am a little late on this blog train, but I am trying read some archive, so I can catch up.
With Love, Hollie:)
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