**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.
Chris, Louisville, KY
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1,2 NKJV
Elizabeth from Rochester, NH:
He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.” ~ Exodus 15:26, NLT
Jennifer, Avon Park, FL
Do everything without complaining or arguing.
Philippians 2:14
Concetta, White Oak, 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NLT, Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I’m glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
Kim, Louisville, KY
The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom,
so that I know how to comfort the weary.
Morning by morning he wakens me
and opens my understanding to his will.
Isaiah 50:4 NLT
Kate, Hillsboro, OR
Forget about what’s happened;
don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I am about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Isaiah 43:18-19 The Message
Angela J., Grand Ridge, FL
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many people will see this and worship Him. Then they will trust the Lord.
Psalm 40:3 (NCV)
Bridget
Bloomington, Illinois
She ( excellent wife) opens (extends, palm up) her hands to the poor and extends (stretches out) her hands to the needy. Proverbs 31:20 NASB
Sherry
Oklahoma
“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”
I Cor. 13:7 NLT
Mitzi
Kannapolis
A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Proverbs 12:16 NIV
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Proverbs 16:24
Tami, Michigan
“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:2 NIV
Psalm 37: 3-4 NIV “Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Dayna~Ontario,Calif.
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1Peter 1:13
Isaiah 43:10
“you are my witnesses, declared the Lord, and my servant whom i have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me”
ESV
Jeri B., Battlefield, MO
Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Romans 11:33-36 NIV 1984
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline, so be earnest and repent. Revelation 3:19 (NIV)
Michelle, Parma, Ohio
Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 2Tim 2:3 NLT
Hannah, Perry, MI
Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.
Hosea 6:3, NIV
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for
and assurance about what we do not see.
(Heb.11:1)
Emmy- Rome, GA
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.” Isaiah 61:1 NIV
Megan Joy Burdzy – Calgary, Alberta, Canada – Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Don’t tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories. Isaiah 41:10 (CEV)
Gretchen, Gahanna, Ohio–
However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”
the things God has prepared for those who love him.
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)
Juanita in Virginia Beach
“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.” Matthew 15:8
Tara N., Stevensville, MD:
1 Peter 4:7 NIV “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.”
Psalm 119:165
Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble
Toni, Sugar Hill, GA
“I love you, Lord, my strength.” Psalm 18:1
Tesa
Perry, GA
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23
Blaine, Magnolia, TX:
“The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled
and the pride of men brought low;
the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.” Isaiah 2:11 & 17 (NIV)
Nancy, West Virginia
Psalm55:17
“Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.
Miss Kathleen
Bernardsville, NJ
John 14:27 NIV
“Dont let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful
Kit, Central Islip, NY
“Let us examine and probe our ways and let us return to the Lord.” Lamentations 3:40 NAS
Carrie, Logan. “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,…. Ephesians 3:14-15 NIV
Julie, Goldfield, IA
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”
2 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV
Laurie, Lubbock, TX: What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 HCSB
Michelle, West Des Moines, IA
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.
Colossians 1:10 NIV
Natalie, Jacksonville-Psalm 139:10 NIV
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV)
Houston, TX
Laura, Greenville: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:13-14 (NIV)
Denise – Meredith NH
“Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD”. Prov 8:34-35 (NIV)
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
Job 22:21 (NIV): “Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.”
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.
Dianne, Fairfield, CA – “For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control.” – 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NIV)
Kristin, Clearwater, FL (memorizing this verse as I prepare to run my very first race in October!)
Tammy, Paducah,
Jesus said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12
Linda, Longview: “No one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power.”
Jeremiah 10:6 NIV
Isaiah 53: 5-6 NLT
“But He was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the guilt and sins of us all.”
Shelly Bliss, San Dimas, Ca.
O God, You are my God; Early I will seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 NKJV
Lori; Magnolia, AR.
“Have mercy on me, O GOD, because of Your unfailing love. Because of Your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.”
Psalm 51:1-3
New Living Translation