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.
Dianne, Jackson
Jan – Mar: El Señor es mi pastor, nada me falta; en verdes pastos me hace descansar. Junto a tranquilas aquas me conduce; me infunde nuevas fuerzas. Me guía por sendas de justicia por amor a su nombre. Aun si voy por valles tenebrosos, no temo peligro alguno porque tú estás a mi lado; tu vara de pastor me reconforta. Dispones ante mí un banquete en presencia de mis enemigos. Has ungido con perfume mi cabeza; has llenado mi copa a rebosar. La bondad y el amor me sequirán todos los días de mi vida; y en la casa del Señor habitaré para siempre.
-Salmo 23: 1-6 (NIV)
Apr – May: Porque tanto amó Dios al mundo, que dio a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo el que cree en él no se pierda, sino que tenga vida eterna. Juan 3:16 (NIV)
A él le toca crecer, y a mí menguar. Juan 3:30 (NIV)
El amor es paciente, es bondadoso. El amor no es envidioso ni jactancioso ni orgulloso. No se comporta con rudeza, no es egoísta, no se enoja fácilmente, no guarda rencor. 1 Cor. 13: 4,5 (NIV)
Colossians 4:5&6
Be wise in the way you act towards 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 anwswer everyone. NIV
Crissy, Nashville, TN
Be strong let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24 NIV
Cindy
Columbia, MO
“I pulled you in from all over the world, called you in from every dark corner of the earth, telling you, ‘You’re my servant, serving on my side. I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.”
Isaiah 41:9, The Message
Denise, San Jose, CA
“I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.”
Luke 11:8 NIV
“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7
Sally, Grants, NM
Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God? ESV
Penny from Knoxville, TN
Psalm 139:13
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Michelle, NC
Is. 53:3-5, HCSB
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; He was despised, and we didn’t value Him.
Yet He Himself bore our sicknesses, and He carried our pains; but we in turn regarded Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.
But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds.
Wendy
Waterford VT
Eph.6:14b-15 NAS
And having put on the breastplate of righteous, having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
Skylar, Collinston, La. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:18 NIV
Margaret, Sebring, FL. The Lord is near to the broken hearted; He delivers those who are discouraged. Psalm 34:18
It is YOU and YOU alone who keeps me. YOU ALONE are my Savior. There is none other. Pso 123
Robin, Thorndale, PA
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 34:4 (NIV)
Casey-Henrietta, TX
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior, my God will hear me. Micah 7:7
Jodell, Frankfort, IN
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”
Deuteronomy 6:4 NIV
Kaiva, Victoria, Minn.
Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9 NLT
Denise
Deming, New Mexico
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV
1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
(thankful I am not the only straggler! a move is holding me back…)
Sarah — brand new in McKinney, TX
2 Corinthians 3:12 — NIV:
“Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.”
Lisa, Dalton GA
Each of you should give what you have decided in your hearts to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9: 7 NIV
Sue, Pasadena, TX “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Ps. 46:1
Barb, Lakewood, CO
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NKJV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; the Father of mercies and God of all comfort who comforts us in our tribulations that we may comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
What an opportunity–that we may pass on to others the wonderful blessings Our Lord has given to us!!
Paula, Batavia, Ohio (I will not drop out)
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O Lord, endures forever-
do not abandon the works of your hands. Psalm 138:8 NIV
Julie, Granbury, TX
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’S purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Lisa Corbin,KY ” The lines have fllen for me in pleasant places, indeed I have a beautiful inheritance.”
Psalm 16:6 NIV
Psalm 34:1 NIV
O Lord, I will bless You at all times, may Your praise be continually in my mouth.
Clarkston
Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter seperates intimate friends.
Proverbs 17:9
“For everything that was written in the past ws written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 NIV)
2 Thessalonians NIV
“Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Odessa, Texas
correction 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Thank you so much for all you do… Thank you for sharing your gifts and being excellent at what you do… This memory verse is exactly what I need… I have been in a very depressed state for some time… Wondering where do I go from here??? Honestly wishing the Lord would come take me out of this misery… Can He really want me to continue in this waste land of my life… When you speak I do know that there is Hope in Jesus… But the day to day seems to scream the oppisite… I know I am battleing against the pricipalities of this dark age…but it feels more like I’m just a failure standing here punching the air… fighting myself. I would like to ask for prayer for new vision and direction… There is a lot of hopelessness swirling around and it is hard to focus… I know the time is short and I just want to be used for God’s Glory! Just feeling kind of lost! Thank you!
Sherry C.,
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will ABOUND IN HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit!” (Romans 15:13)
“He found [her] in a desert land, and in the howling waste of a wilderness; He encircled her, He cared for her, He guarded her as the pupil of His eye….” (Deut 32:10) the verses following are amazing as well…
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you”(Psalm 32:8)
Keep going to Him with your feelings & in your despair… Psalm 62:8 (pour out your heart before Him.. He is your refuge) Psalm 43:5 (why are you in despair o my soul, why so disturbed within me? Hope in God for I shall yet praise Him.. the help of my countenance and my God!)
And the prayer out of Psalm 25:16-17 that I’ve been praying for the last couple of months… “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses!”
Praying for you,
Jennifer in White, GA
For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Romans 12:4&5
Katera, Kentwood, LA
Shannon, Parker, CO
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12
Wendy Modesto, CA for May 1st
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Col. 2:6-7 NIV
New computer up and running I hope I can make up for the month of May.
Wendy Modesto, CA for May 15
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Ps 91:1 NIV
Kathy, Cochran, GA
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
Romans 8:31(NLT)
Siesta memory verse 11 June 1 2011
Karen, Ocean Springs J0hn 1:1-3 :In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing wa made that was made. NKJV
Patty…Vicksburg, MS
“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
Ephesians 5:15-16
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
The part of make most of every opportunity is what leaps off the page at me.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control: against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
New American Standard
Lauren-Plano, TX
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Philippians 4:11 NIV
Linda S
McCalla, AL
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”
John 14:1 ESV
Jovin, Houston TX
“The LORD is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.” Psalm 119:57 (The NET Bible)
The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18 The NET Bible
Diane C
Vinton, La
Marilyn Gadsden Al El Shaddai the ALL Sufficent One Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thrist, but the water that I shall give hom shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life JOHn 4;4 NAS
Lisa Morrow
Ponder, Tx
Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. NIV
Niccol, Wilmette
“For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”
1 Corinthians 1:25 NIV
Glenda, Knoxville, TN
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.
Kim from Springfield
James 1:20 (NIV)
for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
(catching up)
Abby Corvallis OR “Search me O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” Psalm 139:23