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!
for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.
John 10:29 NLT
Matt 5:12
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Melinda – Aledo, TX
I am God. That’s my name.
I don’t franchise my glory,
don’t endorse the no-god idols.
Isaiah 42:8 The Message
LuAnn, Winfield, IA “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you; not as the world give do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 NKJV
Eileen from Bensalem, PA
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8
Kirsten, San Francisco
Jeremiah 29:12, NIV (finishing Jeremiah 29:10-12)
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you,”
And I am convinced that nothing can separate us from His love. Death can’t and life can’t. The angels can’t and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away. Romans 8:38 NLT
Jennifer, Atlanta, GA – Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. – Galatians 6:2 NIV
McAlister, NM
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 NIV
Sorry I’m late posting – I was on vacation on the 15th.
Adrienne, Pembroke Pines, FL
Psalm 51:6 KJV
“Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.”
Carrie Williams
Auburn, AL
This is what the LORD says–your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.
Isaiah 48:17
Pam- Rochester MN
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
II Cor.12:9
Amanda, MI. I’m nervous, this one is long, but I need it! God is faithful to help me.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you. Psalm 84:11-12 NIV
Okay sorry I’m such a terrible person and have forgotten two days to put my verse up!
Galatians 5:24-25
Those who belong in Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
Sue, Chicago.
A wise person restrains his words, and the one who stays calm is a discerning person.
Proverbs 17:27
Oh my gracious!! I’m so excited that the last person’s post was a “Donna” from Anchorage — and she’s doing the very same set of verses I’m doing!!! How cool is that?? (And for Donna and me these days – I don’t mean “cool” figuratively – I, unfortunately, mean it literally!! It was -11 yesterday and SO COLD!)
Col. 3:1-3 — Amen!
Warm (or trying hard to be) in Alaska — with a shout out to Donna in Anchorage! Keep your hat and gloves handy, dear!
Sara, Orange, CA
Numbers 6: 24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord amke his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Millen, Georgia
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. Psalm 71:20-21 NIV
Praying this for Joanne!
Man – I’ve already picked my verse for these two weeks, but I wish I had picked this one! It fits exactly what is going on for me. Next time!
Rachel, FL
Galations 3:28 ESV
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all on in Christ Jesus.”
Matthew 17:20 NLT
“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Rom 8:5 ESV
Isabel, Nashville, TN
8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
~Psalm 143:8 NIV
This is the day which the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 119:1 NASB
Shelley, Frisco, TX
Luke 12:23 (NET Bible)
For there is more to life than food, and more to the body than clothing.
“Many, O Lord my God are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us. 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
Betty, Somerset, Massachusetts
Heb. 7:25 – NLT
Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
Melissa, Louisville
“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Heb 11:6 NIV
Holliston, MA
“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
Humiliez-vous donc sous la puissante main de Dieu, afin qu’il vous élève au temps convenable; et déchargez-vous sur lui de tous vos soucies, car lui-même prendra soin de vous. 1 P 5.6-7 French Louis Second
Rachel Labelle
Chicoutimi, Canada
“Do not be overcome with evil but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Ephesians 6:10 NIV
Patty, Lakeport, FL
Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things from Thy law. Psalm 119:18 (NAS)
Holly TN NIV Zechariah 2:13 Be still before the LORD, all mankind because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.
James 1:19b-20
“Everyone must be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”
I like to substitute, “For the anger of MOM does not achieve the righteousness of God!” 🙂
Kathy – Lynden, Wa
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
Amy, Jordan
Deuteronomy 11:13
So then, obey the commands that I have given you today; love the Lord your God and serve him with all your heart.
Philippians 4:7 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. (NLT) Pamela from San Marino, California
Joy from Winters,
So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get
discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest
of blessing at the appropriate time.
Galatians 6:9 NLT
Andree, Houston, TX – 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. Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Christy Lynchburg, VA
I Corinthians 9:24 & 26 (NIV)
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.
Suey/Houston Isaiah 35 NIV, Be strong do not fear.
your God will come. He will come with vengenance. thx
Mona, Rockford, Il
Jeremiah 29;11-12 For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will hear you. ESV
Late, but having baby! 5 min apart contractions, eek, but I am going to do this!! Here we go…
PS 65:11
Thou hast crowned the year with YOUR bounty (goodness), Thy paths drip with fatness. NASB
Forget about what’s happened! Don’t keep going over old history. Be alert! Be present! I’m about to do something brand new. It’s bursting out. Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road in the desert and rivers in the badlands.” Isaiah 43:18-19 The Message
Janet, Steamboat Springs. Hebrews 4:15-16 (NIV) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Laura, Tuscaloosa, AL
How I praise You, my God, that in Christ and through faith in Him I may approach God with freedom and confidence! Ephesians 3:12
Rebecca, Durham: Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and rightesouness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD’.” Jeremiah 9:24-5 ESV
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
“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.” –2 Peter 1:3, NIV