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!
Courtney, Fort Collins, CO: “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know Him better.” Ephesians 1:17 NIV
“But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. Selah.” Psalm 3:3-4 (NKJV) Jewel from Denver, PA
Vicki, Chehalis, WA “The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands.” Psalm 138:8 (NIV 1984 ed.)
Rena, Tulsa,OK. “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8 NASB
Heather, Fredericksburg, VA: “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3, ESV
Dana, Bothell WA: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Col. 2:6-7 NIV
Tricia , leland
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philipians 4:13 New King James
“I will give thanks unto thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are thy works; and my soul knows it full well. My frame was not hidden from thee, when I was made in the depths of the earth. Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, even the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none.”
Psalm 139:18-19 ASV
Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1, NIV
Kathy, Broken Arrow, OK
But let all who take refuge in You be glad,
Let them ever sing for joy;
And may You shelter them,That those who love Your name may exult in You.
For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord , You surround him with favor as with a shield.
Psalms 5:11-12 NASB
Karen, Silver Creek, GA: 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 perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12: 1-3 (NIV)
Missy, Phoenix:
Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! Psalm 66:20 NIV
Marilyn Dale, Fort Pierce, FL, Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. Phil. 4:8
Donise, Longmont 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
and my 10 year old daughter, Sarah, You thrill me Lord with all you have done for me!!! I sing for joy because of what you have done. Psalm 92:4 NLT
Holly, Beaumont, CA: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and I will bring you back from captivity.” Jeremiah 29:13-14a
Charlotte, Ridgecrest, CA The young lions lack and suffer hunger;But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. Psalm 34:10 NKJ
Whitney-Hamptonville, NC: “He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40: 29-31 NASB
Claire, Dothan. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” -Isaiah 41:10
Beimnet, Charlotte. “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.” Jeremiah 15:16 NIV
Stephanie, Dallas TX: “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed o free, and to break every yoke?” Isaiah 58:6, ESV
Cyndee, Pitman, NJ: Psalm 121 NIV
Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. – Jeremiah 6:16, NIV
Sarah, Colorado Springs
Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work. Colossians 3:22-25 (The Message)
I have a hard time picking short verses, so this one will probably last for 2/1/11 also!
Kat, Clarkesville, Georgia
“Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Psalm 9:10 (NIV)
Rita, Cantonment, FL (Pensacola)
“Oh may your lovingkindess comfort me, according to your word to your servant.”
Psalms 119:76 NASB
Jody Dykes, Mission Viejo, CA: Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord. Psalm 27:14 NIV
Sherri, Mechanicsville, VA: “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 brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. Isaiah 61:1 NIV
Leah, Houston: “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.”
Psalm 18:16-19
Terri Lynn, Kernersville NC: And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 {NLT}
Jamie, Harrisonburg VA:
“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (New Living Translation)
Janie C., Lubbock, Tx: “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord: keep watch over the door of my lips,…” Psalm 141:3 NIV
Judy, manassas, va.
I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
psalms 16:8 NLT
Emily–Blacksburg, VA
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth…So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
1 Timothy 6:6+8 (NLT)
Vicki
Fort Wayne, IN
Romans 12:2 NIV
Do not conform 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.
Connie, Chariton,Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, Jude 24 NKJV
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,
“This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Cori Burlington, WA
Jennifer, FLorida “You whom I have upheld since you were conceived and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. i will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:3b-4
Ann, Ft Lauderdale, FL
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20 NIV
Sara, Somerset, KY
But he said to me, “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)
Rachelle, Ankeny, IA: ” I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. NIV
Cindy Martin
Somerville, TN
~But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”~
~Exodus 14:13-14 NLT
Joy, MS “By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom.” Proverbs 13:10
Sarah, Nashville: “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimoniess, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept dilligently.” Psalm 119:1-4
Sue R, Magalia, CA
PS 143:8 NIV 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..
Tammie Hensley, Pikeville, KY.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, withou favoritism and hypocrisy. James 3:17 HCS
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Parker, CO
Ami Cowpens – 1 Corinthians 15:58
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Jen, Spokane WA
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by payer 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)
Elvira… So excited! Got my Siesta Spiral yesterday in the mail way up here in Grande Prairie,Alberta!
Ezekiel 36:26
” I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” NIV
Lela- Livonia
For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord.”Plans to prosper you
and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
NIV