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!
But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. Psalm 71:14 NIV
“Because your love steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. ~Psalms 63:3~ ESV
Lauren – Plano, TX
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11.28 NIV
April
Lake Charles, LA
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 way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. ~Is. 43:18-19 (NIV)
Julie, Alliance, Nebraska.
The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me—
A prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42:8(NKJ)
Natchez,MS
In everything you do, put God first,and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.
Proverbs 3:6 The Living Bible
Sandra, Kayleigh & Bethany, Waco: “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.” NIV
“Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.” ~Psalm 63:3~ ESV
Rev 4:8b, 11 NAS
Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty who was, and is, and who is to come.
You are worthy, our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things and by your will they are created and have their being.
Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Romans 2:3-4 (NLT)
Tina – Htown
That was Psalm 65:11.
For you are a people holy to the Lord your God.
The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. Deuteronomy 7:6 NIV
Jennifer – Billings, MT
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind & a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2 NLT
Becky Kiser
Houston, TX
2 Timothy 4:2&5 (ESV)
“Preach The Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. …always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
If I have entered the more than once, please forgive my mistake.
Because your steadfast love is greater than than life, I will praise you. ~Psalm 63:3~ ESV
Becky Houston Colossians 3:19 Let the word of Christ,in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. New Living Translation
Lisa B, Carver, MN
(sorry I’m late–spent the weekend celebrating my father in law’s 80th birthday!)
Colossians 3: 12-13 (NLT) “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
John 6:34
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Alicia–Fort Wayne,IN
“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:7, NLT
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15
Rachel
College Station, TX
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule.” Matt. 5:3 The Message
~Brings the Beatitudes closer to home
Sara Springfield Mo
Psalms 18:2
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my strength in whom I will trust, my buckler and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Kim from Billings, MT: Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him all you peoples. For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord. Psalm 117 NIV (Yes, the whole chapter :))
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (NIV)
And we can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. And if we know he is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that he will give what us we ask for. 1 John 5:14-15
Melissa, Columbus, OH
Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God – what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2 NET
Debbie – Fairfax, VA
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he will hear us.
1 John 5:14
Oops…Translation: NIV
Joni, Nacogdoches,Tx.
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
James 1:19-20 NIV
Royana, Grand Prairie, TX
And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
Isaiah 58:11 ESV
Sally, Eagan, MN “Know this, my beloved brothers: Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” James 1:19 ESV
Lindsey, Avon Park, FL
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary (Galations 6:9, NASB).
Wava, Oldsmar
“Lord, I cry out to You; make haste to me! Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You.
Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
~ Psalm 141:1-3, NIV
ROMANS 12:3 NIV
“For by the grace given me I say to everyone one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you”
“Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the
transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for
ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, He will have
compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their
sins into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:18-19) KJV
Anastasia, Saegertown PA
But I trusted in your unfailing love, my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:5 (NIV)
But I have trusted in your MERCY, my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. Psalm 13:5 (NKJV)
I just love that MERCY=UNFAILING LOVE!!! (Had to share)
Vickie in Baytown, Texas
O God, You are my God, earnestly will I seek You; my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is. Psalm 63:1 Amplified Version
Debra – The Woodlands, Texas
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Lisa, Waco;
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength. Ephesians 1:18-19 NIV
ROMANS 12:3 NIV
“For by the grace given me, I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”
Sherry, Taneyville You are the Lord my God. I desire to love you, listen to your voice and hold fast to you for you Lord are my life. Deut. 30:20 NIV
Heather – Petal,MS
They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” Revelation 17:14 NIV
Heidi, Stirling, ON
And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’
Matthew 6:30-31 (NLT)
Connie, Dublin, VA:
“He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay. And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.” NASB
Lincoln, NE
Psalm 143:8 (New King James Version)
Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.
Linda – Clancy, MT My 2nd verse: Ps. 18: 1-2 NIV
I love you O Lord my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.
1 Samuel 12:24 (NLT)
Marie from OK
Shelly, NC For I will restore health unto thee and heal thy wounds, saith the Lord, Because they called thee an outcast saying this is Zion who no man seeketh after Jeremiah 30:17 KJV
Emily – Des Moines, IA
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. – Isaiah 46:10 NIV
So glad you used that verse in the begging of your post. Was EXACTLY what I’m needing right now. Thanks!
Siesta OC
So California
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged. For the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
Lauren, Houston, TX
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV