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!
Kristi, Telford, PA
“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He annointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” II Cor. 1:21-22 NIV
Andrea, Overland Park KS:
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1
NIV
Nancy, Atlanta, GA
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment. Phil 1:9 (ESV)
Karla, Leverett, MA
After posting on the 1st, God redirected my plan. I will be learning Romans 6 this year.
What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
Romans 6:1-2 NIV
Michelle, Houston, “Quién nos apartará del amor de Cristo? La tribulación, o la angustia, la persecución, o el hambre, la indigencia o el peligro o la violencia? Sin embargo en todo esto somos más que vencedores por medio de aquel que nos amó. Pues estoy convencido de que ni la muerte ni la vida, ni los ángeles ni los demonios, ni lo presente ni lo por venir, ni los poderes, ni lo alto ni lo profundo, ni cosa alguna en toda la creación, podrá apartarnos del amor que Dios nos ha manifestado en Cristo Jesus, nuestro Señor” Romanos 8:35, 37-39 NIV *memorizing in Spanish as we are starting a new Spanish ministry at our church!*
That is so awesome Michelle!! I love it!
Dana, Flower Mound, TX
In everything you do stay away from complaining and arguing.
Philippians 2:14
NLT
Haley, Houma, LA
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Philippians 4:8, NIV
Pam, Buena Park,CA “O LORD, You have searched me and known me, You know when I sit down and rise up, You understand my thought from afar.” Psalms 139:1-2 NASB
Praying for Joanne Heim) her first verse of Jan 1: “We though are ging to love – love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.” 1 John 4:19 The Message
Sandy, San Antonio, Tx:
Hear, O Israel (Sandy), the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:29-30 NIV
Marie, Kenmore
“For we ourselves were once foolish, unbelieving, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in wickedness and envy, being detestable and hating one another.”
Titus 3:3 (translated from the Greek)
Susan, Cumberland, “GOD is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 (KJV)
Shanda, Tyler, Texas –
Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for You.
Your name and renown are the desires of our hearts.
Isaiah 26:8 NIV
Teresa
Naples, Florida
Isaiah 54:4 NASB
Fear not, for you will not be put to shame;
And do not feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced;
But you will forget the shame of your youth,
And the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.
Proverbs 9:10 NIV “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Teresa
Spanaway WA
Marcia, San Clemente, CA
I will say of the Lord “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in Him will I trust”.
Psalm 91:2 KJV
Wendy, Newmarket Ontario
For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, And floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring.
Isaiah 44:3 NKJV
Jane – Gulfport – …fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (NASB)
Ann From Chicago
Isaiah 40:31
They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.
Ashley, Charlotte, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” Jame 1:19-20 NASB
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Holding tight to this verse as we fly to China on Wednesday to finally adopt our baby girl!
Wow!!Congratulations, you will be in our prayers. We have a 6 year old niece that was adopted from China and she is the family’s pride and joy (extended family included) Our parents (both sets) live in Van Wert, OH. Blessings upon blessings I pray for you!
Teri K. from Kalamazoo, Mich. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” I Cor. 3:16 NKJV
Sharon , Griffin, Ga Ps 103:1-5 The Message
O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name!
O my soul, bless God. Don’t forget a single blessing!
He forgives your sins – every one
He heals your diseases – every one
He redeems you from hell – saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy – a paradise crown
He wraps you in goodness – beauty eternal
He renews your youth – you’re always young in His presence
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5 ESV
Karen Stark
Tallahassee, Florida
I Peter 4:12,13 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the firey trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
Louise,Sacramento,CA
Philippians 4:4 NIV
Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!
Kathy, Hendersonville:
“Those who live according to the sinful nature
have their minds set on what that nature desires;
but those who live in accordance with the Spirit
have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”
Romans 8:5 NIV
Betty, Ft. Worth “Don’t panic. I am with you. There’s no need to fear, for I am your God. I’ll give you strength, I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” The Message
Karen, Mission Viejo “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” Colossians 4:6 NASB
Michelle Airdrie Alberta Canada (Calgary)
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. Glatians 5:1 NIV
Viola, Lubbock, TX Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. NIV
Shaminder
Toronto,ON
Forget about what’s happened! Don’t keep going over old history. Be alert! Be present! I’m about to do something brand new. It’s bursting out. Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road in the desert and rivers in the badlands.
Isaiah 43:18-19
The Message
Charlene, Stuart, FL: “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass … Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” (Psalm 37:4,7)
Bonnie, Selah, Wa. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and priase of God. Phil 1:9-11 NIV
Julie, Broken Arrow, OK
1 Cor. 4:20 NIV
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk put of power.
Megan Joy, Calgary, Alberta Canada – We fight with weapons that are divinely powerful to ‘cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.’ 2Corinthians 10:5 (NKJV/NIV)
Kristie, White Lake: ‘Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ‘ 1Thes 5:16-18
Susan, San Antonio
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
Romans 8:38 NLV
Kim ~ Niceville
“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
Becky, Biloxi, MS If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, pray, and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 HCSB
In repentance and rest is your salvation,
In quietness and trust is your strength.
Isaiah 30:15 NIV
Joyce, Exeter, “GOD is our refuge and strength,a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 (KJV)
Oshkosh, WI
Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from Thy law.
Psalm 119:18 NASV
Kristi from Abilene, Texas:
“But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.”
Psalm 33:18-19 NIV
Vicki, Surprise, AZ
“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
Tiffany, ATL
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. ~ Gal. 5:1 ESV
Stacie, Livonia, MI. “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” Philippians 1:27 NASB
Sandy
Holiday,FL
Psalm 27:1 ESV
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Kate, Ottawa area, “But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like the flowering grass he will pass away.” James 1:9-10 NASB
Pam in Texas Using The Everyday Bible
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and most important command.”
Matthew 22:37-38 (and Deuteronomy 6:5)
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28,29