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!
Elizabeth, Bolivar, MO
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Psalm 139: 23-24
Genesis 1:1-2
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Emma-Concord, CA
Deena from Amarillo, Texas
“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.” Proverbs 27:12 NIV
Meghan, Lexington KY
“I love you, Lord; you are my strength.”
Psalm 18:1 NLT
Leanna, Lafayette, IN “Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” Ephesians 5:17, NLT
Rea, Centennial, CO
“You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me. I, even I am the LORD, and besides Me there is no savior.”
Isaiah 43:10-11 NKJV
Linda – West Des Moines, Iowa
He has shown you, O Man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways achknowlege him and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3, 5:6 KJV
Cara, Holland: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 ESV
Barb, Hermitage, PA. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘ This is the way, walk in it.’ ” Isaiah 30:21 NIV
One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple. Ps 27:4
Rebekah – Fulton, MS
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV
Psm 27. 14
Michelle, wait for the Lord, be strong, and let your heart take courage, wait for the Lord!” ESV
Michelle
Okeechobee, Florida
I am ‘tired’ of waiting .. .so this is the perfect verse for me at this time — I will wait Lord!
Alice, Fort Collins, CO
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Tim 1:6-7, NIV
Paula, Birmingham: How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Psalm 62:3-4
Michelle- Prosper, TX
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
Psalm 34:18 (New Living Translation)
Tina, Houston
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear expects punishment. The person who is afraid has not been made perfect in love. We love because God first loved us. 1 John 4:18-19 CEB
Christie~ Knoxville TN~ Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
Don’t worry about anything instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience Gods peace which exceeds anything we can understand his peace will guard your heart and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Susan, Atlanta
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2 NIV
We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield.
Psalm 33:20 (NLT)
Kelli – El Cajon, CA
And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. Ezekiel 36:26 NLT
Kristi-Pocahontas, AR
“O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy and you have promised these good things to your servant.” 2 Samuel 7:28 (NIV)
“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NLT
Janine, Round Rock, TX
because, you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:3,4 NIV
Johanna, Arkansas:
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
Tina, Orrville, OH
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4 NIV
Cheri, Neenah, WI
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105 NLT
Tiffany, Dallas, TX
Psalm 40:1 NIV
I waited patiently on the Lord and He turned to me and heard my cry.
Mandy, Indian Trail, NC – Proverbs 12:18 (The Message)
Rash language cuts and maims, but there is healing in the words of the wise.
Susan, Beverly, MA
Galatians 6:9 So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. NRSV
Gwen, Greystones, Ireland
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romand 12 v 2 TNIV
Celeste Laguna Niguel,
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
Bonnie,Center Line,MI Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Heb 11:1 NIV
“If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 4:11, NIV
Tara, Mantorville
Psalm 119:15 (New King James Version)
I will meditate on Your precepts,
And contemplate Your ways.
God, your God, will cut away the thick calluses on your heart and your children’s hearts, freeing you to love God, your God, with your whole heart and soul and live, really live. Deut,30:6(The Message)
Cheryl, Ohio – I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world! John 16:33 NIV
“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.” Galatians 5:1 NIV 2010
Emily Forthofer, Cleveland Ohio
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.”
Hebrews 10:24 NLT
Stephanie, Houston, TX: But he knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold. Job 23:10 ESV
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Kelly, Charleston, West Virginia
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Cindy
Union Grove, WI
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.
Philippians 1:9-10
NLT
Kristen, Austin, TX
“Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Isaiah 35: 3-4, NIV
Nanette, Decatur, TX
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged”
Deuteronomy 31:8
NIV
Allyson
League City TX
Isaiah 26:8 NIV
“Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for You; Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.”
Jess – Grand Forks, ND
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
2 Peter 1:3 NIV
barbara, clemmons
Psa 18: 1-2, NIV
I love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress & my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Marlies, The Netherlands
The LORD gives his people strength; the LORD grants his people security.
Psalm 29: 11 NET
Mindy – Douglasville, GA
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, br prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Phil 4:6 NIV