**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.
Jan, Marion, IA “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.” Psalm 91:14
Christy T.
Hawthorne, CA
“He will not always accuse,
   nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
   or repay us according to our iniquities.”
Psalm 103:9-10 (NIV)
linda, colorado springs.
when i am afraid, i will put my trust in you. psalm 56:3 (nasb)
Deneen, Pittsburgh, PA
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn ”
Romans 12:15 NIV
Cathy ~ Walton, IN
Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perserverance.
James 1:2-3
NIV
Kathy, Shreveport, Louisiana
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets, but worldly sorrow brings death.
II Cor.7:10 NIV
Lyndsay, New Castle, IN.
“We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.” –Daniel 9:18b-19
Kathy H – College Station, TX
This is no afternoon athletic event we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Eph 6:12 MSG
Psalm 19:13 (NIV)
Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
Kristen, Allen
“The lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the lord upholds him with his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24 NIV
Janice, Bakersfield, CA
Ephesians 1:18-19 NIV
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
“…Now choose life, so that you and you children may live and that you may love the lord you god, listen to his voice and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life…”Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NIV
Search me, O God, and know my heart. Test me, and know my anxious thoughts.
Psalm 139:23
Rock Hill, SC
If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:14 NKJV
Melissa in Greer, SC
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 ESV
Sandy, San Antonio
Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. NIV 2 Tim 2:16
(June 15 verse was 1 Peter 5:6)
Lisha, TX:
“From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the LORD’S name is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3
Fenton, Ashburn, VA “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jer. 15:16 NKJV
Vicki, Midlothian, VA
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10, NIV
Hollie, Mount Vernon
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32
Kim, New Port Richey, Fl
Psalm 199:57 NET
“The Lord is my source of security. I have determined to follow Your instructions.”
Heidi, Anchorage, AK
Psalm 91:1 (NIV)
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Olda, Huntsville
“For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.”
(Colossians 2:9, 10) NASB
Bellaire, TX
“The beloved of the LORD dwells in safety. The High God surrounds him all day long, and dwells between his shoulders.” Deut. 33:12 (ESV)
Jeanene, League City, TX
“Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.” Ps. 31:24 (NKJV)
Lindsey from Dubach, La is memorizing Matt 6:34 (NIV). “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Cheryl, Austin: “In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.” Psalms 4:8 (NASB)
Becky in Norfolk
John 1:14(NIV)~ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Dianne
Richland, MS
I Corinthians 6:12 NIV
“Everything is permissible for me”- but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”- but I will not be mastered by anything.
Jen, Dublin Va
I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. (Psalm 119:45 NIV)
2 Corinthians 12: 10
“That’s why I take pleasure in my weakness, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Susan, Dalton, GA:
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
Diane, Littleton, CO
Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
Psalm 119:111 NIV
Leslie
Wisner, La.
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Colossians 4:6 ESV
Debbie – Fort Thomas, KY
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
Maxie, Montgomery,Al
“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 as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1 (NIV)
The fruit of righteousness will be peace, the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
Isaiah 32:17 NIV
Diane, Ontario, Canada
“God has told His people; Here is a place of rest, let the weary rest here. This is a place of quiet rest. But they would not listen.”
Isa. 28:12 NLT
Ramona, Pasadena: For if you tell others with your own mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord, and believe in your own heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 The Living Bible
Theresa- Columbia,SC
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 NIV
Ruth Sanger Ephesians 5:1 NIV 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 as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
julie, lexington,ky- Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Rev.3:20 NIV
Caitlin, Albuquerque NM
“Your steadfast love, O Yahweh, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.”
Psalm 36:5 ESV
Camille – Keller, TX:
“The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” Ecclesiastes 7:8b (NKJV)
Amanda, Calgary, Alberta
I say to myself, “The Lord Is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
Lamentations 3:24 NIV
Sarah~Bremen, Ohio
“Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Revelation 2:10 NIV
Sara G., Oklahoma City, OK;
“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV
Jennifer Quinton – Prairie Grove, Arkansas
My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. – 1 Corinthians 4:4 NIV
Whitney Snow; Hamptonville, NC “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV