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!
Erin; Bourbonnais, IL
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
Chrissy, San Tan Valley, Arizona
“Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Becky ~ Siloam Springs, AR
You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. ~Job 11:16-18 (NIV 2010)
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 ESV
Amen!!
Deborah – Markham, VA
“…this is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at My word.” Isaiah 66:2
Marie, Tallahassee, FL.
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col. 3:2 NKJV
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”
~Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB
Pam Austin, Texas Isaiah 41:9 TLB
You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth and have called from the corners of it and said to you,You are My servant- I have chosen you.
Mary, NH
Rom. 14:16 NKJ
Do not let your good be spoken of as evil.
Tessa, Wheeling, WV
First Verse: Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee: yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
~Isaiah 41:10 KJV
Second Verse: Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
~John 14:27 NKJV
Stephanie, Hampton, VA: “When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:18-19 NIV
Melanie, Rapid City, SD “Create in me a pure heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 NIV
Grace (age 7 & 3/4!)
Pleasant Hill, CA
Luke 12:34 (NIV)
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Laura
Pleasant Hill, CA
Isaiah 43:18, 19
Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past.
Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.
Patti – Brownsburg, IN – Above all love each other deeply, because Love covers a multitude of sins. 1Peter 4:8
Kathleen
Bellmore, Long Island, NY
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.
Titus 2:11-12 NIV
Alex, Budapest, Hungary
‘Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.’ James 1:19, NLT
I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. Isaiah 49:6
Pam, Boswell OK, “The Lord is exalted for He dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness. He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.” Jer 33:5-6 NKJV
Fort Lauderdale, FL “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name: you are Mine.” Isaiah 43:1
Holman Christian Standard
Ahh! I’m late!
Robin, Edinburgh, Scotland. “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (ESV)
He says,“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.” Hebrews 2:12 NIV
Hester from Vicksburg, MS…”We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.”Romans 8:28 RS
Beth – Birmingham,AL
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 NIV
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.”
Philippians 2:14-16 NIV
Cheryl~Visalia, CA
Fathers,(and mothers)do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. (NLT)
Eph. 6:4
Victoria – Michigan Psalms 40:8 (NLT) I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.
“Have nothing to do with fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:11 NIV
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV)
Sandy NJ : Isaiah 26: 3 “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” NIV
Kathryn, Jacksonville – Romans 6:13 Living Bible:
“Do not let any part of your bodies become tools of wickedness, to be used for sinning, but give yourselves completely to God – every part of you – for you are brought back from death and you want to be tools in the hands of God, to be used for his good purpose.”
Kelli, Indianapolis: If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. -Galatians 5:25 NASB
Denise, Hernando Beach– Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12
Kelly, Houston, TX, 1 Corinthians 6:12, “Everything is permissible for me” – but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me” – but I will not be mastered by anything. NIV
Leslie from New Kent, Va: “Happy are all who fear the Lord, who walk in the ways of God. What your hands provide you will enjoy; you will be happy and prosper.”
– Psalms 128:1-2 New American Bible
Rebekah-Brentwood, TN
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:12-13 NIV
Cheryl, Webster. “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” I Peter 5:10 NIV
Elizabeth, Newark, DE:
“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nonetheless, afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11 (New King James)
Cathi, Morristown TN – “Wish good for those who harm you; wish them well and do not curse them.” Romans 12:14 NCV
Tami ~ Martins Mill, TX
His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love. ~ Psalm 147: 10-11
“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 heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Camille/Hermann MO
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
De Anna Morris
Greenville, SC
4 The hangman’s noose was tight at my throat; devil waters rushed over me. 5 Hell’s ropes cinched me tight; death traps barred every exit.~ Psalm 18:4-5 The Message
I am working through Pslam 18 if this seems a little morbid…however, NO INsecurities HERE!!!
Shirley Barry
Mooresville, NC
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight. NIV
Teresa, Grand Prairie, TX
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 Zondervan NIV Study Bible
Diane, Mississippi, Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT) 22 The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Valerie, Woodstock, Connecticut:
“A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit.”
Proverbs 15:4 (Amplified)
Jan 15th Michelle / Michigan
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32
“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 15:13 (NIV)
Cindy Dempsey
Lake City, FL
Dianna, Montana –
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” Phillipians 2: 1-2 NIV