**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.
Let your heart be completely devoted to the Lord our God to walk in His statutes and to keep His commands. I Kings 8:61 HCS
Kristie
Queen City, TX
“He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” Psalm 18:19 (NIV)
Melissa, CA
Brandy, Burleson, TX
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NIV
sorry i’m so late! i completely lost track of what day it is:
And God is able to make ALL grace abound to you, so that in ALL things at ALL times, having ALL that you need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Cor 9:8 (NIV)
Erin – Springfield, MO
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father exept through me.” John 14:6, NLT
Amy, Columbus, OH: For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. Ephesians 1:4 NIV
So lets not get tired of doing what is good, at just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. – Galatians 6:9 NLT
Hebrews 10:25 NIV
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Terri, Pleasant Hope, MO
By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth. Psalm 33:6 (NIV)
Sue from Forney
Great is our Lord and mighty in power, His understanding has no limit.
Psalm 147:5 (NIV)
“Be alert, stand firm in faith, be brave and strong. Your every action must be done with love. 1Cor. 16:13-14 (HCSB)
Sheri. Bolivar, MO
Late again 🙁
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12 NIV
And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. (1 Kings 19:12 ESV)
Jolie, Cottage Grove,MN
Finally, brethren, 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.
Philippians 4:8 NKJV
Deanna, Willmar, MN
“The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,to the one who seeks him” Lamentations 3:25(NIV)
Glenda, Tualatin I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people. 2 Corinthians 12:9a LB
Jessica from Rockvale, TN
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.”
Pam, Brighton CO
Psalm 19: 10 ESV
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
Kathryn, Glendale AZ, “the LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust Him” Nahum 1:7 NLT
Gayle, Salinas
Isaiah 40:29
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. NIV
Sarah, Port Angeles, WA, Micah 6:8 (NASB) He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.
Peggy, Cheyenne, WY
Have mercy on me O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God, who fulfills (his purpose) for me.
Psalm 57:1-2 NIV
June, Coarsegold, CA: “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 lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8 NIV
Traci, Powell, OH. “A fool shows his annoyance at once,
but a prudent man overlooks an insult. Proverbs 12:16 NIV
Julie, Jackson, MS
2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV
…”Do not be afraid or discouraged…For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
Ann in Houston, TX
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the spirit of counsel and of power, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
Isaiah 11:2 NIV
Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. Jonah 2:8
Diane, Hemet, CA
For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:3-4 ESV
Amy 7634, SF Bay Area, CA:
“This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
and this is their vindication from me,
declares the LORD.”
Isaiah 54:17b
RaeLeen, Greenwood-
Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.
Proverbs 12:16 (NIV)
Cheryl from Kemah, Tx
John 16: 33 NIV
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Tangila, Pearland TX
“For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.” Psalm 27:5 NLT
Kay from Deer Park
Psalm 27: 4 NIV
4 One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
Jodi Battle, San Diego, CA
NKJV – Psalm 34:10
‘The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.’
Amy, Colorado Springs, CO:
“Who has spoken and it came to pass,
unless the Lord has commanded it?
Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
that good and bad come?” – Lam. 3:37-38, ESV
Lily, Chicago.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.”
-Ephesians 1:3-4 (ESV)
Houston, TX
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
New International Version (NIV)
Johnstown, CO
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
New International Version (NIV)
Megan, Maple Valley
“But You, LORD, are enthroned forever;
Your fame (endures) to all generations.”
Psalm 102:12 HCSB
Katera, Kentwood, LA
not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Romans 12: 11&12
Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work…
Titus 3:1
NRSV
Kae
Delores, Columbia, 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. 1Peter 1:13 NET Bible.
Sarah~Bremen, Ohio
“You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north.” Deuternomy 2:3 NIV
Lora, Florissant CO.
“O God, You are my God,
earnestly I seek You;
my soul thirsts for You,
my body longs for You,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.”
Psalm 63:1, NIV
Julie, Fairview, NC ~ “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. ” ~ Psalm 18:2 NIV
Romans 3: 21-24
But now a righteousness from God apart from law has been made known, to which the Law and the prophets testify.
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely, by His grace through the redemption that comes by Christ Jesus. NIV
Michelle, Russellville ~ Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18 NIV
Carmen, Largo, FL
“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8 NIV
Annie, Alabama
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Terry – Louisa, VA
Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV