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
Vicki, Surprise AZ
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Jeremiah 32:17
Oh Lord God, you made the skies and the earth with your very great power. There is nothing too hard for you to do.
Elaine, Jefferson, GA
It is the Spirit Who gives life [He is the life-giver]; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever [there is no profit in it]. The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life. ~ John 6:63 AMP
Kara C, Aurora, Il
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)
Tammy from Fort Myers, FL “The one who guards his mouth protects his life; the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.” Proverbs 13:3 HCSB
Liz, Bloomfield: “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father'” (Romans 8:15, HCSB).
Colleen, Glen Ellyn, IL
On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Matthew 7:22-23 ESV
Sherry
Indianapolis
“We love because HE first loved us”
I John 4:19 (NIV)
Cindy, St. Louis – Never let loyalty & kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God & people & you will earn a good reputation. NLT
Elaine, Littleton, CO
Proverbs 8:32,33 (NIV)
“Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.” Proverbs 8:32,33
Sarah Sykes, Arkadelphia, AR
Psalms 84:9 ESV
Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed!
Lisa from Denver, NIV John 11:40
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
Jane from Geneseo, Illinois
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
(NIV)
NKJV James 1:23-24 “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.”
Mindy from Austin, TX “My sacrifice, O God, is[a] a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise” Psalm 51:15, NIV.
Proverbs 4:13,23
Guard the instruction of the heart, for it is the wellspring of Life!
🙂 <3
Cindy
Kalamazoo, MI
Romans 12:14 ESV
Bless those who presecute you;bless and do not curse them.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (Eph. 5:8, NIV1984).
John 20:31 (NASV)
But these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
Peggy, Bangor, Maine
For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:14 NIV
Frances, Orange, TX
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; Lamentations 3:22 ESV
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Alleluia!
Psalms 150:6
Donna, Glendale,AZ HCS
Cherie – Pocatello, ID. “‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the LORD who has compassion on you.” (Isaiah 54:10, NIV)
Beth, Wynnewood, OK.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Charlene, Waterloo, ON
But put God’s kingdom first. Do what he wants you to do. Then all of those things will also be given to you.
Matthew 6:33 (NIrV)
Beverly, Pearland,TX Isaiah 40:31
Holman Christian Standard
Those who trust in the LORD will renew their strength.
Tajuana ~ Texas
“I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”
Psalm 40:8 (NIV)
Kim, Amherst, OH
Prov. 3:26 NLT
for the Lord is your security.
He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
Karen C, Carmel, Indiana – “but the Lord will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned when brought to trial. Wait for the Lord and keep his way. Hill will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it. Psalm 37:33-34 NIV
Tempa, Palm Bay, Florida
“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
Michelle O’Banion Grandview, TX
Ephesians 4:1-3 NET
I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Angie W. from Liberty, Missouri: Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people). Ephesians 5:15 AMP
Sue Big Rapids, MI
Ps 91:11 For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. NASB
Patrice, Elm Grove, WI
Since God has allowed us to be happy, we will not worry too much about how short life is.
Ecclesiastes 5:20 Good News Translation
Jennifer
Lexington, KY
Proverbs 31:28 (CEB)
“Her children bless her: her husband praises her:”
Sheila
Guyton, GA
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.”
(needed this one!!)
Fareen
Las Vegas, NV
“Therefor be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for their precious produce of the coil, 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 near.”
James 5:7-8 NASB
Michelle from Waterloo, ON, Canada
“For we live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV
Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Hannah, miramar beach. 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
Carrie Guion, Wentzville, Mo,
If you listen carefully to these commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom. Deuteronomy 28:13 NLT
Jane from Calgary, Alberta
“He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He himself will come to have first place in everything.” Colossians 1:18 (NASB)
Tracy Fahs, Lake St. Louis, Mo,
For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV
Wendy, Harrodsburg, Kentucky
If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John 15:5-8 NIV
Kristi Rogersville, TN
2nd Timothy 1:7 NIV
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.
Matthew 6:34 NIV
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Shelly Elston, Portland, OR
“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.”
Psalm 3:3 (ESV)
Kay Martin
Tupelo, MS
“Teach me Your way, O LORD, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear Your Name.”
Psalm 86:11 NIV
But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him. When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
Job 23:8-10 NIV
Jeanette Dahm, Tualatin, Oregon,
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
Eph 3:14-15