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!
Clayton, NC
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect, NASB
Nicole, Jacksonville AL: “Peace I leave with you; my I 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
Audrey
Ridgeway, Ohio
adding on to Malachi 3:16 from two years ago…
“On the day when I act,” says the LORD Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”
Malachi 3:17-18 TNIV
Crevolyn, Gainesville, Ga: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrificies, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” (NIV)
Jill Zettel, Gulfport, MS – “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” Psalm 119:15-16 ESV
Philippians 1:6 (New Living Translation)
6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
oops Eden Texas
Eden, Texas
Philippians 1:6 (New Living Translation)
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NASB
Rhonda, Mankato
Oshkosh, WI
Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10 NIV
Yvonne
Fresno
Do not conform any longer 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
Joy, Greenville
John 17:3 “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” NKJV
Sherry from Houston, Texas
Colossians 3:1 Since, then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Tammy, Charlotte, Arkansas
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend upon on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which way to take. (New Living Translation)
Nikky, Sweeny,TX. “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.” Psalms 27:13 NKJV
April, Oviedo, FL
Phil 1:6
being confident of this, that he who has began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus
NIV
Joyce, Merritt Island, FL
“Let you gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Phil 4:5 NIV
Debi,from Ft. Myers, FL Isaiah 43:18-19
Do not remember the former things,
Nor consider the things of old.
19. Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert.
Tona in SC:
It for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves
be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galations 5:1
NIV
April, Vermilion:
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
~Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV)
Sandy-Deming NM
LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting You are God. Ps 90:1,2 NKJ
Lisa, Greensburg,Pa.
Put all your trust in the Lord and do not rely on your own understanding. Think of Him in all your ways and He will smooth your path. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NEB)
Norma, Covington, Tennessee
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things so that your youth is renewed like eagles. — Psalm 103:1-5 NKJV
Amanda, Cartersville,GA
1 Peter 5:7 NLT
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my rightrous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Adrienne – Canby, Oregon
“He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.” Isaiah 33:6 NIV
The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Job 33:4
We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
(For Joanne)
Joyce
Sparta NJ
“And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:4 (ESV)
Michelle, Bossier City, LA: “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him.” Isaiah 30:18 NIV
Ephesians 3:12 NIV
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Amazing!
Marcie
Concordia, KS
1 Corinthians 10:13 When you are tempted, He will provide a way out so you can stand up under it. NIV 1984
Jennifer, Huntsville, AL.
I am not trying to please people. I want to please God. Do you think I am trying to please people? If I were doing that, I would not be a servant of Christ. Gal. 1:10 (CEV)
Jenn, Charlottesville, VA
Therefore, we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 2 Cor 5:9 NKJV
Cindy, Newton Tony, England:
“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
Cary, Celina
Give me understanding so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Psalm 119:34 NIV
Michelle. Chesapeake, OH. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through himn.” John 3:17
Melissa, Scarborough, Maine: “Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and provide me with a spirit of willing obedience.” Psalm 51:12 GW
Bev N, Minneapolis
Jeremiah 17:12 (ESV)
A glorious throne set on high from the beginning
is the place of our sanctuary.
Wexford, PA I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret to being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Ginny, Ohio, “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.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Margaret
Coeur D’ Alene
Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the Living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Heb. 3:12-13 NKJV
Barb, Prescott Valley, AZ:
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you!” Isaiah 43:2, NLT
“But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord;he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” Psalm 33:10-12 (NIV) Lori, Stillwater,OK
“Remember not the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to Your love remember me,
for You are good, O Lord.”
Psalm 25:7 NIV
Anita-Gardner,Ks:
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.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
Pam, San José, Costa Rica: As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the message and understand the vision: Daniel 9:23, NIV
2 Peter 1:3 – “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.”
Therefore Since we are justified (aquitted,declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us (grasp the fact that we)have (the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy) peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ(the Messiah,the Anointed One). Romans 5:1 Amplified
Mandi, Houston: I know, O LORD, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. Correct me, LORD, but only with justice- not in your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing. Jeremiah 9:23 NIV
Jeremiah 10:23-24 NIV
Brittney(lopsided halos)Lexington, KY
But this is what the LORD says: I will contend with those who contend with you
(Isa. 49:25, niv)
Jennifer, Marietta
Matthew 6:21…Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. NLT
Sheilah, Melbourne, FL
Isaiah 40:11 (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 that have young.”