**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.
Emily
Fuquay-Varina, NC
Romans 12:11-12 (NIV) 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Brittany, Dallas
“Let your roots grow down into Christ Jesus, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” (Col. 2:7, NLT)
Sue R…Magalia, CA
Proverbs 31:17 – 18 NIV
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for the task
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night/
DeAnne, Talmage
Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare Your power to the next generation,
Your might to all who are to come.
Psalm 71:18 NIV
Julie dk in Casper, WY
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.”
Lamentations 3:25 NIV
Karen Leonard, TX
1Peter 4:10 NIV
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
Stephanie, Oscar, LA “So now. Fear God. Worship Him in total commitment.” Joshua 24:14 the Message
Lacey Leonard, TX
1Peter 4:10 NIV
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful…” Heb. 10:23 NASB
Walton,IN
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, and the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against the house yet it did not fall, because it had it’s foundation on the rock.
Matt 7:24-25 (NIV)
Martha, Clearwater, FL
“They may forget, yet will I not forget thee”
Isaiah 49:15
Veronica-Atlanta,Georgia
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. KJV
Gina: Houston: NLT
Jeremiah 10:13 – “When He speaks, there is thunder in the heavens. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from His storehouses.”
Lord, speak rain down on the earth. Your trees and animals are struggling. Birds are holding their tiny beaks open while they walk, for a lack of water. They are so dependent on You, Lord God. Open up Your storehouses and give this parched land a drink of water. We love you and we trust You!
Elizabeth, OKC
“Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives (husbands!), and your homes!” Neh. 4:14b (NLT)
Janice, Abbeville, AL
“The law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”
Psalm 19:7 (KJV)
Jeremiah 6:16
The LORD said to his people: “You are standing at the crossroads. So consider your path. Ask where the old, reliable paths are. Ask where the path is that leads to blessing and follow it. If you do, you will find rest for your souls.” (NET)
Angela, Mansfield, TX
“Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me.” John 14:1 (KJV)
Peggy, Peace River, AB
2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV
Therefore we do not lose heart though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Debbie Laureen, New Port Richey,Florida
“yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
Habakkuk 3:18 NIV
Jennifer, Singapore
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
(facing a move back to the US in a few months after several years abroad. Remembering that God brought me through this once before…)
Marian
Blackshear, GA
They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings–and with Him will be His called, chosen, and faithful followers. Revelation 17:14 (NIV)
Michelle, Seattle: “A fool’s displeasure is known at once, but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.” Proverbs 12:16 HCSB
Psalm 124:8
“Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth”. ESV
Sherry
Indianapolis, IN
NIV
“Sow for yourseles righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.” Hosea 10:12
Julia, Wellington, AL
“But as for me, I will sing of Your strength; yes, I will joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning. For You have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress.”
Psalm 59:16
Faith, Safford, AZ. “…But he who is impulsive exalts folly.” Proverbs 14:29b (NKJV)
Lanie, Perry, GA Psalm 71:9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth. (Not sure what version, found this is my mother’s handwriting and wanted to learn it – she passed away September 13, 2010)
Sherry; Fulshear, TX:
“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.” Proverbs 8:34-35 (NIV)
Beth, Gig Harbor
The Lord is your Keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day nor the moon by night.
Psalm 121:5-6
Meggie, Winnipeg, Canada
“We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.” Romans 6:6-7 NLT
Linda , Lincoln NE. “Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live” Psalm 116:2 NIV
Jocelyn Greenville/Greer, SC
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
James 5:16 ESV
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.” John 15:16 (HCSB)
Cara, Holland. “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, though his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:19-20 NLT
Denise-Davis-“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”-1Corinthians 10:31
Kristy from Port Angeles, Washington
“but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
1 John 1:7 NASB
Judy Littleton, NC
Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.
Job 28:28 (ESV)
Kelsi, Pewaukee, WI:
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
1 John 4:7-8, NIV
Diane, Ontario, Canada
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.” Isa. 26:3 NLT
Jessica
Westminster, MD
“Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.” – I Peter 5:7, The Message
Diane, Missoula, MT: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10 NIV
Psalm 88:1-2 Lord, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you. May my prayer come before you: turn your ear to my cry…
Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trust in him.
Psalm 32:10 NIV
Carolyn
Oceanside,Ca
Carrie, Fort Mill, SC
“Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.”
Proverbs 3:3-4
Diane, Ocala, FL
“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5 NIV
Jerri, Cookeville,TN
You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 119:114
Jane, Gulfport. “If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2: 4-5 (NASB)
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.Isaiah 40:29 NIV Lisha, Texas
Debbie, Hattiesburg, MS:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 (NKJV)
Psalm 31:7 (NLT) I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.