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!
Sara, Harrisonburg, VA: “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11 NIV
Beth ~ Gig Harbor, WA
For nothing will be impossible with God.
Luke 1:37 (NAS)
Marta, Southlake, TX
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Amanda, Richmond VA
1 Cor 10:23 (NKJV)
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
Lisa from Waycross, GA and
Donna from Albany, GA
(striving to have more balance in life)
1 Peter 5:8 (Amplified Version) states: “Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring (in fierce hunger), seeking someone to seize upon and devour”
Emily, Portsmouth England
‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. Zech 4v6b (NIV)
Valerie – Birmingham, AL
“Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.”
Isaiah 58:8 NIV
James 1:4 NAS
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Corinne in Chehalis, Washington
Karla, Broomfield,
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Dawn from Hawley, MN Philippians 4:9
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Judy, Oswego, NY
Romans 15:14 (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.’
Oops…my reference is Romans 8:31 ESV
Cindy, Wapakoneta, Ohio: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patientce.” Colossians 3:12 NIV
Kelly, Nashville,
“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
Maureen, St. Clair Shores: “But all who take refuge in YOU be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you”. (Psalm 5:11, NIV)
Katie, Durham, NC: “She will have no fear of bad news, her heart is steadfast, trusting the Lord. Her heart is secure, she will have no fear, in the end she will look in triumph on her foes.” Psalm 112:7-8, NIV
Kerry
Cape Coral, FL
Matthew 15:11 NLT
It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Hebrews 4:7 NIV
Ellen, Sevierville. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NIV)
Lauren, Kentucky: “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed”- Proverbs 16:3, NLT… had to include that the Message translated it as “Put God in charge of your work…” =)
Amber/ Denton, TX
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in the LORD, is everlasting strength.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 NKJV
Chris
Canton, NC
Wanda
Houston
Psalm 40:5 NIV
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.
In your unfaiing love you will lead the people you have redeemed.
In your stength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
Exodus 15:13
Terri, Marion, IN
Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always. Ps. 105:4, NIV
Jenny, Cedar Rapids – “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Kim, Flower Mound, TX, “My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” Psalm 84:2 (NIV)
Christina, Edgewood, KY
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2 NIV
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19 (NIV)
My 2nd verse for 2011 is this…
‘He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.’ James 1:18
Fonda, Houston: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
Skyla, MS “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32 KJV
linda, colorado springs
“the lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” exodus 14:14 (niv)
Janelle, North Africa
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV)
Di Cowpens, SC
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Jacareí, São Paulo (Brazil) ” Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” II Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
You said in this post that 8000 people downloaded the artwork…what is that? Where do you find it?
The artwork for the spiral is available for download at: http://www.lproof.org/store/search.asp?searchtext=spiral
Phyllis
Gilmer, Tx
Isaiah 43:25 NIV
I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”
Catherine, Puyallup, WA
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12 ESV
Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish but inside you are full of greed and self indulgence.
Matthew 23:25 NIV
jill
vandalia, mo
Dorinda, O’Fallon, MO: Look at the nations and watch—
and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. Habakkuk 1:5 NIV
The Journey Continues ~ With “Heaven Bound” blessings!!!
KIM SAFINA “CaliKim”
CAYUCOS, CALIFORNIA
AND GOD SAID, “LET THERE BE LIGHT,” AND THERE WAS LIGHT.
GENESIS 1:3 (NIV)
Cheryl, Louisville, KY
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.”
2 Corinthians 2: 14-15
Alicia- McDonough, GA
Luke 12:24-25 NIV
Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?
Jody, Alvin TX
Joshua 1:5 NLT
No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you just as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.
Anna, Louisiana
You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate the enemy.” But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who perecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:43-45a NIV
Carol, Hartley, Iowa
Colossians 3:13-14,
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. NIV
Melanie – San Antonio, TX
“God, your God, will restore everything you lost; he’ll have compassion on you; he’ll come back and pick up the pieces from all the places where you were scattered.” Deuteronomy 30:1 (The Message)
Cindy Sutherland, Colorado Springs
Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. Genesis 18:14 Nkjv
Lauren, Senoia “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s might hand, that HE may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:6 NIV