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!
Georgann,Hemet, CA –forgot to post earlier
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God di by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do no live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.” Rom. 8:1-4
Just getting started.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV 2010
Amarillo, Texas
(From Hawkins, TX)
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
“The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy.”
Psalm 145:8
So let us come boldly before the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive mercy and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” Hebrews 4:16 NLT.
Darcy, Poulsbo, WA Forgot to post.
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Hebrews 10:23-24 NLT
Christine from Raleigh, NC:
“…can I not do with you as this potter has done?”
declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter,
so are you in my hand…”
~ Jeremiah 18:6 NIV
Toni – Copperas Cove, TX
Psalm 19:14 NIV – May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice, In the morning I lay my request before you and wait in expectation. Ps 5:3 NIV
So faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 Basic English Bible
” There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will sing “. Hosea 2:15
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Proverbs 10:19 NIV
Jen, Willow Spring, NC
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” John 8:12 NIV
Kendall from San Antonio:
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
James 4:8 NKJ
Psalm 37:4 NIV Study Bible
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Heather, Crystal Springs, MS- “So do not be afraid, for I am with you; and do not be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Jaydee, Becker
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2 NIV
Hollie, Waco, TX:
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
Phillipians 4:13 American KJV
(Have to say this one is for my family & friends fighting cancer. This single verse got my mom through the most trying of days during her battle with cancer well over 13 years ago. Praises be to God in the highest!)
Sandra, West Asia
NLT 2 Timothy 1.7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
Catrina, Plano, TX:
“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:20 NLT
Niccol, Wilmette
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Colossians 4:6 NIV
Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with loving kindness. NASB
Jan verse (I’m catching up!) Amy – Gallipolis – He has made everything beautiful in it’s time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. – Ecclesiates 3:11
Vickie, Iowa Park, “For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’
Isaiah 41:13 (New American Standard Bible)
Lillian,Celina,Texas
February 15th at 6:54p.m.
II Timothy 2:15 NIV
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
February 15, 2011
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness, his mercies begin fresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:23-24
Anne Texas
Christina
Corpus Christi, TX.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test,he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. Isaiah 2:2 NIV
Antoinette
Montgomery, AL
Estina, Bermuda. “But whoso hearkens to me [Wisdom] shall dwell securely and in confident trust and shall be quiet, without fear or dread of evil.” Proverbs 1:33 (AMP)
Rachel-Conroe
Matthew 6:19-20
Do not store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven where neither moth nor rust destroy and thieves don’t break in or steal.
Kim, Oakhills, CA Luke 14:25-27, 33 Now great multitudes were going alone with Him; and He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. So therefore, no one of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. NAS
Amanda – McKinney (I never posted for Jan 15th)
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NIV)
“A friend loves you all the time, and a brother helps in time of trouble.” Proverbs 17:17
Debbie, Orlando, But the wisdom from above is first pure then peacable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 ESV
Proverbs 13:24
If you refuse to discipline your children, it proves you don’t love them; if you love your children, you will be prompt to discipline them.
Geri, Kearney
2 Chronicles 15:12 (NIV)
They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul.
Beth from Greenville, SC
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jer 33:3 NIV
James 2:1 (English Standard Version)
My brothers,show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
Oakley CA
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” Prov 31: 25 NIV
Isaiah 40:31a –
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
Janine, Oklahoma City
“As for God, His way is blameless;
The Word of the Lord is tested;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.”
II Samuel 22:31 NASB
Nanette, Houston, Psalm 27: 7-8:
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret — it only leads to evil.
Beth Pleasant Plains, IL May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NIV
Marlene
Princeton, IL
Behold, I am doing a new thing, now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 ESV
Robyn – Richfield, Ohio: “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)
Kim Lewisburg, PA
NIV John 14:21
Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.
He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.
2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
Allison ~ Grand Junction, CO
*Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.* Psalm 143:8 NIV
Sharon, Charleston, WV. 1 Thess 5:16-18 (NIV) Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Kelei, Iowa Park. (NIV)
Psalm 50:10
“for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.”