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
Psalm 34:7 (ESV)
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.”
Jodell, Frankfort, “O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together.” Psalm 34:3 ESV
Stephanie from Carmichael, CA
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
Cheryl – Concord, NC
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5.10 ESV
Conyers, GA,
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair. Persecuted, but not forsaken, cast down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 KJV
Linda Ney in Gahanna, Ohio
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
Psalm 139: 9 NIV
Mary, Lexington Park, MD
“Even before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24 HCSB
Katie R.
Atlana, GA
Isaiah 40:30-31 (NIV)
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Colossians 1:15 NIV
Jenny Spires, Scottsdale, AZ
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. Psalms 31:25 (NLT)
Cherie – Pocatello, ID “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1, NRSV)
Lisa Brouwer – Sioux Falls, SD
If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. ~Romans 12:7-8 (NIV)
We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7 HCSB
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father though Him.” Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
Kristin, Clearwater, FL
DeAnna. Greenville SC
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (1 Peter 1:18, 19 NIV)
Holbrook, NY
Romans 5:5 NASB
And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Kate, Millville, Canada
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.
Eph 3:18, NLT
Jody from Traverse City, MI
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
~Psalm 91:4
Jessica from Clare, MI
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
~Psalm 91:4 (NIV)
Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Matt.6:33 NIV
Christina Brown
Louisville, KY
The sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will.
Isaiah 50:4 NLT
Judy from Gladwin, MI
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
~Psalm 91:4 (NIV)
Pittsburgh, PA
Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering. 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)
Anita, Lawrenceville
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 ESV
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)
Ruth, Westerville OH
May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:2 (NIV)
Nicole, Tucson: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 (NKJV)
Des Plaines, IL
“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
Lesley, Newbury Park, CA
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24
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
Brenda S, Pewaukee, WI – “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore, my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him!” – Psalm 28:7, NASB
Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37: 4 ESV
Lindsey, Scenery Hill, PA
Proverbs 24:3-4 (ESV)
By wisdom a house is built,
and by understanding it is established;
by knowledge the rooms are filled
with all precious and pleasant riches.
Margaret Ann, Pacific Junction, IA
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Hebrews 13:5-6 (ESV)
Romona, Rosewood Heights
Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 1 John 4:20 (NIV)
Cat
San Antonio, Texas
1 Corinthians 14:12 ESV
So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
Janet Long Clinton,MO
He must become more important. I must become less important.
John 3:30 (NLV)
Kyndra, Houston, TX
Philippians 1:27a, “Whatever happens, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” NIV
The Lord you God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by His love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
Joey Lynn, Las Vegas, NV
Psalm 16:7 (NIV)
I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.
Be joyful always; pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:16. NIV
Dimy from Griffin, Ga.
“If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”~John 15:7 (NIV)
Julie/Deer Park/ Proverbs 11:13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret. NIV
Katie Euken
Muscatine, IA
“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:4 ESV
Beth, London Ontario
John 6:44-45 NIV
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me.”
Megan, Goodlettsville, TN
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5 (NIV)
Mickey, Blue Springs, MO
Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
Ephesians 5:17 NLT
Melissa, Sulphur, LA
Psalm 16:5(NIV)
“Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.”
Alice Champagne, Marietta GA
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done Phil 4:6 (NLT)
Michelle, Minot, ND
Galatians 5:22a ESV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;