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!
Tammy Salem, Va.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16
NIV
Wendi from Sulphur, La
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
Angie, Minden, LA
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9, NLT
Cathy,
Jerusalem, Israel
“And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, for behold, I am bringing disaster upon all flesh, declares the LORD. But I will give you your life as a prize of war in all places to which you may go.”.
Jeremiah 45:5 ESV
Romans 12:2 NLT
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Kayra- Hazlehurst, MS
Ali C., Dublin, CA
” For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)
Love the app!!!!!!
amber r., winter park, fl
“How precious als are Your thoughts to me, O God!How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awak, I am still with You.”
-Psalm 139:17-18 NLT
Lacie, Chesapeake, VA:
Psalm 27:14 (New Living Translation)
“Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”
Kate from Savannah, GA:
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV)
Denise, Houston:
But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD. Jonah 2:9, NIV
Ashley, Loganville “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7 NKJV
Nicole, Bloomington, IL
“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” Phil 3:8-9 NIV
“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you: I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1 NIV
April
Evans, Ga
Erin, Grayson-KY
Because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!
Lamentations 3:22&23 HCSB
I am doing the same verse only in NIV. We are going to revel in His Mercies 🙂
He has showed you, oh man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and love mercy
And to walk humbly with your God Micah 6:8
Wendy-Crosby TX
Isaiah 55:12
For you shall go out with joy and be led out with peace, the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Sharon
Titanyen, Haiti
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Andrea
Cartersville, GA
Colossians 3:1 NET BIBLE
Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God
Georganne, Piedmont, Oklahoma. I Corinthians 9:27 N.A.S.B.
…but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
Jackie from Lake Charles “and the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” 2 Timothy 2:24 NIV
Casey
Montgomery, AL
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12 – ESV
Beckie, Washington DC: “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished.” Philippians 1:6, NLT
Norma, Apex: “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
Kosciusko, MS
Lamentations 3:22-24, NASB
THE LORD’S LOVINGKINDNESSES INDEED NEVER CEASE,
FOR HIS COMPASSIONS NEVER FAIL.
THEY ARE NEW EVERY MORNING;
GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS.
“THE LORD IS MY PORTION,” SAYS MY SOUL,
“THEREFORE I HAVE HOPE IN HIM.”
Merciful God we are doing the same verse 🙂
Susan Bradenton, FL
1 John 1:7 NIV
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. (Yeah!)
Katie from Dayton, Ohio
The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)
Cara from Valley Head, AL
2 Corinthians 3:18 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. NIV
Hilary
Hudsonville, MI
“So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 NLT
Stephanie, Amarillo, TX ~ I thank my God every time I remember you. – Philippians 1:3 (NIV)
Three Rivers. “And now, just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust him, too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with Him.” Colossians 2:6 (The Living Bible)
Carol
Albuquerque NM
Psalm 27:13-14
13- I am still confident of this I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14- Wait for the Lord be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27: 13-14 NIV
Carol
1 Samuel 2:2 (New King James Version)
“No one is holy like the LORD,
for there is none besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God.
Jan
Hawkinsville, GA
Cindy, DIberville,MS “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.”
Isaiah 43:18 NKJV
Anna, Killen, AL: 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)
Kim from Hickory N.C.- Above all else guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life Proverbs 4:23 NIV
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart; wait I say on the Lord.[Psalm27:13-14]NKJV Twyla McAmis, Cleveland,Tennessee
Amy
Kansas City
NIV
Psalm 63:3. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
( Thank you for the App! It is so handy to use!)
Libby, Goodwine,
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:4 New Living Translation Bible
Jeri from Stillwater, ok
But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. ISamuel 12 :24 NIV
Ashley, Huntsville, AL: “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18 (NIV)
Janet – Amarillo, TX – Romans 12:2 (NLT)
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Michelle, Morristown, “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” 1Peter 2:23(NIV)
Tamara, Alabama “For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.” Ephesians 5:8-10 NIV
Charmaine, Miami – The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock. Isaiah 26:3-4 NASB
Jodi, Loganville “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.”. James 5:14, NIV.
Btw…luv the new iPhone app!
Amy, Norfolk, MA
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8, NKJ Version
Starla, Parsons. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 NIV
“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.” Romans 15:13 NIV
Traci Angela, Montana
2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. NAS
Betsy, Katy, TX “The Lord is righteous in everything he does, he is filled with kindness.” Psalm 145:17 NLT