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.
Mary from Atlanta
Be joyful in hope,
patient in affliction,
faithful in pryaer.
Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Marie
Byhalia, Mississippi
Colossians 4:17
“Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
Psalm 16:5 NIV
“LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.”
Cara ~ Spring, Texas
Psalm 9:10
“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you”.
You have allowed me to suffer much hardship but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth. Psalm 71:20
NLT version
Tiffany C., Houston – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9(NIV)
Sue – Lakeland, FL
2 Timothy 2:24, NLT
“A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.”
Isaiah 12:2
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.”
Jennifer, Richmond Va.
2 Timothy 2:24, NLT
“A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.”
Amie, GLendale, AZ: Phil. 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Christi – Colleyville
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
Philippians 2:7 NAS
…but emptied Himself, taking on the form of a bond servant, and being made in the likeness of man.
Kathy from Oakland, Oregon
“And this is my prayer; that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight; so that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.”
Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV)
Elizabeth R., Cypress, TX:
“…because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Luke 1:78-79 (NIV)
Sara, College Station, TX: John 16:33 (NIV) “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Donna
Ponder, TX
M.J. from Lovington, NM
But You are a shield around me, O Lord;
You bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
To the Lord I cry aloud, and He answers me
from His holy hill.
Psalm 3:3,4 NIV
Rachel ~ Indiana
I am really late because I forgot to post. Anyway, here goes! “But the Lord say to him {her}, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You will not die.” Judges 6:23 NIV 2011
It is He who changes the times and epochs, He removes kings and establishes kings, He gives wisdom to the wise men and knowledge to men of understanding. (NASB)
Daniel 2:20 (forgot to include the reference on the original post)
Meredith Barr, Trabuco Canyon, CA
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Psalm 27:13 (NIV)
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. I Peter 4:8 NIV
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being TRANSFORMED into his image with ever increasing glory, which come from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18
Jana~Lakewood, California
Leah, Valencia, CA
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 2 Cor 9.12, NIV
Karie Cowden-Phoenix
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear tham. Eph 4:29 NLT
Tammi, Magnolia, Texas.
“Do not neglect the gift that is in you…” 1 Tim. 4:14. NKJ.
Emily, Louisville, KY: “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3:13b-14 ESV
The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you.
Deut. 31:8 NIV
Amy Perrysburg, OH
Sara, Houston
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins, They will raise up the former devastations; and they will repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations.
Isaiah 61:1-4 NASB
What do you know about tomorrow? How can you be so sure about your life. It is nothing more than mist that appears only for a little while before it disappears. James 4:14
Contemporary English Version
I’m way behind:( March 1 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones Proverbs 16:24 nkj.
March 15 He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter seperates friends Proverbs 17:9
Lisa, Louisville
Teri, Westland, MI
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. – Psalm 20:7 NIV
…give thanks in all things, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thess. 5:18
Romans 12:1 (NIV) Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Bethany, Magnolia, Texas.
“Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreath; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath.”
Psalm 39:4-5. NIV
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (NIV)
Kristi ~ Logansport, IN
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Eph. 5:15-17 ESV
Kathy, Austin, TX
“As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him,
and His righteousness with their children’s children-
with those who keep His covenant
and remember to obey His precepts.” Psalm 103:15-18 NIV
Katy – Midland
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. Proverbs 25:2 NIV
CJ from Liberty
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21
Sharon, LP, MI
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on You. Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Diane, Hemet
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3: 22-23 TNIV
Karen
Papua New Guinea
Kait, Pittsburgh
“you, then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2:1 (ESV)
Kelly, Houston, Texas
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4 NIV
Lorna Beth
Chicago, IL
Acts 17:11 (NIV 84)
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Becky Morganton, NC
Psalm 9:10 ESV
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Suzy, Orlando
The Lord bless you and keep you.
Numbers 6:24 NIV
Is. 32:18 “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.”
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” ~ Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
Sally – Eagan, MN “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer”. NIV