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!
Carol
Tacoma, Washington
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
LaRee Tucson, AZ (Please continue to pray for our community.)
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer,but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. 1Peter 3:12 NIV
Cristina, Seattle, WA –
“For am i now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am i trying to please man? If i were still trying to please man,I would not be a servant of Christ” Galations 1:10 ESV
Edmond, OK Is.26:8 (NIV) “Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.”
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Colossians 3:23 NIV
2 Corinthians 5:7 – For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Nicole, Del Norte, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10 NKJ
For my daughter, who was at Passion conference at the beginning of January…
Alyx, Del Norte, 1/1 “You crown the year with your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake.” Ps. 65:11 NET
and 1/15 “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on winds like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, and they will walk and not be faint.” Is. 40:31 TNIV
Lancaster PA “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1,2 NIV
Miquela, Knoxville. 3 The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy. 4 Restore our fortunes O Lord like streams in the Negev. 5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
Psalm 126: 3-6 NIV
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. Matt 22:37-39
Paula, Arvada. “Finally, brothers and sisters, 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
And no doubt you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the Devil, for God was with him.
Acts 10:38, NLT
Kristie
Thomasville, GA
Sharon M., Gilbert, SC
For nothing is impossible with God.
Luke 1:37 (NIV)
Melissa, Fresno – Isaias 28:5-6 (Nueva Version Internacional)
“En aquel dia el Senor Todopoderoso sera una hermosa corona, una diadema gloriosa para el remanente de su pueblo. El infundira espiritu de justicia al que se sienta en el tribunal, y valor a los que rechazan los asaltos a la puerta.”
Teresa, Wenatchee WA
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to out God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust. Psalms 40:1-4
Jill, Chillicothe, MO
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. Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Hi Jill, How exciting! That out of all the comments posted on this blog, that I’d see your scripture. I live 13 miles from Chillicothe, MO. God is amazing!
Joy from Manitoba, Canada
Isaiah 26:3-4 (New Living Translation)
3 You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
4 Trust in the Lord always,
for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
Erin
Fort Worth
I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with all their heart.
Jeremiah 24:7 (NIV)
Allison, Belton SC, NIV
‘Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come.’ 2Corinthians 5:17
Orange County, CA
The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIV
Micah 6:8 “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (NIV)
Janeal, Abilene, KS
Kelly, Albuquerque, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms.” Ephesians 5:12
Linda, Westerville, OH
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 NIV
Christina Luther
Roseburg, Oregon
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoesrs; let me not eat of their delicacies.
Psalm 141:3-4
(I had already chosen a verse for this week and written it in my spiral. Then when I got online to enter it I saw someone else had chosen this one and felt an overwhelming need to memorize it. Thank you Diane in Alaska.)
Paula, Sapulpa
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10 NIV
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you. He will never let the righeous fall. Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
Robin, Roanoke
Charm is deceptive, and beauty deos not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
Prov. 31:30
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
Hannah
Dayton
Deutoronomy 7:22-23 “The LORD your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you. But the LORD your God will deliver them over to you, throwing them into great confusion until they are destroyed.”
Natalie, Missoula, MT. “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10 NIV
Julie, Detroit
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.
Philippians 2:14-15 (NIV)
1 John 3 :19-20
This then is how we know we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in is presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts and He knows everything
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” Colossians 3:23-24 (NASB)
Arvada, CO 🙂
Tonya, Interlachen, FL — 2 Tim 3:16 (NKJV) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
Katie – Frisco, TX
“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” Psalm 13:5
And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matt 26:39 NAS
Alex Luther
Roseburg, Oregon
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is one’s glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 19:11
NIV
Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Philippians 2:14-15
Erin
Fessenden, ND
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is hte Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Sorry it’s NIV
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 ESV
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29
Katie, Gig Harbor WA
When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “the LORD has done geat things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us and we are filled with joy!
Psalm 126:1-3, ESV
Amanda in Dover, TN
Do not let your heart be troubled.Trust in God, trust also in me. John 14:1 (NIV)
“I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.”
Is. 45:3 (NIV, 2010)
Rachel
Kansas City, MO
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.
Stephanie, Mt. Pleasant SC
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Phil. 4:6 NLT
Lynchburg, VA
“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”
Isaiah 41:31 NIV
Mary, Westfield, NJ “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (NIV)