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
Vickie Henderson
Russellville ar
Deut 10:12-13
And now, Israel, what does The Lord your God require of you except to fear The Lord your God by walking in all his ways, to love him, and to worship The Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul? Keep the commands and statutes I am giving you today for your own good.
HCSB
Isaiah 40:29 “He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.” (NASB)
Laurie, Gibsonville, NC
“Therefore be glad (exult), O heavens and you that dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in fierce anger (fury), because he knows that he has [only] a short time [left]!”
Revelation 12:12 AMP BIBLE
He brought me out to a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me. Psalm 18:19 ESV
Paige, Lincoln, NE
“For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline”
2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
Heather
gloucester, VA
“We will never turn our back on you; breathe life into our lungs so we can shout your name!” Psalm 80:18 MSG
Dayna,Bedford, VA
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things.Philippians 4:8 HCSB
Stephanie Colucci Dallas TX
Psalm 139:03
New International Version (NIV)
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Lora
Mooresburg
“But there’s so much more. Let’s get on with it!” Hebrews 6:3 MSG
Mary Lou, Franktown/Nassawadox, VA
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
I Corinthians 10:31
Shelly Hough
Gordon, Texas
2 Timothy 4:17a
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me…
ESV
Gwyn Tidwell of Haslet, Tx
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law. Proverbs 29:18 (NIV84)
Nancy Keeton from Knoxville, TN
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your GOD Who goes with you. HE will not leave you or forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV
Julie, Ft. Wayne, IN
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 1:27
Kathy
Dow IL
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17
Troy, Ohio
Isaiah 40:29 NIV
He gives strength to the weary,
and increases the power of the weak.
Julie, Hawaii
The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
Isaiah 58: 11 NKJV
Margie, San Angelo, Texas
KJV 8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Sherilyn, Warsaw, IN
I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
Jeremiah 32:27 NIV
If this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. 2Peter2:9, NKJV
Melissa, Boston
“Turn to me and be gracious to me for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish.
Look upon my afflictions and my distress and take away all my sins.”
Psalm 25: 16:18 NIV
Erin from Kansas City, MO
Psalm 9:10 NIV
Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Brandy McCombs, Jay, OK. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10 NIV
Sarah from San Angelo, TX:
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 ESV
Christy, Zionsville, IN:
Romans 12: 1-2, NIV
Therefore brothers, I urge you, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Natalie, Calgary, AB, Canada
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Psalm. 143:8 (NIV84)
Ali Sexton, Midwest City, OK
Psalm 91:2 (NIV)
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Sandy- Deming, NM
Let us not grown weary while doing good for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Gal 6:9
Colleen, Cape Town, South Africa
Blessed are you, O Colleen! Who is like you, a woman saved by the LORD? He is your Shield and Helper and your glorious Sword. Your enemies will cower before you and you will trample down their high places.
Deut 33:28-29, NIV
(I have personalized this Scripture)
Erin, Maysville
1 Corinthians 14:12
(ESV)
12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
This is what The Lord says: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths; ask where the good way is and walk on it, and you will find rest for your soul.
Jeremiah 6:16 NIV
Catherine, Monahans, Texas
“He has showed you, O man 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 NIV84
Lynn, Lancaster, KY
“Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You” Jeremiah 32:17 ESV
I’m stealing yours, Beth! I love it 🙂
So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifiestations of the Spirit, strive to EXCEL in building up the church.
1 Corinthians 14:12 ESV
You are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me.
Psalm 31:4
Tracey Moyers from Loganvile, GA
“With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.”
Daniel 11:32 NIV
Tanya, Somerville, TN
Romans 8:16 “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”
NIV
Marsha Lufkin
And what does the Lord require of you
To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God
Micah 6:8
Sue from Kalamazoo, MI “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths: guide me in your truth and teach me.” Psalms 25:4-5a NIV
Lisa from Denver,
2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV
For we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen, is temporary, and what is unseen is eternal.
Amen to that!
Christine, SLC
Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.
Joshua 21:45, ESV
Hebrews 3:6
But Christ is faithful as a Son over God’s House. And we are His House, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. (ESV)
Kristen, Moose Factory, Ontario
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.”
Daniel 7:13 NIV
Lisa, Greensburg, PA
“Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And there is nothing upon earth that I desire besides Thee. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:25-26 (RSV)
Erin Sheldon
Savannah, GA
“See, God has come to save me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.” Isaiah 12:2 NLT
Rhonda from Winchester, KY
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.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Kristi Tomlinson, Athens, TX Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” John 11:40 NLT
Ina from Lancaster, PA
Choose to love the LORD your God and to obey Him and commit yourself to Him, for He is your life…
Duet. 30:20A
Tami KC, MO
Luke 17:19 NIV
Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Wendy
Vero Beach
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)