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!
Ephesians 3:20-21: 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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (NIV)
Christa, Woodstock, Ga: (Philippians 3:14 NIV)
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Kristi
Orlando, Florida
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Hebrews 12:2 NIV
Tonya Cumming GA
Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you are. Joshua 1:9
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
Kelley Columbus, MS
And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith. Matthew 21:22 ESV
Liz Howell, Laramie, WY.
“Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philipians 4:6 NIV
Jeanette Wheeler Rochester, MI
The Lord says, ” I wiil guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”
Psalm 32:8
Dorothy from Farmington, NM
Jeremiah 32:39 ESV
“I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and of their children after them.”
Michelle, Lansing, MI
Psalm 19:13 Holman Christian Standard Bible
Keep your servant from willful sins, do not let them rule over me. Then I will be innocent, and cleansed from blatant rebellion.
Karen, Auburn
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.
Psalm 62:1 NIV
Lisa
Indianapolis
Eph 3:16-17 NIV “I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith….”
I’m so late! Forgot to add my second verse. Have it in my notebook though.
Mandy
Watkinsville, GA
Psalm 13:5 NIV- “But I trust in your unfailing love, my heart rejoices in your salvation.”
Melanie, Queen City, Texas
Father, by faith I eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which I hope. Galatians 5:5
Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Julie Kate
Amory, MS
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galations 6:9-10
“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Romans 8:9-9 You, however are controlled not by the sinful nature, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And, if anyone is not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But, if Christ lives in you, your body is dead, yet your Spirit is alive because of righteousness. NIV
Had it picked out on time, but forgot to come here!
John 9:3 (ESV)
Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
{for a bit of context, see the previous verse, in which the disciples ask Christ if a man’s blindness was caused by his sin or that of his parents}
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2 (NIV)
Lisa Ray, Trout, Louisiana
Joanne, Timberlea, NS: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil.4:6,7 NIV)
Rebeccs
New Orleans, LA
“Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.”
Psalm 4:1 (NIV)
1 john 2:15 Do not the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in Him 1 john 2:15
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. Psalms 40:5
LOVE IT!
Dawn – Holly, Hill, FL
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
“In peace I will lie down & sleep,
for you alone, LORD,
make me dwell in safety” Psalm 4:8
Tammie Skull Valley, Az
Peace I leave with you:
my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled and do not be afraid.
NIV John 14:27
Nicholette, Houston: “You crown the year with your good blessings, and you leave abundance in your wake.” Psalm 65:11 NET
Patti, The Woodlands, TX
If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life! Matthew 16:25 NLT
Laray, Crawford, Georgia
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers: in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12
Aubrey, Abilene, TX, “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Eph 3:17-19, NIV
Oops! Forgot to post:
Lynnette in Houston – Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,
Perry, Ohio
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. John 1:1, NIV
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for he grants sleep to those he loves. Psalm 127:2, NIV
Romans 8:29 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Lauren, Seattle, WA
Psalm 145:8-9, 13b-14 (NRSV)
“The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and His compassion is over all that He has made…. The Lord is faithful in all His words, and gracious in all His deeds. The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.”
Mankato MN
Psalm 30:5
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (NIV)
Julie
Columbia, SC
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
Be Completely humble and gentle; be pateint, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Mary
Boiling springs, SC
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained accerss by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”
Ephesians 3:20-21: 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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (NIV)
I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being. Eph 3:16
Kim, Perrysburg, OH.
For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
2 Chronicles 16:9a (NIV)
Roxanne, Lincoln. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 NIV
The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. 1Samuel 16:7 (esv)
Wait for the Lord. Be strong, take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 – One of my all time favorites and my daily reminder.
Meredith, Valdosta,GA
2 Corinthians 2:14 (NASB)
Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.
Kris, mom of 5, memorizing scripture with my college daughters is the best.
Phil. 4:8
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
Hannah, college student, Cedarville University
Phil. 3:8
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.
I had my 2nd verse the week before but forgot to post it! Tanya, Sheffield, Alabama. A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1 (KJV).
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