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:
8Â Â Â Â Â Â The LORD says, âI will make you wise and show you where to go. I will guide you and watch over you.
9Â Â Â Â Â Â So donât be like a horse or donkey, that doesnât understand. They must be led with bits and reins,
or they will not come near you.â
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 donât be like a horse or donkey, that doesnât 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
Nadine Fry, Morton, UK
The Lord protects you;
the Lord is a shelter right by your side.
The sun will not strike you by day
or the moon by night.
Psalm 121:5-6
Sammie, Sedona AZ. “O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done all these things at Your word. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that You, O LORD, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.” 1 Kings 18:36-37 NASB
Debbie Z, Vancouver, WA
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7 NIV
Myra, London, England
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”
Psalm 32:8 NIV
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)
Amy in Waipahu, Hawaii
Clothe yourself with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.
1 Peter 3:4 NLT
Dorothy, San Diego
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Ephesians 1:18-19 (NIV)
Deborah,Nashville, TN
So donât be like a horse or donkey, that doesnât understand. They must be led with bits and reins, or they will not come near you. Psalm 32:9 NCV
Edna, O’Fallon, MO.
“Now to him who is able to me you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory,majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever, Amen.”
Jude 1:24-25
Jackie UK
John 14 verse 6 NIV
“Jesus answered I am the way the truth I am the life. No-one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Sandy, Niamey, Niger, W Africa
“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” Revelation 5:9 NIV Praying specifically this month for the people group I serve among, that they may truly know the one and only way to the Father!
I know it’s too late but just realized I was not able (internet problems in W Africa)to post my last two verses:
June 1/13 “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture” Psalm 37:3 NIV
June 15/13 “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray”
1 Peter 4:7 NIV
Kari, Charlottesville, VA
The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. (Proverbs 15:4 NIV)
Lisa S.
Kinston, NC
John 1:16 ESV
For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
Mary, Lilburn. Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and rescue you. Isa 46:4 NIV
Kim, Valdosta, GA
II Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Olda, Huntsville
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith excellence, to excellence, knowledge; to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance; to perseverance, godliness; to godliness, brotherly affection; to brotherly affection, unselfish love. 2 Peter1:5-7 (NET Bible)
Katie from Mount Dora, FL
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes
Proverbs 31:24 (NIV)
Deb in Windsor, CT:
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7, NIV
Lisa in Moyock, NC
The day of The Lord is coming for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you, your deeds will return upon your head.
Obadiah 1:15 NIV
JoAnn, Columbus, OH
Ps. 107:20 He sent his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Valerie, Louisville KY
You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day.
Psalm 91:5 NASB
Kathy, Missouri City, TX
Colossians3:2 (NIV)
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Janet-Columbus, GA: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” -2 Corinthians 4:17, NIV
Stephanie, OH.
” But he said to me, âMy grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.â Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christâs power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
Linda, NY
This is for last month also. Ephesians 6:19-20 NIV
19)Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make know the mystery of the gospel, 20)for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Wrentham, MA Jeremiah 33:3 âCall to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.â (NIV)
Erin Sheldon
Savannah, GA
“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.” Psalm 37:7 NLT
Vicki Knott, Greenwood, S.C.
You are my hiding place: you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7 (NIV)
Donna, Loganville, PA
Psalm 32:9 NCB
So don’t be like a horse or donkey that doesn’t understand. They must be led by bits and reins or they will not come near you.
Susan, Statesville – There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Rom. 8:1-2
Dawn
Dallas, GA
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Ps. 32:7 NIV
Psalm 9:1
“I will praise you, O LORD,
with my whole heart;
I will tell of all your marvelous works.”
NKJV
Ann from Indiana
1Peter 5:7-9a New Living Translation
Give all your worries & cares to God, for He cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him & be strong in your faith.
Patty, Ada, OK
“Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again – Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.
The Lord is near.”
Philippians 4:4-5 NIV
Debbie, Sevierville
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. NIV 1st Timothy 6:6-7
Lauren, Charlotte, NC.
“Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” Psalm 32: 10-11 (ESV)
Sherry, Winston-Salem
Yahweh your God is among you,
a warrior who saves.
He will rejoice over you with gladness.
He will bring you quietness with His love.
He will delight in you with shouts of joy.
Zephaniah 3:17 HCSB
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge. Ps 19:1-2 (NIV)
Brittnie, Sugar Land, Texas, Psalm 30:5 NIV “…weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
Andi, Lincoln NE
But He said to me “My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in your weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Cor. 12:9 NIV
Judy, Oswego, NY
Nehemiah 9:6 NLT: ‘You alone are the LORD. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all, and the angels of heaven worship you.’
Cheryl
Kokomo,Indiana
Your unfailing love is better than life itself;how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
Psalm 63:3-4 NLT
Debbie, Fairfax VA
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5 (NLT)
Karen from Indianapolis
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of Life set me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2 NIV
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7 NIV)
Erika, Gadsden AL “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. “(Psalm 32:7 NIV)
Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3 NKJV
Whitney Laramore, Ames, OK
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:7 ESV
Melanie, Pensacola,FL
But one thing I do, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Phil 3:13-14. (NIV)
Beth, I do Gram’s Camp every summer with our Grands. What a blessing it is.
Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
Martha McElhaney