**Siesta Celebration is January 20-21, 2012**
Hey, Sweet Things!
Finally, August 1st! I’m always so glad to see it come so that it can GO. But it’s not just the end of a long, hot summer for everybody. It’s also the last couple of weeks of summer vacation. Those of you with school-age children will soon find yourself back in carpool lines and going over spelling words. In just a couple of weeks, Jackson will start kindergarten and will catch our whole family by surprise even though we’ve known it was coming for five and a half years. We just cannot fathom it. We have a picture framed in our bedroom that I see everyday with Keith and I cuddling him between us when he was just a few hours old, and we brand-spanking-new grandparents are kissing over his head. Something was reborn in that couple of 25+ years that day. Our interests have always tended to be different and were getting increasingly so, but, that cold February afternoon in Dallas, Texas, we somersaulted right back into one another and tumbled into a well of love with a seven pound man-child.
Keith and I got to have Jackson and Annabeth Friday night while Curtis and Amanda went to dinner and a movie. They’d been gone for 10 days to Wyoming and, even though we’d seen them at a Mexican food restaurant the day they got home, we’d not had them to ourselves yet. We made a date right away. They delight us to no end and cause us to laugh until our sides split. Don’t get the idea there’s no work involved but investments don’t get better than this one. We have real, live conversation over dinner these days and, when you’re grandparents, not a single word gets wasted on you. All of it’s solid gold. Jackson told us at the dinner table Friday night while stuffing a piece of warm French bread into his mouth that butter is his “temptutation.” And, sure enough, it was dripping off of his chin and looked so good that we all shared that same temptutation and gave right on in to it.
We have an empty room in our house right now because we wanted Melissa and Colin to have her bedroom furniture and it’s turned into the perfect playroom. Nothing like an empty room to fire up the imagination. Jackson and I built an obstacle course Friday night that ended with a dizzying spin in my swiveling desk chair. It was so much fun. Amanda and Curtis walked through the door at 10:15 and we were all four still up in the kitchen, Paw Paw popping popcorn on the stove. It’s so good to have the Jones’s home. Melissa and Colin have been out of town for a week, too, and I can hardly wait to get my hands on them. They’re flying home from California this very moment. Most of the time they were out of cell phone range so we’ll have plenty to catch up on.
On to the business at hand! Our year is flying by! It’s time to check in with our fifteenth verses for our Siesta Scripture Memory Team. For some reason I’ve seen the word “gentleness” turn up a number of times in my Scripture reading lately so I’ve decided to choose a memory verse that makes especially important use of it. Here goes:
Beth, Houston. “Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too.” Galatians 6:1 The NET Bible
Restoration is one of the most powerful, intentional works of the Cross of Christ. Let’s never refuse anyone his or her right to be restored. Here’s to a little gentleness in a harsh world. Everyone could use some.
Stay in the Word, Siestas! You are so loved here!
You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;
Your right hand has held me up,
Your gentleness has made me great. Psalm 18:35
Gentleness-humble,even balanced in tempers and passion, patient in suffering injuries without feeling a spirit of revenge
My friend has lived life to its fullest, And as she sits here beside me Her wrinkled, gentle hands show the work she has done over the years. She made quilts of love, She grew gardens filled with flowers that bloom, she held children in her arms, her hair is beautifully fixed in a neatly pushed back in a bun, and what once was long, black color has turned gray. She turned the pages of her Bible, as each page was precious She leaned over and reached out to the hands of those she loved and she would pray precious prayers. Though her eyes were not like they use to be and she wore glasses, she could see the specific needs of those around her and helped those in need. Her face has some wrinkle as time has passed, but she wears a sweet smile that makes her eyes shine. She has so many memories, yet some are not so clear any more. She has given to others, her passion and her dreams shared with those she loved over the years. Whether it was a friend in need, or a prayer She was there to encourage another my friend, she is beautiful inside her heart with reflects the love of Christ. For now I want to be there for her. She is special. She may be your grandmother, She may be your neighbor. She is just my friend, full of God’s gentleness and compassion.~joyce
Becky, Scottsdale, AZ,
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Ephesians 1:19 NAS
“and what is the surpassing greatness of His power towards us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might.”
Camille – Keller, TX: “Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too.” Galatians 6:1 The NET Bible
Sharon
South Charleston, Ohio
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
~ Philippians 4:4-5 (NIV)
Rene Claremore OK
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us–yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17 NIV
Melanie, Decatur, AL
This verse came up in my Bible reading, and the bridge to the song “Rain Down” came to my mind as well; greatly need this encouragement:
1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV
However, as it is written:
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him”
Also was reminded of Abraham’s great faith; how it wasn’t logical, practical, or even really feasible. However, due to his unwavering faith, God fulfilled His promise to him. (See Romans 4:18-25, Galatians 3:5-9)
Carol, Santa Maria, 2 Corinthians 9:10 NIV, “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will also supply and increase your store of seed, and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.”
Gretchen, Madison, MS
“Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” Romans 6:12 NIV
Cheryl in Fairhope “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1 NIV)
Nancy, Oxford, FL
Psalm 139:23-24, NIV
Search me O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Elizabeth Meagher, RIchmond, VA
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm. Plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NIV)
Is anyone else out there getting RADICAL this summer?
Our verse from CentriKid last week. Two 11 boys accepted Jesus!!!
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:19
Tracy L.
Richlands, NC
Sarah Miller, New Palestine, IN
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1John 4:18 NIV)
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, NIV
He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. Psalm 18:19 NIV
Jan in Tulsa
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 (NIV 1984)
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Proverbs 16:24 NIV
Brenda
Chicago, IL
Michelle, West Des Moines, IA
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Debbie, Sevierville
For The Lord your God is God of gods, Lord of lords, the Great God, Mighty and Awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.
NIV Deuteronomy 10:17
Lee Ann, Brentwood, TN
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” NIV John 14:27
Kim Chicago IL, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 NIV
Emily, Ida Grove, Ia -Your hands made me and formed me;
give me understanding to learn your commands. Psalm 119:73 (NIV)
Patti, Northville, MI: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” ~ Psalm 32:8 (God’s Positioning System – GPS!)
Beth, Fountain Inn, For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13
Cathy, Gastonia, NC
“If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we’re obviously lying through our teeth – we’re not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God’s Son, purges all our sin.”
1 John 1:6-7 (The Messsage)
Huntington, WV
Micah 6:8 NIV
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. I Peter 3:12 NKJV
Kristie
Queen City, TX
Cary, Celina, TX:
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Amy, Snellville GA
Joshua 1:8 NIV
“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Psalm 139:9-10 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
Annette, Toronto ON
So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Ps. 90:12 NKJV
Lala Ball Cooper in Ruston, Louisiana says:
“Whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”
1 John 2:5 KJV
Tina, Roxboro, NC
Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in fron of the blind but fear your God. I am the Lord.
Lev. 19:14
Stephanie,Winder,GA
Deut. 6 5-9 (ESV)
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Kelsi, Pewaukee, WI:
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Ephesians 4:29, ESV
Hannah; Maryland, “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3 (KJV)
Beth, After recently finishing one of your Bible Studies, I found this website. How do I become a Siesta? Do I have to go back and memorize all of the verses from January 1st? Or, will you allow me to start now? I want to come to Houston in January to be with all of you. I can’t tell you the change in my life and in some of my friends at church since we found the Beth Moore Bible Studies. God Bless you and keep up the good work. Sondra
Hi Sondra! Welcome to the LPM Blog! You will see a link on the right hand side of our home page that explains our “Siesta” name. WHAT’S A SIESTA? Isn’t “siesta” the Spanish word for nap? Yes! Then why are our LPM blog readers called siestas? One time Beth typed out the word “sistas,” referring to our blog readers, and her spell checker wanted her to change it to “siestas.” The name stuck! You can read about it here. If you read this blog, consider yourself a siesta! It’s just another word for sister.
I will write to your email address with more information.
Ruth,Providence
And Jesus answered them saying, “Have faith of God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain,’Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask–praying–believe that you have received it and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
Mark 11:22-26 RSV/YLT
Donna, Mt. Pleasant NC
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
John 10:27 NASB
Amy; Middletown, Delaware
2 Timothy 2:24 “A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, PATIENT.”, NKJV
Allison A. Johnson City, TN; “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Courtney, Fort Collins, CO
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 NIV
Andrea; Cartersville,GA~ Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” NIV
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 19:14 KJV
Kristi, Seagrove Beach, FL
“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
Nicole Bloomington, IL:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV
Stephanie; Ogden, Utah; “Now may the Lord’s strength be displayed, just as you have declared.”; Numbers 14:17; NIV
Linda, Dallas, TX
Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.
– Galatians 6:4 NLT