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!
Trixie, Arcanum, OH: I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. Isaiah 46:10 (NIV)
Melody, from NJ:
“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 your life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” Matthew 6:25
Durham, NC
1 Peter 3:15-17
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. (ESV)
Laura Beth, Frisco
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1, NIV
“Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.” 1 Thessalonians 5:13
I am not anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, I present my request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guards my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Raegan
Midland, Texas
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 paths straight.
Barbara,Greensboro,
Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth, and with my song will I praise Him.”
Colossians 1:17, NIV
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Debbie in El Paso, IL
Christy – Lexington, KY – Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV
Katherine, Lititz, PA
“Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up …any minute!” Philippians 4:4-5 (The Message)
Gayle, Jeanne,Sharon
Julia, Carrie, Barbara
Ventura, CA
Heb 10:25
Not forsaking our own assembling together,
as is the habit of some, but encouraging
another, and all the more, as you see the
day of drawing near. NAS
Diana, East Peoria
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he,
I am he who will sustain you.
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Isaiah 46:4 NIV
But I, with a heart of Thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good.Salvation comes from the Lord. Jonah 2:9
Pat
Hillsboro,OR
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34 NIV
Cindi – Orange, TX.
Oh Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away. You chart the path ahead of me & tell me where to stop & rest. Every moment you know where I am.
Psalm 139: 1-3
Jackie-Madisonville, TX
Ephesians 4:29
New International Version (©1984)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Sarah-Dallas, GA
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13, NIV
Ebony – Philadelphia, PA
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 3:13 NIV
Marcia ~ Holly Springs
“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:11&12, ESV
Ann from Sugar Land
Ps. 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of hte slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on al rofck and gave me a firm placfe to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
Julie ~ Hereford, AZ
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Ephesians 5: 15-17
Michelle, Natchitoches, LA: Where no oxen are, the manger is clean,
But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox. Proverbs 14:4, NASB…endure the manure!
Nancy, Harrisburg, Il
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Cindi – Orange, TX.
Oh Lord, you have examined my heart & know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away. You chart the path ahead of me & tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am.
Psalm 139:1-3
NLT
Jessica – Whitehouse, Texas
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Ps.25:10 “The Lord always proves faithful and reliable
to those who follow the demands of his covenant.”
Christi, Springdale,The Net Bible
Salli, Oakland, NJ
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men sutmble and fall; ~Isaiah 40:29-30
Susan of Sheridan, Arkansas
Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails” (NIV)
Kristen, Wichita, “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” Psalm 33:18 NIV
Jackie from Smithville, TN:
She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Proverbs 31:26 (ESV)
Nicole, Reynoldsburg, OH
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Luella, NLR AR, For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13 (New Living Translation)
Erin from Wylie, TX
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 wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19 – NIV
Beth and Tori Brabham, Waco, TX
“And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 NIV
Elisabeth Seale, La Grange, Tx. “If any of you lack in wisdom let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5 ESV
Becky, Rushsylvnania OH
“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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV84
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.
Isaiah 26:3-4
Linda – Holts Summit, MO
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
Galatians 5:1
It was for freedom that Christ set us free;therefore keep standing nfirm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. NIV Galatians 5:1
Jeannie, Raleigh
But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He will stand upon the earth at last. Job 19:25 NLT
Kim, Boiling Springs, SC:
“Abram elieved the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” Genesis 15:6, NIV
II Chronicles 7:14
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, the will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Emily, High Point, NC
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
Debbie, Rex, GA
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Isaiah 40:29 ,ESV
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” ~Eph. 4:29 (NAS) ~Rhonda, Fresno, CA
Kay , Clemmons, NC
James 4:3
When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
God re-wrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes.
Ps. 18:24 Message
April, Lawrenceville GA:
So do not fear for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Is. 41:10
Melissa, Niota TN
“For I know the plans that 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