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
Marsha, Knoxville, TN
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
Newport News, VA
Newport News, VA
“Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.”
Psalm 119:37 NKJV
Olive branch ms
Exodus 14:14 hcsb The LORD will fight for you; you must be quiet.
Angela Talley, Murfreesoro, TN
“I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;
with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations”
Megan, Eldridge Isaiah 33:6 He is your constant source of stability;he abundantly provides safety and great wisdom;he gives all this to those who fear him. NET
Gay Beck, Plain City, OH
Philippians 2:10-11 (NIV)
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Julie Payne, Muskogee, OK. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7 NKJV)
Abbie, Omaha, NE Psalm 71:13 (ESV)
May my accusers be put to shame and consumed; with scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my hurt.
Sharon, N.C.
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (I Peter 5:6, 7 NKJV)
Cindy, Rochester, MN My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (NIV84)
Kim, Cincinnati, OH
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
Cindy, Columbia, MO
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me a prayer to the God of my life. Ps 42:8
Allison, Cincinnati, OH
Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.
Psalm 103: 1-4 NIV
debbie jo, greenwood, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Ashley Pointer from Spring, Texas
There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD. Genesis 12:8 NIV
Nancy from Evansville, IN
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:5 NIV
Charlotte, Easley SC:
Psalm 25:4 “LORD, tell me Your ways. Show me how to live.” NCV
Mei, Easley SC:
Romans 4:10 NIV
Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before!
Philippians 4:8
Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right.
Dina Garcia, garden grove, ca,
“Keep in mind that the LORD your God is the only God. He is a faithful God, who keeps his promise and is merciful to thousands of generations of those who love him and obey his commands.” Deuteronomy 7:9 (GWT)
Nelda Adkins, Houston, TX
Luke 15:10 (NET)
“In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
Christy L., Royal Palm Beach, Fl
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6 NASB)
Lisa M., Davidsville, PA
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Carla Hampton
Indianapolis, IN
Psalm 5:3 NIV
“In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”
Ashley Skinta, Frisco, Tx
Trust in the LORD and do good.
Psalm 37:3
Kelly from Manassas, VA
“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.”
-Psalm 125:2 (NIV)
Deborah – Nashville, TN
“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”
-Colossians 3:13-14 (NLT)
Erin, Denver: Galatians 1:10(NIV)
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Sorry I’m late! Going to school for a BSN. Nuff said!
Romans 8:1 ESV
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Vanessa , Calgary,Canada
Above all else,guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23
Leah from Rochester, NY
“For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. 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. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:16-18, NLT
Karen, Lynnwood, WA
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
Exodus 15:2 KJV The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. Aleta, Indianapolis, IN
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
Alicia from League City, TX
For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:9 NLT
Michele from Three Rivers, MI “He fills me with strength and protects me wherever I go.” Psalms 18:32 TLB
Kathleen, Tallahassee, FL:
“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man the You visit him?
Psalm 8:3-5 (NKJV)
Mary, Palm Beach Gardens
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12 (ESV)
Teresah, Redmond Oregon
“And my God will meet all your needs according to His Glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” NIV
Michelle Alosa
Concord, Nh
Luke 6:19 NLT
“Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone.”
Kristie Nanes, Clearfield, UT
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Philippians 4:4 (ESV)
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:17 NIV
Brittnie, Sugar Land, Texas
Psalm 38:15 (NIV) I wait for you, Oh Lord; you will answer, Oh Lord my God.
Livia
Wick, Scotland
Genesis 4:6-7
New International Version (NIV84)
“Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.’”
and in Hungarian:
1 Mózes 4:6-7
Hungarian New Translation (NT-HU)
Ekkor azt kérdezte Kaintól az Úr: Miért gerjedtél haragra, és miért horgasztod le a fejed?
Hiszen ha jól cselekszel, emelt fővel járhatsz. Ha pedig nem jól cselekszel, a bűn az ajtó előtt leselkedik, és rád vágyódik, de te uralkodjál rajta.
Karen, Redmond. The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it…Psalm 24:1 NIV
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 NIV (ty,Brandy!)
Amy from fairport ny Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. (Psalm 32:2 NIV)
Tillie, Spring Branch, TX
I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.
Psalm 119:11 (NIV)