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!
Heather, Oklahoma
Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place the Most High, who is my refuge – no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Psalm 91:9-11 ESV
Kim, Casper, WY Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others better than yourselves. Phil. 2:3 NLT
Jeanene, League City
“Your way, O God, is holy; what god is great like our God?” (NASB)
Leslie Gonce • Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD. “For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 NASB
Katie Enlow – Paducah, Kentucky
1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV
“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive.
Cheryl- Alta Loma,Ca
“Finally, brothers, 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.”
Philippians 4:8 -NIV
Julie: Springfield, IL
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9
Judy – Houston, TX
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
Psalm 27:13
Nicole- Kitchener, On (Canada)
“Good and upright is the Lord
therefore He instructs sinners in His ways
He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them His way.” – Psalm 25:8-9 NIV
B His Girl
Phoenix AZ
His word for me this year… STRETCH
Phil 3:12-13
12 I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me.
( THE MESSAGE)
A shiftless man lives in a tumbledown shack; a lazy woman ends up with a leaky roof.
Ecclesiastes 10:18 (The Message)
Tammy, Fayetteville, AR “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
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
that I would see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Psalm 27:13 NKJV
Michele ~ Kenosha, WI
i got mixed up on the dates for the second verse so I have already memorized it and used it in my life (has helped me to keep my mouth under control)
James 3 :17-18 NASV “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits,unwavering and without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Thank you so much Beth for all you do! My verse is Psalm 27:13-14 (NAS) 13. I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the 14. Wait for the LORD;Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.
Thank you so much Beth for all you do! My verse is; Psalm 27:13-14 (NAS)13. I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. 14. Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.
Renee’ ~Nashville
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance of what we do not see. This is what the ancients of old were commended for.
Hebrews 11:1-2 NIV
Michelle, Canton, GA
“Now the end of all things is near; therefore be clear-headed and disciplined for prayer. Above all, keep your love for one another at full strength, since love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:7-8 HCSB
Regina, Moberly, MO
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 3:12 (KJV, because “through a glass, darkly” is important right now)
Natalie- Mobile, Alabama, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 NIV
Amy, San Antonio
2 Thes 3:3
But the Master never lets us down. He’ll stick by you and protect you from evil.
Leslie, Memphis~ People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole, steady on their feet because they keep at it and don’t quit. Isaiah 26:3 Message
Jodi, St. Paul, MN
Jeremiah 29:11 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. NIV
Dianne – Hartselle, AL
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
Ellen, Albuquerque
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
Sarah, Lakebay
And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all of your heart Jeremiah 29:13 NKJ
Raines, Albany, GA: Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. I Thess 5:19-22 NIV
“The joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10
Holly from Sequim, WA (today in Newberry Springs, CA).
Psalm 18:1-2 NLT
1 I love you, LORD;
you are my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
Not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance, and perseverance proven character and proven charactr hope and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy spirit who was given to us
Romans 5:3
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Farher of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 NIV
Sarah Jenkins
Bancroft, ON
Canada
Karla, Evans GA Psalm 65:11 “You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake.” (NET)
Kelly
Lexington, KY
Jeremiah 6:16 NIV
This is what the LORD says,”Stand at the crossroads and look,ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is and walk in it. There you will find rest for your souls.”
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 NIV
Sarah Jenkins
Bancroft, ON
Canada
Terra from Oklahoma,
We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians, 10:5 NAS
Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:13 NIV
Jill , Bozeman , MT
For by Grace you are saved through faith ; and that not of yourselves: It is the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8 KJV
My brothers and sisters, do not show prejudice if you possess faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.” James 2:1 The NET Bible
Becky Marietta, GA
In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry and do not give the devil a foothold.
Ephesians 4 26-27 NIV
Brenda Miller-Athens, AL
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you: Never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NIV
Tammerah – Fuquay Varina, NC
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Angela, Katy, TX
Let love prevail in your life, words, and actions. 1 Corinthians 16:14 (The Voice translation)
Allison, Knoxville, TN – My son (daughter!), if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Provers 2:1-5 (NIV)
Jackie, Louisiana – Zephaniah 3: 17 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. (NIV)
Laura & Hannah, Byron Center MI
“There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” (I Samuel 2:2, NIV)
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 NIV
Desiree-Naples, FL
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 ESV
Cassandra, Aldergrove, BC
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. Proverbs 31:11 NIV
Taylor, Las Vegas –
“For from of old no one has heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who works and shows Himself active no behalf of him who [earnestly] waits for Him.” Isaiah 64:4 (Amplified)
Karen, Hewitt
“Be still, and know I am God”.
Psalm 46:10 NIV
Kari, Gatesville, Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.