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!
Alexia, Champaign, IL
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
Proverbs 11:30 NIV
Stephanie, Austin, The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deut. 31:8, NIV Bible
Phyllis in Queen City, TX
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6. (KJV)
“Ah, Lord God! It is YOU who have made the heavens and the earth by YOUR great power and by YOUR outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for YOU!”
Jeremiah 32:17
Penny, Indio, Isaiah 40:31 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. (NIV)
Jennifer, Fresno, “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NLT
Sarah T., San Diego
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
Maggie Daley- Greenville SC
Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.
Psalm 31:2 (NIV)
Holly
Geita, Tanzania
Psalm 40:4 The Message
“Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God,
turn your backs on the world’s “sure thing,”
ignore what the world worships”
Isaiah 43:18-19a (ESV)
Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing.
LaRae, Princeton-TX. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
they walk and don’t lag behind.
Isaiah 40:29 (Msg)
Beverly, Prosper, TX
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 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.
Eph 4:32-5:2. NIV
Krista, Portland, OR
Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
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
Sharon, Los Angeles
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
Romans 3:23 NKJ
Marci in Amsterdam
NIV
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit in me.
Annie, Alaska
“Though my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.”
Psalm 27:10 NIV
Angela/ Jacksonville, FL: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:34 NIV
Symmie
Corpus Christi
Ephesians 2:10
For I am His wokmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that I should walk in them. (NAS)
Treviso, Italy
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His Word I put my hope.
Psalm 130:5 NIV
Melissa, Hendersonville, TN – “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Galatians 6:10 – NIV
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
Rhonda, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
“Therefore, to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to HIM it is sin”. James 4:17KJV (every so often, KJV does it better…:)
charmaine bailey
cape town, South Africa
Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
New King James
JoLynn~Budapest, Hungary
“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” James 1:26
Sherry, Denton “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” Ps 19:14 NAS
Ami, Brisbane Australia (age 10)
“Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.” Proverbs 20:15 NIV
Joy, Alpharetta, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’)And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace”, John 1:14-16,ESV
Jamie, Dallas
“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)
Carol, Locust Grove, VA– Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” (Joshua 3:5) Niv
Guyla, Dominican Republic,
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1Peter 5:7 (NIV)
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
John 13: 34-35 (NIV)
” A new command I give you: Love One Another. As I have loved you , so you must love one another. By this, all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Leann
Poorna, Indianapolis: “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 for the day of Christ,” Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)
The Lord has been saying to me Celebrate! Hence, “For seven days CELEBRATE the Feast to the Lord your God at the place your God will choose. For the LORD your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands and your joy will be complete!Deut. 16:15
Kayla, Ord NE
“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)
But grow in the grace and knowledgy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2Peter 3:18
Emily, Indianapolis, IN
Centreville, VA It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NIV
I John 2:11 NIV
“But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where his is going because the darkness has blinded him.”
Lori – Syracuse
With my mouth I will speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will be understanding. Psalm 49:3 NASB
Laura in Denver, NC
“The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days.” Deuteronomy 33:25 NIV
I first learned it in KJV “…As thy days, so shall thy strength be.”
Thank You, Lord. Oh how I need to know that!
Kari
Florissant MO
“Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial”
1 Cor 10:23 NIV
Nan, Coppell. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.”
Elphesians 3:20-21, NKJV
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
Jane, Greenwood, SC
Evening and morning and at noon will I pray, and cry out in distress; and He hears my voice.
Psalm 55:17 (NIV)
Lisa Ferrell, Cumming, GA, Romans 12:21 – Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. NIV
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10
NIV
Johanna, Forsyth, MT
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV
Erin
Austin, TX
Philippians 4:6-7 (New King James Version)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.