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!
And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Barb, Lakewood CO, Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
Starla, Florence AL. “We demolish arguements and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Cor. 10:5 NIV
Valerie, Ashburn
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16 NLT
Debbie – Fort Thomas, Kentucky “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” NIV
Cindy, Arkansas, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1 NIV
Lisa H.
West Chester, Ohio
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Amy, Easley ~ “May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the Holy Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].” Eph 3:16 – Amp.
Heidi, Fayetteville, GA
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[a] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
Phil 2:14-15 NIV
Philippians 1:27a “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” NIV
Leslie
Cartersville, Georgia
Matthew 21:21-22
“21 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” NIV
So thankful for my precious answered prayer.
Tracy Buhler, Porter, TX James 1;2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Laura, Southaven, MS: 2 Timothy 2:15 “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.” NIV
Billie, Kailua-Kona
” Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV)
Carol, Amarillo,TX
Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will “never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” NIV
Lisa
Morning View, KY
Phillipians 4:6-7–NIV
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.
Catherine, Ladson SC
” Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21 Amplified
If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.
Proverbs 21:13 NIV Translation
I’m about to do something brand new. It’s bursting out. Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Is. 43:19 The Message
Amber Moon, Lincolnton, NC
“The the Lord said to Moses, ‘Is there any limit to my power? Now you will see whether or not my word comes true.'”
Numbers 11:23, NLT
JoAnn in Jonesboro. “Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.” Ps. 119:98 NLT (2nd ed)
Joy
West Monroe, LA
Philippians 4:6 The Message
“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.”
Diane, Indialantic, I am hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. NIV 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Kristi, Batesville
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galations 5:22-24, ESV)
Leigh, Houston
Isaiah 35:3-4a, The Message:
“Energize the limp hands, strengthen the rubbery knees.
Tell fearful souls,
Courage! Take heart!
God is here, right here,
on His way to put things right…
He’ll save you!”
sharon; marion, il.
and whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17
Nancy, Roswell Ga,
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strenth, he makes my feet like the feet of a dear, he enables me to go on the heights.
Marie, Easley, SC
As for me, I look to the Lord for help.
I wait confidently for God to save me,
and my God will certainly hear me.
Micah 7:7 NLT
Kelly, Eupora, MS
“Whoever sows to please their flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:8 (NIV)
Tammy,Texas
He feeds on ashes, a deluded heart misleads him; he
cannot save himself, or say, “Is not this thing in
my right hand a lie?” Isaiah 44:20 NIV
Rhonda, Searcy
Philippians 2:4-5 “Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of other. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus,” NIV
Ginny, Georgia
Such a gift to do this!
“The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end; I will keep forever my promise of peace.’ So says the LORD who loves you.” Isaiah 54:10 TEV
Elaine, Brea, CA
Philippians 4:8 (NIV, 2010)
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.
Naperville, Illinois.
Joshua 1:9 ESV, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Shannon, Arroyo Grande: Isaiah 41:13 NIV
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.
TerriMike, Spring, TX DT 8:3 NIV
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.
Suzy, Wheelersburg, Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself; the Lord will hear when I call to Him. Psalms 4:3 NIV
Cathy, Orlando. “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take his stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh, I shall see God; whom I myself shall behold, and whom my eyes will see, and not another.” James 19:25-27a The NAS Bible
Colleen from Spokane Valley, WA
Psalm 16:11 “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; And at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Alyson, Washington, DC. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. Romans 12:1 NIV
The Lord God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love He will rejoice over you with singing. Zeph 3:17 NIV
Psalm 143:8
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. NIV
Gretchen, Thousand Oaks, CA My child, pay attention to what I say, listen carefully to my words, don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Proverbs 4:20-22 NLT
Denise, Albuquerque “A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with hew own hands.” Proverbs 14:1 NLT
Anne, Sherwood, OR. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 NIV.
Sarah Snow, Wichita Falls, TX
For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. Colossians 1:16 NIV
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:19 NIV
Katherine
St.Johns,FL
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm,then,and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
Karen from Kentucky, January 15, Just thanking Him for two amazing heart friends – Dawn and Ellie! Dawn inspired me to join her in keeping His words safe within my heart. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in the God, trust also in me. John 14:1 NIV
Wanda, Gastonia, NC. “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.” Psalm 18:30 NIV
Elizabeth San Clemente, CA
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 NIV