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.
Cindy Sylvia, Searcy, AR
But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
1 Corinthians 6:17 NAS
15th came to soon…I wasn’t ready, my 13 yr. old dog died…so I will continue with Isaiah 55:2 and then pick up yours, Beth…because it’s perfect and speaks to my broken heart…
Peggy, Mexico (from MN)
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Hannah R. | Norman, OK
“Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”
John 11:40, NKJV
Jennifer, Singapore
Revelation 17:14 NIV
“They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
Jenn, Cumming, GA, Exodus 33:12b-13a (NIV)
[Moses speaking about God] “You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me. If You are pleased with me, teach me Your ways so that I may know You and continue to find favor with You.”
Anita, Lawrenceville,
“For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.”
Psalm 107:9 ESV
Diane from Clay Center, KS
THe Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.
Ps 34:18
Robbyn, Dickinson, ND
Job 23:10 (NIV)
“But he know the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”
Dinah from Baraboo, WI:
“O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.” Isaiah 33:2 NIV
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 KJV For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Marilyn – Seattle
Psalm 135:3
“Praise the Lord because he is good. Sing praises to Him because it is pleasant.”
NCV
Karen H from Sinclairville, NY
Romans 15:1
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. NIV
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.
Psalm 91:2 NIV
Susan,Silverhill,AL. “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
Liz, Lexington KY (praying for a mended heart and encouragement for my precious son… )
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 (NET)
Gena – Houston
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Luke 12:21 NLT
You hem me in — behind and before me, you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” Psalms 139:5-6 NIV
Kim, Lawrence, KS “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” Isa.46:9 NIV
Jan in Tulsa, OK
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)
Linda,Westport
For judgement will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgement.
James 2:13
Melanie Toups
Bridge City, TX
Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in.
–1 Peter 3:4 The Message
mariel, NC “take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips.” Psalm 141:3 NLT (that pretty much says it all! :))
Jennifer J. – Texarkana, AR
“O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.”
Isaiah 33:2 NIV
Jeanie, Arkansas
Charm is deceptive, and Beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
Proverbs 31:30 NLT
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thes 5:16-18 NIV
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Psalm 119:37 (NIV)
Beth, Gig Harbor
On the day I called, You answered me:
You made me bold with strength in my soul.
Psalm 138:3 (NASB)
Andrea, Overland Park, KS
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
NIV
Karen Ocean Springs 1Thimothy 6:17 “Command those whom are rich in the things of this life not to be proud, and to place their hope, not on such an uncertain thing as riches, but on God who generously gives us everything for us to enjoy.” Good News for Modern Man
New Am. Standard
Ephesians 6:12 ” For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,against the powers,against the world forces of this darkness,against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Erin, Northville MI
1 Peter 5: 6-7
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mightly hand of God so that at the PROPER TIME He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him because He CARES for you.”
ESV
Marcia – San Clemente
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Fahter through him.
Col 3:17 NIV
Kristin, Jacksonville, AL.
“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NIV)
Kathy, Austin, NET “The Lord is near the broken hearted;He delivers those who are discouraged.”
*We could focus on praying this summer for our Siestaville community generally- that each of us receive the power of the Kingdom and his river of grace to “deliver us in such a dramatic way that God Alone gets the credit” quote from Beth. I’ve been involved with so many studies this past year, I support you in redirecting for the summer- You need the break, my dear sister in Christ! Blessings and appreciation
Glen Allen, VA. Psalm 73:26 ESV: ” My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Lindsey from Dubach, La…”Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and comlete, not lacking anything.” -James 1:4 (NIV)
Deanne, Laguna Hills, CA
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Colossians 4:2 NIV
Carol, Hartley, Iowa
I Corinthians 2:9-10
However as it is written, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.”
but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. NIV
For he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—
with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Praise the Lord, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
Praise the Lord, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the Lord, O my soul.
Wow, I’m such a dork! I forgot to give all the rest of the information…Megan from San Diego, Psalm 103:14-22 NIV
Leah; Perkins, OK
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” John 5:24 (NASB)
Katie, NC
“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”
Isaiah 7:9b, NIV
Jaime
Fort Collins, CO
And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver for they are empty.
1 Samuel 12:21
Traci, Vadnais Heights, MN.
“Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”
Proverbs 20:25 (NIV)
Erica, Amman, Jordan
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.”
2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV)
Cara, Highlands Ranch:
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” Matthew 6:25, ESV
Lynn, Bossier City, LA. “…in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6
Maria – New York, NY
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18
Gretchen, Thousand Oaks Psalm 25:4-6 NLT, Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You. Remember, O Lord, Your compassion and unfailing love, which You have shown from long ages past.
Rachel, Flagstaff, AZ
Especially appropriate as I’m possibly changing jobs and careers…
“Each one should use whatever gift (s)he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” ~1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Katie, IA
Psalm 5:1-3 (NIV)
1 “Listen to my words, LORD,
consider my lament.
2 Hear my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
3 In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.”