Hey Siestas!
Can you fathom that we are on our 10th memory verse??? Good grief! 2011 is almost halfway over! Amanda and Curtis just got Jackson’s preschool graduation pictures and we all nearly flipped. It is the cutest thing ever, especially with that missing front tooth. His ceremony is in a few days but the little blue cap and gown just about put all of us over the edge. We will have a kindergartener next year and a mighty fine one at that. It just sails by. And how well many of you know.
I am getting lots of questions about whether or not we’re having Siesta Summer Bible Study. I want to say yes so badly. I have tried to turn this puzzle piece every conceivable direction to see how it would fit on the table. Between SSMT every 1st and 15th, the summer Living Proof Lives, the final Deeper Still, and, probably the biggest factor of all, the complete James manuscript due date at the end of summer, I just can’t make it work and still be a wife, mom, and active Bibby. I also don’t have my faithful blog master, Amanda, here to assist me with all that summer Bible study entails right now. I am, however, presently thinking of some ways that we can hold one another accountable to stay in the Scriptures this summer and also give you the opportunity to connect with other Siestas who want to do some of the same studies. Stay tuned for that. For now, I’ll joyfully recommend to you two that I’ve done this Spring:
Duty or Delight by Tammie Head (Many of you will remember getting to know this brand new author in April through our blog video. She is dear to me and will no doubt become dear to many of you.)
Brave by Angela Thomas (Angela is a gifted teacher and writer and I try not to let anything she offers sit on the bookstore shelf for long before I bag it and read it. I’m almost finished with this study and have been tremendously blessed by it.)
Both of those women love Jesus and communicate His Word beautifully. And you know how I feel about Priscilla Shirer and everything God uses her to bring to the table. You’ll never miss on her. Man, I wish we could do one of their studies the traditional way in Siestaville this summer but sometimes we realize that even another good thing is perhaps the wrong thing for now. If the Lord is willing, we’ll definitely do a study our usual way next summer on the off year from SSMT.
OK, young ladies, how about that 10th verse?? NO DROP OUTS!!! This verse is trying to leap off the page at me this time around and not so much for my own plight right now but for some people I really love:
Beth, Houston, Texas. “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Praise You, Lord. You are so faithful. Close in on those who are brokenhearted and hold them in Your healing grasp. Deliver the discouraged in such dramatic ways that You alone get the credit. We exist here in this blog community to give You glory, Lord. Come and get it. Our eyes are to the skies.
Ericka, Langhorne, PA: “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” ~ Romans 8:5 (NIV)
Where can I get Tammie Head’s study? Lord knows I’ve been looking for it high and low… I just downloaded the Breaking Free app for the iPad – all I can say is amazing!
I saw it available on the Lifeway website.
Thank you Tracey!
REALLY? I wonder if they have that app for the Android??? That is so awesome to know…Thanks for sharing that Ericka. 😉
Julie dk in Casper, WY
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26 NIV
The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you; He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17, NIV
Anne, Minneapolis
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5:8-10, NIV
Ashley Sullens
Kings Mountain, NC
2 Chronicles 20:15 (NKJV)
Thus says the Lord to you: “Do not be afraid or dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Oh Beth, don’t feel bad at all for not hosting a summer study. We so appreciate you and all you do!
I would be happy to host a summer study on my blog if some Siestas want to join me. I’ve wanted to do Tammie’s study.
Michele
Liverpool, NY
οὐ γὰρ ἔδωκεν ἡμῖν ὁ θεὸς πνεῦμα δειλίας ἀλλὰ δυνάμεως καὶ ἀγάπης καὶ σωφρονισμοῦ. 2Tim 1.7, NA27
If anyone wants to join summer Bible study at my blog, come let me know: http://michelencindy.wordpress.com/
Annette, Richmond, TX, John 15:5 NIV:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Valley Head, AL
they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. Rev. 22:4 NASB
Beckie, Washington, DC: “Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.'” -Luke 12:22-23 (NIV)
Rachel
Fullerton, CA
~ Gal. 1:10 (ESV)
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I tyring to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Vicki
Chehalis, WA
This is what the LORD says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
Jeremiah 6:16 NIV
I needed to hear that this morning. Thanks!
“There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides You; there is no Rock like our God.” 1 Sameuel 2:2 (NIV)
Kay
Tupelo, MS
Peggy, Corpus Christi TX “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NKJV
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. James 3:13(ESV)
Oshkosh WI
The wicked are not so but they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
Psalm 1:4 NASB
Melissa Irwin; Nashville, TN
Acts 17:28 “For in Him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said ” we are His offspring”. NIV
Colleen, Mae Sot, Thailand
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. I Corinthians 1:30 NIV
Carol, Gig Harbor, WA
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 NIV
Betty Soddy Daisy, TN
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.
Isaiah 26: 3-4 (NIV)
Tracey from Shawnee, Kansas
Colossians 3: 14-15 (NIV)
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:6-7 NIV
Whoops, forgot to say memorizing in Kansas City, Missouri!
Susan in Nashville, TN
Psalm 51:12-13 ESV
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.”
Today is my 37th birthday. I am overflowing with thankfulness to God for all he has done for me the last 37 years… and looking forward COMPLETELY dependent on him for the next 37! 🙂 So here is my verse:
Heather, Lewiston: “I will praise you as long as I live, in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the riches of foods…” Psalm 63:4-5a, NIV
Have a happy birthday and a blessed year!
Thank you!! It was a great day!!
Heather, Happy Birthday, Sister! <3
Thank you! So sweet of you!
Laurie, Gibsonville, NC
Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us! Romans 5:5 (THE AMP BIBLE)
Donna B.-Tuscaloosa, AL
“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.” Proverbs 3:27 NIV
“Rely on the LORD! Be strong and confident! Rely on the LORD! Ps. 27:14 The NET Bible
Ginger
Wetumpka, Alabama
Decatur, Alabama. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” John 12: 24-25 ESV
Kristy, Wake Forest, NC: “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26.3 (NIV)
Terrie, Birmingham
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13
NIV
Lisa, West Des Moines, IA “The Lord your God will cleanse your heart and the hearts of all your descendants so that you will love him with all your heart and soul, and so you may live!” Deuteronomy 30:6 (NLT)
Dawn in Monett, MO
Isaiah 54:13&14a NIV
All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace.
In righteousness you will be established.
Becky Jo
Chesterfield MI
“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”
2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV
Karen, Dover, NH “By his power God raised the Lord from the dead and he will raise us also.” I Corin. 6:14 NIV
Jan
Bemus Point, NY
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
And in French:
2 Corinthiens 4:18 (Colombe)
Aussi nous regardons, non point aux choses visibles, mais à celles qui sont invisibles ; car les choses visibles sont momentanées, et les invisibles sont éternelles.
Dawn – Orland Park, IL “Fear the LORD, you His godly people, for those who fear Him have all they need.” (NLT)
Oops! The verse above from Dawn is found in Psalm 34:9.
Sister Lynn
Tucson, AZ
“Therefore, behold, I will allure her and bring her to the wilderness and speak tenderly to her.”
Hosea 2:14 (RSV)
Alicia, NE KY
“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” Romans 12:15
Laura, Englewood. “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast or have no compassion on the child she has borne” Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See I have engraved you on the palms of my hands: your walls are ever before me. Isaiah 49:15-16
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. II Peter 2:9 NIV
Linda R., Springfield, MO – Don’t talk so much. You keep putting your foot in your mouth. Be sensible and turn off the flow! – Proverbs 10:19 Living Bible
Rena, Tulsa. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears punishment has not been perfected in love.” 1 John 4:18 NET
Olathe, KS Romans 12:11-12 (Msg) Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times: pray all the harder.
Beth, Toronto: My soul wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.
Psalm 62:5,6 NKJV
Laurie, Lubbock, TX: “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” John 4:34 (NIV)
This verse jumped out at me as I struggle with healthy eating. Thanks Laurie!
Candice
Evanston, IL
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NIV)
Mary Beth/Pittsburgh, PA
Romans 8:6 {NIV}
6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
Suzanne in Harrisville, RI
Proverbs 15:32 NIV
He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
I change the “he” to “she” when I say it.
Lisa Kinston,NC
Psalm 71:1 NASB
In Thee, O Lord, I have taken refuge;
Let me never be ashamed.
Lawan-Lawton, OK- It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NIV