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
Pushkala, Louisville – For I’m convinced that neither death, nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Danielle from Cedar Park, TX
When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.
Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV)
Andrea, Pottstown
We also rejoice in our suffering, because suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 5:3-5 NIV
Sheila, Beckley, WV, The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right by your side. The sun will not strike yu by day or the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life. The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever. Psalm 121:5-8 HCSB
Kate from Cheney, WA
The moment I called out, You stepped in; You made my life large with strength.
Psalm 138:3 The Message
Kim
Warrensburg, MO
James 2: 8-11
8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.
10 For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. 11 For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.
Caitlin, McKinney, TX
Ephesians 4: 23-24, NIV
“…to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Tamara Ward, Alexandria, VA.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
I Peter 3:12 (NIV)
Cindy Cannon, Otterville, IL
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever!
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
My mouth shall be filled with your praise and with your honor all the day! Psalm 71:8 Amp
Deidra – Waynesboro
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13 NKJV
Diane, Longmont, CO
And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19 NIV
Bobbie, College Station
Proverbs 31:25 (NIV)
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
donna huneycutt, Mt. Pleasant, NC
As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth. Job 19:25 NASB
Andi C., Rockwall, TX
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Mark 14:38 NIV
Susan- Nashville, TN
Psalm 27: 5, NIV
“For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of
his sacred tent and set me high
upon a rock.”
Amy, Tyler, TX
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have so you kill. You covet but you cannot get waht you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.
James 4:1-2 NIV
Teresa of Walla Walla The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8 NLT
Angie, Belleville. Prov. 27:17 NLT
“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”
Kendra W. – Dallas, TX: “It is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it, than for doing evil.”
1 Peter 3:17, NET
Prov.3:5-6 NIV” Trust in The Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight.”
April Jones, Springfield, IL.
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 NIV
We are going through Ephesians at church and this verse literally jumps out at me! Man – do I ever need to do EVERYTHING in it!
Daniel 2:23 NIV
I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.
Suzanne
Tenaha, TX
Isaiah 40:28 NIV
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
When I am afraid, I will put my confidence in you.
Psalm 56:3
Janice, Harrison, AR
“…looking unto Jesus the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ”
Hebrews 12:2. ASV
Lu, Garner NC, Romans 13:14, NIV
Rather, clothe yourselves with the LORD Jesus Christ and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Jessica Cochranville, PA
Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.
Romans 6:19 NLT
Kim from Tuscaloosa, AL
Peace I leave with you;
My peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27 (NIV)
Deborah – Port St. Joe, FL
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
Psalm 84:11 NIV
Lindsay: Warrior, AL
“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.” -Psalm 31:14 (ESV)
Crissy Wright, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His faithful love toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust. (Psalms 103:11-14 HCSB)
No unbelief or distrust made Abraham waver concerning the promise of God but he grew and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, fully assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and do what He had promised.
Romans 4:20-23
Amplified
Delores O.
Lake Stevens, WA
My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.
Psalm 121:2-3 NLT
Lauren from Magee, MS –
“You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride;
you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes,
with one jewel of your necklace.” (NIV)
~Song of Solomon 4:9
Dawn, South Bend, Indiana
“I desire to do your will, my God; Your law is within my heart.”
Psalm 40:8 NIV
I Cor. 13:4-5 NLT
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand it’s own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13
La Chiel from Portland, TN
If you declare with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. Romans 10:9 NIV
Cher Goeder – Toledo Ohio
“Every word of God is flawless;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” Proverbs 30:5
Brandy A, Cross Anchor, SC
“We all make mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way.” James 3:1 NLT
Liz, Austin, TX. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:3-5 NIV
Audrey Lenz Dickinson, ND
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10 NIV)
Vanessa, Johnson City.
Hebrews 12:2
New International Version (NIV)
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Laura from Chisago City, MN
“Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.”
Psalm 86:1 NIV
Joan, Carter Lake IA
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14 NIV)
Jill, Searcy AR
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” James 3:13 NIV
Cindy
Kalamazoo, Mich
Isaiah 33:6 (NET)
He is your constant source of stability; He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom, He gives all this to those who fear Him.
Cynthia
Brentwood,TN
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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 minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7. NIV
Kim Smith – Senatobia, MS
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 ESV