**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!
Karen H., Stepheville, TX
Psalm 139:5 (NASB)
You have enclosed me behind and before
And laid Your hand upon me.
God is in heaven, and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Ecc 5:2b (NIV)
What a challenging scripture. I have experienced this situation more than once. I find it challenging because often a person trapped in a sin seems to have such a strong wall built up that even the closest of friends/family don’t want to hear it. I suppose the obedience comes in the doing and not in the results. Trusting that God will bless us for approaching them gently and that He will deal with them as He see fits. It’s their choice to listen to us and the God’s truth that we share. What they do with it is of no consequence to us eternally but our obedience to approach them gently definitely is. Thanks for the reminder and for sharing your sweet family news with us in this post. 🙂
Debbie, Marion, IN “This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel says: “In repentence and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15a NIV
Brittany, Gainesville, FL:
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life. -Psalm 143:8
Christy
Fayetteville, AR
“Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be sved; ..there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said.:”
Joel 2:32 NIV
Emily, Elk Grove, CA
Looking forward to more details about Siesta Celebration! Hoping to make flight arrangements soon, God willing (and I mean that so very literally)! 🙂 Oops…on to my verse
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
Beth, just wanted to say how much we are looking forward to LPL coming to Salt Lake City this month!!! My Word-Loving friends and I are already scheduling babysitters and husbands (but it will be opening weekend for hunting season, and I know where my man needs to be) to tend to our little ones. We are excited to sing and laugh until our sides our sore and most of all, hear a fresh word from the Lord.
Thanks for encouraging us to stay in the Word and for making the trip to Utah!!
Sarah, McKinney, TX
Psalm 143:8 NIV
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”
Laura, Houston:
We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. Romans 15:2
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in You.”
(NIV via BibleGateway)
“This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’
Jeremiah 33:2-3 (NIV)
Robyn Wright
Topeka, KS
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life. -Psalm 143:8
Jennifer:)
Enterprise AL
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 NRSV
Terry, Louisa, VA
The LORD is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?
When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple.
Psalm 27:1-4, NIV
So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.
Galations 3:9 NASB
Karon
Kingsland, GA
Still catching up after our 4-day weekend in Boston, MA.
🙁 🙂
Philippians 2:3 (NKJV)
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Psalm 100:1-2
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Joyce, Big River, Saskatchewan
Jeremiah 23:29 NKJ
“Is not My word like a fire?” says the LORD,
And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”
Lisa and Annabelle in Montgomery, TX
Proverbs 12:22 NIV
The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in men who are truthful.
Isaiah 49:25b NIV
I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save.
Linda, Cypress, TX
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”
Ephesians 6:10 NIV
Amberley – Pasco, WA
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
~Colossians 1:9 NIV
“I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”
Mark 11:24 (NLT)
1 peter4:11 if anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
Terri, Pleasant Hope, MO
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
“I love you, O LORD, my strength.” PS 18:1 NIV
The inexperienced believe anything, but the sensible watch their steps.
Prov. 14:15 NIV
Diane
Vinton, La
Carol, Carthage NY
Therefore we do not lose heart.
Though outwardly we are wasting away,
yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV 1984
For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Philippians 4:11 NIV
Denise–Orange City
Micah 6:8 ESV He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
“…You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord wiill give you.” (2 Chronicles 20:17, NIV)
Laura Greensboro, NC
“You must fear the Lord your God and worship him and cling to him. Your oaths must be in his name alone. He alone is your God, the only one who is worthy of your praise, the one who has done these mightly miracles that you have seen with your own eyes.” Deuteronomy 10:20-21
“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
from Janine,Oklahoma City
“Blessed be the Lord who daily bears our burden,
The God who is our salvation.” Psalm 68:19 (NASB)
Lora
Mooresburg
“The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21b
M’Lissa, Keller TX
Ephesians 1:4,7-8 (NIV)
4 For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
Debra – Many, La
“Jesus replied, If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him.” John 14:23 NIV
Linda, West Des Moines, Iowa
I press on to take hold of that for which Jesus Christ took hold of me. Philippians 3:12b (1984 NIV)
I’ve lost the spiral of all my Bible verses! I’m heartsick and have been praying to find them.
Tanya A., Englewood, OH
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
I Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
Lynn, Lubbock. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 (NASV)
charlotte carty
lexington, ky
2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
Saskatchewan, Canada
….a crown of beauty instead of ashes,the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair….
Isaiah 61:3 NIV
Heidi~Lindale, TX
NIV James 1:19-20
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires.
Victoria – Michigan
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:6 NLT
Charlotte, Seymour, Texas “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.” Proverbs 31:25, ESV
Julie, Goldfield, IA
Proverbs 9:9 (NIV)
Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
Prov 4:23 Message
Keep vigilant watch over your hearts, thats where life starts.
Caryn, Fort Worth, TX
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
(NIV) Galations 5:22-23
Billie, Greenville, KY “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.”. John 1:1-2 NIV