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
Jennifer, Monroe, GA
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go for to you I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I have hid myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God, may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:8-10 NIV
Exodus 14:14 NIV
The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.
Laura, Townsend, MA
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do
1 Peter 1:15 NIV
Patty Laramore, Ada, OK
“I delight greatly in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with jewels.”
Isaiah 61:10 (NIV)
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
Jody in Huntsville, AL NIV
Revelation 17:14 (yes I am doing Beth’s Rev. study right now – SO GOOD)
“They will make war on 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.”
Oh that made me feel so relaxed reading your post. I could sense a peace coming over me. Resting in His arms. Stopping the worrying for a moment and letting God speak. Thank you.
Bridget, Cadillac MI
Now may THE GOD of PEACE HIMSELF sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (nkjv)
Paula, Maine
This is the confidence we have, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
1John 5:14 NASB
Melissa, Nicholasville, KY
“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him.” Colossians 3:10 (NLT)
Barb of Crown Point IN
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
Melisse from Slippery Rock, PA
Colossians 3:5-6
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idoltry. Because of these the wrath of God is coming.
Courtney from Lima,Ohio
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Ephesians 4:29 NLT
I’ll refresh tired bodies. I’ll restore tired souls. Jeremiah 31:25 Mess
Vicki Knott, Greenwood, SC
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
Heather H. Pflugerville, TX
Romans 14:13 (NIV)
Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.
Terry, Washington, IL
O God, you cause abundant showers to fall on your chosen people. When they are tired, you sustain them, for you live among them. (Psalms 68:9,10aNET)
Rene’ , Edmond, OK
You sent abundant rain, O God, to refresh the weary land. Ps. 68:9 NLT
Kay, Deer Park
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
Dallas, TX
Romans 12:17 ESV
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
Joretta W.,
Waxahachie, TX
Isaiah 41:13(NIV)
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Christy
Fayetteville, AR
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
NIV
Denise, Stillwater, OK
YET I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:17
Lori D., Georgetown, TX
Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Eph. 5:19b-20 (NIV)
Pam, Sioux Falls, SD
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19(ESV)
Jennifer, Chattanooga.
But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.
Psalm 5:11 NIV
Cheri
Louisville, KY
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Colossians 3:8-11 KJV
Melanie Grace of Greenbrier, Tn
my scripture for Sept. 15 was:
Jeremiah 17:14(MSG)
God, pick up the pieces.
Put me back together again.
You are my praise!
and for Oct. lst is:
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
Sorry so late!!!! 🙁
Christina, Lancaster, CA
On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.
Psalm 138:3
ESV
Paula, Houston, Tx
Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. (Jeremiah 33:3 ESV)
Colossians 13:13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. NIV
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:22-24 (NIV)
Sandy – Dodge City, KS
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:6 NIV
I know I am behind. I won’t be able to go to Houston for the celebration, but I still want to try to finish off the year memorizing. Here is my Oct 1 verse:
(John 8:32)”And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.” (NiV)
Diane, Wedgefield, SC – But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find Him, if you search after Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29(ESV)
THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU. YOU MUST BE QUIET. EXO.14:14, NIV
Donna, Odessa, FL
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
Natalie; Richmond Hill, Ga; “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20 NIV)
Johanna, Carlsbad CA
Proverbs 22:3. NIV
“A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it.”
Connie, Shipshewana, For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Ephesians 1:15-16 NIV
Jessica from Rockvale, TN
Matthew 5:9 (NIV)”Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Megan, Goodlettsville, TN
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
James 1:5 (NIV)
Romans 13:14 (NIV)
Rather,clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Cindy/Midland
Galatians 2:20 KJV
“I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me; and the life I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Kristie Nanes, Clearfield, UT
“And one cried out to another and said,
‘Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts,
The whole earth is full of His glory’.”
Isaiah 6:3 (NASB)
San Bernardino Ca.
psalm 100:1 Shout out praises to the Lord , all the earth!
(Net)
“I am The Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.
Isaiah 48:17 NIV
John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. NKJV
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10 NIV
Elaine, New Orleans, LA
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6 (NIV)