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!
Bunnie, Hume “…you are no longer a slave, but a son…” Galatians 4:7 NASB
Stephanie, Lititz, Psalm 40:5, NIV
Jennifer, Huntsville, Tx
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. James 4:17 NIV
Crystal springs- Look to the Lord and His strength, seek His face always. I Chronicles 16:11
Carolyn, St. Peters, MO
1 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)
Sing to Him, sing praise to Him;
Tell of His wonderful acts.
(I realized posted verse 2 on verse 1 blog)
“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:6,7
Nancy
Ps 90:17
17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us;
And confirm for us the work of our hands;
Yes, confirm the work of our hands.
NASU
(confirm-make our work effective and enduring)
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your GOD for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Joel 2:13 NIV
Marcy from Conroe, TX: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowled, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 NKJ
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 (NIV)
LORD Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.
Psalms 84:12
Atlanta, GA
“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks”. Luke 6:45, NIV (1984)
“You are my witnesses” declares the Lord “and my servants whom I have chosen so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. Isaiah 43:10 (NIV)
Karen
Ponte Vedra, Florida
Many, LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5
I delight in our decrees
I will not neglect your word.
Psalms 119:16
Sheri, Atlanta, TX
Philippians 4:7 NKJV
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatains 6:9
Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6, NIV
“He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his great folly.”
Prov. 5:23 NIV
Ps.6:4,ESV “Turn oh Lord, deliver my life, for the sake of your steadfast love”
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving
Colossians 4:2
wildlyblessed, Crawford, TX: “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.” Psalm 119:114 NIV
Sara Pipkin
Denver, CO
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.
Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. Gal. 5:16
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
Nancy, Etoil, TX
Josh 1:8
8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
NASU
Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1 NIV
Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1 NIV
Melinda from Cheney
“I am the Lords servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me
as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
Luke 1:38 (NIV)
Nancy, Etoile,TX
Acquire Wisdom! Acquire understanding!
Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
Proverbs 4:5
Shawna – Boise, Idaho
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
Wylie, Texas
2 Cor. 10:4 (NLT)
We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly wapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.
Linda, Lincoln NE “…The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” Galatians 5:6 NIV
Stacey, Houston, TX- And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Kelly, The Hills, TX
Col. 3:23,24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.
It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Brook, Santa Monica
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3.15
my verse is James 5:16
Elizabeth Gainesville, GA
“Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.”
Psalm 1:4 (NIV)
Caroline Auburn, AL “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 minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour.
1Peter 5:8 NIV
Heather – Richland, WA
John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Hebrews 3:14 NIV
We have come to share in Christ if indeed we hold firmly to our original conviction until the end.
Marissa, Oklahoma
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived the things that God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9
2 Tim 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
NASU
If my people, who are called by my name, willhumble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their widkec ways. Then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
Lisa Rose
Moyock, N.C.
Gun barrel City, Tx
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, everyone of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 15-16
The LORD God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hind’s feet, and He will make me to walk upon my high places. Habakkuk 3:19 KJV
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
“Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.”
2 peter 1: 3-4
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.