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!
Brandi, Danville, Indiana.
Psalm 119:165
Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can,make them stumble.
NIV
Katie, New York Proverb 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Wyndi Topeka, KS – Perfect verse Katie! I’m going to share with you. Thanks! 🙂
Heather Crystal Springs,MS “Do not copy the behaviors or customs of this world, but let God transform you by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you which is good, and pleasing, and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT
Phoenix
If you love me, you will obey what I command. John 14:15, (NIV)
Mallory Greenville, SC
“Help me, Lord, to keep my mouth shut and my lips sealed.”
-Psalm 34:13
Andrea, Pottstown, PA
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10 NIV
Melissa L. ** Delaware, OH
“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful”.
2 Timothy 2:23-24 NIV
Becca
Baton Rouge, LA
Zep 3:17 ESV
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
tasha, mission, tx, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Wendell, NC Galatians 5:25-26 NIV
Since we live by the Spirit,let us keep in step with the Spirit, Let us not become conceited,provoking, and envying one another.
Tracey, Monroe, GA
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Amy, Tokyo, Philippians 2:5-6 (I’m planning to learn 7-8 next time-hence the comma at the end) “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,” ESV
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:4 (NIV)
Emily, Fort Worth, TX
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.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7, NKJ
Mission, TX
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
2 Corinthians 5:17
I know that You can do anything and no one can stop you.
Job 42:2 – NLT
Sheila – Dallas, TX
Cheryl, Ponder, Romans 8:17
Now if we are children, then we are heirs- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. NIV
Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
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 wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Melissa- Plymouth, MI
A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Isaiah 40:3
Lori, San Angelo, Texas
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
Janice
Halifax,N.S. Canada
Ah, Lord GOD!You Yourself made the heavens and earth by Your great power and with Your outstretched arm.Nothing is too difficult for You! Jer. 32:17
Proverbs 22:6
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Sarasota NIV
[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), 2 cor. 10:5 (AMP)
Gayle, Salinas CA
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, NLT
Keysha McNeil
Roanoke, VA
Galatians 5:1 (ESV)
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14
Katie, Dallas, GA : “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, and the mountains quake with their surging.” Psalm 46:1-3 NIV
Lisa, Edmonton, Canada: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matt. 5:6 (NIV)
“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:7, NIV
Georgia, Tennessee
Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy
Psalm 28:6 NIV
Melissa-Chino, CA
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now being confident that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 1:3-6) NIV
Katie, Lincoln Ne, Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 1 John 2:15
1 John 2: 15 NLT
Linda, Richmond
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33
NIV
Krista–Morgantown, WV
“So watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” Luke 17:3-4 NIV
Deana, palm city, florida 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
Jessica, Louisville, KY – “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ~Numbers 6:24-26
April San Angelo, TX Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children
and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV
Jodi from IN
You have circled the mountain long enough.
Now turn north.
Deuteronomy 2:3 NASB
Sonya, IL
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Psalm 139: 23-24 NLT
Carol, Lexington, SC
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Kristin – Palmyra, VA
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”
-Heb. 6:10-12 (NIV)
Elizabeth – Norfolk, NE
“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.” Psalm 90:14 NLT
Hey, a Siesta from Northeast Nebraska! Awesome!
Shelly, Wausa
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
Carolyn, California
“Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7 NIV
“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
Meredith
Anderson SC
Isaiah 40:13-14 NIV
Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the right way? Who was it that taught Him knowledge or showed Him the path of understanding?
“This is my beloved son on whom my far rests. Listen to him.”
Joan, Melbourne Beach, FL
“Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.”
Psalm 31:3 (NIV)