**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!
Nancy, Moberly, MO, Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ. Romans 10:17 (Holman)
Jan, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.” Isaiah 31:17 (NIV)
Marlys, Hillsboro
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. (Psalm 119:18 NIV84)
Beth, Johnstown, OH
Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I Thess. 5:16-18 NIV
Bobbie, Story City IA
Hebrews 11:10
For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Sarah, Isle, MN
Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)
Susan, Buena Vista, GA. For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a Hope. Jeremiah 29:11. NLT.
Lynne, New Milford – I have set the Lord continually before me; because You are at my right hand I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8 NIV
Janel, Valrico FL – wasn’t going to post this time, but this speaks to me right now!
Isaiah 40:28-31, NIV – “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Staci – Wichita KS
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NIV
In the same way, let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16, NIV
Atlanta, GA
‘He who guards his lips guards he life,
but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.’
Proverbs 13:3
I’m sorry everyone for doing this, but here it goes…my life has been topsy, turvy for about the past month and I missed entering #13 and #14 Bible verses also…so I’m catching up…
#13 7-25-2011
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel Phillipians 1:27 ESV
#14 7-25-2011
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 ESV
#15 8-06-2011
“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
He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewared us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens area above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. Psalms 103:10-14
Charlene, Santa Fe, TX; Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth. Psalms 46:10
Martha, Lexington: “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27: 13 – 14, NIV
Lindsay ~ Bangor, Maine
“My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.”
~Isaiah 32:18 (NIV)
http://christengrace.blogspot.com/2011/08/philippians-bible-study-intro.html
Heather, Leawood, Kansas. “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Psalm 118:6 (NIV).
Carla F., Houston, Tx.
but one thing I do – it is my one aspiration; forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. Phil.3:13b AMP.
Ina. Lancaster, PA
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love.
Death can’t and life can’t.
The angels can’t and the demons can’t.
Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away.
Romans 8:38 NLV
Jean, Columbus, Ohio “For we walk by faith, not by sight:” 2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV
I know this post is 5 days late BUT I left for church camp with a bunch of kids at 6am on the 1st. I tried to post before I left but it was too early….please forgive me…..see you this weekend Beth !
The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness-for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
Rom 4:23-24 NIV
Nancy from Columbus IN
Sandy Cedarburg WI, Through the Lords mercies we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness. Lamentationes 3:22-23
Christy Crosby, Clarksville, TN:
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Patty, Ada, OK
“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 (NIV)
Sharon in Florien LA: Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs 19:21 ESV
Dawn, Dubuque, IA
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:22 NIV
Debra, Dahlgren, IL We love because God first loved us. 1 John 4:19 NCV
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Meredith – Valdosta, GA
Isaiah 53:3-4 NASB
3 He was despised and forsaken of men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
And like one from whom men hide their face
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore,
And our sorrows He carried;
Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God, and afflicted.
Lucia (very late from Valdosta)
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
Pat S.
Lago Vista, TX
“Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning. For in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk. For I lift up my soul to You.”
Psalm 143:8 NKJV
Little late, I know 😉
Kaitlyn from Gainesville, FL
“Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
Genesis 4: 6-7
NIV
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Joy, Alpharetta. “I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.” Psalm 119:147 NLT
Dora, Houston, Tx: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
— I Cor. 10:31 (NIV)
Jenn
Frederick, MD
…so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
Titus 2:4&5
ESV
Christy, Talking Rock, Georgia.
Hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:5 (NASB)
Mary Ann from Summerville, SC
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6 NIV
Robin, Thorndale, PA
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
Nancy- Yonges Island, SC
Error on my last entry ( if it matters)from Aug 1
Deut. 31:8 ( not vs10)
Janice
Halifax, Nova Scotia
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
James 1:22
Beth,
For a few years now, I have been going to church. When I was little, I thought I had truly accepted Christ. As the years went by, life happened and like you sin touched my life deeply. I still struggle with what has happend. I just needed to profess to someone that today I was looking in to the life way study of Believing God and i wanted to click on the tab about becoming a Christian. I have been attending church off and on for the last 7 years. I was faithful at it for the about the first year and then we moved from Kansas to Wyoming. Ever since I have been in Wyoming I grieved leaving that church. I was sad because I left the people, thinking I left God too… I guess today it struck me, did I ever really beleive with my heart? OR was it all knowledge? This is a little scary because I do not want my attitude to be to crucify Jesus all over again, but If I sincerely believe shouldn’t I be able to trust him and not fight him on everything over my entire life? Today I do not want to fight anymore. I went to the tab and clicked how to be a Christian. I prayed with you, all alone this morning. Me you and God. I did not know how to get on community, so I found this place. I hope this is the place to confess that Jesus is Lord, I want him to be my salvation, not myself and not the knowledge I have. I want to feel completely loved and safe from this lifes snares and toils
Carrie!!!!!!! This is the most thrilling news! Praise God for you! And I am so glad that you KNOW such grace-filled salvation. This is a PERFECT PLACE for you to confess that Jesus is Lord. May His Name be exalted! And maybe you’ll give someone else the courage to settle it once and for all as well. Much love to you!
Bethany S.
Modesto, Ca.
Psalm 121:3-4 (ESV)
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel iwll neither slumber nor sleep.
Krista, Birmingham
That’s how much you mean to me!
That’s how much I love you!
I’d sell off the whole world to get you back,
trade the creation just for you. (Isaiah 43:4 MSG)
Shara, Somerset, CA Eph. 1:6 NASB
To the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the beloved.
Psalm 90:18-19 ESV
18When I thought, “My foot slips,”
your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.
19When the cares of my heart are many,
your consolations cheer my soul.
Robin
Snohomish, WA
Janet, West Linn OR
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28 NIV.
Sorry so late! Crazy week.
No rotten talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need, in order to give grace to those who hear. Eph. 4:29
Knoxville, TN