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!
Katie C, Texas City, TX. “The Sovereign Lord has given me His words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will.” Isaiah 50:4, NLT
Ericka, Pennsylvania; “Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth, you will bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.” ~ Psalm 71: 20-21 (New International Version)
Suzanne, East Bernard,TX, “Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.” Isaiah 41:10 AMP
Becky, Warren, RI
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 KJV
Jenn, Allison Park, PA
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.
“Let us acknowledge the LORD;let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises,he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:3
Dale, Henderson KY “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 43:19 NIV
Alyssa, NC, James 3:17-18 ESV “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Peggy, Peace River,AB, Canada
PSALM 27:14
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage;yes wait for the Lord.
Bonnie, Seattle: For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. Psalm 33:4 NLT
Jacqueline, Akron
“This is to my Father’s glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
John 15:8 NIV
Carolyn – New Port Richey
Psalm 57:11 New Living
Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth.
Judy Heindl, Cottageville WV
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us.
Ephesians 3:20 KJV
Anita in Alabama
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27
KJV
Olivia-Tennessee
So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Luke 11.9 NIV
Shauna Kimball, Platte, SD
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT
Karla; Jonesboro;
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
Toni, Liberty. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 NIV
Allison Mitchell, Hanover, WV
Ephesians 4:29-32, Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. NIV
Meg – Richmond, VA
You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to You, “Lord, do I seek.” – Psalm 27:8 (ESV)
I just realized I wrote the last one wrong!! Let’s try again… Meg – Richmond, VA
You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to You, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” – Psalm 27:8.
Robin, Irving, TX. “Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for You, Your Name and Renown are the desire of our hearts.” Isaiah 26:8 NIV
For the Lord God is a sun and sheild; The Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those who walk is blameless. Psalm 84:12 ( NIV )
Cassandra Johns, Raleigh NC
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
Ephesians 3:20
Bonnie, WV. NIV2011 memory scriptures.
Jan 1. Isaiah 40:31 NIV
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength. They
will soar on wings like eagles
they will run and not grow
weary, they will walk and not
be faint.
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.
Portia, Temple, Texas I Thessalonians 4:11-12 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands just as we told you so that your daily life may win respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. NIV
Martha, Lynchburg,VA
Psalms 91:1 KJV
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Adrian, Pearland, Texas
1 Therefore since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.
Heb 12:1-2 (HCSB)
Listen to my words, LORD, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:1-3 NIV
Lacey from Kokomo… “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13 KJV
Arin, Wichita Kansas
The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.
Psalm 27: 1-2 NIV
Anne, Minneapolis
Psalm 138:8 ESV
The Lord will fulfill
His purpose for me;
Your steadfast love,
Oh Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the
Work of your hands.
Brandy, Burleson
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life – in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
~Philippians 2:14-16
Amanda, Katy: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 NIV
Jill Hoke
Palm Coast
the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world-just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.
Col 1:5-6 NIV
Stephanie, Youngstown, OHIO: “I am not ashamed of the Gospel (Good News)of Christ, for it is God’s power working unto salvation (for the deliverance from eternal death) to everyone who believes with personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16 (Amplified).
Rachel- Memphis, TN
“Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.”
Luke 24:45
Lisha – Visalia, CA
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29:12 NIV
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Cindy, Tucson, AZ:
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:1b-2 NLT)
Sherri, Las Vegas
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Gretta, Alabama; “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
Sherri, Lebanon, MO: “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
Dawn, Falmouth, KY
Ephesians 4:21-24 (NLT)
Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God — truly righteous and holy.
Gena, Blossom, TX
Romans 8:1, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” NIV
Monica
Hicksville, NY.
“Your Love, God is my song & I’ll sing it! I’m forever telling everyone how Faithful You are!” Psalm 89:1
(Message)
Jessica, San Diego, CA
“This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust in him.” Isaiah 91:2 NLT
Pam, Wilmington
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
2 Cor. 10: 3-4 ESV
Charli, Birmingham.
“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7 (NIV)
Beth, Mt. Holly, NC
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:7 KJV
Tiffany, Enterprise, AL: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5: 6-7 NIV
Karina, Baton Rouge,La.
“In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.”
Psalm 5:3
NASB