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.
Loganville, GA
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
” I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you”. Isa 44:22
Amy – Gallipolis, OH –
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.” Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
last post from OH – we’re moving this week!
Natasha, Omaha
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:12 NIV
Hollie, Mount Vernon
And in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
Colossians 2:10
NIV
Amie, Rochester: “So I say, live by the Spirit, and u will not gratify the desires of your sinful nature.” Gal. 5:16
Ashley, Colorado
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18, NIV
Starla, Parsons, KS
O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name, For You have worked wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.
Isaiah 25:1 NASB
Debbie in Florida
For even if the mountains walk away and the hills fall to pieces, my love won’t walk away from you, my covenant commitment of peace won’t fall apart.
The God who has compassion on you says so.
Isaiah 54:10 The Message
Kathleen>> Marietta, Ga
7 “Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. 8a Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
James 4:7-8a
HCSB
Becky
Willowick, OH
Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 46:1 NIV
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Sheila, Austin, TX
Dayna, Ontario,Calif.
James 1:12 Blessed [is] the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. NKJV
Kathy, Bradford
May 1st-“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.”
John 10:9 NIV
May 15th-“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”
John 10:10 NIV
Sherry
Indianapolis
2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NIV)
“May the Lord direct yor hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”
Nashville,TN
“For I know the plans I have for you,declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Isaiah 33:2 NIV “O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.”
Kristine, La Crescent, MN:
I will try to walk a blameless path, but how I need Your help, especially in my own home, where I long to act as I should.
Psalm 101:2
TLB
Joy; California;
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Sarah, Christina and Esther May, Washington
“Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
Proverbs 27:6 NIV
Cheryl
Coffeyville, KS
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 NIV
Munford, TN
All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD.
2 Chronicles 20:13
Chrissy, Detroit Lakes, MN: “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)
Carol, San Antonio, TX:
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
Galatians 5:22-23a NLT
Joyce, Merritt Island, FL
“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands I am giving you today.” Deut 6:4-6 NLT
Peg, Hillsboro, KS
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer” Rom.12:12 NIV
Darcy, Northern Virginia. “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Joanne, Westerville, OH
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower: The righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10 NKJV
Diane, Rockford, MI
The tongue has the power of life and death.
Proverbs 18:21a NIV
Angie Loveland, OH
Ephesians 2:8 NIV
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of GOD
Heidi~Lindale, TX
1 Cor. 13:9-10 NIV
For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
(Memorizing all of 1 Cor. 13–so some verses appear to be a strange choice when it is really a continuation…)
Psalm 141:3-4 (New Living Translation)
3 Take control of what I say, O Lord,
and guard my lips.
4 Don’t let me drift toward evil
or take part in acts of wickedness
liz gladstone oregon
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 NET Jeanette, Danville, Virginia
Heidi Tracht
Nampa, ID
When you said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
Psalm 27:8 (NKJV)
Karla – Cedarburg, WI
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2
Kari, Grand Rapids, MI
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Sierra, Vandalia, MO
“He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.” Deut 32:4 NIV
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise , as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3.9
catherine, spring texas:
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Pamela, Lexington SC
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalm 34: 18 NLT
Sandi H. (Holt, MO) “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” (NIV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)
Macey, Whidbey Island, WA
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
Kristi Rogersville, TN
Romans 8:18 NIV
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV)
Vicki from Loveland, CO Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16. NIV
Siesta Stephanie. Danville Ky
Caitlin, Omaha
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience”
Colossians 3:12 (ESV)
Melissa, Locust Grove, GA “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.
Psalm 127:3-4 ESV
Stephanie Lewisville, TX
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Karen, Shelby Twp., Michigan
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfaded beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
I Peter 3:3-4 NIV)
PS – wouldn’t DREAM of dropping out – hangin in there til the end!