**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!
Psalm 100 (NIV)
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship Him with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who has made us and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Deuteronomy 7:6 NIV
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his peoples, his treasured possession.
Ramona
Medina, Ohio
Teri from Tampa
The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
2 Chronicles16:9 (NLT)
Cathy from Loxahatchee, FL
Proverbs 14:1 NLT
A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.
Roxy, Columbia, Md.
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.
Phil. 2:13 (NIV)
“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
Lori; Magnolia, AR (forgot to include town in last comment)
“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
NET Bible
Linda from Rockwell, KJV Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Judy, East Chain, MN “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
Sara from Columbus, OH
Psalm 36:5-6
God’s love is meteoric, his loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, his verdicts oceanic. Yet in his largeness nothing gets lost. MSG
“Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:29 ESV
Cheryl, Chadbourn: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:3 KJV
Emily, McKenzie TN
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far out-weighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV)
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Rhonda ~ Kalamazoo, Michigan
Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord, but BLESSED is the man who trusts in the LORD!
Jeremiah 17:5-6 (NIV)
April, Lake Chares, LA (who was out of town earlier this month)
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. ~ Psalm 37:3 (NIV)
Lauren, Kentucky: Psalm 119:130, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” – KJV
Psalm 100:2 (NIV)
“Worship the LORD with gladness;come before him with joyful songs.”
Holly, Prairie City, IA
I’m back after not participating for a few months.
2 Cor 10:4-5 AMP
For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
5[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),
Roxboro, NC
“He restores my strength. He leads me down the right paths for the sake of His reputation.” Psalm 23:3 NET
Alexia- Champaign, IL
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 NIV
Toni, Sugar Hill, GA
Because I was tempted to quit, just because I was late a few times…
“Now to the one who is able to keep you from falling, and to cause you to stand, rejoicing, without blemish before his glorious presence, to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power and authority, before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen” Jude 1:24-25 NET
Carolyn, St. Peters MO
The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever more. Psalm 121: 7-8, NIV
Beth,
I am so blessed to have been part of several of your bible studies. You have impacted my life beyond words. I would love to write you letter, but have never found an address. Break Free did just that for me. I have demons there that really I didn’t know where causing me to sin like I was. Thank you sweet woman and God bless
Lisa Lucas
Josie, Tucson
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever,for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.
Isaiah 26:3,4 (ESV)
Elizabeth from Rochester NH:
2 Timothy 2:21 (NLT)
If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for his purpose. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
“Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?” Galatians 3:3 (NIV)
Donna, Franklin, TN
1 Thess. 4:13 KJV
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
Melody, Ocean Springs, Philippians 2:14 (ESV)
Do all things without grumbling or questioning,
Holly, Beaumont, CA. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1: 2-4 ESV
Dean
Barbourville,Ky
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5
NIV
Sherry
Oklahoma
“It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices wheneverr the truth wins out.”
I Corithians 13:6 NLT
Vicksburg, MS James 1:12 New International Version (NIV)
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Kristy, Houston, TX
Matthew 12:35
The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.
Lisa, Bethany, OK
“Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continued lust for more.”
Ephesians 4:19 NIV
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 on the Lord.NIV Ps.27:13-14
Jeanie from Independence Missouri
“Brothers and sisters,if person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselfs, so that you are not tempted to.”
Jeanie from Independence Missouri
“Do all things wihtout grumbling or questioning.”
Philippians 2:14
I find myself doing this too often. Forgive me Lord.
Kristi in Abilene, TX:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
Ginny, Ooltewah, TN
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. (Romans 8:25 NIV)
Dannel
Holtwood PA
Psalm 21:7 NIV
For the king (and Dannel) trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High she will not be shaken.
Yikes! I know this is late but I’m posting it anyway.
“Two things I ask of you, O Lord;do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” Prov. 30: 7-9
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteiousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing.
Galatians 2:20-21 (NLT)
Nancy, Morehead.
Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 (NAB)
Harriett, St. Albert, AB Eph 1:13 NIV and you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised HOLY SPIRIT.
Debbie Jacksonville, FL
Job 2:9,10 (HCSB)
His wife said to him, “Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die!”
“You speak as a foolish woman speaks,” he told her. “Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?” Throughout all this Job did not sin in what he said.
Dianne Groff
Henryetta OK
“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
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. (2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV)
Gloria – Cypress, TX – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV
Deborah, New Brunswick, Canada
Exodus 14:14(NIV) “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”