**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.
You ought to say, “If this is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:15
Joy, Clarksville,TN
Psalm 3:3
But you Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the one who lifts my head high.
NIV
Paddy Zephyrhills FL
Because You are my help I sing in the shadow of Your wings. Psalm 63:7 NIV
Melissa Smith, Houston, TX, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
Psalm 127:3 (NIV)
Children are a heritage from the LORD,
offspring a reward from him.
Tracy
Atlanta, GA
“Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me.”
Psalm 119:175 (NIV)
Beth, I’m currently doing your Stepping Up study – incredible lessons. I never knew the richness of the Psalms – I always viewed them lightly, but boy, how my thoughts have changed!
Lisa, Brazoria, Texas
“I seek you with all my heart, do not let me stray from you commands.” Psalm 119:10
PS. I love you Beth, pray for you (& family!)every time the Lord brings you to mind.
Nicole
Keller, Tx
Psalm 139:14
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well. ESV
Marci,Amsterdam, NL
Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)
Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!
Leah from Athens, GA…I’m back and committed to finishing this out even though I will not be able to come to the celebration in January…
Psalm 19:7-10 (NKJV) – “The law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul, the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statues of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes, the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey or the honeycomb.”
Laura, Del Rio, TX
“But they refused to pay attention, and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing. And they made their hearts like flint so they could not hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from the Lord of hosts.”
Zechariah 7:11-12 NASB
Pam~Rome, GA
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14 ESV)
Stephanie
Knoxville, TN
“Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ ” (Matthew 4:10, NIV)
Marsha,Knoxville,TN
But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all wickedness.
1 John 1:9 (NLT)
I have taken a stand and I will publically praise the Lord. Psalm 26:12 NLT
Holly, Allen, Tx.
Wendy, Vero Beach
Grey hair is a crown of splendor;
It is attained by a righteous life. (NIV)
Elizabeth, OKC – Jerm. 17:7 “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.” (NIV)
Mary, Pierre SD
Psalm 16:8
New International Version (NIV)
I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken
Edna
O’Fallon, MO
“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!
Wait for the Lord;, be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.”
Psalm 27:13-14, ESV
Victoria
Mason, MI
I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me.
Proverbs 8:17 (NLT)
Rebecca, Louisa, VA: Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. ~ 1 Peter 4:8-10 (NIV)
Michele
North Oaks
Romans 8:28
And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.
Nell, Chloe & Abbi – Wichita Falls, TX
Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Shannon Rogers, AR “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” John 15:3-4 NKJV
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” delcares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” NIV
Jill from crystal springs
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving tanks to God, the Father thru Him.
debbie, crytal springs
colossians 3:17
And whatever you do whether in word or deed, do it all in the name ofthe Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father thru Him
“Seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 ASV
Jill in Palm Coast, FL
You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done.
Psalm 12:4 NLT
Johnnie
Wake Forest, NC
“Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Gal. 6:9 NKJ
1 Cor 13:7
Lori from Hazlehurst, Ms
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things
Heather
McDonough, GA
Isaiah 26:4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.
Nell, Chattanooga, Tn. Be kind and compassionate with one another, forgiving each other, just as in Crist God forgave you. Ephesians 4-32 NIV
Karen-Leonard, TX
Hebrews 2:1 NIV
We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
Loyce, Deer Park “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Col 3:12-13 (NIV)
*You don’t have to post this part, but wanted to say that I had your precious Jackson in my 5yr old Sunday school class a couple of weeks ago. When this beautiful, blue-eyed little boy walked in, I knew I had seen him before. (Pictures from the Siesta blog!) I looked at his name tag and sure enough, he was my beloved teacher’s grandson! I got to tell his sweet daddy (when he picked him up) that I’d been praying for him and Amanda and the new work God has called them to. Thank you for keeping us in the loop about what God is doing. Love you guys – all of you!!!
Susan
Lititz, PA
And 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 Cor 9:8 (NIV)
Pam, Liberty: “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Judy, Oswego, NY
‘He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.’
James 1:18 (NIV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet/and a light to my path.
Ps119:105
NRSV
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men”
Col. 3:23 (NIV)
Hannah, Perry, MI
Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields [her] all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.
Deuteronomy 33:12, NIV
Deb, Pelzer, SC
Psalm 119:97 (NIV) “Oh, how I love Your law! I meditate on it all day long.”
The eternal God is your dwelling place and underneath are the everlasting arms and He thrust out the enemy before you and said “Destroy.” Deuteronomy 33:27 ESV
Proverbs 2:8 NASB
For He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones.
Kerry
Cape Coral, FL
Exodus 20:3 AMP
You shall have no other gods before or besides Me.
Joyce, Merritt Island, FL
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Tim 1:7 NIV
Cassandra, Mars Hill, NC “These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart.” Deuteronomy 6:6 HCSB
Jenn, SC “For the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgement.”
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble, hardship, or persecution, or famine or nakedness, or danger, or sword?. . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:35,37 NIT
oh… totally forgot yesterday! so sorry!
Elaine – Brea, CA
(in continuing with memorizing a passage in Romans 12)
Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.