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!
Lacey, Bath, PA
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.”
Romans 12:10-11, ESV
Michelle Scottsdale, AZ “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
Hope, Mayfield KY
Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 The NET Bible
Susan, Portland Matthew 6:25-27 (NIV)
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Christy, Maryland
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Angel Bryant
Oro Valley, AZ
When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
Psalm 56:3 (NIV)
Julie, Pekin, IL
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. NRSV
Chris, Louisville, KY. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. I John 2:15-17, NKJV
Billie, Franklin, TN
And then peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 NIV
And “the” peace of God
Tamara Murfreesboro, TN
Romans 13:8 (New International Version, ©2010)
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
You both precede and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know! I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence. Psalm 139: 5-7 NLT
Romans 10:9 NASB
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Karen, Islamorada, FL
Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place, that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it?
Job 38:12-13 NIV
…my favorite verse!
Andrea, Du Quoin, Illinois
Psalm 20:7-8 ESV
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.
Maria – New York
Philippians 3:10-11 (The Message)
10-11 I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.
I like the way the message puts that! nice pic too 🙂
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
‘With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love’
Tonja
West Texas
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. Isaiah 40.28-NIV
Melisa, Roanoke
Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord – you serve the Lord Christ. – Colossians 3:23-24 Christian Standard
Heather, Dadeville
“Find rest oh my soul in God alone; my hope comes from Him.” Psalm 62:5 NIV
Tammy,
Lusby
Romans 12:18 NIV
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Lisa Thompson, Richmond, BC
Malachi 4:6 – He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents.
(NIV)
Crystie, Lancaster, SC
“You are my hiding place;
You protect me from trouble.
You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance.”
Psalm 32:7
Amy, Blanchard,OK. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:14 NKJV
Cassandra, Crawfordsville, IN, “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual, [well-pleasing, logical] service of worship.” Romans 12: NKJV (with a little amplification by my minister)
Paddy
Plattsburgh, NY
Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing.
In everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thess. 5:16-18 KJV
Stephanie, Arlington, TX Psalm 121:1-2
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” NIV
Leigh Gray
Southern Illinois
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Cor. 10:5 NIV
Yaaaaahooooo!!! PTL!
Joy, Clarksville
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear, I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13
NIV
Sarah, Ohio
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
Orlando, FL
“Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!” Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)
Jenny Hope Williams, Pelham Alabama
Titus 2:4-5
4 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Amy, Birmingham. “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” 2 Corinthians 2:14 ESV
Brenda,Columbia Lakes, TX
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Joy, Tri-Cities
“Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you” Matthew 9:29 NIV
Shelly, Portland “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8 (NASB)
Tracie, Birmingham. “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”
Ephesians 4:2-3, NLT
Diane, Killeen. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Jesus Christ, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 NLT
Lyn, Shelton CT, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV
Pat,Las Cruces,NM
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.
Eph. 4:29
Isaiah 30:18, NIV:
“Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
He rises to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for Him!”
Carol from Carrollton,TX
Philippians 1:2-3
Grace to you and peace from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy. (ESV)
Rene, Abilene, TX “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
Deut 30:19 “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live”
Jenny Wellington, FL
But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6 NIV
Lauryn–Zionsville, IN
My food, said Jesus, is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.
John 4:34 NIV
Chantel, Bellingham. Philippians 1:9-10 NIV
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.
Morgan Hope Williams from Pelham, Alabama
Psalm 100:3 (New International Version 1984, ©1984)
3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Sarah, Port Angeles, WA “Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus; that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5,6 NASB
Michele, North Oaks
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Ps 9:10
Yvonne
Louisville
Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
My mom’s verse
Sadie
Nicholasville
Colossians 1:10 (HCSB)
Walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in evey good work & growing in knowledge of God.