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!
Mary Alice, Colleyville,TX, “Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul) as (something done) for the Lord and not for men. Knowing (with all certainty) that it is from the Lord (and not from men) that you will receive the inheritance which is your (real) reward (The One Whom) you are actually serving (is) the Lord Christ (the Messiah)”
Col 3:23-24 Amplified Bible
Jennifer,
Oklahoma City, OK
Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.
Phil 4:8 NIV
Mary, Broken Arrow, OK
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.
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”
II Thessalonians 3:3 NIV
Jill, Laramie, WY
Cindy, Encinitas: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions…” Titus 2:11, 12a (NIV)
Psalm 27:14
Wait on the Lord be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart wait, I say, on the Lord. KJV
Hilary, West Palm Beach, FL:
“From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.” -Psalm 61:2-3 (NLT)
Annalee in Houston, TX
Psalm 19:14 (NLT)
May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Holly Belt- Spring Hill, TN
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55: 8-9/NIV
Marilyn from Vicksburg, MS
VERSE 1: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10 (NIV).
VERSE 2: Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)
Kelly – Auburn, Alabama. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 NIT
Ann, San Antonio
Psalm 3:3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. (ESV)
“…Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.” –1 Chronicles 28:20 (NIV)
Siesta, Virginia, “But be doers of the Word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.” NRSV
Wanda, Laurel MS
Psalm 130:5
I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait,
And in His word do I hope (NASB)
Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.(Daniel 9:19)
Pleacă-Ţi urechea, Dumnezeule, şi ascultă! Deschide-Ţi ochii şi priveşte la ruinele noastre şi la cetatea peste care este chemat Numele Tău! Căci nu datorită faptelor noastre drepte aducem cererile noastre înaintea Ta, ci pentru îndurările Tale cele mari. (Daniel 9:19)
Cosmina, Romania, NIV
How exciting, Cosmina. When I was in high school a good friend of mine was from Romania. So glad you’re joining us here. 🙂
Nashville
John 15:4 (New Living Translation)
4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
Carol, Gig Harbor, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10 NIV
Debbie Queen City
Palms 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul
And forget not all His benefits.
NKJV
Erin
Stephens City, VA
“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.”
Isaiah 12:2 NIV
Kari, Winchester CA
I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and will glorify Your name forever. Psalm 86:12 NASB
Cindy, Jackson Hole
Isaiah 30:18: Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you. He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of Justice. Blessed are all who wait for him. NIV
Elisabeth ~ Lexington, KY
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Renee (Roanoke VA)
“And He was saying to them all, “if anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Luke 9:23 NASB
Stephanie
Knoxville, TN
“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,…” (Hebrews 10:26, ESV)
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips Psalm 141:3
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
1 Peter 3:3-4, NIV
In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare a prayer, a sacrifice for You and watch and wait for You to speak to my heart. Psalm 5:3 The Amplified Bible
Keli from Talihina, Oklahoma
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:13 (ESV)
The Apple of His Eye, Stephenville, TX
Psalm 62:1-2 (NASB)
My soul waits in silence for God ONLY;
From Him is my salvation.
He ONLY is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold;
I shall not be greatly shaken.
Pam, Illinois, “Train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and the life to come.” I Timothy 4:7-8 NIV
Heather, Sedalia, Alberta
Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Madeleine, Corrales, Here O Israel the Lord our God is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Duet.6:4-5 NIV
Paula, Brownwood, Tx
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. NET
Heather, Hawaii
So then my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God – James 1:19-20 NKJV
Kendall Perchinski, Huntsville AL
John 6:35: Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of life; he who comes to me will not hunger and he who believes in me will never thirst.” NASB
Cheryl, Naperville: 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)
Mandy, Rome, GA “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
Dawn, Orland Park, IL “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” I Corinthians 14:40 (NIV)
Cindy from Midland, TX
1 Timothy 4:8 NIV
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Heather, Lewiston: “…who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”
II Cor. 1:4, NIV (I did verse 3 last week… and this finishes that thought if you wonder about context.)
Leigh, Montgomery – Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see – how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. Psalm 34:8 The Message
Anna, Montgomery – God’s my island hideway, keeps danger far from the shore, throws garlands of hosannas around my neck. Psalm 32:7 The Message
Jordan, Monroe WA
Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. NLT
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV
Tammy, Clayton NC
Mk 9:24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” NIV
Vicki from Colleyville, TX, Isaiah 30:21 (NLT) Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.
Iris, Sherwood, AR: Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:12 NIV
Renee – Kingwood, TX – 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. Psalm 143:8 NIV This will make a great picture!
Hi, Renee… my Friend from Lifeway No Other Gods… 🙂 How are you doing? Goodness… I feel like I’ve been away forever, and ever. Good to see you.
Glenda from Tualatin
But God’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you. He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you. God takes the time to do everything right – everything. Those who wait around for Him are the lucky ones.
Isaiah 30:18, The Message
Teresa, Peoria, IL Mark 14:38, NIV “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The Spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”