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
St. Catharines Ontario CANADA
Philippians 3:8 NLT
Yes, everything else is worthless when compared to the infinite value of knowing CHRIST Jesus my LORD. For his sake I have discarded everything else counting it all as garbage so that I could gain CHRIST.
Kirsten H in Schaumburg IL
Psalm 29:11 NIV
“The Lord gives strength to his people; The Lord blesses his people with peace.”
Lindsay from Tampa, Florida
“they will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings – and with him will be his called, chosen, and faithful followers.”
revelation 17:14 NIV
Karey, Justin, Texas
“Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord and he will give you your hearts desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him and he will help you. He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop your anger! Turn from your rage! Do not envy others – it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.”
Psalm 37:3-9
Stephanie B. – Springfield, MO
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
Palatka, FL ” Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Crystal, NC, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30 NIV
Crystal, NC, “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” James 4:8
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)
Kathryn Salley
Greenville, SC
Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful
Theresa, Cincinnati, God Himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. I Cor 1:7, MSG.
Jennifer Fishers, Indiana
1 Samuel 16:7 NIV
The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
Psalm 119:50 NIV
My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.
Song of Solomon 5:16
NASB
16 “His mouth is full of sweetness.
And he is wholly desirable.
This is my beloved and this is my friend,
O daughters of Jerusalem.”
Lauren, San Marcos Tx. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 NIV
Kim from Amarillo, TX
She is vigilant over the activities of her household; she doesn’t eat the food of laziness.
Proverbs 31:27 CEB
Amy, Apex NC
“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear them from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”
2 Cornithians 4:14 NLT
Austin, TX
Psalms 3:3
“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.”
ESV
Catching up:
Beth P, Roswell, GA
Psalm 107:8 ESV/NLT
“Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love,
and for the wonderful things He has done for them.”
Reanna, Cypress CA
1 Timothy 4:12
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
Katherine from The Woodlands, TX
Colossians 3:2-3 (NKJV)
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Emily Bravenec from Glenn Heights, TX
“You know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work. -James 1:3-4a NIV
Kelly, Hollidaysburg, PA
“The Lord your God, He will thrust them out from before you and drive them from before you; and you will possess their land, just as the Lord your God promised you.” ~Joshua 23:5
Teresa, Austin, TX
Acts 17:28a (NiV84)
For in Him we live and move and have our being…
Tori S.
Moore, OK 2Tim. 4:2 (HCSB)
Proclaim the message, persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke,correct,and encourage wwith great patience and teaching.
Jamie in Mason, OH
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Elizabeth N., Castle Rock, CO
Heb 12:10-11, ESV
“For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good that we may share in His holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
Grace,Chandler,OK
John 4:13
Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.(NLT)
Sherrese from Fairmount Heights Maryland, And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.2 Corinthians 12:9 (NASB)
lissa from granbury, tx
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13 ESV
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30 NIV
Rebecca
Boise, Idaho
“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
John 7:37b-38
NIV
Tricia, Conroe, TX
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.”
The Message, Matthew 11:28
Dana from Waterford, Ohio
(1 Timothy 1:14) NIV
The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Kacee, Storrs, CT
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my god. do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
Psalm 25:1-2 NIV
Hilary, Buffalo, NY
…because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the (daughter) he delights in.
Proverbs 3:12 NIV
In Him and through faith in Him, we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Eph 3:12 (NIV)
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for
dsw shoes locations e
For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my spirit on your descendants and my blessings on your children.
Isaiah 44:3 (NLT)
Amy, Fort Collins, CO
(Job 40:3-5) MSG
Job answered:
I’m speechless, in awe – words fail me. I should never have opened my mouth! I’ve talked too much, way too much. I’m ready to shut up and listen.
Rhonda, Anderson, IN
Psalm 16:11 HCSB
You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; in your right hand are eternal pleasures.
Stephanie, KC, MO
Colossians 3:2 ESV
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on Earth!
Charlsie in Austin, TX
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27 NIV
Mary Ellen ~ Trenton, GA ~ “do not fret, it leads only to evil.” Psalm 37:8 NIV
Listen… Be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.
Proverbs 23:19 NIV
As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered.
James NIV
Stephanie Mitchell
Biloxi, MS
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
Job 8:21 NIV
Stephanie Mitchell
Biloxi, MS
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad.
1Chronicles 16:31
Stephanie Mitchell
Biloxi, MS
Dawn – Lafayette, LA
Romans 12:9 NIV
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good.