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.
Natalie, Olympia, WA
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. John 15:9 NIV
Isaiah 30:15
In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
Margie
Hilton Head Island, SC
Kerri, Nichols, NY
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6 (NKJV)
Leverett, MA
The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God.
Romans 6:10
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Rene, Abilene, TX “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Jaime from Chesapeake, VA
“Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to dishonest gain. Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in Your ways.” Psalm 119:36-37, NASB
Laura, Southaven, MS: I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him. Lamentations 3:24-25
Kathy, Corinth, TX
He who testifies to these things says,
“Yes, I am coming quickly.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation 22:20 NASB
Jeri B., Battlefield, MO
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
II Corinthians 7:1 NIV
Melissa, Castle Rock, CO
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
2 Peter 1:4 (New International Version)
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Phil 4:5
NIV
Kristin- Nashville, TN
Isaiah 43:2- NLT
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”
Angela, Oil City, LA: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 NIV
Deb, Becker
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. Gal 5:1 (NIV)
Janice, Bakersfield, CA
I Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Lynn, Lubbock. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalms 34:18. (NIV)
Kay, Greenwood,SC
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
Katie, Augusta, Ga ¤ He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fears to bear fruit. Jer 17:8 NIV
Susan \ Maple Grove, Minnesota
Laurie, New Hope, VA:
I Chronicles 16:24-25Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.
Connie
Austin TX
Hebrews 10:35-56 (Message)
So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion.
It won’t be long now, he’s on the way;
he’ll show up most any minute.
But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust;
if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy.
But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.
Colleen, O’Fallon, IL. May the words of my mouth and the mediations of my heart, be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psam 19:14 NIV
Anna; Tyler, Texas:
The Lord is near the broken hearted; He delivers those who are discouraged. Psalm 34:18
ALSO POSTING FOR MY DAUGHTER:
Ella Grace (age 8); Tyler, Texas;
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. John 3:36
Ella Grace, Miss Beth is so proud of you. I am so glad you are one of us Siestas! it’s really fun to love Jesus with a lot of girls of different ages, don’t you think?
Susan \ Maple Grove, Minnesota
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.”
Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
(This verse is exactly what I need to meditate on right now! Thank you Beth!
Kathleen, Ashland
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Psalm 107:9 Amplified Bible
For He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with good.
Ann from Indiana
Melinda from Cheney
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
Psalms 100:4
Janet, Richland,Ms
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
Carrie Hunter, Hindman, KY
Romans 8:28 KJV
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.
Julia,Whidbey Island, WA: “On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us as you help us by your prayers.” 2Cor 1:10-11 NIV
Carisa, Hillsboro, KS
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
Rachel, Rochester, NY: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 (NIV)
Heather, Tallahassee FL “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir over all things, through whom He also made the world. Hebrews 1:1-2 NASB
Hebrews 11:1 KJV
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isa. 40:31 (NIV)
Lori
League City, TX
Durant, OK
Teach me to do your will, for You are my God;
may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Psalm 143:10
NIV
Judy, Spokane, WA
“Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.”
Romans 12:12 (Good News Translation)
Galatians 5:1 (NIV): “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.”
Sarah, Colorado Springs, CO
“Look to me and be Saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God and there is no other.”
Isaiah 45:22 (Amplified)
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where he Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
2Corinthians 3:17 NIV
Arlette, Cheney, WA
Galatians 6:4, Amplified Bible
But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and test his own conduct and his own work. He can then have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable [[a]in itself alone] without [resorting to] boastful comparison with his neighbor.
Shannon: Elmira, Canada: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (NIV) With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.
Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Michele ~ Kenosha, WI
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen
Laurie Chester
Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near the brokenhearted. He delivers those who are discouraged.
NET
Betsy in Birmingham, AL
The Mighty One has done great things for me–holy is his name.
Luke 1:49 (NIV)
Colette, Mesa, AZ.
“Look to the Lord and His strength;
seek His face always.
Remember the wonders He has done,
His Miracles, and the judgements He pronounced,”
Psalm 105:4-5
NIV
Keizer, OR
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Heb 11:1 NIV
“Fear not for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous righ hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)