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!
Madelin, Thousand Oaks, CA
John 14:27 NIV
Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Janet, Wingate, NC
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27 NIV
Kori, Cabot, Arkansas; Romans 12:21 NIV, Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Judy; Tyler; Psalm 103:3-4 NIV
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.
Jennifer, Las Vegas: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21 NIV)
Rachel – Birmingham, AL
For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Psalms 37:2 NLT
Pam — Edmond, OK
Psalm 13:5-6
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. (NIV)
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever, Amen.
Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)
Melissa
Waco, TX
Sabrina
Houston, Texas
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.
Ps. 13:5-6
Erin, New York
“May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” NIV
Stephanie-Calgary, Canada. All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change James 1:17 The NET Bible
aubrey – columbia, mo
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate (reflect) the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Desiré, Springfield (Psalm 16:11) “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
The Lord is my strength and my song and He has become my salvation; He is my God and I will praise Him, my father’s God and I will exalt Him. Exodus 15:2, ESV
“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 (NLT)
Jenna
Waco, TX
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Ps. 90:14
Norman, OK, Luke 1:45 “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her.” NIV.
Maryse~Florence, SC
“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah” Psalm 68:19 NIV
Rachel – Spokane, WA
The Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26 NAS
Lee, Lexington, Ky
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4 NIV
Lara~Greenville, Ky
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18 NIV
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
II Corinthians 9:8 NIV
Kate, Overland Park, KS
“I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees you.” Job 42:5
Deena Jefferson
Springboro, Ohio
Hi! Beth from Charlotte NC: 1Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons
Just figured out how to get involved in SSMT and am very excited! My verse is Deuteronomy 29:29, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” (NIV) The first part of the verse is particularly meaningful to me right now, ’cause sometimes, I just don’t get it.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners
(Isaiah 61:1) NIV
“Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.” Psalm 34:13 (NLT)
Caroline
Waco, TX
Susan, Katy, TX
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Erin, Minneapolis, MN
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:30-31
1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
Annabelle and Lisa Snyder, Montgomery
Mindy Young (mom)
1 Corinthians 10:23 Everything is permissible, but not everything is helpful. Everything is permissible, but not everything builds up.HCSB
Grace Young (12)
1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.KJV
Hope Young (10)
1 Corinthians 10:23 also HCSB
Susan, Katy, TX
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Luke 6:31 NIV
Lara~Greenville,Ky
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18 NIV
Valerie, Yuma
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
Proverbs 31:17, NIV
Megan, Melbourne FL
‘Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.'(NLT)
I’m getting married on Saturday (Jan 22) prayers welcomed! God is so good!
Philipians 4:6
Sorry!
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed to us belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.
(Deuteronomy 29:29) NIV
Deanna – Safford, AZ
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
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
Sherry, Rocky Mount, VA Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the LORD, not men. Eph 6:7 NIV
Isabel, El Dorado Hills CA
When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
-Proverbs 31:36 (NLT)
Debbie, Simi Valley, CA – Isaiah 50:4 NIV
The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.
Mar – Phoenix, AZ
He sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions. Psalm 107:20 NASB
Kelly, Roby, TX – But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with the meekness and fear. 1 Peter 3:15 KJV
Jennifer, Houston
Isaiah 46:10, NIV
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.’
Stacey- McKinney,TX
“…we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; persaverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
Romans 5:2-5 NIV
Delores – Belleville, IL. “Can anything separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:35, 37 (NIV)
Now the Lord is the spirit, and where the spirit of the Lord is there, is Freedom. 2 Corinthians3:17
Ruth, Okinawa, Japan
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
Kathleen,Tallahassee,FL
“Stop regarding man,
whose breath of life is in his nostrils;
For why should he be esteemed?”
Isaiah 2:22 (NASB)
Bekka – Little Rock, Arkansas: 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 – Life Application Study Bible NIV