**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!
Meredith Sloan
Greer,SC
John 15:16-17 NIV
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.”
Cara, Allentown, PA
“I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future He has promised to those He called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance He has given to His people.”
Ephesians 1:16b-18 NLT
I’m praying this too! I want to know the Lord better! ~Love & Blessings Sister!
Hebrews 12:3 (NIV)
“For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Cathie – Jacksonville Florida
In the multitude of my anxieties within me, YOUR comforts delight my soul!! Psalm 94:19
(Totally needed this one so I changed – THANK YOU Mariposa in Albuquerque)
Deirdre Russell
Atlanta, GA
doing this set of two verses for weeks 15 and 16…
Galatians 6:1 & 2 (NIV)
“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.
Carry each other’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ”
Marsha, Knoxville, TN “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
Sheilah, Melbourne, FL
Isaiah 59:21 (NIV)
“As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the LORD.
Meredith Smith, Gridley Ca
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. John 14:27 (NIV)
Rita, LaBelle, FL
Psalm 118:17 (NASB)
I will not die, but live,
And tell of the works of the LORD
Debi, Alva, FL
Psalm 118:17
I shall not die, but live; and declare the works of the Lord. KJV
Kristen C, Three Rivers, MI
“The LORD is righteous in everything He does; He is filled with kindness. The LORD is close to all who call on Him sincerely. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him, He hears their cries for help and rescues them.” Psalm 145:17-19 NLT
Sarah, Little Rock
“Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.”
Psalm 100:3 NIV
Amanda in Dover, TN
As for God; his way is perfect. The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.
2 Samuel 22:31 (NIV)
Melissa, Locust Grove, GA
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:36 ESV)
Patti, Clemmons, NC
Brothers. if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you also won’t be tempted. HCSB, Galatians 6:1
Vicki, San Angelo
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1 (NIV)
Stephanie Techau
Cynthiana, Ky.
Shelley, San Angelo
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Ephesians 1:4 NIV
Buffy
Rogers
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.
2 Cor. 2:14
Melany, Garrison, Mo: …the effectual fervant prayer of a righteous (wo)man availeth much. James 5:16 KJV
Wendy, Calgary, Canada
“hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”
Proverbs 13:12 (NIV)
Chris, Louisville, KY
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8, NKJV
Kim, Louisville, KY
The spirit of the sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.
Isaiah 61:1, NIV
Cheryl, Visalia, CA
2 Corinthians 10:5
American Standard Version
casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;
Geri
Deer Park, TX
Ps.16:5,6 HCSB
LORD, You are my portion and my cup (of blessing); You hold my future.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
Terry
Washington, IL
“Praise the Lord; praise God our Savior!
For each day He carries us in His arms.”
Psalm 68:19 NLT
I am continuing to work on my 13th and 14th verses…just a little behind, however I am not giving up!
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” but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. I Corinthians 2:9-10 (NIV)
“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
Heather
Mosinee, WI
Cynthia,
Greenwood, AR
“Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”
Luke 1:78-79 NLT
Sarah, St. Peters, MO
Do everything without complaining or arguing. Philippians 2:14 (NIV)
Adrienne, Clarksville, TN
“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: you must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”
James 1:19 (NLT)
Dwynne, Chapman Ks
John 14:27 (NIV)
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.
Christy, Karen, Cheryl, “A Cord of Three Strands”
Jay, OK
How narrow is the gate and difficult is the road that leads to life, and few find it.
Matthew 7:14 NIV
Judy, Houston
Eph. 1:17 NIV
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better
Kim
Orange City
“If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me.”
Philippians 1:22a NIV
Peggy, Indianapolis
“The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Jamye, Greenbrier, AR
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Phillippians 1:6 KJV
Rachelle, McAlister, NM
2 Chronicles 6:7-9 TLB
“My Father David wanted to build this temple, but the Lord said not to. It was good to have the desire, the Lord told him, but he was not the one to build it: his son was chosen for that task.”
Cherry, Conway, AR
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Hebrews 6:10 KJV
Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spirtual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too.(Gal.6:1The Net Bible) Twyla McAmis,Cleveland Tennessee.
Good one Mama!
Psalm 103:9 (New King James)
“He will not always strive with us;
Nor will He keep His anger forever.”
The LORD is good to all,
and his mercy is over all that he has made.
Psalm 145:9 (ESV)
Yvonne
Louisville, KY
Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Sadie
Nicholasville, KY
Psalm 33:12 (KJV)
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, and the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.
Kalonni, Van Meter, Iowa: Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. Psalm 122:6-7 (NLT)
The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
Psalm 29:4
Rebecca, Kilgore, TX
Fear the LORD your God and serve Him. HOLD FAST to Him and take your oaths in His name. He is the One you praise; He is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.
Deuteronomy 10:20-21 niv
asheville, nc
Victoria B., Fort Worth, “Then I shall not be put to shame,having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.I will praise you with an upright heart,when I learn your righteous rules.” Psalm 119:6-7 ESV
Carla, Coweta He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. Romans 4:21 NLT
Peggy, Cheyenne, WY
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV