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!
Susan, Lady Lake, FL, Zech. 4:6b–“Not by might or by power, but by my Spirit”, says the Lord God Almighty.NIV
Merriam, KS
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 up hold you with my righteous right hand.
Tracy, Stillwater ~ 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
Matt. 11:28-30 NLT
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, bc I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly and the burden I give you is light.”
Melissa, Concord, CA
Michelle, New Richmond, WI “To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit. O Lord my God.” Jonah 2:6 NIV
Jeanie, Arkansas
“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world of crooked and perverse people. Philippians 2:14-15 NLT
Shannon: Elmira, Canada: We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lies will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. Colossians 1:9b-12a (NLT)
Michelle….Wilmington, NC
Psalm 112: 4-5, “Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly.” NLT
Susie, Fort Worth. Psalm 34:4-5 I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant,and their faces shall never be ashamed. (English Standard Version)
Yolanda
Ulysses, KS
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (NIV)
Lawan, Lawton, OK – Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
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.
Robin,Houston, 1 Peter 2:1-3, So rid yourself of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy,envy,and all slander. Like newborn infants desire the pure spiritual milk, so that you may grow by it for your salvation since you have tasted that the Lord is good. (HCSB)
Kerry, Apple Creek, Ohio
Hebrews 12:12-13 (NLT) So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
Chris
Kokomo, IN
I have swept away your sins like the morning mists. I have scattered your offenses like the clouds. Oh, return to Me, for I have paid the price to set you free. Isaiah 44:22 (NLT)
I really like that one!
Christy, Nappanee, IN, “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 NASB
Jenifer Smith, Clearwater, FL
“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Luke 1:45 (NIV)
Gail
Ellensburg, WA
Isaiah 54:10 NIV
Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
Proverbs 29:11 NIV A fool gives vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
Kim Bogart Jacksonville,Fl Jeremiah 33:3 God’s phone number…..” ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’ Message
Susan Hill
Nashville, TN
Psalm 84:10-11 NIV
“For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
Christine, Chandler, AZ: “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14. (NIV)
Christa from Kansas City, MO: Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have my law in your hearts. Do not fear the reproach of men or be terrified by their insults. Isaiah 51:7, NIV
Michelle, Concord, NC –
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG)
Sarah, Abilene, TX
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” James 3:13
Vicki
Murfreesboro,TN
Joel 2:12,13a (NIV)
“Even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.
Rend your heart and not your garments.”
Tina, Fort Worth TX
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Melissa, Germantown. “From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.” John 1:16 (NIV)
This has been a tough two weeks for us Lord, but your blessings are many! Thanks be to GOD!!
Ellen M., Camden, DE
But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedon, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.
James 1:25 NIV
Joanna, Moreno Valley, CA
“…Give me neither poverty nor riches- Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God.” Proverbs 30:8b-9 (NKJV)
Beth Clark, La Verne, CA
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Proverbs 16:24 NASB
Kim: Monroe, NC:
Psalm 86:11 (Amplified Bible)
Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk and live in Your truth; direct and unite my heart to fear and honor Your name.
Erin, Birmingham
“No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.”
Romans 4:20-21, ESV
Erin, Fort Worth, TX, Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (NIV)
Amy, North Texas
Psalm 18:30 “As for God, his way is perfect:
The LORD’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.”
Karen, Clarksville, TN “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” James 1:5-7 NLT
Emily
Mechanicsville, VA
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. Lamentations 3:25
Diane-Roswell, GA
“Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.” Psalm 105:4 (NIV)
Katy
Grapevine, TX
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
Colossians 1:18 NIV
Carly, El Paso, TX “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
Ashley – South Carolina
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles.
Proverbs 24:7 NKJV
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 ESV
Karen, Dallas, TX. Colossians 1:11b-12
…so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
Dedra, Madison, AL
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2 NIV
Lisa, Greenville, SC, “Fear not, 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 1b – 3a
Kathy, Delaware, OH
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
1Peter5:7 NIV
Nancy
Sanger, TX
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 ESV
Laura, Littleton, CO
You crown the year with your good blessings, and you leave abundance in your wake.
Psalm 65:11
Is it too late to join your SSMT? I just came across your blog today?
So happy to have you join us! See SSMT instructions in Archives, Dec 26th 2010.
“The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.” Proverbs 14:1 ~ Stephanie from Ocean Springs, MS
Joan…Washington, MI
“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Ps 29:11 NIV