**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.
Kelly, The Hills, Texas
Be Still and Know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
Brook, Santa Monica
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10.5
Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4
Rebecca, Elk Grove, CA
“The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.” Nahum 1:7 (NIV)
Carolyn, Union City, GA
I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your nae forever and ever. Psalm 14:1 NIV
for this month my verse is Psalm 1:6
Elizabeth Gainesville, GA
“Therefore do not be partners with them.”
Ephesians 5:7 NIV
Caroline Auburn, AL
“I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:14-15
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV)
Georgine East
Austin, TX
Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James1:4 NIV
Liz, Washington D.C. (sorry this is so late!)
Romans 10:17 (ESV) Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Heather – Richland, WA
Isaiah 30:21
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (NIV)
Marissa, Oklahoma
Slander no one, be peaceable and considerate, and show true humility toward all men.
Titus 3:2 NIV
Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility recieve the word implanted which is able to save your souls. James 1:21, NAS
-Michayila, Magnolia, TX
Ruth- Bloxom, VA
Psalm 121:1-2 “I will lift up my eyes to the hills- Where does my help come from? Mt help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.” NIV
Lisa, Ider, AL
“As a father shows compassion on his children, so the Lord shows compassionon those who fear Him. He knows our frame. He remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103:13-14
Thank you, Jesus, for suffering this flake! 🙂
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Eph. 4:29 KJV
Jami Dallas, Texas
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
Beth. Rome, GA
“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:2 HCSB
Lindsay, Albuquerque, NM
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 NIV
Kelsie (14), Albuquerque, NM
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV
Alysa (11), Albuquerque, NM
“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” John 1:3 NIV
The tongue has the power of life and death. Proverbs 18:21
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NIV
Judy, Tyler. “Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing.” Psalm 100:2
Rebecca – Boise, Idaho
John 1:9 NIV
The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
kay – Round Rock -Colossians 3:12(NIV) Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Angela – Natchitoches, LA
He who guards his mouth and tongue, guards his soul from troubles. Psalm 21:23
“I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.” Psalm 3:6 NIV
Brandy, San Antonio
“and the Lords slave must Not engage in heated dispute 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.” 2Timothy2:24-26
Tiffany Morse
Dallas, TX
Psalm 40:12 {NIV}
For troubles without number surround me, my sins have overtaken me and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs on my head and my heart fails with in me.
Ruthann – Odessa, TX
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17
Celeste, Los Angeles & Toronto: does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; I Corinthians 13:6 NKJV
Laura Eloise, Austin – Yet she did not waiver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in her faith and gave glory to God…Rom 4:20
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Psalm 139:15
Angie from Houston, TX
John 4:23 – ‘Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind or worshippers the Father seeks.’
Stacia Deen from Avon Park, Florida: But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:6 (ESV)
Laura – Houston, Texas
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.” Hebrews 10:35 (NIV)
Carrie – Eure, NC
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20 (NKJV)
Allison Eclectic AL
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3;23
Emily, Houston TX
“Oh, how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you, which you have prepared for those who trust in you in the presence of the sons of man!”
Psalm 31:19 (NKJ)
I love the Lord for he heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. Psalm 116:1 NIV
Carol, Poplar Bluff, MO
Psalm 62:2
Truly He is my rock and my salvation;He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
James 1:2-3 NIV
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverence.
Jovin, Houston TX
Psalm 103:19 (NIV)
The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
A wicked man puts up a bold front but an upright man gives thought to his ways. There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed again the Lord.
Proverbs 21:29-30 (NIV)
1Samuel 2:2 “There is no one holy like the Lord;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
NIV
sheila, OK
17 The LORD your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zeph.3:17
Leigh Gray, Illinois
Delta from Lakeland, Florida.
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion. Psalms 103:4 (NIV)
kimberly mason, tuscaloosa, al:
2 Cor. 10:5 niv
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Philippians 4:6
Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. NLT
Zimmerman, MN
Proverbs 20:3
Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only a fool insists on quarreling. NLT