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!
Katie
San Antonio, TX
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:19-20 (NIV)
Blair, Dallas
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:18 (NIV)
Elizabeth, Denver: “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NASB
Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away and every branch that bears fruit He prunes that it may bear more fruit John15:2
Kay Chester, Va
Mary Sue, Abilene, TX
The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forever. Psalm 121: 7- 8 (NIV)
Isaiah 26:3-4
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.
Rosa, Sulphur Springs, TX – “For though we walk in the flesh, we don not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 NKJV
Tonya K, Henderson, NC
You may say, “I am allowed to do anything.” But I reply, “Not everything is good for you.” And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12 – NLT
Debra, Dahlgren, IL
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the
everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying “Destory him!” Deuteronomy 33:27 NIV
Lindsey, Jenks, OK
“Since God chose you to be the holy people whom He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness,
humility, gentleness, and patience.” ~Colossians 3:12 (NLT)
Norwood MN
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Josh. 1:9 (NIV)
Beth, Oklahoma City
Psalm 16:5-6 (NIV):
Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
oak ridge, Tennessee
‘do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe His discipline; for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, just as a father, the son he delights in.’ proverbs 3:11-12 holman version
Charlotte Ray-Ohio
Shout for joy, O heavens,rejoice O earth,
burst into song, O mountains,
For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
Isaiah 49:13
2 Cor. 4:16 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8 (NIV)
Beth, Hartland: Psalm 1:2-3 “But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night they think about His law. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.” NLT
“The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in Him and I am helped; therefore my heart exults (rejoices), and with my song I will thank Him.”
Psalm 28:7 NASB
Jess, Atlanta, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 NIV
“Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Mark 11:24(NIV)
Soorin
Eugene, OR
Melissa
Nashville TN:
Psalm 31:7-8 “I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.” (NIV)
Laura, San Antonio, TX
Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. – James 4:10, the Message
and (love both translations!)
Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up. – James 4:10, NIV
cindy sacramento ex 33:13 HCB
Now if i have found favor in your sight, please teach me your ways, and i will know you and find favor in your sight.
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Jenny, Tulsa–
I Thess 5:16-18 (NASB): Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Dawn: Buies Creek, NC
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
Susan, Crystal Springs, MS: Romans 12:2 NLT.. Don’t copy the behaivor and customs of this world but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know God’s will for you which is pleasing and perfect.
Lisa, Slinger. “I sought the Lord and he answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 The NIV Bible
Trisha, Knoxville “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe” Hebrews 1:1-2 NIV
Galatians 2:20 kjv
Christy,Orlando
I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the Faith of the Son of GOd, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Karla, Waco, TX
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
Teri in Florida
John 8: 31-32
31So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.
32And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.
Amplified Bible
Beth, London Ontario
So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants. Ephesians 5:15-17 MSG
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
Sharon, Bartlett TN: Inasmuch as there is none like You, O Lord (You are great, Your name is great in might). Jeremiah 10:6 NKJV
Tisha
Pilot Mtn, NC
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah
Psalm 32:7 NIV
Rachel~Athens, GA
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 2:12-14 NKJV
Linda, Newark, DE
“And this I pray, that your (my) 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 and blameless for the day of Christ” Philippians 1:9-10 NIV
Glenda, Knoxville
They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings – and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers. NIV
(We just started Here & Now, There & Then and this is our homework memory verse!)
Robyn, Wichita, Kansas~”Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; Keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3 NIV
Alicia, Kitchener, ON: “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loved us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.” Romans 5:5, NLT
Jennifer, Conyers,GA
Mark 9:24 NLT
The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
Kendall
Simpsonville, SC
Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)
Taylor, Dallas, TX. “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
Amy from Marion, VA “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being. Revelation 4:11
Tracy, St Louis, Mo
“I lift my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121: 1-2 ESV
Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your wist, righteousness like armor on your chest; and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s Word.
Ephesians 6:14-17, HCSB
April, North Stonington, CT
Martha, Indianapolis
For I know well the plans I have in minid for you, says the LOrd, Plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Sedrone, Arp, TX
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart, Ps37.4
Rachel, Anchorage, Alaska
But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE. FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; so they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”
– Mark 10:5-9
New Standard American Bible