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!
Missy, Winston-Salem, NC:
“It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” ~ John 3:29-30 (NLT)
Sorry I’m a day late – I was out of town yesterday!
Elizabeth, Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Jeremiah 29:11, NIV: “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.”
Kim – Columbus, GA
Psalm 56:3 “when I am afraid I will trust in You” (NLT)
Kaila, Springfield, MO
“Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.” John 15:3 ESV
Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart from out of thy mouth; but thou shall meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:for then thou shalt ,make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. KJV
Melissa in NC
Pam/Benton, AR – 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 -Today’s NIV
Kristin, Kansas City.
Psalm 119:114 (ESV): You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.
Kristin Takemoto, Fresno, CA – ‘The God of heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build’ Nehemiah 2:20 NAS
Amy, Hixson, TN:
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing; that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13, NKJV
Okay the count is off for week 2, just subtract one. I just had to share. My sister and I chose John 1:1-4 as our verse because her 6 year old son is memorizing it. I “thought” it was too hard, but agreed and trusted God for help like Beth said He will. Anyway I’ve got it memorized to verse 3 and have spent the day thinking about the verse and it’s meaning. God is Powerful, so now I feel the desire to learn verse 5 too! I have two weeks with God talking to me about the verse I’ll have it written in my heart, soul and Mind.
Becki Larson, Battle Creek, MI
2 Corinthians 10;5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Julie from Fort Worth:
James 1: 19-20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Carrie, Princeton, MN:
“So let God work His will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and He’ll be there in no time.”
James 4:7-8a the Message
kimberly, el paso, tx
the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning,
great is Your faithfulness.
lamentations 3:22-23, esv
Hi Kimberly… I almost chose this verse. I love it. I pray it brings new hope and life into your heart and life!
Darcie, Sheridan WY NASB
Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospet, for it is power of God for the salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.
emi, white house,tn
“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:8-9 NIV
Sabrina, Mobile, 1 Peter 4:19 English Standard Version
“Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”
Sherree — Lilburn, GA
This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your Word has given me life.
Psalm 119:50 NKJV
Cheri, Urbana, IL
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
“‘Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 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.'”
Diane~Coventry RI “A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense” Proverbs 24:3 NLT
Lorna Beth
Chicago, IL
James 1:26-27
26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Leigh, Grayson. “A truly wise person uses few words; person with understanding is even-tempered.” Proverbs 7:27 NLT
Cresanna – Bible School Park, NY
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.
Micah 7:7-8, NIV
Connie H – Forsyth, MO “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD my strength and my redeemer.” KJV
Judy, Concord NC
22b …a sense of compassion in the heart(kindness), and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people(goodness). We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments (faithfulness), 24 not needing to force our way in life (gentleness), able to marshal and direct our energies wisely (self-control).
Gal.5:22b,23 MSG
Sue…Indiana.
“I am the gate, whoever enters throught me willl be saved.” John:10:9 NIV
Patricia, Dalton
The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. Psalm 145:18
Stephanie
Corpus Christi, Texas
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9 NIV
Judy
Corpus Christi, Texas
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” Jeremiah 17:7 NIV
My second one for the year is Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” At the end of December, I put out a challenge to my FB friends to join me in memorizing 24 verses. There are 12 of us holding each other accountable through the year, including my teenage daughter and one of her friends. Praying for a renewing of my mind this year as I saturate it with God’s Word!
Psalm 46:1 ESV
God is our refuge & strength, a very present help in trouble.
Jennifer Baker
Highland Village, TX
Cindy, Bemus Point, NY
1 Cor. 9:27–But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Tara
Corpus Christi, Texas
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Salina, Hindman, KY
“I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
Isaiah 30:20,21
Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden from you no more. With your own eyers you will see them. 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”.(NIV)
Emily – McKenzie, TN
Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
Jeremiah 32:17
Ashley, Huntsville, AL
“When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world”
1 Corinthians 11:32, NIV
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 4:7&8 (NIV)
Stephanie Techau
Cynthiana, Ky
Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.
From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
palms 61:1-2
Amy, Perrysburg
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
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad. Proverbs 12:25
Diane, Baraboo, says – … “His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth. His splendor was like the sunrise, rays flashed from his hand where his power was hidden.” Habakkuk 3:3-4 NIV
Molly
St.Paul, MN
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
Jamie, VanBuren Ar
My spirit, who is on you and my words that I have put in your mouth, will not depart from your mouth or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouthys of their descendants from this time on, and forever says the Lord
Isaiah 59:21
Susan from Greensburg PA
“See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.” Isaiah 42:9
(Praise God for my dear biological sister, Nancy)
Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I were to declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Psalm 40:5 NKJV
Darcy
Navarre, FL
Sue
St.Paul, MN
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you with my eyes upon you.
Psalm 16:1 (ESV)
Mary K., Fort Myers
Romans 8:15 “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption by which we cry out ‘Abba, Father!'”
Kris – Granger, IN
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everu situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Phillipians 4:6 (NIV)
Olivia, Thousand Oaks, CA
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food and the body more important than clothes. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25, 33-34