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!
Lindsey
Lincoln, Nebraska
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
~Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV
Stephanie Burger – Sahuarita, AZ
But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. (Psalm 86:15) NIV
Messed up!
“This is my beloved son on whom my favor rests. Listen to him.”
Matthew 17:5b (Saint Joseph Edition New American Bible)
Joan in Melbourne Beach, Florida
Leslie – Rochester, MN
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13 KJV
Vicki from Big Spring
Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22 NIV
Kim, NY
She opens her mouth with wisdom, An on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Proverbs 31:26 (NKJV)
So may I forget what is behind, reach forward to what is ahead, and pursue as my goal the prize promised by Your heavenly call. Phip 312-14 NIV
Michelle, Seattle: Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” NIV
Tracey, Knightdale, NC:
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3, ESV
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
Renee, Chicago “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'” Hebrews 13:5 NIV
Lanna, Missouri
But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!”
Isaiah 43:1,NASB
James 1:26 NLT
If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.
Heather
Macclenny, FL
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14) NKJ
Kim M., Elizabethtown, KY
Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)
Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Bobbie, Arlington, Texas
Galatians 6:9, King James Version
And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we will reap, if we faint not.
Judy Norwood, Greenville MS
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 NIV
Marcella
Crosby,TX
Joel 2:17 NKJV
Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, Let them say, “Spare Your people, O LORD,And do not give Your heritage to reproach, That the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?'”
Carrington
Tullahoma, TN
Micah 6:8
“And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (New American Standard Bible)
Claudia ~ Mauriceville, TX
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD is the Rock eternal.”
Isaiah 26: 3-4 NIV
Jennifer
Tullahoma, TN
Micah 6:8
“And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (New American Standard Bible)
Angie ~ Prosper
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
Sari, Silver City
2 Peter 1:3-4
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 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.
NIV
Debbie – Pittsburgh, Pa
“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
Donna in Fredericksburg, VA
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
Rescue me from my enemies, LORD,
for I hide myself in you.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
Psalm 143:8-10
Abby, Beijing “that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his spirit in you inner being.” Eph 3:16 ESV
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:33 NIV
Vicksburg, Mi
Amy, Omaha, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests,but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4, NIV.
Rebekah, Perth, Australia. “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.” Psalm 28:7 NIV
Heather – Whittier, CA
Proverbs 26:20 “Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down” NIV
Kendra, Keller: “Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude” – 1 Peter 3:8 NLT
Austin, Texas
“But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.”
Psalm 40:17 (NIV)
Lisa — Boerne, Tx.
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6
Always in every prayer of mine making requests for you with all joy.
Philippians 1:4 NKJV
Kathy from Corinth, TX For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. 2 Chronicles 16:9a NASB
Brittany, Middletown, OH
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4 ESV
Laura,Perth,Australia
Luke 18:1 NIV
‘Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.’
I love this one!
Nicole
Keller
“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.”
Matt5.5.MSG
Hannah (12, my girl!)
Keller
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23-24
Shelby Wilmington NC
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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
Tiffani Fort Worth, TX: Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Ps. 32:10 (ESV)
Eph. 1:15-16
For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
Tricia, Smyrna: “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)
Jill, Danville, KY
For it is God who works in ou to will and to act according to his good purpose. Phil 2:13 NIV
Heather Clark, Richton, MS
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put thier trust in him.
Proverbs 30:5
Kjv
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised. Proverbs 31:30 NIV
Kelli, Lebanon, Tn
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give to you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your
children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 NIV
He tends His flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in His arms,
and carries them close to His heart.
He gently leads those who have young.
Isaiah 40:11
Jill -Charlottesville, VA
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. (Psalm 55:22) NIV
jody, Minden, LA
“I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.” Psalm 119:58 NIV
Heather ~ Little Rock, AR.
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New Living)