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!
Jamee, Fort Wayne, IN
“Turn my eyes away from worthless things, preserve my life according to your word.” Psalm 119:37
Jennifer in Alabama
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.
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Melissa from Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6 NIV
Kristen Maddux, St. Petersburg, Fl
“How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God, how vast the sum of them!” Ps. 139:17
Laura, Smyrna, TN: Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 thes. 5:16-18 NIV
Dinah, Baraboo,WI
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. NIV
Jamie, Bothell, Washington
Isaiah 58:9-10, NASB
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
You will cry, ane He will say, “Here I am.”
If you remove the yoke from your midst,
The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness,
And if you give yourself to the hungry
And satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
Then your light will rise in the darkness
And your gloom will become like midday
And the LORD will continually guide you.
The Lord is my light and my salvation ~
whom shal I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life ~
of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 NIV
Karen,Denver. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discirning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Kim, Springfield, MO
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit!
Brandy, Siloam Springs,AR “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” NIV
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 – NIV
Jennie, Medina, TN
Jodi in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
“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
Dickinson, ND
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within is, to him be glory in the church and in Jesus Christ throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
Heather, Hot Springs, AR, Psalm 120:2 AMP, “Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.”
This is a real prayer as we await a court date.
Valerie, Scott City, MO
The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8, NASB
Didn’t mean to send mine yet! 🙂
Karen,Denver. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 ESV
Rebecca, Fort Worth; No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NRSV
Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
Deanna, Willmar, MN
Psalm 102:1-2
1 Lord, hear my prayer!
Listen to my plea!
2 Don’t turn away from me
in my time of distress.
Bend down to listen,
and answer me quickly when I call to you.
Sara, Watertown, NY
“You began your life in Christ by the Spirit. Now are you trying to make it complete by our own power? That is foolish” Gal 3:3 NCV
Deana Amanda, OH
Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart,that I may fear your name.
Psalm 86: 11
Rita, Birmingham, AL
So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isiaih 55:11 (AMP)
Diane, Tennessee:If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
Lora
Mooresburg
“See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.” Song of Solomon 2:11&12 NIV
Julie ~ Winterville, NC
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2
Jamey, Pocahontas. The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:11 NIV study Bible
Natalie G
Birmingham, AL
1 Corinthians 15:57-58
Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
alicia, chicago, il…
“i seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. i have hidden your word in my heart that i may not sin against you.”
psalm 119:10-11
Marcia, Mpls, MN Psalm 119:10-11 ESV “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Lisa, Edinburg,TX
“. . . 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.”
Romans 8:26 NIV
Dana, Flower Mound TX
Forget about what happened, don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present, I’m about to do something brand new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
Isaiah 43:18-19 The Message
Carrie, Piqua, OH.
But now we have been released from the law, since we died to what held us, so that we may serve in the new way of the spirit and not in the old letter of the law. Romans 7:16 Holman CSB
Carrie,
I am from Wapakoneta!! We are so close!! :~)
Ali Weaver, Pelzer, SC
He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it known only to him who receives it. Revelation 2:17
Linda – Airdrie Alberta (using the App!)
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Psalm 13:5 & 6 (Amp.)
But I have trusted, leaned on & been confident in Your mercy & loving-kindness; my heart shall rejoice & be in high spirits in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.
Tylee, Zeeland, MI
The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
Tami Wisely
Phoenix, Az
Psalm 3:3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who hold my head high…. New living
Amen to this!!!!!
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. Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Sherrie, Rome,GA
Isaiah 25:4 You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall. Isaiah 25:4 (NIV)
Cindy,Pueblo,CO. Ps.27:13-14 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed; That I would see the goodness of the LORD in the Land of the Living. (14) Wait on the LORD; be of good courage; And He shall Strengthen your heart; Wait I say on the LORD. (NKJV)
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit for whom you are sealed for the day of redemption. And get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ, God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:29-32 NIV
LaVerne, Albuquerque, NM “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36
Westerville
“Be still, and know thatI am God;” Psalm 46:10 NIV
Cindy, Yakima
“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth!” Psalm 121:2
HCSB
Shanna, San Angelo, TX
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 30:17 NIV
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Phil.2:13
Jane, Lexington, NC “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Becky, Norfolk: When I was upset and beside myself, You calmed me down and cheered me up. ~ Psalm 94:19, The Message
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Erica
Van Buren, MO