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
Shelley, Birmingham, AL: “Come to me all who you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Kerry from Houston, TX:
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
Isaiah 40:30,31 (NASB)
Colette, Mesa, AZ.
“How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!”
Psalm 133:1 NIV
Carrie- Prior Lake, MN
Isaiah 33:2 (CEB)
LORD, show us favor; we hope in you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in times of distress.
Leah Cullen – Ramona, CA
We believe with our hearts, and so we are made right with God. And we declare with our mouths that we believe, and so we are saved. – Romans 10:10 (NCV)
Andrea, Burleson, TX:
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9, NIV
Thank you, Andrea. For the first time in a couple of years, I did not have a memory verse in mind ahead of time. Your verse grabbed my heart. It’s exactly where I am — not wanting to become ‘weary in doing good’ in a season of “No” the past year. God bless you.
And you, too, Melanie. Praying for you this morning. : )
Alice, Dallas, TX: Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. I Timothy 2:1-2 NKJV
Ally, Searcy AR
“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
Heather, Colorado Springs, CO Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
James 3:5 NIV
Linda – LPM – Houston – Psalm 32:8 (NKJV) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.
Katelyn, Tulsa. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the needy. . . For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12:32-34 ESV
Leah Kansas City, MO
James 4:7-8 (NCV)
7 So give yourselves completely to God. Stand against the devil, and the devil will run from you. 8 Come near to God, and God will come near to you. You sinners, clean sin out of your lives. You who are trying to follow God and the world at the same time, make your thinking pure.
Eugene, OR
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11a (NIV)
April, Diboll.
10 In God, whose word I praise,
in the Lord, whose word I praise,
11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can man do to me? Psalm 56:10-11(ESV)
Diane from Cypress, TX
Job 19:25-27 ESV
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
yet in my flesh I shall see God,
27 whom I shall see for myself,
and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
My heart faints within me!
Jo Anne Chicago, IL
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 your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Holly, Charlotte NC
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” Psalm 73:25 NIV
Sharon, St. Louis. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29 NIV
Dawn, Colleyville, TX
“Everything is permissible for me”-but not everything is beneficial “Everything is permissible for me”-but I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Co 6:12, NIV
Leanne
Sallis, MS
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8 NIV
Andrea, Brush Creek, TN: The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14
Amber Comeaux Katy, TX
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11 ESV)
Pam~ Moss Bluff, LA
“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” I Timothy 6:11 (NIV)
Katie, Kentucky
I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. – Psalm 34:1 NKJV
Linda, Stanley, WI
Create in me a pure heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Ps 51:10 NIV
Amy from Buda, TX “The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1 (NIV)
Nikki L, Littleton, CO
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:25-26 ESV
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1:1-2 (NIV)
Judy- Maple Valley Wa.
Ps. 27:14 NIV
Wait for The Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for The Lord.
Colleen ~ Frisco, TX
Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
Ecclesiastes 12:13, NIV
Heather, Memphis, TN
“So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.” I Cor. 14:12 ESV
Hartland, WI
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 NIV
Jane, Milton, GA My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Jill, Fort Ashby, WV.
Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In a,l your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5,6 NKJV
Jennifer from Nashville:
“While we look not at things which are seen, but at things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 NASB
Patti from Tampa: Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness
Psalm 29:2 (NIV)
Karen, Carmel, IN “but the Lord laughs at the wicked for he knows their day is coming. The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.” Psalm 37: 13-14 NIV
2 Corinthians 4:13
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; KJV
Kim G; greenville, SC
Amanda, Calgary, Alberta
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.
2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV
My man of 25 years, just got diagnosed with Prostate cancer (notice the small c) that has already metasatacized to the bones. I Know I am not supposed to be posting this here but our family is in need of some ‘Siesta prayer’ right now.
Kathi, Kingwood, Tx
“We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.” -1 John 4:13 NIV
Debby, Akron, Ohio: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,” 1 Cor 15:3 NIV84
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 4:20-21
Kay, Sierra Vista, AZ
Jeremiah 9:24, NASB
“but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.
(It always makes me so sad when I type in the word “lovingkindness” and my spell check underlines it in red. It’s a stark reminder that so much of the world does not yet comprehend the covenant-based love-intermingled-with-perpetual-and-active-kindness of our Lord…)
Trish Lenz West Linn, Oregon
“Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest IF we do not give up,”
Galations 6:9 NIV
Psalm 103:10-12 NIV
“he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Jennifer from Liberty, NC
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
New Living Translation (NLT)
And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:18, ESV
Connie Windham
Trout, LA
1 Corinthians 14:12 NASB
So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.
Nancy Engberg from Minneapolis
“Everything is permissible for me” – but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me” – but I will not be mastered by anything.
1 Corinthians 6:12
NIV
Julianna, Gulf Shores. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing, and perfect will. Romans 12:2