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!
forget about what happened! Don’t keep going over old history. Be alert! Be present! Iam about to do something brand new. Its bursting out. Do you see it? There it is! I’m making a road to the dessert and rivers in the badlands.” Isaiah 43:18-19
“The Lord gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm so always trust in the Lord because he is forever our Mighty Rock.”
Isaiah 26:3-4
You real the path of life to me; in your presence is aboundant joy; in your right hand are eternal pleasures.
Psalm 16:11
Brandon, MS
Laura Eloise, Austin – Such knowledge is too wonderful for me to lofty for me to attain.
Psalm 139:6
Psalm 91: 3-4 NASB
For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His pinions and under His wings you may seek refuge.
His faithfulness is a shield and a bulwark.
“So we don’t look at the troubles we see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
Jn 14:26- “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit , whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”
Celeste, Los Angeles & Toronto: O LORD, our Lord how excellent is Your Name in all the earth! Psalm 9:9 NKJV
Ruthann – Odessa, TX
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. Philippians 4:8
You know when I sit and when I rise, You perceive my thoughts from afar. Psalm 139:2
Patricia, Dallas, TX.
1 John 4:14-15 {ESV}
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he will hear us.
(25)And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. Psalm 63:3
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
~Matthew 5:8 (NIV)
Accept one another then, just as Christ has accepted you, to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7 NIV. Carol, Poplar Bluff, MO
Amy, Sweeny, Tx
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. Philippians 4:8 NIV
Zimmerman, MN
Proverbs 18:8 and/or 26:22
What dainty morsels rumors are but they sink deep into ones heart.
Karen, Naples, Florida
“For the vision is yet for the appointed time;
It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
For it will certainly come, it will not delay.”
Habakkuk 2:3
NASB
If you love Me, keep my commandments. John 14:15
Joshua 1:9
Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
Kristi, Charleston, WV ” before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth. With righteousness He shall judge the world, and the people’s with equity.” Psalm 98:9 (NKJV)
Christine, Augusta, Ga
“But as you abound in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us, see that you abound in this grace also.” 2 Corinthians 8:7 NKJV
1 Cor 10:31-33
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
NIV
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself
Matthew 6:34 NIV
SHERRY, TULSA; Cleanse me with hyssop, and i will be clean; wash me, and i will be whiter than snow. Psalms 51: 7, NIV
2 Tim 2:15-17
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene.
NASU
Stephanie, Houston.
Give thanks to the God of gods. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:2 NLT
Mary Alice
Dallas, TX
This is what the Lord says:
“A voice is heard in Ramah,
mourning and great weeping,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because her children are no more.”
Jeremiah 31: 15 NIV
Carole, Austin: My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2, NIV
Linda, Austin, TX
Psalm 121:2 NIV
My help comes from the LORD,the Maker of heaven and earth.
Your eyes saw my substance; being yet unformed. Ane in your Book they were all written, The days fashioned form me. When as yet there were non of them! Psalm 139:16 NKJV
Isa 26:3-4
3 “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,
Because he trusts in You.
4 “Trust in the Lord forever,
For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.
NASU
THANK YOU FOR THIS CHALLENGE. IT HAS TAUGHT ME SO MUCH AND I WILL CONTINUE THIS NEXT YEAR. IT HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN MY SCRIPTURE MEMORY, PRAYER AND MEDITATION.
Nikki, Franklin, Tn
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2 (NLT)
jennifer, cheyenne wy: consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds James 1:2 The 1984 NIV Bible