**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.
Diane, Littleton, CO
But only the redeemed will walk there,
and the ransomed of the LORD will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Isaiah 35:10
Kathy, Aurora, CO
Philippians 4:7 NASB
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO PRACTICE YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS IN FRONT OF OTHERS TO BE SEEN BY THEM. IF YOU DO, YOU WILL HAVE NO REWARD FROM YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.
MATTHEW 6:1 NIV
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
6Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time 7casting all your care upon Him, for he cares for you. 1Peter 5:6-7 NKJV
Andrea Overland Park, KS
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
Isaiah 40:29
NIV
Cassie McLelland, Mansfield, TX “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.” Matthew 12:33 NIV
Amanda Rearden, Windermere,FL (Orlando) “Relax, everything’s going to be all right; rest, everything’s coming together; open your hearts, love is on the way!” Jude 1:2 MSG
Stacy b. Detroit mi
Romans 12:12-13 (NIV)
“be joyful in hope, patient in afliction, faithful in prayer, share with gods people who are in need, practice hospitality.”
Kosciusko, MS
1 Corinthians 10:31
“…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Galations 2:21
I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.
NKJV
Kaycee, Cabot: “A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.” Proverbs 12:16 NIV
Melanie, Greenbrier TN
“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)
Laura, Savannah, GA
2 Timothy 2:26 “and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” (NIV)
Anna, Little Elm, TX
“Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.”
John 15:4 (NIV)
Cindy, Summerville, SC
2 Corinthians 2:15 (NKJV)
For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
Kristin; Dunmor Kentucky
“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; Help my unbelief!'” Mark 9:24 (NIV)
Psalm 77:11-12 (NIV 1984)
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
Karen, Lynnwood, WA – “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
Make every effort to keep the unit of the spirit through the bond of peace. Nell Brinkley, Chattanooga, Tn. NIV
Ephesians 4-3
Patti, Colorado Springs
“The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 (NIV)
Victoria B., Fort Worth, “…Ezra had determined to STUDY and OBEY the laws of the Lord and to become a Bible teacher, TEACHING those laws to the people of Israel.” Ezra 7:10 NLT
“I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalm 63:4, NIV
Kathy
St. Louis, MO
Lyli, Fort Lauderdale:
“Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife” (Proverbs 21:9, HCSB).
Tiffany, Sandwich, Illinois
You, however, must continue in the things you have learned and are confident about. You know who taught you and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:14-15 The NET Bible
Samantha,
Menomonie, WI.
(NAS)- Matthew 6:6
…when you pray, go into your inner room and when you have shut your door, pray to your father who is in secret, and your father who sees in secret will repay you.
Beth, Fountain Inn, Luke 1:46-47: And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Emily D, Portsmouth, Englamd
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. Lamentations 3v25
Hannah, Austin,TX –
“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
Judy Baggett, Irving, Texas
But as it is written: What no eye has seen and
no ear has heard, and what has never come
into a man’s heart, is what God has prepared
for those who love Him. 2 Corinthians 2:9
your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Psalms 139:16
NIV
Ruth, Providence. “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, that will I do.” John 14:13,14. ASV
Tracey from Shawnee, Kansas
Galatians 5:25-26 (NIV)
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking or envying each other.
Judy, Spokane WA
“…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, Ephesians 3:17-18 NIV
Continuing in Psalm 139 verses 11, 12 TNIV
If I say “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me”, even the darkness will not be dark to you, the night will shine like the day for the darkenss is as light to you.
Angie, Toronto.
A fool shows his annoyance at once,
but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Prov. 12:16 NIV
Carolyn, Maryville, 1 Pet 4:19 So then those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. NIV
Woodstock, Ga.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV1984)
Kim from Center, TX: 1 John 3:18 (NIV) – Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
Cindy, Fort Worth, TX
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Ephesians 3:20-21 NAS
Louisa, Austin
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 NIV
“When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.” ~Galatians 6:10(NCV)
Bobbie Jo
San Angelo, TX
Kadie- Tinley Park
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you. Isaiah 26:3(NLT)
Ashburn, VA “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15 NKJV
Laura, Littleton CO
“But let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,” declares the LORD.
Judy, Oswego, NY
Colosaians 4:6 (NIV)
‘Let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.’
Laura, Littleton CO
That would be Jeremiah 9:24!
Vicki
Midlothian, VA
Ps. 51:10 NIV
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Tisha, Pilot Mtn, NC
Deuteronomy 30:19b-20a (NIV)
“…Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life…”
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 NIV