**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.
JEREMIAH 29:11 (NIV)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
The Lord will be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble; and those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9: 9-10 NASB
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” psalm 139:14 niv
alicia, chicago
Jana, Port Byron
Psalm 100:3 “Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” NKJ
Have mercy on me ,O God, have mercy on me,for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me. He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; God sends his love and his faithfulness. Psalm 57:1-3 (NIV)
Julie, Broken Arrow OK
Ps. 105:1 (NIV)
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
Amy Hopper Ardmore, Ok
But, Jesus looked at them and said,”With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew19:26 ESV
Allyson
League City TX
Ephesians 1:4
“For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.”
I am chosen.
dixie, santa monica, california
Psalm 32:8 (NIV)
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.
Charne (Standerton, South Africa) “I desire to do your will, O my God, your law is within my heart” Psalm 40:8
Kelly, West Richland
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 NIV
Fran, Jackson TN
“The Lord gives his people strength.  The Lord blesses them with peace.” Psalm 29:11 NLT
Nicole, Bloomington, IL
“It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;” 1 Corinthians 13:5 ESV
Jennifer – White, GA
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB
Kelli, Anaheim
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galations 6:9 NIV
Marsi from Santa Barbara:
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” I Peter 5: 6-7
(need this truth as I enter a potentially difficult extended family, family vacation).
Kaila, Springfield, MO
2 Kings 6:16 (ESV)
He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10
Glenda, Tualatin
give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise I may have too much and disown you and say, “Who is the LORD?” Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
Proverbs 30:8-9
Andrea, Louisville
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7
Cheryl from Kemah
Psalm 119: 133
Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.
Janet, West Linn OR
“I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2 (NIV)
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Deborah, New Brunswick, Canada
“The Mighty One, God, the Lord!
The Mighty One, God, the Lord!
He knows! And let Israel know!
Joshua 22:22(a) NIV
“It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace.” Hebrews 13:9 NIV
Tonya, Searcy,AR
Psalm 56: 3 (NCV)
When I am afraid, I will trust you.
Anna, Little Elm, TX
“Heal me, I Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are my praise.”
Jeremiah 17:14 (NASB)
“Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in you heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few” Ecclesiastes 5: 2 NIV
Megan, Prattville,Al: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:9-12 (NIV)
Stacia Keizer, OR
“If we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certaintly also be united with Him in His resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been freed from this”.
Romans 6:5-7 NIV
Pam, Sioux Falls, SD
“the LORD delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.”
Psalm 147:11, NIV
Stephanie, La Habra, CA “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
Mary, Satellite Beach.
“All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.” ~ Psalm 25:10 NASB
Modesto, CA Romans 12:12 (NIV) “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Sylvia Georgetown TX
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Heb 1:3-4 NIV
Victoria, Thomasville NC
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage. (Psalm 16:6, NRSV)
Kristy, Port Angeles, WA
“As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man.”
Proverbs 27:19
Helen Wall
Crystal City Manitoba, Canada
Colossians 1:12 (ESV)
Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Jolie, Cottage Grove, MN
…”Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him,
for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves
rests between his shoulders.”
Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV
Melissa, Walla Walla, WA – “Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.” -Psalm 37:3 (NASB)
Sorry it’s late!
Sara – Orange, CA
Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Matthew 16:23 NIV
“Those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.”
—Isaiah 40:31 Amplified Bible
Judy, Virginia
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. II Chr 7:14 NIV
Leslie – Warner Robins, GA
Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.
Proverbs 16:3 NAS
God has been faithful to lay on my heart a verse that is significant for that two-week period!
I have been without internet, but still participating!
Here are my last 3 verses::
June 1, 2011
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8 (NIV)
June 15, 2011
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
July 1, 2011
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
Hebrews 3:12 (NIV)
I am rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.
Psalm 62:11
Wendy, Mechanicsville, VA
Kristi, Puyallup: Ephesians 1:13 (NIV)
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,”
Celeste, Thompson’s Station, TN:
But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
Psalm 56:3 (NLT)
Debra, Mississippi
Psalm 119:130 (KJV) The entrance of Thy Word giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple.
Kristin, Carlsbad, CA. Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s plans the prevail.
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)