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!
Emily, Monroe, Louisiana: “Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.” Proverbs 31:25-26 NKJV
Ellen from Bad Axe
in Michigan’s Thumb
“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
Through these He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 1 Peter 1:4, NIV
Cathy, Mason, REV 17:14
They will make war against the Lamb
But the Lamb will overcome them
Because He is Lord of Lord and King of Kings
And with Him will be His Called,
Chosen and faithful followers.
Debra from Calgary, Alberta
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. They say of the Lord ” He is my refufe and my fortress my, God in whom I trust”
Psalm 91:1-2 TNIV
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV
Deb
Windsor, CT
Christy from Lancaster, PA: The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)
Becca Daly
Surprise, AZ
Immediately the boys father exclaimed; “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief”
Mark 9:24 NIV
🙂
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NIV
Brenda
Chicago, IL
Tricia Union Ky
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:4 NIV
Nightingale, Miami, FL
Psalm 65:11 (NLT)
“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.”
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
Lisha, Wetumpka, AL: “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” — Colossians 2:6-7 (NASB)
Carla Ritz, Lock Haven PA: 2 Peter 1:3 “Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” NASB
Gosh, am I really the first?? Laura from snowy Canton MI.
Romans 12:1 The Message
So,here’s what I want you to do, God helping you, take your everyday, ordinary life, your sleeping, eating, going to work and walking around life and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him.
I just love The Message Translation on this verse. It is so clear that anyone can understand it. I am just so thankful for all the precious brothers and sisters who work hard to provide us with all the wonderful Bible Translations, you are a great blessing.
I am thankful too for sisters & brothers in Christ! I’m even more thankful that we’ll all worship our King together one day in eternity! <3
Donna, DFW area, Texas, Colossians 4:2 NIV
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
(this is the verse the Lord gave me when we started hearing the news about Joanne on Tuesday morning)
Ashley, Atlanta, GA:
“As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.” – Psalm 17:15, NASB
Lisa, Siloam Springs, AR
“Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Isaiah 43:18-19 (The Message)
Tanya, West Paducah, ESV: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
Tracey from Shawnee, Kansas
Ephesians 4: 2-4 (The Message)
I want you to get out there and walk -better yet, run!- on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you strolling off a path that goes nowhere. And mark you do this in discipline-, not in fits and starts, but steadily pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.
Jane H., Effingham, IL
And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering.
Daniel 11:33 NKJV
Jean, Maryville, TN: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Zela in Wichita Falls, Texas
Love this site; it has enriched my walk with Jesus!!
Christine, California. Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose. Proverbs 18:21 Message
Lindsey, Fuquay-Varina, NC
“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)
Christy, Conifer, Colorado
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
I Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV
Victoria, Fort Worth, “They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of Kings – and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers.” NIV
Janet, Georgia. “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” 1 Peter 1:13, NIV
Jennifer, Chantilly, The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Bridge City, TX
You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake. Psalm 65:11
AHHHHHHH! I didn’t know you were on here! LOVE YOU!
Bekah from Marion, IN: “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 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
Theresa Bradford
Pace, Florida
Isaiah 43:18&19
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up: do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
Andrea, Louisville
“Then he said to them all: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Luke 9:23
Laurie, Gibsonville, NC
Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for on You do I lean and in You do I trust! Cause me to know the way where I should walk, for I lift up my inner self to You. Psalm 143:8 AMP Bible
Jenny, Des Moines, Iowa. She opens her mouth with wisdom and on her tongue is the law of kindness. Psalm 31:26 NKJV
Nicole, Parker, CO
“In your unfailing love, silence my enemies, destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.”
Psalm 143:12 NIV
Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.
2 Corinthians 3:4-5 NIV
Karessa, Peoria, IL
Anne from Hot Springs, AR
“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV
Anna, Tyler Texas:
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
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 (NIV)
Doing same verse 🙂
Valerie
Sparks, Nevada
Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. Ephesians 3:20 NLT
Rachel, Minneapolis: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe…”
Hebrews 12:28 NIV
Adrienne, Clarksville
“My heart says of you, “Seek His face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.
Psalm 27.8 (NIV)
Cindy, Lexington,KY – Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your GOD goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deut. 31:6 NIV
The unfolding of Your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. Ps 119:130 ESV
Deborah, Philadelphia, PA (joining this month)
Verse 1: John 8:31-32: To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”(NIV)
Verse 2: Job 12:7-8 But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you… (NIV) (verses 9,10 next time!)
Gizmo, Spring Branch, TX
“I love You, LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in Whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:1-2 NIV
Hi Gizmo!
Barbara, New Bern, NC James 1:2,3 NIV “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
Psalm 34:4 (New International Version, ©2010)
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Marilyn, Vicksburg, MS
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 (NIV)