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!
Mary from Mt Joy/Columbia, PA
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you.
O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NLT
Kim (Pine Village)
“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” James 1:22 New Living Translation
Summer
Knoxville, TN
“Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-” (NIV)
Psalm 103:2
Jennifer
Lutz, Florida
“Now it is God who makes us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NIV
Laurie, Chester. “Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and to His strength; seek His face always. Psalm 105:3-4 NIV
Leah from Hattiesburg, MS
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 15:13 NIV
Susan Gray from Saranac Lake, NY- Phil. 3:9 NIV.
and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ- the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
Cindy,Apex,”Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
this is a wonderful verse! 🙂
Paula, Friendswood TX
This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business, and working with your hands just as we commanded before. As a result, people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others to meet your financial needs. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NLT
Mary, Portland <3
Psalm 3:3-"But You, LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high." NIV
Linda Washingto State
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” NLT
Buffy
Rogers
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light, in him there is NO darkness AT ALL.
1 John 1:5 NIV
Angie
Albertville, AL
Psalm 139:17-18 NASB
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.
Martha, Lexington, Ky: “You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” 2 Cor. 3:3, NIV
Patti, Sun City Center: Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 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 3:3-6 (NIV)
Kerry, Houston TX
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Karen, Lexington. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
MiChal – College Station, TX
Deuteronomy 30:10, ESV (for January I’m memorizing vv. 9-10)
“…when you obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, when you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Melissa, Naju, South Korea “I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly on, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” John 17:23 ESV
Vanessa, Florence SC: In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. Ephesians 6:18 (The Message)
Alycia, Dallas. “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust also in me.” – John 14:1 (NLT)
Melissa, Greer, SC
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 good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 ESV
Iris, Manitoba, Canada
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, he has sent me to bind the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.
Isaiah 61:1 ESV
Let ye conversations be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5
KJV
Devi, Singapore
Mandie, Parker: But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:3-4 NLT
Christy, Pennsylvania. Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. New Living Translation.
Amy aka whimzie, Florida:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Prayer Lady
Pasadena, TX
NIV
Psalm 34:17
“The rightous cry out to the Lord and He hears them. He delivers them from all their troubles.”
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23
Jamie, Union Center: The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Galatians 14:14 NIV
Nancy, Springdale Arkansas. “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” 1 Chronicles 17:16, NIV
Susan, Callaway: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Kristi, Lenoir City, TN
“The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 1:14 NIV
Julia – Crystal Springs, MS. Romans 12:2. NLT. “Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” Ps. 103:13-14 NIV
Deb, Fargo, ND
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15 (NIV)
Rebecca, Pineville, LA
Habakkuk 3:2
Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day; in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.” (NIV 2010)
Katie, LaGrange, GA: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.” Psalm 37:4-5, ESV
Amy
Swannanoa,NC
There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit
Romans 8:1 NKJV
Heidi- McDonough, GA
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Pat, Green Bank,WV. Isaiah 42:3.
“a bruised reed he will not break,
and a dimly burning wick he will
not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth
justice.” The Holy Bible.RSV.1953.
Pat,GreenBank,WV:
FOR PAT’s MOM: HELEN,Dunmore,WV
(Not sure how to do this to get this counted-post date,so am attaching her to mine in a reply for this month, then next month will type in hers right along With Mine, for she don’t do email yet…:MOM is doing this Too!yAy!) PSALM 121:1,2 I WILL LIFT UP MINE EYES UNTO THE HILLS FROM WHENCE COMETH MY HELP. MY HELP COMETH FROM THE LORD, WHICH MAKETH HEAVEN AND EARTH. The Rainbow Study Bible.KJV.
Way to go Helen! Welcome to SSMT. 🙂
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
“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.” NIV LaGrange, GA
Roseanna, Bloomington, Indiana.
“Wisdom is of more value than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.” Ecc.2:14a NLT
Becky, Clemmons, NC
“Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:10
Betty Atlanta, MO
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” Romans 12:2 NLT
Jer 29:11-14 (NIV)
“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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord,” and will bring you back from captivity.” (NIV)
Sierra, Vandalia – “ADONAI, God! You made heaven and earth by your great power and outstretched arm; nothing is too hard for you. … “Look, I am ADONAI, the God of every living creature; is there anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:17, 27 CJB (Complete Jewish Bible)
Susan
Zurich, Switzerland
“Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions, I am only a foreigner in the land. Don’t hide your commands from me!”
NLT
Bobbie, Florida.
because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:3 (NIV)