**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. Itās 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. Itās hard to watch your children go through it. I tell them all the time (and they donāt need convincing) that enduring is so worth it but, man oh man, as many of you know, the fire is hot. And itās often very personal, donāt you think? Satan goes for the psychological jugular.
I have had a great ā almost life-stopping ā 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 itās over.Ā (Iāll 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. Iām 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, Iām still choosing verses out of 2 Timothy. I couldnāt split these four verses up without shortchanging the context so Iām posting the whole segment.
Beth, Houston. āAnd the Lordās 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 devilās trap where they are held captive to do his will.ā 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, weāre 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. Letās hear your 13th verses. While youāre at it, remember that what weāre doing here is IMPORTANT! Weāve got to protect these minds of ours! Thatās where our battles are won or lost. You will never waste a single moment rolling Godās 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.
Iām crazy about you. Keep your eyes to the skies.
forgot the reference!
Jennifer, Eugene: āHe has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?ā –Micah 6:8 NKJV
Ruth, Westerville, Ohio
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7 NIV
Barb Lakeland, FL
Jesus answered, āI am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
“Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.”
Colossians 2:7
NLT
Jennie
Glendale, CA
Mary H.
Ardmore, AL
Nehemiah 8:10 NIV
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Heather, Hot Springs, AR, AMP, 1 Corinthians 1:18
“For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
Amen!
Elizabeth, Rochester NH:
1 Peter 2:1-3, NIV
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Lee, Leola, PA
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13 NIV
Kelly
Ruston, LA
Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
NLT
Loretta of Bloomfield, NJ
Titus 2:11-14, NIV
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Richmond, VA – Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
Melanie; Greenbrier,TN
Jeremiah 6:16(NIV)
This is what the LORD says:
āStand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, āWe will not walk in it.ā
I started to just submit the first part of this verse, but….Lord, forgive me for the times I’ve said that. Keep me on Your Ancient Paths.
Brandy, Kingwood, TX
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:1-2 NIV
Kim, Ashland, VA
“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.”
Hebrews 10:35-36 NLT
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us . . .”
Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV
Marcia – Grand Rapids, MI – “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 NIV
Angela, Mansfield, TX
“I will praise you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. I will bless You every day, and I will praise You forever.” Psalm 145:1-2 (NLT)
No offense,Beth, but I’m wondering if I’ll ever get any “better.” In fact,I don’t why I’m still bothering. Every single time I’ve memorized a verse, I’ve failed in a very miserable and very public way in exactly that area! Makes me sick! And it especially makes me want to quit!
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever-do not abandon the works of your hands.
138:8 NIV
Shellie
Moscow,Idaho
P.S. Can you sense me begging?
Shelli, Houston: “Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.” ~ Proverbs 12:24 (NLT)
Linda P. Annville, KY
May ADONAI answer you in times of distress,
may the name of the God of Yaāakov protect you.
Psalm 20:1 Complete Jewish Bible
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Alece from Lawton Oklahoma:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways” declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the Earth so are My ways higher than your ways.
Isaiah 55:8-9 NASB
Sierra, Vandalia, MO
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Rev 21:4 ESV
Nancy Tucson, AZ
“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 NKJV
Abbie – Omaha, NE
Psalm 67:1-2
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us. So that your ways may be known in all the earth, your salvation among the nations.” (NIV)
Heidi – Lancaster,PA
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:14 (NIV)
Valerie, Louisville, KY
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 NIV
Lancaster, Pa
Ps. 91:1 NIV–He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the almighty.
Martha, Clearwater, FL
“Pleasant words are as honeycomb,sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
Proverbs 16:24
Annette, Richmond, TX John 15:8, NIV
This is to my Fatherās glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
“Jesus Christ, the same yesterday,today and a forever more”
Hebrews 13:8. KJV
Rita Faulkenbury
Hickory,NC
Freida, Chatham, LA, “Jesus told the people who had faith in him, “If you keep on obeying what I have said, you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 (CEV)
Sheila, Carthage,MO
Luke 1:45 NIV
Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”
Pat S.
Lago Vista, TX
“Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them.
The unfolding of your word give light; it gives
understanding to the simple.
I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands.”
Psalm 119: 129-131 NIV
Roni Long – Demopolis, AL
1 John 4:16-17 HCSB
16 And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.
17 In this, love is perfected with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; for we are as He is in this world.
Emily – Topeka, Kansas
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
Psalm 63:1-3 (NIV)
Megan, Grants Pass
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Psalm 37:3
Cindy, Summerville, SC
Psalm 116:7 (NLT)
Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me.
Shelly Bliss, San Dimas, Ca.
Have mercy on me, Oh Lord, for I call on you all day
long. Psalm 86:3 NIV
Julie ~ Waco
“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” -Proverbs 25:28 NLT
Sandy Canton Oh. Psalm 35:27; But those who want the best for me, Let them have the last word–a glad shout!–and say, over and over and over, “GOD is great–everything works together for good for his servant.”
Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.
Isaiah 12:5 NIV
Cheney
You did not choose me, but I chose you and
appointed you to go a bear fruit-fruit that will last.
Then the Father will give you whatever
you ask in my name.
John 15:16 (NIV)
Stacie, Livonia, MI From Week 3 of Breaking Free
Isaiah 64:4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has see any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. NIV
Sharon
Glennville, GA
Psalm 138:3 NIV
When I called you answered me;
You made me bold and stronghearted.
Jordan, Knoxville: Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.” NIV
Erin, Herndon, VA
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
1 John 2:3 NKJV
Jennifer B., Cincinnati, OH
1 Thess 5:23-24 MSG:
May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you togetherāspirit, soul, and bodyāand keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it!
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (NIV)
2 Corinthians 9:8 NRSV And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything you may share abundantly in every good word.
I live in Los Alamos, NM and would appreciate prayers for our town that was evacuated due to the wild fire. Thanks –