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!
Becca Helble, Austin, TX
“Accept one another then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God” Romans 15:7 (NIV)
Susan-Duluth, Georgia
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJ
I pray this every day for my oldest son.
Colossians 1:9-13 ESV
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
Psalm 62:1 “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.”NIV
Proverbs 3:24 “When you lie down you will not be afraid; when you lie down your sleep will be sweet.”
Gina
Cypress, Tx
January 25, 2011
Knoxville Tn bound
My daughter Mackenzie and I are doing this together and we are doing the verse
Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Kimber and Mackenzie Barker
Regina- Red House, WV
Luke 16:10 KJV He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
Yankton, SD Galations 1:10 – Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Karen, Colonial Heights, VA
I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.
Psalms 40:1, NIV
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Katie Butson
Raleigh, NC
“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.” Psalm 63:3
Emily, Ponder Tx
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me” AKJV
Lisa, Ponder Tx
Ephesians 4:29
“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” NIV
Angie, Houston TX
But as for you, O (wo)man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
1 Timothy 6:11, ESV
Emily, Ponder Tx,
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me” AKJV
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in work or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:15-17
Fort Worth, TEXAS!
Ecc. 7:3 (Easy to Read Version)
Sorrow is even better than laughter
Because when our face is sad our heart becomes good.
sandy swansea, ma. Psalm 16:11 Amplified You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Melissa ~ Willisville ~ “Always rejoice, constantly PRAY, in Everything give THANKS. For this is God’s will for YOU in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 The Net Bible
Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.” Joshua 10:25 NIV
Be not far from me Lord for trouble is near and there is none to help. Psalm 22:11
Sanford, NC
“Lord, every morning you hear my voice. Every morning, I tell you what I need and I wait for your answer. ” Psalm 5:3 (NCV)
“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in HIM. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.” Psalm 62: 5-7 NLT
Lea Ellen
Cypress TX
Judie,south bend,Isa 40:31 I’m just getting started. That is my 1st verse. So here is my 2nd verse:II Timothy 1:7 both from NIV. This is a ans to my pray to memorizing verses from the bible!!
Michelle, Salida, CA
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)
My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.
Roman12:1-2 NIV
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer you bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God…this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world,but be transformed by renewing your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is…his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Lindsay, Belleville, Ontario: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was with God in the beginning. John 1:1 KJV
Philippians 2:3 (NIV) – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
1 Timothy 1:7 (NKJ)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of sound mind.
Linda, St. Paul, MN.
Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful
but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
Psalm 31:23, ESV
Be still and know that I am God.Psalms 46:10
Be still and know that I am God.
Psalms 46:10 KJV
Nancy, Etoile, tx The Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way you went until you came to this place. Deut. 1:31
Jeremiah 29:13-14a NIV
13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.
Erin from Phoenix, AZ
‘But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.’ 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
from Alex, Ok
Proverbs 3:24 NAS
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
Emily from Kingsport, TN:
There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a FLOURISHING FINISH on THE VERY DAY that Christ Jesus appears.
Philippians 1:6 (The Message)
My sweet Mom, Debbie, and I are doing this together;-)
We are doing 2 Corinthians 12:9
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Blessings,
Mindy
Rebecca, College Station, TX
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (King James)
Cecilia, Mechanicsville, Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:17, NIV
Michelle jones, Charlotte NC,
Deut. 1:31 ESV
“The Lord your God carried, as a man carries his son, all the way until you came to this place.”
He is carrying me right now, in this season of my life.
The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me. You love O LORD endures forever-do not abandon the work of your hands. Ps 138:8
Hillary – Auburn, Al
Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not.
– Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV
Heidi, Mount Vernon: Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
“Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean revel in him!’
Philippians 4:4 MSG
Jeanette, Indian Trail, NC. “Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting, you’ll still be on your feet” Eph. 6:13 (The Message)
I’m a little late joining but my verses for January are… Matthew 6:31-34 NIV
So do not worry, saying “What shall we eat?” or “what shall we drink?” or “what shall we wear?” For pagans run after all these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Is it okay to memorize a longer passage instead of two single verses in a month? If so, do I just enter that same passage on the 1st and the 15th or should I break it up?
Sheila, Austin
That’s fine, Sheila. However you want to do it. Beth was encouraging us to select shorter passages, especially those of us newer at memorization, to build up that ‘muscle’. 😉
Kristi ~ Richmond, TX For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:13-14 (NKJV)
OK…this is a little late but I have been working on it – GLORY!!! ;o)
Nehemiah 8:10 “…for the JOY of the LORD is MY STRENGTH!”
Amen! ;o)
Many, O Lord 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
Joanne, Beck Row, UK
2nd verse catch-up!
Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:12-13 NASB