**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.
Philippians 2:3 When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves.(NCV)
Stephanie, Queen City: “I can do all things through Christ who stregthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
Annette, Maplewood, MN
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.”
2 Corinthians 6:17 NIV
Rachel ~ Nashville, TN
Jesus answered, āIt is written: āMan shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. -Matthew 4:4 (NIV)
Shelley, San Angelo
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14 NIV
Ouida in Trenton, TX
He who sacrifices thank offerings honors Me, and he prepares the way so that I may how him the salvation of God.
Psalm 50:23 (NIV)
Karissa, Martinsburg WV
Psalm 63:7-8 NIV “Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”
Mildred, Mer Rouge, LA, Isaiah 30:18(NIV)
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!
Summer, Royse City, Texas
James 1:12 (NIV)
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
Aubyn, Corinth, TX “All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being.”
John 1:3 Amplified Bible
He who has a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor. Prov. 22:9 (Amp.)
Suzanne, Birmingham: “Rise during the night and cry out. Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer, pleading for your children…..”
Lamentations 2:19 NLT
Vivian
Birmingham, Alabama
āFor God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.ā 1 John 3:20 The Message
Jeremiah, say to the people, ‘This is what the LORD says: When people fall down, don’t they get up again? When they start down the wrong road and discover their mistake, don’t they turn back?’
-Jeremiah 8:4
(NLT)
Janie, Lubbock
“Every word of God is pure: He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.” Proverbs 30:5 (NIV)
Danna M.
Atlanta,TX.
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5 NIV
Susie, Knoxville, TN:
He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.
Psalm 40:3 NLT Bible
Nicole/Dallas/Ephesians 5:1-2 (The message) “Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.”
As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
Psalm 84:6 (NIV)
Jane in Shawnee OK
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105
Elizabeth, Charlottesville
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.
Isaiah 30:18, ESV
Ashley, Colorado
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1, NIV
Ā jennifer, nashville tn
Psalm 1:30 NIV I will praise Godās name in song
Ā Ā Ā and glorify him with thanksgiving.
Marie Franse, Albuquerque, nm; Isaiah 5: 20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
Great peace have they who love your law, and
nothing can make them stumble.
Psalm 119:165
NIV
Kathy
Lynden, Wa
Choosing a verse found in the chorus of an old hymn as I look to Him to increase my faith and strengthen my hope –
“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
2 Timothy 1:12 KJV
emi, white house: “Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob. Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.” Psalm 84:8-9 NIV
Jana (Kalispell, MT) “Humble yourselves, therefore, under Gods mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you” 1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV
Jessica, Winston Salem, NC
āLord, teach me how You want me to live. Then I will follow Your truth. Give me a heart that doesn’t want anything more than to worship You.ā Psalm 86:11 (NIRV)
Rachel – Spokane, WA
Stay alert, stand firm in the faith, show courage, be strong. Everything you do should be done in love.
~ 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Kelly, Lilburn, GA :
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirableāif anything is excellent or praiseworthyāthink about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in meāput it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)
Susie, Ft. Worth, TX You make known to me the path of life; in your presence is there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 ESV
Marie, Post Falls, Idaho –
“2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” – James 1:2-3, NKJV
Bonnie, Seattle,
Do everything without complaining and arguing. Phil 2:14 (NLT)
Elvira, Grande Prairie , Alberta
I Peter 2:24 NRSV
” He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,
so that, free from sins,
we might live for righteousness;
by his wounds you have been healed!”
Deborah – Nashville, TN
Jesus answered, āIt is written: āMan shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
-Matthew 4:4 (NIV)
Hannah, Chesterland, OH
“In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.”
Psalm 33:21
Billie, Greenville, KY. “He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things, including Israel, the tribe of his inheritance–the LORD Almighty is his name.” Jeremiah 10:16 NIV
Lindsay, Dallas, TX
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
-Romans 12:12, NIV
Becky, Groesbeck, Texas: “Search for the Lord and for His strength; seek His face always.” Psalm 105:4 (HCSB)
Julie , Chesterland OH
“In Him our hearts rejoice, for We trust in His holy name,”
Psalm 3321 (NIV)
Sarah Noah, Canoga Park, CA: “Better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman.” ~ Proverbs 21:19 (NKJV)
Michele-Lubbock
Proverbs 27:19 ” As water reflects the face,so one’s life reflects the heart.”
Darl, Bakersfield, California “because you know these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need.” James 1:3-4 NCV
Leah, Houston
“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.”
Isaiah 53:3, NIV
Shelly
Amarillo, TX
Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Paula, Houston, TX
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
James 4:10 (NIV)
Linda – Boulder CO
We have beheld His glory, glory as of the only son from the Father.
John 1:14b
Katherine, St.Johns,FL
“The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD,but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake,but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”
1 Kings 19:11-12 NIV
Jeannette from Ellicott City, MD
“May the Lord, the God of your ancestors,
Increase you a thousand times and bless you as He promised.” Duet 1:11 NIV