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.
Kathy in Broken Arrow, OK
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:13-14 (New American Standard Bible)
Blessed in Dallas:
For His anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5 NIV
Kathy – Aurora, CO
Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. NKJV
Heather, Warner Robins, GA: “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.” Luke 12:33 NIV
Kayla, Cleveland
For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy1:7 NKJV
Erin in Dallas, TX
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV
this is one of my favorite verses of all time! it was one of the first ones i memorized this year 🙂
Liz
Okemos, Mi
Joshua 24:15 (NLT)
“As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
Michelle, Little Rock, AR
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7, NLT
Abilene, Tx
This is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sin. I John 4:10
The secret things belong to the Lord our God but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever that we may observe all the words of the law. Deut 29.29 NASB
Christelle, Delafield (WI)
Proverbs 3:27 (New International Version, ©2011)
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. Matthew 22:37-38 NIV
Barb, Des Moines, IA
Philippians 1:9-11 NAS
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
I love them who love me and those who seek me early will find me. Proverbs 8:17
Thank you for the encouragement- just what I needed today. In the thick of challenges with extended family so I’m going to memorize your verse.
“My goal is that their hearts, having been knit together in love, may be encouraged and that they may have all teh 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
Much grace and blessings to you!
Joyce
Oklahoma
Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me. Ps.51:10
…now I can eat my burrito and drink some Hazelnut coffee:) thank you for sharing your pictures & your
heart, Beth.
Erica G, Denver: “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has annointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and relase from darkness the prisoners.” Isaiah 61:1 NIV
Jennifer, Charlotte, NC
“My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek.” Psalm 27:8 NIV
Jan, Gulf Breeze, FL. “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 1:9, NIV
Shonda Aurora, 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. Psalms 46:1-3
This is God’s promise that the team of missionaries in Japan that my sister is a part of has chosen to claim and boldly proclaim!
praise the Lord!
Connie, Turlock CA
Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.
Psalm 141:3 (NLT)
Renee, Roanoke VA: “Because of the LORD’s great love for us, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. Daniel 10:3 NKJV
This is for day 9 of my Daniel fast.
Gina;Houston
Proverbs 4:25 “Let your eyes look directly head; And let your gaze be fixed directly in front of you.”
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139.14
Monica and daughter Faith (8 yrs) Toronto, Canada
Robyn Wright
Topeka, KS
He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Psalm 112:7 (NIV)
Heather
Lawrence, KS
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Ps. 73:26, ESV
Tammy, Salem, VA
Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.
James 3:2
NLT
Colossians 1:5 ESV
because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,
I’m continuing on with my last verse (as I was so late in commiting to it!)
Bethany S.
Modesto, Ca.
You shall fear the Lord your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. He is your praise. He is your God, who has done for you these great and terrifying things that your eyes have seen.
Deuteronomy 10:20-21
ESV
Heather – Spokane, WA
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you,
live at peace with everyone.
Romans 12:18 NIV
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.Isaiah 43:18 NIV
Cindy, Simpsonville, SC
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
Psalm 37: Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. NASB
Rosa – Sulphur Springs, TX
“The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV
For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outelard appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
Samuel 16:7
HEBREWS 4:16 NIV
LET US THEN APPROACH GOD’S THRONE OF GRACE WITH CONFIDENCE
SO THAT WE MAY RECEIVE MERCY AND FIND GRACE TO HELP US IN
OUR TIME OF NEED
LOIS A, CRYSTAL SPRINGS MS
Holly, Glendale, AZ:
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:1 NIV
Kelly ~ Hermiston, OR
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 NIV 1984
Kellie ~ Mineola, TX
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16, NIV
Emily, McKenzie TN, Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV
Laura, Littleton CO
Would it be wrong to memorize the word of Beth?! I’m claiming your last statement on this post, “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.” Just kidding….sort of. I guess this would be more like memorizing a line from a great movie!
In ADDITION to:
Isaiah 30:21 (NLT)
Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.
Pam H., Naperville, IL
Eph. 3:18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
NIV
Pam, Wilmington, NC
For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will lift me high upon a rock.
Psalm 27:5 ESV
Stephanie GA
Trust In the Lord with all your heart and lean no on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Sarah, Nashville. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23, NRSV
Sharon from Houston, TX
” The LORD is my Light and my salvation–whom shall I fear or dread: The LORD is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life–of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 (Amplified)
A sweet birthday gift from my gracious LORD.
Katie, LaGrange, GA:
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” ~Romans 12:12, ESV~
Cara, Highlands Ranch Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2, NIV
Tinley Park, IL
“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” James 4:17 NIV