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!
Lisa
Jefferson City, MO
“I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy” JOHN 16:20 NIV
Jen, Auburn Twp., OH: “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 2-5, NIV.
Jana, Tampa, Fl
“Forget about whats happened;dont keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. Im about to do something brand new. Its bursting out! Dont you see it? Im making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.” Isaiah 43:18-19
Megan, San Diego
“And now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.”
I John 2:28 NIV
Tammy, Merryville, La
“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalms 27:14 KJV
Heather Yankton,SD
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Andrea, Tulsa; “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.” Psalm 37:5 English Standard Version
Judy, Holland, MI. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. NIV
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 NIV
Sarah, Colorado Springs
But He is Unchangeable and who can turn Him? and what He wants to do, that He does! Amplified
Job 23:13
Stephanie, Houston, TX
We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9 NLT
Anna, Little Elm, TX
“Forgive my hidden faults. Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:12-14, NIV
Laura
Goshen, IN
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the end of the world.
~Psalm 19:1-4
Jennifer; Houston, TX
Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. 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. Isaiah 43:18-19 MSG
Central, SC: “Those who hope in Me will not be disappointed.” Isaiah 49:23f, NIV 1984 version.
Barb, North Olmsted, Oh
The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. Ps 145:15-16 NASB
Cindie
Sanford, FL
“Command what you do to Yahweh, and what you plan will be achieved.”
Proverbs 16:3
Fonda, Biloxi. “I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears” Psalm 34:4 NIV
Denise Deming, N.M. “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us , because it did not know Him.” 1John 3:1 NKJV
Stacey, Albuquerque, NM The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. Psalm 16:6 (ESV)
Anne, Conway Ar
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the
desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4 NIV
Lin, Troy, Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15 NIV
Michele, Grapevine TX: “and God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.” Genesis 1:3-4 NIV
Cindy Searcy, AR., Behold,I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; Your walls are continually before me. Isaiah 49:16 New American Standard
Patty – Glendora, CA
Romans 12:2 NLT “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Liz, Edmond, OK; “Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:2; NIV
Kelley, Russellville
“And thou shalt love the lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength, this is the first commandment.” Mark 12v30. KJV
Ann, Austin TX: “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever.” 1Peter 5:10 NIV
Springfield, MO Psalms 92:1-2 It is good to say”Thank You” to the Lord, to sing praises to the God who is above all gods. Every morning tell Him “Thank You for Your kindness” and every evening rejoice in all His faithfulness. Living Bible
West Bend, WI
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 NIV
Toni, Benton. “Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.” Psalm 4:4 ESV
Colleen, Mae Sot, Thailand
I will be careful to live a blameless life–
when will you come to my aid?
I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.
Psalm 101:2 NLT
Diane, Gig Harbor, WA:
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:25-26 NIV
Katelyn (8), Gig Harbor, WA:
Children, obey your parents in everything for this pleases the Lord. Colossianns 3:20 NIV
Andrew (6), Gig Harbor, WA
I am The good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. John 10:14 NIV
Vicki, Elizabethtown, KY
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
1Peter 4:8 ESV
Hannah from Albuquerque, New Mexico:
And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that he may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!
Isaiah30:18
The Amplified Bible
Jenni, Spartanburg,”So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.” James 1:21. The Message
Margo, Burlington On. “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
Tara, Powder springs, GA “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe…” Phil. 2:14-15
Andrea, Saskatchewan Canada, Titus 2:11-12, NIV (with emphasis on v12)
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.“
Mary Lou, Young America, Ephesians 4:26 & 27 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. NIV
Carla, LaFayette, Al.
This is the day the Lord has made,we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 NLT
Lyndsey, Telford, PA: “Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.” Ps 143:8-10 NLT
Darla Calderon, Tampa, FL Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous.
Carmen Brookville, Ohio
He has show you, (O Carmen), what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and
to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 8:8 NIV – with my name inserted 🙂
Denise, Key Largo Fl
But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.
Psalm 1:2
Amplified Version
Claire; Memphis, TN; Isaiah 26:3-4 (HCSB)
You will keep in perfect peace the mind that is dependent upon You, for it is trusting in You. Trust in the Lord forever, because in Yah, the LORD, is an everlasting rock!
Michelle, Watauga TX
Isaiah 58:7 (MSG) “What I’m interested in seeing you do is sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your home, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families.”
Hebrews 4:12
NLT
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Traci
Kannapolis, NC
Mary Jane and Cindy, Troy, KS and King City, MO. “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 62:5-6 NIV
Sarah from Cypress, Texas: “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 NASB