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
Hannah from Bolingbrook, IL
For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
James 1:20, ESV
Jane, Houston, TX
Philippians 4:13 (King James Version)
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Diana, Seekonk, MA
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.
Psalm 139:4 NIV
Billie, Greenville, KY
“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” Hebrews 12:22-24 ESV
Shelly Hough
Gordon, Texas
Psalm 8:3-6
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.
ESV
DeAnne, Bothell WA
When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Ps. 73: 21-26 NLT
Christine Krueger, SLC
“If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned.”
Jn 15:6, ESV
Holly, Glendale, AZ:
Continuing with:
“I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn hearts and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.”
Ezekiel 11:19-20 NLT
Lisa Mobley, San Antonio, TX
But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:7 NLT
Mel Ann Sullivan – Millry, AL – Therefore since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside the sin and weights that do easily entangles us and let us run with perseverance the race marked out before us fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and set down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
Lori from Athens, Ga.:
John 10:28-29 (NIV)
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”
Jenae B., Hawesville, Ky
You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told. (Psalms 40:5 ESV)
Amherst, VA
James 1:27 NASB
Pure and undefiled religion in the site of our God is this: to visit the orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Teresah, Redmond, Oregon
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.: Psalm 62:5 NIV
Trish
Paintsville KY
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:28 KJV
“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:4 (NIV)
Lisa M., Davidsville, PA
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.
Psalm 37:5 ESV
Foley, AL
But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV
Luke 2:1 KJV
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
Wendi, Kennebunkport
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!”
Psalm 100:1 ESV
Stacy – Hinckley, England
“Trust in Him at all times, you people. Tell Him all of your troubles. God is our place of safety.”
Psalm 62v8 NIrV
Lori D., Georgetown, TX
In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You.
Psalm 33:21-22 (NIV)
Kim, Victoria, TX
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Rebecca
Boise, ID
He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. Indeed, the Protector of Israel
does not slumber or sleep.
Psalm 121:3-4 HCSB
Denise from Lenexa, KS
And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My Hand.
John 10:28 NKJV
Kimberly
Houston, TX
“When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.”
Psalm 119 59-60
I have been trying in so many ways to make more connections and find friends for support. The more I tried, the more isolated I became (even at church!). I couldn’t figure out why God wouldn’t allow others into my life to “freshly exhilarate” me. Of course. No HUMAN could exhilarate me, but He can. I just didn’t think He would be enough; I figured I needed a physical person in my life. Thank you for the ah-ha moment that I obviously desperately needed.
Madeleine Corrales: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are mine. Isaiah 43-1
1 chronicles 16:11 NIV- Seek The Lord and his strength; seek His presence continually!
Priscilla
Frisco, TX
Hilary, Salem Oregon, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8
Christy, Hahira GA
If you had only listened to my commands. Then your peace would have been like a river and your righteous like the waves of the sea. (Is 48:18 NIV)
Brea B. – Gardendale, Alabama
I have said these things to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulations. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 (ESV)
Christine, Houston, TX
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
This I declare about the Lord : He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. (Psalms 91:2 NLT)
Julie, Honolulu
Casting all your cares on Him for He cares for you.
I Peter 5:7 NKJ
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Gal. 6:9 NIV
Connie Tyler, Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all of your heart. Jeremiah 39:12-13 NKJ
Powerful post! As always!
Jennifer B., Gaithersburg, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!”, Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Emily from Atlanta:
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.
-Ephesians 1:18 NIV
Nikki – Houston, TX
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 NKJV
Mikala, Boston,
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.
2 Corinthians 4.16&17 ESV
Psalm 71:15,16 NIV
My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
of your saving acts all day long—
though I know not how to relate them all.
I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;
I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
Mandi,San Angelo,Tx
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. (Isaiah 26:3, 4 ESV)
For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. James 3:16; NLT.
Dear Beth and all Christian leaders who came to Greensboro, NC, this past weekend,
Thank you, Jesus, for these wonderful people whose lives so exalt Your Name. It is so evident, Lord, that You dwell within them, for Christ is surely visible through their love for us which comes from You!!
WOW! What a blessing…beyond words…that was poured upon me. I again am refreshed, rejuvenated, and eager to dwell in the sweet peace of Jesus as secrets are revealed and shared with Him and life becomes even more joyful. “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10).
As do multiples of others, I look at you, Beth, as a sister. I look forward to one day in Heaven sitting and talking with you, laughing and eating good food (all Christian sisters appreciate that! HAHAHA), and praising God in the midst of it all!! Thank you for the selfless sacrifices you and your staff make. Believe, it does not go unnoticed.
It is my prayer to visit with you again and you with me as you lead in yet another God-filled, love-based, faith unwavering conference of Bible study. I have not seen your 2014 schedule yet, but will be on the lookout for it diligently. In the meantime, I am going do study Esther, using the tapes and workbook. This is going to be soooooo good!!!!!
Love, in Christ, your sister-in-Him,
Bidgie Sue (yes, it;s true: Sue is my last name for I married a boy named Sue.. 🙂
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord, I have no good apart from you.”
Psalm 16:2 ESV
Tracey, Encinitas, CA
Above all else; guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Gillian, Oshawa Ontario Canada
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:4 NIV
Glenda Miller — Tieton WA
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!
Hebrews 13:15,16 NIV
Mary Lou, Nassawadox/Franktown, VA