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.
Tina, Cincinnati, OH : Psalm 4:8 – In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. NLT
Hazlehurst: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV
Hope in Washington:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and suppplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of god, which passes all understanding, will guard yhour hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7 The NIV Bible
Phyllis, Charlotte,NC
Luke 21: 13-15). (NIV)
This will result in you being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.” (
Miracle
Atlanta, GA
“…strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience,; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. For He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son…” Colossians 1:11-13 NASB
Julie-Jackson, MS
Psalm 18:1 NIV
I love you, O Lord, my strength.
Loveland, CO
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:5-6
Pikeville, TN – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV. And I’m going to try for verse 7, too: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Susan – Beverly, MA
Luke 9:23 (New Living Translation)
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me.
Psalm 3:3 (English Standard Version)
But you, O LORD, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Psalm 16:11 (Amplified Bible)
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
Jennifer Olmstead
Janesville, Wisconsin
Karla, Sheboygan, WI
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:4-5 (NIV)
Dang it. I was going to quit. But not really dang. Thank you.
Anyway.
Sloan Greensboro, GA
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
Joel 2:13 NIV
Whitney – Nashville, TN
“Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet.” -Ephesians 6:13, The Message
Darla, Tampa, FL “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Wanda
Osborn, Missouri
Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
(In his heart, a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.)
…In her heart, a woman plans her course, but the LORD determines her steps.
Kate DeWys, Zeeland, Michigan
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
I Thessalonians 5:16-17 TNIV
Awilda – College Station, TX
Romans 3:27,28 (NIV, 1984)
Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. (For I maintain that I am justified by faith apart from observing the law/apart from my performance.)
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2 (NIV)
Lisa, Seattle:
“For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT)
Amanda, Calgary, Alberta
“Then you will know the truth and the truth will set your free.”
John 8:32 NIV
Tashi, Houston. “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.” (Rev 7:9, NIV)
Mindy, Van, Tx
Hebrews 13:7 ESV
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
Lori Newman
Fort Campbell, KY
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 NIV
Proverbs 31:25-26 NIV
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”
Just had to share with you one of MY type-o’s while texting my 20 yr old son regarding our niece’s baby dedication. “The baby Defication will be from 10:30-11:00” Hmmm. Well, it could happen! lol (lots of love)
Leslie
Alpharetta, GA
Psalm 73:26 (Amplified Bible)
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever.
Deanna – Safford, AZ
“The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him.” Nahum 1:7 (NASB)
Psalm 63:1 “O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.” NKJV
Jeremiah 33:3
‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’
Cheryl from Kemah, TX
Brandy Fox, Siloam Springs, AR
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV)
Cynthia, Russellville
Psalm 44:8 HCSB “We boost in God all day long; we will praise Your name forever.”
Donna in Kirkland, Wa.
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, he delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 NET
Cary Forney, TX Romans 8:37 NIV
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Tracy, Hobe Sound, FL, “I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there too–your reassuring presence, coming and going.” Psalm 139:5 The Message
Yolanda, Queen City, Texas
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Adele, Fresno, CA
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
James 1:27 NASB
Satisfy us in the morning with your faithful love so that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days.Psalm 90:14 NIV
Tara-Monett, MO
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
Melissa, Spring, TX
… 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, Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
‘Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!’
Psalm 27:14
NET
Jennifer:)
Enterprise AL
Kerry – Houston
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
Kat Clarkesville, Ga
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Lisa V, Washington, NJ
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Collosians 3:12-14 NIV
Amy, Tyler, TX: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord your God. Num 15:41 (NIV)
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
Andrea, Saskatchewan, Canada
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1-2
Debbie, New Delhi, India: “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the LORD’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
then you will find your joy in the LORD,
and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Isaiah 58:13-14 NIV
Linda
Madison, MS
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
Romans 11:33 NIV