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!
Kayla–St. Paul, MN
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK, and slow to become angry.”
James 1:19 (NIV)
Natalie (15) Raleigh, NC ~ “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret” Proverbs 11:13 NIV
Kelley – Round Rock, TX
Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.
Psalm 119:133 (NKJV)
Gwen Vicksburg MS And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.Psalm 50:15 KJV
Kristi, North Webster, IN
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to perservere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV
Lisa S., Olathe
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it.
1 Timothy 6:6-7 NIV
Kim
Detroit, MI
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Romans 8:18 (NIV)
Lisa, Fairview, NC
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, Listen to Me and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Isaiah 55:2 NIV
Dyane Bell, Edmond, OK
“I will refuse to look at anything vile or vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them.” Ps 101:3 New Living Translation
I’m going to stick with my last one for it is 5 verses long and I’m really working in it.
Very wise, Bev!
Jannifer from Nappanee, IN: So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Romans 12:1 MSG
Teresa, Macon, MS
“For I am the Lord, Your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 niv
Susan, New York City. “Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.” Psalm 119:133 ESV
Michele
Springfield, MO
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Matthew 6:27
Andrea
Chester, VA
Romans 12:2 NIV
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
(Sorry I’m a day late posting. I was out of town at YEC)
Jennifer, Tehachapi, CA
But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
Psalm 13:5, NIV
“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves……..Rejoice with those who rejoice. Mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:10,15 NIV
Jessica, Whitehouse, Texas
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29 – NIV
Beth, Alabama
I make known the end from the beginning,
from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say, “My purpose will stand,
And I will do all that I please.”
Psalm 46:10
Katelyn
Atlanta
” …Look instead for what God can do. We need to be energetically at work for the One who sent me here…”
John 9:3-4 MSG
Su, Colorado Springs
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple. Psa 27:4 NIV
Raelyn, San Antonio 1-1-11
Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly – not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.
1 peter 5:2 NLT
Thy word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11
Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the Spirit is willing, but the body is weak. Mark 14:38 NLT
Emily, Georgia
Libby – Littleton, CO: ” Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:4-6, ESV/NIV hybrid 😉
Raelyn, San Antonio 1-15-11
don’t be selfish, don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interest, but take intrest in others too. You must have the same attitude Christ had.
Phil. 2:3-5
Tina,Zeeland: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV
Julia, Glendora, CA – Hebrews 11:6 NASB – And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Just started Believing God study!
Becky Helena AL.
“You will keep in perfect peace he who is faithful
because he trusts in You” Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Jules, Saginaw MI
Am I not trying to win the approval of men, or of God?
or am I trying to please men?
If I were still trying to please men,
I would not be a servant of God.
Galatians 1:10 NIV
Psalm 37:4-5
4 Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. (NASB)
Katie in Oxford, MS “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5: 1-2 (NIV)
Betsy, Ponca City, OK
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17 NAS
Amanda, Westfield, NC
Teach me your way O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. -Psalm 86:11-12 (NIV)
Leanne, Mississippi “You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north.” Deuteronomy 2:3, NIV
Beth, Rome Georgia
Isaiah 26:4 “You will keep in perfect peace the mind that is dependent on You, for it is trusting in You.” HCSB
Kristin, Burwell, UK
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Col 3:12,13 NIV
Kristi, Keller TX:
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 ESV
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1Corinthians 10:13, NIV
Kristl, Hagerstown:
He is your constant source of stability;
He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom;
He gives all this to those who fear Him.
Isaiah 33:6 NET
Marie, Orange, TX
2 cor. 3:18 Amd we who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Susan~Hillsboro, KS
33 “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable his ways!
34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?”
Dawn, Winston-Salem, NC
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Psalm 84:1-2, NIV
Nelleke in Boston, Col 3:23 NIV Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
Susie, Longwood, FL
“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
Pamela, Silverhill, AL: The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you,he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Shelly, Rochester, MN — Psalm 139:23 NIV — Search me O God and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalms 1:1-2
Suzie, Indiana
Mirinda ~ Mobile, AL
“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.”
Phillipians 4:8 NIV
Jennifer, Lexington SC
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