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
Cathy: Jackman, ME: 26) “But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant 27) and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28) For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mt. 20:26-28 NLT
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.
John15::5 NIV
Lori, Richmond, VA
Colossians 3:15 NIV
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Andrea M – Okotoks, AB
Psalm 139:9 (NIV) – If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
Colossians 1:11 ESV
May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,
2 Timothy 3.16 KJV
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
Tracee, Morristown, TN
The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you. He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love.
Zephaniah 3:17 CEV
Holli
Bryan, Texas
“Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.”
Psalm 57:1
Joni, Littleton CO
“For God did not give me a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline.”
2Timothy 1:7 NIV
Audrey from Cimarron, KS: Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galations 5:22-23 (NIV)
Sarah from Jay, Ok
” A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” Provers 22:1 (NIV)
Mary
Woodway, TX
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 (NLT)
April, Fort Worth
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Proverbs 31:8 NIV
Michelle J, Dallas, TX
Pslams 4:8
In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, O Lord,
Make me dwell in safety
perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:4 NIV
Heidi ~ Oak Harbor, WA
Be strong and courageous, do not be frightened and do not be dismayed,
for the Lord your God is WITH YOU wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 ESV
Kiana ~ Fairfield, TX
“Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV
So sorry I’m not sure I posted and there’s NO WAY i’ll find it in all these fantastic posts, so just in case—-
Jaclyn W, Tacoma, WA
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Matthew 5:3-5 NASB
Melissa E
Anna, Tx
” For I know the plans I have for you, declares The Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you you future and hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
ESV
Laura Griffiths, Auburn, AL Lam. 3:22-26
The Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.” The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently. For the salvation of the Lord.
Missy from Lake Placid
Psalm 103:20 (NKJ)
Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.
Watauga, TX
Isaiah 60:3 (VOICE)
“Nations north and south, peoples east and west, will be drawn to your light. In the radiance of your rising, you will enlighten the leaders of the nations.”
Psalm 139:23 NIV
Search me, O God and know my heart test me and know my anxious ways.
Barbara, Tomball, TX:
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer (means stone of help), saying, “Thus far has the LORD helped us.” 1 Samuel 7:12 (NIV)
Better late than never-
Olivia, Tennessee
Have i not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 niv
Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.
Susan, Atlanta, GA
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Romans 12:14 ESV
Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice, And be gracious to me and answer me. Psalm 27:7 (NASB)
Sherry Youngblood ~ Jay, OK
27 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)
The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things- so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Heb. 12:27 niv
Carolyn R.
Houston, TX
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 NIV
Take delight in The Lord, & He will give you your heart’s desire. Ps. 37:4 Holman
Carol Wilson
Choctaw, OK
In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain… When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the rightous do?” Psalm 11:1,3 NIV
Muriel, Ontario, Psalm 104:24 NIV
How many are your works Lord. In wisdom you made them all: the earth is full of your creatures.
Christy-Ada, Ok “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, shiwing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8 NIV
Connie Hardman from Fairhope, AL Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last, but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Proverbs 31:30 NLT
Melissa J from Houston, TX
Proverbs 31:25
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
Geri
Deer Park, TX
2 Cor. 4:7 ESV
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to god and not to us.
Skeet from Monroe, Ga.
I Cor. 13:8 (NIV)
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they wil cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
Janice, Jacksonville, FL:
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my concerns.
Psalms 139:23 HCSB
Erin
Chippewa Falls, WI
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
Romans 6:14 NIV
Leigh from Fairhope
Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 NIV
kris Medina, WA
Psalm 91:9-10 the message
9 Yes, because God’s your refuge, the High God your very own home, 10 Evil can’t get close to you, harm can’t get through the door.
Kinsey Tulsa Ok
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. [Shabbat] Deut 6:4-9
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
Daphne, Baker City, OR
Humble yourself, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you! I Pet 5:6-7 (NASB)
Anne
Atlanta, GA
But you are a shield around me O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
Psalm 3:3
NIV
Erin, Bella Vista, Ar
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
1 Corinthians 2:12, NIV
Psalm 92:3
…accompanied by the 10 string harp and the melody of the lyre. NLT
Amy Krummen Minneapolis, MN
“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)
Kelei Liggett. Iowa Park.
Jonah 4:4
But the Lord replied, “Have you any right to be angry?”NIV