**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.
Kristina, Huntsville, AL: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!” Phil. 4:4 NIV
Megan, Greenwood, IN: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3 NIV
Dawn W. – Falmouth, KY – Ephesians 4:26-27 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. (NLT)
Peggy, Indianapolis
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11 NIV
Kelley, Olive Branch, MS
For you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. Galatians 5:13 HCSB
Laura Beth, Frisco
“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
Cindy, Montgomery, AL: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!” Phil. 4:4 NIV
Michelle, Chicago
“We use our God tools for smashing down warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought, emotion, and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:5, The Message
Debbie
Portland, OR
For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Psalm 30:5 ESV
Kristen, Denver. Psalm 107:29-30: ” 29 He stilled the storm and calmed the waves. They were happy that it was quiet, and God guided them to the port they wanted.”
“And while He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven.” Luke 24:51 HCSB
Jeri B., Battlefield, MO
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods, with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
Psalm 63:4,5 NIV
Lauren, Kentucky, Psalm 136:1, NIV: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.
Lily, Oklahoma – “Behold I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” Isaiah 65:17 NIV
Sherry; Fulshear, TX:
“If the LORD delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24(NIV)
Wendy, Mesilla Park NM
Ephesians 5:20 “and give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” NASB
Ashley, Huddleston, VA: “Repent, then, and return to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Acts 3:19 NIV
Ada
Rochester, MI
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 NIV
Kim H. McKinney, TX
When I am afraid, I will trust in You. Psalm 56:3 (NIV)
and…
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)
Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. Ephesians 5:22,23
Elizabeth
Rochester, MI
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 NIV
Cassie; Fulshear, TX:
“May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NASB)
Sarah Millers Creek NC
Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
Psalms 91:3 NIV
Joy; California;
“HE MUST INCREASE
and
I must decrease”.
John 3:30 (CEB)
Proverbs 13:20
“He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (NAS)
Kate, Grapeland, Texas (NAS)
Donna, Lufkin, Texas (NIV)
Elaine, College Station, Texas (ESV)
Laura, College Station, Texas (NIV)
grace, silver city nm
Ps. 91:1 NIV
He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the almighty.
Hilary, West Palm Beach, FL:
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)
marrissa, orlando
God can do anything, you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Ephesians 3:20 the message
Emily, Tulsa, Oklahoma
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:6 NIV
Nita, Corinth, TX
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because our anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20 Today’s New International Version
Christie Cheyenne, Wyoming
Psalms 56: 3 NIV
“When I am afraid I will trust in you”
Beth Clark, La Verne, CA
“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”
Deuteronomy 4:9, NIV
Midland, TX
For this reason I kneel before the Father, Ephesians 3:14 (NIV)
The Lord is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words. Psalm 119:57 NASB
Kathi
Lexington, OH
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
Psalm 8:3-4 (NIV)
Makaela, Lynchburg, VA
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”
2 Timothy 2:24-26
YOU thrill me Lord with all you have done for me. I sing of Joy because of what you have done.
Psalms 92:4
Tammy
Cincinnati, Ohio
Melissa, Miles City, MT: Nehemiah 9:5 NIV
“Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting.”
Tisha, Pilot Mtn, NC
2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
Vanessa from Victoria, Texas
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.”. Isaiah 43:10 NIV
Kelsi, Pewaukee, WI:
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39, NIV
Amy: Columbus, OH “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 NIV
Kari, Camarillo, California: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” NIV
Psalm 37:4
Sharon,Geigertown, PA
James 4:6-7
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “ God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (NKJV)
Erin – Springfield, MO
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. James 1:19, NLT
April, CT
Surely You desire integrity in the inner self, and You teach me wisdom deep within. Psalm 51:6
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Psalm 37:23 NLT
Jennifer, Kodak, TN
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 17:8 NIV
Sue, Texarkana, “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” NIV
Kathy West Milton
Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
Kathy West Milton
Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 NKJV