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!
Becky from Wixom, MI
Psalm 27:13 – 14 “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” ESV
Barb, Kentwood MI: And in the desert you saw how the Lord your God carried you, like one carries a child. and he has brought you safely to this place. Deut 1:31 NCV
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3 NLT
Pierre, SD
“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” James 1:26 NIV
Diane @ Pinedale, WY
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2, NIV
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Eph.2:10 NIV
“Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” Romans 4: 7-8
Maegan, Birmingham. “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” I Corinthians 6: 19-20 ESV
Barb from Lino Lakes, MN
Ps. 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Jean from Houston, “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.” 2 Pet. 1:4 NIV
Erica,Dayton,MN
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 NIV
Psalm 119:67 NLT
I used to wander off until you disciplined me, but now I closely follow your word.
Chrystal
Lexington, KY
Jennifer, Loveland,Co
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.
James 3:17-18 NLT
Sarah
St. Paul, MN
Psalms 62:6 (ESV) He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from theLord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: Isaiah 26: 3,4 (King James Version)
Week 2 Verse
John 15:12
This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. (NASBUE)
Julie, Washington DC. “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 4:19 NIV
Psalm 90:12 NET Bible: So, teach us to consider our mortality so that we might live wisely. ESV: Teach us to number our days so that we will gain a heart of wisdom.
Amy
Birmingham, AL
Psalm 138:8 (NLT)
The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
Don’t abandon me, for you made me.
Tiffany – Sandwich, IL
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.
Joshua 1:8 NIV
Jenifer, Sunnyside – WA, NASB, Eph 4:31-32
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Suzette – Normangee, TX
“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
Stacy Jo ~ Spokane, WA
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
Beth-Ashville, Ohio
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.”
Proverbs 31:26
Cassandra, Mars Hill, NC “Many adversities come to the one who is righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” Psalm 34:19 HCSB
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. Psalm 119;18 NIV
Martha, Clearwater, FL
Karen H from Sinclairville N.Y.
Philippians 2:3
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. NKJ
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good: his love endures forever.
1Chronicles 16:34 NIV
Liz, Prescott, WI
Karin Deaver – Kingsburg, Ca, 93631
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. NIV
Proverbs 4:23 NKJV
Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
Sacha, Midland
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
Cassie-The Colony, TX
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere. James 3:17
Martha, Round Rock: May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.
Romans 15:5 NIV
Tori, Elmer, LA, Oh Lord, you have searched me and you know me. Psalm 139:1 NIV
Katherine~Shiremanstown, PA
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 would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Pslam 40:5 (NKJV)
(crazy God thing, cuz I picked this several days BEFORE you posted your suggestion, Beth!:))
Marlo~ from Flower Mound, TX Psalm 51:1-2
Have mercy on me, O God,according to your steadfast love;
according to your(C) abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! ESV
Jenn, Winston-Salem, NC
1 John 4:16-19
16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other because he loved us first.
Psalm 121…”I lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord my God, the maker of Heaven and Earth.”
Penny, Cincinnati. “They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” Revelation 17:14. NIV
Diane, Alabama
2Timothy 4:17
“But the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, in order that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished…
Christina- Fresno, CA
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:3-4 NIV
Vicky, Longwood, FL: 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
Hebrews 12:7 NLT
As long as you endure this Divine Discipline, remember that God is treating you like His very own children.
Heather G
Charlotte NC
I’m a little late. My goal is to learn a verse in every book of the Bible. I learned a verse in 22 books last time. Have filled my Siesta scripture spiral with 24 books this time…only 20 left!
Jan 1. – I copied Beth with James 1:17
Jan 15th
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and pray and see my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land. 2 Chron. 7:14 NIV
Lisa Rose
Moyock, NC
Mandy, Franklin, TN
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
Jen, Chicago Suburb, IL
“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”
– Colossians 3:17 (NLT)
Tonia, Atlanta
You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
Matthew 5:5 The Message
Tina
Cleveland, TN
“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.” Isaiah 43:18-19, NIV
1 Peter 2:9 NIV
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of HIM who called you out of darkness into HIS wonderful light.
Paulette P. Mays
Elmer, La.