**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.
Loretta of Bloomfield, NJ
I Peter 4: 14 – 17 (NIV)
If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
Sarah, Burlington, ON: “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” (1 Peter 1:13, TNIV)
Anita, Lawrenceville. “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Hebrews 13:20-21 ESV
Sarah, Wichita Falls, Tx
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Heb 11:6 NIV
Jordan-Knoxville, TN: james 1:27 “Religion our God the Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
Misty, Marco Island, Fl: ” Your beauty should be that of your iner self, the unfadig beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:3-4
Sylvia V., Jersey Village, TX
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
Ephesians 4:24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. NLT
Joy, Alpharetta. “But those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.” Psalm 34:10B NIV
Karen, Russellville, AR
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6 (NIV)
Becky, St. Augustine, “Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will
make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the
desert.” Isaiah 43:19 ESV
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Pslams 46:1 NIV
Eva, Knoxville: Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:6(NIV)
Cheri
Louisville, KY
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jude 1:21 KJV
Beth,Troy
“Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.” Psalm 116:7(NIV)
Michelle, Frisco, TX – Psalm 86:10
For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
you alone are God.
Natalie, Olive Branch “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.” I Peter 1:13 (The NET Bible)
It was an awesome time in Columbus, Ohio! God is a mighty God! Beth I can see God stirring the waters, calling his mighty warriors to battle the enemy for the lost sheep. It is time for the church to PREPARE for the battle!
Jaye – Keller, TX
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
Isaiah 61:1 (NIV)
Jill, Bozeman MT , Sober over 10 years
But for you who revere my name , the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.
And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.
Malichi 4:2 NIV
Awesome achievement! Press on!
Barb, Prescott Valley, AZ
Galatians 6:9 (NLT)
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
Jolynn, Rowlett, Tx
The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”
Exodus 33:14, New Living Translation.
Carol
Albuquerque NM
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
13-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.
Janet
Enid, OK
Fools show their annoyance at once,
but the prudent overlook an insult.
Proverbs 12:16 NIV
Traci – Corona, California
Psalm 91:4 (NLT) – He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Psalm 120:1 (NKJV) – In my distress I called to the LORD, and He heard me.
(Siestas, please pray today Noon-PST. I have a procedure today that previously caused a serious complication to my left hand (lost all feeling). This procedure will be done on my right side today. I can only go forward in complete trust and confidence in our God. I’m battling the fear of what happened before. I know He is Sovereign). Sorry to add extra, but I knew it would be okay this time. My love to you all.
Praying His perfect peace and healing for you, Sister!
I just prayed for you at 2:48 Central time. I prayed for you to have no complication from this surgery.
Tracey from Shawnee, KS
Becky, Temecula, CA
Eph. 6:16 NIV
“In addition to this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinquish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
Steph
Ontario, Canada
Therefore since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
Romans 5:1-2
Karen, Springfield, MO: A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks and insult. Proverbs 12:16 NIV
“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?”
Isaiah 43:19
The Message
Casi
Woodway, Texas
Tammy,Monroe,Ga.
“Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD,”and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”
Jer.23:29 NASB
Cindy, Clarksville Tn
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
1 Peter 5:10 NKJ
Beth, that is AMAZING! I am battling contentedness in the area of gluttony. So I think I will just do the same verse! Thank you so much for this!
Elise, Bellingham, WA “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
Lena, Wilmore
Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God. Matt 5:9 (NIV)
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20, ESV)
Joy – Asheboro, NC
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your Name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.”
Psalm 9:9-10
Nanette R., Nasville, TN
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” John 14:6, ESV
Deborah, New Brunswick, Canada
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.'”
Exodus 14:15 (NIV)
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Karen Smith, Denver. “A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.”
Proverbs 12:16 NIV
Nicole, Stuttgart: “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 the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 NIV
Tuscaloosa, AL
Psalms 22:19
But you O Lord, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me. NIV
Sue Sue
Bainbringe, Ga.
(You too), Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
James 5:8 NIV
Debbie, Walpole, MA
Psalm 121:5 (continuation of whole psalm)
“The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand.”
Lewisville, TX
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
John 15:4(NLT)
Search me, o God, and know my heart; test me know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everylasting. ~ Psalm 139:23-24 NIV/NKJ
Dean
Barbourville, Ky
“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 61:3b
NIV
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor”.
Shelly, Downey, CA
Sandra, Florida. “3. Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. 4 Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. 5 Sandra’s attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. 7 He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. Philippans 2:3-7 (NLT)
Jennifer, Highlands Ranch, CO
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Gal. 6:9 (NLT)
Renee, Roanoke VA: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of your sinful nature.” Galations 5:16 (TNIV)