Hey, Sweet Things!
You guys are so much fun. Thanks for getting excited with us about the app. I’m just thinking about how this whole technology thing was in the mind of God centuries ago when He inscribed His words on the sacred page through the pens of men. Too much to wrap our minds around, isn’t it? He is the One who knows “the end from the beginning,” and “from ancient times, what is still to come.” He says, “My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” (Isaiah 46:10)
At the moment I’m typing up this post, we have a whopping 9250 entries under Verse 1. Never in my wildest imagination did I picture this. I was pretty blown away by our strong and steady couple of thousand in 2009. Keep in mind that the 9250 is not an exact reflection of participants because there are some replies under comments, like, “I’m copying yours!” and “I’ve never even heard that verse!” I’m not going put a restriction on that because community in Christ is what makes Siestaville work. We do know, however, that way over 8000 are participating because that many women ordered spirals or downloaded the artwork. Others who are participating grabbed their own spirals the easier way from the store. I also want you to picture the many preadolescent girls we have on our team. Don’t you remember loving stickers and pens and school supplies when you were that age? I should have known they’d take to the spirals. Just close your eyes and imagine them reciting some of the verses dearest to your heart. Many of us have lived long enough to know by life experience what they are reciting by faith. It’s such a precious thought to me. They will find Jesus faithful just as we have. Yep, we have junior Siestas but we also have plenty of senior Siestas which delights me just as much. Our joy in standing shoulder-to-shoulder with this mighty band of women is indescribable. I wonder how many football fields we would stretch across. Whew. For just a split second I saw us all in my bright red college drill team uniforms. Scratch that thought.
OK, before I call for your second verses, many of you asked for the exact date of the SSMT celebration next January. I double-checked the weekend with Sabrina and it’s January 20-21, 2012 from Friday evening until Saturday noon. Of course, we’ll get you the proper information starting early next Fall but, if you think you might want to come, put it down on your calendar, start saving your expense money, and plan to memorize your darling little head off. The event itself is our gift to you and your ticket in is your well-used spiral (of either kind).
Are you ready for SSMT Verse 2? I’m giving you a heads-up that I plan to target a lot of James verses this year so, while I’m still going to tell you mine each time, I’ll also suggest a good alternative for those of you who could use an additional idea. Remember! Limit your comments to Name, City, Verse, and Translation. Here’s mine:
Beth, Houston. “My brothers and sisters, do not show prejudice if you possess faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.” James 2:1 The NET Bible
Here’s an alternative I really love and memorized a couple of years ago. My dear coworker, Diane, is memorizing it right now so it’s washing back over my mind:
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.” Psalm 40:5 NIV
And that, O Lord, is the gospel truth.
OK, Sisters! Bring on Verse 2!
I pray that Christ is so pleased. I feel in my soul that He is.
Have a great weekend!
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Diane
Chesapeake, VA.
Shiffra, Vicksburg, MI “Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”” Proverbs 26:18-19 NIV
Vanessa, Victoria TX
…to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn Isaiah 61:2 NIV
Kristi, Elba, AL: Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. Psalm 55:22 (NIV).
Richelle, Kingston, TN
…the Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” — Revelation 21:4 (NKJ)
Melody, Colorado Springs
Karen, Caledonia “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10 NIV
Becky, Conyers. ” Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.” Ps 4:4 TNIV
Crystal, Milford, IA: Psalm 62:1-2 Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. (TNIV)
Phyllis, Thunder Bay, ON. Canada
Titus 2:11,12 NIV
For the grace of God that brings salvation
has appeared to all men.
It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and wordly
passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and
godly lives in this present age,
Sam, Boston
“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10, NIV
Shonda, Tacoma
Hosea 10:12 (NIV)
“Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord until He comes and showers righteousness on you.”
Zephaniah 3:17 (KJV)
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
As per Susan’s suggestion, I also include 1 John 4:19 to honor Joanne (her first verse to SSMT).
1 John 4:19 (KJV)
We love him, because he first loved us.
Trudy
Alberta, Canada
Lori, Knoxville, IA: “The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 121:5-8, ESV
Carmen, Summersville,WV
“Don’t ever forget kindness and truth. Wear them like a necklace. Write them on your heart as if on a tablet. ” Proverbs 3:3 NCV
Jennifer, Memphis.
James 2:1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. NIV
Dena’, Hindman, Ky ” Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Rachel, Fullerton, CA
“In the path of your judgments, O LORD, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul.”
Isaiah 26:8 (ESV)
Sooz, Springfield, Virginia.
“The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. The Heavens proclaim His righteousness and all peoples see His Glory.” Psalm 97:5-6 NIV
Melissa, Proctorville, OH “It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect.” Psalm 18:32 NKJV
Heather, Lansing MI- Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. Psalm 86:11 (NLT)
Chris, Helena,Al
1 Thess 3:13 (NIV)
My he strengthen your (our) hearts so that you (we) will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
2 Timothy 4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever.
NIV
“Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be Your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.” Nehemiah 9:5b NIV
Kay
Tupelo, MS
Tami, Louisiana
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle.You have recorded each one in your book Psalm 56:8 NLT
Chelle Willamor, Mobile, AL
In the day of my trouble I will call on You, for You will answer me. Psalm 86:7 AMP
Aubyn, Corinth, TX “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.” NIV
Marilyn, Hazel Green, Numbers 6:24-26 NIV
“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Debbie, Sevierville TN,
He alone is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Fortress, I will not be shaken! Psalm 62:6 NIV
Laura, Spearfish, SD
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Alison – Richmond, VA
“He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.” Psalm 18:17/NIV
Courtney, Prosper : “Let us not love with words or speech, but with action and in truth.” 1 John 3:18 NIV
Johanna in Carlsbad, CA
“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the JOY of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
Psalm 51:10-12 NIV
Gina, Broken Arrow. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Philippians 4:8 NIV
Holly, North Carolina
Romans 8:39 …”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.”
Edna, O’Fallon, MO
“In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.”
Proverbs 14:26, ESV
Lauren N. from Dallas, TX
“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:15-16 NASB
Eph 1:17
I keep asking the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father to give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.
NIV
Betty, Wendell, NC
Whom do I have in heaven but you? I desire no one on earth but you.
Psalm 73:25 NET
Debra, Gentry Arkansas
God, the one and only- I’ll wait as long as he says. Everything I need comes from Him, so why? He’s solid rick under my feet, breathing room for my soul, an impregnable castle, I’m set for life. Ps, 62;1-2 The Message
Julie~Travelers Rest,SC~ “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” ~ Galatians 6:9 NIV
Sara, Greenville, “A person’s wisdom makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11 (NET)
Good Morning Siestas!
Patti, Statham, Georgia
“…whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are pure, whatever thing are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is antyhing praiseworthy, meditate on these things.” NKJ
Faith, Eden Prairie, 14 yrs.
Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (NIV)
Jennifer, Avon Park, FL
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 NIV
“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:9 (NIV)
Susan, Dayton, OH
Donna, Albuquerque. “When trouble comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” James 1:2-3 NLT
Solid rock I mean
Psalm 103:2
“Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” NIV
Ruth, Atlanta
“Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:7-8 NIV