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 S. Sparks, Nevada
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. Romans 15:13
Ellen, Michigan, “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.” Romans 15:13 NIV
Katie, SC – O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1, NLT)
Beth, Fountain Inn, Isaiah 43:4-5 NIV Since you are precious and honored in my sight and because I love you I will give men in exchange for you and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid for I am with you. I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
Deb, Bremen
To Him who is able to keep you from fallingand to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy
JUDE 24, niv
Jan, Marion IA, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1(NASB).
Joanna, Diamond Bar, Ca.
I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage – I have conquered the world.”. John 16:33-NIV
SJ ~ South Mississippi ~ “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Sara G, Oklahoma City, OK: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah”
Psalm 46:1-3 NKJV
Leslie-Warner Robins, GA
Isaiah 51:1
Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, Who seek the Lord. Look from the rock from which you were hewn, and the quarry from which you were dug.
NAS
Amy, Tacoma, WA
“Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisors;’ Weren’t there three men we tied up and threw into the fire?’, he said’ Look! I see four men walking around, unbound and unharmed and the fourth looks like a son of gods.”
Dan. 3:24-25 NIV
Jennifer H., Houston
He has caused His wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
Psalm 111:4 NIV
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
Margot Martinez – Austin, TX
“Wait on the LORD; Be of courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” Psalm 27:14 (NKJV)
Teresa, Orange City
Commit your way to the LORD; trust also in Him and He will do it.
Jessica, Jacksonville, Fl: “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
Mona – Rome, GA
#1: Romans 15:13 (NASB) – “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
#2: Psalm 71:5 (NASB) – “For You are my hope, O Lord God; You are my confidence from my youth.”
Ashley DeLen, Alma Kansas
Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV
“Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.”
Jennifer, Kennesaw, GA
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am with your God . I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Rebecca from Birmingham
“Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11 NIV
Lynn, Lincoln; Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy god is with thee whithersoever thou goest. KJV
Sabrina, Bahrain
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18
Carmen, Largo. “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 NIV
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer & supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Phillipians 4:6-7 NKJV
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. – Psalm 1:5
Lorie, Littleton, CO: “Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)
Catherine,Montgomery: “I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, In paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them And rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, And I will not leave them undone.” Isaiah 42:16 NASB
Shelley, Marietta, MS
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward [deceitful] mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thy eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” Proverbs 4: 23-27, KJV
(I know it’s 5 verses, but I didn’t want to separate the complete thought!)
Hebrews 11:3,4 (NIV)
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command so that what is seen was not made out of what was visable.
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
Kathy
Chattanooga, TN
Peggy, Indianapolis “I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” Acts 24:16 NIV
Barb D., Lakeland, FL: “…There you saw how the LORD your God carried you as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” NIV Oh, yes, he has surely carried me!
Lindsay from grapevine, tx:
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4 (NIV)
Rita Quinlan; Alva, Florida: “He who does not love has not become acquainted with God (does not and never did know him), for God is love. I John 4:8 – Amplified Bible
Betty – Brown City, MI Romans 15:13 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.
Jill, Portland, OR “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, sot hat with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:4-5
Wendy
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the LORD
and put their trust in him.
Psalm 40:3 (NIV)
Delaine, Plainview: “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” (Psalm 100:4-5 NIV)
Pam, Marietta, GA: “Great and marvelous are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, King of the Ages. Who will not fear You, O Lord and bring glory to Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.” Revelation 15:3b-4 (NIV)
He who believes in Him will not be disappointed.
1Peter 2:6b NASB
Dayna~Ontario, If you abide in Me,and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7 NKJ
Karen L., Lino Lakes, MN: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV
Name-Amber Euless, TX
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13 NIV
Jessie,Seabrook
Psalm 145:16 NASB
You open Your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing.
Jen, Prairie Grove, AR: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.” Proverbs 19:17 NIV – Last week, my 13 yr old son’s basketball goal backboard burst from the cold weather, so he was saving for a new one. We ended up receiving a free hand me down. Friday, his school held a hat day; bring a $1 & wear a hat to school. This was a fundraiser for the victims of a tornado that destroyed much of Cincinnati, AR, just 15 miles from our home. My son dug into his own bank & for $9 to donate. He said, “Mom, those people lost alot more than just a basketball goal.” Made me think.
Annie, Memphis, TN: “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.” Psalm 9:10 NLT
Dee Dee, Canton, GA “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” II Corinthians 12:9 NKJ
Dayla, Springfield, Mo When I pray you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need….The Lord will work out His plans for my life–for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me. Psalm 138: 3, 8 New Living Translation
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power,and of love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7
Robin, Austin, TX: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psa 73:26 (NIV)
Lisa, Bend, OR
“Where would I be if I did not believe I would experience the Lord’s favor in the land of the living? Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
Psalm 27:13-14