**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!
“that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him”
Ephesians 1:17
Leigh, Seneca Falls
Prov. 22:6
Teach your children to choose the right path and when they are older, they will remain upon it.
Jenny – San Antonio/Midland (moved) “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” Psalm 31:24 NIV
Kim, Corning, NY. “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us, that Your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations” (Psalm 67:1-2).
Rebecca, Louisa, VA: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” ~John 3:16-17 (NIV)
Jessica, Winston Salem, NC
“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Jeremiah 29:11 (Message)
Sharee from Sugar Land, TX
Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.
Psalm 102:18
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the Gospel of GOD’s Grace.
-Acts 20:24 (NIV)
Nakeisha
Houston, TX
Sorry this is so late. We are moving (again) and I picked a verse out towards the end of July, but haven’t had a chance to post it:
Amy, Oswego, New York (previously AL and OH):
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” ~ Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Joan, Carter Lake, IA
The minute I said, “I’m slipping, I’m falling,”
your love, God, took hold and held me fast. (Psalm 94:18 MSG)
Julie Elrod, Smyrna, GA: “Rise up! this matter is in your hands. We will support you so take courage and do it!” Ezra 10:4 NIV (exclamation points mine 🙂 This is rhema for me!!!
Lori – Syracuse
Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross!
Christy H., Sherman, TX
“He will come upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.”
Psalm 91:15 NIV
Becky
Choctaw, OK
“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last, and there is no god besides Me.” Isaiah 44:6
Sarah, Burlington, ON: “Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” (Hab. 1:5, TNIV)
“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,…” Colossians 1:3 ESV
Karen, Santa Ana, CA
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
Catherine ~ Grants Pass, OR
“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. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV
Amber: Vienna, WV
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (ESV)
Kristi, Logansport, IN ~ “He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.” 2 Cor. 1:10 ESV
Rebecca, Arkansas
“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.” Eph. 4:29 NIV
Lee
Leola, PA
This is the kind of fast day I’m after:
to break the chains of injustice,
get rid of the exploitation in the workplace,
free the oppressed,
cancel debts.
Is 58: 6-8 The Message
Lee
Leola, PA
This is the kind of fast day I’m after:
to break the chains of injustice,
get rid of the exploitation in the workplace,
free the oppressed,
cancel debts.
Is 58: 6,7 The Message
Linda, Carolina Beach, NC
“Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial, Everything is permissible, but not everything is constuctive. Nobody should seek his own good but the good of others.” 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (NIV)
Angie, Aberdeen, SD: Psalm 51: 10 (NASB)Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Linda S
McCalla, AL
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:27 ESV
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Eph. 4:2 NIV
Debbie from Westerville, OH
Phillipians 4: 6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the Peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Jennifer, Mansfield, TX
“It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat, for God gives rest to His loved ones.”
Psalm 127:2 (NLT)
Barb Schwarz, Madison, WI
“Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God and Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.” Jude 24 (KJV)
Ephesians 1:19-20 New Living Translation
“I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of His power for us who believe in Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.”
Elise, Bellingham, WA “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” Psalm 105:4
Kendra, Portland Oregon; “Teach me knowledge and good judgement, for I believe in your commands.”
Psalms 119:66 NIV
Psalm 47:2 NIV
Sydney, Tucson, AZ
“How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth!”
Lisa, Mauldin, Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known my name. Psalm 91:14 (NAS
My friend has lived life to its fullest, And as she sits here beside me Her wrinkled, gentle hands show the work she has done over the years. She made quilts of love, She grew gardens filled with flowers that bloom, she held children in her arms, her hair is beautifully fixed in a neatly pushed back in a bun, and what once was long, black color has turned gray. She turned the pages of her Bible, as each page was precious She leaned over and reached out to the hands of those she loved and she would pray precious prayers. Though her eyes were not like they use to be and she wore glasses, she could see the specific needs of those around her and helped those in need. Her face has some wrinkle as time has passed, but she wears a sweet smile that makes her eyes shine. She has so many memories, yet some are not so clear any more. She has given to others, her passion and her dreams shared with those she loved over the years. Whether it was a friend in need, or a prayer She was there to encourage another my friend, she is beautiful inside her heart with reflects the love of Christ. For now I want to be there for her. She is special. She may be your grandmother, She may be your neighbor. She is just my friend, full of God’s gentleness and compassion.~joyce
Thank-you Joyce Watson for this!! It was beautiful & had an impact on my vs. so just wanted to say thanks!
Gentleness-humble, even balanced in tempers & passion, patient in suffering injuries without feeling a spirit of revenge.
“I choose gentleness…nothing is won by force. If I raise my voice may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.”….Max Lucado…..Sorry I usually dont put so much but feeling conviction in this area & your vs. was so timely!
Titus 3:2(NLT)
“They must not slander anyone, & must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle & show true humility to everyone.” <3
Jill, Puyallup, WA
Psalm 18:19, NIV
“He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.”
Portland, Oregon
“They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.”
Isaiah 61:4 NIV
Proverbs 17:28
A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, & a man of understanding is even tempered.
Sorry to be late, but we’ve just moved to the Houston Area!!
Isaiah 32:18 NIV:
My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.
Dianne, Fairfield, CA – “You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” – James 5:8 (NASB)
Mary from Columbia, PA
Psalm 51:10 NIV
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Robin, Tracy CA
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20 NIV
Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Psalm 25:4 (NLT)
Jenna
Waco, TX
Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king. 1 Peter 2:17 (NLT)
Caroline
Waco, TX
Psalm 19:14 ( NIV)
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Hebrews 10:23 NLT: “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.”
Melissa
Waco, TX
Jamie, Memphis,TN: ” Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Colossians 3:12NIV
The Power of life and death are in the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it (for death or
life) ~ Proverbs 18:21