**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.
Robyn, San Antonio
“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB
Pam Hendersonville, NC Joshua 1:9-Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. KJV
Sorry I’m late. Haven’t had access to internet for a couple of days.
Connie H – Forsyth, MO
“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” Psalm 103:8 (NIV)
NIV 2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Pam, Greensboro
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, If anyone would come after me he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” Matt. 16:24
South Bend
“Be still and know that I am God”
Ps. 46:10 Amplified
Tricia from NOVA: In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3 NIV
Sue Lamentations 3:57 NKJV
“YOU drew near on the day I called YOU,
And said, “Do not fear!”
Kendra, Sturgis MI
James 1:19 NIV
My dear brothers,take note of this:Everyone should be quick to listen slow to speak and slow to become angry.
Jamey, Pocahontas.
Ephesians 6:7 (NIV)
“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people”.
Kathie. Satsuma.
Proverbs 4:26 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
26 Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.”
Ps. 46:1 NIV
Cheryl
Leesburg, IN
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 5:29 NIV
“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)
Bettie, Wendell, NC
Psalm 18:46 “The Lord is alive! My Protector is praise worthy! The God who delivers me is exalted as King!”
Erika, Chester VA
and that all this assembnly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD’S and He will give you into our hands.
1 Samuel 17:47 NAS
“Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…”
Phil 2:14-15 ESV
“Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God” 1 Corinthians 6:11 (NASB)
Susan,
England, U.K.
Tina, Cincinnati, OH – Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Carol
Carthage, NY
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV
3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. NIV
Oops – Isaiah 26:3. NIV. You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you
Mary H.
Ardmore, AL
“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
Allison, Eau Claire, WI
Romans 15:13
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. NIV
[Boy, do I ever need this one right now!! I’m trusting you God! I AM TRUSTING YOU!!]
2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV
“And we, who with unveiled faces all relect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
Laney, Jax, FL
2 Cor. 10:17 (NIV)
“But, let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name. Malachi 3:16 NKJV
Sandy, Deming, NM
Robyn~ Dallas,TX
Psalms 25:3 NIV
” No one that hopes in You will ever be put to shame…”
Kathy
Dow IL
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Psalms 119:105
KVJ
Naomi ~ Colorado Springs
Ah, Señor mi Dios! Tú, con tu gran fuerza y tu brazo poderoso, has hecho los cielos y la tierra. Para ti no hay nada imposible. Jeremias 32:17
Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17
Elizabeth, Columbia, Mo. (formerly Charlottesville, just moved!)
“Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)
Susan, Cumberland, RI
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105 (kjv)
Joyce, Exeter, RI
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105 (kjv)
Sharie, Chillicothe
The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all. Psalm 103:19 NASB
Rachael, South Riding
“A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.” Proverbs 12:16 NIV
Dana Ashland, KY “Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the LORD.” Ezra 1:5 NLT
Wow, somehow I totally spaced out this time and didn’t realize the date!
Megan from San Diego
Colossians 3:2 NIV
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Psalm 46:10
New International Version (NIV)
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
Kelli in Colorado
Kelli,
Check out your verse Psalm 46:10 and 11 in the AMP version… it will really preach … I love it.
jamieb
I’m not one of the original Siesta’s from the beginning of the year, but I want to join in now….better late than never!
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” Romans 12:21
Janelle, Dallas
There is none like You among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like Yours. All the nations You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name. For You are great and do wondrous things; You alone are God.
Psalm 86:8-10 (ESV)
Shelli, Fort Worth, TX: “A fool shows his annoyance at once; but a prudent man overlooks an insult” (Prov 12:16, NIV).
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV
Waylene, Loma Linda–Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8 KJV
Amy
Walnut Cove, NC
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
Jonh 8:32 NLT
Sabrina – Houston, Texas
The mind of a man plans his ways,
but the LORD directs his steps.
proverbs 16:9 NASB
This you know,my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear,slow to speak and slow to anger;
James 1:19 [NASB]
Cyndi, Friendswood, TX
Myra, Bakersfield, CA
Psalm 62:8 NIV “Trust in Him at all times, O people: Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”
Lissa, Greenville
After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
Nehemiah 4:14 (NIV)
Mary Ellen from Billings, MT
“as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
Psalm 103: 12 NIV
Amy, clovis Ca
For whoever wants to save thier life will lose it, but whoever loses thier life for me will find it.
Matt 16:25 NIV
Tonya, Searcy, AR
Psalm 71:5 NCV
“Lord, you are my hope. Lord, I have trusted you since I was young.”
Question: Since you no longer at FBC in Houston, will the Siesta get-together still be there? Thanks!