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!
Beth, Apex, NC
Zeph 3:17.
17 The LORD your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”. NIV
Rhonda, Tampa, FL
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
Colossians 1:16 NKJV
Diana, Tulsa, OK
Psalm 91:1-2
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (NIV)
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ
Jesus. Romans 1:8 NIV (New International Version)
Lori Tyler, TX
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”.
So sorry I’m late. I was inspired to change my verse on Saturday and life got in the way of finding it. Here it is, finally:)
Matthew 4:19
“Come follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
Oops, forgot. West Point, Nebraska
April – Lubbock, TX
“This is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go'”. Isaiah 48:17 NIV
Tina Thompson, Ohio “I can do all things through Christ who strengthen’s me” Philippians 4:13
Megan Gilmore, CT
“Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 NIV
Michelle, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may recieve what was promised.
Hebews 10:35-36 NAS
Nancy, St. Petersburg Fl
The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, you have not lacked anything. Deuteronomy 2:7 NIV
Cathy, Indiana
Colossians 3:2&3
Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with CHirst in God. NLT
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now,you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1: 8-9 NLT
Brigette Brock, Morehead, KY
I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26 NIV
Moundridge, KS
Colossians 3: 1-4
“Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”
JoDitt from Texas.
Eph. 1:3-8 NLT
JoDitt from Texas
Ephesians 1:3-8 NLT
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.[b] 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and und
Lorna, Statesville, NC
Zephaniah 3:17 (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.”
Check out the song for this on the CD: Glory Revealed titled “He Will Rejoice”, beautiful and helps with the memorization!
Deuteronomy 31:8
The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. NASB
Angel—Pampa, Texas
A generous man will prosper, he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:25 NIV
Janice, Summerville, SC
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 (NIV)
Marilyn, Pleasant Hope, MO. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7, NKJV
Lori – Waxhaw, NC
Do not conform any longer to the patterns 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
Linda-Nashville,Tn
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. 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 day in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19, NIV
“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16 NIV
Terri, Madison, AL
Maria, Whitmire, SC:
Hearken unto Me, O Jacob and Israel, My called;
I am He; I am the first, I also am the last, Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and My right hand hath spanned the heavans: when I call unto them, they stand up together.
Isaiah 48: 12-13 KJV
Melissa, from Atlanta: The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:2, NKJ
Rebecca-Birmingham
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Selena- Albany, GA
In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:16, HCSB
Shell – South Carolina
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plants to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
NIV
Sheila Kay, Monroe, LA Psalm 27:2, When the wicked advance against me to devour[a] me,it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. NIV
Shawn – Hamptonville, NC
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18 (NIV)
Sharon, Fort Worth, Jer 29:11 ASV
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. Jer 29:11 ASV
LIndsey, Birmingham, AL
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3, NLT)
Brandy, Lynchburg, VA – Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
“Walk with teh wise and become wise; associcate with fools and get in trouble.” Proverbs 13:20
He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.
Malachi 3:3
Karen – Fishers IN
It is not that we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.
2 Cor. 3:5, NLT
Wendy, Memphis, TN
Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men. Colossains 3:12 NLT
Heather, Beaumont, TX
I will cry out to God most high, To God who accomplishes all things for me. Psa 57:2 (NASB)
Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established.
Proverbs 16:30
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Psalm 14:30 NIV
Sandy – Channelview Texas
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
Sheldon, Mt. Sterling- 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
Colossians 1:17, NIV
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together
Robyn
Edmond, OK
Gwen, Fairmont, WV
“So let’s not not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” NLT
Hannah from Natchitoches
“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” Psalm 5:11, NIV
Carrie B “God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV.
Steph, Kansas City, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Karen, Southbridge, MA
“As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, ‘I am holy; you be holy.'” 1 Peter 1:13-16 The Message