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.
madeleine, corrales: Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace,which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are scantified. Acts 20:32 NIV
Heidi from Belgium:
Jesus answered, (Thomas)”I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you reslly knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
John 14 v 6 NIV
Sarah, Little Rock
“Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”
Romans 10:17 NIV
Col. 3:15 NIV: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Kristy Dorminy, Woodstock, Ga
Psalm 121
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Jan, Topeka, KS
Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Ecclesiastes 12:13b
Audrey, Rockwall, TX
You are the light of the world.
Matthew 5:14a NIV
Christy, Orlando, KJV 1Peter 2:11
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. I Peter 4:8&9 NIV
Char, Inver Grove Heights, MN
“Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.”
Isaiah 51:6 TNIV
Linda
Madison, MS
As you come to him, the living Stone-rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
I Peter 2:4,5
Leah, Atlanta: “And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart.” Ezekiel 36:26 (NLT)
James 1:2-3 ESV Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Ephesians 6:10-12
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorties, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
“Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose” Proverbs 18:21 (The Message).
Heidi Tracht
Nampa, ID
Philippians 2:5
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.(NIV)
Carmen, Brookville OH
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, whose thoughts are fixed on You.” Isaiah 26:3 – NLT
Mary
Tacoma,WA
Psalm 118:14 “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.”
Tammy Cosby/Siloam NC—Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good,pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Christy
Fayetteville, AR
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Mark 11:24
NIV
Becky from Marietta, GA
“I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the palm of my hand.”
Isaiah 51:16 NIV
McDonough, GA
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)
Cathy S., Terra Ceia, Florida
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,” – 2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV)
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverance for God.
(2 Corinthians, 7:1, NIV)
Angela
Lexington, KY
Hannah, Knoxville, TN. “Jesus said, So you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.” John 20:29 NIV
Staci, Bismarck,ND
Psalm 139:3-4 (NIV) “You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD”
Allyson
League City TX
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Charise- Arlington, TX
Deut 6:6-7 ESV “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Ashley, Brentwood, TN
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV
Lee Ann, Wewahitchka, FL
“They were utterly astonished, saying, ‘He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.” –Mark 7:37
Sarah, Montrose, CO:
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)
Anne from Hot Springs, AR:
“Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.” – 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 NIV
Melody, Colorado Springs, CO
“and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.”
> 1 Kings 19:12 (NKJV)
Becky, Groesbeck. The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10:10 (Amplified)
Karen, Sharpsburg “March on, my soul, be strong.” Judges 5:21
Terrie, Birmingham
“My God, my God, why have you deserted me? Why are you so far away? Won’t you listen to my groans and come to my rescue?”
Psalm 22:11
CEV
Tracy S
Wheeling WV
You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11 (NIV)
Marta
Southlake, TX
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. Lamentations 3:22 NIV
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Hebrews 4:15 (NIV)
Eunice, Montreal, Isaiah 52: 6 “But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power.” NLT
I can’t believe I am about to admit this but I am picking your verse this time as it is THE verse for our ministry! I have had such a hard time memorizing it, but here we are and so go I! I’m going with the NASB, plus I’m “just a little” focused on HIS treasure right now and forever! 🙂 God bless you for sharing about the restaurant; I must go there next time I visit my cousin!
Rachele, Fort Worth, TX
Colossians 2:2-3, “that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Monroe, LA:
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those
who seek the LORD rejoice.
1 Chronicles 16:10
NIV
Hebrews 1:3a, ESV
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature and He upholds the universe by the WORD OF HIS POWER!
Jessica Denise, Winter Park, FL
Ephesians 4:29 Amplified: “Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it.”
Melanie Toups
Bridge City, TX
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in unchanging love.
I’m sorry to have accidently hit “enter” before I finished my post. I redid it. Very sorry!
Erika G (San Antonio, TX):
“You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.
(Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV)
Dee, Zeeland, MI, from the NIV:
“He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, he who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth — the Lord God Almighty is his name.” Amos 4:13
Roberta, Fanshawe,OK
Remember your covenant promises, for the land is full of darkness and violence. Psalm 74:20 (NLT)
Melanie Toups
Bridge City, TX
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in unchanging love.
–Micah 7:18 NASB
Amanda W, Kelowna, BC, Canada
“Be very careful then how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” -Ephesians 5:15-17
Alicia in SD
The entirety of your word is truth;
And everyone o fYour righteous judgements endures forever.
Psalm 119:160 NIV