WE’VE MADE IT HALFWAY, SIESTAS! This is verse 12 of our 24! Can you believe it? I am so stinking proud of you that I don’t know what to do. And there is no doubt in my mind that God is as pleased with this pursuit as anything we’ve ever done on this blog. I’ve enjoyed it like crazy.
I’ve practiced Scripture memory and used index cards for many years but now, when I recite my verses, I think of so many of you out there doing exactly the same thing. I picture you darling college girls, a bunch of you single siestas, tons of you busy moms, and a terrific band of grandmoms all practicing your Scriptures as you balance the demands of your crazy lives. I think of all our Canadian Scripture memory-siestas and our beloved missionaries in other countries and how they sometimes record their verses in their new languages. There’s so much joy and motivation in community.
I keep thinking about a woman I met at the Pittsburgh event. She’d made the life altering decision to receive Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and I had the joy of getting to visit with her and pray over her for a few minutes. In her lap, she was holding a very nice large leather Bible still in the box. She had the top off the box and had stacked it underneath so that the Bible was in open displayed.
“Did you just get that beautiful new Bible here at the event?”
She rubbed the leather on the top of it then took it out of the box for me to smell how wonderfully aromatic it was. She shook her head and said, “No, I’ve had it for a while. Isn’t it beautiful?”
I could have cried. She’d brought it to the event in the box so it wouldn’t get messed up. I’d never seen anyone do that before in all these years of speaking. Her reverence for that Bible was stunning and, yet, there was something also very childlike about her. I didn’t think it was going to do much good to try to talk her into scribbling all over those gorgeous gold leaf pages so we offered her another Bible, a hardback Life Application NIV, so she’d feel like she could ruffle it up, mark verses, and write in the margins. I don’t know if she will or not.
Isn’t that the paradox of the whole thing? Sacred words etched on the page by the breath of God so folks like us with feet of clay can wallow all over them. Not just live by them but live on them. Not just thrive through them but sometimes, in tragedy and storm, survive through them. Life lived with Bible out of the box, off the shelf, flipped wide open and pressed to the heart.
And committed to memory. That’s how we press it to the head.
I’m working on the second half of my June 1st portion out of Psalm 112 NIV. Here are Vv.4-8:
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.
Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.
Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.
He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting the Lord.
His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
OK, Siestas, hit it! Let’s have your Verse 12! Name, city, verse and translation!
DILIGENCE, SIESTAS! DILIGENCE!
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Ephesians 2:10 ESV
Lindsay W in Albuquerque, NM
Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Jean
Leesburg, VA
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90:14 NIV
Rebecca H
Asheville, NC
Romans 6:1-13 (part 4) NIV
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Bridgette Jencks
Panama City Beach, FL
"Be here—the king is wild for you. Since he's your lord, adore him."
Psalm 45:11 The Message
Lindsee
Houston, TX
The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. Psalm 19:8 NIV
Sarah James
Melbourne, Fl
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 NIV
Kelly
Ruston, LA
"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."
~ Hebrews 6:10 (NIV)
Hollie
(aka: Groovewoman)
Granbury, TX
Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.
Romans 6:13 (NIV)
Tracey Hicks,
DeKalb, TX
As he blessed them, he parted from them and was taken up to heaven.
Luke 24:51
Christa
Bryan, TX
St. Joseph's
Lori
Bangor, Maine
Psalm 91:14-16 Amplified
Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name (has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness – trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no never). He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Phillipians 4:8 (NIV)
Sherry
Springfield TN
I am catching up on my posting…backtracking if you you will. My verses are in my spiral and in my heart even if I am late getting them posted.
Nahum 1:7 NKJ
The Lord is good. A stronghold in the day of trouble.
And He knows those who trust Him.
"So he, leaping up , stood and walked and entered the temple with them – walking, leaping, and praising God." – Acts 3:8
Emily
Rouge Valley OR
Proverbs 17:9 NIV
He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
Let not the foot of pride come against me and let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.
Ps 36:11 NKJ
Sandy Shiflett
Deming, NM
Psalm 112:4-8(NIV)
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.
Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.
Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.
He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting the Lord.
His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
Julie – Prior Lake, MN
Joel 2:13 NIV
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love and he relents from sending calamity.
KJV Psa 139:12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee
Celie
Gonzales,La.
The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By His mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is His faithfullness, His mercies begin afresh each day.
Lamentation 3:22-23
Ashley Hale
Uvalde, Texas
Phil 3:10 Amp.
My determined purpose is that I may know Him; that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted w/ Him; perceiving, recognizing, and understanding the wonders of His person.
Misty – Midland, TX
sorry I'm late – we were out of town and I forgot to post it!
In my anguish, I cried to the Lord and he answered by setting me free
Psalms 118:5
Carrie Jones
Ontario, Canada
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105 NIV
Missie
was Bluffton, SC
now Houston, TX
When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Proverbs 16.7 (NASB)
Diane
Jenison, MI
1 Cor 6:19-20 NIV
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price, therefore honor God with your body.
Tina H. Montgomery, AL
Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
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.
Linda
Sinton,TX
"I love you, O Lord, my strength."
Psalm 18:1 (NIV)
Mischia
North Carolina
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Cheryl
Austin, TX
Sandra – Burnaby, BC Canada
Colossians 3:23-24 ESV
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.
(I have fallen behind since going on holidays, so I am working on these two verses for #12 and # 13 to catch up!)
Psalm 116:6
The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me.
Becky
Leesburg, FL
For it is by graced you have been saved through faith, it is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.
Eph 2:8-9
NIV
Missy
Houston
"Do not let love and faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."
Proverbs 3:3 (NIV)
Tori
Granger, IN
Way behind on posting, but I'm still hanging in there…
The LORD gives strength to his people;
The LORD blesses his people with peace.
Psalm 29:11 (NIV)
Tiffany
Pella, IA
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6 King James
Deena Jefferson
Springboro, OH
Proverbs 18:21
Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit – – you choose. Message
Lucy – Hallsville, TX
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.
Gal. 5:22-23 (NIV)
Sandra Taylor
Thompson's Station, TN
(sorry so late…my dad passed away and I'm catching up).
Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Darcy
Navarre, FL
Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Lori
San Antonio, TX
Nikki
Santa Rosa, CA
NIV
Phil. 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will[a] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
John 15:7 (NKJV)
Kaci Rodriguez
Dumas, TX
Christina Modesto, CA
Proverbs 4:23 NKJV
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.
Proverbs 16:3
NIV
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Lorraine
Wilson's Mills, NC
All your works shall praise you, O Lord….Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And your dominion endures throughout all generations.
Psalm 145:10, 13
NIV
Susan in OKC
All your works shall praise You, O Lord…Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
Psalm 145:10, 13
NIV
Susan in OKC
"Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life. I will sing praise to my God as long as I live."
Psalm 146:1-2 NIV
Debbie Nix
Dalzell, SC
Psalm 34:13 "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit."
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praise worthy- think about such things.
Brenda
Bainbridge, Ga.
Psalm 145:3 NIV
3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
Ivy from NC
Psalm 8:1-9
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider 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, the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
~Paula K, Muskegon, Michigan~
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. Psalm 119:133
Megan-Knoxville, TN