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!
Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have my law in your hearts; Do not fear the reproach of men or be terrified by their insults.” Isaiah 51;7 NIV
Linda,Okla. City, NIV. Psalm 40:5
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.
Carrie
Poplar Bluff, MO
I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing. John 15:5 NIV
Meredith Uber from Greensboro, NC
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on your door frames of your houses and on your gates.” Deut. 6:4 NKJV
Chelsea, Atlanta, GA: “For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal
life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 NIV
Michelle, Russellville — 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
NLT
Adelina, Houston, TX:
The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” – Psalm 32:8, NLT
Kim, Ponca City, OK “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24 NIV
Debbie, Winchester
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
Psalm 9:10 (KJV)
Teri, Boise,ID
“Thanks be to God, who always leads us in truimph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.”
2 Corinthians 2:14 NASB
Sandy, Paducah, KY:
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
Psalm 143:8
Psalm 18:1-3 NLT
“I love you Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my Savior, my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold. I will call on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, for He saves me from my enemies.” Praise you Jesus that YOU are my MIGHTY WARRIOR KING!!!!! I LOVE you my King!
Jessica, Toronto,
Hope differed makes the heart sick, but longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12(NIV)
Kristi, Nashville TN
Revelation 1:8 NKJ
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
Anita, Lawrenceville, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:1-5 ESV
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22 & 23
Leander, TX
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17
Joy, Salina, KS:
“To this end I labor, struggling with all HIS energy, which so powerfully works in me.” Colossians 1:29 NIV
Melissa, Granbury Tx, Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted amont the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
Katelyn; Abilene; Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7 NASV
Tracy, Granger, IN
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 94:14-16 (NIV)
“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
Larissa Simpson, Fort Worth,Tx
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] 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(NIV)
Lezlie, Prince George (VA) – “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12
Sarah, Waxahachie, TX.
“Whether your turn to the right or the the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying ‘this is the way; walk in it.’ ”
Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Kelly, Menomonee Falls, WI “Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother’s breast. From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God.” Psalm 22:9-10
Ann, Faith, SD
Daniel 2:23- I thank You & praise You, O God of my Fathers; You have given me wisdom & power, You have made known to me what we asked of You, You have made known to us the dream of the king. (NIV) Daniel Bible Study!
Harrodsburg, KY
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalms 19:14 NIV
Sarah, Waxahachie, TX.
“Whether your turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying ‘this is the way; walk in it.’ ”
Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Maureen, Royal Oak, MI “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” Phillipians 4:6 NAB
Habakkuk 3:19 NASB The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds feet, and makes me walk on my high places. Habakkuk 3:19 NASB
B GA
Erika, St. Maries, ID “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! And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. ” 2 Peter 1:3-4a (NLT)
Lori; Magnolia, AR. “bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
Colossians 3:13 NKJV
Hope, Loxley, AL: Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:13 KJV (I’m adding on to last time’s verse so I can learn the entire passage.)
Pat
Valley Center, Ks
“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)
Sarah, Blairsville, GA. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you'”. Heb 13:5 NIV
Delores, Columbia, TN Jeremiah 4:14 NKJV. “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”
Kathi from Jacksonville, Fl
“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all of our days.” Psalm 90:14 NIV
Laurie, San Juan Capistrano. CA
“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 a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Psalm 63:5-7 (King James Version)
North Carolina
5My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
6When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
7Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
Carol, Warrenton – Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. Psalm 33:3
I chose this because I want to grow as a keyboard player on my worship team and I want the Lord to give me and our team new songs of Praise!
Tolu, Boston
I am the Lord who brought you out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy. Leveticus 11:45 NIV
Lynne, New Milford. “O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.” Psalm 130:7 NIV
Abby, Warrenton
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. Psalm 33:3
I just started guitar lessons and want to sing and play for Jesus.
Shannon, Chino, California
Sow for yourselves righteousness;
Reap in mercy;
Break up your fallow ground,
For it is time to seek the Lord,
Til He comes and rains righteousness on you.
Hosea 10:12
Terri, Chattanooga, TN.
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NIV
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
Philippians 4:6-7 (Message)
Linda Lexington, KY
The verses preceding these were some of my favorites for SSMT 2009 Philippians 4:4-5
Cindy, Sheridan
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Sykesville, Maryland
2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.