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
Meredith
Menlo Park, CA
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
John 1:12-13 ESV
Pam, Cary, NC
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place. What is man that you are mindful of him, human beings that you care for them. Psalm 8:3-4 NIV
Michelle Dyck, Okc, Ok
“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Saviorl my God will hear me.”
Micah 7:7 NIV
Remember, O LORD, Thy tender mercies and Thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. Psalm 25.6 KJV
Jennifer. San Angelo, Texas
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done for them from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
NIV
Stephanie, Lititz, PA
Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing. Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord. Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
Psalm 34: 9-14 NLT
Grace, age 5
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 NIV
Amanda, White Hall, AR
For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes–so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them. Matthew 13:15, NLT
Julie
Tallassee, AL
Greater love has no one than this,that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. (John 15:13-14, ESV)
Hannah
Lake Charles, La
Is it not clear to you that to go back to the old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free with our relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God’s grace. If a living relationship with god could come by rule-keeping, then Christ dies unnecessarily.
Galatians 2:19-21 Part 2, The Message
Ashley from Memphis, “For you are a chosen people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 7:6. ESV
Tami
Platte, South Dakota
Psalm 127:1a NASB
“Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.”
Libby
Dallas, TX
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer (stone of help) saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
1 Samuel 7:12-13 NIV
(parentheses mine)
I attend the Eugene Beth Moore Session and on Saturday afternoon on our way out of town, we stopped to eat lunch. Beth Moore walked in to the restaurant (I guess she gets hungry too) and I approached her to introduce myself but was still so touched by what the Holy Spirit was doing in my heart, instead of talking, all I could do was cry. Since I am not normally a crier, this was hard. I had so much I wanted to say to Beth. I have studied with her for eleven years. No picture of Beth and I, no autograph, just a divine intervention, a personal gift from my God that knew I just needed a hug from Beth Moore. Thank you Beth. I will be purchasing the updated Breaking Free study and starting over again, by the grace of God, I shall not give up.
Kayla – Falmouth, MI (previously listed from Medellín Colombia)
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you: he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)
Juliana
Livermore, CA
Philippians 2:4(NCV)
Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.
Mound City, KS
In him we live and move and have our being.
Acts 17:28 NIV
“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul,and forget not all His benefits” Psalm 103:1-2 NIV
Finally, brethern, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things be of good report ; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8 KJV
Cindy, Longmont, CO
He makes the barren woman to be a homemaker and a joyful mother of [spiritual] children. Praise the Lord!
Psalm 113:9 AMP
Amy from Florissant
“But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” I Samuel 12:24 (NIV)
Carrie, San Angelo, Tx
“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do no fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 niv
“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God’. My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.”
Psalm 31:14-16
And Joseph also went up from Gallilee, from the town of nazareth, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with Child and while they were there the time came for her to give birth and she gave birth to her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and ladi Him in a manger, because there was no room for Him in the inn.
Luke 2: 4-7
JoLee – Arlington, TX
” O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with he LORD is unfailing love and with him is FULL redemption.” NIV
Kate DeWys, Zeeland, Michigan
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12 vs. 21 TNIV
(Oops! Entered it in my spiral bound notebook but not here!)
Jill, Austin, TX
Philippians 4:8 (esv)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Linda from Lincoln NE, Psalm 37:5 ESV: “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will act”
Jennifer, Monroe, GA
Don’t be deceived my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1: 16-17 NIV
Darlene, Mt. Airy, MD
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Ephesians 6:15 NASB
Rhonda, Anderson, IN
Psalms 16:11 (HCSB) You reveal the path of life to me, in your presence is abundant joy, in your right hand are eternal pleasures.
Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:17 AMP)
Jessy from Houston, Tx:
“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.”
~Proverbs 31:10-12 (ESV)
Aimee, Houston, TX
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV)
Almut, London, England
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us -for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”-
Galatians 3,13 ESV
Candace
Colorado Springs
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”
JOB 23:10 NIV
Meghann, Lawton, Ok
“I seek you with all of my heart; do not letme stray from your commands” -Psalm 119:10
Kit Huff
Odenton, Maryland
I Corinthians 15:58(NASB) – Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV
And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Carrie, Jupiter, Fl. KJV
2 Peter 1:5
Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge.
Sheila from Moncton, NB
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10 NASB
Breanna Dennis, Belle Vernon, Pa
“Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.”
Daniel 10:12
She is clothed with strength and dignity and can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
Proverbs 31:25-26 NIV
Natalie from Nashville
“Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am gentle and humble of heart,and you will find rest (relief, ease, refreshment, recreation, and blessed quiet) for your souls. For my yoke is good (not harsh but comfortable) and my burden is light and easy to be borne”
Matt11:29-30 AMP
LaGlace, Alberta, Canada
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Psalm 19:1 (NIV)
“Wealth and honor come from you alone,for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.” 1 Chronicles 29:12 NLT
Francine
Crown City, OH.
Olivia from Lapwai, Idaho: Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. Job 13:15a KJV
Spring, TX
from whom every family in heaven and on the earth is named
Ephesians 3:15 (NET)
Lydia, Nampa, ID
“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” Jer 32:17 (NIV84)
Jill Hsieh, Aurora, IL – Psalm 27:6 – “Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.”
(Ooops,better late than never!!)
Tracy, Kountze, Tx
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [a]reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. James 3:17 NASB