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
“For I know the plans I have for you” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope”.
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Psalm 73:26 NIV
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
Jenny, Tulsa, OK
Philippians 4:7 (NAS)
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I love you, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.
Psalm 18:1-3 ESV
Jeanni, Westland
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 KJV
Katie, Amarillo. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 NIV
Rey from Charlotte, NC
Ephesians 6:18
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. (NIV)
Rachel
Wellington FL
Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
Pro 31:11 NLT
Marisa, Michigan
Philippians 4:8
Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right.
Isaiah 26:20 NKJV
Come my people,enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, until the indignation is past.
Mary Grace Harris, Bolivar Missouri
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Kristin, Durban, South Africa
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. Romans 8:12 NIV
Kim, Yorktown, Va
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tonge. Proverbs 31:26 NIV
Kristen, Rockville, VA : For I cried out to Him for help, praising Him as I spoke. Ps. 66:17 New Living Translation
Michelle, Clanton, AL
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
Angela, Houston, TX; Romans 12:14 (ESV) – “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.”
Elizabeth, Bolivar, MO
Be kind one to another, tender hearted and forgiving one another, even as God, as Christ’s sake has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32
Karie-Phoenix
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubles, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
Corinthians 1:4 NLT
Kristin, Jacksonville, AL. 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
Good choice, Beth. I think I will follow along. 🙂
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 NIV
Janet, Holmes Beach, FL
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my seep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
John 10:14 NIV
Jean Grant – just moved from Carlisle PA to Platte City, MO
“I will praise God’s name in song, and glorify Him with thanksgiving.” Psalm 69:30 NIV
Angel Bowman
Murfreesboro, TN
“Be happy in your confidence, be patient in trouble, and pray continually.” – Romans 12:12 GW
Brandy, Kingwood, TX
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14 NIV)
35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it NLT
Jessica from Rockvale, TN
Matthew 6:24 (NIV) “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Conne, Shipshewana, For he chose us before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Ephesians 1:4 NIV
Debbie from Moultrie,Ga
Psalm 103;1-2 KJV
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
Kim – St. Louis, MO – Psalm 94:17-19(NIV)
17 Unless the Lord had given me help,
I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your unfailing love,O Lord, supported me.
19 When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation (your comfort) brought me joy.
Sandie from Red Deer, Alberta
Prov 19:11
It is wise to be patient and show what you are like by forgiving others. Contemporary English Version.
Laney from Tulsa, OK
Many are the plans in a mans heart, but it is the lords purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21 (NASB)
Ruth
Atlanta, GA
Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!
Psalm 34:9 ESV
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.
Kate Chalker
Highland, CA
2timothy 2:24 nlt
Michelle, Carver, MA.
Matthew 5:5 (NIV)
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
Ramona,Pasadena:
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.
Eugene was also my favorite event! (also attended Portland, Tacoma and Vancouver:)
not prone to weeping but when i heard the names and voices of women call out on the name of the LORD for the first time, the spirit moved my heart so deeply and i just fell apart.
loved all your time insights. good stuff. Isa 66:23 and Rev 22:2 came to mind as they allude to a time related rhythm in eternity, perhaps they just express other concepts in language we can understand
i am so grateful for you. praying for you and those darling grandkids- same gender and ages as my kids (+ 1more:) love you. carry on, faithful one, the Lord highly esteems you.
Melissa, Denver:
Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. (Psalm 25:20 NIV)
Lauren Larsen
Tulsa, OK
Col. 3:23
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.”
Cathy Morris Sedona, AZ Romans 12:1-2 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. It is your holy and proper worship. 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.”
For we are God’s workmanship,
Created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
Which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
1 Corinthians 14:12
So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
NIV
“Be of the same mind toward one anothe; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.”
Romans 12:16
Sue, Carmel, IN
So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!
1 Cor. 10:12
Alexis, Anderson, SC
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:18 NKJV)
NIV Psalm 13 23-24
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my hand.
you guide me with your counsel and afterward you will tke me into glory.
Wanda
Osborn, Missouri
Psalm 91:4 (NIV)
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Dawn from Jasper, IN
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 NIV
Becky from Oklahoma City
For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.
II Timothy 1:7 HOL
Sallie Powell from Tallahassee, Florida
“For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.”
Hebrews 10:36 NASB
Sandra
Wichita Falls, TX
After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “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.” Nehemiah 4:14 NIV
Shannon Costanzo Kissimmee, Fl
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:6 (NIV)
Jennifer, Fairfax VA
Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV)
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.