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
Kim Dyck Osler Sask. Canada
NIV Study Bible
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4
Wherewithal shall a young man cleansd his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word. PSALM 119:9 KJV
Elizabeth M, Novato, CA
James 1:5 (ESV)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Sarah
Portales, NM
Psalm 31:14 ESV
“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.”
Jodi From DFW
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. (Psalms 51:10, 11 KJV)
Maggie, Seattle, WA
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thess. 5:16-18 (NIV)
Laura, Houston: “You, Lord, are all I have, and you give me all I need. My future is in your hands.” Psalm 16:5 (TEV)
Lisa Riley from Sussex, WI
11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (NIV)
Jennifer Germantown, WI
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.” (NLT)Proverbs 31:30
Laura K, Spearfish, SD:
Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His presence continually! – Psalm 105:4 ESV
Rosalye
Vicksburg, MS
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the Name of The Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through Him.
Col. 3:17
NIV
Abilene, TX
Psalm 139:7-8 (NIV84)
Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
Susan, Greensburg, Indiana:
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
Psalm 139:5, 17 NIV
You hem me in behind and before, You lay you hand upon me. How precious to me are Your thoughts, God. How vast is the sum of them.
Cassidy, Houston, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2, NIV
Sarasota, FL: “Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.”
Psalm 71:20 NIV
Carolyn, Springfield Mo
Lamentations 3:22-23 RSV
The STEADFAST LOVE of the Lord NEVER Ceases
His Mercies NEVER come to an end.
They are NEW every morning,
Great is thy Faithfulness
Susan from Greensburg:
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the LORD who has compassion on you.” NIV
STACY, CHAPIN SC
I DESIRE TO DO YOUR WILL MY GOD; YOUR LAW IS WITHIN
MY HEART. PS 40:8
Katie, Clovis, CA
yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. Habakkuk 3:18-19 (NLT)
Charmaine, Miami — “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
DeAnne, Talmage And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NIV
You will fill me with joy in Your presence. (Psalm 16:11 NIV)
Heather- Harrogate, TN
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 (NKJV)
April Lopez, BonneyLake,Wa
You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.
Psalm 119:114NIV
Emmilianna Ferreria, BonneyLake,Wa
Be kind and compassionate to one another forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Cindy, Nashville, TN “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12 NIV
Weatherford, OK
Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. (Psalms 86:11 NLT)
Kathryn, West Palm Beach, FL: “The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.” James 1:9NIV
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17 KJV
Leanne from Eden Prairie, MN
This I declare about the Lord : He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. (Psalms 91:2 NLT)
Hannah-Houston
ICB 1Peter 4:15-16 Do not suffer for murder, theft, or any other crime, nor because you trouble other people. But if you suffer because your a Christian, then do not be ashamed. You should praise God because you wear that name.
Loveland , CO
“You, Lord, are all I have, and you give me all I need. My future is in your hands.”
Psalm 16:5 (TEV)
Lauren from Conyers, GA
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Judy, Virginia Phillipians 1:6 NIV “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.”
Jan, Athens, Ga:
“..To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it”
Revelation 2:17 NIV
Katy – Mount Juliet, TN
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you, he will never leave you or forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31: 6 NIV
Joy G. in Platte City, MO
“For since the beginning of the world
Kate Charlottesville “…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1 ESV.
Loveland, CO
Psalm 16:5 “My choice is you, God, first and only. And now I find I’m your choice!” (MSG)
Joy G., Platte City, Mo
For since the beginning of the world
Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear
Nor has the eye seen any God besides You
Who acts for the one who waits for Him.
Isaiah, 64:4 NKJ
Corley in Conway, AR:
“Remember your leaders who spoke God’s message to you; reflect on the outcome of their lives and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever!”
Hebrews 13.7-8, NET
Jolie – Cottage Grove, MN
But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased wih him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
Hebrews 10:38-39
Isaiah 26:12 niv
LORD, You established peace for us; all that we have accomplished You have done for us.
(so I can’t take the credit for anything!)
Leah from Bloomington, IN: Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.” Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Pauline, Eau Claire, “If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold You are there”.
Psalm 139:8 NKJV
Patty, Ada, OK
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive GLORY and HONOR and POWER, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being.”
Revelation 4:11, NIV
isaish 26:12 niv
LORD, You established peace for us; all that we have accomplished You have done for us.
Susan, Overland Park, KS
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2Cor. 4:18 (NIV84)
Saige, Shreveport, LA
“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake othe work of your hands.” – Psalm 138:8 (ESV)
Continuing on in my memorization of Psalm 91.
Psalm 91:9 ESV
Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—