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.
Michelle from Abilene,ks
Colossians 3:15 NIV
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since members of one body, you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
Linda, Dallas, TX
She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
Proverbs 31:25 NLT
(Can we tell which book I’m reading and what I’ve been working on? lol) 🙂
Heather, Vancouver, WA
“Act on the principles of love and justice, and always live in confident dependence on your God.” Hosea 12;6 NLT
Julie, Texarkana- I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations. Psalm 119:30 NLT
Chris, Seattle, WA
Isaiah 40:11 NIV
He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs into his arms and carries them close to his heart;
He gently lead those that have young.
“The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you. He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Paula – Arvada, CO
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?
If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and
you are that temple.
1 Cor. 3: 16-17 (NIV)
Mary~Columbia, PA
Psalm 139: 23,24 NLT
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts
Point out in me anything that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Debbie, Marion, IN “Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:22.)
Bambi, Houston, TX
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 cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7 The Amplified Bible
Majestic splendor emanates from Him, He is the source of strength and joy~ 1Chr 16:27
STACY,CHAPIN
BE JOYFUL IN HOPE, PATIENT IN AFFLICTION,
FAITHFUL IN PRAYER. ROM 12:12 NIV
2 Corinthians 10:4-6
4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Robin
Snohomish, WA
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; Dorothea, Rockwall, TX; Stacey from Abilene; Cheryl, Uganda
Kristi -Cedartown, Georgia. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, because He cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7
Joan/Coppell, TX – Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:8-9 NIV
Susan Tucson, AZ. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31b)NIV
Linda Mazzei Spring, TX
Luke 13:33-34 NIV
32″No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” My SS kids keep asking what I think about the Mayan calendar, I keep quoting our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord for these words.
Dianne, Fairfield, CA
Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock. – Isaiah 26:4(NASB)
To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:2-3 NIV
Stephanie, Sparta, TN
“The Lord will march out like a champion, like a warrior He will stir up His zeal; with a shout He will raise the battle cry and will triumph over His enemies.”
Isaiah 42:13 NKJV
Jennie
Los Angeles
“And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”
2 Corinthians 5:15
NIV
Kellie Norris. Mobile, Alabama. Psalms 37:7
Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act. NLT
Mary Anne, Gilbert, LA “The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 NIV
Peggy, Crowley Lake, CA
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Kelley, Gainesville, FL
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with Christ.
2 Cor. 5:8 (KJV)
Susan, Cumberland, RI
“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;” 1 Thessalonians 1:2
“Because You are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings. I cling to You; Your strong right hand holds my security.”
Psalm 63:7-8
Jill
Laramie, WY
“Does not my word burn like a fire?” asks the Lord. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes rock to pieces?” Jeremiah 23:29, NLT
Katherine, Shiremanstown, PA
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit ~Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Cindy, Laguna Niguel. You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Allison, Washington, DC
2 Corinthians 4: 7-9, 15-16
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
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.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
Joyce, Exeter, RI
“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;” 1 Thessalonians 1:2
Holli, Smiths Station, AL:
“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
When I saw this, I knew it had to be my verse for this time. Thanks, Beth
Amy – Custer, SD
“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Psalm 46:1-3 NIV
Tesa
Perry, GA
The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made
Psalm 145:8,9
Kelly, Lilburn, GA: Fear the Lord your God, serve Him only and take your oaths in His name. Deuteronomy 6:13 (NIV)
Kitty, Centerton, AR – Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25
Wendy – Conway, AR
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
Melissa from Calgary, Alberta:
March on, my soul; be strong! Judges 5:21b (NIV)
Paula – Hendersonville, TN ~ God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Psalm 46:1-3
Peggy, Cheyenne, WY
“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge. Selah.” Psalm 46:1-3 (NLT)
Ginny
Rice Lake, WI
Jeremiah 10:23
I know, Lord, that a person’s life is not their own. No one is able to plan their own course.
Sarah, Port Angeles, WA Romans 8:21 (NASB) That the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
Jenn
Allison Park, PA
Acts 3:19 NIV
Repent then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
Sweet Beth, I just love reading your stories, hopefully one day I will get to see you here in Denver Colorado,I’m working on your Bible study on Believing God, so awesome, it’s causing me to tap into my spiritual insight, God has blessed you with a gift to share all over the country. Thank you and God Bless.
Carrie, Logan. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 NIV
I have decided to read the entire Bible instead of scripture
Memory. I have never read it in it’s entirety. I am reading the Message
and loving every minute of it!
2 Cornithians 12:9 “But he said to me, “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.
Jill
Vandalia, MO
Valerie, Queen Creek, “For the law was given to Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17 NIV