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.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spritit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:26 NIV
Sue, Newnan, Georgia
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes you by the right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
AnnJanel, JacareĂ, SĂŁo Paulo
“When the earth and all its people quake it is I who hold its pillars firm.” Psalm 75:3 (NIV)
Allie, Memphis:
How long will you assault a man?
Would all of you throw him down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
They fully intend to topple him
from his lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.
Psalm 62:3-4 NIV
“For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”
Matthew 12:34 (NIV)
Thanks for the Stumptown plug. I’m a coffee fiend, myself, but don’t care for the “water-downed” variety that I find most of my peers drink. I am more of a cafe con leche/cafe au lait girl with coffee that’s “thick” with a little hot milk added (can be frothed or not). Stumptown give tips on how to make it any way you make it which I find very helpful. I guess this is an aside from my verse and my prayers to be a prayer vessel for Japan.
I couldn’t get to a computer yesterday but better late than never! 🙂
Laura, Nebraska.
Isaiah 26:3-4 NKJV
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 strength.
Sarah, Avon Park, FL:
“I have seen You in the sanctuary, and beheld Your power and glory.” Psalm 63:2
Amber, Clarksville, TN
“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT
P.S. Yes, I remember what Dana remembers about God telling you to get out of bed to look — I think that was New Orleans? Maybe this is kind of bizarre how much I remember stories you, Miz Beth, have told. Some of them ring in my ears more than those of people I have (well, I can’t say personally known because, in a sense, I have impersonally personally known you) known face-to-face.
I have really large windows in my house and sometimes, I sense Him saying, stop now and look out there, and I do. I sit down in my “Lincoln rocker” and watch the colors change in the twilight. We all need to stop fretting, pause on our gerbil wheels, and take a look, one hard look, daily at the beauty Our Creator has created.
So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. Heb. 2:1 (NLT)
Cheryl from Hattiesburg, MS
Isaiah 40:28 NIV
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary and His understanding no one can fathom.
Annita, Haleyville, AL “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, and though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3: 17-18, NIV
Betsy – Antwerp, Ohio
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psa 73:26 (ESV)
Christine, Phoenix: “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
Lori/Pensacola
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
1Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 KJV
MiChal, College Station, TX
“Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these [new heavens, new earth] BE DILIGENT to be found by Him without spot or blemish, and AT PEACE.”
2 Peter 3:14 (ESV)
Sara, Charlo MT
“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty.” Zechariah 4:6
Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
‘You will seek and find me, when you seek me with all of your heart.’
Madison, Ms
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
Hebrews 3:12
Jane
Clyde
Phil. 4:6,7 New American Bible
Dismiss all anxiety from your minds. Present your needs to God in every form of prayer and in petitions full of gratitude. Then God’s own peace, which is beyond all understanding, will stand guard over your hearts and minds, in Christ Jesus.
Seoul, Korea
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.”
Proverbs 18:10 NIV
Lauren, New Braunfels, TX: But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. I Peter 2:9, NKJV
Lea Ann, Norman, OK
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30 NIV
Lindsey; Bowling Green, Ky; Philippians 4:4-8; ESV
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
I Corinthians 13:1 NIV
If I speak in the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
from Houston
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you my have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 [NASB]
Susan, Old Hickory, TN
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3 NIV
Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.
Psalm 51:1-2 (NLT)
Karla, Broomfield, CO The LORD helps the fallen and lifts up those beneath their loads.
Psalm 145:14 NLT
I’m so sorry I’m signing in late!
Alexis, Houston. “…If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11 NIV
Nicole, Florissant, MO: “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1, 2 (NIV)
Julia, Glendora, CA. “By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the first- born might not touch them.” Hebrews 11:28 NASB
Kathy College Station Tx You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. Matt5:6 Message
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Beth,
Houston
“Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:36-NIV.
Think how awesome it will be to stand before the Son of Man!!!!
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Heather, Niceville FL
Hannah, LaGrange TX “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
Theresa – Pace, Florida
Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
“And He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Rhonda, Aptos, CA
Psalm 145:18-19
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
To all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
He hears their cry and saves them.
Morgen, Elizabethtown, KY
Proverbs 31:27-28
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
Becca D Surprise AZ
The lord will fight for you, you need only to be still
EX 14:14 NIV
Melissa, New York City
16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Denise, Houston:
I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28 (NIV)
Psalm 34: 6,7 AMP
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him our of all his troubles.
The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe] and each of them He delivers.
Lino Lakes, MN
Deborah/Broken Arrow, OK
So I say, live by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. Galatians 5:16-18
Oops!
Melissa, New York City
16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (ESV)
Becky, Douglas, WY : Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:3-4 (KJV)
Rosa, Houston, TX: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:3-4 (KJV)