**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!
Julie, Windsor, Colorado – “Direct my footsteps according to your Word; let no sin rule over me.” Ps. 119:133 (NIV)
Jennifer, Singapore
Isaiah 41:10 NIV – “So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.?”
jenn–cumming, ga:
john 17:26 (NIV) “I have made You known to them, and will continue to make You known in order that the love You have for Me may be in them and that I Myself may be in them.”
Susan, Meredith, NH: “For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received…(and were supplied with) one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift heaped upon gift.–John 1:16 (Amplified version)
Sheryl, PA – Col. 3:1-2 NIV
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Diane, Hemet, CA
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1, 2 ESV
Anna S, Sullivan, MO
For your names sake, Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
Psalm 143:11
Lisa, Plano, TX: Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Jeanette, Tualatin,, OR
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. Eph 1:17
Amy, Tacoma; WA
” The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you saying, “Destroy them”.
Duet. 33:27, NIV
Linda, Bend, OR,
2 Peter 1:3 NIV
His divine power has given us everything we need for the life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.
Heather F, Beaumont, TX
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Psa 103:8 (NIV)
Gina – Kingwood, TX.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV
Leila in Carrollton, GA
Isaiah 43:19 NIV
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Jo Ann/Lincoln, NE
He gives strength to the weary & increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29 NIV
Round Rock, TX
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Deut 31:6 NKJV
Rachelle, Gardner, KS “He must become greater, I must become less. ” John 3:30,NIV
Galatians 6:1 The Message
Jill, Plano TX
If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out.
Nancy Denver
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation’. Then you will shine among them as stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the Word of Life.” Philippians 2:14-16a NIV
Jane in Virigina, “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
I need this one this week, Beth. Thank you.
Linda, Bartelso, IL, Psalm 115:1-3 (HCSB) Not to us, LORD,not to us, but to Your name give glory because of Your faithful love, because of Your truth. Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven and does whatever He pleases.
Stephanie, Glen Burnie,MD
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV
“But he said to me,’My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
DeAnne, Talmage
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in Him.
Jeremiah 17:7 NIV
Wendy, Elm City: Deut. 20:1 (NIV)
“When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you.
Pat
Valley Center, Kansas
Psalm 34:3 NLT
“Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.”
Andrea, Pottstown
Romans 6:23 NLT
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Tami, Plam Coast, FL: 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)
Kelly, Appleton, WI
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV)
Julianna (raleigh, nc) Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 2 Timothy 1:14(niv)
Jess R. Katy, TX
‘being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ’ Phil. 1:6 NKJ
Julie ~ Wentzvile, MO
“For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a MIGHTY SAVIOR. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
Jennifer from Chantilly
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12, NIV
🙂
Bambi – Houston, TX
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
2 Peter 1:3-4 (NLT)
Kelly, Eriwn, TN
Philippians 2:14-16 (NKJV)
“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”
Denise, Ocean Springs,MS – Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV
Nicole, Stuttgart: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
Cindy, Madrid, Spain
“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 17:8 (NIV)
The earth is filled with your love O Lord, teach me your decrees.
Psalm 119:64
Jill
Vandalia, MO
Tami
Platte, South Dakota
Psalm 57:9,10 NIV
“I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.”
Sue R, Magalia Ca
Proverbs 31: 15 – 16…NIV
She gets up while it is still dark and provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She is clothed with strength and honor, and she can laugh at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.
Proverbs 31:25-26 (NET Bible)
Jaime, Chesapeake, VA
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Eph 1:7, NIV
Kelly Snodgrass
Rogersville, TN
Deuteronomy 10:20-21 NIV84
Fear the LORD your God and serve him. HOLD FAST to him and take your oathes in his name. He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.
Ring gold, GA
1Peter 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. NIV
Romans 6:8 (NIV) Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
Susan, Statesville-“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 NASB
Miss KAthleen
Bernardsville, NJ
Psalm 56:3
“When I am afraid, I put mt trust in you”.
Lynn, Bossier City. “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
Gretchen, Gahanna, Ohio- And how blessed all those in who you live, whose lives become roads you travel. They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks; discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain. God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain and at the last turn–Zion! God in full view! Psalm 84:5-7 (The Message)
Penney
Caribou, ME
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
Philemon 1:6 NIV (1984)