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!
Angela, Stoutland, MO
Psalm 90:14 (NIV) Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Annette, Toronto, ON
Follow up to verse 1: Ezekiel 18:31a,b: how do I get a new heart?
Verse 2: Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
(NASB)
Vickie, Gainesville, Tx
Teach me to make the most of my time, so that I may grow in wisdom. Ps 90:12 NLT
Michele: Muscle Shoals, AL
“Blessed is the man who preserveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”
James 1:12 (NIV)
Mischia, Morganton, NC
“Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ-that’s where the action is. See things from His perspective.” Colossians 3:2 (The Message)
Michelle
Douglasville, Georgia
I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.
John 15:11 HCSB
Sorry I’m just getting to this – spent most of my weekend offline (Praise God!)
“The fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Reneé, Missouri City, TX
Andrea, Lancaster, PA
May our sons flourish in their youth like well-nutured plants. May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace,
Psalm 144:12 NLT
Elizabeth Jena,La NKJV In my distress I cried to the Lord and He heard me. Psalm 120:1
Psalm 46:1 NIV
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:19 NIV
Happy Heart
Valdosta, Ga
Krista~Minnesota
“Finally, brothers, 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
I wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.
Psalm 62:5, NLT
Jennifer 🙂
Enterprise AL
Wait for the LORD, Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14
Nancy — Perry, GA “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.” Psalm 51:6 (NKJV)
Maureen, Cambridge, MA
“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.”
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Stephanie, Minnesota
Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV
“So 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.”
Natalie, Roanoke
Psalm 61:1-2
Hear my cry, O God; give heed to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. NASB
Auburndale
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Holly, Huntsville, AL
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Hm, because He cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 NAS
Mary, Satellite Beach. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” ~ Jeremiah 29:13
Heather, Omaha 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
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”
Matthew 5:13
Caitlin, Montreal: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 ESV
Jennifer, Bay Minette, Alabama
“…Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the LORD, who is great and glorious, and fight for your friends, your families, and your homes!” Nehemiah 4:14b NLT
Marcia, Salem, IN
For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Kimberly, South Carolina, NIV Philippians 2:14-15 Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shile like stars in the universe.
Teresa – Austin, TX
Psalm 103:2-4 NIV
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion
Deborah- Clayton NC
” If you think you know it all you’re a fool for sure, real survivors learn wisdom from others.”
Proverbs 28:26 (msg)
Kim – Huntsville, Alabama
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
Isaiah 55:2 (New American Standard Bible)
“Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And delight yourself in abundance.
~B~ Manteca, Ca
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. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Jacqueline, CT “I pray that out of His glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being.” Eph 3:16
Selena – Campobello, SC
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7 KJV
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 direct your paths.
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth. Meditate on it day and night,so that you may be careful to do everything in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:7-8(NIV)
Jenni, Illinois, “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
Phillipians 1:20 (New Living Translation)
For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.
Galatians 5:16
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
#2 verse is 2 Cor. 5b
“…and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ”.
( this verse has helped me for 50 years, sisters .)
Mary, Jackson, TN The Lord is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds. Psalm 145:17 NIV
Merredith champaign, Going w Diane… Ps40.5 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. NIV
Kathryn, Birmingham, AL, “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
Kim in Springfield, MO – Psalm 71:1 KJV
In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
Rhonda – NJ
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:9 KJV
Teresa, Amarillo
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
Hebrews 10:23 NLT
Laurie Calhoun, Ga
So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strenghten you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Jodi, Springfield, MO:
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 TNIV
Kay – Austin – Adding the next verse to my passage
Deuteromony 6:6 Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and all your strength. These commandments that I give to you today are to be upon your hearts. NIV
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33 NASB