**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.
Penny Mansfield, OH
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2 NLT
Charlene, Houston
Psalm 46:10
Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
NKJ
“My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord, in the morning I will direct it to You and I will look up.”
Psalm 5:3 NKJ
Psalm 145:20 The Lord watches over all who love Him, but the wicked He will destroy. Thank you Beth for your scripture this week.. very meaningful and encouraging to me..
Karen, Caledonia,OH
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:2 NIV
Rebecca
Julian, NC
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the Word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 Holman’s
Kathy, Danvers
Jeremiah 31:25 NIV
I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.
Karen, Dover, NH “But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.” Psalm 10:15 (NIV)
Suzanne, Ohio
“For the living word of God is living and active and sharper han any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 New American Standard
Lisa, Little Elm, TX:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
Lamentations 3:22-26
Heather
McDonough, GA
“With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.” 1 Cor. 15:58 (MSG)
Tina, Roxboro, NC
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Jana, Brenham, TX
Titus 2:4-5
“(Older women) should teach the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of GOd.”
Ann from Abilene
“Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.”
Hebrews 5:8 (NAS)
Kim Eshelman Lewisburg, PA
Psalm 16:8
I keep my eyes on the LORD. with Him at my right hand , I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN.
Health issue going on and need this verse at this time.
Doris, Whiteville, NC
Proverbs 3:3-4 ESV
“Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.”
Susan, Oak Ridge, Tn.
This is how you are going to build it: the ark is to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high.
Genesis 6:15 NIV
Melinda, Oconomowoc, WI “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”. Luke 12:34 NIV
Rachel, Blairsville, GA: How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7 (NIV)
Julie Elrod, Smyrna: ‘Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!’ But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave. Proverbs 9:17-18 NIV
Melissa Smith, Houston, TX – “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice;in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” Psalm 5: 3 (NIV)
Kierstan
Portland, Oregon
“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
I was planning another, but this is too good!
{Sober of sugar} Thank you Beth.
Teresa, Haxtun, CO
Ephesians 4:24 (NLT)
Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy.
For this God is our God forever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.
Psalm 48:14 (NIV)
Stephanie
Pawleys Island, SC
Laura-Waco, TX
Gracious words are like honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
Proverbs 16:24ESV
Rachel from Ohio
“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
Nightingale
Miami, FL
1 Cor 16:13-14 (HCSB)
“Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave and strong. Your every action must be done with love.”
(As our church’s VBS is this week, I’ve been memorizing the verses that we are asking our students to memorize.)
Heather Louisville/LaGrange, KY
“Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4 (NRSV)
Linda R. Springfield, MO ~ He counts the stars and calls them by name. ~ Psalms 147:4 Living Bible
Raines, Albany, GA: You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9:10 NASB
Molly, Macon
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”. 1 Timothy 6:6,7 NKJV
Molly, Gainesville GA
“Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,”
Philippians 2:1 NASB
Debbie–Cameron, MO
This is the day which the LORD
hath made; we will rejoice
and be glad in it.(!!!)
Psalm 118:24 KJV
Lorna, Statesville, NC
Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV
The Armor of God
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Julie, Windsor, Colorado
“O’Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strenth every morning, our salvation in time of distress.” Isaiah 33:2 (NIV)
Elizabeth, Gainesville GA
“And find out what pleases the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:10 NIV
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
Elizabeth Meagher Richmond, VA
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks the door will be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8
Dianne, Moose Jaw
Ans so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
Luke 11:9 NLT
Judy, Houston
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.
I Peter 4:7 NIV
Judy, Norfolk, Va.
Gaurd your heart above all else, for it determines the corse of your life. Prov. 4:23 NLT
Nicole Bloomington, IL:
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:4-5 NIV
Sandy, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Micah 7:8
Do not rejoice over me my enemy.
Though I fall I will rise;
Though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me.
Melissa, Thompsons Station, TN.
Turn away from evil [bad food] and [eat] do what is good [healthy food]. Psalm 34:14 HCSB, with modifications in [] by me to make it more personal. 🙂
Selena- Albany, GA
Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58, HCSB.
Kelly, Auburn Al, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Leslie, Decatur, TX
Therefore, Gods chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Colossians 3:12-13 HCSB
Jennifer, Portsmouth, VA: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
– 1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV
Barbara, Arcadia, CA Do everything without grumbling or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure. Phil 2:14 NIV