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
Kim Beechem from Center, TX:
“When doubts filled my mind,
your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.” -Psalm 94:19 (NLT)
Avis from Lone Star, Texas.
“The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in Thee.”
Isaiah 26:3 NAS
Jen Evans, Seville OH
Psalm 120:1 NIV
I call on The Lord in my destress and he answers me.
Bailey W. from Southaven, MS
“Find rest, O my sould, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”
Psalm 62:5-6, NIV
Patti, Clemmons, NC
Psalm 32:2 HCSB. “How joyful is the man the Lord does not charge with sin and in whose spirit is no deceit.”
Penny, Cincinnati. 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 1:9, NIV
Susan Dixson
Charlotte NC
“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” Galatians 5:25 (NLT)
Jennifer P., Houston, Texas
And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:59-60 ESV
Bonnie J. Faile
Livingston, AL
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NASB
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”
Psalm 62:5-6 (NIV)
“Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing Him.”
2 Corinthians 2:14 NRSV
Angie Marlow
Orlando, FL
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:25,26 NIV
Niki Carroll, Shelby, NC; “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:14 (NIV)
Sherree from Mansfield, TX
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almight. Zechariah 4:6b NIV
Angeline, Manitoba, Canada
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
1 Cor 1:18
Cheryl, Pooler, GA
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12 NIV
Joanne Callahan, FL
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unti thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
Angie, Purcellville, VA
You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)
Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Ps 29:2 NKJV
When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in”. (Psalm 112:4)
Victoria M
Greenbrier AR
(Better late than never right?)
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30 NIV
Waylene, Loma Linda: I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope. Ps 130:5 KJV
Melissa, Vicksburg, MS: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIV
Valerie M Fernandez from Houston, TX.
“Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,” 1 Cor. 13:4 (The Message)
Amy, Chesterfield, MO
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28, NIV
Cathie – Jacksonville, Florida
Call out to me,
and I will answer you —
I will tell you great things,
hidden things of which you are unaware.’”
Jeremiah 33:3 Complete Jewish Bible
Jennifer Lancaster Pa
Isaiah 30:15 MSG
Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me.
Claire, Houston, Isaiah 49:13 NIV, “Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.”
Visalia, CA
recovering from my LAST CHEMO!!!!!!! Breast cancer, age 39
Psalm 77:14
You are the God who performs MIRACLES; you display your power among the peoples.
Sarah, San Diego
“God is within her, and she will not fall…”
Psalm 46:5
Leslie, Spartanburg, SC, Psalm 95:6 “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!” KJV
DLynn; Argyle, Tx
Psalm 21:6
Surely you have granted him eternal blessings
and made him glad with the joy of your presence.
Paige, DeWitt, AR
“And so it was that she, having waited long and endured patiently, realized and obtained what GOD had promised.”
–Hebrews 6:15 (AMP)
Luke 6:37-38 NIV
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Psalm34:18 NIV The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit.
Hannah | Oklahoma City, OK
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
James 3:17, NKJV
Ashley from Chesapeake, VA
“God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.” Psalms 46:5 {ESV}
Kali. Valrico, FL. Isaiah 46:4. NLT
“I will be your God throughout your lifetime – until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.”
Kathy, Wake Forest, NC
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV)
Karen from Mandeville, LA
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalms 46:10 NLT
Susie from Carmel, IN
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” James 3:9-11 (NIV)
Mandy, Watkinsville, GA
Philippians 4:7 (NLT)
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.
Toma, Antelope, CA
“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”
Proverbs 31:26 NIV
“So we have continued praying for you ever since we heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what He wants to do in your lives, and we ask Him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom.”
Colossians 1:9 NLT
Mary H., Ardmore, AL
Psalm 27:14(NIV)
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
Heather, SD
“When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”
Psalm 94:19 (NLT)
Elizabeth W., Syracuse, NY
James 1:9 MSG
“Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger.”
Cindy
Flemingsburg, KY
I call on the Lord in my distress and he answers me.
Psalm 120:1 NIV
Lara Harris, Spring Hill, TN
Psalm 9:10 NIV
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.