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
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
John 14:26 ESV
Kristi
Charlotte, NC
Alicia, New Market, AL “Blessed is she who has believed what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.” Luke 1:45 (NIV)
Ryann, New Market, AL “Blessed is she who has believed what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.” Luke 1:45 (NIV)
Sam
Rowley, IA
1 Timothy 5:1-2
Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.
Linda, Westport
And say to Archippus “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord”
Colossians 4:17
Beckie Potterfield, Florence, SC
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.
Philippians 2:10 NIV
Natalie Patton, Leawood, KS
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Hebrews 11:6 NKJV
Tiffany Tennant
Muskogee, OK
“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 NLT
Erin, Dumas
In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8, NASB
Amanda Patton, Leawood, KS,
“Riches won’t help you on the day of judgement, but right living can save you from death.”
Proverbs 11:4
NLT
“I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.” Psalm 120:1 NIV
Erica Voss
Stafford, VA
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Charlotte, Tomball, TX, Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 1 John 2:18 (NKJV)
Cindy, Biloxi, MS
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Ephesians 4:1 NIV
If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John1:9
Beth Herring
Oak Grove, Louisiana
1 Peter 1:8 (NASB)
and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
Jennifer Pearson: Nesbit, MS
But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? (James 2:18-21 NASB)
Teri: Aledo, TX
“Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7
Patsi from Porter, Tx
Matthew 6:6 (NKJV)
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health.psalm 30:2 Yes He did, Amen!
Connie from Plano, TX says: “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:7-8 NIV
So glad you came to Oregon. Only the 2nd time I’ve heard you speak and both times I know that God used you to tell me something that I wasn’t willing or ready to hear on my own. My time will come. Thank you.
Kaitlyn, from Fort Walton Beach, FL
I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.
Psalm 40:8 (ESV)
Lisa S, Plano TX
(05/01/13)
Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes.
Psalm 119:135 NKJV
San Diego, Ca
Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,
Who only does wondrous things! Ps. 72:18 (NKJV)
Liz Dunbar
Norman, OK
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
Now to Him, by (in consequence of) the (action of His) power that is at work within us is able to ( carry out His purpose and do) superabundantly, far over, and above all that we(dare) ask or think (infinetly beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams
Eph 3:20 AMP
Jenny, clovis, ca
Pat W. green bank, wv.
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
Carol, poplar bluff, Missouri
Jeremiah 17:14
Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for Thou art my praise.
Deb, Lansdale, PA
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Mark 10:27 NIV
Donna, Fort Wayne,IN
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18 NASB)
Paula, Atlanta Tx
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea
Psalm 139:9
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14
So sorry to be so late!
Leah, Houston, TX
Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
NIV 1984
Peggy Buchanan
Beechmont, KY
John 1:23 NIV
23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”
Rose Lovell
Hopkinsville, KY
John 15:5 NIV
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Bonnie from Port Orchard, WA
Cast your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 NIV.
Psalm 51:10
(ESV)
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Julene, Cowiche, WA
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
Exodus 15:2 NIV
Glennell Buda, Tx.
James 1:22 (NIV)
Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Gina from Gadsden
Psalm 51:11-12. Living
Don’t toss me aside, banished forever from your presence. Don’t take your spirit from me. Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.
Leah from Ontario, Canada
I will celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness. – Psalm 145:7 (niv)
Kathy from Richmond, VA
Romans 14:12 NIV
So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
James 1:5: “But if any of you lacks wisdome, let him ask of God who gives to all men graciously and without reproach and it will be given to him.”
Tara from Bolingbrook, IL
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:34, ESV
Hannah from Bolingbrook, IL
Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!
Psalm 61:4,ESV
Kerre, Chattanooga,TN. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart I have overcome the world. John 16:33 ESV
Gabby from Lake View, NY
Finally,brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Whatever you have learned, received or heard from me, or seen in me- put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4: 8-9 NIV
Dwan, Kings Mountain, NC
For we live by faith not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7, NIV
Hebrews 9:27-28 NIV
Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.