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!
Alicia Okc
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
Julie-Lexington, KY. You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the rock eternal. Isaiah 26:3-4, NIV
Wendy
Clovis, CA
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer 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.
Phil. 4:6-7 NIV
My 10 year old daughter is starting to memorize with me. She has her own spiral. She will start with the same verse as me this time.
Alaynah 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 walk humbly with your God. (NIV)
Mildred
Fayetteville, AR
I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. By your mighty power you rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies.
Ps 17: 6-7 NLT
Daniela, Abingdon, MD
Remember my words with your whole being. Write them down and tie them to your hands as a sign; tie them on your foreheads to remind you.
Deuteronomy 11:18 NCV
Melissa, Spokane: Your suggestion, but NASB
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done,
And Your thoughts toward us;
There is none to compare with You.
If I would declare and speak of them,
They would be too numerous to count.
-Psalm 40:5 (NASB)
Megan, Charlotte. (S)he is not afraid of bad news; her heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. Psalm 112:7
Dianne, Fairfield, CA “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:14 (NASB) Thanks Beth from Houston!
Leola, PA
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
Robyn in San Antonio
“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”
Romans 11:36 NASB
Sharon-Union City
“Iam the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 NIV
Cathy, Bartlesville
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
Mary
Tacoma, WA
Psalm 46 1
“God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble” ESV
Port Huron, MI “You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.” Job 11:18
Sherri, Frisco
“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 NIV
Psalm 16:11 NIV You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Lydia Falmouth, KY 9 years old
Psalm 62:11 NIV
One thing God has spoken two things I have heard that you O God are strong.
Valerie from Coweta, OK
“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)
Jennifer, Jonesboro, AR:
You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from the remotest parts, and said to you, “You are my servant. I have chosen you and not rejected you. Do not fear for I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:9-10 NASB
Katie, Marion, IA
Malachi 3:10 (NIV)
10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
Tisha, Naz, TX
Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial 1st cor. 10:23
Elizabeth, Oxford, PA
Psalm 139:14 NIV
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Lauren, Alabama
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” -Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Lucia, Valdosta, GA
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
Beth, Toronto, Ontario: Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.
I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
From the east I summon a bird of prey,
from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose,
What I have said, that will I bring about;
what I have planned, that will I do.
Isaiah 46:9-10 NIV
Kim, Advance, ” My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19-20 NIV
Hannah, Oxford, PA
Psalm 139:14 NIV
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Angie, Benton, “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” Psalm 105:4 NIV
Teri~ Corpus Christi, TEXAS
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12 NIV)
Linda, Wichita KS, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
2 Cor. 9:8. NIV.
(Starting a new job this week. Clinging to this verse!!)
Kuria, Malaysia
We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33:20-22
(NIV)
Karen R.
Coffeyville, KS
2 Pet 1:5-7 NIV
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self control; and to self control, perserverance; and to perserverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindess, love.
“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” James 1:26 NIV
Luann, Grand Junction CO,
Hebrews 13:5 (New International Version)*considering the amplified translation
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you
Kathy, Mansfield,
“Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves.” Phil 2:3 RSV
Brandy H., Kingwood, TX
“Don’t judge another person’s servant. Only his master knows if he is doing well or not.”
Romans 14:4 NIV
Barb, Des Moines: This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10 NIV
Doris, Austin TX: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.” Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
Pamela Sue, Palm Bay, Florida
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:20 New Living Translation
Jerral
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
This is a hard one to live out!
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galations 6:9-10 ESV
Karen, Lynnwood, WA – “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'” Psalm 91:1-2 (NIV)
JV
Boston, MA.
“My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise You.”
Psalm 63:5 NIV
“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 NIV
Jaime, Fort Collins, CO
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Psalm 139:5-6 ESV
Rosalee, Oklahoma City “I, the Lord, will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8 (Amplified Bible)
Kim, Oklahoma City
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 NIV
Terryl, Temecula.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer 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.” Phil 4:6,7 NIV
Hattie, GUYMON “And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke9:23 kjv
“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 138:8; NLT
Amy
Atlanta, GA