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
Dana, Atlanta:
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Dana Ashland, KY “In His Name the nations will put their hope.” Matthew 12:21 NIV National Day of Prayer theme verse!!!
Chris
Canton, NC
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”
Luke 12:25-26
NIV
Becky Jo
Chesterfield MI
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:17 ESV
Debbie
Georgetown, Tx
For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. (Psalms 26:3 ESV)
Rachael Clark, jersey shore, pa
The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Isaiah 58:11 NIV
Kristel Hines from Russellville, AR
Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3 NLT
Betty, Waveland IN: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 NIV
Kim, Huntington, WV
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. –2 Corinthians 4:4
2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV
Psalm 103:1 (KJV)
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Sibley, Louisiana
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto man. Colossians 3:23 KJV
Suzanne, Houston
“. . .thus says the Lord God: ‘I do not do this for your sake, o house of Israel, but for My Holy name’s sake. . .”
Ezekiel 36:22 (NKJV)
Tammy, Van, TX Isaiah 41:13 For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (NIV)
Needing this reminder in my marriage lately –
“Be kind and compassionate to one another,
forgiving each other,
just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32, NIV
Tara
Greensboro, NC
They rejoiced when the waves grew quiet. Then He guided them to the harbor they longed for.
Psalm 107:30
HCSB
Anne, Simpsonville, SC “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:10-12 NLT
“My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:2 (NIV)
Barbara Severns, Eagle, Idaho
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
Proverbs 16:32 NASB
Melissa, Greensburg, KY. – “Then He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy oh son of man, and say to the breath ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life.” ‘” – Ezekiel 37:9, NAS
Karla Dumal
Gulfport, MS
Jesus wept. John 11:35 KJV
Lisa A, Frisco, TX
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
1 John 3:1 NIV
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.
Tammy,
Ingleside, TX
Maly, Marysville, Oh.
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Linda, Blue Springs, MO
Proverbs 31:16-18 ESV
16. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
18. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
Laura – Morgantown, WV
“Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” – Joshua 3:5
Sharon Q. Mineola, Texas
5-1-’13
He gives strength to the weary and increases
The power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:29
Tammy V.
Merryville, La
“For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.” NKJV
But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God’s image. James 3:8-9 NET
Lisa from Kokomo,IN
Blessed be The Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Psalms 68:19 NKJV
Pamela from Belmont, NC
But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
Psalm 13:5 NIV
Wendy Sedalia MO
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 3:22-23 (NIV)
Lakeisha, Mays Landing, NJ
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Psalm 51:10. NLT
Lauren, Charlotte, NC
“Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.”
Psalm 32:2-3 (ESV)
Staci, Holland, MI
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare, and from the deadly pestilence.”
Psalm 91:1-3 NIV
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
God has done so much for me that I can’t fathom how many times he has pull me out of the holes that I have made for myself in the past & now it’s smooth sailing all the way. Beth I wish that you would come the Salem Oregon if you would please come or think about it.
Judy Littleton, NC
Fear not for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10. NKJV
Stacie
Tenaha, TX
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
John 15:18-19 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
Wendy Couper Peterborough, ON Canada
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. (Isaiah 1:17 NLT)
Melissa in Greer, SC
Those who trust in the Lord
Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved, but
abides forever.
Psalm 125:1 NKJV
Sue, Texarkana, TX
“From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.” John 1:16 NIV
Merredith Champaign, “your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” psalm 119:105 ESV
Beth, Toronto: No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage … (Joshua 1:5, 6a NKJV)
Beth R
liberty Lake, Wa
James 1:9 TNIV
Believers in humble circumstances Ought to take pride in their high position.
Jana, Quitaque, TX
1John 4:16-18 NIV
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Katie, Harrisonburg, VA. “If the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you,” Romans 8:11 (ESV).
Kaitlin, Mound, MN
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Christine, port saint lucie, florida
Psalm 91:1-6 (NKJV)
91Â He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Christina, Winter Haven
“For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
1 Corinthians 6:20, NKJV