**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.
Deborah, Pinewood, TN
John 10:27 NIV
My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me.
Lauren, Kansas City, MO:
But he said to me, ” My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
Maureen, St. Clair Shores, “My mouth chews and savors and relishes truth – I can’t stand the taste of evil”. (Proverbs 8:7 Msg)
Karen, Hewitt
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding”. Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Teresa, Peoria, IL
1 Peter 1:22-23, NIV “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.”
Carol, San Antonio, TX:
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:9-10, 12
Lynn, Louisvile
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JE-HO’VAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation.
Isaiah 12:2 (KJV)
Jennifer, Knoxville, TN:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NIV
Patty M – Glendora, CA
“Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 1:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he caresfor you. 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Melissa, Sulphur, LA
Fools show their annoyance at once,
but the prudent overlook an insult.
Proverbs 12:16 (NIV)
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
NIV
Dana
Boerne, TX
Paula, Atlanta Texas
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you”. Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Susan, Dalton, GA:
But he said to me, ” My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)
Pam, Naperville, IL
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. Psalm 28:7 NIV
Joanne
Auburn, AL
A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Proverbs 12:16 NIV
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:5, 6 NIV)
Oops, that was from Kelly, Lilburn, GA
Jennifer, San Antonio – “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 NIV
Our only power and success comes from God.
2 Corinthians 3:5
1 – Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children.
2 – And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Eph 5:1-2 (ESV)
Jennifer, Fairfax VA
Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
Tasha, Hickory, NC….was Mission,TX until 3 weeks ago!
2 Timothy 2:22 NIV
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Amy Ann, Tulsa, OK “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellence of Him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 NASB
Lara- Greenville, Ky
“And my God will meet all your needs according
To his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 NIV
Nelly, Hickory,nc
2 Timothy 2:22 NIV
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Psalm 37:1-7a
“Do not fret because of evil men, or be evious of those who do wrong, for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good, dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” NIV
~ Allison Moldenhauer, Huntsville, TX
For to set the mind on the flesh is death,
but to set the mind on the spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:6, ESV
Krista
Centennial, CO
Cindy
Columbia, MO
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.”
Psalm 29:2, ESV
Beth and Tori, Waco, TX
“Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”
I Corinthians 10:24 NIV
Carla, Lake Park, Iowa
Psalm 16:11
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.NIV
Angela, Amarillo, TX
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 Amplified
Amanda W. Kelowna, BC, Canada:
“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
Kristi, Puyallup, WA: “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” Ephesians 1:17 NIV
Psalm 28: 8 NIV
The Lord is the strength of his people,
a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:9-10, 12
Stephanie, La Habra, CA The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. Deuteronomy 30:6 NIV
Anita in Hartsville, TN – 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 NET
I borrowed your memory verse this time! I have two sons struggling with addictions now and they need to get their minds ready & sober and come back to the God of their salvation!!!
Leslie
Wisner, La.
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;”
2 Peter 1:5 (going to work on 5-8 over the next few times!)
Kate from Cheney, WA
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. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…
I Peter 5:6-9a, NIV 1984 🙂
Michele S., Edmond, OK.
“Finally, brethern, 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. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do and the God of peace will be with you.” Phil.4:8-9 NKJV
Holly from Alpharetta, GA
“Let the morning bring word of your unfailing love (to me),for I trust in YOU. Show me the way I should go, for to YOU I entrust my life!”
Psalm 143:8
Marybeth In Oxford, PA- “Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?” Galatians 3:3 NIV 1984
Rosalee, Oklahoma City
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Ephesians 3:20-21 KJV
Julie, Broken Arrow, OK
PS.63:2 (NIV)
I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
Deb in Bremen, IN
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21 NIV
Melody, Ocean Springs, Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
“A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
Lisa – Spring, Tx
do you not know? Have you not heard? TheLord is the everlasting God the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.
Isiah 40:28 NIV
Leah, Atlanta: “For God has not given us a spirit of feawr, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Tim. 1:7 (NIV)