**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.
Merrie, Katy
One thing I ask from the LORD,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
Psalm 27:4 NIV
Delta from Lakeland, Florida
Psalm 143:8 (NIV) Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you i life up soul.
Brenda, Midlothian, VA. “You are the light of the world…Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14a, 16 NASB
Jennifer, Mansfield TX
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Romans 15:1 NIV. Sally Crystal springs ms
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Prvb. 31:8-9 NIV
Nancy, Columbus,IN
Melinda,Cheney
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:12
Karen Orem, UT
Psalm 27:13 & 14
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.
Debbie, Stevenson Ranch, CA
Proverbs 4:5 NLV
Get wisdom; develop good judgment.
Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
Melody, Cleburne, TX
“For everything in the world- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does- comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:16-17
Acts 1:8 (HCSB)
But you will receive power when the Holy spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem,in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Donna
Ponder, TX
“Wait on the LORD:
be of good courage, and
He shall strengthen thine heart.
Wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psal 27:14 (KJV)
Debra – Many, La
“You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You.” Isaiah 26:3 (Holmans)
Becky, Dayton Ohio
“I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
Psalm 16:8 NIV
Olivia ,Tennessee
“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 a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29.11 NIV ’84
Donna in Franklin, TN
You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
Marilyn from Taylor Mill, KY
Each of you should look not only to your own interests,
but also to the interests of others.
Pillipians 2:4. NIV
Amy, Washington D.C. “See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” Revelation 3:8
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 ESV
(Oops, quite late, was on vacation & forgot to post it!)
Stephanie, Austin, TX “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.” Psalm 27:13-14 NIV
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1
(A lot of my verses lately have come right out of Beth’s To Live is Christ study on the life of Paul – fantastic!
Gloria in Houston says:
Put on GOD’S whole armour, that you may be able successfully to stand up against the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
Ephesians 6:11 (TAB)
Joy, Durham, NC:
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God'” (Matt. 4:4)
Sheila, Carthage
Proverbs 4:7 NIV
The beginning of wisdom is this:
Get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:11,12 NIV
1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (NIV)
-Katalla in Alaska
Sharon in Florien: Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Clense your hands, you sinners and purify your hearts your double minded. James 4:8 ESV
Romona, East Alton
Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you recieve them, and you will have them. Mark 11:24 NKJV
Romans 3:23 NIV
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Nicole in Blue Springs, MO
Psalm 39:7
“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.”
Laura – Hoyt, KS. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prospoer you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11, NIV
Sharon, Geigertown, PA (just back from a mission trip with no internet access)
Habakkuk 3:19 “The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!” AMP
“Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in You; let those who love Your salvation continually say, ‘God is GREAT!'”
Psalm 70:4
August 12 and 13 were truly amazing for me!! The way God used you, Beth to speak into our lives here in Columbus, Ohio was amazing! I will forever be changed!! May God continue to bless you to do good works in HIS name!!
Nell, Chloe & Abbi – Wichita Falls TX – Psalm 100 (The Message)
On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence. Know this: God is God, and God, God. He made us; we didn’t make him. We’re his people, his well-tended sheep. Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.
Cindy, Alton NH “He that believeth on me as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:38 KJV
Becky – Rushsylvania OH
However, as it is witten – “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has PREPARED for those who love him”. 1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV84
This was the verse Beth closed Friday night with at LPL in Columbus. I knew then it would be my next verse.
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
“Let your gentleness be evident to all.”
Philippians 4:5
Diane, Gig Harbor, WA
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4 NASB
”Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
Deborah, Markham, VA
“Remain in Me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.” – John 15:4 NIV
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is now law. Galatians 3:22-23 NIV 1984
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, oh Lord my strength and redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 KJV
Natalie
Austin,Tx
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly!
Prov. 14:29 NIV
Mandy Grove City, PA
“Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.” Isaiah 26:8 (NIV)
Carol
Grove City, PA
“If we are ‘out of our mind,’ as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”
2 Corinthians 5:13-15
KaRetha, Denham Springs, LA
“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
Becky from Wixom, MI
John 14:6
Jesus replied,” I am the way, the truth and the life. No one come to the Father except by me.” The NET bible
AmyLu, Evansville
… I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me….
Phillipians 3:12b (NIV)