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!
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26 ESV
Sarah
S. Hamilton, MA
Lisa, Kinston,NC
Let all who seek Thee rejoice And be glad in Thee;
And let those who love Thy salvation say continually,
“Let God be magnified.”
Psalm 70:4 NASB
Jennifer, Nashville
After you suffered a little while, the God of all grace who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10 NIV
Becky
Owasso OK
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
Brenda, Richmond. “Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13, the NASB
Nicole, Stuttgart: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
“Stop regarding man, whose breath of life is in his nostrils; For why should he be esteemed?” – Isaiah 2:22, NASB
Cathy
Umatilla, FL
Do not let 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
Name: Vanessa
email: [email protected]
website: http://www.vanebrown.wordpress.com
Vanessa, Florence SC: In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. Ephesians 6:18 (The Message)
Brenda~Hudsonville, MI
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 NIV
Janifer, Glen Burnie, MD
“As for God, His way is perfect; The Word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”
2 Samuel 22:31 NKJV
Lincoln, NE. “I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say on the Lord.”
Psalm 27:13-14 NIV
Susan, Chesapeake, VA: “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.” -Matthew 6:34 (The Message)
Brittany, Texas: “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8 ESV
Amber, Plainfield, IL
Isaiah 55:9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” NIV
Tanya, Sharpsville
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matt. 7:1-2 NIV
Jeri B, Battlefield, MO
“You keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Carol, from Terrell, NC: Through God we will do valiantly, For it is He who shall tread down our enemies.
Psalm 108:13 (NKJV)
Michele, Weber City, Virginia
Who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.
Philippians 3:21 (NIV)
Deanne, Laguna Hills, CA “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 your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
I will lead the blind in a way they do not know,
In paths they do not know I will guide them.
I will make darkness into light before them
and rugged places into plains.
These are the things I will do
and I will not leave them undone.
Isaiah 42:16
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” 1 Corinthians NKJV
Jennifer, Texarkana, AR:
“Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.”
Deuteronomy 4:39 (NIV1984)
Kate, Statesboro GA.
“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”
Ps 90:14 NIV
Kathy, Princeton TX.
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 NIV
Janet from Montgomery, NY
Proverbs 12:18 NLT
Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.
Alison – Haubstadt, IN
Proverbs 27: 5-6
Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses.
NIV
Cathy
Umatilla, FL
Do not let 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
Yolanda, Queen City, Texas
James 3:16, NIV:
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
Laura, Waynesboro, VA
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who as been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48b NIV
Callee from Houston:
“This is what the Lord says to you: Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 2 Chron. 20:15, NIV
I will love you O Lord, my strength
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress and my deliever Psalm 18:1-2 KJ
Jenna S. Los Angeles, CA
Psalm 39:1-2-“I said, ‘I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.’ So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good.
Allison, Stephens City, VA
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth.
1John 3:18 NIV
James 2:1 (The NET Bible)
My brothers and sisters, do not show predjudice if you possess faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. (Thanks for a good verse, Beth!)
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4, NIV Study Bible
Forget about what’s happened! Don’t keep going over old history. Be alert! Be present! I’m about to do something brand new. I’m bursting out. Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road in the desert and rivers in the bad lands. Isaiah 43:18-19 The Message
Martie ~ Indianapolis ~ NASB ~ Psalm 27:14 ~
Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait on the Lord.
(thanks for posting Psalm 40:5! i’m going to use it next time!)
Karene, Yorba Linda, CA
I sought the Lord, and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4 (NIV)
Trisha, Monument, CO: “Teach me how to live to please you, because you’re my God. Lead me by your blessed Spirit into clear and level pastureland.” Psalm 143:10 MSG
Deborah, Dublin
Romans 10:9-10 MSG
Say the welcoming word to God
— “Jesus is my Master” —
embracing body and soul,
God’s work of doing in us what he did
in raising Jesus from the dead.
That’s it.
Your’re not “doing” anything;
you’re simply calling out to God,
trusting him to do it for you.
That’s salvation.
With your whole being you embrace God setting things right, and then you say it, right out loud:
“God has set everything right between him and me!”
Hey Lovely Friend, Twinkle. 🙂 I love this Scripture especially how it reads in the Message… 🙂 Love it, Love it. Love it.
MB
Donna, Huntersville, NC “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to out their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”
1 Timothy 6:17 NIV
Tammy, Bucyrus, I put on Ps. 5:11-12 nkjv on the first and did not get the second verse completely memorized so I am working on second half.
Ashlee, Danville, VA .
*baby boy coming anyday now – would love some prayers!*
“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Rebecca, Berlin GA
Habakkuk 3:17-19 Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation, The Lord God is my Strength, And He has made my feet like hinds feet and makes me walk on high places. NASB
Debbie, Lorenzo; Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 NIV
In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Psalm 56:11NIV
Alece, Lawton OK,
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer
Psalms 19:14 NIV
Everything is permissible-but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible-but not everything is constuctive. 1Corinthians 10:23
Barb Ontario Canada
We wait in hope for the Lord, He is our help and our shield.
In Him our hearts rejoice for we trust in His Holy name.
Psalm 33:20-21 NIV