**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!
Carol – LaGrange, Ga – And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:14 NIV
Psalm 13:5-6 ESV
But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.
Holly Smith
Monument, CO
Beth, thank you so much for this post…..you are such a blessing and a source of inspiration and strength. I know the source is really our God….but I appreciate your taking hold of it and sharing with us. My family is spread out on vacations right now….and we are all meeting together in Key West Florida later this week. I have missed sleep and worried to a shameful degree….missing out on much of the blessing because of it. I asked God once what it was about you and your faith that brought the annointing and ministry…wanting to know what I could learn from your example…I believe He told me like Abraham it was your willingness to “go”…leaving family and loved ones wholly in His care in order to obey…..that is something I struggle with for sure. Somehow I think that I am the one protecting them….how arrogant is that? Well I am humbled….repentant….encouraged and looking forward with joy to the adventure ahead of us in Florida….may God be lifted up in our lives and may we love Him more for this experience. Shalom, Shalom. Dixie
Susan,Silverhill,Al: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Judith
West Columbia, TX
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him”.
Jeremiah 17:7 – NIV
Carol Kirby Amarillo, TX Hebrews 10:14 NIV
For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy
Don’t be weary in prayer; keep at it; Watch for God’s answers, and remember to be thankful when they come. Colossians 4:2 The Living Bible
Savanna, Atlanta, GA
Cara, Highlands Ranch, “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
Linda/Augusta
I look up to the hills…… from where my help comes from.
Ps. 121:1
Oh yes and our scripture for this trip is as follows:
Psalms 36: 5-9
5 Lord, your love reaches to the heavens,
your loyalty to the skies.
6 Your goodness is as high as the mountains.
Your justice is as deep as the great ocean.
Lord, you protect both people and animals.
7 God, your love is so precious!
You protect people in the shadow of your wings.
8 They eat the rich food in your house,
and you let them drink from your river of pleasure.
9 You are the giver of life.
Your light lets us enjoy life.
I am realizing in my zeal that this is the wrong post for this comment….I will understand if not printed…but bless you and thanks anyway.
Waylene, Loma Linda–Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creatures shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 8:37-39 KJV
Holly from Alpharetta, GA
But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil. ~Proverbs 1:33 NKJV
Laura – Morgantown, WV
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
Suzy, Wheelersburg, OH “For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” NIV
Mary, Charlotte.
You shall fear the Lord your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. Deuteronomy 10:20 ESV
Michelle in Nashville:
“The Lord will give [unyielding and impenetrable] strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.” –Psalm 29:11 (Amplified Bible)
Stacey Redding, Shelbyville, Ky
Phlippians 4:11 NIV
“for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”
Amanda from White Rock BC, Canada “Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God- truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:23-24 NLT
Allison-Randolph, MN
Psalm 28:6 “Praise be to the LORD,for he has heard my cry for mercy. NIV
Loretta of Bloomfield, NJ
I Peter 4:12-13
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that your participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealved.
Samantha, Tupelo, MS
…and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 1:19-20 NIV
Ali C. , Dublin, CA- Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. (Romans 12:12 NLT)
Rebecca, Chattanooga, TN
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
1 John 5:20 ESV
Hollie, Mount Vernon
“I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope.”
Psalm 130:5, NIV
Joyce, Lebanon, Tenn.
So we say with confidence the Lord is my helper: I will not be afraid what can man do to me.
Hebrews13:6 NIV
Martie ~ Indianapolis ~ NIV ~ Rom 8:15 ~
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father”.
Jennifer, Portsmouth, VA: “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.”
-Psalm 119:114 NIV
Georganne, Piedmont, Okla. Lamentations 3:32 NIV
For He soes not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.
Carol, Gig Harbor, WA
“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble”. 1 Peter 3:8 NIV
Modesto, CA
James 1:26
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
Rachel, Surprise, AZ
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” ~Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)
Lisa, Marion, IN
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
Angela; Covington, GA
“Come and listen, all of you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me. I cried out to Him with my mouth; His praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me!”
Psalm 66:16-20
NIV
Linda, Springfield – Tell those who are rich not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone, but their pride and trust should be in the living God who always richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. ~ 1 Timothy 6:17 LB
Natalie, Olive Branch, “A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.” Proverbs 25:28 The Message
For we are not, like so many, [like hucksters making a trade of] peddling God’s Word [shortchanging and adulterating the divine message]; but like [men] of sincerity and the purest motive, as [commissioned and sent] by God, we speak [His message] in Christ (the Messiah), in the [very] sight and presence of God. 2 Corinthians 2:17 AMP
Melinda, Cheney
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Romans 13:14 (NIV)
Yolanda, Queen City, Texas
Galations 6:1 NIV
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
Niccol, Wilmette
“For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.”
Psalm 27:5 (NIV)
Cara, Holland. “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might,” Ephesians 1:17-19 ESV
Ellen from Bad Axe
in Michigan’s Thumb
“To this end I labor, struggling WITH ALL HIS ENERGY, which so powerfully works in me.” Colossians 1:29 NIV
Gail, Phoenix
Teach us to number our days,that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 NIV
Heidi – Lancaster, PA
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdon, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16 (NIV)
So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please Him. 2 Corinthians 5:9 NLT
Rebecca, Pineville, LA
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42
Victoria, Thomasville NC
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. (2Co 12:9, NRSV)
Viola Dodd, Lubbock, TX “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NIV
Kathy, Shattuck, OK
Finishing Ephesians 1:3-14 (NIV)
(verse 14)”who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession-to the praise of his glory.”
Crystal, Munford
Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord.
2 Chronicles 20:18
For this God is our God forever and ever, He will be our guide even to the end. Ps.48:14 NIV