**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.
Barb, Des Moines, IA
Psalm 139:10-11
…even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me…
Romans 10:9-10
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
Andrea, Houston
Proverbs 12:16 NIV
A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Tracy, Edgewood
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light. ~Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)
Sandi
Duluth, MN
“He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go.”
Psalm 91:11 (The Message)
Terry
Washington, IL
“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
Judy Ridgecrest, CA
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayer and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:18 NIV
I love this verse, it’s almost like Paul was running out the door as he was saying it!
Melissa Porter, Granbury Texas (NKJV)
Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Alison P.
McComb, MS
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
Nicole, Trinity, FL: “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.” 2 Peter 1:5-9 (NIV)
Carla, Coweta
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Hebrews 4:16. NLT
Dagmar Tyler, TX
The LORD will fulfill his prupose for me; you love, O LORD endures forever- do not abandon the works of your hands.
Psalm 138:8 NIV
Michelle, Spokane, WA
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 NASB
Diane, Rockford MI
Prov 10:19 NIV
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
I lost 2 days, thought it was the 14th!!
Jennifer, Powell, OH…”Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Kelly. Springfield, MO. “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.'” ~Isaiah 48:17 (ESV)
Katie, Houston. “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.” Phil 1:9-10 NIV
Ephesians 1:4 NIV
“For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.”
Holly C, Longview, Texas
If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. 1 John 2:29 NKJV
Brianna, San Antonio, TX:
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however,it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11
(a little late, but the verse fits!)
Maria, Whitmire, Sc
Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)
Holy Spirit, breathe this thing through me in all of Your beauty, I pray.
(from God Calling, a prayer journal written by two women in London during WWII)
Rest. It is wrong to force work. Rest until Life, Eternal Life, flowing through your veins and hearts and minds, bids you bestir yourselves, and work, glad work, will follow.
Tired work never tells.
Rest. Remember I am your Physician, Healer of mind and body.
Look to Me for cure, for rest for Peace.
Jennifer – Otisville, MI
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.
1 Peter 1:13 NIV
Ashley Beth, Baton Rouge: “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6 NIV
Central, LA.
A new commandment I give to you that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
Diana, Nacogdoches, TX
Romans 8:11-14 (NKJV)
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors – not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.”
Lauren, Stephenville, TX: “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.” Isaiah 43:10 NIV
Tina, Monroe, LA:
When he has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold.
Job 23:10 HCSB
Ramona, Pasadena:
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not into thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 KJV
Allie, South Pasadena CA
“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.”
Colossians 3:12 NRSV
Mary Lisa, Glenwood, MN. Psalm 62:8 (NIV) Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Joy, Denton, TX
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles: they will run and now grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31
Kelley, Russellville
“Lead me in thy truth and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” KJV Psalm 25:5
Vicki from Big Spring
Psalm 32:8 NIV
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
Kristy, MB Canada
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 NIV
Kristin, Carlsbad, CA “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temorary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
II Cor. 4:18 (NIV)
Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.
1 Peter 4:7 NIV
The end of all things is near. Therefore, be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.
Karen H., Stephenville, TX
Phil 4:6-7 (NASB)
Be anxious for NOTHING..but…in EVERYTHING
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Jana, Port Byron, IL
John 1:3 “All things came into being through Him and without Him not one thing came into being.”
Troy, OH
for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13 NIV
1 Cor 4:4
“I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord.” (NAB)
Melanie Toups
Bridge City, TX
(Please forgive my late posting. I’m glad I double-checked today–I realized I posted my verse yesterday evening on the Ohio ticket giveaway blog entry! Yikes!)
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
–Romans 8:28 NASB
Barb St Cloud MN “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 26:3
Emily, Kalispell MT
Proverbs 13:10 KJV
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
I am memorizing the same verse as you, as well as….Do what you have to do so that you can do what you want to do. You have a calling to fulfill.
You really hit me hard today. Love it.
Susan, Buena Vista, GA. Not only so, but we glory in our sufferings, because we know that our suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, Hope. And Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5.NIV.
Adele, Fresno, CA
“How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
Who seek Him with all their heart.” Psalm 119:2 NASB
Michelle, Waukesha, WI
“Do you not know that your bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” 1 Cor 6:19-20
Tracy, Tyler, TX
When I felt secure I said, “I will never be shaken.” O Lord, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. Psalm 30:6-7 NIV
(2nd entry–messed up the first one)
Lisa, Granville, Ohio
You hem me in-behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5 NIV