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
Emily, Abu Dhabi, UAE
“The Lord within her is righteous; he does no wrong;
Morning by morning he dispenses his justice, and every new day he does not fail, yet the unrighteous know no shame.”
Zephaniah 3:5 (NIV)
Tessie El Dorado Springs, MO
Psalm 40:3 NLT
He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.
Joanna Duck
Norman, Oklahoma
And hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom He has given us.
Romans 5:5 NIV
Karen from Iowa: 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. Micah 6:8 (NIV).
2 Cor 4:17 NIV- For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
Sue, Wellington. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. NIV 84
Luke 10:19
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you”. NIV
Sue, Wellington. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 NIV 84 p
Kelli T
Southeastern Colorado
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Psalm 51:11 KJV
Renee from Rural Hall, NC: “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.” 2 Corinthians 10:3 (NIV)
Sally Reed,Bellaire,Tx,NIV
James1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously without finding fault,and it will be given to you.
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near;
Isaiah 55:6 ESV
Collierville TN
” For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say”
Luke 12:12
Julia, Springfield, TN
Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in Spirit.
Cindy, Largo, Florida
God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! Ephesias 3:20 MSG
Vicki K from Houston
Ephesians 6:11-12 (NIV)
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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.
Mindy from Austin, TX, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me.”, John 14:1, NIV.
Pattie Self, San Angelo, TX
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Galatians 5:16 NIV
Pam, Sioux Falls, SD
“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens.”
Psalm 68:19, NIV
Do you plan to meet with Siestas at all of the Living Proof Live events this special anniversary year? I have my tickets for Springfield, IL in October–would love to meet & greet the Siestas (and of course Beth)!
Sue Oktaha, OK
And I am convienced 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 tommorow- not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
Romans 8:38 NLT
Mindy B, Gloster, LA
Proverbs 29:25
New International Version (NIV)
25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
Alyse Woodstock, GA
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Joyce Davidson, Big River, Saskatchewan, Canada
“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.”
Psalm 25:9 (NIV84)
Angela; Covington, GA
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV
Karessa, Peoria, IL:
I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. Isaiah 45:2-3 NIV
Denise from Lenexa, KS
Do this because you are a people set apart as holy to God, your God. God, your God, chose you out of all the people on Earth for Himself as a cherished, personal treasure.
Deuteronomy 7:6 (Message)
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
James 3:17 NLT
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God while I have being.
Psalm 104:33 (NSRV)
Carrie Gill, Tyler, TX, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
JoAnn, Columbus
Romans 12:1 NIV
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Sheila from Florida
“You will decree a thing and it will be established for you and light will shine on your ways”.
Job 22:28 NASB
Teresa, Edmond, OK
“You, Lord, are all I have, and you give me all I need. My future is in your hands.” Psalm 16:5 (TEV)
Sarah, Appleton, WI
“The high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, the Holy One, says this: ‘I sit in that high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.'”
Isaiah 57:15, NLT
Jo Ann, Philadelphia. “Do not hide Your face from me, Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not abandon me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation!” Psalm 27:9 (NASB)
“For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand;it is I who say to you, ‘Fear Not, I AM the One who helps you.”
Isaiah 41:13, ESV
Amy 7634, SF Bay Area
“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain…”
Hebrews 6:19 (ESV)
Ephesians 1:4-5
“just as HE chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love, He predestined us to adoption as as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
Lindsey Buchanan, St. Augustine, FL:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
Laura
Cairns (Aust)
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12
NIV
Sabrina-Houston,TX
I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV
Virginia from Elgin, TX
Nehemiah 4:14 NIV
“Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
Terri, Ferris, Texas
“Unto You do I cry, O Lord my Rock, be not deaf and silent to me, lest, if You be silent to me, I become like those going down to the pit [the grave]” Psalm 28:1 AMP
Kelly, Starr,SC
In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8 NIV
Lisa Cary, NC
All your children will be taught by the Lord and great shall be the peace of your children.
Isaiah 54:13 NLT
Tara ~ Fort Worth, Texas
Tara ~ Fort Worth, Texas
Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me. ~ Psalm 66:20 NLT
She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
Proverbs 31:15 NIV
Sarah , Lambertville, MI
Luke 5:5 (NIV)
Simon answered, ” Master we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
Debbie, Marion, IN “If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,” Psalm 139:9 NIV
Laura Beth,Jackson
Philippians 4:6-7, NLT
“Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”