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
Beth Aldrich Cary, NC
The Lord tells his secrets to those who respect him; he tells them about his agreement.
Psalm 25:14 (NCV)
Lori from Kemptville, On
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his POWER that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
Mindy from Austin, TX, “Commit your works to the Lord,And your thoughts will be established.” Proverbs 16:3, NKJV
Kathy
Dow IL
The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.
James 5:16
NRSV
Tiffany F. ~ Murfreesboro, TN
I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalms 34:4 ESV)
Pam, Apple Valley, MN
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
John 17:15 NIV
Cris from Mooresville, Indiana
Psalm 105:119 KJV
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
“For we walk by Faith, not by Sight.”
II Corinthians 5:7
Sometimes this is the only WORD from Jesus we have, since Jesus is the ONE in control,sometimes it’s the only word He knows we need!!!!
After the Boston Bombings, deeper into Jesus, Beth, is THE ONLY safe place to be.
Tiffany from Salisbury, MD
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
Taryn from Corinth, TX
“I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.:
Psalms 16:8
Jennifer, Mansfield, TX
4/15/13
John 4:34 NIV
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
NIV study Bible
Proverbs 4:20-22
My child pay attention to what I say: listen closely to my words.
Do not let them out of your site, keep them within your heart.
For they are life to those who find them, and health to mans whole body.
Ally, Houston
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still”
Exodus 14:14 NIV
AND
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to recieve glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.”
Revelation 4:11
Eucha, OK
He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
Psalm103:4
Jill, Midland TX,
For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV
Meg Ebba, New Hampshire
ESV
“For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” Ps. 84:10
Yolanda, El Paso, TX
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Lichelle Austin
Matthew 10:39 NIV
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
Debbie, Ringgold,GA. The LORD is my Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer;my GOD is my Rock, in Whom I take refuge. HE is my Shield and the Horn of my Salvation, my Stronghold. Psalm 18:2
Kristin V from Greenwood, IN: Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6 NIV
Mariel
Wake forest, nc
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.
Jer. 17:7 esv
Karen Epifano
Greenfield, OH
Hebrews 13:15-16 NIV
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer
to God a sacrifice of praise–the fruit of lips that
confess His name. And do not forget to do good and
to share with others, for with such sacrifices God
is pleased.
Kaylenn Temple,TX Psalm 62:1-2 NIV
Truly my soul finds rest in God: my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation: he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Laura from Cartersville, GA
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
Proverbs 31:17 NIV
Alli Johnson
Beaufort, SC
You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and will bring you back from captivity.
Jeremiah 29:13-14
Brenda, Midlothian, VA. “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; You hold my right hand.” Psalm 73:23 ESV
Christina L, Longmont CO
Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life. Philippians 2:14-16 NIV
Julie H., Ft. Wayne, IN
“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.” Ephesians 3:16,(NLT)
Kim, Grove City, OH
Prov. 29:11 NIV
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (Ephesians 1:17 NIV)
Lori In Newnan, GA
I missed posting last time so here are both 7 and 8!! ;0)
Verse 7:
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
Verse 8:
“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.”
~Isaiah 43:10
Pati…Cheyenne Wy.
John 15:4-5 ESV
Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Jennifer Doucet
Sulphur, Louisiana
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes
Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV84
Linda, Spring, Texas: 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NIV
“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” KJV
Donna Tyra Martinez Ga.
Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
Mark 13:11 New International Version
Sierra, Salt Lake City, UT
How then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how will they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Romans 10:14-15, NIV
Lisa from Denver
2Timothy 1:7 NIV
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and self control.
Judy, Hoover, AL “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalm 46:10 (NLT)
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1 ESV
Marsha Lufkin
Maria Bennett Oxford, MS
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12 NIV
Ginger, Phoenix, AZ
“For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV1984)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. I Peter 2:9 NIV
Katie Swaney (McDonough, GA)
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Juanita Perry
Raleigh, NC
…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened that you may know the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,…
Eph 1:17-18 ESV
Cindy
Arvada, Colorado
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
Melissa, Walla Walla Wa, “You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid your hand upon me.” -Psalm139:5 NASB
Karen, Springdale, Arkansas
Colossians 4:6- KJV
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt that ye may know how to answer every man.
Day late… I’m going with this one, in light of 4-15 events
“Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 ESV