**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!
Gwen, Kennesaw, GA: Praise God, everybody! Applaud God, all people! His love has taken over our lives; God’s faithful ways are eternal. Hallelujah! Psalm 117 The Message
Melissa, Sulphur, LA
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30 (NIV)
Psalm 56:10-11 [NIV]
In God, whose Word I praise, in the LORD —
in God I trust; I shall not be afraid . . .
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer Olmstead
Janesville, WI
Charlotte from Memphis
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.
John 1:12
Donna, Albuquerque: 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Tammy, Paducah, The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17
Kim, Huntsville, AL
Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. Proverbs 3:25 & 26 (NIV)
Dana from Lexington
“Live carefree before God; He is most careful with you.” 1 Peter 5:7 Msg
Jamie, Fort Worth, TX
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 – NIV
Marcy Amarillo Tx
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him.
Nahum 1:7
Sheryl, Rocky Mount, NC, I Peter 5:10 (NIV) And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
Gail, McDonough, Ga
2Corinthians12:9 (NIV)
But he said to me, “My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in
weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that
Christ’s power may rest on me.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 NIV
Sarah Birmingham, Lambertville, MI
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Tanya, Sheffield, Alabama:
“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
Mindy – McDonough, GA
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
James 4:17 NLT
2 verses this time – I missed last time!
Psalm 34:4 (NIV)
“I sought the LORD, and he answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.”
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5 ESV
Becky
Murfreesboro, TN
Irving, TX
NIV Proverbs 11:24 One man gives freely, yet gains even more: another witholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
Susan, Platte City, MO
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
Just found the Siesta Scripture Memory Team! May I jump in and join for the remainder of this year?
Of course, Susan! You are welcome to join us in memorizing!
Peggy, Yorktown, VA
Ps 53:8 — But I am like an olive tree flourshing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.
Heather, Shiloh, NC
“If you love me, obey my commandments.” John 14:15 (NLT)
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 NIV
Heather, Dadeville “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 NIV
Becky, Jacksonville, FL
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
Lyn Steriti
Littleton NH
Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or You gave
birth to the earth and the world, even from
everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
Psalm 90:1-2. NASB
Lisa, Granville, Ohio (3 verses! Sorry– I couldn’t split them up) Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14 NIV
Darcy, Houston “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Pam, Austin, Romans 4:20 NIV “Yet he did not waver through unbelief reagarding the promise of God but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God.”
Karin, Kingsburg, CA
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Patty M. – Glendora, CA
“Think about the things of heaven not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:2-3 NLT
James 1:12 NIV
Blessed is the man who perseveres because when he is finished he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.
Ruth, Fuquay-Varina, NC “Where there are many words, transgression is unavoidable. But he who restrains his lips is wise.” Proverbs 10:19″ NAS
Paula, Russell, KY
“…and find out what pleases the Lord.” Eph 5:10, NIV
Alta,
Sharpsville, IN
“You, however must continue in the things you have learned and are confident about. You know who taught you and how from infancy you have know the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation though faith in Christ Jesus.”
2 Timothy 3:14-15 The NET Bible
Mary Ann, Woodbury, MN
He will not allow your foot to slip;
your Protector will not slumber.
Indeed, the Protector of Israel
does not slumber or sleep
Psalm 121:3-4 (HCSB)
Shelly Wilson, Fort Worth, TX
Proverbs 25:28 (NLT) – A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.
Tuscaloosa,AL
Proverbs 16:5
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. NIV
Pat, Woodstock, AL
The Message Proverbs 21:31
Do your Best, Prepare for the worst, then trust God to bring Victory.
Col. 3:15 ESV
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 (NLT)
2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV1984
20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
Kay – Deer Park
Psalm 16:8 NIV
Cheryl/Kemah, Tx
8 I have set the LORD always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
Shelli, Houston: “Sin came into the world because of what one man did, and with sin came death.” ~ Romans 5:12 (NCV)
Sallie Howell, Tupelo, MS NIV
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see you good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NIV
Marilyn Horton
Fort Smith, AR
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
(Philippians 2:10-11, NIV)
…for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You.
Psalm 9:10b NIV
Michele ~ Kenosha, WI
Lynette, Nashville, TN
But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6 NIV
Christy, Summit, MS; “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 NIV
Bonnie Thomson, Rowlett, TX
I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalns 119:10–11 NIV