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!
Terri, Mount Holly, NC: This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
Joshua 1:8 NASB
Lanie Nash
Perry, GA
1 Peter 5:6-7 (New King James Version)
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
jenny, white hall, ar
“it’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. that’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for; those who are simply and honestly themselves before Him in their worship. God is sheer being itself-Spirit. those who worship Him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.”
john 4:23-24 (the message)
“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
Judy, Virginia
Katie
Duluth MN
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will take Joy in the God of my salvation. Habbakkuk 3:18 ESV
Kim, North Branch, MN “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.” Ephesians 6:12 NIV
Dawn – Menomonee Falls, WI
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 (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.” Zephaniah 3:17
Beth, Houston
Stacie, Cedar Rapids, IA
Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Be Joyful always: pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Annette Peterson, Maplewood MN
Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you. Luke 11:36 NIV
Lisa – Spring, TX
From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is His name. Luke 1:48-49 NIV
Cheryl, Lilburn, Ga “Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 (NAS)
Kelly, Fairfax, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” ! Cor. 10:31 NIV
Hebrews 3:7&8 Warning against unbelief – So, as the Holy Spirit says: ” Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert…
Johnnie
Wake Forest, NC
“And He will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; The fear of the LORD is His treasure.” NASB
Isaiah 33:6
Judy, Holly Springs, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 NIV
Cindy, Huntingdon, PA “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Amy, Kansas
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
Is. 26:4
natalie, millington – “i will sing to the LORD as long as i live; i will sing praise to my God while i have my being. let my meditation be pleasing to Him; as for me, i shall be glad in the LORD.” psalm 104:33-34 (NASB)
Lisa – Spring, TX
From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is His name. Luke 1:49
Mandy in Byram, MS, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11 NIV
Jamie, Fayetteville, GA
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
(Already breaking my “I always memorize in KJV rule” on my second verse! Love it in The Message! LOL)
Kathleen, Ashland
“Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.” Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Psalm 91:2
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” NIV
Memphis, TN
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful ,I know that full well. neita. red oak, tx
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)
Shannon, White Hall, AR
Romans 13:1 (NIV)
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
shelley, creswell
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:12 KJ
Annette, Smithfield UT
Many O Lord my God are the wonders You have done. The tinkgs 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 Thanks for suggesting this one!
Helen, Springfield, OH; “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 upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:5-7,9, NIV.
Courtney, Lakewood, CO
13-14 I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness
in the exuberant earth.
Stay with God!
Take heart. Don’t quit.
I’ll say it again:
Stay with God.
Psalm 27:13-14
The Message
Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from Your law. I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me. Psalm 119:18, 19 New American Standard
Hawk – Houston
1 Corinthians 2:9
However it is written:
“No eye has seen,
No ear has heard
No mind has conceived
What God has prepared for those who love them”
NIV
Kristi
Logansport, IN
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. II Cor. 10:5 ESV
Anita, Purcellville.
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
JoJo- Doyline, LA
“Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” Psalm 40:5 KJV
Montgomery, Alabama 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. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17&18 NIV
Sharie, Chillicothe
Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess 5:16-18 NIV
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:25 (NIV)
Heather B./West Lafayette, IN
Liz, Houston
“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
Kristi – Lyman, SC
Psalm 119:133
“Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.” (NIV)
Darien, Houston
“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
Sara, Hull, GA: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NIV)
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.
Isaiah 43:18-19
Hilary, Candler, NC
Romans 8:39 “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.”
Kendall, Cypress, TX
“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
Joelle, Abilene. ~ “Be joyful always; Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Kerrie..Arkansas
“Show me Your ways O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation, on You I wait all the day.”
Psalm 25:4,5 (KJV)
Joan, Johnstown,Pa
“Glory belongs to God, whose power is at work in us. By this power he can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory belongs to God in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time and eternity.” Ephesians 3:20, 21 (GW)
“True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.” Mal.2:6,ESV
This verse was originally describing the priest Levi, but I hope and pray that the Lord can one day say the same about me.
–Bear, Delaware