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!
Cindy, Casper WY
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxois thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life
Psalm 139:23-24
Glennell; Buda, Texas
Everything is permissible for me – but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me – but I will not be mastered by anything.
Corinthians 6:12 (NIV)
Amy ~ Rapid City, SD. “But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?'” Romans 9:20 NIV
Loretta – Niagara Falls, NY
The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus33:14 NIV
Jennifer, Fort Worth, TX
Submit yourself, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 NIV
Lindsey, Madison, GA
“I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 16:9 (ESV)
Washington D.C.
“I call on the Lord in my distress and he answers me.” Psalm 120:1, NIV.
Ada – Rochester, MI
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV
Mary Catherine, Dry Ridge, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, NIV
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
Elizabeth – Rochester, MI
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV
Mindy-Rowley, IA- Romans 11:33-36 “Oh, the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! ‘For who has know the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor? Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to Him? For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.'” NIV
Many tears reading through these scriptures tonight. Because each verse is attached to a specific individual, it was as if each one was quoting her specific verse, yet I was hearing them as a multitude proclaiming truth all at the same time.
What an incredible ministry! What power! I can only imagine the Lord sitting on His throne simply smiling when He ponders what is happening here. 🙂
Robin, Mt. Carmel, TN
“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 through the desert, rivers in the badlands.” Isaiah 43:18-19 (Message)
Lindsey
El Dorado, AR
Lamentations 3:22-23 NASB
The Lord ’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
Tiffani, Monterey, CA
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power and of love and of calm and well balanced mind and discipline and self control.”
Amplified Bible
Joined late, referred by friend, so excited about year long journey!
Hemet, CA
Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the Lord.
Blessed are they who keep his statutes
and seek him with all of their heart.
Psalm 119:1-2, NIV
Melissa Canton, MI
“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
Beth, Raleigh NC. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” Luke 12:34
Leah B from Athens, Georgia
I am memorizing Psalm 91 and this two week period I’m on verses 7-12
“A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eye shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked. because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, our dwelling; for he shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” (Ps. 91:7-12) NKJV
Bena ~ Pikeville, KY
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
–James 1:22, NIV
Lynette (Stuart, FL) Ephesians 1:11-12 (MSG) It is in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up He had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 22-23,25 (NIV)
Amy, Glendora, Ca
Proverbs 10:19 When words are many sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
So, let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Hebrews 4:16 NLT
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2
Robin
Snohomish, WA
Houston, TX
Psalm 118:24 NIV
This is the day the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Johnstown, CO
Psalm 118:24 NIV This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Jovin, Houston TX “I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:7-8 NIV
Lise, Indianapolis, IN
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse…17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord… 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:14,17-19,21) (NIV, 2010)
He will teach us His ways so we may walk in His paths.
Isaiah 2:3b
NIV
Dana, Boerne, TX
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
Kristin
Montgomery, AL
Romans 8:31-32
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
Colossians 1:5-6
the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world–just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.
Taylor
Sarajevo, Bosnia
Glory to God!
better late than never?
Molly, Tampa, FL
Psalm 16:7-8
I will bless the LORD who has counseled me; indeed my mind instructs me in the night. I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
Deuteronomy 6.5&6, NIV
Leah, Valencia, CA
Crystal in Munford, TN (am continuing to memorize 2 Chronicles 20) ” The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed they came from every town in Judah to seek Him.” 2 Chronicles 20:4
Nancy, Copperas Cove
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your Word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your Word I have treasured in my heart that I may not sin against You. -Psalm 119:9-11 NASB
Marsi, Santa Barbara, CA
Romans 6: 3,4
Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead throught the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. NIV
I just heard about this and would love to get involved!!! I know it won’t be 24 :/ “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to wakl in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patinece, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3 NAMSB
Holly, Longview, TX
There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, and in His excellency on the clouds.
Duet.33:26, NKJV
*I’m so sorry I was late, I’ve been out of town with my family and had no internet on the road!*
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
La Crosse, WI
Lord, if You considered sins,
Lord, who could stand?
But with You there is forgiveness,
so that You may be revered.
Psalm 130:3-4 (HCSB)
Amberley – Pasco, WA
Philippians 4:7 – And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. NIV
Jodi from DFW
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
Priscilla Williams
Chesapeake, Virginia
“Abide in me and I in you. As in the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.”
John 15:4 NASB
Jan, Troy; I seek you with all my heart do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119: 10-11 NIV
Monica – Cashiers, NC
“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.” (Prov 4:18, ESV)
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:28-31 (NAS)
If any on you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5
Pam
Greenville, South Carolina
Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV