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, Hanover, MD
Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established. Proverbs 15:22 NKJV
Lydia, Vicksburg, MS
“For nothing is impossible with God.”
Luke 1:37 NIV
Lisa, Fredericktown
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21, NIV
Katherine- The Colony, TX
“Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”
Isaiah 30:18 NIV
For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of the world. I Timothy 6:7 (NIV)
Ellen M., Camden DE
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:17-18
NIV
Mary
Burke, VA
Is 46:11b
NIV
What I have said, that I will bring about;
what I have planned, that I will do.
LeAnn, Gettysburg, SD
Psalm 69:32 NLT
The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.
Nicole, Florissant, MO, “He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30 (NIV)
Mary Ann, Woodbury, MN
We throw open our doors to God and discover that at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand, out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.
Romans 5:2 MSG
Kathy from Ontario Canada
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…since we live in the Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit.” Gal.5:22,25. NIV & KJV
I just wanted to pop back in and say how thankful I am for this memory challenge. I am loving it so much. I cannot believe I have memorized 10 verses. Praise Jesus and thanks to Mama Beth.
“The Counselor, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26 (NIV)
Gayle, Jeanne’, Sharon
Barbara, Carrie, Julia
Ventura, CA
“Again therefore Jesus spoke to them saying,”I am the light of the world, he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of the life.”
John 8:12 NAS
**sorry I’m late – on vacation with my family…no computer:-)**
Livonia, Michigan
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself”.
Luke 10:27 KJV
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2Cor 12:9 NIV
shelley, creswell
Michelle
Loveland, CO
I’m still on verse #9
I Timothy 6:9
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and despair.
Then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
1 Corin 15:28, NIV
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength an ever-present help in trouble. NIV
Natalie Johnson; Trussville, AL: “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…” 1 Peter 5: 8-9a (NIV)
Robin, Landing, NJ
I was about to drop out. I am really tired. But…I will keep going by the grace of God.
Oh taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. Psalm 34:8 KJV
Isaiah 41:10
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorioous right hand.
Allison, Tampa: PS. 27:4 KJV
“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to meditate in His temple.”
Jamie; Windsor, CA: By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3, NLT
Kendell, Omaha, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18, NIV
Ginny, Ooltewah, TN
2 Timothy 4:2 NIV
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.
Kathy Delaware, OH
He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Psalm 23:3 NIV
Lorna Beth
Chicago, IL
2 Corinthians 1:9-10
Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us…
Gizmo, Spring Branch, TX
“You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
Colossians 3:7-8 (NIV)
Amy, Moncks Corner, SC. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3, ESV.
Jill H., Aurora, IL – Galatians 5:22-23 – 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Katy, Pearland. “I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, I have no good besides you.” Psalm 16:2 (New American Standard)
Christy H., Sherman, TX,
“then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near
your tent.”
Psalm 91:10 NIV
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 NET
Casi
Woodway, Texas
Tammy, Rowlett, TX
“Again therefore Jesus spoke to them saying,”I am the light of the world, he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of the life.”
John 8:12 NASB
Stephanie Parker co.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
Julia, Wellington, AL
“My heart is confident in You, O God; no wonder I can sing Your praises with all my heart!” Psalm 108:1 NLT
Keller, TX: 2 Corinthians 14-15, 17 (ESV)
14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
I’m gonna have to borrow Beth’s this time. Very appropriate right now.
Psalm 34:18 (New International Version)
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Angie Kendall, Cynthiana, KY Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17,NKJ
Lorie, Columbia, SC
My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Ps. 73:26
Tamara
Kelowna, BC, Canada
“For You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.”
Psalm 9:10 (NIV)
Kelly, Lee Summit, Mo There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; He lifts His voice, the earth melts. Psalm 46:4-6 NIV
Melodie, Orlando
Ecclesiastes 7:18, MSG
It’s best to stay in touch with both sides of an issue. A person who fears God deals responsibly with all of reality, not just a piece of it.
Cindy in Raleigh NC
Psalm 9:10b (NIV)
“For You, Lord, have NEVER forsaken those who seek You.”
1 Chronicles 4:10 (ESV)
Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my broder, and that your hand might with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.
“…for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You!” Psalm 9:10b NIV
Shari, Ohio – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 NIV
Molly, Gainesville, GA
“When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches,”
Psalm 63:6 NASB
Susan – Nova Odessa, Brazil
Isaiah 64:4 NAS
For from of old they have not heard nor perceived by ear neither has the eye seen a God besides Thee, who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him.”