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!
Ashley C.
Greenville, NC
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
Romans 8:26 NIV
Dominica, Fairmont, Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desies of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NIV
Ashley, Lubbock, Texas
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Matthew 6:33 NLT
Ann, Rockwall, TX Forget aabout what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Isaiah 43:18-19 MSG
Angie, Toronto.
Don’t fret or worry.
Instead of worrying, PRAY.
Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God know your concerns.
Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.
It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life.
Phil. 4:6-7 The Message
Paige, Overland Park, KS: “I will praise You, my God and King, and always honor Your Name. I will praise You each day and always honor Your Name. You are wonderful, Lord, and You deserve all praise, because You are much greater than anyone can understand.” Psalm 145: 1-3 CEV
Liz, Logansport. “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 (NIV – 2010)
Continuing with Isaiah 40…
A voice of one calling:
“In the desert prepare
the way for the LORD;
make straight in the wilderness
a highway for our God.
Isaiah 40:3 NIV
Melana Cummings
Sheridan Wyoming
Deb, Becker “When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need – words that will help others become stronger.” Eph 4:29 (NCV)
Amy, Mustang, OK
Jeremiah 29:12-14 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.[a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” (NIV)
Teresa, Stanwood, Washington, NLT “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” 1 Corithians 6:19-20
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:3-5
Naomi Hope, Eden Prairie, 11 yrs. old
Genesis 28:15, “Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go.”
Sandra Wichita Falls TX, …that you shall set apart to the Lord all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the males shall be the Lord’s. But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. EX 13:12-13 NKJV
Gay, Cypress, TX
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you;
My soul thirsts for you you, my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1 NIV
Christina, Longmont OC
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 mind on things above, not earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3 NIV
Lisa, West Des Moines, IA “Don’t be impatient for the Lord to act! Keep traveling steadily along his pathway and in due season He will honor you with every blessing.” Psalm 37:34 (The Living Bible)
Judy, Va.
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may recieve what was promised.hEBREWS 10:35&36 NASV
Tanya, Valley Center, KS
“Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]! She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction]. She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat.”
Proverbs 31:25-27 Amplified
Annabel, Valley Center, KS
“When you look for me with all your heart, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:13 NIrV
Judi
Lancaster, PA
Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
Ephesians 3:17 NLT
Yvonne, Wisner, “Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good.” Psalms 122:9 NKJV
Ashley Sullens
Kings Mountain, NC
Psalm 32:7 (NIV)
“You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance”.
Ann Gonzalez
Morelia, Mexico
“but I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.”
Mat. 12:36 NIV
I have invited my small group here in Mexico to join in this, so count two or three to the list when you see my name!
Pamela, Missouri
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us”.~ 1 John 5:14 (NIV)
Wendy, Eden Prairie
Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (NIV)
White House, TN
Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
and He will strengthen your heart;
wait, I say on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14
Graham, TX
Do not judge or you too will be judged.
Matthew 7:1 NIV
Tina, Monroe, LA,
But you say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16 ESV
Lenore, Grayson “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalms 46:1 (NIV)
Katherine, Jacksonville Fl : You are the LIGHT of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the HOUSE! Matt: 5:14-15
Joani & Maddie (8 yrs old), Jax, FL…Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)
Karen, Maryville, TN
2 Cor 10:5(NASB) We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ
Eposi: Houston, TX
“But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am. And I’m not about to let His grace go to waste.”
1 Corinthians 15:10a (The Message)
Deborah J.
Clearwater, FL
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:7, NIV)
(oh Lord, you are SO GOOD!!!!)
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”
Ephesians 4:29
NASB
Jennie
Los Angeles
Diane, Simcoe, Ont., Canada
“We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice for we trust in His holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.” Psalm 33: 20-22 NLT
“
” My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 (Amplified)
Erin
Denison, TX
Chrystie
Piedmont, SC
“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation – if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.” Colossians 1:21-23a NIV
Angie in Powder Springs. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. Philp. 1:20
Sarah, Avon Park, FL. “God, create a clean heart for me, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (HCSB)
Kara, Ponca City, Ok:
Job 7:18…That You should visit him every morning, And test him every moment.
Fluvanna in Cary, NC “Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” Hebrews 10:36 NLT
Jean
From Gloucester
“My
soul finds rest in God alone. My salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress. I will not be shaken.
Ps. 62:1-2 (niv)
rebekah age 9
st.paul mn
understand this my dear brothers and sisters, you must be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
james 1:19 nlt
Linda, Mishawaka,In
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness though our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
1Peter 1:3-4
Stephanie, Lewisburg– “Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in His commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.” Psalm 112:1-2
NIV
Stephanie, Fort Wayne. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Kelly, Springfield, MO. “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” ~Hebrews 13:5-6 ESV
Sharon Griffin, Ga Ps 103:1-5 The Message
O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name!
O my soul, bless God. Don’t forget a single blessing!
He forgives your sins – every one
He heals your diseases – every one
He redeems you from hell – saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy – a paradise crown
He wraps you in goodness – beauty eternal
He renews your youth – you’re always young in His presence
Suja, Houston. “Now all glory to God who is able through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish INFINITELY more than we can ask or think.” Ephesian 4:20 NIV