Hey, my dear, dear Sisters. I thought about you so much while we had the privilege to serve in Washington State. We cherished every second we were there and God was so gracious and merciful to us. He could not have given us a more wonderful group of participants to kick off the 2011 Living Proof Live schedule. We lapped up every second with them. They were so full of praise and expectation for God to speak and so rowdy and fun. I would have brought every single one of them home with me to Texas if I could have.
I want you to know that you sowed very direct seed into that event. On Friday afternoon my notes were, for the most part, ready to go but I just sensed a desire to seek something more from God. I knew in my heart that it involved prayer so I got down on my knees again and prayed but I got back on my feet still not quite feeling the breakthrough that I was hoping for. The thought came to me, I believe by God Himself, to get on the blog and scroll through all the comments to the Tacoma Ticket Giveaway post and look for entries where Siestas had prayed specifically for the event. I hit a gold mine. I stopped at each one of them and actively agreed and received all that had been prayed. The breakthrough came! It was God’s good pleasure to raise up seed-throwers from spots all over the United States and Canada to sow into the Tacoma LPL harvest. I can’t express to you how deeply and profoundly it hit me. Sometimes I feel like I harass you guys half to death for prayer but we are so desperate for it. I knew this weekend that it is God’s way. Profit sharing. Oh, how I pray that we might be able to believe God for a 2 Corinthians 4:15 work as we partner together:
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
I think God particularly blesses our seed sowing when we have no direct involvement at the event or gathering. No personal gain except the glorious nod of God. I’m actively praying for Priscilla Shirer’s simulcast in several weeks even though I’ll be in Fresno. I don’t doubt she’s praying for us, too. I can’t wait to hear the report of all God is going to accomplish through that mighty servant of God as she teaches and as her brother, Anthony, leads worship. This is the will of God for us in Christ Jesus. One Lord. One Body. One Spirit. If the grace of God through Christ is “reaching more and more people,” our thanksgiving overflows to the glory of God!
The group in Tacoma exceeded our expectations in so many ways. Their outpouring for Japan moved us so deeply. Our wonderful brothers and sisters from Samaritan’s Purse were swamped. They were so overwhelmed at the break that we had to keep them open after the event and position them at exit doors They counted dollar bills all afternoon to the tune of $66,025.25. As soon as the horrific tragedy occurred, we asked Samaritan’s Purse if our offering for that LPL could go specifically to relief for Japan and they complied joyfully and set up an immediate fund. (Any of you are welcome to get on their website and also contribute if you feel led and aren’t already giving through another organization. No pressure. Just opportunity.) We are all stunned and heartbroken over the devastation in Japan. It’s just incomprehensible. The images are more than I can wrap my mind around. May “the Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in loyal love and faithfulness” show Himself in every possible and undeniable way. May one of those ways be the banding together of His Body around the world to be His hands and a healing balm within them. They need our help.
It’s time for Siesta Scripture Memory Team Verse 6! Ready, Sisters?? Stay with it! I’ll give you my sixth verse (it reminds me of you) then show you a small handful of pictures I took over the weekend on my iPhone.
Beth, Houston. My goal is that their hearts, having been knit together in love, may be encouraged, and that they may have all the riches of understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3 The NET Bible
OK, here’s some pictures from Tacoma if you want a peek before you chime in with your verse.
This was my one glimpse at The Mountain. We had rain most of the time and, mountain girl that I am, I just kept looking out of my hotel window for a glimpse of that famous sight. While I was studying, I felt a tugging at my heart and I jumped up in hopes that the clouds were lifting somewhat and sure enough, there that bad boy was. I was so happy, I cried.
This was the sunrise the next morning. I was always an early riser as a kid and, now that I am an adult, I know it nearly drove my mother crazy because she’d have preferred her Folgers by herself. (This helps explain to you why I was a coffee drinker by the ripe old age of six.) My dad used to take up for me and say, “The early bird gets the worm!” Well, when I caught a glimpse of that sunrise in Tacoma Saturday morning and fifteen minutes later it was pouring down rain, I knew my Daddy was right.
I can’t believe I’m about to let this come out of my mouth but I had some of the best Mexican food on earth there in Tacoma. I was baffled. Someone had recommended “Masa” (on 6th Street) to us but Michelle and I looked at each other like, “Texans better not try it. We better leave that to the Tennesseans. They might not know better.” But, after the event, we were about to have a meltdown for hot sauce and decided to cave to the pressure. It was so good I couldn’t believe my own taste buds. We started with this unbelievable Bean and Queso dip then, because cheese enchiladas weren’t on the menu, I decided to get Vegetable Fajitas. I’ve never tried them before but I’ve been with Travis and Angela when they’ve ordered them. (And I looked with contempt upon them.) They were unbelievably good. Really fresh – chunky and grilled and topped with cheese. Side of rice and beans. Sara was our waitress and took such good care of us. She’s expecting little Christos in a few months and we loved getting to talk to her. We saw a couple of tables of women from the LPL event, too, and so loved getting to hug their necks.
As if the Mexican Food wasn’t good enough, there was a Stumptown coffee bar attached to it. Talk about the ultimate way to end a meal! I have become a fan of Stumptown through our dear Kelly Minter who considers it a friend that sticks closer than a brother. (My words, not hers.) Michelle has been ordering it for me for a year or so and it’s what I grind and fix about twice a day in my office at LPM. Darla was our barista at the coffee bar in Tacoma and, as I live and breathe, the woman was an artist. Look at this crema. That is not whipped cream. That is how she finished off a Latte with plain-old low fat milk. UNBELIEVABLE. I was so impressed. I wanted to ask her how she dealt with her pride but she seemed astonishingly humble for such a craft. Almost like she didn’t notice she was a rock star.
These were two of the most wonderful women we had at the Tacoma Dome. (Blood) sisters Roxana and Christine sat down nice and close to the front and gave God considerable glory in my earshot. They and their small group wore tiaras to the event so we were blessed to no end by every glimpse of them. That is, of course, Michelle in there with us.
This last picture is of a group of really young women that were having coffee at the Starbucks we went to several hours after Stumptown. (No coffee for me that late. I’m saying that because I know somebody’s going to get into my business. I got Blueberry water but I didn’t want to. I drank four sips.) One of these darling things is getting married next week and had a little veil on. They were so cute we could hardly stand it. Just as they were getting up to leave, one of them looked over at me with wide eyes and asked if we were we.
WHY DIDN’T YOU COME TO THE EVENT??? We asked.
Because we couldn’t afford it!
Then I said: NEVER let me hear you say that again!
We do anything possible to get our college girls tickets to LPL’s. For crying out loud, if somebody’s broke, it doesn’t matter what age they are, we try to get them tickets if they really want to go. LifeWay, too! They are tremendously tenderhearted and willing to do whatever they can to minister and disciple. Tons of tickets were given away to that event in Tacoma. You have no idea how much we’d like to do it for free.
This was my view from the airplane seat just as we were about to put our tray tables up and our seat backs forward for departure. I wanted you to see my cute rain boots peeking out from the bottom. I’ve had them for a couple of years and worn them about a thousand times but they were for such a time as Tacoma.
Well, I’ve rattled your ear off. You guys are important to me. I love you. I think of you everyday. Now, cough up your sixth verse!
Hold tight to Jesus in the ebb and flow of this temporal world. One sweet day this convulsing earth will be made new. The skies will tear open like a veil and every eye will see. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Michele
Liverpool, NY
Τοῦ λοιποῦ, ἐνδυναμοῦσθε ἐν κυρίῳ καὶ ἐν τῷ κράτει τῆς ἰσχύος αὐτοῦ. ἐνδύσασθε τὴν πανοπλίαν τοῦ θεοῦ πρὸς τὸ δύνασθαι ὑμᾶς στῆναι πρὸς τὰς μεθοδείας τοῦ διαβόλου• ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἡμῖν ἡ πάλη πρὸς αἷμα καὶ σάρκα ἀλλὰ πρὸς τὰς ἀρχάς, πρὸς τὰς ἐξουσίας, πρὸς τοὺς κοσμοκράτορας τοῦ σκότους τούτου, πρὸς τὰ πνευματικὰ τῆς πονηρίας ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις. Eph 6.10-12, NA27
MICHELE,
LOVE IT!!!!
it’s all greek to me!
are you memorizing this in greek??? incredible!!
Hahaha yes! I have wanted to learn Greek, and figured if I choose my verses in Greek, it would help encourage me. It is working! I love learning Greek! 😀
Tease!
Missi- Walker, LA:
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Jan
Bemus Point, NY
1 Peter 3:3-4 (NLT)
3 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.
And in French:
I Pierre 3:3-4 (PDV)
3Votre beauté ne doit pas être extérieure : coiffure compliquée, bijoux en or, robes trop élégantes. 4Elle doit être cachée à l’intérieur de vous-mêmes. Un cœur doux et calme, voilà la beauté qui a beaucoup de valeur pour Dieu, et elle ne disparaît pas.
Jan, I just have to tell you how much I’m loving seeing the French translations included with your verses. 😀
I had 2 years of French in high school, and that was some time ago. But, I love looking for words I know and “brushing up” a bit; also love reading through it aloud in French.
Thank you for this special “extra touch” from His WORD!
Hi Jan: I was showing my 8 year old granddaughter all of the memory verses that are being posted. I explained that 2 times a month we post a new memory verse. She was reading some of them and when she came to yours she said, ” I really like this one”. We then had a great talk about looking into a person heart and not how they look. Thank you for this memory verse, I know it will remain with my granddaughter for a long time. She now knows that God loves who we are not how we look.
Blessing,
Marilyn
Michelle, Lakeland, Fl “YOU RESTORED ME TO HEALTH AND LET ME LIVE.” Isaiah 38:16
michelle
Woodstock, VT
Matthew 19:26b (NASB)
but with God all things are possible.
Rachel, Rochester, NY: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. — Psalm 139: 13-14 (NIV)
Peggy, Corpus Christi, TX – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it.”
Laura, Englewood. Acknowledge and take heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. Deuteronomy 4:39 NIV
O my strength, to you I sing praises,
for you, O God, are my refuge,
the God who shows me unfailing love.
Psalm 59:17 NLT
Colleen, Mae Sot, Thailand
Debbie Pinckney, MI
I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me. Psalm 120:1 NIV
Vicki Knott, Greenwood, SC
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14 (NIV)
mitzi, Brandon, MS
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in.
Matthew 7:7-8 NIV/MSG
Joyce, Wahpeton ND
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:28-29 NIV
Melissa, Scarborough, ME: And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15 ESV
Jenifer B.
Frisco, TX
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift my soul.” Psalm 143:8 NIV
Sandi
Williams Bay, Wisconsin
Ephesians 1:17 NIV
I keep asking that the god of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
“you will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.” Job 11:16 NIV
Laurie Gibsonville, NC
“Teach me to do your will, for You are my God; let Your good Spirit lead me into a level country and into the land of uprightness” Psalm 143:10 (AMP Bible)
Kerry, Nederland, Texas
I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands.
Isaiah 49:15-16
NASB
I needed this reminder….God’s blessings.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
Kelli from Ohio
Ola, Woodbridge
Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3 (NIV)
AMEN!! I need this every single day 🙂
Lesley, Wetumpka: “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” James 4:14, NASB
Tammy
Lusby, MD
John 14:21 (NIV)
“‘Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.'”
Julie dk in Casper, Wyoming
For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaih 41:13 NIV
Wichita Falls, TX
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Mal 3:10 NIV
Tara
Kyiv, Ukraine
…All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”
Humbles yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. I Peter 5:5b,6 (NIV)
Dendy, Hernando, Ms….. “They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.” Psalm 112:7 NLT
Sandy, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Psalm 50:14-15 NASV
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving
And pay your vows to the Most High
And call upon Me in the day of trouble,
I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.
Kimberly Orr–Zionsville, Indiana–
This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men put him to death by nailing him to the cross. BUT GOD raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. Acts 2:23-24 NIV
Beckie, Washington, DC: “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” -Isaiah 40:30-31, NIV
Katie Grooms
Knoxville, TN
“You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word.”
Psalm 119:114 NASB
Nancy-Canyon, Tx
Philippians 2:5-7
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men.
Anna, Little Elm, TX
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”
John 15:9 (NIV)
Melissa, Glasgow, KY.
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.”- Isaiah 26:3, KJV
Alycia. Dallas, TX. “Dont worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.” Philippians 4:6 (NLT)!
Erin, Grayson: Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1 Peter 1:13 KJV
Melissa, St. Mary’s County, MD “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3 KJV
Cheryl, Uganda 2 Corinthians 10: 3-4
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
There are 15 of us all around the globe memorizing all or part of 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. If you want to be praying for your Siesta-mates they are: Brandi Pierce Grove, Oklahoma; Janice, Tulsa; Rebecca,Madison,MS; Linda, Carolina Beach, NC; Kaye in Arkansas; Brittney, Olympia; Deb, Windsor, CT; Amanda, Colorado Springs; Kim, Warren ; Elysa Raleigh; Robin Snohomish, WA; Dorothea, Rockwall, TX; Stacey from Abilene
Diane, Clay Center, KS
“And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The NET Bible
Joyce, Lebanon, TN
Encourage one another and build each other up.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV
Durant, OK
And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6NIV
Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;
You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Psalm 51:6 (NIV)
Stephanie
Pawleys Island, SC
Nancy from Sebring FL Hebrews 4:12 NIV For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Melanie in Macon
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7
NIV
Stephanie, Oscar, LA
“Think of how we regard as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and you have seen the Lord’s purpose, that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” James 5:11 the NET
Tanya, Killen, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6 (ESV)
Jennifer, Houston
Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
Christy from Lancaster PA:
“Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?”
Psalm 77:13 (NIV)
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7, NASB