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!
“He will cover you with His feathers, and you will take refuge under His wings; His faithfulness will be a protective shield.” Psalm 91:4
Helen, Cambridge UK: ‘I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord!’ Psalm 27:13-14 NKJV
oops forgot to add it’s the NKJV
Lisa, Willimantic CT
But if you remain in me and my words remain in you,
you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!
John 15:7 NLT
Heather, Warner Robins: “Finally, brothers, 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
Why be puniched more?
Why not give up your sin?
Your head is ady bruised
andy you are weak all over.
CEV Isaiah 1:5
Pat,Green Bank,WV.
Isaiah 42:3 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.The Holy Bible.RSV
Pam – Lakewood CO
Romans 8: 3-4 “For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.” NIV
Kristi, Georgia “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” KJV
Barbra, Oxford, PA
Praise the Lord! My 10 year old daughter decided to join us too!!
Psalm 65:11 NKJV
You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.
Sarah Longing
Fort Worth, TX
Romans 7:6 ESV
But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.
Tiana Burlington, NC: Psalms 25:1AMP
UNTO YOU, O Lord, do I bring my life.
Lynda, Ocala, FL: “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him…” Psalm 91:14-15
Vickey, Plumerville, AR”When my heart is overwhelmed lead me to the rock that is higher than I” Psalm 61:2
Gloria, Jacksonville, Florida
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, Los Angeles, CA: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew then for the Gentile.”
Romans 1:16 (NIV)
Tami
Columbus, Ohio
What,then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31 (NIV)
Kim, Kansas City, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Ps. 91:1 NKJV
Joey Lynn, Las Vegas
Romans 15:4 (NLT)
Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled .
Laila, Chicago.
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
“I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. New Amer. Standard Version.
“Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk in before the Lord in the land of the living.” Pslam 116: 7-11 (NIV)
Betsy, Birmingham
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4 NIV
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV
Laci, Houston; The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deut. 31:8; NIV
Darcy Houston, TX “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
Chris M, Seattle, WA
Isaiah 1:18 NIV
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
“I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful, I know full well.”
-Psalm 139:14
Vickie, Louisville, KY For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. Ephesians 5:8 NIV
“I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful, I know full well.”
-Psalm 139:14
Heather “Ouisa” Roberts
Avon Park, FL
Rachel, Carol Stream, IL, Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Ola Mae, Cedar Park, TX 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 NIV
NIV…sorry!
Debbie in Alexandria, VA
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12, NIV
Meggie, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
“Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” James 1:17 (NLT)
“ This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel (Amanda):
‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.
‘ Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel (Amanda) you shall become a plain! And he (she) shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’”
Zechariah 4:6-7 (NKJV)
Amanda May
Olympia, WA
Robin, Grand Rapids, MI
“Teach me Your way O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear You.”
Psalm 86:11 (NIV)
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10
Mickey, Ann Arbor May the God of hope fill you with joy & peace as you trust Him so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Rom 15:13
Kae, Jacksonville
…but the people that do know their God shall be strong and take action.
Daniel11:32
hybrid of KJV and NRSV
Cathy, Tyler, TX Matthew 11:28 NIV “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Linsey from Huntington Beach,CA
Don’t be concerned for your own good, but for the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:24 NLT
Joan, Coppell: “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.” Psalm 18: 30-32 NIV
Kristen, Spring Hill, TN James 1:19
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.
Charlotte
Philadelphia
Philippians 2:14-15
14) Do all things without complaining and disputing,
15) that you may beccome blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and preverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
NKJV
Diane, Clay Center, KS
Ps 31:14-15 (NLT)
But, I am trusting You, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!!” My future is in your hands.
Hillary, Los Angeles, “He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11 NIV
Rose, Dallas. Romans 12:9 “Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good.” The Message
Ruth, Providence: Philippians 4:17-20 RSV
Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received payment in full and more. I am filled; having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Brandie, Longmont CO:
“we are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair;
we are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but are not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed;”
2 Corithians 4:8-9 (AMP)