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!
Heather, Warrensburg, MO
Do not 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
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. Romans 8:26 (ESV) Andea Patronella, Dallas, TX
Cathy Baker, Raleigh, NC
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
I Peter 4:19 NIV
Lisa Curtis, Jackson, MO
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out. Romans 11:33 NIV
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you o Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalms 4:8 NIV
I love this verse. I taught it to my niece and another girl who suffered from terrible nightmares to say as a bedtime prayer and it worked! Praise God!
NURSEGIN – SOUTH POINT ,OHIO
IN THE SAME WAY, LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE BEFORE MEN, THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS AND PRAISE YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN. MATHEW 5:16 NIV
Psalm 40:5 Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us; there is none compared with You. If I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count.
Kelly, Charlotte, NC
Luke 14:11 NIV
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Briten Corriveau, North Providence, RI. So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Col 3:12 NASB
Catrina, Plano, TX
“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalms 118:24 NLT
Becky – Cynthiana – Jeremiah 32:17 Ah, Soverign Lord you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is to hard for you. NIV
Janean, Lakeville: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.” Jeremiah 29:13-14a NIV
Deb, Pelzer, SC
Psalm 119: 40: “How I long for Your precepts! Preserve my life in Your righteousness.” (NIV)
Pat, Littlefield, Tx….Romans 15:13…”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.” NIV
Kristen from Covington, Ga:
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4, NIV
Lori Buford, GA: “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12 NKJV
Monica Hart-Atwood. Lansing, IL. Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform any longer to the pattern 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.” (NIV)
Louisa, Austin
And God said, “Let ther be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separtated the light from the darkness. Gen 1:3-4 ESV
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:22
Lara, Spring Hill, TN
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Col 3:23 NIV
Christa, Greeneville TN:
She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26 NASB
Letty, Puyallup, WA
God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (NASB)
Sara, Denver “Do everything without grumbling or complaining.” Philipians 2:14 (NIV)
Tracie- Taylorville, Il
“You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”
Psalm 32:2 [NIV]
Sarah, Marshfield, MO “For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from a snare” Proverbs 3:26 HCSB
Lydia Owasso, OK
James 1:2-4
“2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 2:3-5
Emily, Bay Village, Ohio
I, even I, am the lord, and apart from me there is no savior. Isaiah 43:11 NIV
Amanda, Queen City, TX “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
Tanya, Killen. “For God did not give us (me) a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 The NET Bible.
BJ, Kansas City, MO
Ephesians 3:17b-19
“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses all knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Liz – Mascoutah, Il
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24, NIV
Emily Schmitz, St.Louis MO “He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.” Proverbs 21:23
Brittany, Jacksonville, AL: ” When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need–words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.” Ephesians 4:29 New century version
Natasha, Omaha
Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you. I will carry you and save you. Isaiah 46:4 NET
This one is for parenting my 2 yr old 🙂
“BRETHREN, IF any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also.” Galatians 6:1 Amp
Kim; Anchorage, Alaska. The LORD your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; he renews you by his love; he shouts for joy over you.” Zephaniah 3:17 Net Bible
Berni, Albuquerque, NM. Trust jn the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
Jamie, Kennewick
Create in me a pure heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Gina; Houston
“…but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.”
Daniel 11:32b
I am also reading through the bible this year for the first time. Marking these precept words along the way:
God, LORD, Covenant, righteousness, but, if, altar, good
Phrases like:
the LORD is with you
he talked with God
God remembered
and he did all that God commanded
Interesting journey so far…
Posting for my mother-in-law, Toni Keeling in Athens, Ga:
“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Hebrews 13:2 (NIV)
Deliver me from my enemies, O God; protect me from those who rise up aginst me. Psalms 59:1
Sheri, Madison, Ohio
2 Timothy 2:24
“And the Lord’s bondservant must not be quarrelsome,but be kind to all,able to teach,patient when wronged.”
“Blessed is the man who perseveresunder trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12 (NIV)
Lawrence, KS
Cheryl, Alabaster, AL. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
“Show me your ways, O 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. Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.”
Psalm 25:4-7
NIV
Lisa Day
Surprise, Arizona
Psalm 37:5 (ESV)
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will act.
Nancy, Oshkosh, WI
Tammy, Clarksville, TN:
Starting “Breaking Free” so….
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galations 5:1 (NIV)
Debbie, Fisherville, Ky. “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 your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6&7 NIV
Lyndsay, New Castle, IN.
(We are)Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Titus 2:13&14–NKJV