**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.
Mary Jane, Troy KS and Cindy, King City MO
“God will continue to be true even when every person is false.” Romans 3:4 New Century Version
Lindsay ~ Bangor, Maine
“Let all that you do be done in love.”
I Corinthians 16:14 (ESV)
Nicole, Norman, OK
He gives childless couples a family, gives them joy as the parents of children. Hallelujah!
Psalm 113:9 (The Message)
Michelle – Austin, TX
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16 NIV
Marilyn, Bradenton, FL
Micah 4:5 (NIV)
“All the nations may walk in the names of their gods; we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever.”
Kathleen; Tallahassee, FL:
“Every word of God is tested;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him”.
Proverbs 30:5 (NASB)
Laura, Clay Center, KS
Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4 (NIV)
Continuing to memorize Psalm 121 for the “stepping Up” study…
“The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right by your side. The sun will not strike you by day or the moon by night.”
Psalm 121:5-6 HCSB
Heather
Mosinee, WI
Susan, Atlanta, GA
A fool shows his annoyance at once but a prudent man overlooks an insult. Proverbs 12:16 NIV
Ouida in Trenton, Tx
O LORD, who may abide in Your tent?
Who may dwell on Your holy hill?
He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.
Psalm 15:12 (NASV)
Kate, Arvada “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” Ecc 3:1 NIV
I went to a parenting seminar today and this verse was a huge encouragement!
Ephesians 6:10-11
Finally be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (NIV)
Ann, Prior Lake, MN
“Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised. That is why it was credited to him as righteousness.” Romans 4:20-22
Geri
Deer Park, TX
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Phil. 2:3,4
Deb, Topeka KS
Psalms 86: 11-13, NIV
11 Teach me your way, LORD,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the depths,
from the realm of the dead
Erika-Gadsden AL
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. (Psalm 9:2, 10 NIV84)
Well, a couple of days late is better than not participating at all! 🙂
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)
~Michelle in Michigan
Pam;Campbellsburg, Hebrews 12: 1-2 In Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
NIV
Leila in Carrollton, Ga
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Karin, Kingsburg, CA 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 (NIV)
“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
From Seoul, Korea
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4, NIV
Charne – Standerton (South Africa) Gen 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Cheryl, Uganda: “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11 (NIV)
Karen, Orillia ON Canada
“Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.”
Psalm 9:10 (NIV)
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1
Dannel
Holtwood PA
Romans 8:17 NIV
Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and coheirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Patti, Northville MI: “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light” ~ Psalm 36:9
Anita, Chattanooga, TN
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”
I Thess 5:11
Kristy, Wake Forest, NC: “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he promised.” Romans 4.20-21
Diane, Cary NC and Naperville IL
Continuing with Psalm 23 (KJV)
1) The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
2) He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3) He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Andrea
Roscoe, IL
May the God of hope fill you with all joy nad peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Peggy Yorktown, VA
1Tim 1:16 I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
Nearly forgot! 🙂
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness, come into His presence with singing. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His.
Psalm 100:1-2 ESV
Lisa, Marion IN
Rev. 4:11(NIV)
“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”
Rebecca, Durham: Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:30-31 ESV
Nesha: Mechanicsville, VA
‘This is what the Lord says to you:’Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s’.
2 Chronicles 20:15b
Nicola, Calgary, AB Canada. Better late than never.
And Moses said to the Lord, If Your Presence does not go with me, do not carry us up from here! For by what shall it be known that I and Your people have found favour in Your sight? Is it not in Your going with us so that we are distinguished, I and Your people from all the other people upon the face of the earth? Ex. 33:15-16 AMP
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Psalm 143:8a
Tracy L., Richlands, NC
Brenda, Derby
For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. II Peter 1:21 NIV
Beth,
I was one of those 7000 women at the LPL Event in Columbus, Ohio last weekend. Your word for us was PREPARE. You could have knocked me off my feet with a feather when you uttered that word. I have been receiving that word from the Lord for about 2 years now. I am now going to take heed that word and journey with the Lord as he PREPARES me for whatever He has planned. Thank you for your obedience to our Savior in speaking forth the Word and urging women all over the world to love Him with Passion! We will dance on the streets that are golden together!
Shelly Wilson, Fort Worth, TX
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Beth, Oxford, MS
“He must become greater; I must become less”.
John 3:30 (NIV)
Sorry this is so late –
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:25-26 NIV
Becky B.
Westerville, OH
I’m 4 days late…so sorry!
Sarah, Little Rock
“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7 NIV
Be joyful aways; pray continuously; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophesies with contempt. Test everything. Hold onto the good. Avoid every kind of evi. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 (NIV)
Karen
Ponte Vedra, Florida
Stephanie, Tampa, Fl (actually out of the country)
Psalm 25:5 NIV
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in You all day long.
Vicki, San Angelo
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness. (Proverbs 31:26 NLT)
Kelley, Round Rock, TX
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Heb 10:23 (NKJV)