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!
Tracie, Fairfield
Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and might things which you do not know.
NIV
Jenny, Fort Mill, SC
“Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain,” 1 Corinthians 15:58
Jillian, Louisville, KY: Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2 NIV
Kristi, Puyallup: “Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.” Psalm 97:11 NIV
Megan in Nolensville, TN. (Sorry I’m late – it’s a perpetual problem)
Isaiah 45:23 – I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will breadk down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give yo the treasures of darness, riches stored in secret places so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.
Meg, Oklahoma City, Ephesians 1:15-19 The Message
I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!
Amy Minnesota
“Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life.”
Deuteronomy 30:19b-20 NIV
Kate, Arvada. “Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it” 2 Corn 8:11 NIV
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
Gayla Missouri
Nicole, Fairbanks, AK:
Take my yoke upon you & learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” -Matthew 11:29-30 NIV
Jami Holland
Fayetteville, NC
Jeremiah 20:9 (NIV)
“But if I say, I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,’ his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.”
Shannon
Richmond, KY
Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4
Holman Christian Standard
Pat from Bigfork, MT., says:
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Phil. 4:8
KJV
Lisa from Chandler, Arizona
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Tammy , Greencastle, IN
So don’t throw away your confidence, it will richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will recieve what He has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV
Psalm 40:5 NIV
Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You have planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.
Kalyn, Binghamton, NY
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 (NASB)
Suse, Nashville
Melinda, Memphis
Cappie, Memphis
Psalms 48: 13b/14
That you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever, He will guide us forever
Laurie, Spokane,
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God,”who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Rev.1:8 NASB
Moe, Moose Jaw, SK, Can: “We are hardpressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed” 2 Corinths 4: 8 & 9
Atlanta, GA
‘Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.’ Colossians 4:2 NIV
Natalie, Little Rock
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Kirsten, Frederick, MD, NIV
Isaiah 26:3-4
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast,because they trust in you.Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.
Nicole from Knoxville TN, “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.” Psalm 42:7-8, NIV
I was anxious for my daughter’s boyfriend to propose & this verse spoke to me.
Since ancient times no one has heard or perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who intervenes for those who wait for Him. Isaiah 64:4
Megan, Atlanta, GA
6Therefore (Q)humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
7casting all your (R)anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7
Shunda, Houston: I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. Ps 116:1-2 (TNIV)
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. Hebrews 11:1-2 NIV
Annaleise, Oklahoma City
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Isaiah 43:1b-2
Emily from Valparaiso, IN
John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. NIV
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Rev. 21:4 NIV
Megan, East Africa:
“My soul cleaves to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.” Psalm 119:25 NASB
Robin – Thorndale, PA
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. – 1Peter 3:15 (NIV)
Kenslea Ray, Birmingham, Al
Psalm 86:11 NIV
Teach me your way, Lord,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
Marla, Mt. Juliet, TN
“For I know the plan I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Just getting caught up so I am posting 2 verses.
For I know what I have planned for you, says the Lord. I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NET
Mary, Spring:
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners
Isaiah 61:1
Just started Breaking Free 🙂
Lissa, Fort Worth
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:4-5 NIV
D’Lane, Kyle, TX
“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
Theresa
Newton, tx
romans 8:1 King James
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Leann of Gardendale, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 6:1 [NAS]
Michelle, Lutz FL
I posted on 1/15/11 from my Iphone, but it must not have uploaded:
2 Timothy 1:7 (New King James Version)
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Sorry it’s taken till today..was out of town…here’s mine… “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD, “they are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Laura, Ozark, MO.
Matthew 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. NIV
Katie, hueytown :
The Lord will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring. Isaiah 58:11 NLT
Karen, Chickasha, OK
The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips.
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
Proverbs 16:23-24 NKJV
Lindsay, Warsaw, Indiana
I Timothy 2:1 – 3
“I urge, then, first of all that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior.”
Christy
Vidor, TX
Zechariah 4:6 (NKJ)
So he answered and said to me: “ This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘ Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.
Paulette-Magnolia-MS
2 Corn. 8:11 NIV
Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it.