**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.
Christelle, Delafield WI
He is before all things, an in him all things hold together. Col 1:17 (NIV)
Deb, Becker
May God Himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together – spirit, soul, and body – and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If He said it, He’ll do it! 1 Thess 5:23-24 (MSG)
Psalm 3:3 (NIV)
But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
Praying this as much for me as for my daughter starting middle school today. Could time just stand still?
Berni, Albuquerque
“Stay away from stupid and senseless arguments. These only lead to trouble, and God’s servants must not be troublemakers. They must be kind to everyone, and they must be good teachers and very patient.”
2Timothy 2:23-24 CEV
Sabrina
Morristown, Tennessee
“He puts poor people on their feet again; He rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope, restoring dignity and respect to their lives- a place in the sun!”
1 Samuel 2:7 The Message
Anne, Minneapolis
I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Psalm 143:6, NIV
Colette, Mesa, AZ.
“The God of Peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”
Romans 16:20 NIV
Kristi, Lenoir City, TN
“Do not be anxious about anything, but with prayer and petition,with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Then the peace which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV84
Meredith, Valdosta, GA
Isaiah 53:5-6 NASB
5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.
6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.
Deidra – Waynesboro
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and wo correctly handles the word of truth. IIPeter 2:15 NIV
Susan – Maynard, MA
Galatians 5:16 – NLT
“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”
Dayla, Springfield, MO
The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever more. Psalm 121: 7-8 NIV
Deidra – Waynesboro
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. IIPeter 2:15 NIV
Cara, Highlands Ranch, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24 NIV
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace and you trust in Him. So that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
MiChal in College Station, TX
“…Courage! Take charge! Don’t be timid; don’t hold back.”
1 Chronicles 22:13b (The Message)
Amy
Tyler, TX
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Philippians 4:12 NIV
Gretchen, Thousand Oaks
Isaiah 61:1 NLT
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He sent me to comfort the broken hearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.
Danna, Atlanta,TX.
James 1:12 (NIV) Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Joy, Peachtree City. “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which ar not seen are eternal.” 2nd Corinthians 4:17-18 The NAS Bible
Cindy, Grand Rapids “Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:7-8
Jennifer
Loveland, Co
I remain confindent of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Psalm 27:13
Tricia Union, KY
John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing NIV
Cindy, Yakima, WA
NIV Romans 12:11
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
Ashley
San Angelo, TX
“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
Do everything without complaining or arguing.
Phil 2:14 NIV
Liz, Logansport: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer.” Romans 12:12 (HCSB)
May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.
2 Thessalonians 3:5 NAS
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:17, 18 NIV
Pam in San Diego
My hands have made both heaven and earth, and they are mine, I the Lord, have spoken. I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word. Isaiah 66:2 NLV
Phyllis, Irvine
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” Romans 8:26 NIV
melody, crystal springs, ms
Matt 6:1, NLT–Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly to be admired by others, for you will lose your reward from your Father in heaven.
Amy
Houston, TX
“You shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.”
Isaiah 62:3 ESV
Mischia, North Carolina
Those who do not control themselves are like a city whose walls are broken down. Proverbs 25:28 NCV
Thanks, Angie!
Anytime! :O)
Sandy, Houston
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 NIV
“My thoughts are completely different from yours” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT
Shannon, Buda TX
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thes 5:16-18 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 broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion – (Isa 61:1-3a NIV) (For Breaking Free)
Psalm 119:31-32, NLT
I cling to your laws.
LORD, don’t let me be put to shame!
I will pursue your commands,
for you expand my understanding.
Columbus, Ohio…”Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. ” Colossians 4:6 KJV
Vicki, Indpls
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 KJV
Cara McKaskle
Conway, AR
“Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, Lord, because you are my mighty rock and my protector.” Psalm 19:14 CEV
Libby, Goodwine, IL
I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.
Psalms 13:6 NLT
Carla, Pierre, SD
I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior.
Isaiah 43:11 NIV
Melissa of Sunset, Tx: “Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.” Psalm 116:7 NIV
Leah, Indpls
Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
Psalm 63:3 NIV
The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4, NIV
Kaitlyn from Gainesville, FL
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility value others above yourselves.”
Philippians 2: 3, NIV
May this verse here, God’s will, transform my marriage!
Darcie, Bethel, CT: “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
I Cor. 10:13 NLT
Rita – Cantonment, FL
Trust in Him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Psalms 62:8 NASB