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
“Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and your staff – they comfort me.” Ps 23:4 HCSB
Peggy from Homer, 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. Psalm 68:9-10a The NET Bible
Kylie, Wichita, KS
James 3:17 (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.
For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart , O God, You will not despise. Psalm 51:16&17 NSAB
Lindsay, Albuquerque, NM “God’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray.” Psalm 34:7 The Message
Kelsie, Albuquerque, NM “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” Psalm 112:7 NIV
Alysa, Albuquerque, NM “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 NIV
allie, south pasadena ca
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
Kim B.- Orlando, Florida
SET YOUR MINDS ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON EARTHLY THINGS.
COLOSSIANS 3:2
This is what the Lord says. Stand by the roadways and look.Ask about ancient paths: which is the way to what is good? Take it and find rest for yourselves.
Jeremiah 6:16
Wendy, Mechanicsville, VA
Carolyn, Terrace BC Canada
Ephesians 6:10 (NIV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Colossians 3:19 ESV
Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.
Pam, Brighton CO
I know this seems like a strange verse but I am memorizing Colossians 3 this year!
Cynthia B, Missouri
What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed and in that I rejoice.
Phillipians 1:18 ESV
“…and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:24 (NIV)
Sarah Cox from Jay, OK
“Servants be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling and singleness of your heart, as unto Christ.”
Ephesians 6:5 (KJV)
Cathy Morris Sedona, AZ Romans 2:3-4 ESV
Do you suppose, O man- you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself- that you will escape the judgement of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and patience and forbearance, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.
Carolyn Tragesser, Orofino, ID
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written:”Everyone who is hung on a tree is cursed.”
Galatians 3:13 HCSB
Allison Crook
Albuquerque, NM
“Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.”
Hosea 6:3 (NLT)
Romans 10:13 (NIV):
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Brad and Gwen Eungard
Adam, Eleanor, Amelia, and Owen
Stuttgart, Germany
Lori from Athens, Ga.:
1Timothy 6:18 (NIV):
“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”
Carol, Poplar Bluff, MO
Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Psalm 51:6 NIV
Sandra, Swainsboro, GA
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
My Savior and my God.
Psalm 43:5 NIV
Stephanie, Austin, “Therefore I am content wiith weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor 12:7, NET
2 Samuel 7:22 How great you are O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you – there is no other God. We have never even heard of another God like you!
Michal in College Station, TX
“The Spirit of the LORD took control of Gideon…”
Judges 6:34a (HCSB)
Debbie – Keller, TX
Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Luke 3:36 (HCSB)
k.joy from Lancaster, PA
“Brothers listen! In this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. Everyone who believes in him is freed from all guilt and declared right with God — something e Jewish law could never do.”
Acts 13:38-39
Cindy, Rochester, MN – I will meditate on Your majestic, glorious splendor and Your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of Your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about Your righteousness. -Psalm 145:5-7 (NLT)
Cindy, New York City
“Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.” Psalm 90:2 NLT
Brenda from Southern Maryland
For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Romans 4:3 NET
Kathy French, Austin,
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.
Titus 2:11 (NIV)
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 NIV
Barb Wisconsin
Many are the afflictions of the righteous but The Lord delivers him out of them all. ESV
Julie from Granbury, TX
Jeremiah 31:25 (NIV84) “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”
Allison L. Tulsa, OK
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of his law.
Deuteronomy 29:29, ESV
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for the is is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ. 1 Thessolonians 5:16-18 NIV
Debbie Spartanburg SC
Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
NIV
Romans 6:14 NIV
For sin will NO LONGER have cominion over me, since I am not under law but under grace.
Virginia in Elgin, Tx
Courtney, Houma, LA
When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter,
and we sang for joy. And the other nations said,
“What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”
Psalm 126:1-2, NLT
Deb, Pelzer, SC
“So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” (1 Peter 4:19, NIV)
Abby Kaufman
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
NIV Proverbs 10:19
Ramona Gellick
Medina, Ohio
Isaiah 44:2a
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
I am your Creator.
You were in my care even before you were born
It is my pleasure to tell you
about the miraculous signs and wonders
that the Most High God has performed for me.
(Daniel 4:2 NIV)
Marilyn from Missouri:
So shall My word be that goes forth from my mouth;
It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the things for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11 NKJV
Skeet – Monroe, GA.
James 2:6 (NIV)
But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
Ruth, Providence
For the Egyptians are men and not God, and their horses are flesh and not spirit.When the LORD stretches out his hand, the helper will stumble, and he who is helped will fall, and they will all perish together. Isaiah 31:3 RSV
Anita Livingston, Odem TX
I John 4:18 TEV
There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear. So then, love has not been made perfect in anyone who is afraid, because fear has to do with punishment.
Joan, Dousman, WI
Before you were formed in the womb, I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart…
Jerimiah 1:5 NIV
Heather, Charleston,SC
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
I suffered an app malfunction and list ALL my verses. :O that’s the only place I kept them.
That’s *LOST all my verses. :O
Leanne, Billings, MT
“Oh Lord, You are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask Your aid”
Psalm 86:5 NLT
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25 NIV