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!
Kiri, Doncaster, England
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live on in him, rooted and built up in him strengthend in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6 NIV
Shannon, Clementon, NJ “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
Whitney, West Chester, OH
Psalm 29:11 (NIV)
The LORD gives strength to his people;
the LORD blesses his people with peace.
Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure. Psalm 16:5 NIV
Erin, Dallas, TX
“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.” Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV
Marilyn, Mission Viejo, CA
Philippians 3:8
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ…
Paula, Moorefield WV-
…continued
Psalm 103: 3-5
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Lori, Sulphur: But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Colossians 3:7-8 NIV
Jamie
Delhi, NY
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
Galatians 6: 7 NIV
hailey (11)
Oklahoma
“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:18 NLT
Mary, Austin, TX “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! PS 27:13 & 14 NKJV
Rebecca, Okeechobee, Florida
Isaiah 58:2 NIV
The Lord will guide you continually.
Tara
Greensboro, NC
Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
Colossians 2:6-7
Lendy, Ft.Worth,Texas
“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that be rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
Sarah, Leverett, MA
“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5: 14 NIV
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.
1 Corinthians 10:23
Jeanne, Albuquerque, Psalm 100:2 “Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before him with joyful songs.” NIV
Lindsay, Centerton, AR, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 NIV
Ainslie, Memphis, TN
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5 NIV
Amarillo, Tx
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
Katie, Stephens City,Va “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” NIV
-Grace & Peace, San Diego, CA
“Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength
They will mount up with wings like eagles
They will run and not get tired
They will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:31 (NASB)
Gina, Ridgeland, MS
“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.” Psalm 119:37 ESV
Laura, Savannah, GA
2 Timothy 2:15-16
“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. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.” NIV
Sheila
OKlahoma
“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
Vicki, Paducah, Ky – Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and work with your own hands, just as we told you. 1 Thess 4:11 NIV
Deborah – Topeka, KS “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” Ps. 50:15 KJV
Jean, Columbus, OH ~ Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7 (KJV)
Beth from Platte, SD: If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. Romans 14: 18 NIV
Leanne, Abbotsford BC, Canada
“And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine nature.”
2 Peter 1:4 NLT
Brittany, Dallas
“The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
Judges 6:12, NIV
“I will stand upon my watch,
and set me upon the tower,
and will watch to see what He will say unto me,
and what I shall answer when I am reproved.”
Habakkuk 2:1 (KJV)
Lori Lynn
Rochester, MN
Scarlet, Stephens City, Va “I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears!” God is soooo good!
Courtney, LaPlata, MD
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV
Jan, Topeka, KS 1 Peter 5:8 NIV
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Audrey,Rockwall, TX Ephesians 4:32a ESV
Be kind to one another.
Lorraine,Ada,MI…”The Lord is my light
and salvation- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?”, Psalm 27:1,NIV
Paulette
Nogalus Prairie
“We tear down arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.” The NET Bible
Hey y’all Siestas!!! It’s Cara from Conway, AR!!
“At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.” Hebrews 12:11, The Message
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Cron. 16:9
Heather Louisville (LaGrange), KY
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive and inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
Misti
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad.” NSV Prov. 12:25
Granbury, TX
Lis, London: “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison – that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” (Colossians 4:2-4 ESV)
Sarah, Moreno Valley
I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17 NKJV
Cheryl ~ Concord, NC
“See God has come to save me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. The LORD God is my STRENGTH & my SONG; He has given me victory.” – Isaiah 12.2 NLT
Linda, Norwalk, OH
Eph. 2:10 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.
NLT
Amy, Portland OR
“For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory.”
1 John 5:4 NLT
Holly
Monument
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
Rev 22:17 KJV
Colossians 3:12, NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Christy, Summit, MS. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 NIV
Kara, Lafayette ,IN
He says, “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10, NIV