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!
Anna, Lexington, SC
“But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written ‘Be holy because I am holy.'” 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV)
WendyB, Heidelberg, Germany.
“And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness and your night will become like the noonday.”
Isaiah 58:10 – NIV
Amy
Oklahoma
Proverbs 30:5 (NIV)
Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Peggy- Idaho
“Love the LORD you God with all you heart and with all your sould and with all your strength.”
Deuteronomy 6:5
“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8 NIV
Becky, Tuscaloosa
I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars. I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden wealth of secret places, so that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.
Is. 45: 2 & 3 NASV
LOVE that one. very cool
Heidi, Longview, Tx: Teach me Your way, LORD, and I will live by Your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear your name. Psalm 86:11; Holman CSB
Peg, Naperville, IL: “Set your minds on things above; not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2 (NIV)
Stefanie– White Oak, Tx ” The Heavens declare the Glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Psalms 19:1 NIV
Judy, East Chain, MN, “My brothers and sisters, do not show predudice if you possess faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.” James 2:1 (the NET Bible)
Cathy, Mountain Grove, MO “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
Sandra,Florida. This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel (Sandra) not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit says the LORD of Hosts. (Zechariah 4:6 NKJ)
Nitsa, Eugene, OR.
“Let no unworthy 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
brooke, atlanta, ga
“the Lord GOD is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, and makes me walk on my high places”
habakkuk 3:19, nasb
Valerie, Queen Creek “She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness” Proverbs 31:27
Nicole, Huntsville, AL. “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 NIV
Karla in Lakeland: “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 64:10 NIV
Ooops! I think you meant Psalms 46:10. I’ve got it hanging on the wall in the master bath where I can see it while soaking in the tub. I can be still there… 🙂
Krista, McDonough, GA: In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I present my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3 ( NIV)
Paula, Russell, KY.
Take a good look at me God, my God; I want to look life in the eye, so no enemy can get the best of me or laugh when I fall on my face. I’ve thrown myself headlong into Your arms-I’m celebrating Your rescue! Psalm 13:3-5, The Message.
Janice, Topeka KS -“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13:5,6 NIV
Deanne, Ohio
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
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.
I learned my verse the first day last week, so this time I’m going for a challenge!
Jessica, Gadsden: “This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:15-17 NLT
“Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that testing your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3 NIV
Michelle F., Hamilton, MT. “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
Leslie, Norwood Young America, MN.
I Chronicles 28.9 NLT “And Solomon (Leslie), my son (daughter), get to know the God of your ancestors. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and with a willing mind. For the Lord sees every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
Joyce, Dalton, GA
Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7 NKJV
Leanne, Billings, MT
She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
Proverbs 31:26 NIV
Rachel, Blaine, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” James 1:2 NLT
Show me your ways, LORD,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Julia,Whidbey Island,WA:”Be kind and merciful to one another, forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” Eph.4:32 CEV & The Message
Buffalo, NY
Proverbs 19:11 New International Version
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
Janell – Frisco “Be anxious for nothing but in everything prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6-7 NKJV
Robin
slidell
eph 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love. NIV
Traci, Lakewood, Washington “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2Timothy 1:7 (New King James Version)
Dawn, Hamilton, NJ
“To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, that the planting of the Lord may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:2,3 NKJV
Sue
Lenoir City, Tennessee
Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:13 New Living Translation
Kristen Cottingham, Three Rivers, MI
Hebrews 12:1b-2a (NLT)
“And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.”
Kate, Warsaw, IN. Search me, O God and know my heart, Try me and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 NKJV
Sing to the Lord a new song
For he has done marvelous things
His right hand and his holy arm
Have worked salvation for him. Psalm 98:1 NIV
Susan B. Chapin SC
Kimberly,
Portland, OR
Psalm 103:1-5 ESV
Bless the LORD, O my soul
And all that is within me,
Bless his holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heal all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Melissa, Castle Rock, CO
Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you! Isaiah 49:15(NIV)
Robin, Landing, NJ
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30 KJV
Madge in Marietta, GA
Psalm 16:6 (English Standard Version)
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
Barbara, Arcadia, CA
…the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way you went until you came to this place
Deut 1:31 (NIV)
Katie, NYC, Romans 8:38 NIV For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Laurie,Eureka
Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits–
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.
Psalm 103:1-3 NIV
Karla, Poulsbo, WA. “”Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” RSV
Lauren, Malvern, PA.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19
Debbie in Indiana
“I say to myself “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.” Lamemtations 3:24 NIV
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Wendy~ Cross City, Fl
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Hebrews 12:11 NIV