**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.
Sheila, Bethesda, MD: “and this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ–to the glory and praise of God.” – Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV)
Katie, Augusta, Ga ¤ For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall. Eph. 2:14 (NASB)
Rebecca, Kilgore, TX
“And so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” Titus 2″4-5, ESV
Valerie, Fultondale, AL
“Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.”
Philemon 1:7 NIV
Sallie, Tupelo,MS “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8 NiV
I was also at the Living Proof Live in Columbus–what a blessing it was! Thank you hardly seems like enough for the boost and encouragement everything was to me. One of the most precious times was at the end when we all repeated after Beth the mantra to another friend. There were three of us in our little circle and that was so meaningful. Is there any way to get a copy of what we repeated? The three of us would LOVE to have that to continue to encourage each other in what we committed to our Lord.
Bambi-Houston, TX
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
Psalm 103:1-3 NLT
Martie ~ Indianapolis ~ NIV ~ Prov 12:16 ~
A fool shows his annoyance at onece, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Linda from North Fort Myers, Florida: “You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” Acts 2:28 NIV
Col. 3 :14 and 15
Above all, clothe yourself with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
AND let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Erin, Chippewa Falls WI
“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.”
Galatians 5:1 NIV
Lorraine Banks, Tyler, TX
“This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
Lauren-Plano, TX
I love you, Lord, my strength.
Psalm 18:1 NIV
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8 NIV
Karen, San Antonio, Texas
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
~Grace & Peace, San Diego, CA
“Ah, Sovereign LORD, You have made the heavens and earth by Your great powers and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You.” Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV)*
*This is from Believing God, Session 9. Thanks, Mama Beth!
Lori Newman
Fort Campbell, KY
My husband returned Thursday from a year long deployment in Afghanistan. Seems only appropriate. Thank you Lord for your protection and provisions!
Song of Solomon 2:16 TNIV
My beloved is mine and I am his;
he browses among the lilies.
Cynthia,
Greenwood, AR
“Serve only the LORD your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him.” Deut. 13:4 NTL
Suzanne, Birmingham: “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.” Micah 6:8 NIV
Kim-Wylie
If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Romans 14:8 NIV
Allison A. Johnson City, TN; “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Romans 8:26 NIV
Tmmy, Howells NE~I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.
Jeremiah 31:25 (NIV)
Leigh,Montgomery: “Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.” Matthew 6:33 MSG
Anna, Montgomery” “You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.” Psalm 1:5 MSG
I liked Beth’s verse so well, I’m claiming it too! ” So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the special blessings that will come to you at the return of Jeus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13 NLT
Rachel, Rochester, NY: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5 NIV
Bridgett, Pell City, AL – Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 24-25 ESV
Donna, Huntersville, NC
Fools show their annoyance at once but the prudent overlook an insult. Proverbs 12:16, NIV
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10, NIV
Pam Houston, Buena Park, CA.
“Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.”
Psalms 139:16 NASB
Julie, Carlsbad, Ca “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10 NIV
Teri, from Indianapalis, IN
Proverbs 23:12 NIV
Apply your heart to instrustin and your ears to words of knowledge!
Nancy, Morehead
For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.
Romans 11:29
Kathy from Oakland, Oregon
“This is my command; love each other!”
John 15:17 NIV
Jana, San Angelo, TX
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. Proverbs 3:7 NIV
Cynthia, Virginia “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.”
Galatians 5:1 NIV
Barbara, Prospect, KY: “‘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.
Christy T. – Hawthorne, CA
“But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.”
Psalm 103:17-18
Psalm 46:1 NIV
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
“Rejoice the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” NKJV
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Romans 2:1, NIV
Atlanta, GA
Carolyn, Terrace BC Canada
Psalm 84:5 (NIV)
Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
Kristi, Scottsdale, AZ
“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.” Psalm 25:4-5
“Rejoice the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” Psalm 86:4 NKJV
Emily, Topeka, Kansas
I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.
Psalm 40:8 (NIV)
Holly Smith
Monument, CO
“Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time—pray that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 Msg
April, Boerne,TX
The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him.
Lamentations 3:24 ESV
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.
James 4:10 (NIV)
Jennifer, Florida “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.
Psalms 73:26&28 NIV
“O LORD, You are my God;
I will exalt You and praise Your name,
for in perfect faithfulness You have done marvelous things,
things planned long ago.”
Isaiah 25:1 NIV