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.
Haley from Houma, LA- Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.-Proverbs 29:18, NIV
Kjersten, Gig Harbor “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Eph 4:2
Kathleen, Marietta,GA
“March on, my soul, be strong!”
Judges 5:21b
NIV
Cathy, Brighton, Colorado
Psalm 139:16 (NASB) Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in your book were all written the days that were ordained for me when as yet there was not one of them.
Stacey, Sugar Land, TX
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 NRSV
Amber, Fort Collins, CO
Isaiah 43:2-3 NIV
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Mischia, North Carolina
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still”
Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
Diane, Chesapeake, VA.
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly,
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall,
for the Lord holds them by the hand.”
Judges 5:21b NIV
OOPS ! WRONG REFERENCE. It should be: Psalm 37:23-24
🙁
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. Psalm 119:114 NKJ
Fiona, Brussels, Belgium
“I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my sins” Psalm 34:4, NIV
(I missed the last one, but I’m back again. I really want to do this!)
Saskatchewan, Canada
Godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:6 NIV
“Everything is permissible for me- but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me- but I will not be mastered by anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV
Sr. Rebecca, Clyde
Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in good time for every need. Heb 4:16 AMP
Heather, Hot Springs, AR, Micah 7:8 Amplified,
“Rejoice not against me, O my enemy! When I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light to me.”
Annmarie, Livermore. “Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!” Psalm 103:2-5 NLT
Stacy-Outlook, WA
John 9:1-3
As Jesus was walking alone, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins. ” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of god could be seen in him.” NLT
THIS is my TACOMA WORD!!! Thank You Jesus!!! You have entrusted our Autistic son to us and we are blessed! Amen!!
Elizabeth S., Norfolk, NE
“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18 (NIV)
Psalm 69:30 (NIV)
I will praise God’s name in song
and glorify him with thanksgiving.
Fort Smith, AR
Mark 9:23-24 NASB
And Jesus said to him ” ‘If you can?’ ‘All things are possible to him who believes'”. Immediately the boys father cried out and said “I do beleive; help my unbelief!”
Melissa from Temple, TX
He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes. (Psalm 112: 7-8)
Lisa, Brazoria,TX “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
Grace, Silvery City, “For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Eph 2:10 NIV
Oh my gosh I love you! I miss you SO much! And what an awesome verse – I was looking for that one this morning actually to be my verse but, changed my mind. Dang I love you!
I love you too, sweet Grace! I love doing our scripture memory together!
Marilyn, Amarillo TX “With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous. (Proverbs 11:9 NLT)
Fran, Stedman
“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:19 NIV
Becky Wixom, MI
Psalm 68:19 The Lord deserves praise!
Day after day he carries our burden,
the God who delivers us. (Net)
Jonda from Shakopee, MN
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people…
Galations 6:10a NIV
“Is not My word like fire that consumes all that cannot endure the test? says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks in pieces the rock of most stubborn resistance?”
Jeremiah 23:29
Amplified
Holly Smith
Monument, CO
Melissa from Temple, TX (I owe another)
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
Leah – Charlotte, NC
Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands. Deuteronomy 7:9
(NLT)
Fontana, CA
“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. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” – Ephesians 1:17-19 (NIV)
Diana, Surrey, BC
“Know that Yahweh your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His gracious covenant loyalty for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commands.” Duet. 7:9 HCSB
Heidi – Midland, TX
Faith is the promise of things hoped for and the belief of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
Emily, Kalispell, MT. James 1:19 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” KJV
Lisa-Greer
Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. Matthew 24:42 NKJV
Charity – Durham, NC
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
-Psalm 51:10-12
Sylvia Georgetown, Tx
Jeremiah 31:16-17 NASB
This is what the Lord says: “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,” declares the Lord. “They will return from the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your descendants” delares the Lord. “Your children will return to their own land.”
Stacey, Midlothian,VA. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32~ESV
Holly, Boulder
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Diane Littleton, CO
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Heather, Woodstock, GA:
“Only let us live up to what we have already attained.”
Philippians 3:16 (NIV)
Jill, Booneville:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
Rev. 5:12 (NKJV)
Katie
Sherrill, NY
“The Lord will fight for you: you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Karen, Columbia, MO
James 1:12 NIV
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
Vicki
Murfreesboro,TN
1 Timothy 1:17 (NIV)
“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
I believe a fellow named Travis has a song of this verse. 🙂
Diane, Ocala, FL
“May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.” Psalm 119:76 NIV
Kim B., Center, TX:
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light & momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Laurel, Phoenix, AZ “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24 (NASB)
Katherine, Houston, TX
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJ
Judy, Spokane, WA
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
Philippians 4:8 NASV
Jeanene Newnan, GA
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