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, 4 what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him? 5 Yet You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 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.
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Theresa from Plainfield, IN
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:18 (NIV)
Jennifer, Houston, TX: Words kills, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit-you choose. Proverbs 18:21 (The Message)
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:30 NIV)
Lindy I. White of Oklahoma City
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will NEVER drive away.
John 6:37
Vanessa, Rockport TX
Do not merely listen to the word, and so decisive yourselves. DO what it says.
James 1:22
Pauline, Eau Claire, “where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from your presence?” Psalms 139:7
NKJV
Shawna, Bates City, MO
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Mariposa Sivage – Albuquerque, New Mexico
A new command I give you. Love one another. As I hve loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.
John 13:34-35
The one who keeps God’s commands lives in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us. I John 3:24 NIV
Deb, Becker, MN
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 1 John 4:16 ESV
Ashley from Durban, South Africa.
“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2:1 ESV
Dottie Lynchburg, VA
Romans 8:1-3 “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of so that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like we sinners have. And in that boy God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins”.
Fort Worth, TX:
“My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! Psalms 121:2 NLT
Beckie Potterfield, Florence, SC
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
Philippians 2:9 (NIV)
Connie, Durham, NC “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” NIV
Michele ~ Kenosha, WI
Teach me, O Lord, to follow Your decrees; then I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding, and I will keep Your law and obey it with all my heart.
Psalm 119:33-34 NIV
Kim Hickory NC
And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:18 (ESV)
Karen from Westminster, MD
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45 NIV 1984
Heather
McDonough GA
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3 NIV)
Tyra, Houston
But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33 NIV
Kimberly, Fresno, CA
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16 NIV
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIV
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Tracy
Fort Mill,SC
Margaret, Coeur D Alene
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
Ps. 139:8 NKJV
Betsy from Maryville, TN
1 Peter 1:7 (NASB) “so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ ;”
Marsha. Fort Smith
Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures.
Luke 24:45 NAB
Lindsey, Jenks, OK
“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” ~2 Cor. 7:10 ESV
“…but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace…” Romans 8:6b (NIV’84)
Kathy
St.Louis, MO
Alexis,Salem OR
“Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, You forgive them all.”
Psalm 65:3 NLT
Lisa Braun
Warman, SK Canada
Isaiah 61:3 NLT
To all who mourn in Israel,
he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
Today is Israel Memorial Day and my son is touring through Auschwitz…that is why I chose this verse.
Nashville, TN
O lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in times of distress. Isaiah 33:2 NIV
Dori , Meridian, ID
Revelation 4:11 NKJV
You are worthy, O Lord,
to receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created.
Sandra, Rock Hill, SC
…who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:5 NIV
Cindy, Biloxi, MS
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 NIV)
Sandy from Vienna, VA “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.”
—Isaiah 12:2 (NIV)
Brenda, Denver, CO- Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. (James 1:9, 10 NIV)
Janet- San Diego, CA
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is make perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ power may rest on me.” 2 Cor 12:9 (NIV)
Jeannie, Nashville, Tn.
“Love the LORD your God. Love Him with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. Also, you must love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Luke 10:27 International Children’s Bible, New Century Version.
Leslie, Central Asia
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Deut. 31:6, ESV
Christina McClain, Nampa, ID. HCSB James 1:7 That person should not expect to receive anything from The Lord.
I needed this whole post today, thank you.
Abbigail, Rochester, wa
“But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed before the wind.” James 1:6
Brenda, Collinston
Deuteronomy 5:33
Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy. NLT
Linda – LPM – Houston – Zechariah 2:10 NKJV – “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” says the LORD.
Melissa, St. Mary’s County, MD “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: Psalm 8:3-6 (KJV)
Christine, Port Saint Lucie, Florida
Psalms 121 (NIV)
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills– where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
But the way of the wicked will perish. Psalm 1:6 NAS
2 Corinthians 6:1, HCSB, “Working together with Him, we also appeal to you, “Don’t receive God’s grace in vain.” “
Shannon, Tyler, Tx. that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. Romans 10:9 NASB
Alyssa, Tom Bean, Texas
” The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
Proverbs 21:5, NIV
Leslie
Rochester, MN
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:6 NIV
Don’t you know that you yourselves are Gods temple and that Gods spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys Gods temple, God will destroy him; for Gods temple is sacred and you are the temple. (1Cor. 3:16-17 NIV)