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.
Melissa, Black Creek, Ga
John 16:33 NIV
“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.”
Katherine, St.Johns,Fl
“O Lord, teach me how You want me to live! Then I will obey Your commands. Make me wholeheartedly committed to You!” Psalm 86:11 NET
Holly Tennessee, 2 peter 1:3 (niv) His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Beth, Pleasant Plains, IL
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1Thessalonians 5: 16-18 NIV
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
Amanda M. Columbus, Ohio – ” You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in Yah, the LORD is everlasting.” NKJV
“I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
~Daniel 2:23 NIV
I just finished my first bible study, the Daniel study, and am trying to memorize Daniel 2:20-23. What a wonderful book to do a study on!
Ruth, Fuquay Varina, NC – “Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves wtih compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Col 3:12 NIV
Jocelyn, Greer, SC
For no one is cast off
by the Lord forever.
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love.
For he does not willingly bring affliction
or grief to anyone.
-Lamentations 3:31-33
Deb, Topeka, KS
Philippians 4:4-7 (New King James Version)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Emily, Tulsa, Oklahoma
“Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.”
-Psalm 103:1, NLT
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Pat,
Crawfordsville, IN
Brittney, San Angelo “For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand, who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.'” Isaiah 41:13 NASB
Jane, St. Louis
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
Amy H. Oklahoma City, OK
ESV 41:13 For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Becky, Vicksburg, MS
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103:8 (NIV).
Pam, Austin, 2 Cor. 4:7 NIV
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Nelli, Kingsport, TN
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the One who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name. You are mine”. Isaiah 43:1 NLT
Nicole
Keller
Hebrews 2:14-15 (New Living Translation)
Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had[a] the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.
Melissa, Houston
“Be still and know that I am God”. Psalm 46:10 NIV
Read this on my first women’s retreat with our church – and my first ‘real’ quiet time with God. He opened my Bible directly to this passage!
Erin – Euless
“Who am I, O Sovereign Lord and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And now, O Sovereign Lord, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! Do you deal with everyone this way O Sovereign Lord?” 2 Samuel 2:18-19 MSG
Allison-Randolph, Mn
Habakkuk 2:3 “Though it tarries, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”
Karen, Amarillo. “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” Romans 6.6(ESV)
Lewisville, TX
“Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Colossians 3:12 HCSB
Lincoln, NE-
NIV Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
Kristine in Edmond, OK “It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night.” Ps. 92:1-2 NIV
Rachelle, New Mexico
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight”.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (New International Version, ©2011)
Jodi, St. Paul, MN
Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
As I have been so hurt and devasted over Japan..and struggle with my God thoughts…this is what I picked:
Sandee
El Dorado Hills, CA
John 6:61a,67,68
NIV
Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you?….
“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Oak Ridge, TN
O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water. Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You. Psalms 63:1-3 NKJ
Romans 4:20 NIV
Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God
Hebrews 4:16 (amplified)
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.
Maggie Daley- Greenville, SC
“I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord.”
Lauren-Plano, TX
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
James 4:10 NIV
Bless the LORD, my soul; all my being bless his holy name!
Bless the LORD, my soul; do not forget all the gifts of God,
Who pardons all your sins, heals all your ills,
Delivers your life from the pit, surrounds you with love and compasssion.
NAB Ps.103:1-4
Katie – Lincoln, Ne – But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3 NLT
Emy Placentia,CA
 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NLT
Melissa, Centreville, Michigan
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen! Jude 24,25 (NIV)
Allison, Tampa: Isaiah 40:28-29 NASB
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.”
Karen, Auburn, AL
Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8 CEV
Awilda – College Station, TX
2 Corinthians 5:21 (Revised Standard Version)
For my sake God made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him I might become the righteousness of God.
“I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.” Psalm 118:17
Sandy, Galveston, Texas
I am the Lord our God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13
Lauren, New York, NY
“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8 NLT
Mari Raleigh, NC
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:10 (NKJV)
Vicki, Corpus Christi, Texas: Ephesians 3:20 (Molly, my baby girl was born on 3/20…20 years ago) Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.
Tara, Frankfort, KY
Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
James 1:2-3 NLT
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8
Charlotte, Worsley, Alberta
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Ph. 4:7 NIV
Revis, Leander, TX.
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.James 1:12 NIV