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!
Jodene, White Owl, SD
You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
2 Corinthians 3:3 NIV
Ellie, Louisville, KY: But the Lord said to me, “Do not say you are only a child. You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.” Jeremiah 1:7 (NIV)
Jeri Cook Missouri City, TX
Show me your ways, O LORD.
Teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
For you are the God of my salvation,
On you I wait all day long.
NKJV
Karen, Cookeville – Psalm 19:14 NKJV
Let the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
Amanda Middleburg, Florida. Matthew 15:13 Jesus replied, Every plant not planted by my heavenly father will be uprooted. NLT
Marla, Dallas, TX, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” Gal.5:22 NIV
Barbie, Yankton, South Dakota
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
Victoria
Thomasville, NC
So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.(Galatians 6:10 NRSV)
Nancy – Camillus, NY “Give thanks to the LORD for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV)
Becky
Willowick, OH
Jeremiah 29:11-13
“For I know the plans I have for,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek with all your heart.” (NIV)
Yvonne, Fairfield/ Riverside, CA
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. ~Psalm 19:14 (NASB)~
Annette, Houston, Texas. for Joanne Heim
Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (NIV)
continuing with Isaiah 61:1-3 vs 2-3 this time
NIV
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
Amber, Memphis. “No rotten talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need, in order to give grace.” Ephesians 4:29 (HCSB)
Christy, Tulsa
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God
NIV
Nancy, Denver, CO
Job25:2 “Dominion and awe belong to God; He establishes order in the heights of heaven.” NIV
Connie, Bolingbrook, IL
Psalm 119:45 (Amplified)
And I will walk at liberty and at ease,
for I have sought and inquired for
[and desperately required]
Your precepts.
Laura
Lexington
I remain 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 LROD. Ps 27:13-14 NIV
Jill, MIdland: So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work & walking around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God has done for you is the best thing you can do for Him.
Rom. 12:1 Message
Amanda, White Rock BC, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 NIV
Megan, Edina MN, 2 Peter 1:3 b
…through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Alisa Raleigh, NC Hebrews 12:1 (New Living Translation)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Heather, Fort Mill SC
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3, ESV
The earth has nothing I desire besides you. Psalm 73:25 nov
Carmen, Houston tx
Land O Lakes FL Romans 12:2 – Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approved what God’s Will is – His good, pleasing and perfect Will.
NIV
Amanda, Edmond Oklahoma
“Always be joyful.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16
NIV (John 14:27) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Lori, Atlanta
“And so I’m not going to act on my anger.
I’m not going to destroy Ephraim.
And why? Because I am God and not a human.
I’m The Holy One and I’m here—in your very midst.
Hosea 9, The Message
oops…Hosea 11:9
When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself. You’ve seen them in action, I’m sure—’playactors’ I call them— treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that’s all they get. When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out. (Matt. 6:2-4)
Jennifer, Houston, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)
(this one I am memorizing with my kids–I’ve decided that for my 2nd verse each month to be whatever my kids are memorizing that week)
Philippians 4:8 (New International Version, ©2010)
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Dawn, Holly Springs: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34b ESV
Alice, Rockford, IL, Ephesians 5:10 “Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.” The Message
Pasadena, TX “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 Jehovah is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:3-4 NKJV
oops….missed the chapter! Sorry!
Lori, Atlanta
“And so I’m not going to act on my anger.
I’m not going to destroy Ephraim.
And why? Because I am God and not a human.
I’m The Holy One and I’m here—in your very midst.
Hosea 11:9, The Message
Cynda, Newnan
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure & blameless until the day of Christ. Philippians 1:9-10 NIV
Kayla Haddon, Guthrie. “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”. Ephesians 6:13 (ESV)
Amanda Carter, Sheridan, WY “He who is the God of Israel does not lie or change His mind, for He is not a human being that He should change His mind.” 1 Samuel 15:29 TNIV
Laurie, Eureka, MO
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
Lisa, Bartlett
“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the LORD and may please Him in every way bearing fruit in every good work growing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:10 NIV
Sarah, Montrose, CO
Psalm 27:14 (NKJV) Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!
Champaign, IL
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10 ESV
Diane in Minnesota
So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you. 1Peter 4:19 NLT
Melissa, Houston, Philippians 3:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” NIV
And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
Luke 8:48
I almost used this one..it speaks to my heart 🙂
Haley, New Orleans, LA. “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worth of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me-everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 NLT
Danielle, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” -2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
Kelli
Southeastern Colorado
Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you have heard?
Galatians 3:5 NIV
Shanna, West Bloomfield
“She will have no fear of bad news; her heart is steadfast, trusting in 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
Marilyn
Greenwood
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, My God in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91:2 NKJV