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.
Turkesshia Moore, Greensboro, NC
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8 KJV
Emily – Fairburn, GA
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1 ESV).
Psalm 12:2 (ESV) 2 “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”..
Tita in Bear, Delaware
Victoria, Madisonville, LA – The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he delivers those who are discouraged. Psalms 34:18
Kelley, Round Rock, TX
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. Deut 7:6 NIV
Beth, Ypsilanti, Michigan: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Julie Hodges
Eden Texas
Here is mine…
Jeremiah 17:14 New Life Bible
Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed.
Save me and I will be saved. For, You are my Praise!
Pam
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30 NIV
Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11, NIV
Pamela,Mechanicsville,VA. “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalms 34:18 NET
Leigh Gray
Carmi, Il.
“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 46:10 ESV
Tangila, Pearland TX
“I know that You can do all things,
And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2 (NASB)
Joy
West Monroe, LA
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all you anxiety on Him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7
Cindy, Rock Hill, SC
Whoever presents a thank-offering honors me. To whoever obeys my commands, I will reveal my power to deliver. Psalm 50:23 (The Net Bible)
Mary, NH
Joshua 1:9 (New King James Version)
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19&20 NIV
Courtney, Houma, LA
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,
Psalm 16:8-9, NIV
Alicia, okc:Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Jenifer B.
Frisco, Texas
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.”
Psalm 34:18 NET
Molly, Wilmington, DE:
“The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.”
Psalm 145:13 (NIV)
Barbara, North Olmsted, Oh
O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Ps 139:1-3 NASB
Colosians 3:14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Robin
Snohomish, WA
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalms 34:18 (NIV)
Sarah, Dallas
“Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear, for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” Isaiah 41:10, The Message
Lynn, Pflugerville,Tx
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 NIV
Denise, Walton, KY
James 4:7-8
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.
Jenny, Des Moines, Iowa–The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. Psalm 16:6 NIV
Donna, Huntersville, NC
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18, NET
Cindy, Apex, NC “The Lord is near the brokenhearted: He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Laura, Lexington, Ky
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Eph. 4:2 (NIV)
Cheryl, Midlothian.Va
Be Joyful in hope,
Patient in affliction ,
Faithful in prayer
Romans 12:12 NIV
Becky, Groesbeck, Texas: Psalm 37:4 “Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart’s desires.” (NLT)
Tanya, Killen, “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written, “It is mine to avenge, I will repay,” says the Lord….Do not BE overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” Romans 12:19-21
Michelle
Parma, Ohio
For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him. Phil 2:13NLT
Beverly
Midlothian, VA
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12 ESV
Suzy, Wheelersburg, OH “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” NIV
“Let them give thanks for His unfailing love & His wonderful deeds for men.” Psalm 107:31 Janell Urban, Clovis NM (NIV)
Emily, Tulsa, Oklahoma:
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified…” 1 Thessalonians 4:3a, NIV
Cheryl, Chadbourn. So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6,7
Cheryl from Hattiesburg, MS: John 14:27 (ESV) Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Janice; Arcanum, OH
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written, “He scattered abroad He gave to the poor, His righeousness abides forever.”
2 Corinthians 9:8-9 NASB
Donna, Albuquerque, The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Proverbs 16:24 NIV
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones”
Sarah, Burlington, ON: “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Cor 9:8, TNIV)
Nikol, Birmingham, AL: “O my son [daughter], give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.” Proverbs 23:26 (NLT)
Everyone must be quick to her, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. (James 1:19-20)
Deborah, Philadelphia, PA
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Natalie, Indialantic FL Hebrews 12:1-3 (The Message)
Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!