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.
Christina, Egenhausen: …How much longer will you try to have things both ways? If the LORD is God, follow Him!… 1 Kings 18:21 CEV
Courtney – Tyler, TX
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10 NIV
Anna, Redford, MI
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
Nakisha, Michigan
1 Corinthians 10:23 (New International Version)
23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.
Andrea Bishop-Smackover, Arkansas
Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deciving yourselves. James 1:22 ESV
Jeanie
Sparta, TN
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor. 12:9a
Psalm 131 ESV
1 O LORD, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, hope in the LORD
from this time forth and forevermore.
Regina, TN – I have been memorizing 🙂 even though I didn’t post on the last few. HIS Word alive in me. I love it!
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Psalms 103:2 KJV
okay, I am not dropping out, but I could use some prayer… I write a new verse every 1st and 15th (or close to it) and then hardly touch the spiral…
I don’t want to add another verse until I get these down, but I love the verse Beth picked out!!
Julie, Clarks Summit, PA
Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Ashley – San Angelo, TX
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Kristin, Carlsbad, CA “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isa. 55:8 NIV
Shawn from Whitesboro
Psalms 119:11 KJV
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Walton, IN
I am the vine you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him he will bear much fruit; apart from me he can do nothing. John 15:5 NIV
Sallie Howell, Tupelo, MS
James 1:5 (New International Version)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
Meredith – Gridley, CA
Psalm 19:14 – May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart by pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Heather, Dadeville, AL “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)
Leah Hayes, Taylors SC
For if someone merely listens to the message and does not live it out, he is like someone who gazes at his own face in a mirror.
For he gazes at himself and then goes out and immediately forgets what sort of person he was. But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out — he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:23-25 NET
Patti Rae, Saskatchewan, Canada
“…It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” NIV Isaiah 55:11b
Nancy, Girard, KS
But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual does, this man shall be blessed in what he does.
James 1:25, NASB
Beth, Oklahoma City
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 NAS
Cathy R. Orofino, ID
Hold on to instruction, do not let it go, gaurd it well, for it is your life! Prov 4:13 NIV
Bambi, Houston, TX
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:29-32 (The Message)
Michelle ; Spokane, WA
The Lord your GOD is in your midst, A victorious warrior. HE will exult over you with joy, HE will be quiet in His love, HE will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.
Zephaniah 3:17 NASB
Debra, Meadville, MS
2 Timothy 1:12 KJV…I know whom I have
believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.
Jennifer, Marietta, GA “The Lord is close to the broken hearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalm 34:18 (NLT)
Sarah Vint, Ames, IA
Gal. 6:14 “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” NIV
Hear me, LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
Psalm 86:1 (NIV)
Jane, Houston, TX
Shelly, Rochester, MN. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Ainslie, Columbia SC
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 NIV
Tammy,Delray Beach,FL
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.”
Psalm 34:18 (NET)
Jill, Plano, Texas
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Amy W., Columbia, SC – “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 NET
Stephanie – Tampa, FL
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 grow faint. Isaiah 40:31
Lisa, Houston
Psalm 119:15-16, NLT
I will study your commandments
and reflect on your ways.
I will delight in your decrees
and not forget your Word.
Lora, Florissant, CO. “May my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word.” Psalm 119:169 NIV.
Carmen, Greensboro, NC
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
I Peter 5:7 NIV
Mindy – McDonough, GA
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Devi
Geneva, Switzerland
It does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.
1 Corinithians 13:6 (ESV)
Alexis R
Atlanta, Ga
Ephesian 6:16 (ESV )
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can distinguish all the flaming
darts of the evil one
Erin, Kingwood, TX
“When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” Psalm 56:3 (Life Application Study Bible)
Jeremiah 8:9 NIV
The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejeced the word of the Lord, what kind of wisdom do they have?
Brenda
Chicago, IL
Psalm 143:8 NIV
“Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.”
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Col. 3:12 NIV
Debbie
Highland, MI
Jennifer, Highlands Ranch, CO
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John 5:14-15 (NIV)
My May 15th verse is: So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save your souls. James 1: 21 NLT
Late in getting it in…but here goes…
Julie – Wentzville, MO –
“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.” ~ Psalm 50:23 NIV
Tara, Powder Springs,
1 Timothy 4:7 (NIV) ‘Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales; rather TRAIN yourself to be godly.’
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:2 NIV
Angie – Prosper, TX
Galatians 2:20-21 – “I have been crucified with Christ and 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. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing.”
Connie, Shorewood, IL
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NLT
Linda, Cypress, TX
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12 NIV