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
In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8 (NIV)
Ephesians 1:15, 16 NIV
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people,
16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
Atlanta, GA
‘for it is God who works in you to will and
to act according to his good purpose.’ Philippians 2:13 NIV
Monica from Florida: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
Angie W., Federal Way, WA
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.”
Psalm 32:8,9 NCV
Pat, Birmingham, Al
Psalm 32:9
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. NCV
Sharron, Spring, TX
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and DEARLY loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and PATIENCE.
Col 3:12 NIV
I love how God uses animals to teach us about ourselves. Just to name two others..we can soar like an eagle and be rescued like a sad, dumb, lost lamb and now I will never see or think about a donkey without thinking of this verse.
Samantha from Texarkana, AR
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)
Jennifer
Story City, IA
“Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.” – Proverbs 20:13 (NIV)
Hebrews 10:24-25 Let us consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV
Jennifer, Canfield, OH (Sorry so late to post—I’ve been reviewing my verses, though!)
Lisa S, Plano TX
(07/01/13)
Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.
Daniel 12:3 NKJV
debbie jo, greenwood, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Lindy I. White of Oklahoma City
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they will see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16, NIV
Lauren Mendoza, Long Beach, CA
“He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children”
Psalm 113:9
Lynn in Frankfurt
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121:8 (NIV)
Cindy from Longmont:
Every word I’ve spoken to you will come true on time – God’s time.
Luke 1:20. MSG
Emily Byrd; Baton Rouge, LA
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:34, New American Standard
Isaiah 50:4 NLT: The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom…Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will.
Kristie Lovely
Queen City, TX
“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13 NKJV
Michelle from Norman, OK. “He will cover you with his feathers, you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield.” Psalm 91:4 (HCSB)
Psalm 9:2 NKJV
“I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing praise to Your name,
O Most High.”
mitzi from Brandon, MS
…I tell you the truth. Ask The Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I’ve revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and He will most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks! John 16:23-24 msg
Albuquerque, NM
Psalm 119:105
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path”. KJV
Annette-Reno,NV
The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.
Psalm 29:11
NIV
Ruth, Goose Creek, SC
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)
Stacey, Houston,TX
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 ESV)
Julie
Tallassee, AL
These things I command you, c so that you will love one another. John15:17 ESV
Linda Ney from Gahanna, Ohio
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139: 14
Kasey from GA, “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” Psalm 112:7
Ruth Larkin, Shawnee, KS
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) – Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Rachelle, Cedar Park, TX: No eye has seen, no easy had heard, no mind had conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. 1Corn. 2:6 NIV
Dianne Walters – Hartselle, AL
Dianne Walters – Hartselle, AL
whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart my fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:23 (NIV)
Ps 27: 1-3 NAS
The Lord is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.
Brittney, San Angelo, TX
Ps103:8 “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.” NASB
DLynn; Argyle,TX
Zechariah 8:16
These are the thing you are to do: Speak the truth to each other and render true and sound judgement in your courts
Jeremiah 31:26 NIV1984
At this I awoke and looked around. My sleep had been sweet.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23
Punky Tolson
“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)
Janet Anderson
Edmond, OK
“22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV
Suzanne, Houston
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Lindsay, Albuquerque, “But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD,” Micah 3:8a ESV
Kelsie, Albuquerque, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10 ESV
Alysa, Albuquerque, “The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8 NLT
Kirby from Parsons, KS
Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” I Cor. 1:31 NIV
April, Fort Worth, TX
22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Psalm 55:22 NIV
Dayla, Springfield, MO
For the kingdom of God is not matter of talk, but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Denise, San Antonio TX
We love because he first loved us.
1 John 4:19 ESV
Dawn, Beavercreek,OH
“So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with our God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends with God.”
Romans 5:11 (NLT)
Michelle B., Carver, MA
I think I forgot to post my July 1st verse, but it’s written in my spiral! 🙂
“Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God.”
Matthew 5:9, NIV
in Arizona – Lamentations 5:19
You, O Lord, remain forever; Your throne from generation to generation.
Dusti Pugh, Carthage TX
07/01/2013
Psalm 95:1 NKJ
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our Salvation.