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!
Sandy, Arkansas
You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.
Psalm 16:11 NLT
Lisa – Colorado
Ephesians 3:16 NKJ
…that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man…
Lawrence, Kansas
ESV, Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
jenn, cumming: “this is the day jehovah has made; we rejoice and are glad in it.” psalm 118:24 (Young’s literal translation).
i like that this is not in the future tense, but an expected response.
Betty, Soddy Daisy, TN
Set a guard over my mouth, LORD;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3 (NIV)
Karen, Brooklyn Park MN
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Melanie, Lebanon, Kansas
But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed, and baited by his own evil desire. Then the evil desire, when it has conceived gives birth to sin and sin when fully matured brings forth death. James 1:14,15 AMP
(because of my circumstances…this is a great reminder to not give even the smallest foothold to the enemy)
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Phil 4:11 KJV
Aimee, Ponca City, OK.
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
“I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radient; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor woman called and the LORD heard her; he saved her out of all her troubles.” Psalm 34:4-6 NIV
Sherry
Indianapolis
Lezli, Columbus, GA (NIV) “For the word of God is alive 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.” Hebrews 4:12
The theif does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy. John 10:10 NKJV
Laura~Quincy, IL.~ but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 ESV …..I pray God allows my heart to fully believe and take full comfort in this.
Cassie Sulphur Springs, TX A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 KJ
Kelley, Olive Branch
But Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation He will provide for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet.” Exodus 14:13,14 HCSB
Shannon, Greenville: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
(2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)
Mary Ann, Summerville, S.C.
“I lift up my eyes to the hills – Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
Shelli, Almont, MI
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
Lamentations 3:24 ESV
Ruth Anne, Dover, OH: Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. Romans 12:2, MSG
Kathy — Hudsonville, MI
Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
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 1:5 (NIV)
Traci, Corona, CA – “I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me.” Isaiah 45:5 (NKJV)
Susan, Statesville
When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You,”Your face, LORD, I will seek.” Ps.27:8 (NKJV)
Norma, Lewisville, Colossians 3:12 Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. NIV
christina, Plano, TX:
“For You, O God, have tested us;
You have tried us as silver is tried” (Ps. 66:10, ESV; eventually vv.10-12).
Missy, Tulare, CA
But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. Psalm 73:28
Linda, Pauls Valley, OK
Isaiah 43:10a NIV “‘You are my witnesses,'” declares the Lord,’and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.'”
Sandy, Maryland, Col. 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” NASB
candifer, rapid city, sd
don’t be naive and self-confident. you’re not exempt. you could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. forget about self-confidence, it’s useless. cultivate God-confidence. no test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. all you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you. 1 corinthians 10:12-13 (the Message)
Philippians 4:8 NIV
“Finally, Brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anythingis excellent and praiseworthy – think about such things.”
Becky
Brentwood TN
NIV
Phil. 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Brenda,Houston,TX; Be still, and know that I am God;I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10 NKJV
Do not confirm any longer 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)
2 Tim 1:12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. NIV
Kristina, Huntsville, AL: “You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake.” Psalm 65:11 NET
Alyssa, Fort Worth: He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4 (NIV)
Joanne, Westerville
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Meredith, Jonesboro:
Psalm 71:14-16 (NIV)
But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.
MissyE, Morton, IL
“For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing sou and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” Hebrews 4:12 NIV
Meredith, Fayetteville, AR “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.”. Isaiah 50:10
Stephanie Parker co. 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)
Cheryl, Coffeyville, KS.
“But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” 1 Thes. 5:8, NIV
Cheri
Vancouver, WA
Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out.
I Corinthians 7:31 The Message
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:16 NKJ
Janel, Valrico FL: “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD’s renown,for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed.” Isaiah 55:12-13, NIV ’84.
HALLELUJAH!
“When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”
John 10:4 (NIV
Amber Florence, Ky.
Susan – Dalton, GA
1 John 4:19 (The Message)
“We, though, are going to love – love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.”
Gay, White Oak, Texas
“God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. It’s a good thing when you’re young to stick it out through the hard times.” Lamentations 3:25-27 (msg)
Misti F, Athens, AL
You know the old saying, “First you eat to live, and then you live to eat”? Well, it may be true that the body is only a temporary thing, but that’s no excuse for stuffing your body with food, or indulging it with sex. Since the Master honors you with a body, honor him with your body! 1COR6:13 The Message
Holly, Glendale, AZ:
So is my Word that goes forth from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 NIV
“Teach me your way, O Lord; I will walk in your truth; Unite my heart to fear your name.” Psalm 86:11 NKJV