Scripture for the soul

Sometimes the best words are God's Words... just wanted to share some verses I am dwelling on this week.

Psalm 25:15 
Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

James 1:19-20 
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Colossians 3:14-15
And above all these things put on charity which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

To you, these verses may be all over the place and not connected in any way, but in my heart and in my mind, they are intertwined and all being hidden in my heart. Part of last year's Siesta Scripture Memory Team... still reviewing, still meditating!

focusing on truth!

My mind has been mush lately... and a lot of confusion, too!  Today, I am focusing on the TRUTH of God's Word!

(sunrise on Monday Morning)

Psalm 34:1-10

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.  The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them.  O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.  The young lions do lack and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.

Sharing with
Word Filled Wednesday
Works for Me Wednesday
Women Living Well Wednesday

These are also the verses I am working on for the rest of 2011 for Siesta Scripture Memory Team

Abide in the Vine

I love Wordles, so when I did a search for "abide in the vine" and saw this, I knew I had to use it! (It's not coming in very big... you might have to go to the wordle site to see it better!)

My #SSMT verse for the month of August (or at least the first half) is John 15:4-5


Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.


linking up to Word Filled Wednesday

Easily Distracted

Apparently, I can't stick to anything... right now I am feeling a little discouraged and a little negative, but I just want to put this out there... Here are things I have started but not finished (it could probably be a Top Ten list)

#1: this blog post... I keep getting distracted, by children, by email, by facebook, blogs and twitter, even lunch!

#2. 31 Days to Clean challenge...  I lasted one week... ONE WEEK, y'all!  I didn't even get my fridge fully cleaned, so technically I didn't even make it one week.  I quit reading the ebook, and the blog posts by the lovely Christin at Joyful Mothering, I never did a blogpost with my progress or pictures, I just quit trying... May was a crazy month for me... the last month of school and all! The kids had a lot going on with school, we signed them up for swim lessons, and then our VAN DIED!  can I tell you how hard it is to get your family of 6 around in an Oldsmobile Alero? (impossible, I tell you) So thankful for friends and neighbors who helped us out in this mess!!  Currently, we are borrowing a van, but that is only for 2 more weeks, so would you pray with us that God would provide a great vehicle at a great price that would meet the needs of our family (and maybe a few wants, too) :)

#3. 3 in 30 Challenge... I watched this one on my twitter feed for the first few months of 2011, before I jumped in!  I made very achievable goals and completed 2 out of 3 the first month, but May just went to pot (see previous failure for reasons/excuses). This would be totally doable. I am tempted to try again in June, but I am going to FLORIDA, attending a women's conference, getting used to no-school with the kiddos, and ... what other excuses can I come up with?

#4. Siesta Scripture Memory Team ... Here is it June 1, and I still haven't memorized the last 2 verses I set out to work on.  I started out STRONG!  so strong in fact that I did 2 verses each on the 1st and 15th of January!  I carried my verse spiral with me all the time... problem is now, it just sits in my purse, I never pull it out and review them. Then the 15th rolls around and I write another verse in it, but don't ever work on it! :(  Can you say DISCOURAGED?!??!!  then, Beth Moore mentioned the celebration in her most recent SSMT post and I got a little depressed, because WHY would little old me up and fly to Texas just to celebrate memorizing a bunch of scripture with 1000+ other women I have never met?!??!!  (those kind of situations make me nervous anyway--I am such a people pleaser) What would possess me to to spend the money, why would my husband let me go? would it really benefit me, or is it just an excuse to get away from my real life for a weekend? what is my motivation?????

#5. Good Morning Girls summer book club! it seems that most of the "good morning girls" groups are people that really know each other, really get involved in each other with accountability via phone, email, facebook, twitter... but I don't know anyone doing this book club... So I attempted to join the blog frog community ... but you get out of it what you put into it and I apparently don't know how to connect with strangers!  so it's not going so well.  I really enjoyed the first week and got so much out of the SOAP method that they recommend, and even read the introduction to the book  they/we are studying... great book, The Ministry of Motherhood, by Sally Clarkson (that I have had since Christmas, but am afraid to read, because I might learn something and I might have to change my way of thinking, and my way of doing things). So anyway, I started strong, and then I got side-tracked... and then I got very afraid of really digging down deep and actually answering the questions in the discussion guide, so it got put aside!!  Here's hoping I pick it up again... and soon!!

I should stop there, but I love Top Ten lists so...

#6. the 100's of books I have by my bed,on the living room shelf, and in my Kindle app... parenting books, marriage books, "religious" books, housekeeping books ... and a few fiction books

#7. my attempt to start a business out of my card making hobby... If I am lucky enough to find time to make new cards (which I did recently), I still have to find the time to take pictures, edit pictures, upload to website and make them sound fantastic so someone wants to buy them... all without making them too expensive, but still not lose any money on the time spent creating them.

#8. Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University... and sticking to the cash envelope system!  I have just bombed this... no details necessary!  I would love to get back on track (especially now that we need to buy a new family vehicle --see #2)

#9. Counting my #1000gifts ... this is just a set back, I haven't completely given up, I am just discouraged because I have not been writing things down on a regular basis and almost missed the last few weeks of posting... but I am still counting, I am just afraid I am not going to be able to remember all the gifts I have been given and that God is continuing to give me every day!!  I did finally order One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp and I am waiting with bated breath for it to arrive in the mail!!

#10. the ONE thing I am keeping up with... Project 365!  I am still taking at least ONE picture everyday. I am just 2 weeks behind in getting them uploaded to my Facebook album where I am keeping track of them!! :) and I haven't taken a picture yet today, but the day isn't over yet!!

True Contentment

Philippians 4:11-13
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both the abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

To me, contentment and peace go hand in hand... working on these verses for my #SSMT (at LPM Blog), linking up to Word Filled Wednesday, and also reviewing Philippians 4:6-7
Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.



Peace and Grace to you...

Wear Love ...and other verses I need

This year, I am participating in the LPM Blog Siesta Scripture Memory Team #SSMT on twitter  I know that I need to hide God's Word in my heart, and the accountability is definitely helping.  Yesterday, I realized that the 15th was coming and that meant it was time for another verse... I had nothing.  So I decided to read through the comments of those that had already chosen their verse for the second half of February!  The first verse I read, just slammed me!!

“And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.” Colossians 3:14 The Message

I did a great job of putting on love yesterday... being Valentine's Day and all.  But today... not so much!!  My kids have felt the brunt of my grumpy attitude; I know I need an attitude adjustment!  So I knew that this was the verse I will be working on for the rest of this month!!  But I didn't stop reading, I kept reading verses and kept finding more great verses that I have memorized before, or that I need to add to my list... so I am going to give my Top Ten Scriptures (in KJV) from the comments of SSMT verse 4!

Colossians 3:12-14  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
(PUT ON LOVE... it holds everything together!)
 
Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
(think before you speak)

1 John 3:20  For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
(don't beat yourself up when you make a mistake... get up and move on)

Isaiah 40:29  He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
(when I have nothing left, He gives me strength)

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
(it's not about me)

Psalm 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
(God hasn't forgotten my requests, God's love endures forever)

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
(oh, my mouth is soo powerful... too powerful!  May what I say, may my heart be God's heart!)

I Peter 3:3-4 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
(once again, it's the inside that makes me beautiful to God and those around me... not my fading looks)

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
(I am resting in His love today... He rejoices in me!)

Ephesians 5:18-20 but be filled with the Spirit;  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
(...filled with the Spirit, giving thanks always)

linked to

Word Filled Wednesday

God has me working on my tongue these days!  I am taking part in Beth Moore's SSMT (Siesta Scripture Memory Team) this year... and I have a feeling a lot of my verses are going to deal with my words!!  This month my verse is

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

I will probably work on memorizing the verses surrounding this verse because they are all good!! :)  Memorizing Scripture "works for me"!

linking up to Word Filled Wednesday, Works for Me Wednesday,

Remembering the multitudes of gifts this week

Wednesday was a snow day last week... and not exactly one of my better days, so I give thanks for....
255. grace
256. forgiveness
257. second chances
258. tears
259. smiles

Thursday was our Mom's Group at church... a chance to fellowship with moms, learn from God's Word, get a little break from the kids, so I give thanks for....
260. friends
261. food and coffee
262. using my "Christmas" platter in January

263. Biblical teaching on submission in marriage
264. older women living out Titus 2
265. times of prayer

Friday was another day off school, but this one planned, and I give thanks for....
266. chocolate chip muffins for breakfast

267. lazy, pajama days
268. family movie night
269. bedtime

Sunday was Church day, and I give thanks for....
270. Adult Bible Fellowship, testimonies on our last series
271. Worship... "thank you for the cross, Lord... thank you for your nail pierced hands"
272. the start of a church series on the book of Ephesians... reading it in it's entirety!
273. quick and easy grilled sandwiches lunch
274. trying out a "new" cappuccino/espresso machine
275. sitting on my sun porch and sweating (even in January)
276. holding and snuggling my baby girl a little longer than normal... She is going to be THREE this week!!
277. Sunday evening prayer meeting
278. A special order handstamped card...

What a week of blessings... looking forward to the next one and adding more to my list of #1000gifts with Ann Voskamp.



 

I had to come back and say... you MUST go and read Ann's post today... It's always beautiful, she has such a way with words, and today was no exception!  It touched me, and I will definitely be adding her book to my wish list!!

Happy Monday... look for the gifts today!

Word Filled Wednesday

Psalm 30:11-12

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing, thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;  To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God,  I will give thanks unto thee for ever. KJV

Fall and winter is hard for me... I NEED sunshine!  I have been a little down in the dumps lately. Christmas is over and now I am just living for May!!  But there is a lot of days between now and May and I don't want to spend it in a depressed slump, so my word for 2011 is JOY!!! and my first memorization in the Siesta Scripture Memory team will be these verses!!  Together God and I are going to tackle this!!  and I will give Him all the praise!!

For more Word Filled Wednesday, visit Internet Cafe.
To share your Word for 2011, visit Courtney at Women Living Well
To join the Siesta Scripture Memory Team, visit LPM blog