Hey, Everybody!
I’m so happy to spend these next few minutes with you. I like to remind you in a writing season like this that I am thinking about you constantly even when it appears from your side of the screen as if we’re less in touch. As I study and write workday in and workday out, you are the first group that comes to my mind. Teacher’s pets if I’ve ever had any. I’m chatting to you constantly right now as I peck away at the keyboard. You just can’t hear me. I’m smiling thinking about how those tables may turn in a little over a year for any of you that end up doing the Bible study. You’ll be talking back to me as we discuss various passages in your homework but I won’t be able to hear you either. What a weird and beautiful dynamic.
I had the biggest blast getting to see a whole bunch of you Siestas at our Eugene, Oregon Living Proof Live. I was shocked when I walked in that room right after the event and David Lowe (our good friend who subs for Rich when he’s out) already had you split into two groups for our picture-taking. It would be hard to over-blow how much I loved being in Oregon for our event. God brought together one of the most wonderful, enthusiastic, Jesus-seeking, gonna-get-a-word-or-else groups ever. One of my top ten favorite groups in all fifteen LPL years. I could have cried when it was over.
(I just happened to remember that I have a few pictures on my iPhone of various shots from this trip so I’ll pitch a few in here for those of you like me who love visuals.)
(In the above picture, we took that State-famous “O” for Oregon and made it into a few divine adjectives for an “Omnipotent,” and “Overflowing,” “Overcoming” and “Out-breaking” God.)
Try to wrap your mind around the fact that God incited 7300 women by His Spirit to attend that event. That was nearly twice what we would have expected in that part of the United States for a gathering of this kind. Travis, the praise team, and I knew within about 2 minutes that Jesus was planning to be there whether we came or not. We felt completely incidental to the whole thing. He has something huge stirring in the Northwest. I can’t quit thinking about it. I got a DM from my good friend, Louie Giglio, last Friday saying that he and Chris Tomlin and their team had just been to that part of the country and were blown away by what God was doing. We left feeling the same astonishment.
I got to spend a little more time in the area than I usually do because I couldn’t get a flight out on Saturday night. That meant several walks in several different parks.
This scene was walking distance from the Holiday Express where we stayed in Eugene. Your blog mama is in there but it’s kind of like “Where’s Waldo?”
Most of our team went to Mount Pisgah Arboretum on Saturday afternoon and, honestly, it was like we were caught in the hobbits’ glen in Lord of the Rings. If Frodo Baggins had stepped out from behind a tree with his short legs and long hairy feet, the whole scene would have been complete. The trees looked just like the ones that talked in the trilogy and they groaned and creaked in the wind like old men trying to get out of a low chair. It was crazy. I didn’t even bother taking pictures with my iPhone because it would have been a travesty but our friend David got some great ones with his grown-up camera. This one doesn’t even give a hint of the gorgeousness that was surrounding us in that park but I think it is especially gorgeous because I love this group of women so much. These are some of the hardest working girls you’ll ever find on earth. They are part of the LifeWay women’s event team that actually puts on Living Proof Live events. (As well as Priscilla Shirer Live and many others.) They don’t often come to the platform but trust me when I tell you that no one would serve on that platform if not for these women doing all the front work, sight inspections, training, praying, and city coordinating. Then, once the weekend arrives, they are busy behind every scene, down every hall, and all over the arena. I am nuts about them. There are at least a dozen others who weren’t assigned to our Oregon event over the weekend. I wish you could see them, too. They are all stellar women.
I could have stayed a solid week in Oregon. Or, if all my people had been there, a month. But Bibby gets cranky for the grandbabies after too many days away. I saw them right before I left for Oregon and the day after I got back. Thank you, thank you, thank you to my beloved Amanda and Curtis, who always make room for the grandparents in their hyper-busy pastoring lives. I happen to be typing this post about five feet away from this picture right here. Now, I ask you, who could stand to be far from those two for very long?? My point exactly.
Oh, one more thing about the trip. On the rare occasions when much of the team gets to stay an extra night after the event, there is considerable foolishness. With God-fearing people, especially of mixed company, off-color humor is out so we have to go with just plain stupid and it works for me every time. This is Travis with his good friends Clay (who played the mandolin for us at this LPL! We loved him!) and Seth (who we always love and get to have on the team most of the time).
I bet Travis wore those glasses for 15 minutes in the drugstore. (Yep, that’s where all this stuff was.) Long enough to where I found myself talking to him normally as if he didn’t look like an idiot. Of course, it might be a tad hypocritical for me to say he looked like such a thing since…
Tragically, that’s not plastic you’re seeing there below the glasses. That’s my real nose. (I made myself laugh.)
Well, I could talk on and on but, the fact is, we have Scriptures to do today, Sisters! I love mine this time around. Remember how we talked about the importance of choosing one to memorize that really means something to us personally? This one’s really speaking to me right now. Lately I’ve been especially aware of the contrasts in the Christian public square between those who build up the Body of Christ and those who tear it down. If we’re going to be builders in a world tearing apart, we’re going to have to be deliberate. We’ll also have to accept the materials we’re working with. We’ll never have a flawless body of believers to edify. Not this side of our completed state. As my friend Carlos Whittaker says, we’re all crazier than we think we are. It’s a mess out there. Oh, for crying out loud, I’m a mess in here. But we do have a flawless Savior and we are indeed God’s chosen people, loved and planned for and accounted for in the Kingdom agenda. We’ve got to decide how we want to treat one another on this thorny journey. This verse says it well.
Beth, Houston. So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. 1 Corinthians 14:12 ESV
There He says it: don’t just take a stab at it. Strive to excel in it.
Oh, Sisters, I love you so much. I truly do. I’ll talk to you soon!
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Jackie Carson – Newton, IA
“Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone – especially to those in the family of faith.” Galatians 6:10, NLT
Do not conform any longer 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
“Search me O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139:23 and 24 NLT
Denissa C., Brownfield, TX
Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. John 14:1 NLT
Beth, I was at both events you mentioned in this post – the Eugene, OR LPL and the Chris Tomlin concert here in the Tri-Cities in Eastern, WA and I just have to say that both were truly exciting! It was so great to see the turnout and very inspiring, as well. We are “known” for being a highly unchurched area, but new believers came to Christ at both events. I cried both times for the love of God that filled those event arenas! Thank you for the words you shared in Eugene…I’m still pondering so much of what our Bible study covered….and always on the lookout for ways to redeem my time!
Susan H.
Lady Lake, FL
Romans 12:12, Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ESV.
Jackie, Mobile, AL
“But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty & continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
James 1:25 nkjv
Cyndy, Columbia, SD
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV
Kris, Westbrook, Maine
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 NIV
Therefore know that the Lord is God. He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep his commandments. Deut 7:9 NKJV
Annette, San Diego
Romans 8:37 NASB
In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
Sheila Miller,Truro,Nova Scotia,Canada-“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” -Luke 2:52 Set intellectual, physical and spiritual goals to grow more like Jesus.
Belinda Blacklick, Ohio
2 Corinthians 1:11 “You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many”. (ESV)
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” Romans 12:9 NIV
Christie
Gray Court, SC
Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I Thess. 5:18 HCS
Linda
Belton, TX
“There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no rock like our God.”
1 Samuel 2:2
Susan,Tallahassee, Fla.
because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2 (NIV)
Kristetta, Pineville, LA
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
Psalm 16:2
Regina, Salado, TX – For The Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you. Deuteronomy 20:4 NKJV
Rebecca, Tacoma, WA
“No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening, it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvet of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:11 (NLT)
“….and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
Colossians 1:20
oh…and that is the NASB version! 🙂
I grew up in Oregon, and live in Washington now, so I know exactly what you mean by how things have changed! It is so very cool to hear your thoughts and affirm that God is making Himself known in amazing ways in the PNW. So glad you came out!
Michelle, from Carthage, TX
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1, ESV
Claudia, Raeford, NC But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. (Philippians 3:7 NIV)
Ellie Richardson, Newton, Iowa
That he would grant you, according
to the riches of his glory, to be
strengthened with might by His Spirit
in the inner man. Eph. 3:16 KJV
Pearland, “And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness – secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name”. IS 45:3 NLT
Megan, Salisbury, MD
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19
OOPS! NIV 🙂
Jennifer, Houston
“I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.”
Colossians 2:1-4 (NIV)
Brenda, Houston,TX
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:6 (NKJV)
June, Coarsegold, CA: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Cheryl in Fairhope, AL – “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” Romans 12:12 (NLT)
DIANA FROM BRIDGE CITY, TX.
KJV: John 10:28
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish; neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
“For we know in part and we prophesy in part,” I Cor. 13:9
Brenda from Jordan, MN
Psalm 40:8 ESV ”I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”
Ellen White
Saint Augustine, FL
O Lord, my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.
Psalm 30:2 NIV
Vicki-Lake Jackson, TX says:
“Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.” 2Timothy 2:16 NIV
Jennifer B
Plano, TX
Jeremiah 32:27 NIV
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
Megan S.-Kansas City, KS
Proverbs 28:14 NLT
Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.
Emily Babb, Thibodaux, LA::
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10 NIV
Becki, Battle Creek, MI
by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire
2 Peter 1:4 (ESV)
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Cathy Blount Monroe GA.
Psalm 108:1 My heart is steadfast O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. NIV
Julie Elrod Smyrna GA: James 3:17-18 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
Elaine – Baltimore
Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make His footsteps our pathway. Psalm 85:13 NKJV
Tori S, Moore OK (HCSB) 1Tim. 4:2
“Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encoursge with grest patience and teaching.”
Donna, Lexington KY: Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 1 John 3:18 NIV
Laura from Nokia, Finland:
1 peter 5:6 esv
“humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you”
Bethany, Chandler, TX
Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.
Jeremiah 32:17, ESV
Rene’ , Edmond, OK
“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”
Luke 12:25 NLT
Teri in Corpus Christi, Texas
Romans 12:12 NIV
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.