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 Godās good pleasure to raise up seed-throwers from spots all over the United States and Canada to sow into the Tacoma LPL harvest. I canāt 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 Godās 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. Iām actively praying for Priscilla Shirerās simulcast in several weeks even though Iāll be in Fresno. I donāt doubt sheās praying for us, too. I canāt 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 āreaching more and more people,ā 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 Samaritanās 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 Samaritanās 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 arenāt already giving through another organization. No pressure. Just opportunity.) We are all stunned and heartbroken over the devastation in Japan. Itās just incomprehensible. The images are more than I can wrap my mind around. May āthe Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in loyal love and faithfulnessā 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.
Itās time for Siesta Scripture Memory Team Verse 6! Ready, Sisters?? Stay with it! Iāll 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, hereās 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, āThe early bird gets the worm!ā 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 canāt believe Iām 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 āMasaā (on 6th Street) to us but Michelle and I looked at each other like, āTexans better not try it. We better leave that to the Tennesseans. They might not know better.ā 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 couldnāt believe my own taste buds. We started with this unbelievable Bean and Queso dip then, because cheese enchiladas werenāt on the menu, I decided to get Vegetable Fajitas. Iāve never tried them before but Iāve been with Travis and Angela when theyāve ordered them. (And I looked with contempt upon them.) They were unbelievably good. Really fresh – chunky andĀ grilled and topped with cheese. Side of rice and beans. Sara was our waitress and took such good care of us. Sheās 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 wasnāt 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 itās 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 didnāt 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 DIDNāT YOU COME TO THE EVENT??? We asked.
Because we couldnāt afford it!
Then I said: NEVER let me hear you say that again!
We do anything possible to get our college girls tickets to LPLās. For crying out loud, if somebodyās broke, it doesnāt 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 weād 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, Iāve 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.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all, without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt because the one who doubts us is like the wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the sea.
James 1:5&6 (NIV)
Jackson, MS
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Shannon, Greenville- “”But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things shall be given to you as well. Therefore DO NOT worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:33-34 (NIV)
Beverly, Des Moines
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Colossians 3:23 NLT
Jennifer, San Antonio “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds”. Hebrews 10: 23-24 NIV
(dear mama Beth sorry this is late, I had surgery-went well- this am and yesterday i spent the day cleaning and shopping for my family. Feel okay enough to type verse in before crashing for the night.)
Meggie, Colorado Springs,CO
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenliy lights, who does now change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfiruts of all He created.
James 1:17-18 NIV
not, not the NOW in verse 17 oops changes whole meaning
For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh… Rom. 8:3 NKJ
Kelly, Houston
4 The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. Is 50:4 NIV
Beth-have often thought about writing you a [nice] letter and never pulled it together and so tonight amongst your thousand of scriptures i suddenly feel the need to affirm you in your ministry and calling. loved ‘seeing’ you in Tacoma this weekend! loved your slightly risky-will-likely-be-taken-out-of context-stop story…it reminded me of a time a long time ago when i was a teenager and i was not talking or listening to God in particular and one day he just told me to STOP something i was doing. it was so clearly him and that all he said and it got my full attention and i wrote myself a sticky note with the word stop and stuck it on my desk and never did the thing again. it’s strange how your life and teaching is so intertwined in my own story. thanks for coming to the northwest. this was my 3rd living proof live. love you sister
PS i am a little mad the holy spirit did not inform us to eat at Masa’s…:( perhaps its because i did not stop for the question! š
Michelle Olathe, KS
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and doing your own work as we told you before. As a result, people who are not Christians will trust and respect you and you will not need to depend on others for enough money to pay your bills.
Living Bible
Nicole, Oxford “Once again you will have compassion on us. you will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean.” Micah 7:19 NLT
Just blogged about this verse!
Caroline, Kansas City: How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. Psalm 119:9 (NAS)
Prov 14:9 NIV
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick tempered man displays folly.
Anita
Austin, TX
Amy, Hood River, “I will make my words in your mouth a fire and these people the wood it consumes.”
Jer 5:14, NIV
Annie, Kansas City: How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. Psalm 119:9 (NAS)
Rene’-Royse City TX
You must do this not only while they are watching you, to please them. With all your heart you must do what God wants as people who are obeying Christ.
Ephesians 6:6 NCV
Kristen, Kansas City: How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. Psalm 119:9 (NAS)
Amy W
Plano, TX
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Rebecca, Houston
“Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, LORD, is in you.”
Psalm 25: 16-21 NIV
MaryKaren, Charlotte, “I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spiritās power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on Godās power. 1 Corinthians 2:3-5, NIV
Saralynn Haserot, Castro Valley, CA
Jeremiah 6:16 NIV
“This is what the LORD says: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Taylor, Dallas, TX: “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)
Leanne, Billings, MT
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”
Psalm 143:10 NIV
Karen, Farmington, AR
“In Your unfailing love You will lead the people You have redeemed. In Your strength You will guide them to Your Holy dwelling.” Exodus 15:13 NIV
Kathryn, Birmingham, AL
“Then you will call on me and 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.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 NIV
Cynthia, Walnut Creek, Ca
He(Abraham)did not waiver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. And being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. Romans 4:20-21 NKJV
Janice, Tulsa. “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV
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; Rebecca,Madison,MS; Linda, Carolina Beach, NC; Kaye in Arkansas; Brittney, Olympia; Deb, Windsor, CT; Amanda, Colorado Springs; Kim, Warren Raleigh; Robin Snohomish, WA; Dorothea, Rockwall, TX; Stacey from Abilene; Cheryl, Uganda
Brittany, Elko:
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons[daughters], by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (ESV)
Rachelle, Long Island
In their hearts human beings plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
Proverbs 16:9 TNIV
Choose this day whom you will serve….but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 RSV
Amy Storms
Santa Clarita, CA
The one who calls you is faithful and HE. WILL. DO. IT.
1 Thessalonians 5:24
April, Hume
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Philippians 2:1-2 NIV
Nancy, Kiwoko. I keep asking that 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. Ephesians 1:17 NIV.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourself. Do what it says. James 1:22 ESV
James 1:5-6 (NIV)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all, without finding fault and it will be given to you. But when you ask, YOU MUST BELIEVE AND NOT DOUBT because the one who doubts is like the wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the sea.”
Kimberly, el paso, tx
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8, esv
Tracy, Hobe Sound, FL “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
karen, cheney, WA
“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”
Acts 20:32 (KJV)
Paulette
Nogalus Prairie
“Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”
James 1:27 NET Bible
Michelle in Concord, CA
Ecclesiastes 7:8 NIV
The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
RaeLeen, Greenwood
He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us.
2 Cor. 1:10 (NIV)
Tracy, San Diego
“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him” ESV (I’m joining late because I just found this memory team – I hope that’s ok)
Keri, Anniston, Alabama
Ruth 2:12, NIV May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.
God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at the break of day
Psalm 46:5
Belinda Smith, Jackson, LA
And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:15 NKJV
Raegan
Midland, Texas
Exodus 14:14
The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm!
Kerry
Cape Coral, FL
John 16:33 The Message
I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.
Dawn, Lafayette, Louisiana
Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever, wisdom and power are his.
He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in the darkness, and light dwells with him.
I thank you 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 2:20-23
Richelle, Kingston, TN
I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me, I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:7-8 (NIV)
Jennifer, Denham Springs, LA
O LORD, you are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; you maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. Yes, I have a good inheritance. Psalm 16:5-6, NKJV