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!
Sylvia V.
Jersey Village, TX
2 Timothy 3:12(NIV)
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Susan Griffith, Holland, MI – “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
Shannon-Charlotte,NC:
Behold I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19 (NASB)
Dawn Gifford-Cedar City,UT
Seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33
Erica, South Berwick
“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
Wendy – Cheyenne, WY.
Psalm 27:14 – Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Cheryl, Austin, For the LORD God is a sun and shield, the LORD bestows favour and honour, no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:11 NET Bible
Shauna, Ashland, Kentucky
“And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hears through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5 (NRSV)
Diane – Spring,TX
Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord.
Ps. 27:14 (KJV)
Sherri, Ayden,”In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16 ESV
Psalm 22:1 NIV
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?
Johannah, Alexandria, LA
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Cor. 9:8, NIV
Donna, Broomfield, CO: Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Darcy, Northern VA. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14, NIV
Tammy,NC You are my shelter and my shield;I put my hope in your word Psm 119:114 HCSB
Gail, Fort Worth
Eze 36:26, NIV
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.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Kendall, Visalia, CA
“Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 (NAS)
Regina ~ Rock Hill, SC
Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does. Give yourselves to the gifts God gives you. Most of all, try to proclaim his truth. 1 Corinthians 14:1 (MSG)
Kathy, Danvers
Ephesians 4:29 NAS
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
Midland, Texas: But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgression – for it is by grace we have been saved. Eph 2: 4-5
Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
Is. 26:4 NLT
Micah 6:8 (NIV)
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.
Andrea, Hobe Sound, NIV
2 Peter 1:3
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
Pamela, Colonial Heights, VA:
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear.” –I John 4:18a, NIV
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 NIV
Kim, Dallas, NC, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5 KJV
Nancy, Girard, KS
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such as word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. Eph. 4:29 NASB
Karen, Fruit Heights, Utah: The salvation of the righteous comes from the lord:he is their stronghold in times of trouble. Psalms 37:39 NIV
Shelley C., Casey, IL
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Cheryl, Black Mountain – 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.”
Hebrews 13:5, NIV
Carolyn, Terrace BC Canada
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
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.
Kristie, Midland, TX
When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom. (NIV)
Whether you 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
Lori, Irmo, SC 1 Cor 13:4-8a MSG
Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others, isn’t always “me first,” doesn’t fly off the handle, doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, doesn’t revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end.
Love never dies.
Emily, 11 yrs old, Amarillo, TX
Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Katie, Edmond, OK:
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. – Phil. 4:8 NLT
Cindy, McDonough GA, “Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone”. Col. 4:5-6 (NLT)
Glenda – Saint Charles, MO
“Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude.” Eph. 4:31, CEV
Hope, Costa Rica, But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do. NIV
Linda, Longview
Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the Lord! Psalm 31:24 Amp
Fayetteville, NC
“People with their minds set on You, You keep completely whole, steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don’t quit. Depend on God and keep at it because in the Lord God you have a sure thing.” Isaiah 26:3-4 MSG
Luain, Amarillo, TX
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colassians 3:12 NIV
Tiffany – Clay Center, KS
May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 119:75 (NLT)
“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
Carolynn, Holland, MI
Aubrey, 11 yrs. old, Amarillo, TX
In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1 NIV
“For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.” Pr. 2:10-11
Gail. Little Forest N.S.W. Australia
And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
– Mathew21:22 KJV
Tina, Hartford AR
Charm is deceptive,and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30 NIV
Jennifer, Cottage Grove, WI: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32, NIV