**Siesta Celebration is January 20-21, 2012**
Hey, Darling Things!
I’m writing you from about 28,000 feet in the air, glancing out at a sunset heavy with steely thunderheads and striped in army blues. I am on my way home the long way from Columbus, Ohio. After our Living Proof Live ended and we ate lunch at the arena, we all headed to our various vans so we could make our ways to the airport. I hopped in the front seat with Rich because Ron and his darling wife Nancy had already headed home. Several of our other buddies were in the back chattering away when Rich overheard me say to my man on the phone, “Honey, I won’t be late! My fight is at 3:47 and I’ll pick back up an hour so I’ll have a nice long evening with you.” Keith was feeling poorly with a chest cold and laryngitis and I really wanted to get back to him.
(Rich) “Beth, you have a layover.”
“A what?”(Like I don’t know what that word means after nearly 30 years in thin air.)
“A layover in Denver on your way home. I think you get home kind of late.”
“But I had a nonstop flight to Columbus!”
“Well, you don’t have a nonstop flight home.”
And he was right. I hadn’t even looked at my arrival time in Houston. So, this afternoon I flew from Columbus all the way to Denver and now I’m on my Denver flight making my way to Houston. This weekend I’ve lost an hour, picked up two, then given one up again. Try to do that math.
But to say it was worth it is an understatement. We had 7000+ women in Columbus, Ohio who were in the mood to lift up some high volume praise to the God who is worthy. We knew we were going to love them within 15 seconds flat. And they were my favorite kind of group in Bible study, too, because they got involved the way a small class would. Super interactive. God so graced us in Ohio and we will remember the time we had with those believers for a long time. I knew God was up to something good when I looked at the stat sheet that K-Mac prepared for me and noticed that the six biggest groups attending the events were six different denominations. There are no words to express to you what that means to us. To God’s credit alone, that’s becoming more the rule than the exception in this season.
I’ve had a very interesting flying day. If you’re on Twitter, I tweeted that the people watching had been extraordinary. You know, I struggle a tad with eavesdropping as it is but when everyone is sharing very big feelings at a very high volume, what is a woman to do? But stare? And so, I nearly cried while a young 40 something Dad with shoulder length hair hugged his varsity baseball-type looking son goodbye as he took off for college for the first time. Both of them had tears streaming down their cheeks. It was a most moving scene and one that I had to restrain myself from joining. Of course, I don’t know if the young man was going away to college or not. I made that part up because it was the best possible scenario to fit the high EQ. The part about the long-haired dad and the varsity baseball-type son was true, however. And they were both crying. If I wouldn’t have to stop and explain when I’m making something up, my posts would go smoother. But somehow I feel an obligation toward confession.
What is indeed an absolute fact is that there was a little girl about six years old that nearly made people punch the windows out of the plane and parachute to Beulah Land while her mother chatted with a friend. Mind you, a six year-old little girl would have to work hard to push me over the edge. I love that age in the largest way. But I was nearly overwrought with the teeming desire to give that darling child a spank offering. But, of course, I wouldn’t have. Goodness knows, I have a deep commitment to all things politically correct.
Well, guess what day it is? August 15th and you know what that means! Spit out your next Scriptures, young ladies, and do it with some fervor. His words are Spirit and life to us. Let’s give them some respect and expect them to do the kinds of things He promised they would. Here’s mine:
Beth, Houston. “Therefore, get your minds ready for action by being fully sober, and set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:13 The NET Bible
A loved one and I are memorizing this together as he seeks to take the next step in a victorious life that demands sobriety. For some of us, it’s all or nothing. Jesus is the only reason some of us are not passed out in an alley with a newspaper over us. If you have struggled to stay sober and the enemy is doing everything he can to suck the life out of you and steal everybody you love, one by one, don’t stay in the shadows. Get out in the light. Own up and let some people cheer you onto sobriety and victory. YOUR GOD IS ABLE TO DELIVER YOU. Do what you have to do so that you can do what you want to do. You have a calling to fulfill.
I never want to get where we’re playing church around here. The salvation of Jesus Christ is real and it has huge practical ramifications in everyday life here on this fallen planet. Let’s not just talk it. Let’s do it.
Therefore, get your minds ready for action by being fully sober.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift up their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Psalm 91:11-12 NIV
Tara
Kyiv, Ukraine
This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it- the LORD is his name. ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’
Jeremiah 33:2,3 (NIV)
Vickie, Poplar Bluff, MO:
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 NIV
Beckie, Washington, DC: “The LORD is my light and my salvation–whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life–of whom shall I be afraid?” -Psalm 27:1 NIV
I just read your verse and love it. I, also, love that we spell our names the same!!
Joyce, Wahpeton ND
Proverbs 19:11 NIV
A man’s wisdom gives him patience;
it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
Paige, Overland Park, KS
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
New American Standard
Sierra, Vandalia, MO
God, the Master, The Holy of Israel,
has this solemn counsel: “Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me— The very thing you’ve been unwilling to do.” ISAIAH 30:15 The Message
Sarah Miller, New Palestine, Indiana
He is before all things, an in him all things hold together. Col 1:17 (NIV)
“His words evoke her beauty.”
Ephesians 5:26 the message
Kerry, Nederland, TX
This is my God and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him!
Exodus 15:2 NLT
Melissa, Naju, South Korea
Thus says the Lord of Hosts, Render true judgements, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart. Zechariah 7:9-10 ESV
Carisa, Hillsboro, KS:
Galatians 3:3 NIV (1984)
Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
#16
Valerie ~ Oklahoma
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10 NIV
(College Station, TX)
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift up their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:11-12 NIV
Mk 11.24 διὰ τοῦτο λέγω ὑμῖν, πάντα ὅσα προσεύχεσθε καὶ αἰτεῖσθε, πιστεύετε ὅτι ἐλάβετε, καὶ ἔσται ὑμῖν.
Michele
Liverpool, NY
Hollie, Mount Vernon
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…”
Hebrews 12:1, NIV
Had the best time in Columbus! Prepare me Lord!
Kristy Dorminy, Woodstock, Ga
“He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.” Proverbs 28:27
Kathy
Shattuck, OK
Psalm 150:1 (NIV)
“Praise the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.”
Debbie, Rochester, MN
“Your own ears will hear Him. Right behind you, a voice will say, ‘This is the way you should go,’ whether to the right or to the left.” Is 30:21 (NLT)
Lisa, Jackson, Missouri
Glorify the Lord with me, let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34:3 NIV
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They ,will soar on wings like eagles, they weill run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” -Isaiah 40:31
Karen, Scottsdale
“I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine. He feeds his flock among the lilies.” Song of Solomon 6:3 NKJV
Kimberly Orr-Zionsville, Indiana
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:1-3 NIV
and
May the LORD answer you when you are in trouble; may the God of Jacob make you secure.
Psalm 20:1 NET
Olathe, KS
Psalm 118:20 (NIV 1984) “This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter.”
Jenifer B.
Frisco, TX
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better.”
Eph 1:17 NIV
Shari, Augusta, GA
“For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and a bulwark.”
Psalm 91:3-4 NASB
Micah 6:8 (NIV)
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Margie
Hilton Head, SC
Wichita Falls, TX
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV84
Missi- Walker, LA: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galations 5:1 NIV84
Laura, Englewood. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NIV
Ephesians 4:32
(NKJV)
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
G.J.
Hawkinsville, GA
Nicole, Jonesboro, AR
let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22
Karen, Dallas: Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Colossians 2:20-23 (NIV 1984)
Kim, Missouri
God is not a man, so he does not lie.
He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act?
Has he ever promised and not carried it through?
Numbers 23:19 (NLT)
April, Vermilion
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
~James 1:17 (NIV)
Julie -Minneapolis
Isaiah 33:6 NET Bible
He is your constant source of stability;
he abundantly provides safety and great wisdom;
he gives all this to those who fear him.
Psalm 121: 3-4 NIV
He will not let your foot slip-he who watches over you will not slumber, indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Susan
Hillsboro, KS
Sally
Columbus, OH and YES!!! I was at the Schott for LPL with Beth!!!!
“Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:16
NIV
Just have to make a little comment :), Loved LPL at the Schott! Beth, you interviewed people in the row I was in and that woman right in front of me removed her wig to praise Jesus for the chemo she was receiving! Where else but in Jesus can a person do that???? Also was a huge praise that my teenage daughter came with me and LOVED it all. Let us all go forth with more determination to be PREPARED, a little bit of a challenge for those of us who may tend at times to fly by the seat of our pants. Thank you for your ministry, Beth.
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God;
may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Psalm 143:10 NIV
May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.
2 Thessalonians 3:5
NAS
Melissa, St. Mary’s County, MD Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 1 Peter 1:13 KJV
Dear friends, do not believe every Spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1
Jill
Vandalia, MO
Carol, Hartley, Iowa
Genesis 15:1
After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:
‘Do not be afraid, Carol(I am taking liberties to insert my own name here, it actually reads Abram).
I am Your shield, your very great reward.’ NIV
Becky Jo, Chesterfield MI
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6 ESV
Melissa
Vevay, IN
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Ephesians 6:15 NASB
PREPARE your shields, both large and small, and march out for battle!
JEREMIAH 46:3 (NIV)
Blessings to all,
Kelli in Ohio
Jane, Milton, GA
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
Psalm 19:1-4 NIV
Janet, Georgia: “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” –1 Corinthians 12:26 NIV
Joshua 1:5 (KJV)
There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Angie
Orlando, FL