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
Krista, Gunter, TX~
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this; Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:9
Kate, Parker, CO
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)- Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Kelei Liggett. Iowa Park. NIV
Psalms 37:4
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desireS of your heart.
Jen Evans Seviile, OH
2 Corinthians 13:11 NASB
Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like minded live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.
June, Coarsegold, CA: “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NIV
Waylene, Loma Linda: But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. Ps. 130:4 KJV
Heather, Hot Springs, AR, Psalm 25:8, AMP,
“Good and upright is the Lord; therefore will He instruct sinners in His way.”
Myra, Johnson City, TN
Colossians 2:17 (NLT)
He existed before anything else, and he
holds all creation together.
Beth from St. Louis MO
Romans 8:17-19 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.
Kristen from Mount Joy, PA:
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.
Phillipian 4:6 NLT
For the eye of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. II Chronicles 16:9 NKJV
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NIV
Mel Ann Sullivan – Millry, AL: You, O Lord, are everlasting! You are holy, You are God! You are my Rock! Your ways are pure! Hab. 1:12-13 NIV
“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24 NKJV
“Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 ESV
Jessica from Rockvale, TN
Psalm 34:4 (ESV) “I sought the LORD and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”
Melissa, Granbury tx
Hebrews 10:35-36 (NKJV)
therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God you may receive the promise
” Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give the desires of your heart” Ps. 34:7 NIV
Annalee in Houston
Be self-controlled and alert.
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devor.
I Peter 5:8
Jennifer
Allendale, MI
“I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.” Romans 1: 13-14 NIV
Kristine from Welland, ON
Phillipians 2: 12,13 (The Message)
Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverant and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give HIM the most pleasure.
Amy, Midlothian VA
Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.
Ezra 10:4, NIV
Proverbs 3:6
New International Version (NIV)
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Sharon Modesto, Ca,
John 14:26
The Counselor ,the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
:o)
Joelle, Abilene, Tx
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
(John 15:11, 12 NIV)
Crystal, San Antonio, TX
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
(1 Samuel 12:23, 24 NIV)
Eniola, Lagos Nigeria
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Psalms 84:11 ESV)
Colossians 3:23 ESV
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
Tammy, Fredericksburg, VA
“But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to our Father, who is unseen; and your Father who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matt. 6:17-18 NIV
Bette, Bothell. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalm 34:8 NLT
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts He any man:
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed
Then when lust hat conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death
Do not err, my beloved brethren
James 1:13-16 KJV
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 niv
Bree, Newport KY.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV)
Melissa // Lancaster, PA
For what great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on him? (Deuteronomy 4:7 NLT)
Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of NY heart be pleasing in your sight. O Lord my rock and my redeemer.
Kim D., Clinton MO, Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away! Psalm 1:1-4. NIV
Bonnie from Arden, NC:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5 ESV
Jodi, Perth, Western Australia
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIRV
Give thanks no matter what happens. God wants you to thank him because you believe in Christ Jesus.
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2. This I declare the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.
Psalm 91:1,2 (NIV)
Trish-Pamplico,SC
Ramona Gellick,
Medina, Ohio
John 11:40 The Message
Jesus looked her in the eye. “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
Cathryne, Fayetteville, NC
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity
Proverbs 2:7 NASB
Jessica, St. Catharines
“Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:31-32 msg
“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.” John 15:4&5 ESV
Dawn, Clever, MO
Psalm 121:3-4 “3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.”
Cayla
Gray Court,SC
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 NIV
Brooke from Ladson, SC
Psalms 51:1-2 NLT – Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind.
II Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
Julie, Easley, SC
Kary, Toledo, Ohio
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:11 (NIV)
I love you Beth Moore. I was sitting here tonight with my own little breaking heart and just…happened(?)….to pull up your website and access your blog….which I have never been to….and there it was….your post-Greensboro (which unfortunately I was unable to attend) blog….and ZING…Jesus is speaking to me through you….my heartache is unnecessary…He just wants to be alone with me….He needs my presence????? I love the way He uses you to bring me to Him……Thank you….Excuse me I have Someone I need to go be with….Bless you and may He give you whatever you need to keep on….!!!!!!
Karen, Hewitt
Psalm 34:4 NIV, “I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears”.