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.
Psalm 103:8-13 NIV
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on His children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
My GOD is with me, whom shall I fear? My GOD is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life. I am not afraid! Psalm 27:1 (AMP Bible)
This time I’m going with you! We’re facing some big family decisions and this will be my prayer as we work through what God’s calling us to do….
Kristen Keeling from Covington, Ga:
“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
Janine, Clarksburg, WV
Then you will call upon meand come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jer. 29:13-14 (NIV)
Jenna
Interlochen, MI
Be on your guard against all kinds of greed for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.
Luke 12:15 NIV
Carol, Cashion, OK “[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope].” Philippians 3:10 Amplified
Lela-Livonia, MI
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:5 NKJV
Valerie, Louisville, KY: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ~Matthew 6:19-21 NIV
veronica: atlanta georgia psalms 63;4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands! (NIV)
Debbie Portland,OR
continuing the 2 verses from last week.
Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff even though crowds of people do. The way to life-to God-is vigorous and requires total attention.
Matthew 7:13-14 MSG
Karen. Jefferson City, TN
James 3:13. NIV Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life,by good deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Ephesians 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. (NIV)
Candace-Greenville, SC
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
James 1:2-3 New Living Translation
Jaime, Chesapeake, VA – “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)
Marie, Harrison, “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.” 2 Cor. 10:5 NIV
Sheila, Carthage
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
Rita, Birmingham
Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him.
For my co-worker…
Isaiah 30:18
Janice – Topeka, KS For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
II Timothy 1:7 KJV
Pam, Liberty: “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me.” Psalms 138:8 NKJV
I am posting the verses for March 1 & 15 because my internet was down that week.
Kathy, Bradford
March 1-The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise. Psalm 111:10 NIV
March 15-The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. Psalm 135:15-18 NIV
Carol, Warrenton –
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth. (NIV)
Ps 121:1-2
Sherri, Topeka, Kansas:
“38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39
Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him,
for He shields him all day long.
And the one the Lord loves,
rests between His shoulders.
Deut 33:12
I am posting these in my car and my son and I are memorizing them every morning as we drive to school!
Two for One!
Pat, Woodstock, Al Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Abby, Warrenton –
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth. (NIV)
Ps 121:1-2
Deb, Windsor, CT:
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NIV)
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; Amanda, Colorado Springs; Kim, Warren Raleigh; Robin Snohomish, WA; Dorothea, Rockwall, TX; Stacey from Abilene; Cheryl, Uganda
Kristen, Tuscaloosa, Alabama:
Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10 (NASB)
Sara, Hull, GA: And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17 NIV
South Bend
“Thus says the Lord, Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears,for your work shall be rewarded says the Lord; They shall return from the land of the enemy.There is hope in your future, your children shall return to their own country.”
Jeremiah 31:16-17 Amplified
Ann, San Antonio
My dear friends, don’t believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers in the world. 1 John 4:1 (The Message)
Michelle, Waukesha, WI
“For God hath not give us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”
2 Tim 1:7, (KJV)
Cheryl, Austin: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” I Cor. 10:31 NIV
Kirsten, Mechanicsburg PA
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.”
1 Peter 5:8-9a (NIV)
Krissi
Monticello, AR
Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.
Colossians 3:23
Amy B., Edmond OK
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
Annabelle, Warrenton –
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotton son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
Lynette -Aurora, CO
Ephesians 5:1 (New Living Translation)
Ephesians 5
1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
Lily, Warrenton –
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotton son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
Marie, Kenmore
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Psalm 121:1-3 (NKJV)
Julie, Clarks Summit, PA
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:11-13 (KJV)
Jayne from NC – Psalm 112:7 (ESV)
He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. Proverbs 31:15 NLT
The Lord will fight for you;
you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14
Ti-Leigh, Orlando, FL
Jennifer, Little Rock, AR
As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20
Martha
Dickinson, ND
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 (ESV)
Martie ~ Indianapolis ~ NIV ~ Col 3:15 ~
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called ot peace. And be thankful.
Kara, Lafayette, IN
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
Isaiah 43:2 New Living Translation
Lanita
Lake Jackson, Texas
Proverbs 25:25
Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
NIV
Praise be to the name of God for ever & ever; wisdom & power are his. He changes times & seasons; he sets up kings & deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise & knowledge to the discerning.
Daniel 2:20 & 21 (NIV)
Carrie, Fort Mill, SC
“I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 (NASB)