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
Susan, Atlanta, GA Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3 NIV
Kylie, Wichita, KS
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NIV
Psalms 63:4. NIV
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
Christi, Newnan GA
And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. Ezekiel 36:26 NLT
Leanne, Billings, MT
“When pride comes then comes disgrace but with humility comes wisdom.”
Proverbs 11:2
St. Catharines, Ontario, CANADA
Ecclesiastes 2:1 NKJV
To everything there is a season. A time for every purpose under heaven.
Lea Ann McFarland, McKinney TX
July 1..
This is what the Lord says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16 NIV
July 15…
Love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12 NIV
Sarasota, FL: Philippians 2:3 NIV
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself.
“And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
Luke 12:11-12
ESV
Lindsey Edmond, OK
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. (Psalm 139:15 ESV)
Jodi Alley, Humble, TX
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 (NKJV)
Jesus replied,”Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all you mind.”
Matthew 22:37 NIV
Elizabeth – Moore, OK
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20 (NIV)
Alexia- Champaign, IL
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (Proverbs 3:5 NIV)
Liz, Costa Mesa, CA
And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Rev 5:9 NIV
Julie, Sugar Land, TX
“Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone. ”
Psalms 33:22, NLT
Michelle, Watauga, TX
Isaiah 60:7 (VOICE)
Kedar’s flocks will be gathered for you;
Nebaioth’s rams will be available for sacrifices.
Eternal One: When they are offered on My altar, I will accept them.
I will make My glorious house even more glorious.
LaGlace, Alberta, Canada
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
Jeremiah 22:16
He took up the case of the poor and the needy, then it went well. Is this not what it means to know me? This is the Lords deceleration.
Shannon, Blacksburg VA
Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Debbie, Fairfax, VA
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. – Psalm 63:4 (NIV)
When you have done the will of God you will receive what he has promised. – Heb 10:36
Ellen, Aurora, OH
“The Lord says, “I will make you wise and show you where to go. I will guide you and watch over you. NIV
Cheryl, Los Osos:
verse 13 – Psalm 107:19 “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble and He saved them.”
Cynthia, Missouri
But, I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel. Phill 1:13
Mound City, KS
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood by what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
Romans 1:20 NIV
Taryn from Corinth, TX
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20 (NIV)
i love this post so much! thank you thank you!
i’m copying you because i love this so much
lissa from granbury, tx
“for the kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk, it is living by God’s power.” 1 corinthians 4:20 nlt
Chelsia Waverly, MN
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”
Colossians 3:20 NIV
Kathy, Jay, OKlahoma
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
it will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which
I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 NIV84
Andrea M, Okotoks, AB
Psalm 139:13 – For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Terra from Owasso, Oklahoma:
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. Romans 8:38 NLT
Lydia- Nampa, ID
“If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.” 1 Corinthians 13:1 (MSG)
Christie from Plano, Texas
“I am not saying this because I am in need,for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”
Phil 4:11 (NIV84)
Diane J, Wood River, IL: “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 (NKJV)
Pat, Littlefield, Tx
“One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.”
Psalm 27:4 NASB
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. (Luke 12:31 NLT)
Marla – Bolivar, MO
“that the God or our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may gibe you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.” Eph. 1:17
NAS
Judy-Taylors, SC
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble (Nahum 1:7 NIV)
Barbara, Prospect, KY: “Let you gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Phil 4:5 NIV84.
Michele in Hollister, CA
Psalm 16:11 NIV
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Soozi, Lexington, KY. Psalm 145:17(ESV) “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.”
Lorraine, Marysville, Washington
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 NIV
Lorie, Centreville, VA
“Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
According to Your lovingkindness remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD.” Psalm 25:7
Spring, TX
and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God
Ephesians 3:19 (NET)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” -Romans 1:16 NIV
Carmela, Forney, TX: Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. John 16:7 KJV
Sarah H.
Conroe, TX
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
NIV
Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.