**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.
NKJ, Philippians 4:8, “Fianlly, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things”.
Tinley Park, IL
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.” Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
Marilyn, Mission Viejo, Ca
Psalm 119:111 NIV
Your statues are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. My heart is set on keeping Your decrees to the very end.
Kaiva in Glen Ellyn, Illinois
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Matthew 6:34 New Living Translation (NLT)
Ruth, Westerville, 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 Cor. 2:9 NIV
Barbara, North Olmsted
But You, O LORD, are a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
Ps 3:3 NASB
Kimberly, Circleville OH: “for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” James 1:20 (NAS)
Grace, Circleville OH: “for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” James 1:20 (NAS)
Beverly, Ironton OH: “For thus says the LORD: ‘Just as I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will bring on them all the good that I have promised them. Jeremiah 32:42 (NKJ)
Kathy, Lake Jackson, Texas
“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
linda, colorado springs.
it is god who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. psalm 18:32 (niv)
Angie Kendall, Cynthiana,KY
He has shown you O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NKJ
Rachael, Chattanooga,TN
“I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.” Hoesa 14:4 NIV
Kathy, Akron, Ohio
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'” Hebrews 13:5&6 (NIV)
Durant, OK
Let us discern for ourselves what is right;
let us learn together what is good.
Job 34:4NIV
Fran, Jackson TN
“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.” Ephesians 6:7 NIV
Michele, Weber City, VA
If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Mark 8:34
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:2 (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)
Erin Foster- Northville, MI “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12 ESV
Donna, Norman, OK
Proverbs 12:16 NIV
“A fool shows his annoyance at once, but the prudent man ignores an insult.”
Amy, Granby, CT
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Eph. 4:32 NIV
Rosalye
Vicksburg, MS
God made Him Who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Cor. 5:21
NIV
Natalie; Trussville, AL “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Nicole, Winnipeg, Romans 8:31 NIV
What then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Ps 103:1-3 NIV
Praise the LORD, O my soul, all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits–who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
Casey, Ooltewah, TN, “Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21 (NIV)
sherrylu powder springs, ga
you will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. jeremiah 29:13 nasb
Christa, Greeneville, TN. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13 NIV
Tara, powder springs, ga
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. Micah 7:18
Lisa, Enterprise, AL
~ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
— Colossians 3:16 (NIV)
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10, NIV
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. Psalm 63:3 NIV
Janet from St. Louis
“I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises.” Ps. 34:1 (NLT)
Karen, Battle Creek, Michigan
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8 NIV
Maria – New York, NY
Romans 14:8 (NIV 1984)
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.
Alyson Lung- Longmont, CO
He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.
Psalms 33:7- NIV
Johannah, Alexandria, LA
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.” 2 Tim. 4:2 niv
Diane, Commerce Twp., MI
Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant of one another.
Ephesians 4:2 Good News
Holly, Boulder
He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.
Psalm 33:7
Carole, Imperial, CA: “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Karen from Jefferson City, TN
For the new school year.
Colossians 2:2-3, TNIV
My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Vanessa, Florence, SC:
And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 118:29 NIV
Barb Ontario Canada
Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act. Psalm 37:7 NLT
Julie/Deer Park, TX/As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. Psalm 18:30 NIV
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
Romans 12:4 NIV
Deborah, Marshall, Blesses is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.
Jeremiah 17:7. (ESV)
Sulphur, LA
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22 NIV
Julie/Deer Park, TX/As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. Psalm 18:30 NIV
Amanda Grasza, Calgary, Alberta
“Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them.”
Isaiah 30:20 NIV
Cheryl, Everett, Proverbs 12:16 Niv
” A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult” Beth thank you for this word the other day. I knew instantly that I needed this to be my next verse.