Siesta Memory Challenge - November 1

It is time again for another memory verse. This time I didn't have one that I knew that I wanted to memorize, so it took me awhile to decide. I have chosen this passage for several reasons. First it begins by reminding me that I need to let the peace of Christ rule in my heart. This is something that I need to do daily. It also reminds me of the importance of having an attitude of thankfulness for all that Christ has give me. Finally it reminds me that everything I do should be something that is worthy of being done in the name of Christ.


Colossians 3:15-17
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Here are my previous verses. I can't believe that I can actually say these verses. I had really thought that I had lost the ability to memorize things like I used to. At least I can memorize scripture. I know that it is only with the Lord's help.

I Chronicles 29:11
Psalm 13: 5-6
Philippians 4: 4-7
Zephaniah 3: 17
Isaiah 50: 4
Titus 2:7-8
Romans 11: 33-36
Hebrews13:20-21, TNIV
Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12, TNIV
Isaiah 30:20-21, TNIV
John 17: 25-26, TNIV
Jeremiah 24:7, TNIV
Psalm 16:11
2 Peter 1: 5-8
2 Timothy 2:24
1 Corinthians 10:31
Ephesians 5: 19-20
James 4: 7-8
Isaiah 43: 18-19
Philippians 3:12-14

Green Pastures

We just got back from our fall break camping trip to Fall Creek Falls. While I was there I found this quote by Max Lucado.

"For you to be healthy, you must rest. Slow down, and God will heal you. He will bring rest to your mind, to your body, and most of all to your soul. He will lead you to green pastures. With his own pierced hands, Jesus created a pasture for the soul. He tore out the thorny underbrush of condemnation. He pried loose the huge boulders of sin. In their place he planted seeds of grade and dug ponds of mercy. And he invites us to rest there."

Thank you for my time of rest. Now may I return to work tomorrow knowing that you will give me the strength I need.

Here are some pictures from this beautiful place.

Siesta Memory Challenge - October 15

<sup>I can't believe it is time for another verse. Time is really moving on. This has been a very busy two weeks. I decided that I need to choose a verse that was in the Old Testament and before Psalms. I ran across this verse in one of my devotion books. It reminded me of the song on Steve Curtis Chapman's last album, "Yours". This verse is from King David's prayer after people gave gifts for the building the temple. Can't you just hear King David rejoicing and praising God as he gave his wealth and led his people to do the same.

Oh Lord you are great and mighty God and I praise you. You have given me so much, may I always give it back to you. May I live every second knowing that everything is Yours. What a joy!

BTW here is the link to the song on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y_lHevMdpc

I Chronicles 29:11
11</sup> Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.

Psalm 13: 5-6
Philippians 4: 4-7
Zephaniah 3: 17
Isaiah 50: 4
Titus 2:7-8
Romans 11: 33-36
Hebrews13:20-21, TNIV
Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12, TNIV
Isaiah 30:20-21, TNIV
John 17: 25-26, TNIV
Jeremiah 24:7, TNIV
Psalm 16:11
2 Peter 1: 5-8
2 Timothy 2:24
1 Corinthians 10:31
Ephesians 5: 19-20
James 4: 7-8
Isaiah 43: 18-19
Philippians 3:12-14

Siesta Memory Challenge - October 1

I chose this verse as a kind of follow up to my last verse. I want to rejoice more, for I have much to rejoice for, my Lord who saves me and my family who love me. The Lord has truly been good to me.

Psalm 13: 5-6
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the LORD's praise, for he has been good to me.

Philippians 4: 4-7
Zephaniah 3: 17
Isaiah 50: 4
Titus 2:7-8
Romans 11: 33-36
Hebrews13:20-21, TNIV
Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12, TNIV
Isaiah 30:20-21, TNIV
John 17: 25-26, TNIV
Jeremiah 24:7, TNIV
Psalm 16:11
2 Peter 1: 5-8
2 Timothy 2:24
1 Corinthians 10:31
Ephesians 5: 19-20
James 4: 7-8
Isaiah 43: 18-19
Philippians 3:12-14

Do you know where your parents are? - A lesson learned

So tonight I needed to check a date with my parents. I started calling and got no answer on home phone or cell phone. I called one of my sisters to ask if she knew where they were. My parents have an RV and often just go somewhere on the spur of the moment. She had been trying to call them all week and hadn't gotten them, but maybe one of my other sisters would know.

I then called sister number 2. She lives the closest to my parents. She didn't know where they were either. She drove by the house and it was all dark and it was clear no one was at home. So I then called sister number 3 and she didn't know either, but at least she had talked to them on Wednesday. By now I had talked to all 3 of my sisters in one evening. . . . and no one knew where they were. So we called my aunt and she didn't know either. They were not in any of their usual places and it was 9:30.

Finally about 9:45 I get this call from Dad who says I hear that the whole family is looking for me. It is the 4th Thursday of the month, Gideon meeting time. We should have known this.

When I hung up I had a good laugh. How silly I was to worry about them, how silly we all were. We were ready to call out the national guard. I remembered this public service announcement when I was in high school that had this phase "Do you know where your children are?' to encourage parents to be a part of their child's life. I also remembered once coming in 10 minutes past curfew and facing my father. It was not a pretty sight, ah poetic justice.

Now there are tears of joy because I have such a wonderful family. We all lead busy lives, even my parents. We just had this wonderful party for my mom's 80th birthday when we were all together at the same time. But even though we are busy and don't talk to each other every day, we are right there for each other the second there is a need. This isn't an accident or luck. I believe it is because my parents (and their parents before them) love Jesus and taught us to love Jesus with all of our lives.

Dear Father, thank you for all the lessons that I learned tonight. . . the value of family and the gift we have of each other. Teach me to trust more, knowing that we all rest in your hands and that you always know where we all are. Thank you for the promise that we will always be with you and together in the home that you have prepared for us. I love you Jesus.

Siesta Memory Challenge - September 15

I chose this verse because I have friends and family who are facing fear right now. I have friends that are facing cancer and other uncertain circumstances. I also liked this verse because of the admonition to let our gentleness be evident to all. I think this is something that I really need to work on. I also need a sense of peace to replace my sense of being overwhelmed.

Philippians 4: 4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.


Zephaniah 3: 17
Isaiah 50: 4
Titus 2:7-8
Romans 11: 33-36
Hebrews13:20-21, TNIV
Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12, TNIV
Isaiah 30:20-21, TNIV
John 17: 25-26, TNIV
Jeremiah 24:7, TNIV
Psalm 16:11
2 Peter 1: 5-8
2 Timothy 2:24
1 Corinthians 10:31
Ephesians 5: 19-20
James 4: 7-8
Isaiah 43: 18-19
Philippians 3:12-14

Siesta Memory Challenge - September 1

Today is opening convocation at my school. One of the things that I like about this is that we will sing our school hymn. It was a hymn written for us. The chorus is based on Zephaniah 3:17. This weekend at the Beth Moore Simulcast she taught about delighting in the Lord and how he also delights in us. I can't remember if she mentioned this verse or if I just remembered it. But as I read it again this morning I am thinking how much I need to know right now that God delights in us. There is nothing here that I have to be good enough to earn. It is all his grace. I need to know that as I begin a new school year.

Zephaniah 3: 17
The LORD your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing."

Since my verse list is getting long now and I have posted the full text in previous posts, I will just put links to the verses that I am memorizing this year.
Isaiah 50: 4
Titus 2:7-8
Romans 11: 33-36
Hebrews13:20-21, TNIV
Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12, TNIV
Isaiah 30:20-21, TNIV
John 17: 25-26, TNIV
Jeremiah 24:7, TNIV
Psalm 16:11
2 Peter 1: 5-8
2 Timothy 2:24
1 Corinthians 10:31
Ephesians 5: 19-20
James 4: 7-8
Isaiah 43: 18-19
Philippians 3:12-14