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
1 Peter 5:10
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (ESV)
Julia, Flower Mound, TX
You are like salt for all mankind. But if salt loses its saltiness there is no way to make it salty again. It has become worthless, so it is thrown out and people trample on it.
Matthew 5:13 Today’s English
Summer, McCurtain, OK
Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Proverbs 4:25 HCSB
A little behind on posting so here’s my catch up:
Julie Elrod, Smyrna, GA:
7-1 James 4:8-10 NIV Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands you sinners. Purify your hearts you double minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to morning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up.
7-15 James 4: 11-12 Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one lawgiver and judge. The one who is able to save and destroy. But you, who are you to judge your neighbor?
8-1 James 4:13-14 Now listen, you who say, ‘today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
8-15 James 4:15-17 Instead, you ought to say, ‘if it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.
9-1 James 5:1-3 Now listen you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. you have hoarded wealth in the last days.
9-15 5:4-6 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.
10-1 5:7-8 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
Fran, Jackson, TN “Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work.” Psalm 19:13 The MSG translation
I desire to do your will,O my God; your law is within my heart. Isiah 40:8 (NIV) Twyla Mcamis, Cleveland, Tennessee
Karen from Indianapolis
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God?
I Corinthians 6:19 NIV
Peg, Naperville, IL
“Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy.” Psalm 65:8 (NIV)
Dawn Vaughn, Highlands Ranch, CO
I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. (Psalms 62:1, 2 NLT)
Lori, Friendswood, TX
Psalm 141: 3 (NCV)
Lord, help me control my tongue; help me be careful about what I say.
Tammy from Gravette, AR
Psalm 90:14 ESV
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Kalonni, Van Meter, Iowa: “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 NIV
Joanne Hill, Orange, TX
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies announce what his hands have made.
Psalm 19:1 (NCV)
Sharon, Riverside, Ca.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Psalm 8:1 NIV
Connie from Carterville, IL
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Psalm 32:8
Mary Anne Peters
Osler, SK, Canada
Thus says the LORD:
“Keep your voice from weeping,
and your eyes from tears,
for there is reward for your work,
declares the LORD,
and they shall come back from the land of the enemy.
Jeremiah 31:16 ESV
Britt, Burlington, NC. Now, faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. Hebrews 11:1 HCSB (I am so thankful to have you as a friend, Beth!)
Paula from Denver, Co
Exodus 20:13-17 The Living Bible
You must not murder.
You must not commit adultery.
You must not steal.
You must not lie.
You must not be envious of your neighbor’s house…or
anything else he has.
Liz from Hilliard, OH says:
“Happy are the people who know how to praise you.
Lord, let them live in the light of your presence.
In your name they rejoice
and continually praise your goodness.”
Psalms 89: 15-16 (NCV)
Elizabeth, Gainesville, GA
“People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.”
Hebrews 11:14, NIV
For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14 ESV
Marianne from Carrollton, TX
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”(Philippians 4:6 ESV)
Dawn
Silver Spring, MD
Psalm 25:10 (ESV)
All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.
Holly, Colorado Springs
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant, nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” I Timothy 6:17-18 NIV
Cindy, Nashville, TN “As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.” Psalms 42:1 NLT
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and Courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Jill from Houma, LA
Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3 (NKJV)
Cindy, Fort Worth, TX
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NIV
Rebecca, Hallsville, TX
“He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”
John 1:8-9 KJV
Ps. 103 NAS
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit; who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
Lacey Katy Tx
Psalm 15: 1 & 2 NIV
Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks truth from their heart.
Marsha – Lees Summit, MO
that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 1:7 NKJ
Myra, London, England
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galations 6:9 NIV
The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear as one being taught. Isaiah 50:4 NIV
Seantea B., Los Angeles
“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
(Miss Beth, your scripture hit me like a ton of bricks… so I’m borrowing it!)
Meredith, Holly Ridge, NC
Psalm 103:1-5
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with loving kindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your [a]years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
Jennifer W.
San Antonio, Texas
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5 NLT)
in Muscle Shoals:
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
Mandy from Mt Vernon
“But just as He who calls you is holy, so be holy in all you do”
I Peter 1:15 NIV
Beverly, Vicksburg, MS
Psalm 66:20 NLT
“Praise God, Who did not ignore my prayer or with His unfailing love from me.”
Susan, Greenville, SC James 3:17-18 NIV
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. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Heather Wilkinson
Springfield, VA
Rom 8:38-39 (NIV)
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is Jesus Christ our Lord.
Joan, Carter Lake IA
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. (Psalm 5:3 NIV)
Corley in Conway, AR
Therefore my beloved sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
I Corinthians 15.58
ESV
1Timothy 6:12 (NRSV)
“Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
Cynthia, Virginia
3 His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.
4 By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires.
1 Pet 1:3-5 HCSB
recognized this verse as I was scrolling along as one I learned this year from the Bible Study (Always True) we were doing … isn’t this 2 Peter? 🙂
MaryJo, Indianapolis
If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God. Isaiah 50:10 (NLT)
Tera Ferguson
Gardendale, AL
John 14:3 KJV
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father.'” -Romans 8:15, NET
-Maddie from Arizona
Cindy, Largo, FL
So then just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7 NIV