**Siesta Celebration is January 20-21, 2012**
Hey, you Scripture memory freaks!
Your mama needs a hall pass in the worst way for a while regarding lengths of posts. We are now only about 6 weeks from the LifeWay deadline for all things James. To say that Melissa and I are under the gun is an understatement and, of course, so are all our friends on the publishing side. It’s stressful for everyone concerned this close to rolling the press. You will not waste a prayer on us, or on any member of our family, for that matter. Amanda and Curtis are finding out what kind of warfare you sign up for when you determine to get out there where the wind of the Spirit is blowing and dare to fulfill your calling. It’s hard to watch your children go through it. I tell them all the time (and they don’t need convincing) that enduring is so worth it but, man oh man, as many of you know, the fire is hot. And it’s often very personal, don’t you think? Satan goes for the psychological jugular.
I have had a great – almost life-stopping – time poring over James for well over the last year and I will miss the process so much. I love the intensity an in-depth journey demands and I genuinely fight a wave of depression when it’s over. (I’ll ask for your prayers about that at the time.) But, the fact is, push is about to come to shove. I no longer have the luxury of taking all the time I want. This baby is almost due. Thank you for any spare prayers! I am not in a bad way or in a contentious state. I’m just wide-eyed and aware that a very loud clock is ticking. So is my baby girl. I know some of you must be getting so tired of hearing about it! Stand with me a little longer, in hopes that Jesus may be glorified.
In my memory work, I’m still choosing verses out of 2 Timothy. I couldn’t split these four verses up without shortchanging the context so I’m posting the whole segment.
Beth, Houston. “And the Lord’s slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth and they will come to their senses and escape the devil’s trap where they are held captive to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26 The NET Bible
This portion of Scripture and others like it seem altogether ignored or dismissed in a culture where believers stay embroiled in one heated dispute after another. Scripture tells us how to differ without ripping the fabric of our common faith to shreds. In the segment above, the Apostle Paul uses words like kindness and gentleness. When we tend to think that carnality is the only kind of sin that can keep the church from revival, we’re overlooking the steady stream of commands in the New Testament about how to treat one another. Disunity can shipwreck the whole lot of us right there on the shore of disgrace. We can even be right and fall into the chastisement of God because our hearts were wrong. May God forgive us, heal us, and help us.
OK, Sisters. Let’s hear your 13th verses. While you’re at it, remember that what we’re doing here is IMPORTANT! We’ve got to protect these minds of ours! That’s where our battles are won or lost. You will never waste a single moment rolling God’s Word around in your sweet head. Your health will be the better for it. Your marriage will be the better for it. Your job will be the better for it. Your relationships will be the better for it. Your obedience will be the better for it. Your calling will be the better for it. YOU will be the better for it.
Me, too.
I’m crazy about you. Keep your eyes to the skies.
“He heals the heartbroken and bandages their wounds.
He counts the stars and assigns each a name.
Our Lord is great, with limitless strength; we’ll never comprehend what he knows and does.”
The Message Psalm 143:3-5
Ginger G, on vacation in California:
“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
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. II Cor. 4:16-17
Tammy, Howells NE
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You.
Psalms 63:3
(NIV)
Kay – Deer Park
Psalm 16: 7-8
I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Megan from San Diego
Ecclesiastes 7:9 (NIV)
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Jan, Rockwall, TX
Proverbs 4:20-22 Today’s NIV
My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.
Audrey, Rockwall, TX
Psalm 118:24a NIV
This is the day the Lord has made
Bridget
Bloomington, Illinois
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
Wanda, North Canton, Ohio
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
James 1:13-15 NIV
Elkins, AR
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1 NIV
Brandy, Burleson, TX
Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.
Isaiah 1:17 NIV
Melissa, St. Mary’s County, MD And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 KJV
Andrea,Cartersville,GA: Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” NIV
Jan, Loveland, CO
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor. 4:18 NIV
Kristen, Los Angeles, CA
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)
Tess, Cartersville,GA: Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” NIV
Paulette
Nogalus Prairie
Psalm 51:12
“Let me again experience the joy of your deliverance! Sustain me by giving me the desire to obey!”
The NET Bible
Bambi, Houston, TX
Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. Jonah 2:8 ESV
Judy, Ridgecrest CA
And the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing, everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Isaiah 35:10 NIV
Kathy, Danvers
Proverbs 11:25 NIV
A generous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Carol, Lubbock, TX
Today is our 39th wedding anniversary. I’m choosing the verse that was the foundation of our wedding and has woven itself throughout our lives through almost 4 decades.
“However, as it is written; “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him –”
I Corinthians 2:9 NIV
Susan-Nashville,TN
Romans 8:32 NIV
“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
Trish L, Portland, OR
“Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)
Peace River, Canada
For you Lord have never forsaken those who seek you.
Ps9:10b NIV
Job 42:2
I know that You can do all things and that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained or thwarted. (Amplified)
Jana, Brenham TX
Hebrews 4:12-13
“For the word of God is alive 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. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:29
Suzanne – Tucson, AZ
“A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.”
-Proverbs 29:11 NIV
Dagmar Tyler, TX
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snot; thought they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
Isaiah 1:18 NIV
Marsha, Tucson AZ
“They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.”
Psalm 63:10 NIV
Shelly E, Portland, OR
“Now 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 (NASB)
Laur Spokane, WA
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. (Proverbs 10:9 NIV)
Tammy from Fort Myers, Florida: “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:16 NLT
Amanda, White Rock, British Columbia, Canada. “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” Ephesians 6:14-17
Jess, Grand Forks, ND
Jeremiah 32:38-39 NLT
They will be my people, and I will be their God. And I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants.
Dee, Muncie IN
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
Psalm 103;8 (NIV)
Kim, Laguna Niguel “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” Psalm 37:5 ESV
Michelle, Frisco, TX – Hosea 6:1 NET – Come on! Let’s return to the Lord!! He himself has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us! He has injured us, but He will bandage our wounds!!!
(extra exclamations my own because I am yelling at myself)
Libby, Normal, IL
“If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;” ~ 1 Peter 1:17, NASB
Lala Ball Cooper from Ruston, LA, says:
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.” 1 John 2:3
Rev. 22:20
He who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.”
Amen, Come Lord Jesus
Sheila, Bethesda: “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.” – 1 Chronicles 29:11 (ESV)
Jane, Houston, TX
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
Mark 10.43 NLT ” But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all.” ♥
Baileigh, Spartanburg, SC “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV
Vicki
Murfreesboro, TN
Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)
“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Vickie, Baytown, TX
19 Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices (and instruments) and making melody with all your heart to the Lord,
20 At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
Ephesians 5:19-20 Amplified
Becky – Cynthiana
Psalm 121:5 HCSB
The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right by your side.
Sharon
Modesto, Ca.
And the Lord’s slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind hearted toward all, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance can then knowledge of the truth and they will come to their senses and escape the devils trap where they are held captive to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26. NET
Praying for you all!!!
Christy – Justin, TX: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32