**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.
Colleen, Mae Sot, Thailand
bearing with one another and,if one has a complaint against another,forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you,so you also must forgive. Col. 3:13 ESV
Amanda, White Rock, B.C., Canada, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10 NIV
Kathi
Lexington, OH
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8 & 9 (NIV)
“If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sin and purify us from all unrighteousness” ~ 1 John 1:9
Midge Florence A fool shows his annoyance at once but a prudent man overlooks an insult. Proverbs 12:16 NIV
Emily, Abu Dhabi, UAE
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
1 Cor 9:31-33 NIV
Vivian
Birmingham, Alabama
“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
Lisa Elmhurst, IL
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:17 NIV
Rhonda, Bolivar MO.
“A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.” Proverbs 12:16 NIV
Janice, Bakersfield, Ca
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. Titus 3:3-5a
Hilary, Currently in the process of moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Bolivar, MO.
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
-Psalm 16:11 (NIV)
Kelly~Hermiston, OR
I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable to God which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:1, 2 NKJV
Crystal Parrott: Everett, Ontario ” He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses” Proverbs 28:27 NIV
Mar Jo, The Woodlands,TX
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matt: 6:34 NIV
Jennifer, Beaverton, OR “…and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds…” Hebrews 10:24 NASB
Sherie
Spring, TX
But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.
Jeremiah 17:7 NIV
Carol Belleville,ON says….
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Eph 5:18 NIV
Donna, Albuquerque
Proverbs 16:33 “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” NIV
Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. Isaiah 30:18 NASB
Tara, Monett MO
The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.~ Psalm 28:7 Nkjv
Nina, Moore OK
Luke 6:45 NIV
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
Ada
Rochester, MI
Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. 1 Timothy 4:7&8 NLT
Elizabeth
Rochester, MI
Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. 1 Timothy 4:7&8 NLT
Cheryl, Peoria, AZ | 1 Peter 4:10 NIV “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
Linda,Westport
They confronted me in the day of my calmity,But the Lord was my stay.
PSALM 18:18
Wow! I just logged in for inspiration on how to possibly make it through tomorrow sober. My husband left me for a woman 13 years younger, I’ve lost my job through one of the most miserable seasons (4 years worth) of Acute Male Attorney Syndrome (I’m the fourth person laid off in one year – my alcoholism could not have caused the other three) and am struggling SO MUCH to believe that God actually wants me to be happy and productive, rather than miserable and hurting. All this with two sweet daughters, ages 12 and 10, and overseeing the care for my elderly mother, who totally loves me no matter what. It’s a brutal world out there right now.
Pam Hamilton, OH
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. I John 3:2 (KJV)
Kristie
Sandia, TX
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 (NIV)
Melanie – Decatur, AL
Moving our “baby girl” to college for her JUNIOR year (can hardly believe it)has been priority today, so late getting to a computer.
“You must HOLD ON, so you can do what God wants & receive what he has promised” Heb.10:36 New Century Version
Darcy, Rosamond, CA
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1 NKJV
Wendy from Mesilla Park NM
“But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6b
Maggie, Mesilla Park, New Mexico
“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
-Psalm 18:2 ESV
God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes me my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on high places.
Habakkuk 3:19 HSB
Kelly Burnett, Houston
Psalm 121:3 NIV
He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber
Rosalie Cincinnati
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 KJV
Odessa, TX
Ephesians 1:17-19 NET
“I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you spiritual wisdom and revelation in your growing knowledge of Him, — since the eyes of your heart have been enlightened — so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what is the wealth of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the incomparable greatness of His power toward us who believe, as displayed in the exercise of His immense strength.”
Isaiah 10:8-9 NIV “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Natalie, Houston, Proverbs 12:16 NIV
A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Paula, Houston, TX
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me>”
– Phil 4:13 (KJV)
April, Hume
But this I call to my mind, and therefore I have hope. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23 ESV
Sammie, Sedona “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7 NASB
Becca
Salem, OR
Philippians 4:11b(NIV)
“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”
Cathy from Loxahatchee, FL
1 Peter 1:13 NLT
So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.
Kay from Modesto, CA: … If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. Isaiah 7:9 (NIV)
Sarah Noah, Canoga Park, CA: “The LORD will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace.” – Psalm 29:11 NKJV
Debbie, Calgary,AB.
I will jump for joy [because of] YWHW. I will spin around for delight in God who delivers me. The Soveriegn YWHW is my source of strength.
Habakkuk 3:18,19a
oops! That’s Habbakkuk 3:18,19 a J.Sidlow Baxtar. Explore the Book; NET Bible: Me.
(forgive the “personal version” it just seems to capture what God wants me to remember!)
Kelsie Wymore, Corpus Christi, TX:
But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them.- Isaiah 26:7 NLT
Loribeth, Cypress, TX “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 ESV
Kathy, Tempe – John 14:27 NIV Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to uou as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Brooke, Honolulu
Lord, teach me how you want me to live. Then I will follow your truth. Give me a heart that doesn’t want anything more than to worship you.
Psalm 86:11 New International Readers Version