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
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
Liz, Nashua, NH
“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”
Psalm 63:1, NIV
Shelly Hough
Gordon, Texas
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
Angie, Chillicothe, MO. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work. Jeremiah 1:5, EXB
Hanna Wahlbrink. Lexington, Ky.
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Isaiah 52:7 (niv)
Donna
Franklin, TN
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Colossians 3:23 (NLT)
Jeanette- Fair Oaks Ranch, TX-I John 3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him NIV
Jeri Missouri City, TX
Psalm 119:165 (NIV)
Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
Stacy, Greenfield, Indiana “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for the Lord’s people” Ephesians 6:18 NIV
Debbie
Georgetown, Tx
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (Psalm 90:2 ESV)
Annie, Alabama
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for The Lord Your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Angie Smith
Waxhaw, NC
For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. (Psalms 84:11 NLT)
Lauren, Charlotte, NC. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1 (NIV)
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8 Mary Nelle Jones Youngstown, OH KJV
Philippians 4:8 KJV Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Jennifer Jones Mosher Canfield, OH
Taste and see that The Lord is good;Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him…Psalm 34:8 NIV
Barbara, Prospect, KY: “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven–for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Luke 7:47.
Nancy Rose, from NN, Va -Prov 27:9 NLT The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.
Val from Ann Arbor, MI
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 NIV
Jennifer, Cypress, 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
Melinda
Wichita, KS
You will show me the path of life;
In your presence is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasure forever more.
Psalms 16:11
Cindy Alton NH, John 17:22-23 The glory you have given me I have given them, that they may be one even as we are one. I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. ESV
Tatiana, Geneva, IL
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 (ESV)
Jennifer, Otisville, MI – Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Col 3:15 NIV
Pattie Self, San Angelo, Texas
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45 NIV
Krystal, Fredericksburg, VA
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23 ESV
Kendra W., Dallas, TX:
“God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Matthew 5:7, NLT
Leslie
Milton, GA
With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.
Daniel 11:32
karen todd, beech Island, SC
“Being justified creel by HIs grace through redemption that is in Christ Jesus”
Romans 3:24, ASV
Vickie, Poplar Bluff, MO. And hope does not disappoint us, because GOD has POURED OUT HIS LOVE into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom He has given us. Romans 5:5 NIV
Sorry so stinkin late. I’m without excuse…life has been knockin this ol gal around alot lately like it has everyone else.
WE. ARE. HIS. BELOVED.
Jamie, Crossett:
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will act.” Psalm 37:5 ESV
So place yourself under God’s authority. Resist the devil and he will run away from you.
James 4:7
GW
Kristi, from Rowlett, TX
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God.”
Romans 5:1-2 NIV
Beth Aldrich
Cary, NC
SSMT Verses 18 and 19
Romans 5:1-5 (HCSB) Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Stormy, Lynchburg, VA
For where your treasure is there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 NIV
Alicia, mesa, AZ
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 NIV
Ack! I forgot to post this on the 1st! Chester, VA: “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service.” I Timothy 1:12 NIV
Elizabeth, Gilbert,AZ
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Mathew 11:28 NIV
“To fear The Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1:7
Cindy, Beaumont TX: Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV)
Eleanor
Memphis, TN
I Peter 1:8-9 ESV
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Birmingham, AL: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 ESV
Lisa from Cary, NC
Trust your lives to the God who created you for He will never fail you. 1Peter 4:19 (NLT)
Coral Jacksonville, Florida
Revelation 7:17
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. NIV
Lichelle Austin NIV Prov. 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will free from you. James 4:7 NIV
Amy
Minneapolis, MN
Sept. 15’s verse: “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under law but under grace.” Romans 6:14 NIV
Oct. 1’s verse: “For we are God’s handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Laura, Prairieville, LA
I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt,
open wide your mouth and I will fill it. Psalm 81:10 NIV
Starr, Panama City, FL
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7 NIV)
Romans 8:24-25, NLT
We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)