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!
Mandy Rocky Point NC-Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you. And therefore He wil be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice, blessed are all those who wait for Him. NKJV
Hebrews 4:12 NIV
The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pentrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judged the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Father open my mind so that I may understand the Scriptures. – Luke 24:45
Jeanne, Honolulu,HI…
Philippians 2:14-15a NIV
do everything without grumbling or arguing so that you become blameless and pure “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked gnereation.”
Pam- Morehead,KY
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 NIV
“Praise the Lord. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands.”
Psalm 112:1 (NIV)
And He said to me, ” My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
CJ, Liberty, MO
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself.” Philippians 2:3 NIV
Dixie, Groesbeck, Tx. Psalms 5:12 For You Oh Lord will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield.
Alana from Mandeville, LA
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
Summer
Cincinnati, OH
Blessed is the man who perserveres 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)
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 soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
Brandy, San Antonio “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.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
Jessica, Alabama:
I love you, O Lord, my strength.~Psalm18:1 NIV
Even though i walk through the valley of shadow and death i will fear no evil for you are with me. (psalm 23:4
Ellen, Columbus, GA
Ephesians 3:20-21 (The Message)
20-21God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen
2Peter 3:18 NIV
Melissa- Waddy, KY
Brittany in Gainesville, FL: 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. – Deuteronomy 3:18 NIV
Geri, Lebanon, IL. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 118:29 NLT
Jana, Tampa “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Dt. 31:6 NIV
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 me in the way everlasting.
Psalms 139:23-24 NIV
Laura- Mount Juliet, TN Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Phil. 2:3 NIV
“The path of the righteous is level; O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth. Yes,Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.” Isaiah 26: 7-8 NIV
Debbie, Orlando. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118 23,24 ESV
Teri, Westland, MI. “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
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through redemption which is in Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:23-24
Rio Rancho, NM
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength, he makes my feel like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.
Habbakuk 3:19 (NIV)
Ann
Wheaton, IL
Sharon, Montgomery, AL. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” ~ Jer 29:11 (NLT)
I am so sad I am late but a retreat for church this weekend.
LaQuetha Austin, Tx “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.
Psalm 18:2 NLT
Kim
Troy, IL
Phil 1:6 NIV
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Sorry was in Haiti on the 15th. Tried to post after and oculdn’t find it.
Jeannie Crossland
Brookneal, VA
“Then He said to all, “Anyone who wants to follow me must put aside his own desires and conveniences and carry his cross with him everyday and keep close to me”
Luke 9:23
Living Bible
Dana, Zachary “But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.” Psalm 86:15
Susie, Columbia, SC: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the creator of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble & fall; but 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. Is. 40:28-31 NIV
Andrea, Roscoe, IL
I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me.
Psalm 13:5-6
Lichelle
Austin, Texas
Do not gloat over me, my enemy!
Though I have fallen I will rise.
Though i sit in darkness, the Lord will be my Light
Micah 7:8
NIV
Shelley, McKinney, TX, “Blessed is the man who perserveres 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)
Jenny, Cairo, GA, “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
Tara -Roanoke VA
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
James 4:10 NIV
1 Corinthians 14:3 MSG
But when you proclaim his truth in everyday speech, you’re letting others in on the truth so that they can grow and be strong and experience his presence with you.
Cassie, Keystone Heights, Fl
Genesis 12:1 — The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.”
Lisa, Louisville ” Then you will call upon Me, and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. Jer 29:12 NKJ
Karen, Amarillo. “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.” 1 John 2.16 NLT
Janae
Saltillo
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 50:10 NIV
Karon from Kingsland, GA
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 NIV
“You will keep in perfect peace he whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
Crystal, Oklahoma City, OK
Acts 16:31 And they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” King James
Debbie, Tucson
“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
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presense of the Lord. king James
tonya mabank,tx Trust in the lord withall you heart and lean not on your own understanding,in all you ways acknowlede Him and He shall direct your paths…..proverbs3;5-6 nkjv