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
Betty Clark, Ann Arbor, MI “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV
LisaT from Boonsboro, Md.
James 1:6 NIV84
But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
Jan, Rockwall, Tx
Joshua 1:9 NLT
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Sue. Kingsport.
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.” Psalm 143:10 NLT
Joelle, Abilene, TX
I sought the Lord,
and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4 NIV
Joan A. Dousman, WI
The Lord your God is with you,
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Crystal, San Antonio, TX
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
(Exodus 14:14 NIV)
Lauren Halladay Charlton NY
Psalm 27:14 NKJV. Wait on the Lord ; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord !
Emily Jordan
Virginia Beach VA
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 (NAS)
Karen Edlund
Rochester, MN
Psalm 100:5 NIV84
“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Colene from Antioch, CA
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)
Angie, Houston, TX- “For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep!” Psalm 92:4-5 ESV
Jodi, Humble, TX – I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 NKJV
Margie Allen, TX
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Shannon, Mandeville
Is. 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”. TNIV
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time…
1 Peter 5:6 NKJV
Suzanne Morton, Decatur, Texas
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:45 NIV
Joy, Clyde, Ohio
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each
other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32 NASB
Mary Beth, today in Bakersfield,Ca
Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NIV)
Then you will call on me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Mandy
Tallahassee, FL
“This is what the Lord says:
Stand at the crossroads and look;
Ask for the ancient paths, ask what the good way is,
And walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Jeremiah 6:16A
Stormy D, Utah
“yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”
-Habakkuk 3:18 (ESV)
Melissa // Lancaster, PA
Search for the Lord and for His strength; continually seek Him. (Psalms 105:4 NLT)
1 Thessalonians 5:19 NLT
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
Alison, Norman, OK
He is the Lord our God.
His justice is seen throughout the land.
Remember his covenant forever—
the commitment he made to a thousand generations.
1 Chron 16:14-15 NLT
Christi from Cary,NC
Out of my distress I called on the Lord ; the Lord answered me and set me free. (Psalms 118:5 ESV)
Lou Ann Smith, McAllen, TX
I take joy in doing Your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart. Psalm 40:8 NLT
Jan, Louisville, KY
Psalm 138:3. When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.
Susan ~ Kearney, NE ~ Psalm 139:23 – 24 NIV
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Katherine; Nipomo, CA
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. James 1:13&14; NIV
Connie, Kingwood, TX
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 NIV
Cara, highlands ranch, 1 Peter 4:7 the end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self controlled so that you can pray. NIV
Sorry it’s late! I’m in India and Internet is sketchy
Jina, Leawood, KS
Isaiah 43:1-2 NIV
The Savior of Israel 1 But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
Kimberly
Near Luwero, Uganda
Deuteronomy 7:9-10a ESV
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep HIS commandments to a thousand generations, and repays to their face those who hat him by destroying them.
Kelly from Laurens, SC
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isiah 8-9
Ainslie, Columbia SC
“But the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.” ~Psalm 37:13 NIV
Andrea, New Brunswick, Canada
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NIV
Mary, Rancho Mirage, CA
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
Paige, ATL, Lamentations 2:19 NIV
Arise, cry out in the night; As the watches of the night begin; Pour our your heart like water in the presence of the Lord; Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children who faint from hunger at the head of every street.
Linda, Mishawaka ,In says
Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise You!
Ps :63:3 NLT
Christy from Hahira, GA –
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)
Beth, Mt. Carmel, IL
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-contolled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1Peter1:13
Kimber, Panama City, FL
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7-9 NLT)
Vicki, Corpus CHRISTi
I have no greater joy
than to know that my children
walk in truth. 3 John 4 NKJV
1 John 3:18-20 MSG
My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.
Kim, Frankenmuth,MI:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Phillippians 4:6-7 NIV
Beth from LaGrange, GA
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12 KJV
And whatever you do,whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 NIV
Tanya from West Monroe, LA Isaiah 48:17 NIV
This is what The Lord says-your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am The Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who
Directs you in the way you should go.
Rebecca, Hallsville, TX (formerly of Kilgore)
“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Phil. 3:14 ESV
NIV Romans 8:9
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.