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!
Suzi, Austin, Texas: “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
(Lord let me see a change everyday!)
Brittney, San Angelo “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 NASB
Janine, Clarksburg
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ.
I Thess. 5:16-18 NIV
Jen AND Tyler, Easton MA: “I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.” Ps 27:13-14 NIV
Jill, Fort Ashby, WV: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” I Peter 5:6 (NIV)
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3 (NIV)
Lise, Chesterfield, MO
Hilary, Langley, BC: “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.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Carla, Pierre, SD
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
Psalm 105:4 NIV
Andrea, Alexandria, LA That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, Titus 2:4 KJV
It’s so sweet to use my Siesta SMT spiral– a genius idea!
Amanda, Ozark:
But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it’s something only God can do, and you trust him to do it-you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked-well, that trusting-him-to do-it-is what gets you set right with God, by God.
Romans 4:5 MSG
Janet, Enid, OK
“So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.”
Genesis 1:27 NIV
Isaiah 40:31 KJV
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Joni
Bradenton,FL
Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil
“The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him?”
~ I Corinthians 2:10a-11b (NIV ’84)
Kathy, Shreveport, La.
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself, and his religion is worthless. James 1:26 (NIV)
Lynda:Buffalo,Wyoming: “Create in me a clean heart O’God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast away Your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.”
Psalm 51:10
Kathryn, Tempe: Psalm 119:41-42 May your unfailing love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise, then I will answer the one who taunts me for I trust in your word. NIV Bible
Laura~Priceville, Al. “God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” ~Psalms 51:10
Lily, from Guymon, OK: “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. I Chronicles 28:20 (NIV)
Joy
Asheboro, NC
Psalm 86:11, NIV
“Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.”
“In God I will praise His word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do to me.”
Psalm 56:4 KJV
Tally, Mtn. Home
Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal. Proverbs 12:18 (GNT)
Heather – Lancaster, Pa
NIV Zechariah 2:5 “For I,” declares the Lord, “Will be a wall of fire around her and I will be the glory in her midst.”
DeeDee Houston
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And What does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
NIV
Marlene, Harleysville, PA: And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” Exodus 33:17
Shana – Ferndale, WA
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:1-2 NIV
“For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. ”
– 2 Cor 7:10 (NASB)
Sarah
Albuquerque, NM
Melissa, Miles City, MT:” Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Loretta, Murrayville,
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
Mary Lee, York, PA: “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” Psalm 105:4 NIV
Beth, Buford, GA
1 Thessalonians 5:23
“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (NIV)
Sara, Lavonia, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7, NIV
Molly, Rochester NY
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 NIV
Houston, Texas Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Pauline, Kearney,NE,
Do all things without complaining or disputing that you may become blameless and harmless children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine as lights in the world.
Philippians 2:14-15 NKJV
Amy Ann, Tulsa, OK: “If we live by the Holy Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit [If by the Holy Spirit we have our lives in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]” Galatians 5:25, AMP
Romans 8:37 (NIV)
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Robbyn Hanstad
Dickinson, ND
Lisa, Potterville, MI
“But seek first His kingdom, and His righteousness, and all these things will be give to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 NIV
Rebecca, Savannah, GA. “For your maker is your husband-the Lord Almighty is his nams-the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.” – Isaiah 54:5, NIV
Kayla
Cleveland
Create in me a clean heart O God. Renew a right spirit within me.Psalm 51:10 NLT
Erin, Bothell, WA. “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love…” John 15:9-10a
Kellie, Dallas, TX “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through the pulling down of strongholds) Casting down imaginations and everything that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” 2 Cor 10:3-5 KJV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Jonda, Shakopee, MN
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.
James 4:7-8a NIV
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline”. NIV
Jennifer, Montgomery, Pa “to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. Is 61:3 NASB
Nancy, Tyler, Lamentations 3:28-29 When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions: Wait for hope to appear.
Love this verse 2! What translation is this?
Wow, that’s a really great verse I hadn’t heard before!
Lynn, Bossier City. “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” II Timothy 1:7 NIV
Marie, Albuquerque, NM My soul will be satisfied as with the richest foods; with singing my lips will praise you. Psalm 63:5.
Oh LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth. Psalm 8:9
Danielle
Cypress, Tx
“I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 4:8
(NKJV)