**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.
Psalm 119:68 (NKJV)
“You are good, and do good;
Teach me Your statutes.”
Paraphrase — God is good, and EVERYTHING He does is good.
Kaye, Stone Mountain, Georgia
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Cheryl, Midlothian, Va.
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
Psalm 125:1
Linda S
McCalla, AL
“But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)
Barb L.- Shelby Twp., MI
personalized paraphrase based on Rom. 4:18-21
“Against all hope, Barb in hope believes [God]…
She does not waiver in unbelief regarding the promises of God, but is strengthened in her faith and gives glory to God, being fully persuaded that God not only has to power to do, but also the will to do all that He has promised
to do.”
Debbie, Marion,IN. ” And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.”. 1John 4:16 (NIV)
Jessica, Houston:”It is done. I am the alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this and I will be his God and he will be my son.” Revelation 21:6-7 NIV
Great and marvelous are Your works oh Lord God Almighty.
Just and True are Your ways Oh King of the nations! Revelation 15:4
Julia,Whidbey Island, WA:was in Nicaragua, so posting for last time too:”The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.”
Prov 21:1
“Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts.” Prov 21:2
Beth, Johnstown, OH
All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. II Tim. 3:16-17 NIV
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him, who loved us.” Romans 8:37 Melissa from Midland, MI
Stacey, Shreveport “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life”
Proverbs 4:23/NIV
Cheryl, Austin: “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. ” Jeremiah 29:11
New International Version (NIV)
Austin, Tx
“Those who are pure in their thinking are happy, because they will be with God.”
Matthew 5:8 (NCV)
Julie, Chesterland, OH
“Good sense makes one slow to anger,
and it is His glory to overlook an offense.”
Proverbs 19:11 (ESV)
Hi Beth!
I just have to say I love your writing style. This made me laugh and I can identify with you feeling you have to explain an assumption you made. I do that all the time. I rarely post anything that I haven’t double checked for facts first cause then I feel all guilty haha. I just discovered this blog after attending your Columbus, Ohio PREPARE conference. My spiritual Mama and I will be writing you soon about that. God turned our lives around. I don’t want to give away too much detail here, but be watching for something from my email address. =) It’s just too amazing and incredible to pass up telling you. God truly used you in our lives. Well I hope you receive this. God bless you dear sister!
Love and blessings,
~Bekah~
Hannah, Chesterland, OH
“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children,keep yourselves from idols.”
1 John 5:20-21 (ESV)
Brandie, Longmont CO:
“He has shown you, O [Brandie], what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your GOD.” Micah 6:8, NIV
Beth, I just love you – don’t think I’ve told you before, but I do!
Sue, Kingsport. “I felt encouraged because the gracious hand of the Lord my God was on me.” Ezra 7:28
(I am still one verse behind.)
Suzanne, Decatur, Texas
“Do not merely listen to the word,and so deceive yourselves.Do what it says.” James 1:22 NIV
Cameron – Richmond, VA
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 ESV
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NKJV
Donita – Tucson, AZ
Proverbs 12:16a (NIV)
A fool shows his annoyance at once
Karin from Brandon: “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, ESV
Carolyn, St. Peters
I am the Lord; that is my name. I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. Isaiah 42:8 NIV
Caitlin, Tulsa, OK
Psalm 34:18- “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” NASB
John 14:27 (NLT)
I am leaving you with a gift- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. so don’t be troubled or afraid.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Psalm 100:1,2 NIV
Oops! That was last month’s. It should be Psalm 100:3
Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Susan, Longmont, CO
A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. Prov 12:16 (NIV)
Wendy and daughters, Faith (15) and Naomi Hope (11), Eden Prairie, MN
Romans 10:9 (NIV)
“If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Psalm 119: 165 NKJV
Great peace have those who love Your law,
And nothing causes them to stumble.
Paulette
Elmer, La
Lindsay, ALbion IL “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 Know this is way late….hope it still counts!
Still working on Psalm 100 from last time!
Melody
Myrtle Beach, SC
Loyce, Deer Park. “For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.”
1 Cor 10:33(b), NIV
Paula – Arvada
Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from his sinful nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Galations 6: 7-8 NIV
Meg, Columbus, OH: “Create in me a pure heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 NIV
Debbie
Millen, GA
Romans 8:12 NLT
12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.
Amanda, Pine Bluff Arkansas
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. (Colossians 3:15 NLT)
Karon, Kingsland, GA
Then Job answered the Lord, and said, “I know that Thou canst do all things, And that no purpose of Thine can be thwarted”.
Job 42:1-2 NASB
Lisa, Bethany, OK
“You, however. did not come to know Christ that way.
Ephesians 4:20 NIV
Nicole, Ocean Springs, MS – “There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptistm; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” ~Ephesians 4:4-6 NASB
(so late…)
Julie, Sheffield, UK
For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
Hebrews 10:14
Jane, St. Louis
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)
Jeni, Southampton, UK “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalm 27:1 NIV
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.John 14:1
Lori, Pine Island, MN
“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” Ephesians 4:7 NIV
Tricia, Wilson TX: You were taught in regards to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to God.
Revelation 19:1
I have heard Israel saying,
‘You disciplined me severely,
like a calf that needs training for the yoke.
Turn me again to you and restore me,
for you alone are the Lord my God.
Jeremiah 31:18, NLT