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
Brenda C. Lee’s Summit, MO “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Phil 2:3-5 NIV 84
Maria – Katy, TX
1 Peter 4:7-8 (HCSB)
“Now the end of all things is near; therefore, be serious and disciplined for prayer. Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins”
Psalm 103:1 NIV
Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Donna, Glendale,AZ.
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 NIV
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)
8 My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the LORD. And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)
Angie W.- Houston,TX
“But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV
Meredith from Holly Ridge, NC
2 Cor. 3:5 Amplified Bible
“Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God.”
Joy – Georgetown, TX – Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23&24 NIV
Kaylenn Temple TX Psalm 121:5-8 HCSB
The Lord protects you;
the Lord is a shelter right by your side.[a]
The sun will not strike you by day
or the moon by night.
The Lord will protect you from all harm;
He will protect your life.
The Lord will protect your coming and going
both now and forever.
Lynda, Monterey,CA
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”
~ Hebrews 10:23, NLT
Linda – LPM – Houston – Psalm 119:28 NKJ – My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.
The Lord says “I will make you wise and show you where to go. I will guide you and watch over you. So don”t be like a horse or donkey, that doesn’t understand. They must be led around with bits and reins, or they will not come near you. Psalm 32:8-9 NCB
Trish L. West Linn, OR.
” 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
Mindy from Austin, TX, “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” Proverbs 31:25, NIV.
Morag, Bishop, CA
“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. 1 Thessalonians 5.18 (NIV)
Ephesians 1:11 It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.
Cathy, Fridley
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.” Psalm 32:8-9, NIV
Maria Cristina Bruschi
Orlando, Florida
“And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive with Him and forgave us all our trespasses. He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the cross.”
Colossians 2:13-14 – HOlman Christian Standard Bible
Eeek!!! I forgot!!!
Tess
Cartersville, GA
Psalm 143:6 ESV
I stretch out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.
Ronda, Tulsa: “Truthful lips ensure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” Prov 12:19 ESV
Christen, Denver
“When I cried out for help, you answered me. You made me bold and energized me.”
Psalm 138:3 NET
Belinda from Blacklick, Ohio
Psalm 19:1 ” The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. (ESV)
Brea Rich from Ripley, MS
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Philippians 4:8 NIV84
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
Matthew 5:28 ASB
Syneva, Topeka, Kansas
Val from Snohomish, WA
the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers. (Jeremiah 31:3, 4 ESV)
Amanda, White Hall, AR
Know the God of your father, and serve him with a loyal heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts.
1 Chronicles 28:9, NKJV
Dena K. fromm Columbus, OH:
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)
PerryLove * Gallatin, TN
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” 1 Peter 4:10 NIV
Bonnie from Dacusville,SC
Pray continually.
1 Thessalonians 5:17. NIV84
Jenni, Birmingham, AL
Make me know Your ways, Adonai, teach me Your paths.
Psalm 25:4 (CJB)
from Colorado
You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light. King James–2 Samuel 22:29
“For I am the Lord,
I do not change;
Therefore, you are not
consumed, O sons of Jacob.”
Malachi 3:6 NKJ
1 Peter 1:8 (NIV)
” Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”
Careese Amarillo, TX
Romans 12:21 NLT
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Cheryl, Midlothian Va
yet he did not waiver through unbelief regarding the promise of God but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God
Romans 4:20
Psalm 41:8
“I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart. “
Joan, Carter Lake IA
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 NLT)
Psalm 62:8, NKJV
Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Katharine Lee, Jonesboro, AR. Col 3:23-24 NIV “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Sheila Miller, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada, “To answer before listening-that is folly and shame.” Proverbs 18:13 NIV
“The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit.”
Proverbs 15:4 HCSB
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Col 4:2 (ESV)
Memphis, TN
“Blessed is the one whose transgression is frogiven, whose sin is covered.”
Ps. 32:1 ESV
Wendy Couper Peteborough, ON Canada
Psalm 32:8-9
8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.
9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” (NLT)
Kay S
Lake Lure, NC
For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and with much assurance…..
1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NKJV)
donna, mt. pleasant, nc
Indeed, if you keep the royal law prescribed in the Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well.
James 2:8
Plainfield, IN
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12 (NIV)
Pam
Kountze
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
Prov.3:7 NKJV
Krista from Midlothian, Virginia
“The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.”
Isaiah 51:3 NIV
Nia Stivers from Bridgeport, AL
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit: rather in humility, value others above yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 NIV