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
Proverbs 18:10
New International Version (NIV)
10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.
Christine, Atlanta, GA – For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:12 NIV
New Orleans, I was in Haiti last week, so i am late.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (1 Corinthians 13:4, 5 NIV)
Almut, London, GB
My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.
Psalm 130,6 (ESV)
Ina from Lancaster, PA
…to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.
Psalm 92:2
Amy from Lufkin, Texas
Romans 10:13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of The Lord will be saved”
NIV
Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in Heaven and in earth!”
Matthew 28:18. NIV
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Andrea, Gardendale
16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Christy, Lima, OH
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
(05/01/13)
Lisa S, Plano TX
Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes.
Psalm 119:135 NKJV
Karen(Oconomowoc,WI) Because you have made the Lord,who is my refuge, Even the Most High,your dwelling place. Psalm 91:9(NKJV)
Karen(Oconomowoc,WI) No evil shall befall you,nor shall any plague come near your dwelling.For He shall give His Angels charge over you,to keep you in all your ways..Psalm 91:12-13(NKJV)
Kendra, Spokane, WA: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” Proverbs 31:8-9 (NLT)
We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our
community. Your web site provided us with valuable info
to work on. You have done a formidable job and our whole community
will be thankful to you.
Charlotte, Easley SC:
Psalm 25:1-2a “LORD, I give myself to You; my God I trust You.” NCV
Connie, Hendersonville, TN For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 NIV
Elaine- Jefferson, Ga
By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones. By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. (Hebrews 11:22-24 NIV)
Ruby, NC
I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. Psalm 9:1 (NIV)
Ann, Morelia, Mexico “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” Psalm 103:10 NIV
If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers, such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” John 15:6
Kim from Edmond, OK
Don’t be selfish.Don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
Phil. 2:3 NLT
Marilyn Gadsden, Al
Blessed are you when people insult you persecute you and falsely say all kind of evil against you because of me, Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matt 6:11-12 NIV
Jennifer B
Plano, TX
Psalm 27:14 NIV
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Angela, Houston, TX – Psalm 92:14 (ESV): “For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.”
Caroline, Aiea:
“The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid.” Psalm 27:1 NIV
Janet, Holmes Beach, FL
Therefore Jesus said again,
“I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep…
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.”
John 10: 7,9 NIV
Cathy Morris Sedona, AZ Romans 8:38-39 NIV
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present not the future nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our LORD”
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13, 14 NKJV)
Mei, Easley SC:
Romans 4:9 NIV
Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.
Amy, Austin, Texas
I Corinthians 13:4-5 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” NIV
Marci, from Florence, SC
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”
Romans 8:38, NLT
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.
Caroline, Houston
The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.
Exodus 14:14, NASB
Rena, Tulsa. “I called on your name, O LORD, from the depths of the pit. You came near when I called you, and you said, ‘Do not fear.’ O Lord, you took up my case; you redeemed my life.” -Lamentations 3:55,57,58 NIV
Robin, Tracy CA
Proverbs 10:19 NASB
When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable. But he who restrains his lips is wise.
Philippians 2:5 NIV Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus
Charlotte, Tomball, TX, Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:4, (NKJV)
Kathy Iverson-Franksville Wisc. – May 4, 2013
Matthew 11:28-KJV
Come Unto Me, All Ye That Labour And Are Heavy Laden,
And I Will Give You Rest
Jodi, Humble, TX – And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. Colossians 3:23
Angie, Houston, TX- “When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” Psalm 94:18-19 ESV
Stormy D, Utah
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
-Romans 8:28 (NIV)
*Sorry, it’s late. I just realized I didn’t submit this on the 15th!
near Luwero, Uganda
Deuteronomy 7:8 ESV
but it is because the Lord loves YOU and is keeping the oath that He swore to your fathers that the Lord has brought you out with a might hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt
Lori from St. Catharines, ON
He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30 NIV
Debbie Laureen, New Port Richey, FL
“Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12, NIV
Bridget in Phoenix, AZ
1 Peter 2:4-5 NKJV
4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men but chosen by God and precious,
5 you also as living stones are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Beth
Paducah, KY
But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
Matthew 19:30
NKJV
Kali. Valrico, Fl. Romans 16:20 NLT.
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Psalm 29:2 ESV
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
Ephesians 1:7 (NLT)
He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.
Donna
Ponder, TX
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14 NIV)
Erin Mauney,
Evant, Texas