**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.
1 Peter 1:13
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.
Jennie
Glendale, CA
“The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace.”
Psalm 29:11
NIV
Sue in Grand Rapids MI
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved–and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians: 2:4-7 ESV
Andrea, Cartersville;GA: 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” NIV
Holly, Glendale, AZ:
“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.”
2 Corinthians 9:12 NIV
Paula – Albertville, AL
Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes!
1 Samuel 12:16 NIV
Carla Ritz in Lock Haven PA – “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.” Psalm 23:5 NASB
Tina, Chesapeake, VA – “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)
I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all fears. Psalm 34:4 NIV
Karie, Phoenix
The God of Israel spoke,
The Rock of Israel said to me:
“The one who rules righteously,
Who rules in the fear of God,
Is like the light of morning at sunrise,
Like a morning without clouds,
Like a gleaming of the sun on new grass after rain.”
2 Samuel 23:3-4 NLT
kathleen, marietta,GA
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Provers 17:22
HCSB
Acts 20:24 NIV
“…I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”
Katherine, Houston. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NKJV
Katie, Crawford “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)
Tina Marie
Gig Harbor, WA
Acts 6:4,7a
“But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”
And the word of God kept on spreading.
NASB
Katharine Lee Jonesboro, AR
Galatians 1:13-14
“For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.”
Federal Way, WA
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NASB
Hey Beth, several of us attended the event here in Columbus, Ohio and you had our mouths watering, not only for the Word of God, but for your Cornbread Stuffing recipe that you talked about…can you share that recipe, girlfriend???
Chrissy
San Tan Valley, Arizona
“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus who gave Himself as a ransom…”
1 Timothy 2:5,6a ESV
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.
Psalm 84:11-12 NIV
Ginger, El Paso, TX: “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” 1 Peter 1:8 NIV
I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills His purpose for me. He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; God sends His love and His faithfulness. Psalme 57:2-3 (NIV)
Kirsten, Heavener- “who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.” Psalm 103:5,6 ESV
Joan, Portage, MI
“Go, consecrate the people. Tell them.’Consecrate yourselves in PREPARATION for tomorrow; for this is what the LORD the God of Israel, says: That which is devoted is among you, O Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove it.'” Joshua 7:13 NIV
(Emphasis on the PREPARATION mine in light of this weekend. Awesome time!)
Abi, Apopka: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel..” Isaiah 7:14 NIV
Tiffany, ATL
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: And he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he should not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
Psalm 37:23-25 KJV
Tracy, Tyler, TX
When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.” O Lord, when you favored me, you make my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. Psalm 30:6-7
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
NIV
Amy
Norfolk, MA
Martha,Lynchburg,VA
Justice is turned back,and righteousness stands far away; For truth has stumbled in the street, and uprightness cannot enter. Isaiah 59:14 NASB
Sandra Stamey, China Grove, NC
“You are a hiding place for me; You, Lord, preserve me from trouble, You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!” Psalm 32:7 (Amp.)
Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil
“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.”
~ Titus 3:3-5a (NIV)
Thomasine, Rio Rancho. Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.
Proverbs 12:16 (NIV)
Deena from Amarillo, Texas
“The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O Lord, endures forever – do not abandon the works of Your hands.” Psalm 138:8 NIV
Stephanie, Sparta, TN
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Whoop, whoop-applause!!)
1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV
Shelly
Amarillo, Texas
1 John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (NIV)
Margie, Liberty. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2 (NIV)
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Heb. 4:16-NKJV
Debbie
Highland, MI
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Emily, Ida Grove, IA- Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23 NIV
Shannon, Parker, CO “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 (NA)
Sally, Barrington, IL “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:11-12
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NKJV)
Cindy from Ferndale Wa.
NIV
Zephaniah 3:17b
He will rejoice over you with gladness
He will quiet you with His love
He will rejoice over you with singing
(I love that the Lord sings about me)
Diane – Chesapeake, VA.
“You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”
1 Peter 3:4 NLT
Karen, Wildwood, MO
“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.” Psalm 95:1 (NIV)
Kathy, Houston:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5, NIV
Krystle, Central Point OR
She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
Proverbs 31:25 NLT
For my Mama who was diagnosed with breast cancer this week
“…He has sent me…to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor…to comfort all who mourn…”
(3)and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes, the oil of 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.
Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)
Becky, Jacksonville, FL
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 – NIV
I am so mad at myself for dropping the ball on this …again!! Started out great and then life got in the way again…I think I am too far behind to catch up now…:(
Martha in MS