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!
Shelly, San Dimas, Ca. “May He give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11 NLT
Natalie, Piedmont, SC
Don’t brag about your plans for tomorrow – wait and see what happens. Proverbs 27:1 (Living Bible)
Jane from Houston, TX
Cast all your anxieties on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
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 for my own accountability)
Renee, Cypress, TX
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. Prov 3:5-6 NIV
Linda, Bend, OR Romans 15:13 NIV May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Karen in Scottsdale, AZ
“But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the LORD. “And you are my servant. You have been chosen to know me, believe in Me and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God; there never has been and never will be.” Isaiah 43:10 NLT
Jennifer, Jacksonville, NC
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 NIV
Heather, Shiloh, NC
“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11 niv
Kathi, San Antonio
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the Lord it will stand.” Proverbs 19:21 NAS
Pam, Phoenix, AZ
…live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:1b-3 NIV
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NAS
Amanda Grasza, Calgary, Alberta
I have set the Lord always before me.
Because He is at my right hand,
I will NOT be shaken.
Psalm 16:8 NIV
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105 NRSV
Tina, Granby CT
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
Patty Pierce
Searcy AR
1John 5:4
For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith .
Heather from Pendleton, SC
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift from God.”
Ephesians 2:8 (NIV version)
Lisa, Scottdale… He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 (NIV)
For the LORD is good and His love endures forever, His faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalms 100:5 (NIV)
Hilary from Langley, BC, Canada:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Kathie
Kalamazoo, MI
Ephesians 4:29
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.
Carla, Coweta: For I hold you by your right hand-I, the Lord your God, and I say to you, “Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you” Isaiah 41:13 NLT
Tamela, Piedmont, SC
“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)
Sheri, Portland, Oregon. “…because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” James 1:3 NIV
Toni, Morgans Point, TX: He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NIV
Isaiah 26:3 (New American Standard Bible)
The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,
Because he trusts in You.
Bethany, Modesto CA.
No distrust made him (her) waver concerning the promise of God, but he (she) grew strong in his (her) faith as he (she) gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
Romans 4:20-21
*Personalizing it for myself right now 🙂
Ooops forgot to put version. This is from the ESV bible.
Jennifer, Pflugerville, TX
Teach me to do your will,for you are My God; may your good spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10 NIV
Kay, Muscle Shoals AL
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
James 3:17-18
Kelsie – Corpus Christi, TX
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galations 6:14 NIV
Elizabeth, Chicago
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
ESV
this is one of my favorite verses!!!
Stephanie, Idaho.
“You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” ~Deut 6:6-9
NKJV
Jennifer, Richmond Va
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your was acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5,6 NIV
Victoria, Houston – “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” Philippine 3:8 NKJV
Dawn, Clinton, PA —
He has showed you, O man, what is good and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NIV
Michele, Edmond
This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
1 John 5:14 NKJ
Laurie, Columbus “Though God gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say ‘This is the way you should go,’ whether to the right or to the left.” Isaiah 30:20-21 NLT
Ephesians 3:17b-18 (NIV)
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
Margie
Hilton Head Island, SC
The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6 NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 TNIV
Jennifer from New Orleans “Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me,” Psalm 17:7-9
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you” Matthew 6:33 Holman Christian Standard Bible
Peggy
Rogersville, TN
And he will answer, I tell you the truth when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me. Matthew 25:45 NLT
Brooke, Clinton PA
The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matt. 25:40, NIV
Kristen, Fort Worth, TX, “Joyful are those who obey His laws, who search for Him with all their hearts.” Psalm 119:2 (NLT)
Misty, Marco island, fl
1 Corinthians 10:31 (New International Version, ©2010)
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Laura, Mason, Ohio
Psalm 16:7-8 (NIV)
” I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
cyndi, sherwood park
I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13:6 NIV
Alicia- McDonough, GA
Psalm 147:11 (New International Version)
The LORD delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.