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
Tonya
Searcy, AR
Col. 3:23 (NCV) “In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people.”
(There aren’t any drop down boxes for me despite moving cursor to the right of any options/words. One exception, “state” box has a drop down box present.)
Jean ~ Lebanon, Tennessee
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9 NIV
Rachelle, Cedar Park, TX: Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Phil. 4:9 (NIV)
John 6:28-29 NIV: Then they asked Him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of god is this: to believe in the One He has sent.”
St. Catharines, Ontario, CANADA
Proverbs 17:1EV
A dry crust of bread eaten in peace and quiet is better that a feast eaten where everyone argues.
Laura Berg, Carlsbad, CA
”For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. ”
Romans 8:29-30 NIV
Kristie Lovely
Queen City, TX
“Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God! Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.” Psalm 139:19 NKJV
Dear Beth,
This is NOT a scripture verse!! It came due (the verse) while I was vacationing and not close to a computer at all in Oregon. I am home in the Dakota’s now and the rain is coming down with a promise of a slight snow kiss over nite! Sigh! It is that time again isn’t it???
I was aware of stillness OH HOW I WAS! On Amtrack after a slight wreck in the middle of the Rockies in Mt when the train hit a ballast pile of debris and the power went out on the train!1 Silence deafened!! Nothing!! Just scenery to die for in the middle of absolutley no where high in the mountians with no breaks on afew cars!! It was a kinda of harrowing experience but taught me abit about patience (something I have precious little of!) I knew others would be watching how this Christian was gona handle no bathrooms, warm food etc. If noone else, the devil was doing cartwheels!! I grinned as much as I could, did some Bible reading and carried on! I suffered 48 hrs of sleep deprivation but am non the worse for wear. The beauty of the tree colors was a feast of banquet proportions I praised Him who quietly colors these things and wondered at it all!!
Love ya~
Betty
Sheila Miller, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada “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
Emilie Eaton, IN
Galations 5:22-23 NIV
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law.
Christina
Louisville, KY
I needed this word. Thank you, Beth, for bringing it to light for me. 🙂
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
Sandy from Long Beach, CA.
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Michelle from Norman, ok. “Fear of man will prove to be a snare but whoever trust in the Lord is kept safe”. Prov 29:25 NIV
Julie, Sugar Land, TX
Psalms 119:165 NIV
“Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s spirit lives in you?
1Corinthians 3:16 NIV
Debbie. Calgary, AB.Canada
Don’t panic. I’m with you.
There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
(in) Isaiah 41:8-10 MSG
Awwhhh! Thanks for that reminder!
Pam;Campbellsburg,In
Psalm 67;3 Let the peoples praise You O God Let all the peoples praise You .
NSFL NKJV
I thought I posted on the first, but could not find it so I’m leaving it again.
The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. Proverbs 27:9, NLT
Beth, Roswell, GA
“Rejoice Always! Pray without ceasing! Give thanks in all circumstances! for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Kelly from Sherman, TX. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 HCSB
Terry Taylor, Indianapolis ,IN
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,
Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV
Hannah, Baton Rouge, LA
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:10, NIV
Shelli, Karalee & Katelyn; Royse City, TX: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Angela, Warsaw
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. Psalm 95:2 (NIV)
But God demonstrates his love for us on this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us Romans 5:8 NIV
Esther, Jonesborough, TN. James 1:19b-20 (ESV). “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
Amber B, Vicksburg, MI. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13
Connie
Greene IA
We also celebrate in seasons of suffering because we know that when we suffer we develop endurance, 4 which shapes our characters.
Romans 5:3
The Voice
Colossians 3:12
New International Version (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Ruth, Goose Creek, SC
And to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:19 NIV
Kelei Liggett.Iowa Park.Psalm 37:8 NIV Refrain from anger and turn from wrath ;do not fret- it leads only to evil.
Lisa S, Plano TX
10.01.2013
James 1:16-17 NKJV
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Sue, Standish, ME
Isaiah 12:2 NAS
Behold God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.
Linda S., Mandeville, LA
Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Emily
Platte City, MO
“My soul longs, yes faints, for the courts of The Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.”
Psalm 84:2
ESV
Lynette – Aurora, CO Psalm 37:3
New English Translation (NET)
Trust in the Lord and do what is right!
Settle in the land and maintain your integrity!
Lindsay from Boston, MA: “He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” Micah 4:3 NIV
Lisa Riley from Sussex, WI
If I give all that I possess to the poor and give my body over to hardship, that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
1 Cor 13:3 (NIV)
Mary
Woodway, TX
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Trae Kendrick, Crawford, Texas: “Let me again experience the joy of your deliverance. Sustain me by giving me the desire to obey!” Psalm 51:12 NET
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Ps 46:1
Emily Byrd; Baton Rouge, LA
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
Laura
San Antonio, TX
James 5:7-11 NASB
“Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold the farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not complain, brethren, against one another, that you yourselves may not be judged; behold the Judge is standing right at the door. As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.”
Nancy Lyons, Grand Haven, MI
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,But joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5 (NKJV)
Jackie Pope,Covington, IN, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” John 15:8 NKJV
Esther from Arkansas
Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV (For Sep 15-Oct 15)
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness (joy) instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor.
Mimi from Alpharetta, GA
But right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 The Message
Rachel R., Lafayette, IND: “Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, You forgive them all.” – Psalm 65:3, NLT
Mimi from Alpharetta, GA
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1 NIV
Jenny, Tyler, Texas
Psalm 119:96 NET Bible
I realize that everything has its limits, but your commands are beyond full comprehension.