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
Karen, from Dallas, TX:
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.
To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:18 NIV (1984)
NKJ-Ps.11911
Thy word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Mary, Lilburn, GA – James 3:17. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. NIV
Helen Wall Crystal City, Manitoba, Canada
1 John 2:11
But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
Olda, Huntsville
To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’ Revelation 2:7 (NASB)
Roxanne Hummelstown, Pa
For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them. (isaiah 61:7 kjv)
Lisa S.
Kinston, NC
Proverbs 15:29 NASB
The Lord is far from the wicked,
But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
Julia Stevens Hill — Anniston, Alabama
Psalm 27:1 NIV
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?
Paula, O’Fallon
That in Christ Jesus the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the Body and fellow partakers of the promise through the Gospel. Ephesians 3:5 RcV
Dallas, GA
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Heb. 4:16 NIV
Kimberly Orr-Zionsville, Indiana.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:16-17 NIV 1984
Susan – Statesville, NC
His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3 ( NAS)
Amanda Long, Clinton, MO
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 ESV
Lori from St. Catharines, ON
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
Paula Stemple, Marlinton, WV
Romans 8:38-39 NLT
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Heather, Louisville
“James, a servant of God and of The Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy,”.
James 1:1-2 NRSV
Dee Dee Fernandina Beach, Fla
Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by a law of faith. Romans 3:27 ESV
Amy from Shorewood IL
“we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)
Psalm 103:18
with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
Sandie Powell, Albuquerque, NM: Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would not have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:1-2 KJV
Deb in Windsor, CT:
“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.” – Deuteronomy 33:12, NIV
Janice in Abbeville, Al
“Call to me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know,”
“Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV)
Becky, Roswell, GA
“Who among you fears The Lord and obeys His servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in The Lord and rely on your God.”
Isaiah 50:10, NLT
Michelle K., Warner Robins, GA
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Psalm 103:1 NASB
Diane Jackson, Wood River, IL:
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghhold.
Psalm 18:2 (NKJV)
Lori, Toledo
Proverbs 19:11 (NIV 1984)
“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense”
Susan Smith – Murfreesboro, TN
By standing firm you will gain life. Luke 21:19 NIV
Claudia, Raeford, NC But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33 NIV)
My heat said of you, “Go worship him.” So I come to worship you, Lord.
Ps. 27:8 NCV
Cathy, Richmond, VA
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalms 19:14
Charmaine, Miami, FL – “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Colossians 4:6 NKJV
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
Thank you for this scripture and post!
Terri from Mechanicsville, VA
‘Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.’
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Karessa, Peoria, IL: Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! Psalm 27:14 ESV
Susan,Fairhope,AL-Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward- to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. Philippians 3:13-14 (The Message)
Michele, Naperville, IL
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIV
Denise
The Woodlands, Texas
2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV) 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Karen, Norfolk, VA: If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! Psalm 139:19 (NIV)
Sharron from Hartselle, Al
Psalms 32:7 NIV
You are my hiding place. You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance!
Maria – Macomb, MI
1Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV 1984
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body,”
Laurie, Oklahoma City, “God is our strong refuge; he is truly our helper in times of trouble. For this reason we do not fear when the earth shakes, and the mountains tumble into the depths of the sea,” (Psalms 46:1, 2 NET)
D’Anna Nowack
Kilgore, Texas
Hebrews 10: 23-24
NIV
23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
Jennifer from Leesburg, GA:
“And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15 ESV)
Sandra
Wichita Falls, TX
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3: 5-6 NLT
Shannon Pate
Little Rock, Arkansas
“You came near when I called on You; You said,” ‘Do not fear!’ ”
Lamentations 3:57 ESV
Pat S., Lago Vista, TX
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence. 1 John 3:18-19 NIV
Toni, Argyle, TX
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God.
Ephesians 3:17-19, NASB
Ashley from Dexter, Michigan
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
JoAnn, Columbus
Is. 40:8 NIV
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.
Danita, Lake in the Hills, IL
1 Timothy 5:8 ESV
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.