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!
Laura, Hoyt, “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales; rather train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Tim. 4:7-8, NIV
Phillippians 4:8 NIV
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.
Shana, Tuscaloosa
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed then you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you,”
Matthew 17:20 NIV
Proverbs 3:5
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.
Verse 2:
“Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character, ready for anything.”
James 1:2-4 NLT
Beth from Chicago: Hebrews 11:3
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
Sheena, Columbus Grove – We love you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too. – 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NLT)
I love this idea so much, I purchased “meade” spiral cards at Walmart for my kids in my Sunday School. Thanks for being the originator who inspired me with such a simple idea. But I purchased 10 “Siesta” spirals for me and my group of “Siestas”.
“And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us, confirming the work that we do. Oh, yes. Affirm the work that we do.” Psalm 90:17 (MSG)
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
because “Chrislam” is becoming a hot topic:
I Peter 3:15 NIV
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”
Janet, Auburn, 2nd first
But we rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perserverance, perserverance produces character and character Hope and Hope does not disappoint because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-5 NIV
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
January 15, 2011
Roxie Crews
Blackstone, VA
I John 3:2 NKJV
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed , we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies Himself, just as He is pure.
Isaiah 50:4
The Sovereign LORD has given me a well instructed tongue, to know the word that will sustain the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.
NIV
Jo, Dayton, NIV, Phillipians 2: 14 – 16a
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.
Landa, Midlothian, VA
2 Timothy 2:15 – NIV
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
Dawn, Mt. Olive, NC
“For we are His creation-created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.”-Ephesians 2:10
Emily, Louisville, KY:
“This is My command: love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12 (HSB)
“Don’t be anxious about anything, but in prayer and petition, with thonksgiving, bring your requests before God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:6-7. NIV
I hope it’s ok to change mine, it wasn’t what my soul needed this week… “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.”Isaiah 40:31 NIV
alicia, chicago, il
Proverbs 22:17-18 (NIV)
Pay attention and turn your ear
to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach,
for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.
Georgine
Austin, TX
April, San Angelo.
Everything is permissible –but not everything is beneficial.
1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV
My first post–hope I can still join in the challenge!
Lauren, Boston, MA
Proverbs 3: 5-7 (NIV)
“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.”
Meredith—Houston, TX
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
II Cor 5:20
When words are many sin is not absent, but she who holds her tongue is wise.
Proverbs 10:19
Amy from Charleston, South Carolina: “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” James 1:19 KJV
DLynn; Amarillo; 2 Corinthians 4:11 NASB
For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
I am Teresa from Mansfield, TX. I would like to be a part of the siesta scripture team for 2011. My daughter is Lauren Franklin ( you may know her from your bible study). My verse is Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV) ” Search me 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.”
Oops! I’ve had my verse, but forgot to share it. 🙂
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:23 (NIV)
Lindy
NC
Valerie, Nashville: “Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count.” Psalm 40:5 NASB
Maggie from Abilene TX: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Phillipians 2:3 NIV
Marsha, North Platte, NE “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Sorry I’m getting a late start.
Marsha, North Platte, NE “and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength,” Ephesians 1:19 NIV
Terri~Puyallup, WA
“Do nothing out of selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind, regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 NASB
Kelly, Cheraw, SC: “This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation,in quietness and trust is your strength…'”
Isaiah 30:15 NIV
My second verse set is a continuation of the passage from Psalm 145. (Psalm 145:3-4 ESV)
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,
and his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
I love how I am that one generation who was told and now I am commending God’s works to others and declaring HIS mighty acts !!!!! Praise HIM!!!!
Suzanne, Mount Laurel, “Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart.” NIV
Let the morning bring me word or 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! Psalm 143:8 NLT
My favorite verse in the bible!
Leigh Anne
Bartlett, TN
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”
Ephesians 3:20 NIV
Dana, Metro Atlanta
Jumping in a little late but getting caught up quick! #1 – Romans 12:1 (The Message – don’t normally memorize out of it but just where God has me right now in life and my ministry)…”So here is what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him.” #2 – Romans 12:2 “Don’t become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”
Kortnie from Yelm, Washington
“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” Pslam 62:8
Douglasville, Georgia
Psalm 34:17 ~
“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.”
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2 (NIV)
Catching up and joining all the way across the globe.
Anne, Penang, Malaysia
“Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord.” Psalm 4:4-5, NIV
Bartlesville, OK
but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
Hebrews 1:2
Angela, Olathe Kansas Psalm 55:1-2 New Living Translation “Listen to my prayer, O God.Do not ignore my cry for help!Please listen and answer me,for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.”
Valerie, Olathe Psalm 37:4 NIV “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart”.