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!
Joanna, Bothell, WA
Galatians 2:20 (NIV) – 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.
Suzanne, Charlotte NC
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 ESV
Kimberly, Inman
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32 NKJV
Karen, Tuscaloosa, AL:
Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4 NIV
Carolyn in West Chester, PA
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” Deuteronomy 30:19 (NLT)
Valerie – Pflugerville, TX. “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” Psalm 90:14 NIV
Suzanne T. from LaGrange, GA: I Corinthians 2:9 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”
Kathy, Pensacola,
“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
Rita Faulkenbury, Hickory, NC
“Be still and know that I am God”
-Psalm 46:10 KJV
Stephanie, Corvallis, I am still 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 Lord. Psalm 27:13-14
Poland (Missionary)
“Whatever happens, conduct yourelves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ” (Phil. 1:27)
Becky, Springfield
Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
Psalm 119:36-37, New International Version
Patti, Colorado Springs
John 8:32 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” NIV
Kate – Omaha, Nebraska
“Noah disembarked with his sons and wife and his sons’ wives. Then all the animals, crawling creatures, birds – every creature on the face of the Earth – left the ship family by family.” Gen 8:18, MSG
Sabrina, Bowling Green, KY : And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Dea, Searcy, Arkansas
I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Ps. 16:8 (ESV)
Carol, Lubbock – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV
Becky, Plantersville, TX
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30 (NIV 2010)
Joanna, Arlington.
Luke 7:47, NIV
Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.
Natalie, Nashville, TN
John 4:13-14 NIV
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water that I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up onto eternal life.”
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” Zech. 4:10 NLT
Gayle
Houston, TX
Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. James 5:13
Pam, New Braunfels – Search me O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
above: Shannon, Parker, CO
“Yet I am confident that I will see the Lord’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.
Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yet, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14
Jerri.Rock Hill.SC
Philippians 4:6 NASB
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Celeste, Thompson’s Station, TN
Ps. 37.7 (NLT)
Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Psalm 90:14 “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for you and be glad all our days.” NIV
sorry – ‘sing for joy’
Christine, Irvine, CA: “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.” Matt. 6:22 (NIV)
Ann from Indiana
You, Lord, give true peace to those who depend on you, because they trust you.
So trust the Lord always, because He is our Rock forever.
Isaiah 26:3-4 New Century Version
Kristy, Shelby,NC. “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.” Philippians 4:8 NIV
Lacy Boonville, NC
“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
Cindy, Broken Arrow, OK
“There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.”
1 John 4:18, The Message
Nicole, Florissant, MO “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18,19 (NIV)
Diane, Randolph OH
“Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they get older, they will remain upon it.” Proverbs 22:6 ~NLT
Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.
Psalm 16:1 NIV
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
Bunnie,Hume
“…you are no longer a slave, but a son…” Galatians 4:7(NAS)
Sheri, Atlanta, TX
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 NKJV
“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 interest but to the interests of others. Your attitude should the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:3-5
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
Deut 29:29 ESV
Judy
Littleton, NC
Diana, Valencia, CA
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
Kristi.Conway, AR.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2Timothy 1:7(NLT)
Shannon, Birmingham, AL
“For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a might savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Zephaniah 3:17
Cindy, Raleigh NC, Jeremiah 31:22 (the message)
“How long will you flit here and there, indecisive? How long before you make up your fickle mind? God will create a new thing in this land: A transformed woman will embrace the transforming God!”
CeCe, Girdwood Alaska
The Lord is your keeper. The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike your by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever more. Psalm 121: 4-8 NKJV.
Laurie, Lubbock, TX, “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live.” Isaiah 55:2-3 NIV
“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 (ditto!)
Stephanie,Houston
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
Rachel, Blairsville, GA
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 (NIV)