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
Susan- Berryville, VA
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, (Titus 2:11,12 NKJV)
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9 NIV)
Alicia Riverton Utah
July 1
Revelation 14:12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep then commandments of God abd their faith in Jesus, ESV
Please forgive me if this is a repeat!!
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
Psalm 139:1,2 NIV
Linda Birmingham
In the morning, Oh Lord, you hear my voice, in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
Psalms 5: 3. KJV
Gay Beck, Plain City, OH
Psalm 126:3 (NIV)
The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
DeeDee in Tallahassee, FL – “For this is the love of God: that we keep his commandments. And his commandments do not weigh us down.” – 1 John 5:3, NET Bible
Amy, Houston:
Submit to God and be at peace with Him; in this way prosperity will come to you. Accept instruction from His mouth and lay up His words in your heart. (Job 22:21-22 NIV)
Mary Ann, Woodbury, MN
5 It is not that we are competent in[a] ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our competence is from God. 6 He has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit produces life.
2 Corinthians 3:5-6 HCSB
Jule, Bowmansville,PA
Psalm 32:8 NKJ “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”
Melissa from Flemington, NJ. Proverbs 10:19, “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin; but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” KJV.
Susie, Columbus, Ohio Take delight in The Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Rita Cottonwood, AZ
Psalm 10:14
But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.
With the loss of 19 fire fighters last night our grief is intense. May six months from now we don”t forget them.
Suzanne Morton, Decatur, Texas
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”
Psalm 32:7 NIV
Verse #13
“It (love) always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres.”
1 Cor. 13:7
Vicki, Wilmington, NC
Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Psalm 24:7 NKJV
Lori
Bangor, Maine
The Lord will fight for you, and you can be still.
Exodus 14:14 (NET)
Fay Gossen, Ozark, NO
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.
Lu, Garner NC, Luke 6:28 NIV
Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Andrea, Burleson, TX
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
Amy, Birmingham, AL
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor. 15:57 (NIV)
Tara, kosciusko, ms
Come, let us return to The Lord; for He has torn, that he may heal us; he has stricken, and he will bind us up. Hosea 6:1
Angela; Monroe, GA
Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:11 NKJV
Rene’, Cape Girardeau, MO
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Rebecca Stewart
Julian, NC
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easlily entangles, and let us run with perserance the race marked out for us.”
Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Carrie, Atlanta. “…give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
Holly, Ramona,CA: “The way of the fool is right in his own mind, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel.” Proverbs 12:15 (NASB)
Rachel D., Meridian, “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” (Psalms 138:8 ESV)
Jill, Fort Ashby, WV “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:4 NIV
Deb. Bradenton, FL. Psalm 84:11-12
11″For the LORD GOD is a sun and shield: The LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He with hold from them that walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of HOSTS, Blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee.” KJV
Tyra, Houston
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”
Psalm 32:8-9 NLT
DeeDee. Katy, Tx
Finally, be strong in the LORD and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Eph 6:10-11
NIV
Melanie Toups
Bridge City, Texas
My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. — 1 John 2:1-3 NASB
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. Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Adrienne, Valdosta
“The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, and I will give you rest – everything will be fine for you.”
Exodus 33:14 NLT
Nicole Turnquist – Selden, NY
But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God… For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Hebrews 10:12,14 (NIV)
Kristin, Archbold, OH
Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9 (NLT)
Mary, Lexington Park, MD
I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ. Philemon 1:6 NET
Lisa, Huntsville, AL:
The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. – Num. 6:24 – 26 NIV 84
Chris
Canton NC
The mind governed by the flesh is death,
but the mind governed by the spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:6
NIV
Dee Dee, Smyrna, GA – “Christ has set us free for freedom. Therefore, stand firm and don’t submit to the bondage of slavery again.” Galatians 5:1 (CEB)
Mar Jo, The Woodlands, TX
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
Lori, Toledo
Colossians 4:6 NIV
“Let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Patti from Tampa: I look behind me and You’re there, then up ahead and You’re there, too – Your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful – I can’t take it all in! Psalm 139:5-6 (MSG)
Sherri, Albuquerque, NM “But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 NLT
Tilley Hawkins from Franklin, TN
Of Benjamin he said,
“The beloved of the Lord dwells in safety.
The High God surrounds him all day long,
and dwells between his shoulders.”
Deuteronomy 33:12 (ESV)
Lea from Granger, IN. Jer32:17: “Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. (ESV)
Karen, Dover, NH “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him for God is our refuge.” Ps. 62:8 (NIV)
Amy S. from Saint Cloud, FL
“When I called, you answered me; You made me bold and stouthearted.”
Psalm 138:3
(NIV)
“Love each other like brothers and sisters. Give each other more honor than you want for yourselves.”
Romans 12:10 NCV