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
Romans 8:1
ESV
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Sheri
Portland, Oregon
“Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.” James 5:4 NIV84 (Planning on finishing James before 2014 SSMTC!)
Blair
Chattanooga, TN
“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to se the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
Romans 8:6, ESV
Shirleen, Greenville, SC
Colossians 4:2 (NKJV) Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
Cara, Oswego. “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.”
Matthew 5:14 MSG
Sarah, Chocowinity, NC
Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10 NIV
Elisabeth, Houston:
“And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
John 17:3 (ESV)
Stacey,tomball, Tx
He will not always acuse, nor will he harbor his anger forver; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. Psalm 103:9-10NIV-what a relief.
Christie from Plano, Texas needs to remember this one!
“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.”
James 5:13 (NIV 1984)
Julie Elrod Smyrna GA james 3:15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. NIB
Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness or danger, or sword? …..no in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death or life, nor angels or rulers, nor thing present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord
Hebrews 10:35-36 ESV)
“Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.”
Amanda from Clinton, MS
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. -Isaiah 46:4 NIV
Cathy, Jackman, ME: “There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor. The eternal God is your refuge and His everlasting arms are under you. He drives out the enemy before you. He cries out, “Destroy them.” Deut 33: 26 & 27 NLT
Sharon Stiglic – Boca Raton, Fl.
“O’Lord, My God, I come to you for protection, rescue me and save me from all who pursue me.”
Psalm 7:1
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15. Holman
Romans 6:23 (NIV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Eungard family
Brad, Gwen, Adam, Eleanor, Amelia, and Owen
Schweinfurt, Germany
Melissa Droegemueller, San Antonio, TX
The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Psalm 126:3 NIV
Diane, wedgefield, SC – Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude because He who has suffered in His body is done with sin. 1 Peter 4:1, NIV 1984
Rebecca, Wiggins,MS
Christ has indeed been raised from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:20 (NIV)
2 Samuel 22:29-31
New International Version (NIV)
29 You, Lord, are my lamp;
the Lord turns my darkness into light.
30 With your help I can advance against a troop;
with my God I can scale a wall.
31 “As for God, his way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
Sue from Norwood, MA
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Isaiah 58:7 NRSV
Sandy, Long Beach, CA.
If you declare with your mouth,”Jesus is Lord,”
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9 NIV
Lynn, Pittsburgh “I waited patiently for the Lord and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He brought me up and out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay; and He set my foot upon a rock making my footsteps firm. And He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God…”
Psalm 40:1-3 NAS
Jenn, Frederick, CO
Romans 12:21 NIV
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Kelly in Independence, Psalm 46:1 niv God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.
Marcy T.
Euless, TX.
Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
Wilmington, DE
Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” NIV
Wilmington, DE
James 3:13 “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” NIV
Diane, Largo, Fl
1 Peter 2:1-3 NLT
So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishmment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.
Linda Peel Lexington, KY
He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble.
2 Corinthians 1:4 CEV
Alison, Norman, OK
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Rev 22:20 ESV
Kay from Deer Park, TX
Jeremiah 33: 6-7, 9 (The Message)
6-9 “But now take another look. I’m going to give this city a thorough renovation, working a true healing inside and out. I’m going to show them life whole, life brimming with blessings. I’ll restore everything that was lost to Judah and Jerusalem. I’ll build everything back as good as new. …. And Jerusalem will be a center of joy and praise and glory for all the countries on earth. They’ll get reports on all the good I’m doing for her. They’ll be in awe of the blessings I am pouring on her.
Rachelle, Cedar Park, TX – Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NIV
Ruth Larkin, Shawnee, KS
James 4:6 (NIV) —
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Better late than never! My verse: Psalm 119:133. Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
“So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word.” Hebrews 10:23 (Amplified)
Kimberly, Watha
Sarah from Jay, OK
” The Lord will fight for you. You need only be still.”
Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
Tara, Fort Worth, Texas
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart”
~ Jeremiah 29:13 ~ NIV
Ann Marie, Grand Rapids, MN
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Eph 3:17-19 NIV
Kelly of Niles
They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, His mother. Over come they kneeled down and worshipped Him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts-gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 2:11 (The Message)
Michelle, STL, MO
In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. (1 Peter 5:10 NLT)
Cindy, Graceville, FL
1 Peter 5:10 KJV
But the God of all grace, who hath calledus unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while , makeyou perfect , stablish , strengthen , settle you.
Thanks, Natalie Grant
“9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:9-10 ESV
Penny, Cincinnati. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 NLT
Jennifer
San Antonio, TX
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3 NIV)
Dowagiac, MI. If you declare with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God rose him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 NIV
Ephesians 6: 14-18 ESV
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the spirit, with all prayer and supplication…
Kelly, Harker Heights, TX
Aimee, Houston, TX
“Let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth. Then this is how we know that we belong to the truth…”
1 John 3:18 NIV
Sarah, Webb City, MO
“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, living in plenty or in want.”
Philippians 4:12 NIV
Mitzi from Midland, TX
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)