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.
Melanie, Groesbeck, TX
“I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from Him. 5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.” Psalm 62:1,5 NIV
Sharon Riverside, Ca
though my father and mother forsake me, the lord will recieve me. Psalms 27:10 (NIV)
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30 NIV
Alyson – Tallahassee
2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NLT – For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.
Chrissy, Clemmons, NC:
Because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!
Lamentations 3:22-23, HCSB
Checking in with 2 verses from NIV.
Joyce, Abilene, TX
May 1, 2011 Ps 89:2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.
May 15,2011 Is 26:12 Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.
Shane, Russellville, My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Col. 2:2-3 TNIV
Lisa, Brazoria, TX “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!” Psalm 139:17
Jennifer; Prairie Grove, Arkanas
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 NIV
Dwynne, Chapman KS Psalm 143:10 NIV
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Elizabeth, Lewisville, TX
“…and do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:27 NIV
Tilley in Franklin, TN
“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 (New Living Translation)
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 NIV
Joy, Alpharetta, Georgia. “It’s not smart to stuff yourself with sweets, nor is glory piled on glory good for you. “Proverbs 25:27 MSG
Megan Joy Burdzy – Calgary, Alberta Canada – The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything but in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus -Philippians 4:5b-6 – NIV
Leila in Carrollton, GA
Psalm 51:12 NIV
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
I LOVE this verse! Great choice. I think I may “borrow it” from you to memorize next time 🙂 Thank you for posting it.
Leah, Little Falls
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I Have a beautiful inheritance. Psalm 16:5-6 ESV
Cary, Celina TX
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 NIV
The Lord is near the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
Susie, Knoxville, TN
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Hannah, Austin
“Little children, guard yourselves from idols.”
1 John 5:12 NASB
CJ, Liberty “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
Jennifer – White, GA
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.
Psalm 57:1-2 NLT
Shelley, Marietta, MS
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” John 12:24, KJV
Carole, Imperial, CA: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 NIV
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.”
Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Jeremiah 29:11
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.
Louisa, Austin
“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”
Isaiah 49:16 NIV
Houston, TX
Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Jonda, Shakopee, MN
The Lord is near the brokenhearted;
He delivers those who are discouraged.
NET Bible. Psalm 34:18
Erica, Houston, TX
Isaiah 66:12
As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.
Johnstown, CO
Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Karen, Lexington, KY. “Fear God. Do what he tells you. And that’s it. Eventually God will bring everything that we do out into the open and judge it according to its hidden intent, whether it’s good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (MSG)
Belleville,ON
For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 1Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Catherine Morningstar – Fresno, CA
Col. 3:17 NIV – And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father throught him.
Samantha
Menomonie, WI.
(NAS)–Eph. 5:15-16
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time because the days are evil.
Candie from Gulfport, Ms:
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18 ESV
Had another in mine, this one spoke to me.
Boni, Manassas, VA. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Tim 4:7 (NIV)
Darl, Bakersfield, CA Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT
Tammy N. – Lubbock, TX
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Fix these words of mine on your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. NIV Deuteronomy 11:18
Laura, Greenville: “In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:5(NIV)
from Houston “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go. He’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume you know it all.” Proverbs 3:5-6 MSG
Nancy, Denver.
“Trust steadily in God,
hope unswervingly,
love extravagantly.
And the best of the three is love.”
I Corinthians 13:13 The Message
Fix these words of mine on your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. NIV Deuteronomy 11:18
Dawn W. — Falmouth, KY
Esther 4:14 NLT
If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?
Laura, Little Rock. “Lift your eyes to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” Isaiah 40:26 (NIV 1984)
Sherry, Hillsboro, OR ~ “So we must not get tired of doing good for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.” Galations 6:9 HCSB
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’S purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Lorraine
Tyler, Tx
Randi, Knoxville tn
The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible