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!
Lisa from Mooresburg, TN says:
So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. 1Peter 1:13 (The Message)
Erin, Arab, Alabama:
May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.
Julie, Carthage MO. ‘Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.’ James 1:23-24 NIV
Shauna, Horn Lake
“If you do right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
Genesis 4:7, HCSB
Kjersten, Gig Harbor, WA
“He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
Alicia from North Chicago
Hebrews 4:13 in NIV
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Michele, Auburn, CA. “‘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.” IICor 12:9 (NIV)
Nikol, Birmingham, AL:
“Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed.” – Joshua 23:14 (NASB)
Aletta, Indianapolis, Psalm 37:5-6 “Commit my way to the Lord, and He will make my rightousness shine like the dawn, the justice of my cause like the noonday sun.” NIV with my own adaptation into a prayer.
Peggy, Yorktown, VA
Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Ps 86:11 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6, NIV
Rachael
Perrysburg, OH
Jeremiah 10:23-24 (NIV)
I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it not for man to direct his steps.
Correct me, Lord, but only with justice – not in your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing.
Laura O’Brien: Tracy, CA – Philippians 3:13-14 – “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”NIV
Tracy, Brush Creek: Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world. 1 John 2:15-16 NIV
Cheryl, Sandpoint, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 NIV
Alicia, Gulfport, MS
For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.
Eph 2:10 HCSB
Cindy, Grand Rapids, But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
Celia, Athens, AL, “Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.'” Luke 9:23-26 NIV
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26 (NIV)
Lisa, Plano, TX: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NIV
Tina, Columbus : For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37 NIV
Cynthia, Greenwoood
If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor.
Exodus 33:13 NLT
Lindsay, Blackwell OK: Psalm 68:35 You God are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!
Allison, Hallsville. “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” James 4:14 NASB
April, Oak Ridge, TN
“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)
Kim – Warren, Maine “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NIV
Heidi-Wasilla, Alaska
“For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:19 NLT
“I am confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27: 13-14 (NIV)
Jan, Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
Andrea
Dallas, Texas
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”
Ephesians 1:3
…Apple Valley, CA
“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
Philippians 2:3 ESV
Sara, Dresser You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV
luanne, bradenton: if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
Lee’s Summit, MO
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Colossians 3:2 ESV
Rachel. Orlando. Florida.
“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
Linda, NY– 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
Joni, Princeton WV
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. –1 Corinthians 1:27 NIV
Evie
Cedar Creek TX
Isa. 32:18. NIV
My people will live in peaceful dwelling places; in secure homes in undisturbed places of rest.
Leah, Atlanta: “You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake.”
Psalm 65:11 (NET Bible)
Gigi from West Milton, Ohio
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment , that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29 NAS
Need to be reminded constantly!
Reeder, Auburn, James 2:1 (CEV) My friends, if you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, you won’t treat some people better than others.
Jana, San Angelo, 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
Katherine – Houston, TX:
Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.
Romans 14:20a (NIV)
“Until now you have asked for nothing in My name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be complete.
John 16:24 (HCS)
Brandy, San Angelo, TX “Don’t let anyone think little of you because you are young. Be their ideal, let them follow the way you teach and live; be a pattern for them in your love.” 1 Timothy 4:12 The Living Bible
Dana, Lexington, KY
Psalm 143:8
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Terry, Abilene, Kansas – “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24 (NIV)
Vicki Knott
Greenwood, SC
Love God, your God, with your whole heart; love Him with all that’s in you, love Him with all you’ve got!
Deuteronomy 6:5 (The Message)
Alexander City, AL
Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am faint.
O Lord, heal me, for my bones are in agony.
My soul is in anguish.
How long, O Lord, how long?
Turn, O lord, and deliver me
Save me because of your unfailing love. Ps. 6:2-4 NIV
Tamara
Kelowna, BC, Canada
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Pslam 37:4, NIV
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 comfort you with his love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.