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.
Mary, in Seymour, TN
Philippians 2:13 NASB
for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Sue Groveport, OH. Matt. 11:28-30. NIV. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Connie, IA
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippian 2:13 NLT
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our sins
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5 NIV
Troy, Ohio
2Peter 1:5-9 NIV
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is near-sighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
Beth, I hope you can find a way for us Siesta’s to share what we are learning through a common Bible Study this Summer. Even if we just read through the same book, and leave comments on a certain day. I am isolated and rely on those Summer Bible studies to keep me accountable in the Word. I wish more churches would do studies in the Summer, but I guess people need a break eh? Looking forward to some sun here in Oregon. God Bless.
Sandy, that is a good idea. A world wide summer bible study. What a concept. The Holy Spirit speaking the same truths to women each week and allowing them to share their thoughts about it would be fabulous. Hopefully that can be organized.
Kathy Dow,IL
The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him.
Ezra 8:22
NIV
Marilyn, Missouri
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. Mark 12:30 NKJV
Valerie, Altoona, IA
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12, NIV
Caryn~Fort Worth, TX
“Anyone who meets a testing challenge head on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God the reward is life and more life.”
James 1:12(Message)
Michelle in Nashville — “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and her position is strong and secure; She rejoices over the future! She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.” — Proverbs 31:25-26, Amplified Bible
Jennie
Glendale, CA
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
NIV
Kristi
Arlington, TX
I chose this verse as my 1st child is due in 18 days. I want this buried on my heart in the delivery room and in the wonderful, exhausting weeks that follow.
Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Debbie,Marion,In “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2 NKJV
Kristi, Elba, AL: “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)
Melissa, Vicksburg, MS: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Mindy, Rowley, IA
Philippians 3:9 “and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;”
Donna
Eldorado, Texas
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 (NIV)
Diane – Roswell, GA
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:3 (NIV)
Stef from Lewisburg, OH “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you; He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zep 3:17 NIV
MIchelle, MOultrie, GA
These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage;I have overcome the world. 1 John 4:4 (NASB)
Kimberly, Cypress, TX
For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. James 2:26 NASB
Wendy, Cody, Wyoming NAS James 1:21 Putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your soul.
Hi Wendy! I love you and we sure missed you this weekend.
Tracy, East Petersburg, PA. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes. Psalm 112: 7-8 NIV.
Melissa, Scarborough, ME “Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ as your clothing. Don’t think about how to satisfy what your sinful nature wants.” Romans 13:14 NIRV
Carol from Grove City, PA
Micah 7:7 (NIV)
“But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”
Karen,Denver. “The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.” Psalm 34:22 ESV
Mandy from Grove City, PA
Micah 7:7 (NIV)
“But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”
Angela J., Grand Ridge, FL
For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. Psalm 34:7 (NLT)
Catherine, Puyallup, WA
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
Romans 15:7 NIV
Colossians 4:6 (New International Version)
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Hey, Catherine! I just saw that you live in Puyallup! I will be there this weekend for the Oxygen Conference! Are you familiar wiht it? Are you going? How fun to have sisters in Christ that we haven’t even met yet! Blessings! Christi
Christine, Phoenix, AZ: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 (NIV)
Karen Orem, Utah “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Barbara, New Orleans
Romans 12:11-13
Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
Ann, Prior Lake, MN
“If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9 NIV
Roxie, Jerseyville,Galatians 5:22 NLT
“But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.”
Rhonda, Searcy, AR
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sister, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” James 1:2 NIV
Shannon, Birmingham, AL
Luke 9:23-24 NLT
Then He said to the crowd:’If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang onto your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.’
Ebony, Philadelphia
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Amanda, Katy, TX
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. Proverbs 10:12 (ESV)
Teresa, Mississippi
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Eph.6:11 nkjv
Siesta in Virginia, “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38&39, NRSV
Laura Prater Tuscaloosa, AL
To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:3 NIV
Martha, Ashdown, AR
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:30 (NKJV)
“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5. NIV
Rebecca, Greenville, SC
Heidi in Whitefish, MT
“Pray continually.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV
LaShay from Saltillo, MS – “I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4(NIV)
Jana, San Angelo
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17 English Standard Version
Beverly, Prosper,TX
However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. Romans 4:5 (NIV)
Ruth, Shawnee, KS
2 Corinthians 5:7 — (NASB)
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Beth, Birmingham, AL
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:2