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!
Sarah, Newburgh, IN
“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.”
Psalm 139: 23-24
“Search me, O God, and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point anything in me that offends you and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24, NLT
Kelly, St. Louis
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim 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,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
Isaiah 61: 1-2 NIV
Kristin, St. Louis
Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
Matthew 7:1 NIV
Kallye , Oklahoma City
I will always look to you,
as you stand beside me
and protect me from fear.
With all my heart,
I will celebrate,
and I can safely rest.
Psalms 16:8-9
Contemporary English Version
Courtney T, Roseland, VA
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. Psalm 70:4 KJV
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.
Psalm 139:23-24
NIV
Shelley, Dallas
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
Jennifer, Chattanooga, TN
“And I tell you that on judgment day people will be responsible for every careless thing they have said.”
Matthew 12:36 New Century Version
James 1:2-3 NIV
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Richmond VA
Sandy, Dallas, Ephesians 3: 20 – 21 (NIV). Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Becky Fayetteville AR
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self- discipline.
Shirley, Bowling Green, KY
“I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 34:4 NIV
Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;knock and the door will be opened to you.”
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
Mark 12:30, NIV
Marcy G, Yoncalla, OR
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. -Romans 12:12
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (New Living Translation)
Lamentations 3:22-23 – “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Mary
Candler, NC
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Melanie, Houston TX
Psalm 19:1-4 NIV
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice[b] goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
Melanie,
I love these verses. When I read or hear them, I think of my dear, godly friend Jeffrey Overstreet, a film critic and author. He uses this passage in his book, Through a Screen Darkly, on seeing Christ in movies, to suggest that we see these very things–that the Lord uses secular film makers–to proclaim His glory. The film Overstreet links most strongly with this Psalm is The New World, directed by Terence Mallick. Mallick has a love affair with nature and allows his camera to dwell long and tenderly on the beauty of God’s creation. For me, watching the movie is a worship experience; as I bask in the glory of God’s creative tapestry called Earth, the film shouts these verses to me! I’m sure Mallick and Colin Farrell, the lead actor, would be surprised to know this, but, indeed, our God can use anyone and anything to proclaim His majesty! Praise His Name!
Psalm 40: 1-2 (ESV) “I waited patiently for the Lord. He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.”
Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Romans 4:20-22 (NIV)
Natalie Jeffcoat
Camden,SC
Ann – “And my God will supply all [my] needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:18; NIV
Amy, Nacogdoches, TX
Psalm 16:11
11 You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.
“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all of these things will be added to you.” Matthew 17:6 NASB
Galatians 6:9-10 NIV – 9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP.” 10 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Stephanie
Sachse, TX
18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
1 Tim. 6:18-19
“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”
Stephanie, Lititz, PA
(Sorry I’m late getting this in, as I was in the hospital giving birth to my second daughter! – Pretty obvious from the verse!)
You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. I Cor. 6:20 (NIV)
Bobbie Lancaster, Danville, KY.
Sarah Bowling Green Ky Deut 1:21 HCSB
And you saw in the wilderness how the Lord your God carried you as a man carries his son all along the way you traveled until you reached this place.
Kim, Searcy, Arkansas. “whether you turn to the left or to the right, your ears will hear a voice behind you say, “This is the way, walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Stacey, Greenville, Ky
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. “
Psalms 19:14 NIV
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
just found this blog and challenge, just ordered the spiral. got a little catch up to do.
1- April, Smyrna,
Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. Romans 6:6 (NKJV)
2- April, Smyrna,
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)
Bridgett, Pell City, AL –
Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times. Romans 12:12 Good News Translation
“You have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” NIV
Jennifer
Mount Airy, NC
Amy- IS 41:12-13- Message Version
When you go out looking for your old adversaries, you won’t find them- Not a trace of your old enemies, not even a memory. That’s right. Because I, your God have a firm grip on you and I am not letting go. I’m telling you, “Don’t panic, I am right here to help you”.
Kelly, Hopewell Junction NY
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Proverbs 31:8 NIV
Melanie….Tulsa, OK
Psalm 37:4 NIV
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Raeleen….
Psalm 119:10a NIRV
I trust in you with all my heart.
Alison P.
McComb, MS
Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You.
Psalm 63:3 (NIV)
Margaret, Garden City. “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” Psalm 55:22 NIV
Christy Crosby- Clarksville TN “My child, never forget the things I taught you. Store my commands in your heart.” Proverbs 3:1 NLT
Laura Harter, Belmont MI |
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 – Charlotte K., Pittsburgh, PA
Debbie, Clarkston MI.”And he said to all, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up the cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 RSV
La Grange, KY
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
NIV
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my body longs for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Psalms 63:1 NIV
Houston, TX
Donna Jackson
Prattville, AL
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
Melissa in San Antonio, TX
Colossians 2:7
Let your roots grow down into him, and draw up nourishment from him,
so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught.
Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all He has done.
Vicki from San Angelo
John 13:34-35 NIV
34″A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Melodie, Pasadena TX
I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being. Eph 3:16 NIV
Megan Blue Springs, MO
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you.