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!
Beth, Albertville, AL
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
11 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.
Robin, Alexandria, VA
“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD”. Isaiah 55:8 (NASB)
*Sorry to be so late but we’ve been sick at my house 🙁
Denise, Mobile
Sorry I’m so late, but I’m not giving up! “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy-ladened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of 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.” Matt. 11:28-30, NIV
Michelle
Titus, Al
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 NLT
1 Peter 5:10-11 NIV
“And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
Dorothy, Huntley, IL
Tina, Roxboro, North Carolina
You have circled this mountain long enough. Now go north. Deut. 2:3 New American Standard
Sharon, Katy Texas….Psalm 14:2 (NIV) The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.”
Trisha, Midland, TX: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption of the world caused by evil desires.” 2 Peter 1:3-4
Casie, Holland
John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things.
Kali ~ Valrico, Florida
Psalm 27:14 – AMP
“Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.”
Cindi Hueytwon, Alabama
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1 NIV
Melissa
Atlanta, GA
“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
~Mark 9:23 (NLT)
Sue in Houston. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 NIV
Kathy
Hazlehurst, MS
Proverbs 10:22 (KJV)
The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
Susan, Crete, Joel 2:26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. Joel 2:26 NIV
i know it is late, but i was out of town without my computer.
vonda, waterford, mi
Hebrews 10:24-25 {NIV}
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Ivy, Athens, GA;
Psalm 143:8 (New International Version)
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.
I Tim. 2:15 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. NASB
Amber, Watertown, SD
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 NIV
Jodi Alley, Humble, TX “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 a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 19:11 NIV
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. James 2:17 NLT
Sr Rose, Clyde
For surely I know the plans I have for your, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Jer 29:11 -NRSV
Kristin, Kennesaw, GA
“And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God and he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.” 1John 3:23-24 ESV
Sarah Sour Lake TX
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the soveriegn Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…
Breaking Free week 1
Carol, Santa Maria, 2 Corinthians 4:7, But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. NIV
Lori, Mapleville
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
1Peter 3:15, KJV
“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 MSG – Thanks Beth!
Steph, Fort Worth. ” For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and a sound mind.” 2 Tim 1:7 KJV
Betsy Peterson Casper, WY
Do everything without complaining or arguing. Phil. 2:14 (NLT)
Denise McManus
Georgetown, MS
Psalm 110:1 (NKJV)
The LORD said to my Lord,“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NASB
Sorry I’m late been away at a wedding!
Tiffany, Wesley Chapel, Florida “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
Jennifer, Concord, CA
You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance. Psalm 65:11
I am a little late posting my scripture for this time but I will post anyway. It is a pretty familiar one to most of us, but it really speaks about what I am dealing with right now…
Jer. 29:11-13 (ESV)
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Jessica of Glenmont, NY:
Naked a man comes from his mother’s womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand.
Ecclesiastes 5:15 NIV
Nicole Rodriguez, Waco, TX
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9, NIV Student Bible
Alicia, Muscle Shoals,AL, “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:17-18
Teresa, Odessa, Phillipians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
NIV
Heather, Ironton, MO: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourself.” Philippians 2:3
Josie, Tucson,
If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Phil 2:1-4, The Message
Diera, Austin:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3 NIV
Jennifer
Colorado Springs
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105
NKJ
When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need. Every king in all the earth will give you thanks O Lord, for all of them will hear your words.
Psalm 138:3-4 (NLT)
Heather Charton
Borger, TX
Bettye Ann, Southlake, TX
“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8 NIV
robin, scottsdale
“she comforts, encourages and does him only good as long as there is life within her.” proverbs 31.12, amplified
Erin, Lubbock, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20 NLT
Kelly, Midland, TX Psalm 91:4 “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
Linda, Laurel,Ms.
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”
Phil.4:11 NIV
Ann from Crystal Srings, MS – English Standard Version Study Bible – Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God,, what is good and acceptable and perfect.