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
Andrea Nicholson, McKinney, TX
“However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 10:20, NIV
Josie
Salem, OR
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:13 ESV)
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 New English Translation (NET)
12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you,
Jennifer, Sisters, OR
But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hand;
Psalm 31: 14-15a
Claire, Bangkok,
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” – Ps 37:23NLT
Brenda Hayden
Auburn, WA
Jeremiah 15:16, ESV
Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD God of hosts.
Megan, Sioux Falls, SD. Copying Beth’s verse this week…
Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. 1 Corinthians 14:12 NKJV
And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.
Ecclesiastes 3:13 [NLT]
Emma, Conifer, Colorado
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 NIV
Tracey, Encinitas:
…Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
Midge, Atlanta He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
Proverbs 28:26 (NIV)
Kelley, Olive Branch, MS
Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. Proverbs 28:26
Lethbridge, AB
Make allowances for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Colossians 3:13 NLT
Lori D., Georgetown, TX
In the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:3 (NIV)
James 1:27 NIV
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Angela Wallace, San Diego
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)
Rachel
Huntsville, AL
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. Philippians 4:11
Lindy I. White from Oklahoma City, OK
Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching.
2 TIM 4:2 (HCSB)
Mitzi, Lepanto, AR
James 1:27 NIV
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Leslie, Sand Springs, OK,, 21 for she said to herself, :”If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart daughter, your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.
Matthew 9: 21-22 (ESV)
Jones Creek, Texas
Jesus wept.
John 11:35
(NIV)
“But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:18 KJV
Julie, Gresham, OR
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 (NKJ)
Jennifer W., Tulsa
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” 1 Peter 3:15 KJV
Janelle, West Palm Beach, “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)
Buffy from Frisco, TX; If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:22 NIV
karen, Cheney, Washington
“Now the LORD is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is freedom.”
-II Corin.3:17-
(NIV)
Carola,Missoula
Ephesians 1:10 NASB
with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth. In Him
Romans 8:3-4, NLT
The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent His own Son in a body like we sinners have. And in that body, God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 NIV)
Emily, Elk Grove, CA
“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.” -Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Michele Powell, Nampa, ID
1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Andrea from Fresno, CA “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” Philippians 1:27 (ESV)
Emily from Houston~
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good. ~Psalm 73:28 NASB
Michele Duffy, snowy Minneapolsi, Minnesota (on the 1st of May!)
Jesus performed this first sign in Cana of Galilee. He displayed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.
John 2:11 HCSB
In honor of my son’s wedding this weekend:)
Johnnie, Hammond, LA
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding,
In all your ways acknowledge HIM and He will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:4-5 NKJV
Michele Duffy, snowy Minneapolis, Minnesota (on the 1st of May!)
Jesus performed this first sign in Cana of Galilee. He displayed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.
John 2:11 HCSB
In honor of my son’s wedding this weekend:)
Lisa from Seward Alaska, And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:14 ESV)
Michaela, Overland Park, KS
“Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10 (NLT)
Tracy – Andice, TX
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved,
put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other,
whoever has a complaint against anyone,
just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”
Colossians 3:12-13
Wow I literally just read this verse before getting in bed! In the niv the word try struck me as odd. And the implied drive/ambition behind desiring gifts struck me too. Wow. I am not normally part of the siesta memorization team but I think The Lord wants me to memorize this one! Thanks Beth, your faith inspires me. And btw, I talk to you often too (and sometimes even argue) though you can’t hear me. Love ya!
Tori DeClue; Bolivar, MO
“The goal of this command is love, which comes from a sincere heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith.”
1 Timothy 1:5
NIV
emi, white house,tn: “Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!” Psalm 117:1-2 ESV
Christine, Chandler, AZ.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
Becca, St. Paul, MN
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. -Romans 8:15-18 NIV
Marlene. Lemoore, ca. But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. Proverbs 4:18. MacArthur study bible
Romans 12:12 NIV
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Candi McDonald, Fort Bragg, NC ‘It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery’.
Galatians 5:1, NASB
Lisa, Arlington, TX:
“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1John 4:8
Stillwater, Oklahoma
Psalms 119:159 (NLT)
See how I love your commandments, Lord. Give back my life because of your unfailing love.