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
Desta, Trinchera ~ Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world. Philippians 2:14-15 NASB
Emily, Coralville. Therefore Jesus told the, “The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right.” John 7:6 NIV
Susan, Fort Worth TX
Romans 12:10 NIV
[10] Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Joanna Duck, Norman, Oklahoma
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Philippians 2:3 KJV
Diane from VA
“For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to
turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, amd devotion to God.”
Titus 2:11-12 NLT
11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,
Wow, felt like this one was for me–I’ve been a little like a donkey lately…
Kristi, Gardner, KS
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.” (Psalms 32:9 NCV)
Rachel, Surprise, AZ
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” ~Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Erin – Cheyenne, WY:
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Holly – Longmont, CO
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of The Lord forever. Psalm 23:6 NKJV
Janet,Longmont,CO
“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye,and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:5 NIV
Stann, Frisco TX
Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity show yourself and example of those who believe.
1 Timothy 4:12 NASB
Barbara Severns, Eagle, Idaho
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
Psalm 32:8 NASB
Maryjo, Chandler, AZ
. . . and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians: 3:19, NIV
Terri, Orange TX
“Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath.” Psalm 116:2 NLT
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. (Psalms 37:4 NLT)
Julia, Whidbey Island, WA: 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
Yes! Me too! nnaaayyyy! or nneeiigghh! 🙂
Denise, Cedar Park, TX
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of HIs power toward us who believe. Eph. 1:18-19
Matthew 5:3. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. NIV
Bryn, Frisco, TX Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13, NKJ
Megan, Goodlettsville, TN
Psalm 112:7 (NIV)
“He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”
Alicia,Mesa,AZ
For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body you will live. Romans 8:13 NIV
Mary-Clare in Frisco, Texas (via vacation in Arizona)
Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying,”this is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
Jessica, Carlsbad, CA “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)
Elizabeth,Gilbert,AZ
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Megan, Grants P ass, OR
Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.
Proverbs 4:23 (NASB)
Debbie Gardner
Georgetown Tx
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13 HCSB)
Cindy, Beaumont, TX: If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
Kendra Husband, Charlotte, NC
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” I Cor. 13:4-5 NIV
Ashleigh, Lewistown, MT “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Marie Franse, Albuquerque, NM. COlossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy which depends on human tradition and the basic principals of this world, rather than on Christ. (NIV)
Kelley, Des Moines, WA – Romans 12:9
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Rebecca, Las Vegas. “and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:3 NIV)
Cara – Fridley, MN
For from of old no one has heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who works and shows Himself active on behalf of him (or her) who [earnestly] waits for Him.
Isaiah 64:4 AMP
Mandeville, LA
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV
Heather G. Fredericksburg, VA
Proverbs 15:31-33 NLT
If you listen to constructive criticism,
you will be at home among the wise. If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself;
but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding. Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom;
humility precedes honor.
Monica, Abbotsford, BC
Ps 33:20 NIV
We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield!
Ashley from Colorado
Isaiah 61:1 (KJV)
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound…”
My small group and I will be memorizing…
Romans 2:13
It is not about knowing the right way; it is about going the right way. In exercising our faith, we do not need self-confidence, we need Savior confidence.
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Cor.4:17-18
Desiree in Carlsbad, CA
Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)
“”My thoughts are not like your thoughts.
And your ways are not like my ways,’
announces the Lord.”
Kelly, West Richland,
You will show me the path of life; in your presence is abundant joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11 HCSB
Brandy, Kingwood, TX
“In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.”
Job 12:10 ESV
Emily, Loveland, CO – “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (NASB)
Deb, Loveland, CO – “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.” Colossians 4:5 (NKJV)
Emily in Anchorage, AK
“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3 NIV).
Ps. 90:12 (Amp.)
So teach us to number our days that we may get us a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 105:4 (NIV)
“Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.”
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
Proverbs 15:30 NIV
Carolyn
Oceanside Ca
John 13:34-35
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
NIV
Amy, Springfield
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