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!
Tanya, Columbus GA – Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey His commands, listen to His voice, and cling to Him. Deuteronomy 13:4 (NLT)
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Luke12:25 NIV
Wynetta from Cedar Rapids, IA~Phil. 4:6-7 KJV Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God whiich passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Kim, Metter GA
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
James 1:5 (NIV)
Belinda, Houston
He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
II Cor. 1:21-22 NIV
Anne Marie, Greenwood, MS: Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV – “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.”
Holly, Dittmer MO
It is good to praise the LORD
and make music to your name, O Most High,
proclaiming your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night.
Psalm 92:1-2 NIV
Sue, Lakeland FL.
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.”
Lamentations 3:22-24. NIV
Sophie – Birmingham, AL – “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves. He has made us competent as ministers of the New Covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corin. 3:5-6, NIV
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, That He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.”
1 Peter 5: 6-7
Christie, Westport, NASB
One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that You, O God, are strong, and that You, O Lord, are loving” Psalm 62: 11-12a NIV
Dawn
Wausau, Wisconsin
“Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.But now that you know God—or rather are known by God —how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? “ Galatians 4:8&9 NIV
Peace I leave with 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. John 14:27 NIV
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 TNIV
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV
“It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way pefect.” Ps. 18:32. NIV
Sarah, Elgin, IL
God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7, NLT
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” John 1:1 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, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Cor 6:19-20 NIV
Yes, I’m trying to make better choices about eating and exercising!
Karen – Gallatin, TN: “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God, the one who does evil has not seen God.” III John 1:11 (NASB)
Tracy, Edgewood, KY – The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. ~Isaiah 60:19 (NIV)
Christen, Birmingham, AL
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
James 1:19 (NIV)
Isa, East Lansing, MI
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. Gal. 5.8-9 ESV
Pam Lebanon, IN “And his allowance was a continual allowance, given him of the King, a daily rate, for every day, all the days of his life.” 2 Kings 25:30 KJV
MAMIE,MARIETTA, GA
Psalms 1:1 NKJV
Blessed is the man who walketh not
in the counsel of the ungodly, nor
standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful
Sharee from Sugar Land, TX
Commit your works to the Lord,
And your thoughts will be established.
Proverbs 16:3 (New King James Version)
Galatians 6:9
And let us grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
NKJV
I would love to send Beth an eamil about the crazy way God has used her in my life..where can I send that???Thanks so much
Write a letter. There’s an address on the lproof.org website. She or her staff do answer.
For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; if we die, we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:7-8 NIV
Tami-Platte,SD
“Since, then, you have been raised up with Christ, set your heart on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above and not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:1,2
Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we sahll reap if we do not lose heart.
NKJV
Elizabeth, Dallas TX (sorry this one is so late :()
“Therefore I am now going to allure her;I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her.There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope–Hosea 2:14-16 (NIV)
Ephesians 2:8 NIV 2010
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.
Amanda from Mesquite TX
Hope, AR
I will bless the Lord at all times His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalm 34:1 NASB
Jo Ann, Philadelphia. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NAS)
Becca – Milwaukee “And the word become flesh and lived amoung us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” John 1.14 New Revised Standard
Jennifer in Acworth, Ga
I cry out to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
He will send from heaven and save me;
he will put to shame him who tramples on me.
– Selah
Psalm 57:2-3 (NIV)
Christy Greenville, Texas
He has made everything beautiful in its time.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)
Sue, Abilene, Kansas – I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Tracy-Moberly, MO
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 NIV
Kristy
Princeton, NC
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Prov 3:5-6 (NIV)
Susanne, South Carolina
Romans 8:1 (NIV)
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Stevie, Fort Worth, TX 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 29:10-12
Kelly, Apex, NC
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3, NIV
Stephanie S., Houston: But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it. 1 Timothy 6:6-7 (NIV)
leigh, Shelby, NC “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for. You’re blessed when you get your inside world – your mind and heart- put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.” Matt. 5:9-10 The Message
Laura
Strawberry Plains, Tennessee
Trust in the LORD and do what is good; dwell in the land and live securely. Take delight in the LORD,and He will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:3-4.
(Holeman Christian Standard)
And the peace of God, which transends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 NIV