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!
Tai, Pittsburgh “But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.” 2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV
Lynn, Oxford….So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31(NIV)
Micah 6:8 (NIV)
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Cindy/Midland
Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials,knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4
Julie, Tallassee AL
@ginsamica
Melodie, Orlando
Zephaniah 3:17 – The Message
Your God is present among you, a strong warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love and delight you with his songs.
Hanni Go
St. Paul, MN
“He is your constant source of stability; He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; he gives all this to those who fear him.” Isaiah 33:6 NET
Cindy, Prairieville, God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in time of trouble. Psalm 46:1 NIV
Laura – Locust Grove, VA
“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:18-19 NIV
and I memorized Eph 3:20 and 21..:)
Just found out about this. So excited!
Kathryn Great Falls, MT
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. 1 Cor.10:23 NAS
“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe he exits and he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:1;6 NIV
Lisa, Lewisville – Psalm 37:5 (ESV) Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.
Psalms 121:1-2 NLT
I lift my eyes up to the mountains–does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
My verse is John 3:17 “God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved. This scripture gives me so much hope in this EVIL world that we are living in. My God is AWESOME and MIGHTY and POWERFUL. May his name be praised.
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. (The Message)
sorry so late.. sick newborn and sick me. 🙁 need prayer.
Teach me Your way, LORD, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.
Psalm 86:11 (NIV)
Martha,
Asheville, NC
Was out of town, running behind, again.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)
Leann Essexville, MI
Commit your way to the LORD, trust in Him and He will do this,He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:5-6 NIV
Tiffany, Nampa, ID: “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.” Isaiah 26:3 NLT
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 NIV
Stephanie, Wise “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” Hebrews 12:11 NKJV
Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Sandy, Gettyburg,SD
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed”. Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Zephaniah 3:17 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
17The Lord your God is with you.
He is a hero who saves you.
He happily rejoices over you,
renews you with his love,
and celebrates over you with shouts of joy.
Anna, Redford
Marsha, Knoxville, TN “They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings — and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
Revelations 17:14 NIV
I would have lost heart had I not believed I would see the goodness of the lord in the land of the living. wait on the lord and take courage. he will strengthen you heart. again i say, wait on the Lord.
psalm 27:13-14
erin in tyler, texas
Dyersburg, TN
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
I Cor 10:13, NIV
Shannon, Houston
Proverbs 2:6 NIV
The Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Nichole
Marion, Iowa
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Exodus 33:14 NIV
Shaunthea, Anderson, IN
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. NIV
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NIV
Erica
Van Buren, MO
Melissa, Centreville,Michigan
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
Titus 3:1-2 NIV
Denise in Davis, IL. Psalm 32:1(NASB)”HOW BLESSED IS HE WHOSE TRANSGRESSION IS FORGIVEN,WHOSE SIN IS COVERED!”
Claire – Lafayette
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11 NIV
Linda, Carolina Beach, NC
Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV)
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set you minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Andrea, Florence, Ky- Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Dianne, Monroe
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” NIV
Starla- Miami
“and the peace of God, which supasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” ~Phillipians 4:7
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 5:16
Jana
Lakewood, California
Be wise in the way you act with people who are nonbelievers, making the most of every opportunity. Colossians 4:5 NIV
Emily
Florence, AL
Meredyth, Lexington, Romans 15:4 (MESSAGE) Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it’s written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next.
Christina – Royse City, TX
Genesis 1:31 (The Message)
God looked over everything he had made;
it was so good, so very good!
It was evening, it was morning—Day Six.
Miranda, Atlanta — “Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.” Psalm 119:37, NLT
PAULA WICHITA FALLS, TX For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but the power of love and discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NAS
Sandee, El Dorado Hills Eph 3:20,21
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power working within us, to Him be glory in the church and Jesus Christ throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen
Niv
“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe he exists and he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:1-6 NIV
Colleen
Conroe
Psalm 37:8 NIV
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret – it leads only to evil.
Tanya – Somerville, TN
Ephesians 4:4-6 “There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, Who is over all and through all and in all.” NIV
Three verses, but just ONE sentence!
Becky…Morganton,NC
“He will be the sure foundation for your times,
a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.” Isaiah 33:6 NIV
Kellyn – Spartanburg
“I pray to you, O Lord, my rock.
Do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you are silent,
I might as well give up and die.
Listen to my prayer for mercy
as I cry out to you for help,
as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary.”
Psalm 28:1-2
My cry to the Lord right now.
Esther in Hurst, TX
Eph 4:25 NIV
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.