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
I’ll remember this!
1 Chronicles 29:11
So don’t be like a horse or a donkey that doesn’t understand. They must be led with bits and reins, or they will not come near you.
Each of you should not only look to your own interests but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:4 NIV
Joy from Lubbock, TX
“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:5 NIV
Debbie Nicholson
Gulfport, MS
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops. Proverbs 3:9 NIV
Kem, Memphis
I will praise the Lord who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:7-8 (NIV)
Pittsburgh, PA
He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.
Prov 14:26 (NIV)
Peggy, Queen Creek, “The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever.” Ps. 121: 7&8. NASB
Leslie, Central Asia
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
John 6:35, ESV
Victoria M
Greenbrier AR
Whome have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:25-26 NIV
Kimberly, Fresno, CA
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)
Angie, Belleville. 2 Cor. 10:3 NLT
“We are humans, but we don’t wage war as humans do.”
Nancy Keeton from Knoxville, TN
Delight yourself in the LORD
and HE will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 NIV
“Praise the Lord! Let all that I am praise the Lord.”
Psalms 146:1 NLT
Stacy Carmel,IN Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong doing.
Habakkuk 1:13 ESV
Becky, Chattanooga, TN
“The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.”
Psalm 23:1 NLT
“No one can serve two masters.” Matthew 6:24
Peg, Naperville, IL
“You who answer prayer, to you all people will come.” Psalm 65:2 (NIV)
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (1 Peter 3:15 NIV)
Endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.
Romans 5:4 HCSB
Bonnie B, Florence, CO.
“For the sake of Your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.” Psalm 25:11
Saige, Shreveport, LA
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” – Luke 12:32 (ESV)
Tori, Dickinson,ND 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
Jeannie from Atlanta, IN –
Matthew 6:3-6, ESV
“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.”
The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
Psalm 28:7 (NLT)
Sharon, Mineola, Texas. 7-1-’13
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart
Must not be troubled or fearful.
John 14:27
Susan, Knoxville
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV
Kelly from Denver…
It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.
Genesis 2:18
NASB
in Muscle Shoals, AL
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 NIV
HAPPY CANADA DAY (Dominion Day) to all the Canadians on this blog!
Phyllis, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Psalm 72:8 NKJV
He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.
Amy; Milton, WA
“Bless the Lord, Oh my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name.”
Psalm 103:1, ESV
Heather S., Louisville KY
A gentle tongue (with it’s healing power) is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit.
Proverbs 15:4 Amplified
A man’s mind plans his way but The Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.
Proverbs 16:9 NIV
Elisabeth
Kisumu, Kenya
The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
(Ephesians 1:14 NLT)
Marti, Libertyville, IL
“You who answer prayer, to you all people will come.” Psalm 65:2 (NIV)
Carrie Gill, Tyler, TX. ” For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 NIV
Colleen Duebber. Cincinnati, Ohio.
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. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.
Psalm 32:9-10. NIV.
Heather, Colorado Springs, CO, With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been make in God’s likeness. James 3:9 NIV
Stefanie, Moses Lake, WA
1 Timothy 6:17-19 ESV
17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
“Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Chrust, doing the will of God from your heart.”
Ephesians 6:6 NIV
“He who forms the mountains,who creates the wind,and who reveals his thoughts to mankind,who turns dawn to darkness,and treads on the heights of the earth—the Lord God Almighty is his name.” Amos 4:13(NIV)
Psalm 71:14 ESV But I will hope continually and will praise You yet more and more.
Alexis, Salem OR
” I will praise You every day, yes, I will praise You
forever. ”
Psalm 145:2 NLT
Debbie- Norfolk, VA Give ear to my words O Lord, consider my sighing. NIV
Cyndi Munson, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
“The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.” -Exodus 14:14, NIV
Kathy from Chandler, OK – For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Deanne Johnson, Laguna Hills, CA
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV
Carrie Guion, Wentzville, Mo.
We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. Romans 3:20 NLT
Kay, Deer Park
“Out of his fullness, we have all received grace in place of grace already given.”
John 1:16 NIV
Jane from Calgary, Alberta
“Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or anyone practicing homosexuality,”
1 Corinthians 6:9 (HCSB)
Jeanine, Toronto, Canada “The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.” Psalm 29:11 NLT