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!
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
Cindy, Laguna Niguel. “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.” James 4:11 NIV
Dawn, Tucson, AZ.
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8 NIV
Jill, Spring, TX. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, Who does not change like shifting shadows.”–James 1:17
Cheryl, Ft Portal, Uganda: ” In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.” Psalm 31:20 NIV
Sarah, Indianapolis, “According to God’s word, I have been made the righteousness of God in Christ”. KJV IICorinthians 5:21
Jessica, Fort Worth: “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.” Psalm 112: 7-8 NIV
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no foe can withstand]. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust. Psalm 91:1-2 Amplified
Christina, Cibolo, Texas
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Sarah, League City. “..The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Rom 8:26 NIV
“The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.” Proverbs 15:19 NIV
Kim in Olympia, WA
Cindy, Broken Arrow, OK
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7 NIV
Karen Milligan, Jefferson City, TN. Lamentations 3;22-24 ESV
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion.” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
Donna, Whitesboro, NY 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
Nancy, Wichita, KS
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1, NIV
Julie, Port Huron, Mi –
Isaiah 61:7 Instead of your shame you shall have double honor,
And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion.
Therefore in their land they shall possess double;
Everlasting joy shall be theirs. NKJV
Heather, Houston
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (English Standard Version)
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Matt 26:41 NIV
Judy; Odessa, TX. Psalm 86:11 NIV — “Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”
Kristen Stuart, Hooksett, NH “But the wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17
Carla,Corryton, Tn.
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
“Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it sprimgs up: Do you not perceive it? I am makig a way in the desert and streams in the wastelands.”
Kaycee, Cabot (Part 2 of 3): “and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,” Philippians 3:9 NAS
Marie, Denver
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7, NIV.
Gillian, Oshawa, Ontario , Canada
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty Psalm 91:1 NIV
Michelle, Lenexa, KS
“Keep your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy He knew would be His afterwards; and now He sits in the place of honor by the throne of God. If you want to keep from becoming fainthearted and weary, think about His patience as sinful men did such terrible things to Him”
Hebrews 12: 2-3 The Living Bible
Leanne, San Antonio,TX
2 Corinthians 4:17-New Living-“For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!”
If you make a comment from the iPhone app will it post it on here? if not- here it is!
Miranda-pearland, tx “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” James1:4 NKJV
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him
Psalm 62:5
Linda, Sonora, KY
“Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!” ~Psalm 27:14 NKJV
Allison-Midland, TX
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
Priscilla, Denton, TX: “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.” Psalm 17: 8-9 NIV
Jennifer, Charlotte, NC
I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5 NIV
Paula, Indianola, IA
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. Proverbs 3:5-6
NIV
Sharon, Barrington, IL.
“But I am trusting you, O Lord saying, “You are my God.” My future is in your hands.”
Psalm 31:14-15 NLT.
Paula, Albertville AL- “But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint”. Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
“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
Julie, Lexington, KY “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Romans 4:18 NIV
Kim, Dickinson, ND
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realsms. Eph. 6:11-12 NIV
Kerry, Nederland, Texas
And he continued to seek God….and as long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him. 1 Chronicles 26:5
Lezlie, Eagan MN
” He is your constant source of stability; He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; He gives all this to those who fear Him.” Isaiah 33:6 (NET)
Nickie, Worcester “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” Matthew 6:33 -NIV
Kelli, Powell, OH
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:12 (ESV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.”
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may grasp, together with all the saints, how long and wide and deep and high is the love of Christ. Ephesians 3:17b-18
Sara, Irving, TX: When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2 NIV
Katy, Pearland, TX: “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit.”
1 Peter 3:8 (NAS)
Poekitten, Bremerton, WA
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will no grow tired or weary, his understanding no one can fathom. Isaiah 40:28, NIV
Michelle, Marion IA
Proverbs 3:5-6
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. (NIV)
“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” Deut 29:29
Rhonda, Jefferson
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. Psalm 119:114 Amplified Version