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.
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 142:8 ESV
Jodi Zagreb
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4, NIV
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
James 1:22, NIV
Tina, Cynthiana, KY
Trying to catch up and get verses to you:
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galations 6:9
Sarah
Newburgh, IN
wildlyblessed, Crawford, TX: “My ears have heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you.” Job 42:5 NIV
Sara Pipkin
Denver, CO
Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Holly from Alphareta, GA
I’m catching up! Here is my sixth verse:
“The Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap”
Proverbs. 3:26
“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.” Romans 6:22 NIV
It is good to praise the LORD
and make music to your name, O Most High.
To proclaim your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night.
Psalm 92:1-2 NLT
Linda from Lincoln NE. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” John 14:27 NIV
Leslie from Maui
“The thief comes to only to steal kill and destroy but I have come that they may have life and have it to the full”
John 10:10
Courtney, LaPlata, MD
Colossians 1:1-8
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,
5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,
6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,
7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf
8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
Shawna – Boise, Idaho
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 TNIV
Wylie, Texas
Matt. 7:7 (NET)
Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened for you.
Christine from Raleigh, NC
You will keep the mind [that is] dependent [on You] in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You.
So, trust in the LORD [commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him] forever;
for the LORD GOD is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].
~ Isaiah 26:3-4 [HCSB & AMP]
all Scriptures in the [bracketed texts are from the Amplified Bible]; all other Scriptures are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible.
i don’t usually blend two translations together. sometimes, i might take one verse from one translation and the next verse from an alternate translation. in this case, however, it worked well for me to blend them. i felt it added impact and emphasis.
Stacey Houston, TX: Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Â Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. – James 1:2-4 NIV
Kelly, The Hills, Texas
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14
Brook, Santa Monica
Though I have not seen Him, I love Him; and even though I do not see Him now, I believe in Him and am filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy for I am receiving the end result of my faith, the salvation of my soul.
1 Peter 1.8-9
my verse is Numbers 25:13
You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 32:7 (NIV)
Elizabeth Gainesville, GA
“For the Lord watches over the ways of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.”
Psalm 1:6 NIV
Caroline Auburn, AL “Be strong and brave, do not be afraid for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans6:23 NIV
Heather – Richland, WA
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV)
Maddie, Rockport,MA
Matthew 5:3
“Blessed those who are poor in spirit,for thiers in the kingdom of heaven.”
Marissa, Oklahoma
Matthew 6:22-23 NIV
The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
April, Boerne, TX
Isaiah 12:5 NIV
Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.
Do no be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 NIV
Moyock, NC
1 Peter 1:6 (NASB)
“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,”
The word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and only who came from the father full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
Rebecca – Boise, Idaho
John 1:2 NIV
He was with God in the beginning.
Don’t be afraid, Stand firm and watch God do his work of salvation for you today God will fight the battle for you. And you? Keep your mouths shut!
Exodus 14:13-14
Laura Eloise, Austin – I will walk about in freedom for I have saught out Your precepts. Psalm 119:45
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31 (NIV)
“I have no greater joy than to know my children walk in the truth.” 3John1:4
Celeste, Los Angeles & Toronto: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NKJV
Ruthann – Odessa, TX
Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5
I Peter 5:7 AMP
Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and care about you watchfully.
Patricia, Dallas TX
Isaiah 40:31 {ESV}
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
Ola, Woodbridge, 1 John 4:10 (NIV):
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your Presence? Psalm 139:7
Laura – Houston, Texas
“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:17 (NIV)
Finally be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Ephesians 6:10 NIV
Allison Eclectic, AL
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Philippians 4:7 NIV
And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Amy, Sweeny, TX
I, the LORD do not change. Malachi 3:6
Delta from Florida,
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.
Col. 2:2,3 (NET)
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 142:8 ESV
sheila, OK
Patricia, Dallas, Tx
Isaiah 40:31 {ESV}
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
kimberly mason, tuscaloosa, al:
psalm 4:3 niv
“know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when i call to him.”