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!
Dawn, San Diego
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favortism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18 NLT
Vicky, Havelock, Ontario, Canada: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38, NIV
Brigit, Lafayette, OR
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deut 31:6 NIV
Kathy from Ontario Canada:
Isaiah 46:4-“I am He who will sustain you
I have made you & I will carry you
I will sustain you & will rescue you.”NIV
I beg your prayers as in 2 days I have major abdominal surgery- pelvic reconstructive surgeon- I am a long time in
healing and soooo thankful the Lord gave me this verse – perfect timing of course!” PLEASE PRAY THIS 2 WEEK SESSION ESPECIALLY- THANKS.
Beckie, Florence,SC
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19, NIV
Tina, Gahanna Ohio..
II Corinthians 1:12: Now this is our boast; Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.
Jennifer, Oreland, PA
“But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands.”
Psalm 31:14-15a (NLT)
Stephanie Lewisville, TX
You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Isaiah 42:9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things.
Melanie, Amherst, MA
“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter….”
Hebrews 11: 24
Meredith, Los Angeles, CA: “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
sara, slidell,
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26
Tara
Kyiv, Ukraine
{Adding to v.3) Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
2 Peter 1:4 (NIV)
God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self-control.
2 Tim 1:7 (New Century Version)
Shane, Suwanee, GA “I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:” (Lam. 3:19-21) Did this a bit backwards (started with vv. 22-24), but wanted to memorize the whole passage. 🙂
Caitlin, Omaha:
“Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
for You are the God of my salvation;
for You I wait all the day long.”
Psalm 25:5 ESV
everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Phil. 3:8
Helen, Broxton, GA
They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings and with him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers. Revelation 17:14 NIV
We start Here and Now…There and Then next week…..so excited!!!
Ashleigh Marshall, San Antonio, TX,
Matthew 11:28-29
“Come to me, all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.”
NLT
Shaley
Mineral Wells Tx
“Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth;there is nothing false about him.” John 7:18 NIV2010
Proverbs : NIV
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Sarah Noah, Canoga Park, CA: “Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies” Proverbs 3:10 NKJV
Melissa, Vicksburg, MS “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our day.” Psalm 90:14 NIV
Alicia, Columbus, OH ~ “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 (KJV)
Sheila, Russellville, AR: “I am 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
Deuterononmy 31:7-8 (NLT)
Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched, he said to him,
“Be strong and courageous!
For you will lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them.
You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land.
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you.
He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
I woke up hearing “hold steady, hold strong”-
Angie
Deltona FL
Paula, Hendersonville, TN Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing. Psalm 141:3-4a
Karen
Rochester, MN
Ps. 16:7-8 NLT
I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
Kelly, Fort Myers: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Ps. 19:14 ESV
Debra, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
But Jesus looked at them and said , With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible. Mark 10:27 New KJV
Margee, Chattanooga
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
Naomi, Santa Barbara, CA: “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.” Romans 15:13 NIV
Chrissy from Tampa: This is what the Lord says – He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV
Right between the eyes:
Ephesians 4:31-32 (New Living Translation)
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting”. Acts 2:1-2
Therefore, as you received ChristJesus the Lord,so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught,abounding in thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)
Erika W. from Appleton WI…. Psalms 63:1 O God you are my God I shall seek you earnestly, my soul thirst for you, my flesh yearns for you, in a dry and weary land where ther is no water
Paula, Brownwood, Tx
Hebrews 4:12. NET
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.
Kathy, Fort Worth “O Lord Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.” Isaiah 37:16 (NIV)
Mary Vigil, Brighton CO
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7 NIV
Gloria Hill Victorville Ca
Romans 12:21 (NIV)
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with Good.
Sue C., Middletown, “Casting the whole of your care—all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all—on Him; for He cares for you affectionately, and cares about you watchfully.” 1 Peter 5:8 (Amplified)
Jane, Canton,IL Verse 2
“You are my hiding place and my shield.
I hope in your word.”
Psalm 119:114 NKJV
Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body is also full of light. Luke 11:34 NIV
Staci W, Holland, MI:
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thes. 5:16
Rissa, Boaz: “Hear my prayer, O LORD, listen to my cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping.” Psalms 39:12 NIV
God has not given us a spirit of fear,but of power and of love and of a sound mind. II Tim 1:7 NIV
Chyrll, Memphis TN: “The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.”
Psalm 1:4-6 NASB
mitzi, Brandon,MS
Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, His blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people..and not just barely free, either, ABUNDANTLY free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans He took such delight in making. IT’S IN CHRIST THAT WE FIND OUT WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE ARE LIVING FOR. Ephesians 1:7-9,11 message
Michele, Pearland, TX
“Your words were found and I ate them,
And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart.” Jeremiah 15: 16a NASB