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!
Kimberly
Traverse City, Michigan
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Galatians 6:7
Michele, Washington, DC, Psalm 97:12
“Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness.”
Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Jules, Kearney, NE
Jen G, Jacksonville, Fl
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)
Martha in Natchez, MS
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6&7
NKJ
Debbie, Virginia
Psalm 16:8 (NIV)
“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
Sharon — Spokane, WA
111 John 2
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and (that your body) may keep well, even as (I know) your soul keeps well and prospers. Amp
Katie, St. Louis
“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” John 15:3, NIV
Ann – Greensboro, GA
Philippians 1:7 (ESV) It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.
Maggie, Corbin, Kentucky
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 28:19(ESV)
Michelle
OKC, OK
New American Standard
1 John 4: 18-19
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love because He first loved us.
Traci, Columbus, OH.
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 eme in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
Kay, Columbus. “He must become greater, I must become less.”
John 3:30 NIV
Becky, San Angelo
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
Jenny: San Antonio, TX
“But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation–”. Colossians 1:22
Sickness delayed my posting my #2 Scripture.
Philippians 4:6 NIV
Ana, Greenwood, SC
“Women received back their dead, raised to life again.”
Hebrews 11:35a NIV
Tammy, Hendersonville, TN
“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet your with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Holly, League City, Texas
For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you. Isaiah 41:13 (NKJV)
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me. Psalms 139: 17 – 18
Jeantelle, Lafayette, La: Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3
Haleigh, Midland
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor. 12:9a
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 14:11
Isabel, Midland
My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 KJV
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
Elizabeth, Dallas-Fort Worth
Greenacres, FL
1 Peter 4:18 NIV
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
Stacey, San Diego, CA
Matthew 6:33-34 ESV
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Joanna, Norman, OK
Ephesians 4:29 KJV
Let no corrupt communitcation proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers
Mackenzie
Tulare, CA
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
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 ESV
Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 NIV
Kim H.
McKinney, TX
Proverbs 3:6, NLT
Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.
Rita Brown
Midland, Texas
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears,
and I have not been rebellious;
I have not drawn back.
Isaiah 50:4b-5
NIV
Mishawaka, Indiana
Psalm 51:10-12 NIV
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Linda, Burnsville, MN
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 KJV
Jill, Psalm 16:7-8 MSG
The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake is confirmed by my sleeping heart. Day and night I’ll stick with God; I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.
Olympia, WA. I charge you: Be strong and resolute; do not be terrified or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 Tanakh, The Jewish Bible
Annie-Hudson-1 Corinthians 12:8- “To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.” NLT
JoLynn, Roseville, CA “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” PS 19:14
Rebecca, Elk Grove, CA
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Phil. 4:6-7
Andrea, Denton
For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
Jeremiah 29:11-12
psalm 52:8 NLT
but i am an olive tree thriving in the house of God.
i will always trust in God’s unfailing love.
Kari, Ojai, CA – Colossians 1:17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Cindy; Arlington, TX;
“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not enviour or boastful or arrogant”
I Corinthians 13:4; NRSV
Jana,Tyler, TX. NIV Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Debbie, Mauriceville, Tx:Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee. Isaiah 26:3 KJV
Dawn. Beavercreek, OH. Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified)
“But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must necessarily believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him out.”
Suzie in Chino Hills, CA- “Don not fear for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I have given Egypt as your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your place.”
Isaiah 43:1b-3
Since ancient times, no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. Isaiah 64:4 NIV
Amanda, Meridian, ID – Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1st Thess. 5:16-18 NIV.