**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.
“You hem me in behind and before,
and lay Your hand upon me.”
Psalm 139:5 (niv)
“You have encircled me; You have placed Your hand on me” (HCSB)
Martha
Asheville, NC
Sharon, Riverside
Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness
and seek the Lord:
Look to the rock from which you were cut
and the quarry from which you were hewn;
look to Abraham, your father,
and to Sarah, who gave you birth.
When I called him he was but one,
and I blessed him and made him many. Isaiah 51:1,2 NIV
I’m sorry this is so late. I just got back from
a wonderful vacation and family reuion in Montana.
God is so good!!!!!
Pat S.
Lago Vista, TX
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
Proverbs 11:2 NIV
Regan, Conroe. “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10 ESV
Shara, Somerset, CA Ephesians 1:7 NASB
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.
Portland, Oregon
“Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”
Psalm 86:11 NIV
Jackie
Cypress, TX
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Julie Reynolds – Tallassee, AL
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 NIV
Jennifer, Frederick, CO
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6 NIV
Heather, Ontario, Canada
Look to the Lord and His strength, seek His face always. Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles and the judgments He pronounced (1 Chronicles 16:11,12). NIV
Janet, Amarillo, TX
Ephesians 5:17-18 (NET)
Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Nitsa, Eugene, OR.
“Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 NAS
Rosa, Sulphur Springs, TX
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
“Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are deeply loved by God. Be at peace; take heart and be strong!” ~ Daniel 10.19 NLT
Dana from Lexington
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” Philippians 1:6
Mary Ann Ringgold
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Eph 4:29 NIV
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.
Late because of vacation 🙂
Barbara Fenn, Medina oh
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matt 11:28 NIV
Diana, Seekonk, MA
Sheila, Beckley, WV, Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:35-36 NIV
Linda/Augusta
Psalm 141:3, “Lord, help me control my tongue; help me be careful about what I say” (NCV)
Marilyn, Albuquerque
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are Yes” in Christ. And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
2Cor.1:20 NIV
Roxanne, Frankfort, KY, “Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” Psalm 50:15, NLT
“Yes, take a good look. Then you’ll see how faithfully I’ve love you and you’ll want even more, saying ‘May God be even greater, beyond the borders of Israel!'”
Malachi 1:5 The Message
Ps. 27:13-14 NIV
I am still confident of this:I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD, be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Lora
Mooresburg
“There is no lack of room for you in [our hearts], but you lack room in your own affections [for us].By way of return then, do this for me–I speak as to children–open wide your hearts also [to us].” 2 Corinthians 6:12 & 13
Robin, Landing, NJ
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
I Corinthians 12:9
Katie, Gig Harbor WA / Roach MO
And you have been filled in Him who is the head of all rule and authority. In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the powerful working of GOD who raised Him from the dead. And you who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him having forgiven us all our trespasses by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame by triumphing over them in Him!!!
Col 2:10-15 ESV
*I realize how late I am! I moved across the country and my car blew up on the way 🙂
Selina Barbourville, KY.
1 John 5:3 KJV
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments and his commandments are not grievous.
** Please keep my family in your prayers, especially my mom, as we lost my daddy suddenly on Monday afternoon.
April, Lake Charles, LA (who was out of town again!)
Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. ~ Prov. 1:7 (NLT)
Robbie, Southaven, MS: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'” II Corinthians 12:9a (NIV)
Kim H., McKinney, TX
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. Psalm 138:8a NIV
Lori, Owasso, OK
Galatians 5:25
New Living Translation (NLT)
25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)
“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.”
Thank you Lord!
Joy, Tri-Cities: “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes form the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:13-15, NIV
Make me to know your ways, O LORD;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.
(Psalm 25:4-5 ESV)
Meredith Sloan
Greer, SC
Psalm 40:1-4
I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.
Anne, Simpsonville, SC
The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10 ESV
Atlanta, GA
‘She is clothed with strength and dignity,
she laughs at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom and
faithful instruction is on her tongue.’
Proverbs 31:25-26 NIV
1 Corinthians 3:16 “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” (NIV)
Melanie, Arkansas
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the(consistently) righteous man(upright and in right standing with God) runs into it and is safe, high(above evil) and strong.” Proverbs 18:10 Amplified Bible
Judith, Orillia, Canada
Eph 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle.
Be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Acts 20:35 NIV In everything I did I showed you that by this kind of work we must help the weak remember the words, it is much more blessed to give than receive.
i’m going to steal yours. . .
ls, nc
“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
Sahar, Gainesville, VA
“After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the Throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the Throne, and to the Lamb.'” Rev. 7:9-10 NIV
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.Ps 94:19 NIV
Betty, Houston:
“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.”
Ps. 51:10-12, NIV
Jessica, Carlsbad, CA “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Isaiah 61:1 (NIV)
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 freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
Shellie
Moscow, ID
P.S. I’m now reading your book, “Breaking Free” (not the study.I only have the older version anyway.) and this time (unlike when I did the study.) I’m actually going to attempt to do the memory work as well. I pretty much ignored that part when I did the study, cause I’d been way to frustrated with trying to memorize anything! Okay, I DID ignore that part! I probably would have never tried memory work ever again if it weren’t for SSMT!
Rhonda ~ Kalamazoo, Michigan
Blessed are those who thirst and hunger after righteousness, for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:6 (NIV)
Jesus said this and it seems that the way our society is anymore that I hunger and thirst for righteousness all the more.
Be blessed,
Rhonda in Michigan
susan corbin ky. 1 Corinthinians 2:9 NLT. This is what the sciptures mean when they say: “No eye has seen, No ear has heard, No mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. “