**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.
Jeannette, NJ
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.
Psalm 143: 8 (NLT)
Rebecca
Julian, NC
“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4 NIV
The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both. 1 John 4:21 (The Message)
Chrissy
San Tan Valley, Arizona
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV
Cathi – Morristown, TN
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
~Prov. 16:3~ (NIV)
I will be on an overseas mission trip to the Philippines for the July 15th post so here is my post for that day as well:
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
~Prov. 16:9~ (NIV)
Angela, Covington, GA
“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you.”
Genesis 28:15 NIV
Psalm 107:1 NIV
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Bev
Louisville, KY
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV
Revelation 21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Sarah , Lambertville, MI
Hebrews 12:1 New Living Translation
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Ann from Indiana
Pam- Milledgeville, Ga.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6 NIV
Toronto, ON =]
2 Timothy 2:24-26 (NIV)
And the Lord’s servant must not quarrell; intead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, 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.
patty pierce
Searcy Ar
Phillipians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petitition , with thanksgiving present your requests to God and the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
Marilyn, Albuquerque
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
Col.3:1-3 NIV
Leslie from Maui:
I lift my eyes unto the hills. Where does my help come from? Ps. 121:1
Samantha, Menomonie WI.
Philippians 1:27 (NAS)
Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.
(Can you delete the one I posted on #12 today that was meant to be here?)
Shirleen, Greenville, SC…For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. Phillipians 2:13
Kim B. -Orlando, FL
“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8 NIV
Barb, Emerson, GA
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare. Isa. 55:2 NIV
Naomi, Acworth, GA
Romans 15:13 NIV
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Tinley Park, IL
“For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.” Psalm 71:5 (NIV)
Madge, Marietta, GA
Romans 15:13 NIV
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
Pat
Crawfordsville, IN
Earlene, Trego, Job 1:21 “The Lord gave me everything I had and the Lord has taken away. Praise the name of the Lord.”
Tami, DS LA
Psalm 35:21-23
They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha!
With our own eyes we have seen it.”
LORD, you have seen this; do not be silent.
Do not be far from me, Lord.
Awake, and rise to my defense!
Contend for me, my God and Lord.
beth
lakeland, fl
“You can’t heal a wound by saying it’s not there!”–Jeremiah 6:14 The Living Bible
Alyson Lung- Longmont, CO
“I am the Alpha and Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the almighty.” NIV
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 9:10 NIV
Colima, Klamath Falls, OR
Amanda, Boaz. “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
Lori Newman
Fort Campbell, KY
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold.
Psalm 18:2
Krystle, Central Point
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
Melissa, Castle Rock, CO
Psalm 16:11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (NIV)
Jane, St. Louis
“When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.”
Psalm 56:3-4a (NIV)
For the wages of sin is death,but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6: 23 (NIV)
Maribeth – Jackson, MS
God has made everything beautiful in its time.
Ecclesiastes 3:11a
Joy, Pella IA, ” You called in trouble and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder.” Ps 81:7 (a) NKJ
DeeDee,Houston
First pride, then the crash – the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.
Prov. 16:18
The message
Brooke, Honolulu, HI
Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Titus 2:4-5
Karen, Santa Ana, CA
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8
Pat,Las Cruces,NM
Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.
Micah 7:8 (NIV)
Mary
Burke, VA
Ps 92:14 NIV
They (the righteous) will still bear fruit in old age,
They will stay fresh and green.
Sarah, West Monroe, La
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25
Erica G, Denver: Philippians 1:9-10 “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.” NIV
Rebecca, Mississippi: And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all that he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice — the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Romans 12:1 NLT
Mary Ellen from Billings, MT
“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace,
the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
Is. 55:12
Kim, Corning, NY. Luke 17:20b-21 (NIV): “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.”
Cindy, Tulsa OK
Hosea 6:3 (NLT)
Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know Him! Then He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ” Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Midland MI. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pitty on him, how can the love of god be in him? 1 John 3:16 NIV
Dianne, Waycross, GA
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 NIV