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!
Linda, Dallas Tx
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
Psalm 91:1–3 (ESV)
Holla, Milford, OH
6 Do not anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will gaurd your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Amy, McDonough, GA Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Phil. 2:3 (NIV)
Lyli, Fort Lauderdale,
Psalms 25:14 (NKJV):
“The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him,
And He will show them His covenant. “
I mean Proverbs 31:26 not Psalm 31:26. Sorry about that!
Romans 15:13 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.
Amy
La Grange, NC
Beth, Ft Collins, CO: 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
Audra, Florence, SC: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity… Jeremiah 29:11-14a KJV
Julie, Wadsworth: Proverbs 19:11 “Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur (glory) is to forgive & forget.” (the Message)
Sam v. Woodstock, VT
Now, faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
Dorothea, Rockwall, TX: “He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.” Psalm 121:3-4 (HCSB)
Kristi, Bartlesville, OK: “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19 NIV
Mandie~ Springfield, MO
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ~Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe. Psalm 18:10 NIV
Dee in Kyle, TX
Tina-Roanoke, AL “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63: 6-8
For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. I Corinthians 6:20 NKJV
Kristie
Queen City, TX
Susan from Canton MI: 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 not record of wrongs. ICor13:4-5 NIV
Jeannie, Siloam Springs, AR, “It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:26, NIV
Heather, Shokan, NY Romans 12:1-2 NKJV I beseech you therefore, brethren by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Stacie Dichsen, O’Fallon, IL
Isaiah 26:8
Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your Truth, we wait eagerly for You, for
Your name and Your renown are the desire of our souls.
(couldn’t find the translation, took this one from the passion conferences website)
Alexis, Waco,TX: “‘But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.’ But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” Hebrews 10:38-39 NIV 2010
Trudy, Brevard
LORD, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us. LORD our God, other lords besides you have ruled over us, but your name alone do we honor.
Isaiah 26:12-13 NIV
Bev, Louisville, KY
“If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.” Exodus 33:13, NIV
Sheryl, Pennsylvania: Luke 6:37-38 NIV
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured in your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Dianne, Kennesaw, Georgia- “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 (NIV)
Kerri, Douglasville, GA
“Yes, Lord, walking in the ways of your laws we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.”
Isaiah 26:8 NIV
Patty, Stillwater. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (New American Standard Bible)
“Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. For You have rescued my soul from death, My eyes from tears, My feet from stumbling.” Psalm 116: 7-8 NASB
Susan
England, U.K.
(I LOVE my Siesta Spiral!)
Laura, Plainfield, IN. “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Zela from Wichita Falls, Tx.: Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be tho dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. KJV
Powerful promise
Marsha, Arkadelphia, AR
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your
stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)
Rebecca, Dallas, TX
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 NIV
Laura, Little Rock. “Dear Children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.” I John 3:18-20 NIV
Amy, Peru,NY, “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.” Proverbs 18:21 The Message
Erin D, Dover, NH: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7, NIV
Jessica Denise from Winter Park, FL
Psalm 84 NIV
“1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
LORD Almighty!
2 My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
8 Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, God of Jacob.
9 Look on our shield, O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.
10 Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
12 LORD Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.”
Susan, Andover,KS
“-conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us…”
2 Cor. 7:5b-6a (NIV)
SusanD, Southern Illinois,
Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established. Prov 16:3 NKJV
Nancy, Sebring Isaiah 43:2-3 (NIV) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
Jennifer, Cincinnati, OH
I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.
Matthew 11:30 MSG
Judy, Baldwyn, MS “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith”
Gal 6:10 (ESV)
Cindy, Lexington NC
Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
Psalm 19:13 – NIV
Susan,Silverhill,AL- “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
Debbie from Elon.YOU WILL KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE,WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON YOU,BECAUSE HE TRUSTS YOU. Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Anne Marie, Woburn, MA. “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 wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Brandi, Jacksonville. “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. Philipians 4:8, NKJV
Janet, Lenoir, NC: “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” Psalm 5:3 NIV
Sister Lynn
Tucson AZ
“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NIV)
Pam, Liberty: “So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10, NIV
Beth; Iowa City, IA: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” Isa 40:28 NIV
Meredith
Greer, SC
“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