Hey, Everybody!
I’m so happy to spend these next few minutes with you. I like to remind you in a writing season like this that I am thinking about you constantly even when it appears from your side of the screen as if we’re less in touch. As I study and write workday in and workday out, you are the first group that comes to my mind. Teacher’s pets if I’ve ever had any. I’m chatting to you constantly right now as I peck away at the keyboard. You just can’t hear me. I’m smiling thinking about how those tables may turn in a little over a year for any of you that end up doing the Bible study. You’ll be talking back to me as we discuss various passages in your homework but I won’t be able to hear you either. What a weird and beautiful dynamic.
I had the biggest blast getting to see a whole bunch of you Siestas at our Eugene, Oregon Living Proof Live. I was shocked when I walked in that room right after the event and David Lowe (our good friend who subs for Rich when he’s out) already had you split into two groups for our picture-taking. It would be hard to over-blow how much I loved being in Oregon for our event. God brought together one of the most wonderful, enthusiastic, Jesus-seeking, gonna-get-a-word-or-else groups ever. One of my top ten favorite groups in all fifteen LPL years. I could have cried when it was over.
(I just happened to remember that I have a few pictures on my iPhone of various shots from this trip so I’ll pitch a few in here for those of you like me who love visuals.)
(In the above picture, we took that State-famous “O” for Oregon and made it into a few divine adjectives for an “Omnipotent,” and “Overflowing,” “Overcoming” and “Out-breaking” God.)
Try to wrap your mind around the fact that God incited 7300 women by His Spirit to attend that event. That was nearly twice what we would have expected in that part of the United States for a gathering of this kind. Travis, the praise team, and I knew within about 2 minutes that Jesus was planning to be there whether we came or not. We felt completely incidental to the whole thing. He has something huge stirring in the Northwest. I can’t quit thinking about it. I got a DM from my good friend, Louie Giglio, last Friday saying that he and Chris Tomlin and their team had just been to that part of the country and were blown away by what God was doing. We left feeling the same astonishment.
I got to spend a little more time in the area than I usually do because I couldn’t get a flight out on Saturday night. That meant several walks in several different parks.
This scene was walking distance from the Holiday Express where we stayed in Eugene. Your blog mama is in there but it’s kind of like “Where’s Waldo?”
Most of our team went to Mount Pisgah Arboretum on Saturday afternoon and, honestly, it was like we were caught in the hobbits’ glen in Lord of the Rings. If Frodo Baggins had stepped out from behind a tree with his short legs and long hairy feet, the whole scene would have been complete. The trees looked just like the ones that talked in the trilogy and they groaned and creaked in the wind like old men trying to get out of a low chair. It was crazy. I didn’t even bother taking pictures with my iPhone because it would have been a travesty but our friend David got some great ones with his grown-up camera. This one doesn’t even give a hint of the gorgeousness that was surrounding us in that park but I think it is especially gorgeous because I love this group of women so much. These are some of the hardest working girls you’ll ever find on earth. They are part of the LifeWay women’s event team that actually puts on Living Proof Live events. (As well as Priscilla Shirer Live and many others.) They don’t often come to the platform but trust me when I tell you that no one would serve on that platform if not for these women doing all the front work, sight inspections, training, praying, and city coordinating. Then, once the weekend arrives, they are busy behind every scene, down every hall, and all over the arena. I am nuts about them. There are at least a dozen others who weren’t assigned to our Oregon event over the weekend. I wish you could see them, too. They are all stellar women.
I could have stayed a solid week in Oregon. Or, if all my people had been there, a month. But Bibby gets cranky for the grandbabies after too many days away. I saw them right before I left for Oregon and the day after I got back. Thank you, thank you, thank you to my beloved Amanda and Curtis, who always make room for the grandparents in their hyper-busy pastoring lives. I happen to be typing this post about five feet away from this picture right here. Now, I ask you, who could stand to be far from those two for very long?? My point exactly.
Oh, one more thing about the trip. On the rare occasions when much of the team gets to stay an extra night after the event, there is considerable foolishness. With God-fearing people, especially of mixed company, off-color humor is out so we have to go with just plain stupid and it works for me every time. This is Travis with his good friends Clay (who played the mandolin for us at this LPL! We loved him!) and Seth (who we always love and get to have on the team most of the time).
I bet Travis wore those glasses for 15 minutes in the drugstore. (Yep, that’s where all this stuff was.) Long enough to where I found myself talking to him normally as if he didn’t look like an idiot. Of course, it might be a tad hypocritical for me to say he looked like such a thing since…
Tragically, that’s not plastic you’re seeing there below the glasses. That’s my real nose. (I made myself laugh.)
Well, I could talk on and on but, the fact is, we have Scriptures to do today, Sisters! I love mine this time around. Remember how we talked about the importance of choosing one to memorize that really means something to us personally? This one’s really speaking to me right now. Lately I’ve been especially aware of the contrasts in the Christian public square between those who build up the Body of Christ and those who tear it down. If we’re going to be builders in a world tearing apart, we’re going to have to be deliberate. We’ll also have to accept the materials we’re working with. We’ll never have a flawless body of believers to edify. Not this side of our completed state. As my friend Carlos Whittaker says, we’re all crazier than we think we are. It’s a mess out there. Oh, for crying out loud, I’m a mess in here. But we do have a flawless Savior and we are indeed God’s chosen people, loved and planned for and accounted for in the Kingdom agenda. We’ve got to decide how we want to treat one another on this thorny journey. This verse says it well.
Beth, Houston. So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. 1 Corinthians 14:12 ESV
There He says it: don’t just take a stab at it. Strive to excel in it.
Oh, Sisters, I love you so much. I truly do. I’ll talk to you soon!
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:17b-19 NIV
Megan, Stow, OH: “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8, NIV
Glenda from Antioch, IL
God’s way and work is perfect; He is faithful to me. Deuteronomy 32:4
Chelsey from Amarillo, TX
“Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.” Isaiah 26:8 (NIV)
Ps. 34:9 ESV San Rafael , Calif.
Oh, fear the Lord, you his saint, for those who fear Him have no lack!
Elvira, Grande Prairie, Alberta
But today from Palm Springs CA. 🙂
Psalm 46:10 NIV
“Be still and know that I am God.”
Dawn in Monett, MO
Psalm 147:11 NIV
The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
James 2:9 NIV
“But how is it to you credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.”
1 Peter 2:20 NIV
~Suzie, Fort Mill, SC
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 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 NIV
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13 NRSV
Alicia, Riverton, UT 2 Timothy 1:7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. ESV
Kari, Frisco, TX
“In all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:6
Elaine, Nampa, Idaho,
He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
Revelation 19:13
James 1:5 f any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Gina, Waynesville, NC
He will call on Me, and I will answer. I’ll be with him through hard times; I’ll rescue him and grant him honor.
Psalm 91:15 (Voice)
Donna D, Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
“Heal, me O Lord, and I will be healed;
save me and I will be saved,
for You are the One I praise.”
Jerm 17:14 NIV
Gena, Rowlett, TX
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 NIV
Kristy, Newkirk, OK
Arise, shine; for your light has come,
And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Isaiah 60:1 NASB
Susan from Cary NC Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again:Rejoice! NIV
Jodi, Sundown TX, 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)
Michelle, West Des Moines, IA
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Psalm 139:5 NLT
Joan, Allentown, PA “Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah Psalm 68:19 NKJV
Jennifer Craven in Winston-Salem, NC
From the end of the earth will I cry unto you, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2 NKJV
Lauren, Malvern, PA
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. Psalms 145:3 (ESV)
Kim, Corning, NY. “O Sovereign LORD, You are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to Your servant. Now be pleased to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever in Your sight; for You, O Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with Your blessing the house of Your servant will be blessed forever” (2 Samuel 7:28-29 NIV).
Lyli, Fort Lauderdale:
“A life frittered away disgusts God. He loves those who run straight for the finish line” (Proverbs 15:9, MSG).
” But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverance;”
1 Peter 3:15
(NAS)
Wendy, Colorado
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:3 NLT
Melanie form Georgetown says
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Ps. 46:2 NIV
Heather from McKinney TX “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23 NIV)
Carol, Santa Maria, CA, “If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is.” 2 Timothy 2:13 NLT
Fredericksburg, VA
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
“25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
26 When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.”
Proverbs 31:25-26 | NLT
This day I call to heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV
“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6, ESV
Rachel, Mt. Carmel, PA
Jeremiah 2:32, NIV – “Does a young woman forget her jewelry, or a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number.”
“Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.”
1 Peter 4:1b-2 MSG
Jessica, San Diego
Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does. Give yourselves to the gifts God gives you. Most of all, try to proclaim his truth. 1 Corinthians 14:1 MSG
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Colossians 2:6 NLT
Deanna, Akron OH
Proverbs 31:10 KJV
“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”
Rita – Alva, Florida
“Without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
Hebrews 11:6 NLT
Susan Sarver, St. George, UT
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, No one comes to the Father except through me.” HCSB
Nicole Hudnall, Lynchburg, VA
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Colossians 2:6 NLT
Emily, Derby KS
But I trust in your faithfulness. May I rejoice because of your deliverance.
Psalms 13:5 NET
Lezlie, Prince George VA
For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. (1 Corinthians 13:9, 10 NIV)
Susie, Columbus, Ohio O Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me. Psalm 7:1 (NIV)
Shea, Southern IL,
Jeremiah 1:5 NIV
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; as a prophet to the nations.”
“Glory in His holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Seek the Lord and His strength,
seek His presence continually!”
Psalm 105:3-4 RSV
Linda, Ft. Collins, CO
Lyndsey, NC
Nehemiah 2:12 (NIV)
“…I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do…”
(committing things to prayer and God first before turning immediately to people and their thoughts/opinions)