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!
Norma, Raleigh, NC: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the (wo)man who trusts in Him!” Psalm 34:8 NKJV
Becca, Columbus. “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:1 KJV
Tiffany, Colorado
My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3 NIV
Shannon, Nashville: Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (New ASB)
Janet, Oregon
Romans 8:26
The Spirit helps us in our wekaness. We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
Marie, Justin Texas, “To you O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me”. Psalm 25:1-2
Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock, my Redeemer.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Phil 4:5-7
Diane Conner
Vinton, La
Hannah (12 yrs old), Princeton, MN:
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no-one can snatch them out of my hand.”
John 10:28 NIV
My 15 year old daughter and I are doing this together, so this time we’re leaving one post for both of us. 🙂
My verse(Amy) is Joshua 1:9 NIV “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.”
Her verse (Rebeka) is Proverbs 3:7 NIV “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.”
Amy and Rebeka Brown, DeFuniak Springs, FL
Gloria, Macon, Ga. Eph 2:4-7, KJV
Marcia, Parkesburg. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they wll renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Isaiah 61:4 NIV
Tera, GA
1 Peter 4:9-10
Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Leslie
Troy, Alabama
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
“Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.’
Numbers 13:30b
NKJV
Laura, Morrill
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. NIV
“Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”
Numbers 13:30b
Lori, Queen City TX Your love. O Lord reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Psalms 36:5 NIV
Toni, Boulder-
You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.
Psalm 119:114 NIV
John 1: 14,16 ESV:
“14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 16 And from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
Jamie
Katy, TX
Psalm 81:13-16
But oh, that My people would listen to Me! Oh, that Israel would follow Me, walking in My paths! How quickly I would then subdue their enemies! How soon My hands would be upon their foes! Those who hate the Lord would cringe before Him; their desolation would last forever. But I would feed you with the best of foods. I would satisfy you with wild honey from the rock.
Josie (8 yrs old), Princeton, MN:
“I will praise the Lord at all times, His praise will always be on my lips.”
Psalm 34:1 HCSB
Allison, Columbia, SC (P.S. I changed mine;))
Galatians 5:22-24 (English Standard Version)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases Him.
Philippians 2:13 NLT
Paula K, Muskegon, MI
Shelby, Queen City, TX For I am convinced neither death or life, either angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, or any powers, neither highth or depth or anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is Christ Jesus our Lord Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Kim, Knoxville – “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
Beverly, Granite City IL
I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. John 15:5 HCSB
Kristi, Fort Worth: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NAS
Sharon
Lititz, PA
Philippians 3:13-14 NIV
Bothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heaveneward in Christ Jesus.
Danielle – Cumming, GA
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Yes, wait on the LORD! (Psalm 27:13-14 NKJV)
Liz, Washington D.C. Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Annie, Memphis, TN. Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” NIV
Amy W
Plano, TX
Colossians 3:17 NIV
And what you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Lee Ann, Crosby, TX
“I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in Him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower the righteous run to it and are safe”
Proverbs 18:10 NIV
Kelly Jo
Albany Ky
Trenton, Tx
“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.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Jaci from Cape Coral, FL
Psalm 141:3 NIV
Set a gaurd over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Jenn, Leesburg, VA: “I love the house where you live, O Lord, the place where your glory dwells.” Psalm 26:8 NIV
To Timothy, my dear son Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 2Timothy 1 :2 Albany Ky Jennifer Dyer
Michelle, Tigerville SC
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory, and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Hebrews 1:3 (NIV)
Kristy, Houston
Psalm 19:8 ESV
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
Cheryl
Orange, TX
2 Kings 6:6 NIV
The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float.
Michelle, Lakeland/Fl Galations 6:9-10 Message So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.
Edith, Huntsville, Alabama
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 – 18 (NIV)
Amanda from Katy, TX Matthew 11:29: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” NIV
Becky, Charlotte, NC
“But He knows the way that I take: when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside.” ~Job 23:10-11
Rachael, Cincinnati OH
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Lisa, Cartersville, GA “It is God Who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.” 2 Samuel 22:33 (NIV)
susie, tacoma, washington
Philippians 4:13 KJV
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.