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!
Becky, Beaverton
3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so He condemned sin in sinful man
4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:3-4. NIV
Julia, Kettering,
“Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.” Psalm 119:13 NIV
Sarah, Nashville “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. May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You.” Psalm 33:20-22 NIV
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 KJV
Martha from Providence, NC: Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall. (Psalm 55:22) NIV
Annette, Minneapolis, MN
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. But God is faithful and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with temptation He will always provide the way of escapte that you may be able to endure it.” I Corinthians 10:13 ESV
Jeanette: Tualatin
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 The NIV Bible
Jane, Irvine, CA
Romans 12:10 NIV – “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Beth in Cleveland
Psalm 19:14, KJV, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.”
Linda,Jasper,
…”For we are powerless against the great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” 2 Chronicles 20:12 ESV
Jayna (11 yrs.) Aurora, IL – Revelation 1:3 – Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophesy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. NIV
Ashley, Austin TX
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” 3 John 1:4 KJB
Jenna, Fayetteville, NC
“You were taught… to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness”
Ephesians 4:23-24 NIV
Danelle
Ames, IA
“We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
Romans 6:4 (esv)
Fran, Stedman. “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3 NIV
Mary, Port Angeles, WA. Psalm 27:13, 14 “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” ESV
Chelsea, Mobile AL
I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NIV
Stacy Featherston, from Searcy, Arkansas….”You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.” Isaiah 26″3 NIV
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:2-3 NIV
Rachel from Billings 🙂
Alison, Grand Rapids, MI
Everything is permissible- but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible- but not everything is constructive. 1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV
Scarlett, Ruston, LA NKJV
Hebrews 4.12: For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Dee, Muncie: …”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
Erin, Herndon VA
The life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us – 1 John 1:2 NKJV
Anita, Lehigh: So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. Galatians 6:9 NLT
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Marianne, Garden Ridge TX
psalm 139:2 NLT
You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
Mary H. From Ardmore, AL
Hebrews 10:36 NIV
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
Linda,Johnstown,PA: 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. II Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
Lynette, Alton,IL
Thank you! Everything in me says, “Thank you!”
Thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness;
most holy is your name, most holy is your word.
Psalm 138:1&2b (MSG)
Roxanne
Greenwood, LA
1 Peter 2:21-25, KJV
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously; Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”
Diane, Commerce Twp. 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. Philippians 4:8 NLT
Angie, Sugar Grove, Illinois
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
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.
Elizabeth, Dalton,Ga
But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.
Proverbs 11:18b (NKJV)
Cathleen, Saskatoon, SK Canada
“Peace I leave with you; My [Own]peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]” John 14 vs. 27
*I am really hurting and need friends and support. Please comment if you feel the Lord’s leading!
Cathleen,
I was at a very hurting time at this point too, and am saying a prayer for you today 2/15.
Queen City~ You say “I am allowed to do anything”, but not everything is good for you. You say “I am allowed to do anything”, but not everything is beneficial. 1 Corinthians 10:23 (NLT)
Ruth — Shawnee, KS
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear) but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.”
-2 Timothy 1:7 Amplified –
Candy
Huntsville, AL
James 1:19&20 NIV
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger, for a [wo]man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Suzette from Ruston, LA
“The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.”
Isaiah 32:17 (NIV)
Ruth – Westerville Ohio
Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” NIV
Phala, Thomasville, AL: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us. NIV Hebrews 12:1
Proverbs 3:24 NKJV
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Amber, Clanton AL
Philippians 4:6-7 (New King James Version)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Jennifer, Northern Colorado
I’m still working on Isaiah 43:1-3. I memorized the 1st half, and now I’m working on the 2nd half.
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior”
Isaiah 43:1-3, NIV
Lisa, Arlington, TN: Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Linda From Rockwell, NC
Psalm 39:7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee. KJV
Andee-Clovis
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
Psalm 5:11 New Living Translation
Amber Marie, Hernando, MS “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppresed, a stronghold in times of trouble…he will not forget the cry of the afflicted.” Psalm 9:9, 12b, ESV
Sis, Louisiana
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31-32
Kathryn from Louisville KY
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:2-3