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.
Annemarie
Thompsons Station, Tn.
Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it! NLT Bible
Andrea
Woodstock, GA
“Since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool because by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”
Hebrews 10:13-14
NIV
Allison, Fort Worth
“Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.”
Isaiah 50:10b (ESV)
Ainslie, Columbia SC
“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
Kinney, Oxford, MS
Buts, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV
Laura in SD – So be careful to do what the Lord your God commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left.
Deuteronomy 5:32 (NIV)
Cindy, DIberville, MS
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,kindness,goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,self control; against such things there is no law.
Galations 5:22-23(NIV)
Debbie, Clarksville
“The Lord is good to all, He has compassion on all He has made”
NKJ
You may ask for ANYTHING in my name and I will do it.
John 14:14
Laray, Crawford, GA
I know it is late, but I forgot to post yesterday! Jennifer, Knoxville, TN: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” Psalm 139:23 NIV
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matt.6:34 NIV
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NLT)
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.
Betty, Clarksville Tn
“March on, my soul, be strong!”
Judges 5:21b
NIV
March 16: Fruit of the Spirit NIV version Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Kerri, Greenville, MS
“do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 (niv)
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Laura Beth
Unicoi, Tn.
Marti, Charlotte NC: For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9
Aimee, Columbus, Ohio
Psalm 19:14 NIV
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Sandra, China Grove, NC
Isaiah 33:6 (NET)
He is your constant source of stability; he abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; he gives all this to those who fear him.
Linda, Newark, DE Matthew 5:16 (NASB)
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
May it be so, Lord!
Joy, Clarksville
Search me, O God, and know my heart;test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139: 23 & 24
NIV
Valerie, Farmington MN
Revelation 17:14
They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers.
Lynda-Buffalo, WY: “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13
Hollie, Waco, TX:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NIV
Kara, Ardmore, OK
“Praise the Lord. How good and fitting it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:1-3 NIV
Oops! Verse 1 should be: “Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him.”
alicia, chicago…
“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
Tara, Powder Springs, GA
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
Kierstan
Portland, Oregon
And the effect of righteousness will be peace [internal and external], and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever. Isaiah 32:17 AMP
Alisa Chattanooga, TN “The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 NIV
Jeremiah 10:23 TLB It is not within the power of man to map his life and plan his course – so you correct me, Lord.
Cindy, Louisiana, “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. Ps. 86:11-12 NIV
“If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” (Is. 58:10, ESV)
Catherine, Lee’s Summit, MO
“The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.” Psalm 25:14-15, NIV
Lori, Port Arthur, TX (better late than never!!)
We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)
In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people.
Colossians 3:23 NCV)
“guide me in your truth and teach me for you are God My Savior and my hope is in You all day long.” Psalms 25:5(NIV)
Leslie in Fairhope – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
Nanette, Houston —
Jeremiah 23:29 (NIV)
“Is not my word like fire, “declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock to pieces.”
Melanie, Sweetwater, TN
Ezekiel 1:12 NIV
“Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the Spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went.”
Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Kimberly, Aiken, “He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.” Proverbs 10:18 NIV
Lanie, Perry, GA It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night. Psalms 92:1-2 NKJ
Elisabeth, Lexington, KY
“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.”
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 NIV
Ann from Abilene
“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
Psalm 25:4 & 5 (NIV)
Sabrina, Redding. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14: 1,6
Well, I’m doing a repeat b/c I didn’t quite get this one locked in the brain; I figure that’s okay. 🙂
Marina, Kansas City: “Teach me Your way, Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart that I may fear Your name.” Psalm 86:11 NIV
March 15 Memory Verse
Psalm 118:7
The Lord is with me, he is my helper . I will look in triumph on my enemies
Psalm 118:7
Jennifer, North Charleston, SC:
The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
Ps. 27:1, NIV
Kathy
Dow, IL
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalms 4:8 NIV
Psalm 121:1,2 I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
WhooHoo!!