**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!
Valerie, Omaha
“I do believe, but help be overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:24
Galatians 5:6 NLT
For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.
Shannon – Elmira, Canada: So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” ~ John 8:31-32 (NASB)
Joy, Pella, “(S)he who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Ps. 91:1 NKJ
Maureen, St. Clair Shores, “He makes my feet like the feet of deer; He enables me to stand on the heights.”
(2 Samuel 22:34 NIV)
But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in faithful love and truth.
Psalm 86:15 (HCSB)
Donna
Ponder,TX
Stacie, Bulls Gap, TN. – “Wherefore, my beloved bretheren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” – James 1:19 (KJV)
Sharon, Bulls Gap, TN. – “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall life you up.” – James 4:10 (KJV)
Casey-Henrietta, TX
Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Carolyn, Dover Isaiah 41:13 “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand, and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
Ashley, Huntsville, AL: “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25, NIV
I’m going to copy Jessica from Carlsbad, CA on this one….
Kristen Keeling from Covington, Ga:
“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fails.” Lamentations 3:22 (NIV)
“But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the LORD’s praise,
for he has been good to me.”
Psalm 13:5-6 NIV
Lisa
Kinston,North Carolina
Isaiah 52:3 NASB
For thus says the Lord,”You were sold for nothing and you will be redeemed without money.”
Susan, Oak Ridge Tn.
You have circled this mountain long enough.
Now turn north.
Deut. 2:3 ( NIV)
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Anna, San Diego
South Bend
“Satan has asked to sift you as wheat, But I have prayed for you that your faith not fail.”
Luke21: 31-32
Amplified
Paula- Albertville, AL
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power,Your Majesty. But even if He doesn’t, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
Daniel 3:16-18 NLT
Robin, Landing, New Jersey
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God. that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:10-11 KJV
We have VBS at my church this week and the theme is “Put on the Whole Armor of God.”
Laura in SD –
Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
Galatians 3:3 NIV
Cherie, Odessa TX. “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
A little late, but hopefully, not too late. 😉
Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes.
1 Samuel 12:16 NIV
Kathie
Aiken, SC
Vickie
Russellville
John 3:30
NIV
He must become greater,
I must become less
“The blessing of the LORD brings wealth,
and he adds no trouble to it.”
Psalm 10:22, NIV
Deanna, Willmar, MN
“When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” Psalm 56:3 (NIV)
Please pray for me, we are facing a financial and subsequent marriage crisis…
Deanna,
I,too, am in the same place. You will be in my prayers. I hope that God will bless you with wisdom, kindness and enough love to get through the crisis.
in my situation, I have had to work hard at forgiving my husband and assuring him of my love. It’s a scary place to be in. to feel like everything is crumbling around you. My verse this week is Philippians 3:8 “all things are worthless in compared to the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
Jeannette, Land O Lakes, FL
Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
Proverbs 16:20 ESV
Julia, Wellington, AL
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in people. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.
Psalm 118:8,9 NLT
Psalm 25:11 NIV For the sake of your name, LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
MaryS
Houston
Charity
Cardiff, Wales
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” Romans 16:20
Dinah from Baraboo, WI
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.” Phil 1:9 NIV
Deborah Waco, TX
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:1-3
Nina, Moore
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-contol. Against such things there is no law.
Gal 5:22 NIV
Tammy
Hendersonville, TN
And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18 (NLT)
Evansville, IN
“For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.” NIV
Micah 7:18 The Message
Where is the god who can compare with you – wiping the slate clean of guilt,
Turning a blind eye, a deaf ear, to the past sins of your purged and precious people?
You don’t nurse your anger and don’t stay angry long, for mercy is your specialty. That’s what you love most.
Michelle, Waukesha, Wi
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it’s own.” Mat 6:34 NIV.
Louisa, Austin
“From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.”
Galations 6:17 NIV
Stephanie
Corvallis Or
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and dont get worked up about what may or may not happen tomarrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Matthew 6:34 MSG
Kara, Lancaster PA
“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”
1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT
SusanD, Southern Illinois: Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1 (NKJV)
Evie Cedar Creek TX
Ezra 7:10 NIV
For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws of Israel.
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
“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”
Jennifer
Charleston, SC
Julie, Clarks Summit, PA
John 15:4-5 (KJV)
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Rhonda Lima, OH
Ps. 71:18 (NASB)
“And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.”
Selena – Albany, GA
Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. Hebrews 11:1, HCSB
Shelly, Greenville
In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people.
Colossians 3:23 (NCV)
Julie, Carlsbad, CA “Be very careful then, how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 (NASB95)
Sandy in Amarillo, TX
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
ja, Wheaton,IL
The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes.
He is close to those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7 (NLT)