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
Is. 12:1-3
Then you will say on that day, ” I will give thanks to You, O Lord; Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and song and He has become my salvation.” Therefore, you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation.
Fran, Stedman, NC
“May the words of my mount and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14, NLT
Linda, Spring, Texas. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 – NIV
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” NIV
Andrea Dublin, OH
Amy, Houston, Tx
“People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole. Steady on their feet, because they keep at and don’t quit”
Isaiah 26:3
The Message
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NIV
BROOKE- Dallas, TX!!!
Debbie from Universal City, Tx
“But the plans of The Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Psalm 33:11 (NIV)
Concetta, White Oak, TX, Ephesians 4:26-27, (NCV)
When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day. Do not give the devil a way to defeat you.
Karen from Unionville, PA
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16b. NIV
Janice Victoria BC
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer.
Psalm 4:1
NAS
Michael Ann from Irvine, CA
Zephaniah 3:17
New Living Translation (NLT)
For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
Olivia Hart, Puyallup WA
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10, ESV
Ashley from Allen, TX
“18 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. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”
Ephesians 3: 18-19 (NLT)
Teri S.
Gadsden, AL
No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening — it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained this way. Hebrews 12:11 NLT
Shanalea Riverside, CA
Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning Lamentation 3:23 NLT
Matt. 8:7″I will come and heal hime,” He told them. Holman CSB
Erin B., League City, TX
But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
2 Tim 4:4 NLT
2 Tim 4:5….oops
Gail, Houston
“Lord, every good and perfect gift is from you (James 1:17).
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16 NIV
Debbie,GA.- “Brothers (and Sisters), I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do; forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of GOD in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14(ESV)
Donna, Glendale,Az
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son purifies us from all sin.
1John 1:6. NIV
Chelsie, Farmington, MI
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Colossians 4:6, ESV
lynn , Louisville, KY
knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.
And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.
II Peter 1:14-15 (NASB)
Brook
Santa Monica, CA
Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.
James 4:15-17 niv84
Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them. Matthew 15:30 NKJV
Isaiah 61:2b – 3 (a continuation of my last verse)
“…and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning,festive praise instead of despair. In their righeousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
Debbie, Prattville, AL
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Psalm 150:6 NIV
Sharpsburg, Ga
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 peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Candace Hendrick, TX:) The Lord favors those who fear Him, those who wait for His lovingkindness. Psalm 147:11 NASB
Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. Philippians 4: 4-6
Let us consider how we may spur one another one toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as we see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth, seeking those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”
2 Chronicles 16:9a NIV
Jeanne San Antonio, TX
2 Chronicles 7:14
New Living Translation (NLT)
14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
Heather, Little Rock, AR.
Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. (Proverbs 17:9 NLT)
Pati Cheyenne Wy…
Deuteronomy 6:23 ESV..
And He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in and give us the land that He swore to give to our fathers.
Ouida in Trenton, TX
What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
He did not spare His own Son but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with Him grant us everything?
Romans 8:1-32 (HCSB)
Dedra Vick
Weatherford Texas
New King James Version
Proverbs3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on thine own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths.
Kristi, Austin, TX
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
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
Summer, McCurtain, OK
“Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong. Do all your works in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (GNTD)
Rachel, Fort Smith, AR
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 ESV)
Elsie – Scottsbluff NE
I will praise God’s name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30 NIV
Stephanie Jo
Corvallis OR
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in You I trust. Make me know the way I should go for to You I lift up my soul.
Psalm 143:8 ESV
Kim, Colonial Heights, VA
Each time He said, “MY GRACE IS ALL YOU NEED. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT
Diane, Phoenix
“and He who sits on the throne said,”Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said,”Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
NASB Rev. 21:5
Amy from Saint Cloud, FL
“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)
2 Corinthians 4:15-17(NIV)
15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
Adrienne, Valdosta, GA
Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault…
Phil 2:14-15 NIV
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12 NIV