**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!
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4 ESV)
Shannon, Birmingham, AL
Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT
My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the Lord. And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Kim Virginia
“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
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground” Psalm 143:10 NIV
Romona, East Alton
So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea’, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says”.
Mark 11:22-23 NKJV
Kathy, Lynden, Wa
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Mary Ann Ringgold
Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go.
oshua 1:9 HCSB
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus Christy our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 NIV 1984
Donna, Kirkland, Wa
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.”
Mandy – Powder Springs, GA
IS. 50:4-5 (NLT)
4 The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom,
so that I know how to comfort the weary.
Morning by morning he wakens me
and opens my understanding to his will.
5 The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me,
and I have listened.
I have not rebelled or turned away.
Mindy, Rowley, IA
Isaiah 64:8 NIV
Yet you, Lord, are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
Pat-Las Cruces,NM
Hey! Wait for me! I’m still in!
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. I Cor. 10:31 (NIV)
Olathe, KS
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 NIVUK)
Sheila
Sevierville, TN
We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8 NIV
Joy, Tri-Cities: “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:16-17, NIV
Lynda in San Antonio, Texas
For You are my lamp, O Lord;
And the Lord illumines my darkness.
Lynda in San Antonio, Texas
For You are my lamp, O Lord;
And the Lord illumines my darkness. 2Sam 22:29
My dear brothers, take note of this: Eveyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19 (NIV)
Erin, Phoenix. “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Galatians 5:14 (NIV)
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32 NKJV
Jennifer Frederick, CO
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
Julie: Chico, CA : Proverbs 18:13 “To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.” NIV
mitzi, Brandon, MS
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalm 32:7-8 NIV
Cindi, Orange, TX
Lord, you have brought light to my life, my God, you light up my darkness.
Psalm 118:28
Bartlesville, OK
Hebrews 7:25-27
Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets our need–
one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrifices for their sins once for all when he offered himself.
Cindy- Sheridan, WY
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 NIV
Beth,
Thank you so much for writing So Long Insecurity! I listened to the cd of the book, and I learned so many great lessons! I also enjoyed how you make your readers laugh with funny comments and stories.
Have a great week!
Maureen
Jami
Shelby, NC
Isaiah 64:8 NIV
Yet you, Lord, are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
Psalms 141:8
NIV
Beth R
Liberty Lake, WA
But my eyes are fixed on you, O soveriegn Lord.
Kathy from Oakland, Oregon
“In Him and through faith in Him, we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”
Ephesians 3:12 NIV
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12
Virginia
Colossians 3:17 (NIV) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Di, Cowpens, SC
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6 NIV
Shelby Ft Myers Fl
Psalm 86:6 Hear my prayer O Lord, listen to my cry for mercy. NIV
Ashley Taylor
Lawrenceville, Ga
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:14 NIV
Beth S. Coon Rapids, MN
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
Ephesians 1:17-18 NIV
July 15
I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in the land with all my heart and soul.
Jeremiah 32:40-41 NIV
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strenght.
Philippians 4:13
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”. — NIV
Diera, Austin
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:17 NIV
Amy, Clovis, Ca
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Matt 16:24 NIV
Hayley – Seymour, TX
Proverbs 31:25 – Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ” Romans 8:38-39 NIV
He must become greater; I must become less.
John 3:30
Joy, Durham, NC,
“He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;
And to him who orders his way aright
I shall show the salvation of God.” Psalms 50:23
WAIT and listen, all who are thirsty! Come to the waters, and he who has no money, come buy and eat! Yes, come buy [priceless, spiritual] wine and milk without money and without price [simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing]
Isaiah 55:1 Amplified Bible
getting a little behind, but hanging in there!
“Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.”
Proverbs 15:4
The Message
Holly
Geita, Tanzania
Michelle Calgary (Airdrie)Alberta Canada
Jesus answered ” If I honor Myself, My hor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God.” John 8:54 NKJV
“H.O.L.D.F.A.S.T. My God has set His love upon me” Oh wait, that’s not scripture yet is it?! haha….
“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.” 1Peter 5:6
Heather
Ontario, Canada
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them (Isaiah 42:16) NIV
Woo hoo!
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.”
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
I John 3:18 NIV