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!
Rebecca Mt, Holly
Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out, with her jar on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water, and I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’ Genesis 24:45 NIV
I know their pain and will make them as good as new. They’ll get a fresh start, as if nothing had ever happened. And why? Because I am their very own God.
I’ll do what needs to be done.
Zechariah 10:16 The Message
Norma, Phoenix, Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. NKJV
Kelli — Anchorage, AK
Psalm 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.
Rebekah, Australia “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” 2 Timothy 2:24 NIV
Stacie, Memphis TN
Colossians 3:23-24 KJV And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Pat, Woodstock, Al. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again Rejoice! Phillipians 4:4 NIV
Nise’, Michigan
I raise my eyes toward the mountains, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip, your Protector will not slumber. Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not sleep or slumber.
Psalm 121:1-4 (HCSB)
Sandi T., Wichita Falls, TX:
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 NIV
Megan
Blytheville, AR
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV)
Anita – Tehachapi, CA
Psalm 86:11
Teach me your way O Lord, and I will walk in your truth, give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Kem, Memphis
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we will boast in the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-2 (NIV)
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you.
Tarah – Rib Lake, WI
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpassing power belongs to God, and not to us.”
2 Corinthians 4:7 ESV
Donna, Sarnia, Canada
“O Lord, be gracious to us;
we long for You.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress.”
Is 33:2 NIV
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off the old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24, NIV
Heather, Piedmont. Isaiah 43:1 NIV But now, this is what the Lord says- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Beth, Oxford,MS; “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” ICor. 10:12-13 (NIV)
Tinley Park, IL
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:10 NIV
Jackie, Arnold, MO
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Eph. 4:2 NIV
Amanda, Centerville, UT. “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba Father!” ESV
Kimberly, Palm City FL
So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time. Matthew 6:34 The Living Bible
Cheryl, Austin. “But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” Psalm 3:3 NIV
Lynn, Lubbock, TX:
“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.” 1 John 2:20
Karen, Springfield, MO: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 NIV
Kelly, Katy TX.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 ESV
Maureen, Cambridge, MA: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Cindy from Madrid, Spain
“Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Ruston, LA
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Colossians 3:13
NLT
Melody Joy, Scranton, PA “…This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 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. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.” ~Lamentations 3:21-24 (NIV)
Alexis, Corvallis OR:
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
Natalie – Kiowa, CO “Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.” – I Samuel 16:7b
Ashlie, Yukon, OK
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 ESV
Kelli, Moss Point, MS: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25, NKJV
Abbey, Simsboro,LA: “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. ” 1 Thesalonians 5:16-18 NLT
Lisa – Seattle, WA
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 (NIV,NLT)
Angie, Clanton, AL
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
Heather Liberty, TX Jude 1:24-25a NLT
Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Erin, New Orleans, LA.
…whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. Philippians 4:12-13
Staci, Beaumont, TX
“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. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 (NIV)
Tara, North Platte. “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19-20 NIV
Jamie, Augusta, GA-
Lead me, O lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies-make straight your way before me. Psalm 5:8
Molly – Walker, LA:
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
-1 Peter 5:7 NLT
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. Phil 4:13.
Deena,Corona: “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7&8 NIV
Kathy
Shattuck, OK
Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV) “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
Melissa, Clovis,CA: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Selina, Barbourville, KY.
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit,which is in the sight of God, of great price.
1 Peter 3:4 KJV
Tiffany
Beaumont, TX
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
James 1:27 NIV
Michelle, Clanton, AL
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 42:18-19