**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!
Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go for to You I lift up my soul.
Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
Gretchen, Thousand Oaks, CA Psalm 119:114 NLT You are my refuge and my shield; Your word is my source of hope.
Jenny, Elida, “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.” Deuteronomy 6:6 (NIV)
Grace, Elida, “He denied it, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ He went out on the porch. A rooster crowed.” Mark 14:68 (The Message)
Chris
Canton, NC
“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
Patty from Vicksburg, Ms
“He had told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 NASB
Debra, Sulphur Springs, Texas This is for August 1 and 15
“If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men” Romans 12:18 KJV;
“Set a watch o Lord before my mouth, keep the door of my lips” Psalm 141:3 KJV
Brenda, Midlothian, VA. “Therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God, entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” 1 Peter 4:19 NASB
Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house that you have brought me this far?
1 Chronicles 17:16
Michele
North Oaks, MN
Crystal-Milford, IA
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 (TNIV)
Elaine, Powder Springs – Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9 (NIV)
Cheryl, Coffeyville, KS
“So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well.” 2 Cor. 12:15a
Kristy, Wake Forest, NC: “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.” Colossians 3.17 (NIV)
Shiffra, Vicksburg, MI
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV)
Carrie, Fort Mill, SC
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deut. 31:8 NIV
North Palm Beach, FL
Psalm 30:4-5 Holman
“Sing to the LORD, you His faithful ones, and praise His holy name. For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor, a lifetime. Weeping may spend the night, but there is joy in the morning.”
Casey, Ooltewah, TN
“When I called, you answered me;
you made me bold and stouthearted.”
Psalm 138:3 NIV
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NIV)
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live
and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
I chose this one in honor of the great time at LPL in Charlotte.
Toni, Morgans Point, TX
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 NIV
Audrey, Ohio
Ephesians 1:17-19 HCSB
I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the perception of your mind may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.
Kim, Atlanta
“To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion–to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit–that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” – Isaiah 61:3 (AB)
(Note: Isaiah 61:1 was my SSMT #10 memory verse . These two verses will be combined on this go around and serve as my 1st & 15th Siesta verses.)
Yolanda
Ulysses, KS.
SSMT #15 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.” Matthew 15:13 NIV
Psalm 40:1-3
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.
Angie
Deltona,FL
1 year later, this is finally true for me:)
Emily D, Portsmouth, England
“The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him” Lamentations 3v25 NIV
Sarah, Christina and Esther May: Wenatchee
“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.”
Galatians 6:1 NIV
Kristi, Lenoir City, TN
Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.
Romans 12:11-13 Holman Christian Standard
Julie dk in Casper, WY
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God
2 Corinthians 1;3-4 NIV
Colette, Mesa, AZ.
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”
Hebrews 6:10 NIV
Conne, Angel Fire:
“On the glorious splendor of Your majestry and on Your wondrous works I will meditate.” Psalm 145:5 (Amplified)
Laura K in Spearfish, SD:
You shall eat the old stores long kept, and you shall clear out the old to make way for the new. – Leviticus 26:10 ESV.
August 1, 2011
Bettie Pasadena
Matthew 7:1-2 NIV
“Do notjudge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Judy Littleton, NC
Let us HOLD FAST the confession of our hope without wavering for he who promised is faithful. Heb: 10:23 ESV
Vicki Knott, Greenwood, SC
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3: 5-6 (NIV)
Joyce, Wahpeton ND
Psalm 73:26 ESV
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Kerry, Nederland
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
Proverbs 31:25-26
NLT
Martha, Clearwater, FL
“Yet, you are near,O Lord,and all your commands are true.”
Psalm 119:151 NIV
Karen, Scottsdale
“Your Word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You.” Ps. 119:11 NKJV
Kimberly – Petersburg, VA When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
Kimberly – Petersburg, VA Psalm 126: 1-6 NIV Oops! I forgot to add it!
Betty, MA
“I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me, more than I want burnt offerings.” ~ Hosea 6:6 (NLT)
Brigette
Morehead, KY
But seek Ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. KJV
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
Psalm 1:1
NIV
Patty
Talbott, Tn
2 Cor. 7:1 ( the Message)
“Make a clean break from everything that defiles us or distracts us, both within and without; make our lives fit and holy to worship God. “
Becky Jo
Chesterfield, MI
”Count it all joy my brothers, when you meet trials of carious kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have it’s full effect that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2-4 ESV
(gotta get a leg up on this James memorization thing!!)
Carol
Albuquerque NM
Philippians 4:6-7
6- Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God.
7- And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Kay, Sheridan
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 32:7 NIV
Rebecca, Greenwood, IN
Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more except Jesus. Mark 9:8 The NET Bible
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1-2 NIV
Kay
Tupelo, Ms
Amy, Tyler, TX
Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self control.
Proverbs 25:28 NIV
Darcie, Bethel, CT: “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
I Peter 3:15 NIV
Emmy Rome, GA
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:68-69 NIV
Sandy, Lexington, KY
“You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 119:114 (NIV)