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
Ann, SC
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Cor 3:18 NIV
Robbie
Michigan
Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.
Proverbs 28:27 NLT
Kay, Tucson, AZ
Ecclesiastes 11:5 (MSG)
“Just as you’ll never understand the mystery of life forming in a pregnant woman. So you’ll never understand the mystery at work in all that God does.”
Revelation 1:4-5a (NLT) Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; and from Jesus Christ.
(Proverbs 31:25, 26 ESV) Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
(Beth, love your verse, 1 Cor. 4:12. Vital for future church. Definitely on my memory list!)
Amy, Snellville GA
“does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,” 1 Corinthians 13:5 (NASB)
Laura, Minneapolis.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3, ESV
Oops!: Michelle Baylerian, Waukesha, WI 🙂
Amy, Custer, SD:
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Dawn Kornelson – Airdrie, Alberta Canada
Isaiah 64:4
Since ancient times no one has heard,no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
Susie H., McKinney, TX
“and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”
Ephesians 6:15 NKJV
Amy, Chattanooga, TN. O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2, NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12, NIV
Anne, Frisco TX: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, The Lord is my strength and my song He has become my salvation”.
Isaiah 12:2
Phyllis Baker Parma Heights, OH May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV
O Lord may all I say and think be pleasing to you. Amen
The eyes of The Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9a. NLT
Titus 3:5-7 NASB
“He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
“it does not, therefore, depend on mans desire or effort, but on Gods mercy”
Romans 9:16 niv
Psalm 18:17 “He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes who were too strong for me.” NIV
Julie P
Tierra Verde FL
God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.
Acts 17:27 NIV
Deb, Becker, MN
When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? Ps 56:3-4 ESV
Debra, San Antonio, TX
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Ellen, Albuquerque. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18, NIV.
Emily Harris – Arkadelphia, AR
“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.” Psalm 63: 1-3 (NIV)
Lorene, Lafayette, LA.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1 (NIV)
Rachel Wanzer Owasso, OK
Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
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.
Kelly Charlotte, NC
that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
Luke 1:74-75 ESV
Kay Stambaugh
Plainview, TX
“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” John 3:30 NLT
Carla, LaFayette, Al.
” I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8 NIV
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Psalm 139:23-24 NLT
Karin from Clinton, NJ
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4 NIV
Rachel H, Alabama
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. (Psalm 5:3 NIV)
Megan from Houston “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 NASB (I’m loving how scripture is helping my hurting heart through my recent struggles and flashing across my mind even on the good days. So glad for SSMT2013 to keep me accountable!)
Erin
Littleton, CO
“Do not conform 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.”
Romans 12:2 NIV
Rosie, Tacoma WA
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 15:4 ESV
Jeanene – Newnan, GA
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man,the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV
Roni, Demopolis, Alabama – He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Isaiah 40:29. NLT
Linda, Little Rock. 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
Janet – Columbus, GA: “No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.” -Revelation 22:3, NIV
Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure, the boundary lines have fallen for me in beautiful places.
Psalms 16:5,6
NIV
Judy from Lake Charles, LA
“For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the Lord will
inherit the land.” Psalms 37:9 (NIV)
Ruth Cherry, Royse City, Texas
“I desire to do Your will O my God; Your law is written within my heart.”
Psalms 40:8 NIV
Rachel Ravellette, Lafayette, IND: Praise be to the Lord, for He has heard my cry for mercy. – Psalm 28:6, NIV
Jennifer, North Charleston, SC:
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
Trinna, Covington, “‘Everything is permissible for me’ – but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible for me’ – but I will not be mastered by anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV84
Anita; Purcellville, VA
The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Psalm 103:19 NIV84
Your own ears will hear Him. Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,” Whether to the right or to the left.
Isaiah 30:21 NLT
1John4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.
Peggy, Yorktown, Va
Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful. Heb 10:23 NRSV
Tiffany F. ~ Murfreesboro, TN
I Thessalonians 5:17-18 ESV
pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.