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
Natalie-Austin
1Cor 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And my God is faithful, he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted he will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it!
Carrie C., The Woodlands, TX
Psalm 37:5 ESV
Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him and he will act.
“God will fight the battle for you. And you? You keep your mouth shut!” MSG Exodus 14:14
Don’t you love it when God shows His sense of humor and He means it? Going through a family problem that my flesh wants to get right in the middle of and God gave me this Scripture!!
Neta, I was scrolling through scriptures from my fellow siestas looking for something that would apply to my “now” and speak to me. Yours hit the nail on the head. Except in my case, my mouth has already spouted off so, since I’m pretty sure family “things” will arise again, I would like to claim that verse along with you for future reference! Thank you and God Bless! Dawn from Arkansas
Bev van Vuuren – South Africa – Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
Jen Evans Seville, Ohio
1Peter 1:6 (NLT) So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.
Christine Krueger, SLC
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14, NIV
Vickie Henderson
Russellville, Ar
2 corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.
HCSB
Vicki, Lubbock, TX
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God!
1John 3: 1a NIV
Janie from Warner Robins, GA
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.
PS 25:5 NKJV
Nancy, Lufkin, TX. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye upon you. Don’t 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. Psalms 32:8-9. NIV
Caitlin Long
Demopolis, Al
“And do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:27 NASB
Lila, Salem, OR
“You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance.”
Psalm 32:7 HCSB
Denissa C. Brownfield, TX
The Lord says, âI will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalms 32:8 NLT
Kelly Collett, Buckhannon, WV
I Chronicles 29:12 NET
You are the source of wealth and honor; you rule over all. You possess strength and might to magnify and give strength to all.
Norka – Mississauga, ON Canada
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
1 Corinthians 1:27 (ESV)
July 1. Proverbs 6:18
18 a devising heart, plans of deception,
feet that hurry to run to evil,
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ~ 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
Southlake, TX
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”
Romans 12:21 NIV
Pat Hilliard, OH
2Chor 7:14 (NIV)
“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 sins and heal their land.”
Amy from Everett, WA
The LORD says, “I will make you wise and show you where to go. I will guide you and watch over you.”
Psalm 32:8 (NCV)
Suzy – Atlanta
For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for the adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Rom. 8:22-23, ESV
Beth, Mt. Carmel, IL
Prov. 28:27 “He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.”
Nikki, Houston, TX
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.”
John 10:9-10 HCSB
Jennifer, Chattanooga.
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
Jeanette- Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
II Chronicles 20:15 He said: âListen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: âDo not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but Godâs. NIV
Cindy, Graceville, FL
6 The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” Gen 4:6-7 ESV
Dana, Pace,FL
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 NIV
Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ.
1 Peter 1: 18-19a
ESV
Karen, Hewitt.”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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land”. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
2 Chronicles 20:6 KJV
…O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?
Sharon, Barrington
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last, and so whatever you ask in my name the father will give you.” John 15:16 (NET)
Susan from Clinton, MS
But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV
. . . if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
2 Timothy 2:13 NIV
Heidi~Lindale, TX
“I always thank God for you because of His grace given you in Jesus Christ. For in Him you have been enriched in every way-in all your speaking and in all your knowledge-”
1 Corinthians 1:4-5
Jenni, San Diego, continuing with Psalm 37! Verses 16 and 17: “A little that a righteous man has
Is better than the riches of many wicked.
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
But the Lord upholds the righteous.”
Kate DeWys, Zeeland, Michigan
“Commit your way to The Lord, trust in Him, and He will act.”
Psalm 37 vs. 5
ESV
Lonnie G. Omaha, NE:
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. (Psalms 37:5 NLT)
Lori, San Angelo, Tx
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:7 ESV
Kelley, La Verne. Isaiah 62:5 ESV. As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will my God rejoice over you.
I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV
Martha, Georgetown, TX NLT Colossians 2:12 “For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with Him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.”
Merredith, Champaign “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle or it will not stay near you.” Psalm 32 8-9 ESV
Laura in Carlsbad, CA
“And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and 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. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God and they will reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10
jackie from Platte City, MO
Psalm 139:16 (NIV)
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came go be.
JoLee, Arlington, : Exodus 4:11-12 “the LORD said to him, ‘ Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and I will teach you what to say.” NIV
Ruth, Providence.
Behold, the name of the LORD comes from afar, burning with His anger, and in a thick, rising smoke; His lips are full of indignation and his tongue is a devouring fire. His breath is like an overflowing stream that rises up to the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction, and to place on the jaws of the peoples a bridle that leads astray.
Isaiah 30:27,28 (RSV)
Karen ~ Greer,SC: Psalm 100:5 (NKJV)
“For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.”
Madelin, Thousand Oaks, Ca
Is 26:4 NET
Trust in the Lord from this time forward, even in YAH, the Lord an enduring protector.
Jan, Rockwall, TX
So don’t be like a horse or donkey, that doesn’tunderstand. They must be led with bitsand reins, or they will not come near you.
Psalm 32.9 NCV