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
Alissa, Spring, TX
So these are two things that don’t change, because it’s impossible for God to lie. He did this so that we, who have taken refuge in him, can be encouraged to grasp the hope that is lying in front of us.
Hebrews 6:18 CE
2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes on not what is seen but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal.
Carol
Carthage, NY
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV 1984
Sarah, Wausau, WI
Yet this I call to mind and therefore, I have hope; 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. Lamentations 3:21-23 NIV
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
I Peter 5:7 NIV
Ellen K, Findlay, OH
“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man all that God has prepared for those that love Him.” I Corinthians 2:9 NASB
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19b (NIV)
Hello Beth
What joy and fellowship we had in Eugene with you and your team. We were so inspired by your taking one word and developing it into an amazing study that 4 of us plan to get together this summer and we will each take a word from scripture and share the various references and what it means to each of us. One sister is a new believer (less that a year, the other 2 are farther along and I have been walking with the Lord for about 40 years. We look forward to an exciting summer in God’s Word until we get back to a Beth Moore study in the fall.
Blessings, Diane
Barb P. Kansas City, Mo.
He replied,” Because you have so little faith truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain “Move from here to there” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible to you.
Matt 17:20 (NIV)
Lori Todd, San Angelo, Tx
Precious in the sight of The Lord is the death of his saints.
Psalms 116:15
Paula from Denver, Co
Psalm 29:11 the Living Bible
He will give His people strength.
He will bless them with peace.
Sarah Vint
Ames, IA
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. –1 John 5:14-15 NIV
Crystal, Livonia, Michigan
“In Thee O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion”
Psalm 71:1
Nichole C, Nashville, TN
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and who have been called according to His purpose.
mitzi from Brandon, MS
He has showed you what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. And don’t take yourself too seriously_ take God seriously. Micah 6:8 NIV/MSG
Sara from Garden City, KS
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. (Philippians 1:27a NIV)
Diane, Wedgefield, SC – The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 1 Peter 4:7 (NIV 1984).
Theresa – Pace, Florida
Psalm 19:7 NIV
The statues of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
My first verse is dedicated to my precious first grandaughter, who was born on May the 1st,2013. Ellie Jane McAmis,you are a precious, beautiful,gift from God and I love you so much. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,I know that full well.Psalm 139:10-11 Also this next verse is for me. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.Isiah 41:10.(NIV) Twyla McAmis, Cleveland, Tennessee.
Julie in Victorville
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
(Psalms 23:5, 6 ESV)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.
James 1:17, 18 KJV
Angie M – Macon, MS
A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12, HCSB
I searched for a verse that pertained to fostering or adoption. My husband and I are beginning our journey of fostering with the intention of adopting a child.
Matthew 18:5
“And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.” NIV
Abby, Van Alstyne
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. (Jeremiah 17:7 NLT)
Tina
Waxahachie, Texas
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
Alyson, Elgin TX
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.
1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT
Inez Barnes
Hamburg AR
Psalm 51:10. ESV
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
—Micah 7:7 (NIV)
Sara R., Slidell, LA::
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
-John 14:27, ESV
AnnaMarie – Pittsburgh, PA
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.
Isaiah 26:3 NLT
1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV
“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Talia; Cincinnati Ohio
Your own ears will hear him: Right behind you a voice will say “This is the way you should go.” Whether to the right or left. Isaiah 30:21 NLT.
Haley
Conway, AR
NIV, Psalm 139:14
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Kim Cliatt, Loganville, GA
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.”
Psalm 56:8 (NLT)
Amy, Pratt KS
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer you bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship” Romans 12:1 NIV
Nancy – St. Augustine, FL
For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Hebrews 10:14 (NIV)
Tracy, Medicine Lodge, Ks
Ephesians 6:18 NLT
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Emily Byrd; Baton Rouge, LA
“And do not be confirmed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will if God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2, New American Standard
Emily Byrd; Baton Rouge, LA
“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 if God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2, New American Standard
Heidi, Victoria BC Canada
Isaiah 1:16 NIV
Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight. Stop doing wrong.
Catherine – Grants Pass, OR
“Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perserance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4 (NIV)
oops – *perseverance*
Laura- Vernon, BC Canada
Rather 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 3:4 NIV
Debbie – Fairfax, VA
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 (NIV)
Jordan
Fort Wayne, IN
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 5:16
Rhonda, Foley, Alabama
You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your own passions. James 4:3 ESV
Sarah, Webb City, MO
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.
Ephesians 4:24 NIV
Laura, O’Fallon, MO
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8: 31-32 NIV
Kym, Tulsa, OK
I have made yo and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Is. 46:4
Stephanie, Austin, “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.” Psalm 145:17 NIV
Cindy Gandy
Hazlehurst, MS
Matthew 5:10 NIV
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven