Hey, my beloved sisters!
Though I won’t publish this post until Tuesday, the first day of October, I am writing to you on Sunday. I have the house all to myself today – not even a dog in sight – and I am sitting on my back porch as a generous rain soaks the ground, polishing the wide leaves of sweet gums on its way down. Our trees this far south are still plump and green and, right this minute, I don’t mind because the leaves have such a sheen on them in the rain that they look like vinyl. The temperatures will drop one slow degree at a time over the next month but we usually don’t have what people call “Autumn” here until as late as November. And it’s almost unrecognizable even then. Suddenly you just look up and the trees don’t have leaves and it hits you that you probably missed Fall on your way to work that morning when you ran into Starbucks for a dry cappuccino.
An Arkansas girl by heritage, I am on the hunt for Red October by mid September but I can’t think of a time since I’ve lived on the Gulf Coast that I’ve ever found it. Well, except when I close my eyes and look. And it is beautiful there. I do love Houston though, despite how season-challenged it is. Good people. Many, many who earnestly love Jesus and crave the sense of His presence and serve Him with both life and heart. Its diversity kicks up a rich climate for faith and a prime place to meet people very different from you who seek Jesus feverishly. It’s not as easy to keep your stereotypes tidy here.
In the early years of speaking, God purposed that I’d accrue copious hours of experience serving at various churches, women’s breakfasts and luncheons right here in our city limits and still get home to greet my children after their school day. I often pulled out of the driveway when they hopped on the school bus and squealed my tires back on the concrete just minutes before they pulled up at 3:15. My kids loved riding the school bus and, as it turns out (I write this with a smile), it was a grace to me. On paper, our lives shouldn’t have worked but somehow it worked (apply the term loosely) in practice. That’s the beautiful oddity of the will of God. What should easily work doesn’t work when He’s not in it and what should never work does work when He is. It’s crazy to think about in retrospect. He has been so faithful, just as He will be to you as you try to balance it all and seek His mercy through the insanity.
I wish I could somehow add the soundtrack of what I’m presently hearing to this post. I wish you could listen to the comfort of the rainfall, especially if you are feeling chaotic or anxious right now or frantic about how something’s going to work out. The water is falling steadily, not a soft shower or a downpour. Constant and consoling, almost like one of those sleep-settings on your iPad. And I wish you could hear 4 male hummingbirds competing over the feeder that is hanging about 8 feet from where I’m sitting. It mesmerizes me to watch them and I think you might like it, too, once you adjusted to the pace out here in these woods.
Sometimes we really do just need everything and everybody else to shut up for a minute and let us listen to the sound of God being God around us. These moments are brief for all of us. Just five days ago I was fit to be tied over something. I do mean fit to be tied and, over the weekend, greatly concerned about a situation even while I served. But I am going to sit here for the next few minutes and pour myself a cup of coffee while God pours these woods a cup of rain.
Well, I guess you can tell that I’m in a musing mood so perhaps I should wrap this post up before I work my way over to subjects like world peace and dark nights of the soul and existential crises and the beauty of aging and the delights of youth. Honestly, I can feel a poem trying to write itself in my head. This post must end with perfect timing before, indeed, my words start rhyming. Run for your life. It’s almost too late.
Here’s my Scripture for this October 1st!
Beth Moore, O God, You cause abundant showers to fall on Your chosen people. When they are tired, You sustain them, for You live among them. Psalm 68:9-10a The NET Bible
Amen, You do, gracious, merciful God.
I love you, Sisters. You are a joy to me. The next post will be registration for our SSMT celebration so we can get an idea how many to prepare for. Wooohoooo! It’s almost time to kick up our heels!
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
[18] “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. [19] See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Heb. 12:28-29 – Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (NIV)
Sandy from Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Isaiah 40:6-8
6)A voice says, “Call out.”
Then he answered, “What shall I call out?”
All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.
7)The grass withers, the flower fades,
When the breath of our God blows on it;
Surely the people are grass.
8)The grass withers, the flower fades
But the word of our God stands forever.
Karie-Phoenix
I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
Psalm 34:1
Nadine, Morton, UK
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
Katie Euken
Muscatine, IA
“My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.”
James 1:19-20 HCSB
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30 NIV
If you love me, keep my commands.
John 14:15 NIV
Alaina // Tyler, TX
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
NIV
Maureen, Utah:
For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.
Psalm 117:2 NIV
Kimberly, Fresno, CA
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 (NRSV)
Michele, Rockmart, GA
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening. Psalm 92:1-2 NLT
Michele, Rockmart, GA
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening. Psalm 92:1-2 NLT
Martha, Georgetown, TX, Isaiah 55:3 NLT “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life.”
Fran, Stedman, NC
“I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8 ESV
Megan, St. Louis… “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23, NIV2011.
Meredith from Columbus, OH: “So I recommend having fun because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.” -Ecclesiastes 8:15 (NLT)
Jennifer, Fairfax VA
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom
James 3:13 (NIV)
Cottonwood, CA
“They will be like a tree planted near a stream whose roots spread out toward the water. It has nothing to fear when the heat comes. Its leaves are always green. It has no need to be concerned in a year of drought. It does not stop bearing fruit.” Jer. 17:8 (NET)
Tammy H, Van, TX And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
Lori, Oil City, PA
“Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100:3
Heal me,Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Jeremiah 17:14 NIV
Amy; Milton, WA
“Not us, Oh Lord, not us; but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”
Ps. 115:1, NIV
“Rejoice in our confident hope.
Be patient in trouble and
keep on praying.” Romans 12:12 NLT
WendyC -Cheyenne, WY.
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. Psalm 103:2 NLT
Lindsey, Dubach, LA…”O God, You cause abundant showers to fall on Your chosen people. When they are tired, You sustain them, for You live among them.” Psalm 68:9-10a The NET Bible
James 1: 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.
Ps. 102:25-28 ESV
Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end. The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you.
Elsie – Scottsbluff Nebraska
Psalm 103:13 (NASB)
Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
Susan, Knoxville, TN
Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40 ESV
Sherry, Winston-Salem, NC
But those who trust 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 faint.
Isaiah 40:31 HCSB
Shannon, Tyler, Tx “Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles. His faithful
love endures forever.” Psalm 136:4 NLT
Kristi, Pensacola, FL:
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV
Phyllis
Gilmer, Tx
O God, You cause abundant showers to fall on your chosen people. When they are tired, you sustain them, for You live among them. Psalm 68:9-10a NET
Jenna, Cedar Park, tx. “O God, You cause abundant showers to fall on Your chosen people. When they are tired, You sustain them, for You live among them.” Psalm 68:9-10a The NET Bible
Monica
Cheyenne, WY
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
Psalm 103:2 NLT
Richmond, Va
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
Melanie – Decatur,AL
Psalm 68:9-10 NET
9 O God, you cause abundant showers to fall on your chosen people. When they are tired, you sustain them,
10 for you live among them.
You sustain the oppressed with your good blessings, O God.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”
Romans 1:16 (NIV’84)
Kathy
St. Louis, MO
Jill, Fort Ashby, WV Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ (Mark 12:30 NET)
Rachel in Thousand Oaks, CA
Now because you are his children, God has sent the Spirity of his Son into our hearts to cry out, “Abba! Father!”
Galatians 4:6 (International Standard Version)
Sarah B.
Portales, NM
Psalm 28:7 ESV
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.”
Jen Lee, Ames, Iowa: “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26 (NET)
Kristen, Marble, NC
And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:14 NIV
Leslie from Kansas City, MO I care very little if I’m judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 1 Corinthians 4:3 (NIV)
Jennifer, Cullman, AL
Trust in The Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NET
Cheryl, Concord, NC
“How precious is your steadfast love, O God!”
Psalm 36.7a ESV
Amy–St. Pete, FL
“Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear.”
Isaiah 65:24
Lu, Garner NC, Then He opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures -Luke 24:45 NIV
Nina
Moore, OK
The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. Exodus 14:14 ESV