2013 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 8!

Hey, my beloved Siestas!

I am writing you from a bumpy altitude of about 28,000 feet on my way home from the Greensboro, North Carolina Living Proof Live. It’s Sunday early afternoon, a day later than I was scheduled to fly out. When I checked in at the United Airlines’ desk in Greensboro, a screen popped up saying that my itinerary had been altered and asked if I wanted to proceed. I reviewed the itinerary carefully on the screen and compared it to my schedule and could not for the life of me tell any difference. I shrugged my shoulders and carried on with my check-in and never gave it a second thought.

 

I got to Washington DC for my layover and looked at the screen in the bustling corridor for the gate number to my 5:10 PM flight and that’s when I saw it. My flight was so delayed out of Honolulu (seriously?? straight to DC??) that our earliest departure would be 11:00 PM that night and, best-case-scenario, would land us in Houston at 1:30 AM. That translates to a final home-getting out in the sticks where I live at about 2:45 AM. Hmmm. When I checked at the customer service desk to see if there had been any update on the schedule, the attendant confirmed the bad news as delicately as she could and added that the flight was at risk of cancellation and that, if she were me, she’d switch to a flight the next day and run for my life to a hotel. Otherwise I could get stranded in the middle of the night with no plan. So, that’s what I did. My dear and most excellent assistant, K-Mac, hopped on her computer at home in Houston and started finding me a hotel room nearby while I stood in another line to book this flight and waited for the next 2 hours in baggage claim for them to find my suitcase.

 

It all sounds worse than it was because Jesus stayed so near me. Typing those words, I could almost cry. He is so gracious. I’ll get to more of that in just a moment. I tried to call my man a couple of times before I made a final decision but couldn’t reach him. I hated the thought that I was going to cancel out of that flight and come home the next day without even letting him know in advance. When you’ve been married as long as we have, a few days pass and it just doesn’t feel right not to be back together. I started to say, “When you’ve been married as long as we have, you get used to one another,” but I said that not long ago to Keith and he looked at me glibly and said, “Lizabeth, I’m used to my underwear. I love my wife. That’s why I want to be with her.” And it made me laugh.

 

The older we get, I sometimes have the quickest shot of panic go through me when I say bye to him. It’s only on occasion. The rest of the time I keep my wits better about me. But sometimes before I walk out the door I touch his tan face, lined handsomely by the years and Texas sunshine, and I permit myself the moment’s agony, “What if I never saw this face again??” Ugh. Even now that wells a lump in my throat. I know I’ll see him again in heaven and throughout eternity but he’ll have his immortal body and not the one I helped heap a considerable amount of age on. And he’ll be my brother and not my husband.

 

That’s kind of a game changer.

 

I left Keith a few voice mails but had been in baggage claim a while after making the final decision when he called me back. Of course, he gave me his blessing and said he’d never want me in a car in Houston after midnight and out to the country at 2:30 in the morning if we could ever help it. I knew he’d say that but I also knew we’d miss each other that next Sunday morning.

 

“And now,” Keith said, “I don’t even have to feel guilty about going to a sporting clay shoot tomorrow.” That right there is vintage Keith.

 

“Honey, you still could have gone.”

 

“Oh, I know, Sweets,” he said, “I was going to go but I’d have to have felt guilty about it.”

 

I laughed. Just when I’m feeling all gushy about him, we get a fresh reminder that he and I are still mostly oil and vinegar (not saying which is which because that depends on the day) but at least we like being bottled up together. Yep. Almost all the time these days.

 

God was so good to us in Greensboro and so spared us the strivings of the flesh with the fullness of His Spirit that I very much did not want to get a bad attitude about the flight drama and 2-hour suitcase search. I also knew that, once I told Sabrina and K-Mac that I was stuck, they were liable to shake their heads as the wonderful, responsible coworkers they are and think again that it’s not the best idea for me to go alone. This is a loving discussion (from all sides) that comes back to the table again and again. They are so dear to me. I have no idea what I’d do without them. The thing is, I love traveling alone. It tends to offer me the strongest sense of Christ’s presence and often seems to amplify His voice to me about the message. But it can on occasion have a challenging side.

 

This was not really one of them. I laugh every now and then with Sabrina that no matter who she could send with me, I’d have more travel experience than any helper would by about 20 years. I say that laughing. At this point, I am fairly well versed in the airline drill as much as a civilian can be. And I truly do love to fly the friendly skies. Our compromise is that I go alone on a LifeWay event (like Living Proof Live) because they have an incredibly good and familiar system once I land in that city but that, if I’m heading to any other event, I take an assistant. Of course, all that is more than you want to know but I am stuck on this long plane ride and in the mood to talk to somebody. And you’re the one stuck with me.

 

About an hour and 45 minutes into the wait in baggage claim, I did almost feel like crying for a split second because I’m so completely drained after an LPL and couldn’t yet see rest in sight. I texted Amanda and Melissa and asked them to press in and pray a smile on my face a bit longer. They did.

 

And I ended up getting more than a smile. Right after that, the United agent in baggage claim told me they’d finally found the suitcase and it would be down in 15 minutes. It was. I cheered when I saw it, both fists in the air, and the agent grinned.

 

By the time I got to the curb, I’d missed the hotel shuttle by a few minutes and would have to wait another thirty minutes for the next one. I grabbed a cab instead. After checking into the hotel (at a good rate, thank you, Expedia.com), I took the elevator to the fifth floor, and began wheeling my cute, light blue briefcase and big ole suitcase down the hall. That’s when I got tickled. Out loud. I may have even bent over laughing. Our subject matter in Greensboro had revolved strongly around increasing our time in the “secret place” with Jesus. I had told them that I was exhilarated by the challenge and could not wait to get started into a deeper secrecy with Him. Let me just say, Jesus took me up on it.  Immediately. I had all evening with Him then all the next morning with Him. Just the two of us. We ate dinner together. Well, we sat at the same table is what I mean. I think He was fasting. But He was fine company indeed.

 

 

(That’s gorgonzola on that beef medallion and the sides are fresh spinach and fried polenta. It was fabulous, especially because I was really hungry.)

 

I missed Bayou City Fellowship and my brothers and sisters at church so much this morning but, thanks to podcasts, got to have my own church service right there in the hotel room. With Jesus. By myself.

 

Then I got on this plane, got into the air, put my headphones on and listened to “Crown Him with Many Crowns” (the Chris Tomlin, and Kari Jobe remix on the Burning Lights CD) and cried over the pure awesomeness of this One who saved us by His own blood. It’s always awkward to cry on a plane with a stranger in the next seat touching elbows with you. I opened to the Book of Revelation in my red soft leather Bible and read the passages about crowns cast at His feet and crowns placed upon His head.

 

Revelation 4:9-11…

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who is seated on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

                11         “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

                        for You created all things,

and by Your will they existed and were created.”

 

 

Revelation 19:11-14…

 

 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems, and He has a name written that no one knows but Himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which He is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following Him on white horses.

 

The words kept echoing, “Worthy are You!”

 

It’s almost more than my heart can bear. Amid the brevity of this vaporous earthly life, we will all soon see the face of the One who is so worthy of our worship and the priority affections of our hearts and the focused attentions of our minds. The One worthy of our faith when we cannot see our way.  Worthy of our taking the way of escape when temptation beckons us into a whirlpool. The One worthy of gracing others because He has forgiven us at so high a price. The One worthy of counting on when the world calls us fools. The One worthy of taking at His glorious Word.

 

Don’t you on occasion find it slack-jawing astonishing that this same Jesus seeks us out and wants to be with us? It’s happened to you just like it’s happened to me. If you’ve known Him long, you’ve unexpectedly found yourself alone and lonely only to realize that He has temporarily isolated you just to be with you. And you realize you’ve never been less alone in your life.

 

Most of the time I accept the thought of His pursuit of us with genuine appreciation but with a certain amount of familiarity. I’ve read it enough in Scripture to believe it and receive it and want it in the worst way and enough to feel weird and worried if I go too long without sensing it. Other times, I’m thrown facedown over the wonder of it. I’m there right now. All of us in this community get why we should yearn and press past every obstacle to get to a place alone with Jesus but, seriously, why on earth would He yearn to do the same with humans? It’s just too much to wrap my mind around sometimes.

 

“He yearns jealously over the spirit that He has made to dwell in us.” James 4:5

 

Sister, Jesus is hemming you in. If He’s backed you into a corner, it’s not to isolate you but to freshly exhilarate you. He loves you. He’s seeking you out. Slow down and let yourself be caught by this holy jealous-for-you love that will not let you go. We are not just tolerated. We didn’t make it in by the skin of our teeth. We have been planned for and pursued. We are the deep desire of Someone’s heart.

 

Did you think I’d forgotten why we’re on here today? Smiling.

 

Nope. It’s just taken me a while to hash out my selection this time around. I know we’re supposed to stick mostly to one verse each 2-week period but I just can’t help myself. Some things can’t be sliced up with a knife and fork and taste the same way on a tongue.

 

Beth, Houston. 3 When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.  You have given him dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet. Psalm 8:3-6 ESV

 

You, Lord, YOU crowned us??? What were You thinking?? You have multiplied, O Lord my God, Your wondrous deeds and Your thoughts toward us; none can compare with You!” Psalm 40:5

 

Jesus, we long for the day when You will split the sky like the veil before the Holy of Holies and bound through the heavens on horseback, Your crimson robe whipping in the wind behind You. Every eye will see Your glorious face. And on Your head will be many diadems.

 

Crown Him with many crowns.

 

Awake, my soul, and sing.

 

Let’s have those verses, you Scripture-memorizing women of God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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4,517 Responses to “2013 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 8!”

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Comments:

  1. 4451
    Selina says:

    Selina, Aberdeen. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 KJV

  2. 4452
    Stacy says:

    Stacy, Greenfield, Indiana “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

  3. 4453
    Kim, San Angelo says:

    My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.James 1:19 NIV

  4. 4454
    Pamm W. says:

    Pamm W. from Albuquerque, NM
    Exodus 33:14 (NIV)
    The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest

  5. 4455
    Nesha says:

    Mechanicsville, VA

    ‘in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.’ Colossians 2:10 NIV

  6. 4456
    Emilie says:

    Emilie Eaton, IN
    Romans 3:4 NIV
    Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.

  7. 4457
    Joan - Redkey says:

    I will lift up my eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help.

    Psalms 121:1 KJ

  8. 4458
    Roxy says:

    Roxy
    Riverton, Utah
    Psalm 25:4,5
    Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
    NIV

  9. 4459
    Johnine says:

    I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
    John 15:1 NIV

  10. 4460
    Johnine says:

    Johnine from Murfreesboro, TN
    He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:2 NIV

  11. 4461
    Holly Moore says:

    Holly from Alpharetta, GA

    He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel.

    Psalm 103:7 NLT

  12. 4462
    Andrea Mastin says:

    Andrea, Ontario Canada
    “You too , be patient and stand firm because the LORD’S coming is near”. James 5:8 NIV

  13. 4463
    Laurel says:

    Isaiah 40:29 NKJ
    He gives power to the weak and to those who have no might He increases strength.

  14. 4464
    Laurel says:

    Isaiah 40;30 NKJ
    Even the youth shall faint and be weary and the young men shall utterly fall,

  15. 4465
    Whitney says:

    Whitney from Russellville, TN
    Humble yourselves before The Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10. TNIV

  16. 4466
    Tiffany Tennant says:

    Tiffany
    Muskogee, OK
    Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 NLT)

  17. 4467
    Becky Peurifoy says:

    BECKY PEURIFOY – LONGVIEW TX – JOHN 15:10 LEB “IF YOU KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS YOU WILL REMAIN IN MY LOVE JUST AS I HAVE KEPT MY FATHER’S COMMANDMENTS AND REMAIN IN HIS LOVE.”

  18. 4468
    Joanna K says:

    Joanna K, Salinas, CA
    Verse 8
    Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
    11 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 hope and a future.

  19. 4469
    Angela Marshall says:

    Angie Greenville Oh
    hey will rebuild ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Isaiah 61:4 NIV

  20. 4470
    Stephanie Arnett says:

    stephanie, houston
    If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths you are there.
    Psalm 139:8 NIV

  21. 4471
    Stephanie Knight says:

    Stephanie Knight
    Waynesboro, MS
    “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”
    Mark 12:30

  22. 4472
    Janice Odegard says:

    Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your path strait.
    Proverbs 3:5-6

  23. 4473
    Melissa E says:

    Melissa Eaton
    Anna, TX

    ESV Psalm 34:8a
    “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”

  24. 4474
    Alyssa, Sealy tx says:

    Isaiah 54:10 “though the mountains be shaken and the hold be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed says The Lord who has compassion on you.”

  25. 4475
    Debbie says:

    Debbie from Orlando
    Phillipians 4:6-7
    “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything , by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (7)And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” NIV

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