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
Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings. Hebrews 11:35 NLT
Stephanie in Woodward, OK
He must become greater;
I must become less.
John 3:30 NIV
Amy S. from Saint Cloud, FL
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise-In God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
Psalm 56:3-4
(NIV)
Tina from Chesapeake, VA – “How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.” Daniel 4:3(NIV84)
Psalm 92:4(NLT)
You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!
I sing for joy because of what you have done.
Kelly, Starr,SC
“This is love; not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10 NIV
SuzanneMorton,Decatur,Texas
“For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 NIV 84
Dear Beth ~ The Holy Spirit led me to LPM’s Blog at the very moment I needed a “word” that only He could give me … and He used you. Here’s how it went:
Your words: “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.”
Me: Honestly, I am sitting here at 12:15 a.m. in the morning listening to the steady rain that is falling outside the window here by the computer. As I was reading your words, I had been crying over a situation I have been praying to Him about that has me both anxious and frantic about how it is going to turn out. I had JUST prayed letting Him know, it’s in His hands, I’m letting it go. And, with tears in my eyes, I was directed to your blog and there were your words! Amazing!!!
Now, here’s the humor of God.
Seriously, as I live and breathe, at the precise ‘moment’ I was reading your words, “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.” … A FLASH of lightning and a LOUD boom of thunder sounded outside my window, and I paused and said … “Yes, that’s the sound of You, God, being God!!!” 🙂
Anyway, isn’t He just the BEST? 😉 xoxo (to Him!)
My memory verse is: Hebrew 13:21 “May He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you,through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen!!!”
Blessings, jd<
Psalm 59:15
O my strength, to you I sing praises, for you Oh God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love. NIV
Cindy, living in Cochem, Germany: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Lisa in Moyock, NC
Show mercy and compassion to each other. Do not oppress the widow, fatherless, the alien or poor. In your hearts, do not think evil of one another.
Zachariah 7:9 & 10. NIV
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live. Deuternomy 30:19 (ESV)
Jill from Sterling Heights, MI
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 (ESV)
Karen from Powell, Ohio
You word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
“You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.”
Psalm 23:5 (NIV)
Poorna Diaz,
Reston, Va.
Evansville, IN
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” James 1:19 NIV
Susan B. Chapin, SC
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. Ephesians 1:19a
Terry from Jasper Ga
1 Chron 16:9-10 NKJV
Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works!
Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!
Shelley, from Bolivar, MO
Psalm 131:2 ESV
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
TANE UVALDE, TEXAS OCT. 6,2013 8:30
PSALM 96:6 NIV “Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
D’Anne, Loganville, GA 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. (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV)
Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
Elise — Newark
Debbie from Universal City, TX.
“So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 (NASB)
Pam Houston, Buena Park, CA
“O that You would slay the wicked, O God; Depart from me, therefore men of bloodshed.” Psalms 139:19 NASB
Erin
Chippewa falls, WI
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21 NIV
Dana, Pace, 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 NET
Valerie, Taylors SC – Seek the LORD while He may be found; call to Him while He is near. Isaiah 55:6
The above is from the HCSB
Anna – Conroe, TX
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
-2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Valerie, Little Elm
“The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first.” Job 42:12 HCSB
Julia, Springfield, TN
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.
Sandy from Vienna, VA
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
—Psalm 25:4–5 (NIV)
Blair from Harrisburg, NC
As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.
Galatians 6:14 AMP
Alice Champagne, Marietta, GA
So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. John 13:4-5 (NLT)
Suzy – Orlando, FL
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
2 Corinthians 4:7
Lynn ~ Orlando, FL
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us”. 2 Cor 4:7 (NIV)
Lynn ~ Orlando, FL
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went to a solitary place, where he prayed.” ~ Mark 1:35 (NIV)
(Late posting for 9/15 verse)
Neeley from Auburn, AL
Philippians 2:5-6 NIV
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
Lynn ~ Orlando, FL
“Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.” ~ Ps 116:7 (ESV)
(9/1 verse – not sure if I posted or not)
Debbie, Fort Thomas, KY
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
Ramona, Pasadena
Proverbs 3:3 NLT
Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you! Wear them like a necklace; write them deep within your heart.
Mary Jane, Wilmington, DE
Psalm 42:1 “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” (NIV)
Carolyn, Rocksprings, TX
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 entrust my life. Psalm 143:8(NIV)
NIV Psalms9:1,2
I will praise you,Oh Lord, with all my heart;I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name,O Most High.
Jana, Brenham, TX
Psalm 62:5-7
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Lou Ann Smith, McAllen, TX
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12 ESV
Kim Cliatt, Loganville, GA
Ephesians 6:14(NIV)
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,”
Bombey Bellaire, TX
Ps 68:9- 10a O God, you cause abundant showers to fall on your chosen people.
When they are tired, you sustain them, for you live among them. NET
Kelley, La Verne. Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Sorry so late!!
Becky Mansfield, Ohio
5 Trust in the Lord with all you heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Orlando, FL
The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, Revelation 21:19 NKJV