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!
You crown the year with your bounty, your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.
psalms 65:11
Angie, Aberdeen, SD
Revive me, O LORD, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness’ sake, bring my soul out of trouble.
Psalm 143:11
Caryn ~ Fort Worth, TX
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galations 6:9 (NIV)
Katie, Houston. “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 NIV
April, Magnolia, TX
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”. Galations 2:20
Makaela, Lynchburg, VA
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Psalm 91:4
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. James 4:17 NIV
I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me…Jeremiah 2:2 NIV
Kimberly Orr-Zionsville, Indiana
Catherine, Grants Pass, OR
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11, NIV
Cheryl, Vancouver, BC, Canada: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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 11:28-30 NIV
Ezekiel 36:26-27
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you: I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
Ashley, Fort Worth, TX
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not grow faint or weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.”
-Isaiah 40:28-29 ESV
Missy, Cypress, TX
“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”
Psalm 18:30 (NIV)
Romans 1:17, NIV
For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written, “The righteous will live by faith.”
I did Romans 1:16 last time, but want these two together.
Tammy, Ingleside, TX
Susannah in Tucson, AZ: “As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness!” 2 Peter 1:3, NLT
Hi Susannah, it’s Steph Burger. 🙂
Liz
Tarzana, California
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”
Psalm 20:7
King James Version
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power,of love and of self-discipline.”
2nd Timothy 1:7 NIV
Ginger
Paragould, Arkansas
(the second verse in my chapter I’m memorizing this year)
“You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.”
Psalm 139:2 NLT
Betsy, Lincoln Park: “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.”
Psalm 27:5 NIV
Cheryl, Austin. “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer, my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn or my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2 NIV
Jill, Puyallup, WA
“In returning and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength”
Isaiah 30:15
Amy, San Antonio, TX
Do everything without complaining and arguing,so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
Philippians 2:14-15 (NLT)
Teketa, Newport, TN
Psalm 63:3
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
Carolee, Bothell: 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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen. Jeremiah 29:11-12 NIV
Angie, Cynthiana, KY, Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 NKJ
Bailey. Knoxville.
“People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.” Proverbs 14:29 NLT
Brittany, Springdale, Ar: “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 us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20, (NIV)
Lenna, NE
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
( Ps. 139:7-10)
Leigh Anne – Sylacauga, AL: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3 NIV
Sharon, MS
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 ESV
Michele, Lawrenceville, GA
And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. II Corin 12:9 KJV
Now 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. NKJV
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. ” Psalm 51:10
Barb, Ann Arbor, MI
Isaiah 50:4 (NLT)
The Sovereign LORD has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will.
Conne, Angel Fire,
“You have begun to live the new life in which you are being made new, and are becoming like the One who made you.”
Colossians 3:10 (NCV)
Sheree, Abilene, KS “The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk (not to stand still in terror, but to walk) and make (spiritual) progress upon my high places (of trouble, suffering, or responsibility)! Habakkuk 3:19
Tammie, St. Peters, MO: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13 NIV
Meghan, Tallahassee. Bless those that curse you, bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn w/those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Rom 12: 14-16 NIV
Jan 1 verse (late) Grace and peace be yours in abundance thru the knowledge of God of Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2 NIV
Cathy, Rhinebeck. “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 NIV
Randi, Henrietta, TX
1 Peter 3:4
You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.
New Living Translation
Marilyn, Langley, Washington…Psalm 5:1-3 NLT
“O LORD, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you. Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and (I will) WAIT EXPECTANTLY!”
Dana, Louisville, KY
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” NIV
Hillary, Minden NV. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Cor 2:9 NIV
Job 11:16-19 MSG
You’ll forget your troubles; they’ll be like old, faded photographs. Your world will be washed in sunshine; every shadow dispersed by dayspring. Full of hope, you’ll relax, confident again; you’ll look around, sit back and take it easy. Expansive, without a care in the world, you’ll be hunted out by many for your blessing.
Jennifer, Greensboro, NC
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things. Phil 4:8 NKJV
Amber, Warsaw, IN: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7 NIV
Sarah, Atlanta: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8, NIV
Amber, Kent
Ephesians 6:13-14b (NIV) Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then,
Melissa, Orlando. Out of the depths I cry to you, Oh Lord. Oh Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. Psalm 130:1-2
Jenna, Austin.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Rosie, Edinburg, TX
“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight on you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV