Hey, Everybody!
I am writing to you on Sunday afternoon since this post needs to go up first thing Monday morning and I am typing away on my laptop from Jackson and Annabeth’s room in our home. It’s the room where Keith and I get the best internet hookup. I like it anyway because it is filled with expressions of the only two kids on the earth I love as much as the two that I birthed. From Annabeth’s twin bed where I’m sitting, I can see a pink and green doll house, a blue and yellow race track, a dark green, fairly-convincing rubber lizard, a kids’ brightly colored exercise bike, a cardboard playhouse and a cardboard castle. It’s full on here in this room and, boy, has it had a work out in the last week.
Keith and I are blessed out of our minds to do lots of life with our grandkids because they only live about 20 minutes from our front door. Delightfully, their voices often reverberate off of these walls and their sweet feet are slap-happy on these wooden floors on a regular basis. We get to have sleepovers on occasions through out the year but once every summer Keith and I have them for the better part of a week and let their darling parents get some time together all by themselves. This last week was that segment of time – Camp Bibby we call it – for the summer of 2013. We kissed them goodbye on Friday night after a good, solid 5-day dose of them. I hate to admit to a small lump in my throat when they drove off with Amanda and Curtis, although I needed a nap in the worst way. Grin. It may be of some encouragement to you mothers of young children that, on Day 1, I did not shower until 3:00 PM. Yes, I do indeed remember what it was like to be a busy young mom whose life is not her own and when I forget, my two sweeties help me remember. Good grief, I would not trade them for anything in this world.
We do not have the time or space here for all the new quotes that have been added to my repertoire in the last week. Jackson and Annabeth are each hilarious, even when they don’t mean to be, so I try to have a pen nearby at all times. Annabeth announced to me on Friday afternoon that, when she grows up, she most definitely does NOT want to have a baby. “Why not?” I asked. “Because you have to go to the hospital,” she replied. And I thought to myself, whoa baby, that’s not all you have to do. As my mama always said, you also have to walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Translation: you think you’re going to die but, ordinarily, you do not, although at times your husband could be in considerable harm’s way if he spouts another word. Of course, I kept these thoughts to myself.
Annabeth paused for just a moment then spoke back up. “I just want a chihuahua and a cat.”
And that was that.
Jackson asked me how old I was while he was here because I recently had a birthday. He’s asked me that kind of thing before and it always ends up following the trail of whether or not I will still be his Bibby when he is in college. Curtis’s grandmother died a couple of years ago and I think he’s got it in his seven year-old head that grandmothers are tenuous creatures, here today, gone tomorrow. So, I said to him, “You know, Jackson, both your grandmothers are actually pretty young to have a grandkid as old as you. Because we all started so early, I think you can probably assume we’ll be around a while and see you grow up.” He sat on that a few moments then said, “Bibby, that makes you a rookie grandma. Do you know what a rookie is, Bibby?” Ah, yes, I do, Mister. I was a rookie mom with your mommy and a rookie grandma with you and I cannot think of two people on the planet through whom I’d rather be cast into those auspicious, busy, and often humbling roles.
I guess you’re wondering what all of this has to do with our Scripture memory. Well, I am getting to that right now. We have a daily verse at Camp Bibby and Psalm 32:9 out of the New Century Bible was our verse for Day 3 and the immediate favorite and clear winner for the fastest memorization. I taught the whole verse to Annabeth and Jackson but we only memorized part of it. Perhaps you will see why Jackson all but claimed it as his life verse. Kids totally love this kind of thing:
“Don’t be like a…donkey.” Psalm 32:9a
It made them almost as happy as talking about bathroom sounds. If I heard this verse once out of their mouths since Wednesday, I heard it 50 times. They could tell you what it means, too. I’ll stick the phrase back in the wider Scripture segment so that you’ll know what it means, too:
8 The LORD says, “I will make you wise and show you where to go. I will guide you and watch over you.
9 So don’t be like a horse or donkey, that doesn’t understand. They must be led with bits and reins,
or they will not come near you.”
Jackson would tell you that it means that God doesn’t want to have to tie us all up, or sit on us, or be all hard on us to get us to come to Him and to walk in His gracious and good will for our lives. He doesn’t want to have to make us obey Him so He can bless us. His deep desire is that we’d want to go with Him because we know that He is always for us, always leading us to triumph, always trustworthy, always right, and forever wanting to crown us with love and compassion and lead us away from bondage and such unnecessary harm.
I know it’s basic. But my mind’s been on the basics this last week with a seven year-old and a four year-old either one foot from me or on my person. I guess the question I’m throwing out on the table this week is this: Why do we continue to fight God and lash about in His grasp like He’s a big Taker instead of a Giver? What is it we think He’s trying to rob us of? To whom have we compared Him so that we’ve assumed we cannot trust Him?
Don’t be so stubborn, the psalmist is saying. Cooperate and go with God some place beautiful. Some place almost magical.
Revel in the two preceding verses in the same psalm (32), this time from the NIV:
6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to You
while You may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
will not reach them.
7 You are my hiding place;
You will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Surround sound. Oh, if our spiritual ears could only be opened for a few glorious minutes, what a musical score we’d hear all around us. To go with Jesus is to go the way of deliverance. The way of music. The way of symphonies. The way of ascent amid mighty rising waters. So, I’m going with Jackson in my memory work this round:
Beth, Houston. So don’t be like a horse or donkey, that doesn’t understand. They must be led with bits and reins, or they will not come near you. Psalm 32:9 NCV
So, what’s yours?
You are loved around here, Sister. We are honored to serve you.
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Michelle Baylerian, Waukesha, WI
You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north,
Oops, Deut 2:3 NASB
Tina, Columbus Ohio
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness so that Christ’s power may rest in me. NIV
Jill from Houma, LA
Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NLT)
Susan Lawrence (central Il) – Do not let evil defeat you, but defeat evil by doing good. Romans 12:21 (NCV
Prov. 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. NASB
Diane from Littleton, CO
Colossians 1:13-14 NIV
For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Alyssa Mochen
Rio Rancho, NM
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Psalms 51:10 NLT
“By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.” ~1 John 4:17 NAS
Kristi, Pensacola, FL
Do not give the devil a foothold.
Ephesians 4:27 NIV
Michelle O, Grandview, TX
Isaiah 40:31 HCSB
but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.
Barb, Medina
And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father
Phil 2:11 ESV
Sarah, Christina and Esther May: Wenatchee, WA
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 3:13 NIV
Michele, Liverpool, NY
Col 4:3-4 At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should. NRSV
προσευχόμενοι ἅμα καὶ περὶ ἡμῶν, ἵνα ὁ θεὸς ἀνοίξῃ ἡμῖν θύραν τοῦ λόγου λαλῆσαι τὸ μυστήριον τοῦ Χριστοῦ, διʼ ὃ καὶ δέδεμαι, ἵνα φανερώσω αὐτὸ ὡς δεῖ με λαλῆσαι. NA27
Sheryl, PA
The moment I called out, You stepped in; You made my life large with strength.
Psalm138:3 MSG
Sandy, Deming, NM
He who despieses the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the comandment will be rewarded. Prov 13:13
Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV
Amy, Snellville, GA
“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,” Colossians 1:10 (NIV)
Ruth Hency from Oran, Mo “If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing” 1 Corinthians 13:3 NIV
Faith
Houma, Louisiana
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; (Psalms 139:23 NKJV)
Holly, Colorado Springs (formerly Charlotte)
In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. Exodus 15:13 NIV
Sheryl Blake, NIles, MI- Isaiah 26:3- “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
Peggy, Corpus Christi, TX
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 ESV
Andrea, Louisville,KY
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They wil soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Susan,Fairhope,Al-That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10 (NIV)
Elizabeth, Broomfield, CO
The LORD gives His people strength
The LORD blesses His people with peace.
Psalm 29:11 (HCSB)
Bambi-Houston
O God, your ways are holy. Where is there any other as mighty as you? You are the God of miracles and wonders! You still demonstrate your awesome power.
Psalms 77:13-14 TLB
Connie from Eugene, Oregon, says,”Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is full-grown, it brings forth death.” NKJV James 1:15
Karen, Dallas, TX.
See now that I myself am He!
There is no god besides me.
I put to death and I bring to life,
I have wounded and I will heal,
and no one can deliver out of my hand.
Deuteronomy 32:34 NIV
Colleen ~ Frisco, TX
He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress,
and for his children it will be a refuge.
Proverbs 14:26, NIV
Katie g; Knoxville, TN
Sounds good to me:
“Be not like a horse or mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.” Psalm 32:9 ESV
Barb~St Cloud MN~Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
Sarah Miller. New Palestine, IN
He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. (Psalm 107:20 NIV)
Lori in Pine Island, MN
“It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,” Titus 2:12 NIV
I John 2:27
As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit– just as it has taught you, remain in him.
(NIV)
Angie
Albertville, AL
“You are my friends if you do what I command you.” John 15:14 NASB
Donna, Memphis
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
James 1:19 NLT
Jody from Traverse City, MI
You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
~Psalm 91:8 (NIV)
Sandra R., Swainsboro,GA
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. James 3:3 NIV
Tshaka; Belgium; Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
Acts 2:18 NIV
Anita, Lawrenceville . But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23 ESV
Tomi, Des Moines. 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. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:8-11 NIV
Helen, Crystal City, Manitoba, Canada
1 John 2:4,5 (ESV)
Whoever says, “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.
Jessica from Clare, MI
You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
~Psalm 91:8 (NIV)
Tempa, Palm Bay, Florida
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble &
Surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7 NIV
Judy from Gladwin, MI
You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
~Psalm 91:8 (NIV)
Eleanor
Memphis, TN
I Peter 1:6-7 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith–more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire–may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Ronnie, Ostrander Ohio
Revelation 17:14 “They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” (ESV)
Indianapolis, IN
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. (Psalms 56:3 ESV)
James 1:18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.