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!
Ariane, Aurora IL
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
Proverb 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”NIV
Melanie – Decatur, AL
Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Becky
Universal city, TX
Psalm 90:17
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
Establish the work of our hands for us-
Yes, establish the work of our hands.”
NIV
Libby, Dallas TX
Ephesians 2:10 GW
God made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do.
Sherry ~ Dayton, NV ~”Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” ~Philippians 2:14-15 NKJV
Becky, Whitehall, “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
First off, how do I add my picture!!! :/ Someone please clue me in! Okay, now more importantly, when Beth mentioned the younger girls that are doing this, a lightbulb went off! Why am I not doing this with my almost 6 yr old?! So I am off today to by her a spiral. I am SO excited! Okay here it goes…
Lindsey E. and Madilyn E.
Sierra Vista, AZ
Psalm 91:2 NIV
I will say of the LORD, “He IS my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Madilyns will just start with the quotations to make it a little easier! 🙂 This is a blessing!
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Heather, Birmingham, Romans 12:21 NIV
Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.
LaShae, Abilene
Psalm 28:7 (NASB) The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.
Jill in Trussville, Alabama
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 entrust my life.
Psalm 143:8 NIV
Julie Terrell, San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, MEX
Psalm 28:7 (Amplified Bible)
The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him.
Karen, Vancleave,MS
Philippians 1:6
“I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.” NAB (Catholic Edition)
Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” NIV
Terrie, Birmingham, Alabama
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Luke 12:25 NLT
Cari, Huntington WV
Jeremiah 31:25 “For I satisfy the thirsty person and feed all those who are weak.” HCSB
Kelly from Jackson, TN
Phillipians 1:27-28: “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Leah D.(Charlotte, NC)
Ann Garden City, MI He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Psalm 23:2 KJV
Andrea Jones, Houston, TX
Psalm 27:13-14, NKJV
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!
Candie from Gulfport, Ms.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Phil 4:8 ESV
Gretchen, Gahanna,OH-” I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes I will remember your miracles of long agao. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Psalm 77:11-12 (NIV)
Leah Taylors, SC And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. James 1:4-5 NET
As a cat lover, I LOVE your picture. Precious.
Jennifer, Springfield MO
Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
Rebecca–Vancleave, MS:
“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13 (NKJV)
Molly, Macon
Romans 15:13 NIV “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Paula, Lake Charles Many, O LORD, my God are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us no can recount to You; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40: 5 (NIV)
Lindsey, Charleston, SC: “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.” Isaiah 55:2, NIV
“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live in righteousness. By His wounds you have been HEALED.” 1 Peter 1:24 ESV
Carisa, Aberdeen, SD
“I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.” Psalm 13:6 NIV
Mary Beth, Abilene TX
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
Hebrews 1:3 NIV
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
Anne, Ralph: “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10 ESV
Kimberly, Ocoee, Florida
“Be not decieved; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; by he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.
(typed by memory!!!) Galations 6:7-9 KJV
Mary, Alabama
He is before all things and by Him all things hold together. Col. 1:17 HCSB
Tamara – San Antonio, TX
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yorselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 NIV
Becky, Brunswick, GA
Psalm 11:1 (NKJV)
In the Lord I put my trust; How can you say to my soul,
“Flee as a bird to your mountain”?
Tyler
Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
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?
~Isaiah 43:18-19a (Msg)
First time here doing this. Decided on Psalm 23 one verse at a time to start out 🙂
Christina, Altoona PA, The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23:1 NASB
Welcome Christina!
Cedarburg, WI “But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD,
I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7 NIV
Cessie, Bakersfield, CA
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5: 16-18 NIV
Anne Squamish BC Cananda
Isaiah 61:1-2
“The Spirit of the sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour and the day of vengence of our God, to comfort all who mourn” NIV
Phew, and I’ll tackle the rest next month!
1 Corin 10:31 (NIV)
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Marianne, Saegertown,Pennsylvania
“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 minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Tracy, Hobe Sound, Florida “And I ask that with both feet planted firmly on love you’ll be able to take in with all the followers of Christ the extravagent dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test the length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:18-19 The Message
Erin, Springfield MO
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.” Philippians 4:6 NLT
Deborah, Kennewick. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11 NIV
Ginny, Cape May, NJ
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14 NIV
Twyla, Greenville
Eph. 3:21 “to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever! Amen” NIV
Kimberly, Edgewood, Wa : “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord” Romans 12:11 (NIV)