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:
6Â Therefore let all the faithful pray to You
while You may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
will not reach them.
7Â 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
Linda, Bartelso, IL. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding which must be curbed with a bit and bridle, ot it will not stay near you. Psalm 32:9 ESV
Barbara, Lewisburg,
“Search me, O God and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Tamara Ward, Alexandria VA
“Be completely humble and gentle, patient, bearing with each other in love” Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
Janice, Harrison, AR
“…..The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him al the day long, and He shall dwell between his shoulders.”. Deuteronomy 33:12. KJV
Vicki
Murfreesboro, TN
2 Corinthians 12:9a (HCSB)
“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”
Jordin, Albuquerque
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28, NIV
Missy Newman, Andersonville, TN Lamentations 3:40-42 40 Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord; 41 Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven 42 We have transgressed and rebelled; you have not pardoned.
Courtney, Lima, OH
Little children, you are of God (you belong to Him) and have already defeated and overcome them (the agents of the antichrist), because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 AMP
Katherine from The Woodlands, TX
Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord you God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 (HCSB)
Nancy, Junction City, Ar.
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 NKJ
Whitney Janzen. Edmond ok.
If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
1 Peter 4:16
Sonya Dickerson, Chesterfield, VA
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Hebrews 4:12 NLT
Dianne, Florida
“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.”
Psalms 51:10 NLT
Fenton, Ashburn VA “So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. ” (Luke 5:16 NKJV)
Leigh, Woodway, TX
Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. Romans 4:20-21Â Â (NIV)
Rockmart, GA
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.
Psalm 34:15 NIV
Psalm 40:5 (NIV ’84)
“Many, O Lord, are the wonders You have done. All the things You have planned for us no one can recount to You. Were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare!”
Brianna, Huntsville, AL
Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Psalm 105:4 (KJV)
Ohio
Devote yourselves to prayer being watchful and thankful.
Colossians 4:2 NIV
Shannon Pate
Little Rock, Arkansas
Psalm 138:3
“When I cried out for help, You answered me. You made me bold and energized me.”
NET
Melina
OKC, OK
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
—Luke 6:37 NKJV
Wendy G
Anderson, IN
NLT
Ephesians 3:20
Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.
Becca, St. Paul, MN “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” -John 14:27 NIV
Megan, Stow, OH “Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8 (b), NIV
Kerry from Houston, TX
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into His presence with singing!
Know that the Lord, He is God!
It is He who made us, and we are His;
We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Psalm 100:1-3 (ESV)
I love that Beth, and I’m going to go with it today. Because actually I’ve been thinking on those very things. Just didn’t know it was “in there” quite like that! What do you know?!
Kay, Sierra Vista, AZ
Psalm 32:8-9
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
9 Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding,
Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check,
Otherwise they will not come near to you.
Diana, North Attleboro, MA
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. Isaiah 40:31 HCSB
SKay Fires, Possum Kingdom Lake, TX
“For You created my inmost being:
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
Psalm 139:13 NIV
Ps 139:16 NIV
Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.
Cindy
Flemingsburg, KY
“Search me, O God and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Proverbs 9:10 ESV The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Beth, Omaha NE
Exodus 14:14 NLT
The Lord himself will fight for you. Stay calm.
Andrea, Norman, OK
Proverbs 3:27, Good News Translation
Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it.
Debbie Weaver, Cumming, GA. “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8 NIV
Margaret Ann, Pacific Junction:
You won’t have to lift a hand in this battle; just stand firm, Judah and Jerusalem, and watch God’s saving work for you take shape. Don’t be afraid, don’t waver. March out boldly tomorrow—God is with you.
2 Chronicles 20:17 The Message
Anne from Hot Springs, AR:
“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.” (Psalm 127:4 ESV)
Sandi from Morristown, TN
1Peter 5:10-11 (MSG)
So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.
Jennifer, Tomball, TX “He satisfies you with goodness; your youth is renewed like the eagle.” Psalm 103:5 (HCSB)
Marie-Franklin, TN
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Psalm 32:8 NIV
Birmingham, AL: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ ” Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV
Vickie, Poplar Bluff. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. Psalm 63:3 NIV
Margaret, The Villages, FL
Psalm 139:14 NIV
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Amanda
Derby, KS
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.
Nikki from McGregor, Texas. “O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parable, I will utter hidden things, things from of old- “. Psalm 78:1-2, NIV.
Ashlie McDonald-SLC, UT
Continuing on in my memorization of Psalm 91.
Psalm 91:13 ESV
You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
Stephanie in Wodward, OK
Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.
psalm 30:2
NIV
Lisa, Frisco, Tx – Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. (Psalms 139:23 NLT)
Kathy S – New Albany, OH
Luke 1:45 NIV
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!
Fran. Eden Prairie, MN
Psalm 29:11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
NIV
Barb, Kentwood MI:
“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him” Prov 30:5 NIV84