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
Holli from Corona, Ca
“Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LorD and rely on his God.”
Isaiah 50:10 NIV 84
Coral, Jacksonville, Florida
Hebrews 12:2
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Heidi – Narvon, PA
Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.
Psalm 119:133 (NLT)
Trina, Summerton.
May 1, 2013 They showed that the essential requirements of the law are written in their heart and are operating there, With which their consciences (senses of right and wrong) also bear witness; And their moral decisions (their arguments of reason, there condemning or approving thoughts) will accuse or perhaps defend and excuse them.
Romans 2:15. Amplified
Tania, Graceville, Above all else, guard your heart,for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
Karen, Houston
5/1/13 Verse 10
Eph. 2:8-9 for it is by grace you have been saved, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -not of works, so that no one can boast. NASV
Heather, Tallahassee Turn my eyes away from what is worthless! Revive me with Your Word! Psalm 119:37 NET
Tammy,
Lusby, MD
Ecclesiastes 2:25 (NIV)
…for without him, who can eat or find employment?
Janice – Topeka, KS
The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silent before Him.
Habakkuk 2:20 NIV
Marcie, Concordia, KS
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. 2 Thess. 1:11
Vanessa from Rogersville, MO
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV
Valerie
Sparks, Nevada
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NLT
Brynn in Alicante, Spain
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
Romans 3:20 NIV
Jamie Teagle, Atlanta, GA
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families…”
Psalm 68:5-6a (NIV)
Kristy from Tallahassee, FL
“to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever, Amen.”
Ephesians 3:21 HCSB
Lynda, Ocala, FL : For as high as the heavens are above the Earth, so great is His love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:11-12 NIV
Kathleen, Phoenix
Exodus 33:14 (KJV)
And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.”
that my heart may sing to you
and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give
you thanks forever.
Psalm 30:12
Jane from Calgary, Alberta
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”
~Ephesians 5:3 (NIV)
Christina Fort Worth
I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud, and
your sins like a mist.
Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.
Isaiah 44:22 HCSB
Pam Hendersonville, NC
“Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.” I Thessalonians 5:24 KJV
“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” Romans 6:6
I’ve been doing the David study and in week 4 you challenge us to memorize this verse so hear goes!
Jenni, Murray, KY:
“that you will be filled with the good things produced in your life by Christ to bring glory and praise to God.” Philippians 1:11 NCV
~ The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. — Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Psalms 29:2 KJV
Robin Freeman~~Garland TX
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3 NIV
Diana, North Attleboro, MA
Nothing that goes into a person from outside can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.
Mark 7:15 (HCSB)
Laura Humphreys, Savannah, GA
“as you hold out the word of life — in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.” Philippians 2:16 (NIV)
Beth, Fountain Inn, Psalm 16:9 ESV Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices, my flesh also dwells secure.
Stephanie, Canton, NY
Colossians 3:15 NLT
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” -Proverbs 3:5
Ronda H
Murfreesboro, TN
Romans 12:9-10
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. ” (NLT)
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
Marla, from Dixon, Illinois: Proverbs 3:6 (NIV)
…In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.
“Let us hold firmly to the hope that we have confessed, because we can trust God to do
what He promised.” Hebrews10:23 NCV
“So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of The Spirit, strive to excel
In building up the church.” I Corinthians 14:12 ESV
Beth…your verse spoke to me, I’m going to include it with mine as the cry of my heart!
Blessings my Siestas!….:)
Marita in Maricopa, AZ
Col 3:15-16
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
ESV
Paula, O’Fallon. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:2 RcV
Patti, Colorado
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Romans 1:20
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and God head, so that they are without excuse.”
Margo, Burlington ON
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1Peter 5:10 NIV
Melissa from Goshen, KY
Proverbs 31:26 (NLT)…When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
“You also, be patient. Establish you hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.”
James 5:8-9 ESV
Kim Emmerich
Dickinson, ND
Darcy – Edwardsville, IL
You will keep in perfect peace, those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever,for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.
Isaiah 26:3-4
Stephanie Floyd. Danville. Ky
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrew 13:8. NIV
Dianne, FL
“Create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit.”
Psalm 51:10
“The Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is He.”
Deuteronomy 32:4 ESV
Jayne- Frisco, TX
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
II Corinthians 4:16 NAS
Crystal from Phoenix
Psalm 5:11 NIV
But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.
Julie G
Boerne, TX
But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge…. Psalm 73:28
Janice Parent, Bakersfield, CA
Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 63:7 NIV