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.
Daniel 10:12 NIV
Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come to respond to them.”
Trudy, NC
1 Cor 2:9 NIV
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him
Kelly, Appleton, WI
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Pam Houston, Buena Park, CA
“If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me.”
Psalms 139: 9b-10 NASB
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do 1 Peter 1:15 NIV
Rene Thompson Claremore OK “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV
Jennifer S. Oklahoma City, OK
My grace is enough it’s all you need.
2 Cor 12:9a The Message
Kelly~Hermiston, OR
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
John 10:27,28 NKJV
Jennifer, Fairfax VA
I’m scared about how long this one is, but I need every word!!!
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Salina, Hindman, Ky “He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes the grass grow on the hills.” Psalm 147:8 NIV
Katie Enlow – Paducah, KY
“This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.” (I John 3:19-20 NIV)
Leah, Indianapolis
No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him.
I Corinthians 2:9 NIV
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.”
Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Melbourne, Florida
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Maria, Whitmire,SC
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Romans 13:14 (NIV)
Theresa
Pace, Florida
Psalm 143:10
“Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.”
Psalm 34:10 (NLT) Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.
“Many places are in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand.” Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Cindie
Sanford, FL
Jill Palm Coast, FL
I will sing a new song, O God. I will sing your praises with a ten-stringed harp.
Psalm 144:9 NLT
Janel, Valrico FL – “He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” Psalm 91:15
Nikky, Sweeny, TX
The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her. ”
Luke 10:41-42 HCSB
Johanna, Forsyth, MT
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust;
I will not be afraid.
Psalm 56:3-4 NIV
Kathy
Lynden, Wa
Amanda, Mountain View, CA
In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.
Psalm 34:6, NLT
Deb,Bremen,IN
I lift up my eyes to the mountain – where does my help come from? My help comes from the lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
Psalms 121: 1-2
Ruth 1:16
For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God.
Tammy, Merryville, La
Isaiah 41:13
“For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee Fear not; I will help thee.” KJV
Connie, Bedford, KY
“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
Ephesians 6:16 NIV
Janet, Amarillo, TX
Psalm 27:14 (NET)
Rely on the Lord!
Be strong and confident!
Rely on the Lord!
(Boy do I need this today!)
Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 42:11 KJV
No temptation has seized you except that which is common to man, and God is faithful, when you are tempted he will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor. 10:13 NIV
Stephanie, Idaho. Proverbs 6:20~ My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother. (NKJV)
Betty, MA
Eph. 5:15-17 (PH)
Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as a (woman) who does not know the meaning and purpose of life, but rather as one who does. Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days. Don’t be vague, but firmly grasp what you know to be the will of God.
Charlotte, Worsley, AB. Canada
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12 NKJV
Beth R, London Ontario
And how blessed all those in whom you live,
whose lives become roads you travel;
They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks,
discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain!
God-travelled, these roads curve up the mountain,
and at the last turn – Zion! God in full view!
Psalm 84:5-7 MSG
Ada
Rochester, Mi
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Betty, Austin, Texas
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 NIV
Elizabeth
Rochester, MI
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Stephanie, Austin, TX “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18, NIV
Angie and Lily (5 year old daughter), Goshen, IN, “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.” Luke 6:21a, NIV
Dana, Flower Mound, TX
Psalm 27:14 (NLT)
Wait Patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
“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)
Jackie
Los Angeles, CA
“To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy –”
Jude 1:34 NIV
Pam, Hotchkiss
May the God of hope fill you with all joy & peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
Deb, Windsor, CT:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18, NIV
Leah, Atlanta: “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:2-3 (NIV)
Katie, Durham, NC: “Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you-majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” Exodus 15:11, NIV
The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Abby
El Campo
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible