**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.
Melanie in Amherst, MA
“…because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.”
Hebrews 11:40 NASB
I was at Living Proof in Colombus 🙂 I’d won two tickets via a radio station so went down from Medina, OH ( where we love you and have done 7 of your studies in the last several years !)
I am just so thrilled I got to come and have been asking the Lord what it is I am to PREPARE for. We have had our house up for sale, so is it a move ? My dad is 88 and we know we may need to move in with him soon, is it Dad ? Do we stay in Medina awhile and face another winter ? (I’d REALLY need to PREPARE my heart for that one !) I’ve been asking the Lord all weekend…and then this morning I got a call from my Dad, telling me if we sell the house, we are more than welcome to move in with him… a answer there ? We’ll just see how soon God sends that buyer now, huh ?! Thanks, Beth. I was soooo blessed by our weekend together <3
Marilyn Horton
Fort Smith, AR
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. (Isaiah 40:28, NIV)
Jane, Irvine, California
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV
Amy, North Texas
God has knocked me upside the head with this one. I praise Him so!
Proverbs 14.1
“A wise woman strengthens her family,
but a foolish woman destroys hers by what she does.”
New Century Version
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.
Philippians 2:3 NIV
Amanda
Guernsey, WY
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8 NIV)
Kim, Laguna Niguel, CA
“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.” Psalm 145:17 ESV
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32
Adrienne, Clarksville, TN
“This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” Isaiah 66:2b (NIV)
Shiffra, Vicksburg, MI
“In His kindness G-d called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation.” 1 Peter 5:10 (NLT)
Donna, Sarnia, Ontario
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
Titus 3:4-7 NIV
Lindsay, Wenatchee, WA
When I said, “My foot is slipping,” Your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul.
Psalm 94:18-19, NIV
Becky, Alberta, Canada
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.
1 Peter 1:13 NIV
Deanne, Laguna Hills, CA
Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 9:10 NIV
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8 (NIV)
Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with very loud voice.
2 Chronicles 20:19 NIV
Rachel, Surprise, AZ:
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
~Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Connie Windham
Trout, LA
Ephesians 6:10-12 NASB
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
You will seek me and find me
When you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
Jani, Agate, CO – A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit it broken. Proverbs 15:13 NASB
donna, mt. pleasant nc
Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.
Proverbs 12:16 NIV
Marilyn – Seattle
Isaiah 30:21
“Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
(NIV)
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Galatians 5:16 (NIV)
Deanna, Frisco – Daniel 6:26-27 (NIV) – For He is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and in the earth.
Pamela, Missouri
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. ~ 2 Peter 1: 5-7 (HCSB)
Carmen, Knoxville
Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.
Romans 4:8 NIV
Marie, Albuquerque, NM: Psalm 9:10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. NIV
Jaclyn, Houston. “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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 40:30-31 NIV
Susan,Silverhill,AL: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God.” Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) AMEN!
Jan, Rockwall, TX
1Thessalonians 5:17, 19, 21 KJV
“Pray without ceasing.” Quench not the spirit; … hold fast what is good.
Audrey, Rockwall, TX
Proverbs 30:5a NLT
Every word of God proves true.
jenny
white hall, ar
but the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”
2 thessalonians 3:3 niv
Pam, Tyler, TX: “Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must forgive.” Col.3:12-13 (HCSB)
Helen
Crystal City, Manitoba, Canada
Colossians 1:15 (ESV)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Teri, Boise
“You are my witnesses,”declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.”
Isaiah 43:10 NIV
Courtney, Fort Collins, CO
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.”
Romans 12:9 NLT
Jennifer; Houston: Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. Psalm 139:7-8
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 NLT
Margie Allen, TX
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Philemon 1:6 NIV
Donna Kirkland, Wa
2Cor2:14 NIV
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.”
Erin, Lolo, MT “Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV
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
Phyllis, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
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.
Anna, Redford, MI
Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Commit to the LORD whatever you do,and he will establish your plans.
Kelli ~ Kalispell, MT
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.” Psalm 51:12-13 NKJV
Dianne
Richland, MS
Proverbs 25:28 NIV
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.
“But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.” Jeremiah 18:4 KJV
Kim B., Clayton, NC
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippeans 4:13 NIV
O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven! You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand and no one can withstand you.
1 Chronicles 20:6 (NIV)
Jeri Cook
Missouri City, TX
Rebecca
Greenwood, IN
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 NIV