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!
Sandra in Swainsboro,GA. I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14 NIV
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.
James 1:12
Jessica, Houston! (sorry!)
NIV (obviously in a hurry)
You two are both adorable in this picture!!!!
Renita from Prattville
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 NIV
I am so… proud to call you my FRIEND! You inspire our Whole Group! Love you! Tish
Carrie Hunter, Hindman, KY
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
Mary, Durham NC: “Give thanks IN ALL circumstances for this is God’s Will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV
I decided on one you just shared!! Thank you!!
“Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us; there is none to compare with You if I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count.”
Psalm 40:5 NASB
Shari, Augusta
Matthew 6:27 NIV
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Barbara
Warner Robins, GA
Cheri, Cincinnati: “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. NIV (Dallas)
Miss Kathleen
Bernardsville, NJ
2 Timothy 4:18b KJV
The Lord…..will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom…
Lisa, Bethany OK
“Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
This is mine too!! So appropriate for me with young children!
Donnicia – Raleigh, NC
Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV 1984)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Hey, Donicia,
Did you know that Carolyn and I are Scripture memorizing Siestas? We did it last time, too and went to Houston last year. Maybe we will see you there in 2012! Small world!
Judy and Carolyn (Medlin)
Ann in Abilene, Texas
“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forebearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Eph. 4:1-3 (NAS)
Christy. Manitoba, Canada
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 (NIV)
Sarah New Palestine, IN
Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (NIV)
Andrea, Marietta: The Spirtit of the Soverign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners Isaiah 61:1 NIV
Colleen, Lyndonville NY “Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult or beyond your reach” Deut 30:11 NIV
Kristine, La Crescent, MN: Do not conform 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
kendal, north wilkesboro, nc.
Because of the LORD’S great love, we
are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail,
they are new every morning.
Great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NVI)
Kathy, Cochran, GA
Always remember these commands I give to you today. Teach them to your children, and talk about them when you sit at home and walk along the road, and when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NCV)
Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.] Eph 2:9, Amplified
Mt. Pleasant, IA
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 Holman Christian Standard
April, Williamson Georgia (wasn’t thinking!)
Bev Brandon
Austin, Texas
Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and possess the land.
Exodus 23:30
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exsists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
Sherry
Oklahoma
Jude 1:24 (New International Version
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy
Lori, Velma, Ok
i have found using the verse everyday in some form-status update, letter to friend, conversation helps me memorize
One final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is TRUE, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Phil 4:8 nlt)
Colossians 3:12 Therefore as God’s chosen people holy and dearly loved clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (NIV)
Tammy, Lawrenceville GA: We demolish arguments 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 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
Anne, Minneapolis. “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord is my strength and my song, he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. In that day you will say: “Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.” Isaiah 12:2-5, NIV
Toni
Forsyth, MO
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
Allison, Burgaw, NC “But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.” Psalm 71:14
“Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.”
Psalm 90:12 (Holman Christian Study Bible)
Betsy Crawford, Chapin
Tricia, Union Ky
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. NIV
Heidi, Rochester Michigan!
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name.”
Luke 1:46-49 (NIV)
Many are the plans in a man’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Amanda, Springfield, MO
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-25 NIV
Hi Amanda,
Thanks for adding verses 24-25. I needed that word today.
Carol in LaGrange, Ga – Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; Do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as He did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes and in the desert. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” Deut. 1:29-31 NIV
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)
Marion, IN
Laura, Clay Center, Kansas
Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him,
rooted and built up in him,
strengthened in the faith as you were taught,
and overflowing with thankfulness.
Bobbie/College Station
Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
Amen to that, Siesta!
Cynthia – Richmond “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” Proverbs 14:1, NIV
Richmond, VA
Olda
Huntsville, AL
“And He will be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the LORD is His treasure.” Isaiah 33:6 NASB
Angela, Covington, GA
“From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” Acts 17:26 NIV
Amy, Columbus OH: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Amy – so nice to see another Franklin County resident! God bless you as you draw closer to Him through HIs Word. How beautiful that we are all bound together by the same desire.
Shana, St. Paul, Minnesota
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4.19 (niv)
Tricia, Tucson.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
Laura, Allen – You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
Beverly, Midlothian VA:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,and do not lean on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge him,and he will make straight your paths.(Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)
Kristin: Pottsboro, TX
The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of man;
it searches out his innermost being (Proverbs 20:27 NIV)
Terri Clark, Florence AL
“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.” Colossians 3: 23-24