**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.
Laura Beth, Frisco
Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
1 John 2:6, NIV
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42 ESV
Kelli, Anaheim
The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. (Lamentations 3:25, 26 NLT)
Ruth, Odin, IL
“For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.”
– Ephesians 1:4 (NIV)
Heather from Florence, SC: “Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail).” Psalm 55:22 (AMP)
Maxie,Montgomery,AL “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Phil.2:4 (NIV)
Gail, McDonough, Ga
This is what the LORD says- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ” I am the LORD your
God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.
Gail
McDonough, Ga
This is what the LORD says- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD you God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17 (NIV)
LaTava. Lincoln
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3. NIV
Paula, Lake Charles, LA
“God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.”
1 Thessalonians 4:7 (NLT)
Bonnie, Seattle
A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. Proverbs 25:28 (NLT)
Jeanene, Newnan, GA
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1: 7 NKJV
But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Hebrews 10:12 (ESV)
From Hazlehurst: Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly to be admired by others, for you will lose your reward from your Father in Heaven. Matthew 6:1 NLT
Deanna, Safford, AZ
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
Zephaniah 3:14-17 (NIV)
Sing, Daughter Zion;
shout aloud, Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
Daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has taken away your punishment,
he has turned back your enemy.
The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you;
never again will you fear any harm.
On that day
they will say to Jerusalem,
“Do not fear, Zion;
do not let your hands hang limp.
The LORD your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Shauna
Horn Lake
Proverbs 16:24 (HCSB)
Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body.
Zephaniah 3:14-17 (NIV)
Sing, Daughter Zion;
shout aloud, Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
Daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has taken away your punishment,
he has turned back your enemy.
The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you;
never again will you fear any harm.
On that day
they will say to Jerusalem,
“Do not fear, Zion;
do not let your hands hang limp.
The LORD your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Lisa Auten; Rogers, AR: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” Romans 12: 9 NIV
Nita, Corinth, TX
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1 NIV
“Therefore brothers, by the mercies of God,
I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.”
Romans 12:1 (Holman Christian Standard)
Annalee in Houston
Susie, Knoxville, TN:
Psalm 56:3-4
But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what He has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?
Melanie – San Antonio,TX
“The LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.” Deuteronomy 2:7 (NIV)
(It seemed appropriate in light of the fact I just turned 40)
Alli,
College Station
The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning,wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
Isaiah 50:4 (NIV)
Becky, Groesbeck, Texas: “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Jeremiah 29:11 MSG
Susan (central IL) “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
Yes, it’s the same as Beth’s verse today. This is the first time this year I haven’t had a verse poised and ready to post, but my mind was blank tonight. And this verse filled both my mind and heart! I’m claiming it, certain Beth won’t mind if I share 🙂
Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping. Psalms 6:8 (NIV)
Psalm 18:30 NKJV
As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the LORD is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
Marita, Maricopa, AZ
1 Corinthians 15:3,4 (KJV)
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
Sherrie, Spokane WA
Philippians 4:13 NIV
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Brandy H, Kingwood, TX
” I sought the lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 34:4 NIV
Kathy, Dayton, Nevada
“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 [NIV]
Joelle, Abilene
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:5 (NIV)
“For if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” Romans 14:8 NASB
Carrie Beth, Frankfort Ephesians 3:20 ‘Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…’
Julianna (Raleigh, NC) We demolish arguments and every pretention that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
Yvonne
Fresno
Blessed are those who dwell in your house, they are ever praising you. Selah Ps. 84:4 NIV
Kim Anderson in Springfield, MO – Psalm 71:16 (KJV)
I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
Sheri
Portland, Oregon
“And they were calling to one another:
‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.'”
Isaiah 6:3 NIV
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
-Galatians 6:9 (NIV84)
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1Peter 1:13
Cary Forney, TX I Corinthians 13:3 (I’m memorizing 1-7, 13 in order)
v.3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it but if I didn’t love others I would have gained nothing.
Cynthia, Richmond, VA – 12.”Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13.You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 NIV
Heather, Dadeville
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” James 1:2-3 NIV
“For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34b NIV
Shelly, Greenville
“Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”
Proverbs 31:11-12 (NLT)
Amy Toney, Houston: “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20
Shelli, Houston: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~ Romans 6:23 (NIV)
Joy – Salina
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:15-16 NKJV
Brittany, Las Vegas:
“For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.”
2nd Corinthians 5:13 (ESV)