**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!
Lis, London:
Enter His gates with thanksgiving,
and His courts with praise!
Give thanks to Him; bless His name!
For the LORD is good;
His steadfast love endures forever,
and His faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100:4-5 ESV
Isaiah 32:17
The fruit of righteousness will be peace;
the effect of righteousness will be quietness
and confidence forever.
Bernadette, mtn home, ar for whoever wants to save his life will lose it but whoever loses his life for me will save it. luke 9:24 niv
Barbara, Birmingham,Al
Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
Galatians 3:3 NIV
Allyson
League City, TX
Ephesians 1:11-12
We have also received an inheritance in Him, predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreemet with the decisions of His will, so that we who had already put our hope in the Messiah might bring praise to His glory.
Pickering, Ontario, Canada
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV
Alexander City, AL
“Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” NIV Deuteronomy 6:4,5
First help me never to lie. Second, give me neither poverty or riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may say,”who is the Lord?” and if I am poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name
Proverbs 30:8-9
Laura ~ Saskatchewan,CAN
Beth, your choice completely struck my heart and was the fresh word that I needed right now, so I’m with you in Galatians…
“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 (NET)
Jessica, Carlsbad, CA “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fails.” Lamentations 3:22 (NIV)
Ephesians 2:8-9
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.
NIV
Jeannie
South Georgia
But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 1 Tim. 6:6 (nas)
Concetta, White Oak, Psalm 73:26 ESV, “My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Jodell, Frankfort,
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Glenna Shrock, Sarasota, FL
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
“You have made known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11 NIV
Wendy Raleigh NC
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways Psalms 91:11 NIV
Beth,
I follow the blog faithfully but do not usually post. I have 4 grand daughters ages 5 yrs old to 3 months. Two are very close in age to your two dear babies. Last week my husband and I visited our daughter and son in law. They are the parents of the 5 yr old and the 2 yr old. During our visit my husband came in the back door with our son in law. Sophia, the 2 yr old was sitting in her high chair and said hi to her dad when he came in the door, he replied, Hi Sophie. My husband did not acknowledge her and her reply was,” Papa no Hi me.” Grandkids are great.
Rebecca
Julian, NC
I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth…”
Psalm 39:1 NIV
**Sorry to be late…we have been on vacation!**
Psalm 139:23-24
NLT
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Tami
Columbus, Ohio
Margie, Liberty: If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1 NIV
Lorraine, Ada,MI..”For in the day of trouble, He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Ps.27:5
Karen, Dover, NH “Be of good courage and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” Psalm 31:24 (KJV)
T. Cooper from Amarilo, Texas.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
2 Corinthians 3:17 NVI
Diane, Rockford MI
“But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.
Eph. 2:4,5 NIV
Kathleen, Marietta, Ga
Remember this: the person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously.
2 Corinthians 9:6
HCSB
Lara-Greenville, Ky “You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny” Psalm 73:24. NLT
Psalm 77:11, 12, NIV
I will remember the deeds of the Lord. Yes, I will remember the miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all of the works and consider all your mighty deeds.
Kay from Modesto, CA: You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you. Psalm 69:5 (NIV)
Rhonda, Bolivar MO.
Be still, and know that I am God – Psalm 46:10 NIV
Holly G, Williamston SC
SSMT #15
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. (Hebrews 10:23 NLT)
Ouida in Trenton, TX
Whom having not seen you love, though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith – the salvation of your souls.
I Peter 1:8 (NKJV)
Janifer, Glen Burnie, MD
Proverbs 9:10 NKJV
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Becky, Vicksburg, MS
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. John 1:16 (NIV).
Jennifer LeBow
En route from Perfect Austin, TX to Washington DC
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. 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV 1984)
Lauren, TX
“The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.” Psalm 121:6 ESV
Fran, Stedman, NC
“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
Beverly Parrish
Jackson, MS
With God we will gain the victory,
and he will trample down our enemies. (Psalm 60:12, NIV 1984)
Emily Jordan
Virginia Beach, VA
My dear brothers, take note of this; everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
James 1:19 (NIV)
Sharon, Geigertown, Pennsylvania:
Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” NKJV
Lois, Wausa, NE
A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12 HCSB
Leslie From Maui
Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
Galatians 3:3 NIV
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:17
New Living Translation
Galatians 6:1 Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a sprit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted to. NET Bible
Christa, Kansas City, MO: Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. Psalm 119:37 NLT
My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring.
1 John 3:18. (NCV)
Cindy, Searcy AR
And again,I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM.
Hebrews 2:13 New American Standard
Kinney, Oxford,MS
“But You, Lord, are a sheild around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head.”
Psalm 3:3 HCSB
2 Samuel 7:29
New International Version (NIV)
29 Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.”
Psalms 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.
Tammy,
Ingleside, TX