A Pair of Bartletts

Memory Monday --Romans 5:1-5

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance. produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-- 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

ROMANS 5:1-11 (ESV)

Memory Monday--Philippians 2:5-11

I've been meditating on Philippians 2 since our church service on Sunday.  One of our associate pastors preached out of this passage and I haven't been able to get away from it.  There were so many things in this passage that I needed to be reminded of, so it was hard to pick one section of it for Memory Monday.  

Nevertheless, I chose these verses to work on first:

Philippians 2:5-11

   
⁵ Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. ⁹ Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The picture that I chose above doesn't have a huge significance to this post, other than to remind me of The Church...the Body of Christ.  As I look at the picture, I can't help but meditate on these verses first because as of late, I feel that at every turn, the "world" and its twisted views are being rammed down my throat.  It's everywhere, it's on every station, it's on every billboard, it's on every politician's agenda....the sickest of the sick.  So,  at this point, I take comfort in knowing that one day, it's not going to be a choice...the verses say that "EVERY knee should bow"...notice that it doesn't say "a few knees" or "only the knees of the believers".  The scripture says "every", which is finite.  It's done.  It's been decided.  There will be no argument.  There will be nothing more than every creature on earth, in heaven and under the earth....in simultaneous bow to the Lord of Hosts, to the King of Kings, to the one King Jesus.  

So, for now, I am adding these verses to those that I "hide in my heart".  The world may decide one day to take my written copy of the Word of God from my hands, but one thing that they can never do it rip the words from me that have been carefully hidden in my heart.  Dearest, I can't urge you enough...the time is now.  The Word could one day be "against man's law".  God forbid this day ever come, but if it does...what will you have hidden in your heart?

Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart
         That I might not sin against You.

I pray that you will find time in your own walk to participate in Memory Monday.  This meme was started by my sweet friend Joanne Heim.  You can read Joanne's story at The Simple Wife,  I promise that you will be blessed by Joanne and the journey that she is on at this time.  I will continue to post my Memory Monday posts and will look forward to the sweet day that Joanne is back, writing her own Memory Monday posts.  Please continue to pray for Joanne and her sweet family.  God has shown His glory in their lives and in Joanne's story.  And to Him, be all the glory and honor and praise, forever and ever, AMEN.

 

Memory Monday--Thanks For Everything Joanne

I was just sitting here not feeling so well tonight, grumbling to myself about all of the things that I need to be doing, but just don't feel like doing tonight.  The Lord just so happens to have a way though of stopping me in my grumbling tracks.  He immediately put my sweet friend Joanne on my mind.  As most of you know, on January 11th, Joanne (from The Simple Wife) suffered a massive stroke in her home.  The fact that Joanne is still with us and doing as well as she is doing is a miracle from God alone.  It's even more of a miracle to ponder the fact that Joanne is actually able do things like Twitter or Facebook on her iPad.  God is no less than amazing....He is GOD...He is a healer...He is Joanne's healer.  

I had just been reminded of her this morning when I saw her cute little bag lying on my bathroom counter.  Joanne pays so much attention to detail, as you can see in the picture of the little "zippy purse" she made for me.  Joanne especially takes great time and detail in the way she expresses her love of her Lord, Jesus Christ.  You could never read a post and not know exactly how Joanne felt about her Lord.  You also could not read a post without hearing the wonderful details of her day and how she relishes in each little thing...even if she didn't feel good or if she didn't have the most wonderful day, she always had a way of finding SOMETHING that was special about it....that may have been a fuzzy pair of PJ's at the end of the day, but she found it nonetheless.  

 

She also had such a way of inspiring her friends to "go deeper" with the Lord.  One of the ways that she did that was in a little meme that she started several years ago called "Memory Monday".  I have always loved participating, but to be honest, I've gotten out of the habit of doing the posts since Joanne's stroke.  But today, I'm starting back.  The verses I read in my quiet time this morning seemed to resonate Joanne's life.  I was in Ephesians today, in the 3rd chapter:

Ephesians 3

The Mystery Revealed

 ¹ For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— ² if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, ³ how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, ⁴ by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), ⁵which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: ⁶ that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, ⁷ of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

 

I think about Joanne and how she ministers according to the grace that God has given her...working His effective power.  These verses just spoke to me and challenge me to persevere, even in my grumbling state.  So, I will leave you with these verses....and by all means, the rest of the chapter.

 

I pray that you will find Memory Monday as a great encouragement that I do.  I pray that you'll join us next week with your own Memory Monday post. We would certainly love to have you, so my all means, please stop by!

Have a truly blessed week in the Lord,

 

Memory Monday--Hebrews 3:4

Rob and I have the pleasure of being members of an incredible couples ABF (Adult Bible Fellowship, or for some of you, better known as "Sunday School") at our church. Our class is led by a married couple who boasts 47 years of marriage and who happen to be incredibly Spirit led teachers.  Our class is actually called "Home Builders"....and we have been blessed with wonderful anointed teaching that has been a total blessing to our marriage.  We do have a memory verse challenge every week, and this week's verse is incredibly appropriate, given the name of our class.  This verse just solidifies our belief that Christ is the Solid Rock and is the foundation and basis for everything in our lives and in the lives of all Believers.  

We praise God for Christ the Solid Rock! 

 

Memory Monday--Ephesians 3:20-21

 

                       God doesn’t need measuring spoons…

It is always amazing to me how the Lord brings scriptures either to our minds or into our lives always JUST at the right time.  There is a lot going on for Rob and I at the present time….all very good things, some things that require a lot of prayer, but nonetheless…things that the Lord is there…right in the midst.

 

Today, our memory verses in Sunday School class were read from Ephesians 3:20-21.  WOW….are they EVER relevant for us now. 

 

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundant above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. AMEN.”

 

I don’t know about you, but the words “exceedingly abundant above all that we ask”…..that just blows me away.  This “thing” that Rob and I are experiencing right at this moment is going to be worked out by the Lord of hosts to a point that we would have never imagined on our very own!  How encouraging is that?

 

I’ll be sharing more with you as the weeks go by, but for now, please pray for us.  We are entering into something that we know that the Lord is blessing.  We have bathed it in prayer and the pieces have fallen into place as only the Lord could do. 

 

What “exceedingly abundant” things have you asked for lately?

 

Memory Monday--I Corinthians 2:9-10

Isn't it amazing and mind boggling to ponder "what God has prepared for those who love Him"?  To try and grasp in my mind, to try and ascertain everything that encompasses....well, friend, it's almost incomprehensible.  But so is our God!  

For more about Memory Monday, please take a minute and visit my sweet friend Joanne Heim at The Simple Wife.  You will be blessed!

  

Memory Monday--John 14:12-15

 

I dearly love the memory verses from today in our Homebuilders ABF (Adult Bible Fellowship, fka "Sunday School") at church today.  I decided that I would share them with the Memory Monday crowd over at my friend Joanne's blog,  The Simple Wife.  I love that not only is there an accountability as an individual to memorize God's word (which I find through Joanne's blog), but Rob and I have an accountability with each other and other couples in our class to memorize God's word each week.   

The verses this week were found in John 14:14-15 but I have included the previous verses (12-13) for continuity for myself.  The verses simply state:

¹² “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. ¹³ And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

¹⁵ “If you love Me, keep My commandments. ¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

The comfort in these verses to me really hits home through verse 13...WHATEVER you ask in MY NAME...God is so accessible to His children!   And how awesome is it that unlike those who are "in the world", His children have access to the Spirit of TRUTH--those who do not know the Lord cannot even receive the Spirit because without that relationship with Him, they cannot truly KNOW Him?  And closing the passage, the Lord comforts us further....I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU ORPHANS! By using the word orphan, it really brings home the true sense of what "aloneness" without Christ really is.  When I think of a true "orphan", I think that is the strongest sense of being "alone" that a person could experience.  No parents....no one.  No true nurturing love.  WOW.  God will not only never leave us, but He will abide with us.  I love the word "abide"....to me it's the opposite of the word "orphan", because to "abide with" me means that my Lord is with me...right next to me, within me.  Again....WOW!

I really pray that the Lord will speak to you through these verses as well.  I believe that this week they just jumped off the page for me....and that is so "like God"!

Abiding with Him,

  

Memory Monday--Ephesians 3:14-21

IT'S BEEN SO HECTIC HERE LATELY that I have not participated in Memory Monday for a while.  Although I haven't participated, I've been rereading my Memory Monday posts, which I love to do.  I like to see what was going on at the time of my posts...like reading old journals.  So, while reading over our memory verses (20-21) from our couples Sunday School class for next week, I decided to add the rest of this passage of scripture to those that we're doing for class next week.  

I LOVE THIS PASSAGE of scripture and how it talks about the "love of Christ".  If you think about the love of Christ and it's width and length and depth....it's just mind blowing.  Think about it this way...if you hold an object in your hand, you can cognitively see and feel and know its width and length and depth.  But, to know the love of Christ is to know a love that has NO width and NO length and NO depth.  IT'S LIMITLESS, BOUNDLESS, INFINITE.  There are no fences, there are no lines, there are no doors. Just border-less love....more than would fill the deepest oceans and more than would ever dream of filling up the entire universe.  More I tell you.  It's incomprehensible to think of the love of the Savior.  THAT'S THE KIND OF LOVE that I am so not worthy of.  But, even in my unworthiness, He still crawled up on a tree, on a hill, in the broiling sun, with open gaping wounds on His body from being flogged, with nails in His feet and hands, with a sword plunged into His side....and HE DIED, so that I (we) could live for eternity with Him in glory.  For me.  For you.  For my (our) unworthiness.  For our sin ridden lives. All He asks from us is that we repent (turn from) our sin and ask His forgiveness and ask for His entrance into our hearts forever.  Unlike gifts of this world, it's a gift with absolutely no strings attached.  It's free, and I pray that if you haven't done so, that you would reach out and take it.  If you would like more information about this gift, just click here my friend.  

For more Memory Monday posts, please take a minute and visit my sweet friend, Joanne Heim at The Simple Wife.  Joanne is always a blessing!

Christ's Blessings to you,

 

 

Memory Monday--Matthew 11:28-30

 There has been so much going on lately that I have not had a chance to take the time to participate in Memory Monday over at The Simple Wife but as of today....I'm back!

We touched some in Sunday School today about the yoke that we have in Christ...I love these verses!  They are such a reassuring promise from the Lord that He will pick up when we cannot go another step.  Just like Elijah told God "I've had enough!", sometimes we want to throw our hands up and say "enough is enough".  But in those times, we are so quick to forget that our God is enough for us.  He gladly takes the yoke from around our neck.  Can't you just hear Him?  "Here dear child, let me take that....you rest in Me, and I'll take care of you.  

God is so good to us.  I also thank Him for what He has done and continues to do for us!

Have you turned over your yoke to our Great God?

Matthew 11:28-30 

²⁸ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

 

Memory Monday--I Peter 2:24

I find this verse more relevant now than ever in my life and on behalf of the lives of my family.  I cannot imagine what my Lord suffered on Calvary's cross for my sin.  But I am thankful that those stripes brought healing both physical and spiritual for me and for those who believe in Him and have had true repentance in their lives.   

1 Peter 2:24

 ²⁴He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 

 

Memory Monday--John 3:16

John 3:16 (New King James Version)

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

I know that this is probably the very first "long" bible verse that I ever learned as a child.  And, yes, today is actually "Memory Monday", but I thought that maybe just today it could be "Remember Monday".   

I can't help but have the people of Haiti on my mind each day....it's everywhere.  Every time I turn on the TV at home, there it is.  Even walking the halls at work at the hospital, there it is....TV's hanging in waiting rooms.  More of Haiti.  My heart just breaks for these people...mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, uncles, little precious babies, sweet little children....all now surrounded by death, destruction, rotting flesh.....I can't imagine the stench that these poor people are enduring.  Can you imagine walking outside of what used to be your home and possibly having half, three quarters or maybe ALL of your relatives piled up in the street?  I don't know about you, but I grew up in a family where we sat around and played cards and endless board games together, especially when the whole family was together at the holidays.  I can't imagine sitting around playing Rook one minute and in the next minute, having my family members crushed into oblivion, right in front of my eyes.  I shudder to even think about the sheer horror of it all.  

But, in the midst of all of this death and destruction, God still came to save.  He still gave His ONLY begotten Son to come and give His life up, just so that we may have eternal life.  But most importantly, not only did He give His life up, but He ROSE from the grave in three days!  He broke the shackles of death so that you and I....and the precious people of Haiti too....could have eternal life.   The best and the easiest part of all of this is that salvation is a free gift...no strings attached, no payment (by us) required.  All that is required is that we realize our sin, admit our sin and then TURN from it in repentance.  That's how quickly God changes a life....eternally.  

I pray that in the midst of the cries coming from Haiti that God's glory will be evident to those watching what transpires.  I pray that there will be many lives saved, physically from the rubble, but most importantly, lives saved through faith in Jesus Christ.

So, even though I have had this verse for today committed to memory for probably a good 30+ years, I needed to remember the importance of the truth of this verse.  I pray that you will do the same and that you will continue to pray for those who are crying in Haiti tonight.  Pray for comfort for their great losses and for the torturous physical pain that so many are trying to endure.  And with that being said, I will leave you with another promise from the book of Revelation:

Revelation 21:4 (New King James Version)

⁴ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

   

 

Memory Monday--Ruth 1:16-17

(Nicholas Poussin 1594-1665)

Summer (Ruth and Boaz) 

I know that I have posted these memory verses earlier this year.  But tonight the phone rang while I was cleaning the dinner dishes.  It was a call that I wasn't expecting, but that I was overjoyed to receive.  My sweet Father in Law, who has been so very sick and in the hospital at Duke Univeristy for a while is FINALLY at home!  It was so great to hear his voice knowing that he is at home and not in a hospital bed for the first time in over a month.  I had been trying to decide what verses to post today.  After taking the call from Daddy B, it was quite clear what I needed to post about.  The verses tried to make their way into my thoughts but I was missing some pieces.  So today, I'm revisiting some verses that I hold very dear. 

  ¹⁶ But Ruth said:

      “ Entreat me not to leave you,
      Or to turn back from following after you;
      For wherever you go, I will go;
      And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;
      Your people shall be my people,
      And your God, my God.

 ¹⁷ Where you die, I will die,
      And there will I be buried.
      The LORD do so to me, and more also,
      If anything but death parts you and me.” (Ruth 1:16-17, New King James Version)  

What are some special verses for you that the Lord has brought to the forefront for you?

 

 

Memory Monday--Matthew 5:1-11

I think one of the greatest bible studies I ever attended was a ladies weekend with the most precious and a most anointed teacher, Margaret Ashmore.  The study was on the beatitudes from Matthew 5:1-11.  I'll never forget sitting in the pew in the chapel at Cottage Hill Baptist Church listening to Margaret delve deep, deep into each verse one by one, so deep that we could have probably spent a weeks study on each verse by itself.  As I was trying to decide the last few days about Memory Monday, the memory of this study jumped to the forefront of my mind.  I know I still have my notes from that study somewhere...and I'm going to find them this week...it's my mission.  I know that they are over 11 or 12 years old, but I think I may be able to find that journal!

What studies have made a lasting impression on you and on your walk with the Lord over the years?

Matthew 5

The Beatitudes

 ¹ And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. ² Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
       ³ “ Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
       ⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
       ⁵ Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
       ⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
       ⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
       ⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
       ⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
       ¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 ¹¹ “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. ¹² Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

Memory Monday--Colossians 4:2-6

 

I pray that the Lord will remind me daily of the Christian graces of the words in Colossians.  I come in contact daily with people that I know that I should be more prepared with my "answer" to them.  It's not something that is a surprise to me...it's one of those things that we (as Christians) always know.  Why is it that we get so "comfortable" that we forget the reason for our calling?  The Lord has called us to provide answers when called on to do so...and I know that this is something that I should be better prepared to do.  It's not that I have never given answers when called upon, but i know that I have many more opportunities to do so that what I take advantage of.   These verses spoke to me deeply today and I pray that they will speak to you as well.  

What Christian graces do you want to improve on in your walk?

Colossians 4 (New King James Version)

² Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; ³ meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, ⁴that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 
⁵ Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Memory Monday--Zephaniah 3:17

Last week was a "doozie", for lack of a better term.  I had a million and one things to do at work and wouldn't you know....last Monday morning I pulled my back about a minute before I was to walk out the door to go to the office.  Needless to say, Monday and Tuesday I spent most of the days in the bed.  Then Wednesday through Friday, I was cramming five days worth of work into three.  And if that weren't enough, on Thursday, I discovered that the person taking our order over the phone last Monday for pizza had not only taken our order but took our credit card info and proceeded to purchase pre-paid cell phones!  So let's just say that I was "grumbling" in my spirit most of last week.  I kept thinking, "if you hadn't have pulled your back and felt bad, then you would have been cooking instead of ordering pizza, so the guy never would have stolen your information"!  Grumble, grumble, grumble....grrrrrrrrr!  

Well, it could have been much worse.  I could have been in traction and the guy could have wiped us out, but the Lord took care of all of it.  He provided a very helpful detective (can you believe there is actually a "financial crimes" division at the police department these days?) to get to the bottom of our case.  And, He provided a very sweet nurse who knows me and knew that I didn't feel like schlepping into the doctor's office just for him to give me a prescription, so she just cut to the chase and called in a much needed muscle relaxer....relief for my back and saved me a copay!

In the midst of these two very insignificant issues above, I have two very dear friends who are going through MUCH bigger trials and tribulations right now.  My little petty issues don't compare to the heartache that these two women of God are going through.  I know that you're asking by now...what does this have to do with Memory Monday?  Well, in all of these circumstances, I kept hearing the words that God was "singing over me".  I had heard teaching on the verse before but couldn't remember the whole verse and couldn't even begin to think of where it was in the scripture.  Well, it's in Zephaniah 3:17 to be exact.  So that's my memory verse for this week....and it's a verse that I will remember in my prayers for these two sweet sisters in the Lord....you both know who you are....and I love both of you!

Zephaniah 3:17 (New King James Version) 

 17 The LORD your God in your midst, 

 The Mighty One, will save; 

 He will rejoice over you with gladness, 

 He will quiet you with His love, 

 He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Memory Monday--Isaiah 45:2-3

Isaiah 45:2-3 (New King James Version) 

 2 ‘ I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron. 3 I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel.

My verses for Memory Monday are some verses that were in my quiet time earlier this week.  In the context of the verses above, God wanted Cyrus (The King of Persia) to know that He was giving him a victory here.  When I read these verses in my quiet time this week, they literally leaped off of the page.  I know that God called Cyrus "His anointed" in the opening of chapter 45, but in the verses above, God was speaking directly to ME as His anointed.  There has been SO much going on in my life and in the lives of my family lately.  But, God reassured me here of the victory that He has for ME.  He wants to make the "crooked places straight" (or "rough places smooth", New American Standard).  He reminded me that He has indeed called me by my name...and not just the name that was given to me by my parents at birth.  No, He called me by MY name, the name that He has given me.  The name that only He knows.  WOW....I don't know about you, but that gives me goosebumps!  He has blessings to bestow on ME, HIS beloved.  And He has a name....just for ME.  For those who have come to a saving relationship with the Lord, can you imagine what it will be like to be in Glory with the Lord and find out the name that He has just for you?  

I pray that you are all having a great week.  If you would like to join Memory Monday, please drop by my friend Joanne Heim's blog at The Simple Wife.  

Many blessings to you,

If you aren't sure that you have eternal security in a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and would like more answers to your questions, please click on this link.  

Memory Monday--Psalm 27:13

Thanks to my bloggy siesta Liz for my memory verse for this week here at Memory Monday.  Liz, you have no idea how I needed that verse at the very minute that I read it.  Thanks for your faithfulness sweet siesta for sending me that encouragement!  Love and Hugs....from my coast....all the way over to your coast!

Please keep my family in your prayers this week if you think of us.  We just got my Dad out of the hospital and now Rob's Dad has been admitted to the hospital today.  Pray for strength for everyone involved.  We covet each and every prayer lifted!

Memory Monday--Colossians 3:15-17

With everything that has been going on in our lives lately, my surgery in July, Rob needing more hip surgery, waiting on the Lord to send us a family, and working so much and so hard  in the meantime, it sometimes can feel "out of control" for me.  And if I let it, then I tend to forget the words in Colossians that I need so desperately to remember and dwell on in my heart:

¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:15-17

I have to remind myself not to listen to the many and varied lies of the enemy: 

• "You'll never have a minute's peace". 
• "You'll never have a family". 
• "Rob will never be better".  
• "You'll never be able to stay at home."  

I don't know about you, but I'll be honest with you, the Enemy never minces words with me...he pretty much cuts straight to the chase with the fiery darts.  He has a way of zinging them straight for my head, and for my heart.  But, then, that's when I have to remind myself of His words in Ephesians:

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[c] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:10-20

When I decided to totally commit these verses in Colossians to memory (I have bits and pieces of them, but need to polish them), all I could visualize were "holding hands".  I think that's what I picture because I know that the Lord is holding my hand through all of this and in turn, Rob and I are holding each other's hand as we approach his next surgery and in trusting the Lord for a family.  As Rob and I reminded each other today of the "good, bad and the ugly" that we had to endure during his last surgery and that we were about to have to endure it again, my spirit checked itself especially with verse 17 of Colossians 3.  Trust me, it's easy to be in the midst of the recovery and be so overwhelmed that you just want to throw your hands up and tell everyone just "deal with it, I'm done".  But, I'm thankful for the experience that we had before, what we learned then and what we will take into our next experience.  By no means will it be easy.  But I'm thankful for the extra wisdom I gained the last time and excited to see what I will learn this time.  The same goes with the experience of trusting Him for a family.  I know and firmly believe:

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

I know that there is much to be done in the days to come.  It won't be easy, I know it will be tiring, but I made it once and I'll make it again.  So for now, my memory verses for this week will hopefully continue to remind me to keep my attitude in check, keep songs and hymns in my heart and to do everything as unto the Lord.

Memory Monday--John 5:24-27

Better late than never...these verses have been on my heart lately because of the father of a friend of ours who is dying of cancer. He is not a believer and up until recently has been very hardened towards the Lord. We are praying that due to some recent events, his heart may be softening. If you are reading this post, please say a prayer for him. Other details are not important here, but just know that he is a husband, a father and a grandfather...and that he desperately needs a relationship with the Lord as his Savior, no matter what the hour of his life.

²⁴"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. ²⁵I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. ²⁶For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. ²⁷And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. (John 5:24-27)

PS....please come back for a visit here tomorrow for "Bee My Guest", where I will be welcoming a dear friend of mine as a guest author tomorrow.  And, there will be a great giveaway also!  You don't want to miss it!

Memory Monday--Philippians 4:6-7 (A day late!)

I just have to confess that my Monday was not quite what I had anticipated (but then again, when are they ever?).  So, I am behind on my post, but nevertheless, I press on.  My verses are actually verses that i know, but at this season in my life, at this very hour, I need their constant reminder.  They come from Philippians 4:6-7:

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

May everyone have a blessed week. I pray that you will also delve into the scriptures that God has so lovingly written to us. I know that they are of comfort to me--I pray they will be also to you.

Memory Monday--Galatians 6:1-5

Well...it's been a busy week, and IT'S JUST MONDAY!  EEK!  My memory verse this week is from Galatians 6, which says:

1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.

This passage is directed totally at myself! I am praying that God would burn this passage into my heart this week!

Happy Memorizing to all!

Memory Monday--Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

It's that time again! Thank you for challenging us Joanne....I look forward to this every week! Well, I'll jump right on in the pool here with last week's verse...

"Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23

For this week, I'm continuing with the next verse in our Bible Study, "I Promise", by Gary Smalley. Our class is REALLY enjoying this study. I would highly encourage it if you are looking for a great couples study. Anyhow....our verse for this week is:

"Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

Happy memorizing everyone!!!

Labels: Memory Monday

We were challenged this week in our ABF (Adult Bible Fellowship, fka "Sunday School") to memorize a verse that was a part of our lesson. We have just begun the Gary Smalley study called "I Promise". I'll have to tell you, so far, we have thoroughly enjoyed it...especially the homework. At any rate, my Memory Monday's will now be in line with our study for the next few weeks. So, with that said, our verse this week is:

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

Happy memorizing everyone!!! I hope that you all have a very blessed week!

Labels: Memory Monday

Memory Monday (Ruth 1:16-17)

Ephesians 5:1-2 "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. and walk in love as Christ has also loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice for a sweet smelling aroma."

So this week, my verse will be from Ruth 1:16-17. These verses are so important in marriage. I was just reminding my husband of them today. There are no conditions for me...only my vows and only these verses and my holy covenant before God. Sometimes it is hard for our flesh to be so accepting of a mate's unconditional love and acceptance of us. I want these verses to always be embedded in the very fibers of each of our hearts. Happy Memorizing everyone!

16“ Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”

Labels: Memory Monday

Memory Monday (Ephesians 5:1-2)

Well, I'm here...it's 10:00, but I'm here, with the "crud", but here nonetheless! Here we go...

"8 Finally bretheren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things ae lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."

For this week, I am going to move to Ephesians 5:1-2, which state:

"1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma."

Happy memorizing everyone...and stay away from this yucky stuff that's going around!

Labels: Memory Monday

Memory Monday (Philippians 4:8-9)

Well...it's good to finally be back to Memory Monday after a little time off. I know that I want to finish Psalm 37, but this week, I am going to move to Philipians to a couple of verses that I need to add to some prior memorization. I contantly quote Philipians 4:6-7 to myself, but I would like to add verses 8 & 9 to that. I can apply verses 6 & 7 to just about every second of the day sometimes. It runs over and over in my head, especially since I am "anxious" by nature. The verses simply state:

"6 Be anxious for nothing but in everything (ALL things), by prayer and suppplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God; 7 and the peace of God which surpasses all (of your) understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

So this week, I would like to expand on that and add the next verses, which state:

"8 Finally, bretheren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virture and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."

I hope that everyone has a great week...happy memorizing!

Labels: Memory Monday

Memory Monday to be continued

Well, it's been a very long week, to say the least. I will have to admit that I got NOWHERE with my memory verses from Memory Monday.  Here are some of the reasons why:

If you remember a while back, I wrote a post about the mother of 0ne of my employees, who was struggling with a mysterious illness and had been hospitalized on December 13th.  I regret to tell you that she lost her battle with this illness (I forgot to bring home my written piece of paper with the name...it's a VERY long name).  Mrs. Jackie went home to be with the Lord a few days ago...the funeral was today.  Please continue to pray for strength for her seven children and all of the grandchildren.  The grandchildren are really having a hard time, since most of them haven't been able to see their "MawMaw" since before she was hospitalized over a month ago...and now she's gone.  Thankfully, Mrs. Jackie was a believer and has gone home to be with the Lord and has now been reunited with her husband, who passed away several years ago. 

Also, Rob's Dad has been hospitalized and is struggling with some very serious heart issues, along with other illnesses that are making the battle even harder.  Please make him a matter of prayer this week.  I have not shared the whole story yet (and I will), but Rob was only reunited with his Dad recently after not seeing him in 36 years.  His Dad is a believer and we are so thankful that he has eternal salvation.  Now, the only issue is that Rob and his Dad desperately want to have more time together.  Unfortunately, we live 14 hours apart from Rob's Dad and step-Mom.  So, please pray tha both Rob and his dad will be able to spend many more times together.  We are SO blessed to have been able to spend almost all of Christmas week with them...they are memories that are emblazed in our minds...we will cherish them always.  I have handwritten out some of their story and hope to be able to share more later.  Right now, however, I'm just focused on Rob and his Dad and their times together. 

With all of that said, I'll try and get back on track with my memorization for next week.  I LOVE the accountability of the Memory Monday group....please excuse me for this week!

Labels: Memory Monday

Memory Monday Psalm 37 (v 12-14)

Well, it's Monday again! The weekend is gone, but fortunately for me, even though it's Monday, I'M OFF TODAY! YIPPY!! Since Rob works for a municipality and has a holiday today, I decided to take a vacation day from work. But, nevertheless, it's still Memory Monday!

So, to catch you up, here is where I am so far in my endeavor to memorize Psalm 37.  This past week I finished with verses 9-11 but I have typed out what I have memorized up to today:

PSALM 37:1-11 (NIV)

1 Do not fret because of those who do evil or be envious of those who do wrong 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like the green plants they will soon die away. 3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. 7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. 8 Refrain from anger and turn away from wrath. Do not fret--it only leads to evil. 9 For evil men will be cut off , but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. 10 A little while and the wicked will be no more; though you will look for them but they will not be found. 11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. 

SO...now I'm up to this week's verses, which will be verses 12-14:

12 The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; 13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for He knows their day is coming. 14 The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.

I hope everyone has a great week...happy memorizing!

Labels: Memory Monday

Memory Monday Psalm 37 (v 12-13)

Yes, I know that it's late Sunday night, but it's almost Monday, so I'm making my post now so that I can be more efficient in the morning!  Well, last week I ended up with verses 9-11 in Psalm 37 which state this:

9 For evil men will be cut off but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the Land.  10  A little while and the wicked will be cut off. Though you You will look for them they will not be found.  11  But the The meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.

Well, this week, I press forward in Psalm 37. I will be working  on Verses 12-13 in the passage:

"12 The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; 13 But the Lord laughs at the wicked, for He knows their day is coming."

Happy memorizing to everyone this week!  I hope that all of the Memory Monday Sisters have a very blessed week in the scriptures!

Labels: Memory Monday

Memory Monday Psalm 37 (v 9-11)

Well, I'm not finished to the point that I would like to be, but here is what I have from last week. I'm still in Psalm 37 and determined to stay there. Verse 8 says:

"Refrain from anger and turn from wrath--do not fret, it only leads to evil."

I don't like that I have been so cusy that I have not been able to spend the time that I would desire to spend on memorization, but I'm praying that due to my desire to "simplify" in this new year, I will gain the time that I feel that I'm missing right now. I will pick up with verses 9-11 this week...and I'M DETERMINED!! Those verses tell us:

9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. 10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. 11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.

I don't know about you, but I want to "inherit the land and enjoy great peace". God's promises are good and HE is good and HE is peaceful--ALL THE TIME.

Labels: Memory Monday

Memory Monday--last one of the year!

Well, this is the last Memory Monday of 2008! I'm so excited to see what paths that we all continue to go down with our Memory Monday's for 2009!  I just got in last night from being gone out of town, so I have lots of things going on this week, with work in the midst.  I am praying that God will allow me to continue down this path of memorization with minimal adverse outside obstacles this week. 

So, with that said, I'm going to leave you with where I am in Psalm 37, which is at verse 7.  With the Christmas festivities, I didn't complete as much as I would have liked to, so I will adjust for this week.  "7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of when men who succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes." 

As for the verses for this week, I will continue in Psalm 37 with 8-10, which state: 

"8  Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it only leads to evil.  9 For evil men will be cut off but those who hope in the lord will inherit the land.  10 A little while and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found."

HAPPY MEMORIZING!!!!!

Labels: Memory Monday

Memory Monday (a little tardy) and A Christmas Blessing

Well, I'm a day late again, but I believe it was for a good cause. Rob and I left Monday night at about 11:00pm and drove for 14 hours to North Carolina for a VERY special Christmas.  We received the greatest Christmas present that we ever could have received this year.  We actually got this present a couple of months ago, but I purposely haven't shared with all of you yet because I wanted it to be a big Christmas surprise. 

Rob was recently reunited with his Dad after 36 years of being apart.  Rob had not see him since he was about 5 years old.  I will be posting more about the journey that we have all made over the last 2 months during this most GLORIOUS reunion. Even better, Rob's newly found fmaily are also Believers, which has made everything even that much sweeter.  And even more, we have gained a step mother who is SO very special and a step brother and sister that we are THRILLED about (and even little Izzy, the dog!) 

The verses that I was able to complete this week are especially meaningful this week, considering the reunion and everything that it has encompassed on both sides.  Psalm 37:5-6 says "Commit your way to the Lord and HE WILL DO THIS.  He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your causes like the noonday sun."  I didn't finish verses 7-9, but will finish them this week.  The Verses for this week are also quite meaningful right now as well.  They simply say (5-9): 

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.  Refrain from anger and turn away from wrath;  do not fret--it only leads to evil.  For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land."

I hope that all of my friends in the blogosphere are enjoying a very meaningful and special time with your families...just as we are now.  What a VERY special Christmas this has been for us already...and the week isn't even over yet!  Stay tuned in the next couple of weeks...I will be sharing our story from this year and pray that it will give hope to many people in circumstances like ours and even in other circumstances that appear "hopeless".  This is definitely a season of HOPE.....I hope that you will all enjoy the bounty of the Lord in your lives as we have. 

Merry CHRISTmas!!  Jesus is the ONE AND ONLY reason for THIS season!

Labels: Memory Monday, Thoughts