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!
Chris, Glen Morgan WV
Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.
Axa from Orlando, FL
2 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Sherry, Cleveland, TN
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”
Philippians 4:6-7, KJ
Debbie, Dallas, Texas
Isaiah 43:2-3a (NIV)
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, and with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Genie from Oklahoma City
“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.” Ps 40:5 NIV
You are my shelter and my shield. I put my hope in Your word. Psalm 119:114
“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
Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT)
“And now, dear Daimy, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Daimy Penn
Naples, FL
Mary Margaret, Birmingham
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
(James 1:27 ESV)
Meno, OK
The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way.
Proverbs 20:24 NLT
that verse says it all.we could and will never be able to tell all the wonders of our Savior.but i do think as women of GOD we have to step outside the walls of church,and try our best to tell the story of Gods love.we have souls to save.so come on girls lets go!
Lisa, Greer SC
Psalm 1:6
“For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish”.
Psalm 1:6
Karen from Corbin “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:3-4.
Rochelle, Kingsport TN
John 15:5 NASB
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
Sallie in Beaverton, OR
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled upright and godly lives in this present age while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Titus2:11-13 NIV
Houston, TX
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Houston, TX
“I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears.”
Psalms 34:4 NLT
Jen from Chiang Mai, Thailand
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Tammy – Mobile, AL
Hebrews 12:15
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
Nicole, Montgomery,AL
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.-Prov.18:10
NIV
FIRST VERSE but I am in!!!!!
Getting a late start but I am in!
Susanelizabeth Turner
Lynchburg, Va
Isaiah 43:18-19(NLT)
18 “But forget all that—
it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
19 For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Artha, Central Point, OR
Hebrews 13:6 (NAS)
We can confidently ssay, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?”
“Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your Word.” Psalm 119:37
Jennifer in Monroe,GA
Isaiah 48:17 NLT
“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you & leads you along the paths you should follow.”
Tammie, Birmingham – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. Philippians 4:6. (NIV)
Chris in Phoenix, AZ
“Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Claire in Pittsburgh, PA
NIrV Philippians 1:9
I pray that your love will grow more and more. And let it be based on knowledge and understanding.
“God told them, ‘I’ve never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love!”
Jer. 31:3 (The Message)
Lisa in Oakdale, PA
Ephesians 6:19 NIV
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.
Margaret, Lee’s Summit MO
Isaiah 43:19 NIV
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.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on one, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release darkness from the prisoners.
Isaiah 61:1 NIV
Connie, Newnan, GA
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6
Ashley Moore from Louisiana
“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded”
2 Chronicles 17:7
*Just found this and decided to participate!
Isaiah 30:15a
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,
Jessica, Antigua, Guatemala
Naomi, Oak Park IL. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Elizabeth R., Cypress, TX:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
Katie, San Antonio “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12
Libby, Manchester, TN
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10 (NASB)
Kathy, Houston
“For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.” 2Cor7:10, NASB
Stephanie
Rhode Island
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Proverbs 15:1 (NIV or NASB – same in both)
Cheryl, Chadbourn: Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Col.4:2 NIV
Jennifer – Indianapolis
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Gal 6:8 (ESV)
I too, am starting late, but so excited about it.
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jer. 29:13
Doris from NC “but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:2 ESV
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Be anxious for nothing but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace that surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence, and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:48 NASB
Holly, Fishers, Indiana
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 NIV
Joanne, Beck Row, UK
“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord,”plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NASB
Do everything in love.
I Corinthians 16:14
NIV. Connie, Spring, TX
Angie, Beattyville, KY.
“This is what the LORD says: ‘Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken!'” Jeremiah 9:23-24, NLT