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
Laurie, Milton, GA
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. NIV
Shellie P.
Spokane, WA
He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
Proverbs 28:26 (NIV)
Diane
Largo, Florida
You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. And you are living stones that God is building into His spiritual temple. What’s more, you are His holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.
1 Peter 2:4-5 NLT
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.
Psalm 113:3 NIV
Carolyn
Oceanside,Ca
Jacqui. Lemoore, ca. I know that my redeemer lives and in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed , yet in my flesh I will see God. I myself will see him with my own eyes-I, and not another. How my heart yearns inside of me. Job 19:25-27
Matthew 12:34b (HCSB)
For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.
Carolyn, Terrace BC Canada
Psalm 46:1 AMP
God is our refuge and strength
(mighty and impenetrable to temptation)
a very present and well-proved help in trouble.
Mary, Atlanta – “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:10-11 (NIV)
Sophie – Birmingham, AL
“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” – 2 Corinthians 4:5, ESV
Amy-Savannah, GA
Exodus 34:29b NRSV
“…Moses did not know that skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.”
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NKJV)
How sweet are your words to my taste, SWEETER than honey to my mouth.
Psalms 119:103 nkjv
Joy from Lubbock, TX
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12, NIV
James 1:13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.
Imogene, Austin, TX
Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven- for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little. Luke 7:47 NIV
Kathy from Chandler,OK
Numbers 6:24-26 NIV “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Sara, Sioux City, IA
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
Psalm 139:17 NKJV
Elizabeth, Frisco, TX
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thes 5:16-18 NIV
Ashley from Bean Station, Tn: “Cast all your anxiety on The Lord because He cares for you.” 1Peter 5:7
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8 ESV
Mikala, Boston,
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34.8 NIV
Ally, Houston.
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
Meredith, Kosciusko
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Romans 12:9 ESV
Joy, Fayette, AL
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. You once were not a people, but now you are God’s people. You were shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2: 9-10
Jen from Wyoming The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 NIV
Ann from McKinney
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. Romans 8:38 NLT
Nancy
Barboursville WV
Micah 6:8 NIV
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Rachel, Frankfort, IL
“…and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade – kept in heaven for you,”
1 Peter 1:5 NIV
Kelley Jackson MO
“Above all else, guard your heart,for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV
“For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” Ps. 91:11 NKJV
Connie, Pickerington, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that He has made to dwell in us.” James 4:5b ESV
Kara C, Aurora, IL
Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart.
Mary in Sartell, MN Psalm 37:3-4 (ESV) Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Lisa Wylie, TX
2 Corinthians 12:9a & 10 b. NIV
12:9a. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ”
12:10 b ” for when I am weak, then I am strong”
“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”
~Hebrews 11:3 NIV
Gina, Bolivar, MO
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1st Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Kristin A. in Renton, WA
(still chugging away on James)
“Who is wise and understand among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.”
James 3:13 ESV
Jen, Frisco, TX
Ephesians 4:29
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Joyce
Sparta, NJ
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)
Then you will know the truth,and the truth will set you free,
John 8:32 (niv)
Bombey Bellaire, TX
But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Tim 6:6 NIV84
Brittany, Griffin, GA. Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and light onto my path. Psalm 119:105
Connie, Chariton, NKJV James 2:6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do no the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts?
Joy, Caldwell,ID
I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— (Romans 1:11 NIV)
Alicia, Mesa, AZ
Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh, but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. Romans 8:8-9 NIV
Betty, Loma Linda
If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shall honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
Isa 58:13 KJV
Jane, Gulfport, MS – “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.” John 14:12 (NASB)
Marie-Franklin, TN
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
Sandy from Bryan, Ohio
“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)
(Thanks Maggie from Seattle)
Emily in Anchorage, AK
Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
“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.”
Tammy Mashburn Spartanburg SC
And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
Luke 12:7 MSG