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!
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.
Isaiah 43:19 NIV
Libby, CA/MA
“So that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” Col. 1:10 NIV
Amy, Cordova, TN
“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2 New King James Version
Martha, Catawba, NC
2 Cor 10:5 NAS
We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
Carol, Phoenix, AZ, “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 (sorry!)
Kelly, Corona,CA
Psalm 27:13-14 “I am 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” NIV
Angela, Mansfield TX
I will sing to the Lord because He has been so good to me.
Psalm 13:6 (NLT)
Susan from Vilonia, AR
“I descended to the roots of the mountains. The earth with its bars was around me forever, but You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God.” Jonah 2:6 KJV
I know Janna from there. She works for the school
Bethany, Denver, CO. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Romans 13:12 TNIV
Angie~
Wadsworth, Ohio
“We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.”
Psalm 78:4 (NIV)
Abby El Campo Tx
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:14 New International Version
Karen ~ Santa Ana, CA
Romans 12:11-12 (NIV)
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Allison, Columbia, SC
Proverbs 10:12 (King James Version)
“Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.”
Sierra Vista, AZ
Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Jen Knoxville,TN
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)
Cheryl, Franklin Ohio. Col 3:2 NIV Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Janalese,Anger,NC 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. NIV Psalm 40:5
Deb K., Sterling Hts: By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see. Acts 3:16 NIV
Karen – Whitefish, MT
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalm 27:13-14 NKJV
Julie Plymouth MN
Now to the eternal king, immortal,invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen
1Timothy 1;17
Donna, Grosse Pointe Shores, MI : “And let us hold unwaveringly to the hope that we confess, for the one who made the promise is trustworthy.” (Hebrews 10:23 The NET Bible)
Cheri, Phoenix
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
Mandi
Hillsborough, NC
Galatians 5: 16 ( NASB) But I say, walk by the spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
Should have said Kandi instead of Mandi.
Kate, Hillsboro, OR
But me, I’m not giving up. I’m sticking around to see what God wil do. I’m waiting for God to make things right. I’m counting on God to listen to me.
Micah 7:7 (The Message)
Mary Ann
North Stonington, CT
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire, He set my feet o a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2 (NIV)
Kim, Baltimore Md.
“Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you,
who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.” Isaiah 64:4
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
Fleming Island, FL
Jeremiah 33:3 (The Message)
2-3″This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
O Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness
you have done marvelous things,
things planned long ago.
Isaiah 25:1 NIV
Frederika, Iowa
Psalm 4:4 (NIV)
Do not sin by letting anger control you; think about it overnight and remain silent.
Jasmyn ~ Tampa, FL (I am doing this with my mom)
Week 1
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Week 2
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
ERika Chapman
Florence, SC
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
I Corinthians 9:25
NIV
Kristin, Carlsbad, CA “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Abigail, Cincinnati. Isaiah 58:10-12 (NIV), “if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
Dianne, Fruitland Park, FL
Psalm 119:133 (NIV)
“Direct my footsteps according to your Word; let no sin rule over me.”
Psalm 16:4-5
4 Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods.
I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood
or even speak the names of their gods.
5 Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
You guard all that is mine.
NLT
Tracy
Columbia, MO
Kathleen – Newburyport PS 25:4-5 Show me your ways O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truths and teach me, for you are my God and my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (NIV)
Psalm 16:4-5
4 Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods.
I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood
or even speak the names of their gods.
5 Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
You guard all that is mine.
NLT
Tracy
Columbia, MO
Marilyn – Sykesville, MD
You are worthy our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being.
Rev 4:11 NIV
Sheila, Clayton, NC
Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (NIV)
Rachel, Bellingham, WA – “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 NIV
Bryana, Longmont, CO
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
James 1:19 NLT
Judy, California. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. NKJV
Ginger – Mansfield, TX
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ~ Eph 5:15-16 (NIV)
Let them praise His name with dancing, making melody to Him with tambourine and lyre. Psalm 149:3-4, NRSV
Ashlyn, age 8
A happy heart makes the ace cheerful, but a heartache crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:13 NIV
Anna, age 6
Psalm 27:1
“The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid?” NIV
Tammy Wisterman
Woodland, CA
Holly- North Charleston, SC
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
psalm 139:2 NIV
Christina,CA
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 1NIV
Romans 15:13 NIV
Cody – Houston, TX
“And to Him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.”
Daniel 7:14, NASB
Lauren – Phnom Penh, Cambodia
“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands.” Psalm 138:8, ESV