**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.
Lahna in Burkburnett: (Prefer one another by)Rejoicing in hope, (being)patient in tribulation, and continuing steadfastly in prayer… Romans 12:12 KJV
Stephanie, Hampton, VA: “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” 1 Corinthians 9:19
Susan From Beverly
James 3:17-18 from The Message
Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
Karen, Santa Ana, CA
Ephesians 6:7 (NIV)
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,
Brittany, Gainesville, FL:
For in him you have been enriched in every way – in all your speaking and in all your knowledge.
-1 Corinthians 1:5, NIV
Matthew 6:1 (NIV) “Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in Heaven.”
Heather, Glencoe, AL; Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14(NIV)
jackie from MO.
NIV. Psalm 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in perseccutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” II Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV
Jennifer, Garland, TX
“Is not My Word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? Jeremiah 23:29 NIV
Ps 62:2 He alone is my rock and salvation He is my fortress, I will never be shaken. NIV
robin, scottsdale, AZ:
Matthew 5:16 NKJV
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
NIV Proverbs 12:16
16 Fools show their annoyance at once,
but the prudent overlook an insult.
Sonjia, Raleigh, MS: “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim the freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…” Isaiah 61:1 — (Just started the Breaking Free Bible Study so I will begin learning verses from Isaiah for the next few months.)
Ti-Leigh
Orlando, FL
He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit
and faith, and many people were brought
to the Lord
Acts11:24
NIV
Pat, Woodstock, AL
The Message:
Psalm 100:5 For God is sheer beauty, all generous in love, loyal always & ever.
Colleen, Lyndonville, NY
[We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy…
Col 1:11, Amp.
April, Blacksburg, VA:
“But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” – James 1:8 (NIV)
“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)
Psalm 27:13-14 New Century Version
I truly believe I will live to see the Lord’s goodness.
Wait for the Lord’s help.
Be strong and brave, and wait for the Lord’s help.
Ann from Indiana
Cindy Bull, Modesto CA
NIV
James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Luanne, from Magnolia: “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, He had His eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone.” -Ephesians 1:11-12 (MSG)
Linda, Cypress, TX
“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”
Philippians 1:6 NIV
Pat-Las Cruces,NM
A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. Prov.12:16 (NIV)
You hem me in behind and before and lay your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5
Katie
Frisco, Texas
“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor for the Lord is not in vain.”
1 Cor. 15:58 NIV
For to be sure, He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him to serve you.
~ 2 Corinthians 13:4 NIV
Teena
Cypress, Texas
“For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Psalm 1:6 KJV
Judy of Marietta: Let them present their witnesses to vindicate themselves, so that people may hear and say, “It is true.” NIV
Amy, St. Louis, MO
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Whitney, Birmingham, AL. “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” -Proverbs 16:9, ESV.
Di, Cowpens, SC
“Above all else,guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Carrie Hays, Houston, TX
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know hot to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6 NIV
He turned the intended curse into a blessing because the Lord your God loves you.
Deut. 23:5 NLT
Carolyn, Dover Psalm 91:1 “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no foe can withstand].” AMP
Kristl, Hagerstown: Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. Proverbs 12:16 NIV
Eph. 3:20-21 (NIV)
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.
Robin, Tracy CA
Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will also disown us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 NIV
Amber
Sulphur, LA
For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. Philippians 1:21 NLT
Janice, Springville
Matthew 17:20 NIV
…if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there ‘ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
Debi, Alva, FL NKJV
2 Cor 1:4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Kristen, Los Angeles, CA
But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 (NIV)
Michelle Sylvan Spring 1 Peter 1:13 ESV
13Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Toronto, ON
Psalm 145:8-9 (NIV)
The Lord is gracious and compassionate;
Slow to anger and rich in love.
The Lord is good to all;
He has compassion on all He has made.
Edna
O’Fallon, MO
Then I will purify the lips of the people; that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder.”
Zephaniah 3:9
NIV
Olathe, KS
The Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NIVUK)
Yvonne
Louisville, KY
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Sadie
Nicholasville, KY
John 3:18
Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the one and only Son of God.
Mindy, Rowley, IA
Psalm 19:7-8 (NKJV) The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Philippians 4:8 The Living Bible
Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and dwell on the fine,good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.
Anne – Johnson City, TN
Psalms 37:8 (ESV)
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.