**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!
Judy, Ridgecrest, CA
For out struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavnly realms.
Ephesians 6:12 NIV
Amen Lord Jesus
Julie
Clanton, AL
Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Mattew 22: 37-40 NIV
Dagmar, Tyler TX
About Benjamin he said: “Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.”
Deut 33:12 NIV
Kathy
Dow, IL
Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
NRSV
Having surgery Aug.3rd @ 10:30. Coveting your prayers.
I will definitely say a prayer for you and a quick recovery.
God bless you. you are in my thoughts.
Just prayed, Kathy! He is with you!!!
Rosie, Tacoma
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NKJV
Johanna, Forysth, MT, “Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God and that you are turning their hearts back again.” 1 Kings 18:37 NIV
Marla – Washington
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourself.
Romans 12:10 NIV
Carolyn, Maryville, It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perserverses. Love never fails.
I Cor 13:7-8 NIV
Julie in Nebraska
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me (John 10:27, NIV).
Vickie, Louisville, KY “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NIV
Stacy, Magee, MS……He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30 NIV
Cindy Dallas, Tx Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you. Hebrews 13:5 niv
Bridgette Jencks
Panama City Beach, FL
Ephesians 3:17b-19 NIV
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Susan, Canton, Mi
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work in us. Eph 3:20 NIV
Kari McClain, Three Rivers, MI
We’ve flown free from their fangs, free of their traps, free as a bird. Their grip is broken; we’re free as a bird in flight. God’s strong name is our help, the same God who made heaven and earth. Ps. 124:7-8 msg
For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:17 NIV
Susan, Canton, Mi
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more then all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work in us.” Eph 3:20 NIV
Dianne
Richland, MS
Isaiah 49:16 NIV
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.
Jonda, Shakopee, MN
“We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:7-8 (NIV 1984)
Allison, Kalamazoo, MI
But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 1 THess. 5:8 (NIV)
Sharon, Barrington
“But God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but one of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIT)
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
Leah, Atlanta: “You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.” Psalm 139:5
Amanda, Boaz. “Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” Galatians 3:3 NIV
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you many know how to answer everyone. Col. 4:6-NIV
Debbie
Highland, MI
Monroe, LA:
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel
Ephesians 6:19 NIV
Jennifer, OKC
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Heb. 4:16 NIV
Donna,
Loganville, PA
“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
Carla Lee
Corryton,Tn.
NIV Jer.33: 11b
“Give thanks to the LORD Almighty for the LORD is good: HIs love endures forever”
KELEI. IOWA PARK.”WE KNOW THAT GOD WORKS TOGETHER FOR GOOD FOR THE ONES WHO LOVE GOD, FOR THOSE WHO ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE”. COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE
Amy, Grand Rapids, MI
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Galatians 6:9 NLT
Lana, Nebraska,
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:6 NIV
Victoria, Greenbrier AR (Formerly a Conway AR resident)
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
James 1:19-20 (NIV)
“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you may also be tempted”. Galatians 6:1
Dana from Ashland, KY “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”
Philippians 1:9-11 NIV
Jennifer in Cincinnati, OH
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:11 NIV
Pamela, Mechanicsville,VA.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; Psalm91:11 NIV
“I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12b (NIV)
“For the LORDnyour God is5)3 God of God’s and the Lord of Lords, the great, the mighty and the awesome God…”
Deuteronomy 10:17 NASB
Jayne- Frisco, TX
Eileen
Lompoc, CA
So don’t fear. for I am with you: do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you,: I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Cindy K, Rock Hill, SC
Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. James 5:13 (NASB)
Melissa of Sunset, Tx: “I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.” Psalm 119:125
Pam, Dallas, TX, “Rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perserverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5: 3-5, NIV
“Let this mind be in you,
which was also in Christ Jesus”. KJV
Kathy from Ontario Canada
Teri, Boise
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:19 NIV
Becky
Westerville, OH
I wasn’t able to post on the 15th so I’d like to include this if it’s okay –
“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature & complete, not lacking anything” Js 1:4 NIV
then for August 1:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given you.” Js 1:5 NIV
Merrie, Katy, TX
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5 NIV
Kathy, Easley: “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self control.”
Proverbs 25:28 NIV
Rene, Abilene, TX “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2 NIV
Sheila, Bethesda, MD: “Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.” 1 Peter 3:9 (NLT)