**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.
Heather, Wilmington, DE. “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrlsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach,not resentful.” 2 Timothy 2:24, NIV
Allison, Kalamazoo, MI
Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Psalm 37:5-6, NIV
Diane – Roswell, GA
She is clothed in strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25 (NIV)
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8 NIV
Monica and daughters, Trinity and Faith, Toronto Canada
katie g
Knoxville, TN
“Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.”
Isaiah 30:18 NASB
Sherry, Hillsboro, OR ~ “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.” Hebrews 10:35 NIV (many other translations are the same)
Melinda-Atlanta, TX
“Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5, NASB
Susan, Tucson, “You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.” Psalm 18:35 (NIV, 1984)
Waylene, Loma Linda–You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit , which is so precious to God.
I Peter 3:4 (New Living Translation)
Charissa – West Chester, OH
Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Peggy, Corpus Christi, TX For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV
“But the fruit of the Spirits is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” Galatians 5: 22-23 NIV
Let all that I am praise the Lord;may I never forget the good things he does for me. Psalm 103:2 NLT
Hugs~n~Prayers from Rachel in Ohio 🙂
Rachael, Chattanooga, TN
“For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 NIV
Marcia, Salem, IN:
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 (NASB)
Michele,Edmond, Ok
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield:The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11 NKJV
Amy Ann, Tulsa, OK “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:5 NIV
Sarah, Marion, KS, 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; 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. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9, NIV
Joan, Fredericktown, OH
Isaiah 55:1 NIV
Come all who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat! Come buy wind and milk without money and without cost.
Glennell, Buda, Tx.
James 1:5-6 (New International Version)
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
Janet from St. Louis – “Don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you. Think about it over-night and remain silent.” Ps. 4:4 (NLT)
Lis, London: This is what the LORD says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”
Isaiah 48:17 (NIV)
Janell~Frisco “Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God!” Romans 5:1-2 NIV Amen!!!
Beth, Troy
“March on, my soul; be strong!”
Judges 5:21(b) NIV
Ali C., Dublin, CA
The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. Â (2 Chronicled 16:9 NLT)
ummm….that would be 2 ChronicleS 16:9 NLT
Tiffany, Sandwich, Illinois:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. -Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Concetta, White Oak, Psalm 5:1-3 NIV,
1 Listen to my words, LORD,
consider my lament.
2 Hear my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
3 In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.
Deb, Windsor, CT:
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering.” 1 Peter 5:8-9, NIV
Beth, Hartland, MI Colossians 3:16-17
“Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use His words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” NLT
Lori Lehrmann ~ Port Arthur, TX
But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ~2 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NIV)
Kim, Nashville, TN
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:6 (ESV)
Sacramento, CA
Come near to God
and he will come
near to you.
James 4:8 (NIV)
Dean
Barbourville, Ky.
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust Him.
Nahum 1:7 (NIV) :))
Allison, Hanover, West Virginia
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God that God should repay him? For from and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” Romans 11:33-36, NIV.
Ashley, San Angelo, TX
“Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand your ground when the day of evil comes, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13 NIV
My kids are memorizing this same Scripture right now with me. I’m going to take them through verse 18. YES!
I was typing that from memory and messed it up, doggone it! So here’s the correct way:
“Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13 NIV
There we go. That’s better!
Sarah, Wichita Falls, TX
Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers. Proverbs 11:14 NLT
Kristina, Frisco, TX. ~ “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whetever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Phil 4:8
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Peg, Naperville, IL
“He made known His ways to Moses, His deeds to the people of Israel: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” Ps. 103: 7-8 NIV
wendy, broken arrow, ok
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Eph. 3:20,21 NKJ
Paula, Russell, KY
Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Hebrews 12:15, NLT
Susanne, El Paso, TX
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:34 NIV (1984)
Chris M, Seattle, WA
Isaiah 60:1 NIV
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
Kate, Hillsboro, OR
“He will not let your foot slip-
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.”
Psalm 121:3-4 (NIV 1984)
Sabrina
Morristown, Tennessee
“Wait, Israel, for God. Wait with hope. Hope now-hope always.” Psalm 131:3 The Message
Lexington, Ky
Yes, my soul. find rest in God;
Katrina from Tulare, CA. “And now, finally, God answered Job from the eye of a violent storm.” Job 38:1 The Message
Nancy, Denver
“Casting the WHOLE of your care
[All your anxieties, ALL your worries, ALL your concerns once and for all] ON HIM,
for HE cares for you affectionately and cares about you (and yours)
watchfully.”
I Peter 5:7 Amplified
April Lopez, BonneyLake,Wa
John 1:3-4
Through him all things were made;without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. NIV