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
II Corinthians 12:9 NIV
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Sharron, Houston
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You.
Isa 26.30 NIV
Stacey Gaines
Corpus Christi, TX
Send Your light and Your truth; let them lead me.Let them bring me to Your holy mountain,to Your dwelling place. (Psalm 43:3, NIV)
Oops, translation is HCSB!
Debbie, Greenback, TN
“WHATEVER happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Phil. 1:2a NIV
Elizabeth, Broomfield, CO (will it ever stop snowing here?)
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV 1984)
Tanis, Terrace
And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, Philippians 1:9 HCSB
Leslee from Columbia, SC
Yet this I call to mind and therefore, I have hope; because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23 NIV
Melissa, Augusta, GA
The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
Isaiah 50:4 NIV
Laura, Englewood. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. Psalm 139:4 (NIV84)
Jill, Vandalia MO
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 soul. Jeremiah 6:16 NIV
Sheryl Blake- Niles, MI
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3, 4 NIV)
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Psalms 91:8 KJV
Donna, Loganville, PA
Proverbs 14:12 ESV
There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.
Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. Ps. 46:10 NIV
Ginger
Wetumpka, AL
Sherry
Indianapolis
“I run in the paths of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” Psalm 119:32
AMEN!
Hannah, Dayton,Oh, “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come..” Isaiah 35:3-4a NIV
Tiffany, Summerville, 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 NIV
Johanna, Carlsbad CA
Psalm 121: 5,6 (NIV)
The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
Big Rapids, MI
Ps. 18:30 ESV This God-His way is perfect; the Word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.
Susan – Murfreesboro, TN
He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. Psalm 72:5 NIV
Martha, Georgetown, TX, NLT Job 22:21-23, “Submit to God, and you will have peace; then things will go well for you. Listen to His instructions and store them in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored — so clean up your life.”
Lisha
Wetumpka, Alabama
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15 (NLT)
Selena – Cordele, GA
A gossip goes around revealing a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
Proverbs 11:13, HCSB
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Margie
Hilton Head Island, SC
Psalm 43:3-4 (NLT)
Send out your light and your truth;
let them guide me.
Let them lead me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you live.
Alexis K., Waco, TX: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.” Ephesians 5:8-10 (NIV)
Julie from Bristol, Tennessee
Psalm 23:4-6 KJV
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Tara G.
Sherwood, AR
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:43-48 (ESV)
Berni, Albuquerque
“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.”
Proverbs 17:14 NIV
NIV
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit.
Diane from Littleton CO
Jeremiah 31:25 NIV
I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.
Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice. Prob. 16:7 NASB
The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 10:10 NKJV
Rene’, Cape Girardeau, MO
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3 NIV
Jan
Hawkinsville, GA
Psalm 103:9 (NKJV)
He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
Hilary, Columbus, GA
The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
Proverbs 14:1 NIV
Peggy, Corpus Christi, TX
God—His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure.
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
2 Samuel 22:31 HCSB
Susan L.(central IL) Share with God’s people who need help. Bring strangers in need into your homes. Romans 12:13 (NCV)
Hannah from Winter Haven, FL
Psalm 119:25-28 (NKJV)
25-My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to Your word. 26-I have declared my ways, and You answered me; teach me Your statutes. 27-Make me understand the way of Your precepts; so shall I meditate on Your wonderful works. 28-My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your word.
Courtney,Chicora.So with yourselves,since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit,strive to excel in building up the church.1Corinthians14:12ESV
Christy, Conifer, Colorado
You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.
Nehemiah 9:6 NIV
Judy
Panama City
1 Peter 3:15 (NCV)
But respect Christ as the holy LORD in your hearts. Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have, but answer in a gentle way with respect.
Cassia, Spring, TX
You will show me the path of life; In your presence is fullness of joy; At your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 NKJV
Amanda Porter. Lubbock, Texas.
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today”, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness!” -Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)
Kay from Deer Park
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
Missie, Marble Falls, “For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end – it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:3 ESV
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful”
Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
Lori – Waxhaw, NC
Kerry, Nederland, Texas
For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.
2 Corinthians 5:10, NLT
Kim; Poplar Bluff, MO. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3 (NIV)
Susan B., Chapin, SC
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 (NIV)