**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!
“Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord,”and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces. Jeremiah 23:29 NIV
Donita in Tucson AZ
1 Thes 5: 16-18 (NIV)
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Cara McKaskle
Conway, AR
“Up on your feet! Take a deep breath! Maybe there’s life in you yet. But I wouldn’t know it by looking at your busywork; nothing of God’s work has been completed. Your condition is desperate. (Revelation 3:2 MSG)
Marie Justin Texas
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
NIV Romans 12:2
Ti-Leigh
Orlando, FL
If I am to go on living in the body, this will
mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose?
I do not know. I am torn between the two: I desire
to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.
Phillipians 1:22-23
NIV
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised. Hebrews 10:23 ASV
Sara from Pierre,
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. Psalm 118:17
Rosalee, Oklahoma City
4 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. II Corinthians 3:4-5 NIV
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Cor 10:13 NIV
Philippians 4:1 (NKJV)
Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
Eph. 4:29 NIV
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Katherine, Houston. “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1 NKJV
Marilyn Gadsden Al For surely O LORD you bless the righteous, you surround them with your favor as a shield Ps 5;12 NIV
Matt 22:37 (NIV)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, & with all your mind.
Heather J.
Macclenny, FL
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 ESV
Kimberly Orr-Zionsville, IN
Misty, Marco Island. Sorry I am late posting. We were coming home from a Youth Camp with students and the Devil attacked our students hard, please pray for them if you happen to read this. From a friend of one of the studnets committing suicide (understanding providence) to girls already being taunted back at cheer practice for their purity and pursuits of God! I know that the students would appricate it!
My scripture is ” A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger”. Proverbs 15:1
Lori, Pine Island, MN
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14 NIV
Megan, Prattville, AL: “A man’s wisdom gives him patience. It is his glory to overlook and offense.” Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)
Jennifer, Wilmington DE – Psalm 103:8-12, NIV
The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in LOVE.
He will not always accuse,
nor will He harbor His anger forever;
He does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is His LOVE for those who fear Him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Kim, Detroit
“So do not 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)
Kathy, Akron,Ohio
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put ou the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.” 1 Thess. 5:16-22(NIV) Short verses, but I just could not separate them:)
Melia, Loganville
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
Malachi 3:10
“And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (NET Bible)
Christina Luther
Roseburg, Oregon
Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:4
NLT
hill, los angeles,
Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
Psalm 130:3-4, NIV
Kim, Laguna Niguel, CA “My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 62:5-6 NASB
Ruth, Odin, IL
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.”
– Proverbs 3:3-4 (NIV)
Nichole–Marion, Iowa
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 NIV
The Lord directs our steps,so why try to understand everything along the way?. Proverbs 20:24
Karen, Cottonwood, CA – “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us,”
Eph. 3:20
Celeste, Thompson’s Station, TN:
I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (part 2), NLT
Isaiah 26:3 (the Message)
People with their minds set on You, You keep completely whole; stead on their feet because they keep at it & don’t quit.
Depend on God & keep at it because in the Lord God you have a sure thing.
Vicki from Waco: Isaiah 40:29-30 NLT: “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.”
Psalm 51:10 NIV
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me
Karen ~ Greer, SC:
“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (NLT)
Kelly, Eupora, MS
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35, NIV
Gayle, Salinas
May the words of my mouth and the meditatios of my heart be pleasing to you o Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NLT
Jenifer – Sunnyside, WA – Isa 25:9 – It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” ESV
Kim H.
McKinney, TX
Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
Romans 12:9-10 (The Message)
Lydia, Norman, OK
Exodus 19:21
“The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.”
“I will place My Spirit with in you and cause you to follow My statutes and carefully observe My ordibabces.” EZK. 36:27 Holman
God did extraordinary miracles through Paul.
Acts 19:11
NRSV
Tracy, Tyler, Texas
Psalm 30:8-9 (working on the whole psalm)
To you, O Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: “What gain is there in my destruction, in my going down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?”
Lauren
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love…”
Ephesians 1:1-2 (ESV)
Becky, St. Augustine, “You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in
you.” Isaiah 26:3 NIV
“Even if my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.”
Psalm 27:10 (NIV)
Sarah T. – San Diego
Sue,Abilene,Kansas – Psalm 91:1 (NKJV)
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Be joyul in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Rom. 12:12 NIV
Dearest Beth-
I hope you acutally get to read this. I have just finished reading your book “So Long Insecurity”, one of many of your books I have had the pleasure of reading. I have kept up with you since doing the Believing God study in 2006 which was life changing for me. I would love to sit down and have a cup of coffee with you someday, whether it be on this side of heaven or the other:) Anywho, I just wanted to let you know that initially bought the book for my sister who has suffered with chronic insecurity…thinking I didn’t need it myself. After reading it, I realize I have many areas of insecurity. One being the recent loss of a pregnancy that was in it’s 4th month. I never recognized how I let that fear make me insecure. Thank you for bringing that to light and praise the Lord for using you to do it. The book really inspired me to be an encouragement to others and to claim my security back. I don’t know if you have those commercials in Texas that we have here in Missouri…but it’s a commercial for people who have settled a lawsuit and want their money in a lump sum. You see them shouting out of windows “It’s my money, and I want it now!”. Super cheesey, but I want to just throw open my shutters and shout “It’s my security, and I want it NOW!!!” Again, thank you for being a vessel the Lord uses to help a sister (or siesta ) out! I pray for you often and love you dearly, even though we have never met. God bless you!
Diane, Cary NC and Naperville IL
Continuing with Psalm 23 (KJV)
1.) The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
2.) He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3.) He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names’s sake.