**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.
Linda from Mishawaka says (better late than never!)
He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer,my shield in whom I take refuge who subdues peoples under me.
Ps 144:2 NIV
Psalms 138:8 KJV
The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me, thy mercy O Lord endureth forever; foresake not the work of thine hands.
“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
Psalm 25:21 NLT
May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.
Cindy Henrietta, TX
Psalm 25:21 NLT
May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.
McKenna Henrietta, TX
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not gear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV
Dawn, Lafayette, LA
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Psalm 116:1 NIV
Crissy Nashville, TN
Romans 15:13 NIV
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by power of the Holy Spirit.
Eleanor
Memphis, TN
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you, In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid, What can flesh do to me?” – Ps 56:3-4 (ESV)
Jen L, Roanoke, VA
Lynda, San Antonio, Texas
The Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore. Ps 121:8
Abby Corvallis OR
All my things are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I have been glorified in them.
John 17:10
and let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Galatians 6:9
Sue – Pasadena, TX – “His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5 NKJV
Yvonne, Riverside/Fairfield, CA
Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. ~1 Corinthians 6:11 (NLT)~
Andrea, Ontario Canada
“Jesus said to his disciples ‘ Therefore I tell you do not worry about your life, what you will eat what you will wear.” Lk 12:22 NIV
Christine from Raleigh, NC
He has given us His very great and precious promises…
For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness.
~ 2 Peter 1:4-6 [NIV]
Hope, Northport, AL
“And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”
2 Timothy 2:24 NIV
Trisha, Midland, TX: “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:10
Jennifer – White, GA
“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of His people.”
Psalm 113:7-8 NASB
Samantha, tupelo ms
Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV
Joy, Tri-Cities: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18
Marlys, Hillsboro
“If we live by the spirit, let us also walk by the spirit” Galations 5:25 NIV
So very late — getting my daughter ready for, and dropping her off at, college. Beth: Thank you for writing Feathers from the Nest — it made it all slightly more bearable!
Celeste, Thompsons Station, TN:
Let us hold tightly, without wavering, to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.
Heb. 23:10 (NLT)
Charlotte
Philadelphia MS
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
NKJV
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
Stacy, Magee, MS
And if you spend yourself on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness and your night will become like the noonday. Isaiah 58:10 NIV
Ivy Morrison, Willis, TX
“O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.” Isaiah 33:2 (NIV)
Lisa and Annabelle in Montgomery, TX
Luke 21:33 NIV
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Lisa – Seattle
Ephesians 6:15-16
15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. NLT
Kristina, Frisco, TX. ~ “As iron sharpens iron, so does one person sharpen another” Proverbs 27:17
Cacey from Livonia, MI
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 NIV
Stacey, Houston, TX: I can do all things through him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:13 NIV
Kelly, The Hills, Texas
For you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:106
Tracy, Spring, TX
I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:7-8
Brook, Santa Monica
The Lord your God is with you.
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3.17
Donise & Sarah Longmont, CO Donise: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Psalm 51:1 NIV Sarah: The Lord is compassionate and merciful slow to anger and filled with unfailing love. Psalm 104:8 NLT
Suni – Roanoke, VA
Praise the Lord, who has not let us be ripped apart by their teeth. Psalm 124:6 NIV
Linda, Johnstown, PA
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
Natalie, Indialantic FL. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shalll not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. Psalm 23:1-3b
Lisa, Bethany, OK
You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
Ephesians 4:20-21 NIV
mitzi, Brandon, MS
Watch this: God’s eye is on those who respect Him, the ones who are looking for His love. He’s ready to come to their rescue in bad times; in lean times He keeps body and soul together. We’re depending on God; He’s everything we need. What’s more, our hearts brim with joy since we’ve taken for our own His Holy name. Love us, God, with all you’ve got.. that’s what we’re depending on. Psalm 33:18-22 Message
The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
Psalms 145: 20
“I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”” Ps 91:2 NIV
Carolyn, Union City, GA
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
Psalm 105:4 NIV
Aliza, NZL.
Your righteousness O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with You O God?
Psalm 71:19 (NLT)
I’ve fallen behind but I’m trying to catch up 🙂
“for it is god who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:13
I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands.”
Daniel 9:4, NLT
Courtney
Houma, LA
Lynnette, Houston, Texas
Romans 6:14 (NIV)
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.