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!
Denise, Mishawaka, IN –
The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will.
Isaiah 50:4 NLT
Kathy, Wilmington NC
Isaiah 43:18-19 NLT
“But forget all that, it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
Sandi. Anderson
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” Jeremiah 17:7 NIV
Jillian; Laramie
and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts throught faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly establilshed in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and witdth, height and depth of God’s love
Ephesians 3:17-18
Holman Christian Standard Bible
(part 2)
Jennifer, Asheville NC
“But the Lord is faithful; He will make you strong and guard you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT
Rebecca – Stamford, TX
“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and mediating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious – the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” Philippians 4:8 MSG
Judy Nabors – Crawfordsville, IN “Encourage one another DAILY, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:13 NIV
BAB- Be A Barnabas DAILY!!
Darlene
Seattle, WA
Psalm 5:2-3- LIfe application Bible
“Listen to my cry for help, my king and my God, for I pray to no one but you. Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you, and wait expectantly.”
Heather – Chandler, AZ
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3 NKJV
Annmarie, Livermore. “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
Emily- Grovetown, GA
Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.
Psalm 127:1 NIV
Paula Tulsa I will make known the end to the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand and I will do all I please.
Isaiah 46: 10 NIV
Marsha Bismarck ND
for it is written, “You shall be holy, because I am holy”.
1 Peter 1:16
Amanda,Orlando, FL:
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. Ps. 62:5 NIV
Stacey, Plano Texas
Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord are God.
Isaiah 37:20 NIV
Patty Laramore, Ada, OK
“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.”
1 Corinthians 10:11 NIV
Dana, Collierville, TN – “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:7&8 NASB
Valerie, Mineral Wells, Tx
Be sure to pay attention to what you hear. To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But to those who are not listening, even what they think they have will be taken away from them. Luke 8:18 NLT
Denise, Ozark, MO
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT
Kristine in Edmond, OK – “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, THE LORD, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV (Emphasis mine)
Karol – Burlington, CT
Psalm 121, NKJV
Gena Carter Elgin, Texas
Let all that I am praise the Lord, may I never forget the good things he does for me.
Psalm 103:2 NLT
Nicole – Columbia, SC
“Satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” Psalm 90:14 NASB
Mandy, Colorado
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 8:1-2 (NLT)
Lora, Florissant,CO. “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Colleen Clarks Green “Flee the evil desires of youth,and pursue righteousness,faith,love,and peace,along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2Timothy2:22 NIV
Amy White – Lubbock, TX – Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” NLT
Cindy, Rockford, IL “And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:19 NASB
Amy, Jacksonville, FL
Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62
Psalm 34 8-10
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Sarah – Elmira, ON
“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
John 14:27 NLT
Nicole, Ocean Springs, MS – Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. ~1 Corinthians 7:17 (NIV2010)
Kelly, Houston
James 3:17
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (NIV)
Kena, Milford, We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor 10:5
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:13 NIV
Prosper, TX
James 4:8
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Ainslie, Columbia SC
To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Revelation 21:6
Becky Homme, Rochester, MN “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
Mendi Catlett-Chattanooga Tn. NKJV
Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Suzanne, Acworth, Ga, Be kind and compassionate to one another forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
Staci-Bismarck, ND “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3
Sue Chesterfield VA.
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
Lauren, Indiana
Go out into the world uncorrupted, as a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God.
Philippians 2:15-16 The Message
Kylie Fishers, IN
James 1:22
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Laika ~ Atlanta, GA
Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey – whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness.
Romans 6:16, NIV
Joy
Charlotte, NC
Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3 (New American Standard Bible)
Autumn – Foster, KY
Psalm 13:5-6 NIV
But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord for he has been good to me.
Michelle, Lewisville, TX Sing to the Lord, for He has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. NIV
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
Psalm 100:4 (NIV)
~ Theodosia, MO
7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
NIV