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!
Sue,Texarkana Psalm 71:14-15 “But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more. My mouth will tell of Your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, thought I know not its measure.” NIV
Bonnie, Houston
‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Tracy Seminole, Texas
Psalm 18:32 “it is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.”
Kara, Ardmore, OK
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” Titus 2:11-12 NIV
“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.”
Proverbs 1:5 NIV
Adele-Alys from Matthews, NC : You will hear a word spoken behind you, saying, “This is the correct way, walk in it,” whether you are heading to the right or to the left. You will desecrate your silver-plated idols and your gold-plated images. You will throw them away as if they were a menstrual rag, saying to them, “Get out!” Isaiah 30:21-22 NET Bible
Sandy
Keller, TX
Psalm 27:13-14 (AMP)
[What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living!
Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.
Alicia – Hopkinsville, KY
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 34:18 NLT
Amie from Rochester, MN: “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Psalm 16:11 NLT
May you have the power to understand how wide, how long, how high & how deep His love really is. May you experience the love of Christ though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life & power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:18-19
Janell~Clovis, NM~new living
Alison Spartanburg, SC The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
Pam, DeLeon Springs, FL
“let us draw near to God with a sincere heart to full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:22 (NIV)
Marissa San Dimas, CA
Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalm 27:14 NKJV
Julia, Wellington You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, O LORD, will keep me safe. Psalm 4:7,8 NLT
Jacque W., Gallatin, TN.
“But I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no savior except me.” Hosea 14:4 (NIV)
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14 NIV
Pam Ohio Memory verse 2
1 Peter 1:13-16 NIV
Therefore, prepare you minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
“By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35 NIV
Julie, Chattanooga, NIV
Psalm 5:3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
Kathy, Lake Jackson, Texas
“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 with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Tosha Searls
Anna, TX
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever present help in trouble.
Marilyn from Taylor Mill, KY
He says “be still and know that I am God.
I will be honored among the nations.
I will be honored in the earth.”
Psalms 46:10. NrIV
Meghan, Whitehouse, TX The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therfore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Jeremiah 31:3 ESV
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be pleasing onto thy,O LORD, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 KJV
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. NIV
Psalm 37:5-6
Betsy, Rome, GA:
“Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.”
2 Timothy 2:22, NLT
I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said to you: You are My servant; I have chosen you and not rejected you. Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:9-10
Julie in Houston
1 Peter 4:10
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
Hannah | Norman, Oklahoma
“The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”
Daniel 11:32b, KJV
Queen city, tx
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
“Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6
Jennie, Johnson City, TN
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me
John 11:14 (NIV)
Sarah, Little Rock
“The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.”
Isaiah 50:4 NIV
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galations 5:13-14
Marge-Chili Wisconsin-
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation.
Psalm 5:3 NIV
Heather, Conway, SC: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
Jaime, Arlington VA.
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be stedfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord, your labor is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV
Jo Ann – Lincoln, NE 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.
John 14:27 NIV
Arianne, Clifton KS
“…For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control.”
2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
Katherine; Nipomo, CA; “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13, NIV
Deborah, Cambridge-Narrows, NB
Even the sparrow has found a home and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young – a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Psalm 84:3 NIV
“As for me, I look to the Lord for his help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.” Michah 7:7 NLT
Michelle, Sylvan Springs AL
Psalms 27:4 ESV
One thing have I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to inquire in his temple.
Keller, TX: Romans 8:31-35, 37-39 (NIV)
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Kristi, Lubbock TX –
“Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.” Isaiah 9:7 (NIV)
Emily, Potomac. “He is your constant source of stability; He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; He gives all this to those who fear Him.” -Isaiah 33:6 (NET)
Myriam, New York
Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found. Psalm 119:35 NLT
Rachael, Chattanooga, TN
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Lesley, Wetumpka,AL
“Be anxious for nothing , but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NASB