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!
Anne – Johnson City, TN
Philippians 1:6,10 (ESV)
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring to completion at the day of Jesus Christ . . . so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.
JennLee, Austin, TX
Okay, this one’s a doozie in the Amplified, but I can’t help it.
I got so tickled by God telling me NINE times that He’s got me.
Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money
(including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions)
and be satisfied with your present (circumstances and with what you have);
for He (God) Himself has said, “I will not in any way fail you
nor give you up, nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not,
I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down
(relax my hold on you)! Assuredly not!” So we take comfort and are encouraged
and confidently and boldly say, “The Lord is my Helper; I will not be
seized with alarm (I will not fear or dread or be terrified.).
What can man do to me?”
Hebrews 13:5-6, Amplified Bible
Janna~VanAlstyne,TX~”The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9~TNIV
Romans 8:28 KJV
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.
Sheila, Bethesda, MD. “Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:4-5 KJV
Marilyn….in Mississippi
Psalm 68:19 KJV
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.”
Tracy, Tyler, TX “Such a hope is no mockery, because God’s love has flooded our inmost heart through the Holy Spirit he has given us.” Romans 5:5 (The New English Bible)
Danielle, Columbia SC, 2 Corinthians 12:9-NASB
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness ” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Allyson, Tennessee: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Colleen, Cypress, CA: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phil4:6 NIV
Erica
Huntington, Indiana
Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you. Job 22:21 (NIV)
Valerie
Altoona, Iowa
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV
Erin, Sulphur Springs, TX, “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindess toward those who fear Him.” Psalm 103:11
Deanna – Nora Springs, Iowa
Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home!
Proverbs 8:34 NLT
Mitzi, Kannapolis
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Revelation 21:4
Jer 30:17 But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’
declares the lord, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.’
Kirsten, Heavener, OK -“Let love be genuine. Abhor waht is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
Rom. 12:9,10 ESV
Shelly, Greenville: “Show me your ways, LORD; teach me your paths.” Psalm 25:4 NIV
Do not merely listen to the word, so so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22 NIV
Carrie – Kitchener, ON, Canada – “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.” Zephaniah 3:17
Tracy L., Richlands, NC
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
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
Star, Jackson, TN, “For it is by grace you have been saved, trough faith– and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph. 2:8-10 NIV
Sharon, Kingfield, ME
“You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.” Is 26:3 (NKJV)
Allison, Kalamazoo, MI. “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32 (NIV)
Deuteronomy 33:26-27
“There is no one like the God of Jeshurum who rides on the heavens to help you, and on the clouds in His majesty. The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.”
Julia
Americus, Georgia
Jane, Normal IL, Proverbs 3:5-9 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the LORD with the firstfruits of all your crops.
Knoxville, TN
“You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light. With Your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.” 2 Sam. 22: 29-30, NIV
I also did the first verse as my #1 verse (II Samuel 22:29). Awesome verse.
Denise, Meredith NH For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:20 (NIV) Note: this verse was picked because I encountered two people praying in a laundromat and although I was familiar with the verse, needed to know the reference so I could share with my northern siestas. Oh how I love how He guides me!
Jen W., El Segundo, CA, “I do all of thi sfor the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” 1Corinthians 9:23 NIV
Dailey Rae, Richlands, NC
Look to the Lord and His strength, seek His face always. Psalm 105:4.
Ashley, Lawrenceville, GA
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1 NASB
Christy
Clay Center, KS
But I am trusting in You, O Lord
saying, “You are my God.”
My future is in Your hands.
Psalm 31:14-15 NLT
Angela
Winder, GA
“Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands,, listen to his voice, and cling to him.” Deuteronomy 13:4, NLT
Kori, Duluth MN:
Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear: forget your people and your father’s house. The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.
Psalm 45: 10-11 NIV
Deuteronomy 33:26-27 NIV
“There is no one like the God of Jeshurum who rides on the heavens to help you, and on the clouds in His majesty. The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.”
Julia
Americus, Georgia
“Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will”- Romans 12:2
Lynne, New Mexico
Psalm 11:7, KJV
For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
Jackie, Milford, NE
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Psalm 84:1-2 NIV
Laura Beth – Houston, TX
“As for me, I will always have hope, I will praise you more and more.” Psalm 71:14 NIV
Christelle, Delafield WI
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”
Psalm 32:8 (NIV)
Taylor, Oklahoma City
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
Phil 3:10, NIV
Gayle, Dodgeville: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 ESV
Gina, Kosciusko, MS
No eye has seen, no ear heard, no mind conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.
I Corinthians 2:9
Shawna, Portales, New Mexico
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3: 8-9 NIV
Katie, Madison, “The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds. The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. Psalm 145:16-17 NASB
Chrissy, Clemmons, NC
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29, NIV
Renee – Hoxie, AR
Romans 15:13 NLT
So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in Him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Brenda- Towson MD
“As for God his way is perfect, the word of the Lord is flawless, He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.” NIV Ps 18:30
Kit, Central Islip, NY
“But whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.”
II Cor. 3:16 NAS