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!
Christina, Egenhausen: Make it UR ambition 2 lead a quiet life, 2 mind UR own business, & 2 work with UR hands, just as we told U so that UR daily life may win the respect of outsiders… 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV
Stephanie, Arlington, Texas
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV
Andrea, Blytheville, AR
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue and if there by any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 KJV
Jennifer H, Cleveland, OH “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matthew 6:34 MSG
Valerie, Birmingham – Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalms 105:4 NIV
Karen, Shelby Twp., MI
Kylie, Boulder:
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
Maribeth
Cynthiana, KY
I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. Psalm 9:1
2 Timothy 2:19 “Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription, ‘The Lord knows those who are His.'”
Leslie, Missoula, ” The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.” Psalms 29:11 NASB
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my rock and redeemer. Psalm 19:14(NIV)
Heather, Visalia, CA
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
(I need to dwell on Him knowing MY future)
The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
Anita Capps, Lynchburg VA
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
Karla, Sheboygan. “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV)
And the effect of righteousness will be peace,
and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
Isaiah 32:17 ESV
Jenn- Lakeland, Fl
2 Corinthians 1:9b
“But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”
Margie, Allen, TX
Katie, Norfolk- “Give praise to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” Psalm 105:1 TNIV
“Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you…Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.” Song of Songs 2:7 NIV
Cynthia Petersen, Gig Harbor,Wa.
” You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord,
who is with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:17
Kristin, Gahanna, OH 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. He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over you will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you- the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep your from all harm- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121, NIV
Fullerton, CA
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
Kellie. Mobile, Alabama. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help is in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Charity
Cardiff, Wales
“They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved.”
Psalms 78:18
Marcy, Elizabethtown, Ky; “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:19 NIV
Kalonni, Van Meter, Iowa: “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.” 1 Peter 1:14, NIV
Nel, Fastenau Facts, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of who shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 KJV
Becca ~ Salem, Oregon
“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)
Sheree, Cedar Gap, Tx: “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you, he rises to show compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him.” Isaiah 30:18 NIV
Lisa, Glenview, IL: “One thing I have asked of the Lord, that I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.” (ERV)
Heidi – Midland, TX
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:7 NIV
Kelly ~ Hermiston, OR
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6 NKJV
Margie, Allen, TX But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving,considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 NIV
Courtney, Moses Lake, WA.
For since the world began,
no ear has heard,
and no eye has seen a God like you,
who works for those who wait for him!
Isaiah 64:4 NLT
Jodie, Kennard, Tx
Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, Titus 2:3 NAS
If I can, I will add verse 4
so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
Jayme Schneider; Marietta,Georgia:
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 / NIV
;Megan Luttrull, Milledgeville Ga – Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (NIV)
Misti, Belleville MI “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
Roberta, Fanshawe OK: I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance, therefore I will hope in Him.” Lamentations 3:24 NLT
Sharron Kay, Possum Kingdom Lake, “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.” Psalm 25:4&5 NIV
Theresa, Neon, KY. “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you. Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”
Luke 6:27-28. KJV.
Megan, Columbus, OH – 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. Philippians 4:8 NIV
Kristen, Oklahoma City ” For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does”. Psalm 33:4 NIV
Kerrie, Mandeville, LA
“Since you are my rock and my fortress,for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Keep me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge, Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me Lord,me faithful God.” Psalm 31:3-5 NIV
Susan, Buena Vista, GA. And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness-secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the One who calls you by name. Isaiah 45:3.
Sherrie, Spokane WA
1 Thes 5:16-18 NKJV
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Julie, Goodyear: “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:3-4 NIV
Leslie
Wisner, La.
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 entrust my life.
(Love the Amplified version, too:
Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for on You do I lean and in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my inner self to You.)
“The LORD gives strength to his people, the LORD blesses his people with peace.”
Ps. 29:11 (NIV)
Brittany
Lynchburg, VA