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!
Be very careful, than, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be absed; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Matthew 23: 11-12 KJV Hebrew Greek Key study bible
Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? Ezekiel 18:23 NKJV
Julie, Chesterland “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV
Mary Lou, Green Pond, NJ
I had heard about You before, but now I have seen You with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance. Job 42: 5-6 NLT
Lindy,Scott
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) – “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.”
Kelly Wilmington, NC
Psalms 119:169 NIV
May my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word.
Charlene, Santa Fe, TX; You are my shelter and my shield. I put my hope in YOUR WORD. Psalms 119:114
Psalm 73:26, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (NIV)
Hope Hagan, Russellville AR Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 4:31
Ingrid Lathrop, Redmond, Wa
Galations 6:14 NLT As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified and the world’s interest in me has also died.
Rachel, Houston TX
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” Galatians 6:7 NASB
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Miranda M Clay Center, KS
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
Katy L., Fort Worth TX
“… 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.” Phil. 4:8, NIV
Melanie, Auburndale, FL “So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6
“I will make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.”
(Isaiah 46:10)NIV
Sarah, Macon,GA
“Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it. ~Pslam 37:34 (NIV)
Karen Hammons
Greenville, SC
“O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them.” [Ezekiel 37: 12-13] NIV
Beth, Mt. Juliet, TN
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. ~Ps. 139:23-24 NIV
Pam, Suffolk, UK
NIV
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.
Gal 5v1
say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution He will come to save you.”
Isaiah 35:4 NIV
Carole
Liberty Twp, Ohio
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it for the glory of GOD”.
1 Cor 10:31 NIV
Robbi, Glen Allen, VA
“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
Bonnie, Alexandria,Louisiana
Psalm 92:14, “They shall still bear fruit in their old age, They shall be fresh and flourishing,” NKJV
Michelle – Kuala Belait, Brunei
James 1:17 NIV
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
“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 might not sin against you.” — Psalm 119:10-11 NIV
And we know that in all things Gods works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Jeanie from South Dakota
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
IPeter5:7 NIV
Donna, Franklin, TN: For we live by believing and not by seeing. – 2 Corinthians 5:7, NLT (I’m borrowing a verse from Lauren, Kathleen, GA!!!)
Nikki ~ Lake Mills, WI
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
~ Hebrews 12:1-2 (well half of 2 🙂 NIV
Melle
Waco,Tx.
Psalm 139: 23-24 (NIV)
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.
Amy, Lakeland, FL “Do not let 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)
Kathy, Cumberland, RI – My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20 NIV
Loribeth, Rome. “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
(Romans 5:3-5 ESV)
“For though the mountains should depart and the hills be shaken or removed, yet My love and kindness shall not depart form you, nor shall My covenant of peace and completeness be removed, says the Lord, Who has compassion on you.” Amplified
Emily – Topeka, Kansas
Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. Psalm 16:5-6 NIV
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
~Matthew 6:34 (New Century Version)
Bobbie Jo
San Angelo, TX
Amanda, Drummonds, TN
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatver is lovely, whatever is admirable, — if anything is is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.
Phil 4:8 NIV
My Verse 2 is: James 1:19 My dear brothers and sisters take note of this: Everony should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry because human anger does not process the righteousness that God desires. NIV
Lisa W. Surprise, AZ
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
2 Tim.1:7 (NKJV)
Tara N., Frederick, MD
Hosea 6:1 NIV “Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.”
Manassas, VA
Philippians 4:8 NIV “Finally, brothers, 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.”
Pflugerville,Tx
Jeremiah 17: 7&8 NLT
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.”
Pam Lacy, Midland, TX
If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Christ Jesus. 1 Peter 4:11
Kristen, Vancouver, BC: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10, NIV
NIV
Ephesians 6:10-12
Finally be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Lisa, Houston
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!
Psalm 27:13-14 NKJV
Angela, Battle Ground, WA
“At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.” Heb 12:11 Message
Lauren from Spartanburg, SC. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He annointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 21-22 NIV