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
“Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.” Hosea 6:1 ESV
Beth, Story City, IA
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”
John 6:63, NKJ
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. Proverbs 31:19 NIV
Pushkala, Louisville, KY – Jesus said, “I am with you: that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people” ~2Cor 12:9 LB
Marilyn, Amarillo,TX: “Bless the LORD O my soul, and forget not all his benefits”. Psalm 103:2,ESV
Anna, Little Elm, TX
So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty:
For He is thy Lord;
And worship thou Him.
Psalm 45:11 (KJV)
“YOU ARE MY HIDING PLACE,YOU WILL PROTECT ME FROM TROUBLE,YOU WILL SURROUND ME WITH SONGS OF DELIVERANCE”. Ps. 32:7 NIV
Jen from Wyoming
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV
“So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed in the things right in front of you. Look up and be alert to what is going on around Christ~~that’s where the action is. See things from His perspective.” Colossians 3:1~2 The Message
“Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin The Lord will never count against him.” Romans 4:7~8 NIV
” You are my hiding place,You protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” Niv. Ps.32:7
” You are my hiding place, You protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Ps.32:7
Karla Dumal
Gulfport, MS
But a generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand. Isaiah 32:8 KJV
Suzanne
Tenaha, TX
Col. 3:12 niv
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Col. 3:12 niv
Kathleen, Phoenix:
Is any of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.
James 5:13 (NIV)
Tisha, Pilot Mtn, NC
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Starkville, MS. “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22 ESV
Psalm 62:2 NIV
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Holbrook, NY
Psalm 143:8 NIV
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Angie M
Purcellville, VA
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (NKJV)
Sierra, Salt Lake City, UT
You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’ ” (2 Chronicles 20:17 NIV)
Amy from Plainfield IL
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. (Isaiah 40:11 NIV)
Megan from Potlatch, Idaho: Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, O Sovereign Lord and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” II Samuel 7:18 (NIV)
Heidi in Whitefish, MT
“The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Exodus 14:14, NLT
Karen, Colchester VT
To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn.
Isaiah 61:2 NIV
Lisa from Leesburg “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
Dorinda, O’Fallon. “Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely life.” Ezekiel 18:19 NIV
Brenda, Collinston, La.
Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NIV
Traci in MN
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Plano, Texas~
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24, NIV1984
Michaela, Overland Park, KS
“For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.”
Psalm 32:7, NLT
Sandy E; Kansas City, Missouri; “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13) Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14) And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” Colossians 3:12-14
Christina – Fort Worth
Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.
Psalm 116:7
Marilyn — Seattle
Rejoice always,  pray continually,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)
Judy Pauley
Norfolk, Va.
You are my God, and I will give you thanks; You are my God, and I will exalt You.
Psalms 118:28 NET
Chrissy, Aurora, IL
“He said to me: ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life .”
Revelation 21:6 (NIV)
Natalie, Grand Prairie, TX 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 NIV
Kim, Nashville, TN
Each one should use whatever gifts he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Paula, Brownwood, Texas
I will instruct you and teach you i the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near to you.
Psalm 32:8-9 ESV
Kellye,Las Vegas. My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples. John 15:8 (HCSB)
Lauren from Conyers, GA
There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians-you are one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28 NLT
Lori, Oil City, PA
1 John 4:4 (NLT)
“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won your fight with these false prophets, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”
Tara, Eustis
Proverbs 16:9 NIV
The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his
Janae – Riverside, PA – 1 Chronicles 29:11 “O Lord, You are great, might, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth. You have dominion and exalt yourself as the ruler of all.”
Tracy, Sidney, OH
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
Peggy Magers, Wakarusa IN
Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Susan, St. George UT
“It is not that we are competent in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our competence is from God.”
2 Corinthians 2:5 HCSB
Olivia- Tennessee
Peacemakers who sow in peace will raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18 niv
Julie S. from Menomonee Falls, WI
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalms 23:4 NASB
Shirleen, Greenville,SC
Psalm 32:8 (NKJV) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.
Melissa from Goshen, KY…
Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God.
Colossians 3:2-3 (HCSB)