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!
Meredith kelseyville, ca James 1:4
“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”
Lynn South Carolina
“If you think that you are being religious,
but can’t control your tongue,
you are fooling yourself,
and everything you do is useless.”
James 1:26 CEV
Susie, Alice, TX
“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” Romans 8:18, NLT
Wanda
Osborn, Missouri
Psalm 18:29 NLT
In Your Strength, I can crush an army;
With my God I can scale any wall.
Kiana Lea, Austin TX
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phil 4:6 NIV
Melissa, Thompsons Station.
You have declared THIS DAY that the LORD is your God and that you will walk in his ways, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws, and that you will OBEY him. Deut. 26:17 NIV (emphasis mine!)
Maxie, Montgomery, AL “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteouness will be quietness and confidence forever.” Isaiah 32:17 (NIV)
Dixie, Alice, TX
“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” Romans 8:18, NLT
Jeri, Milton, GA
“For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail; Though it tarries, wait for it, For it will certainly come, It will not delay.”
Hab. 2:3, NASB
Kara, Houston, TX
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10, NIV
Robin O’Bryant, Greenwood, MS, “I would have lost hear, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Ps 27:13-14 NKJV
Lorena, Walla Walla – “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38,39 NASB)
Lois, Wausa, And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Chelsea, Louisville, KY
You words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.
Jeremiah 15:16, ESV
Kadie, Tinley Park, IL
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10 (NIV)
Jessica, Ellis, KS
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
Gina, San Antonio, TX
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Cor 10:13, NIV
Ashley, Orlando, FL
But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night, and he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.
Psalm 1:2-3
NASB
I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4 NIV
Sara , Claremont, CA NIV
O’ Lord be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.
Rebekah, Bryant, “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” Proverbs 24:3-4 NIV
abby s.
greenville…”May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13 ESV
Renita, Woodstock – Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (The Message)
Numbers 23:19 GOD’S WORD Translation:
God is not like people. He tells no lies. He is not like humans. He doesn’t change his mind. When he says something, he does it. When he makes a promise, he keeps it.
Wendy
Glendora, CA
1 Peter 4:11 (NIV)
If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Gretchen in Buffalo, NY:
“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 NIV
Michele, Anderson, SC “He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6 NIV
Heather – Belton – Psalm 68:19 Praise the Lord! Praise God our Savior! For each day he carries us in his arms.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. 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 11:28-30 (MSG) … (second half this week)
Emmy
Rome, GA
LOVE this translation Emmy…This may have to be my THIRD verse! Linda
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19 NAS
Kathy,South Bend, Prov.4:20-26NIV,”My (daughter) son, pay attention towhat I say,turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to on’e whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything else you do flows from it.”
Shalene, Clovis “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” Revelation 17:14 NKJV
Barbara,Norphlet,AR; Romans 12:1 “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.” NKJ
Tracy, Spring, TX
Show me the right path, O Lord;
point out the road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
Psalm 25:4-5 NLT
Pam, Longwood, FL
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. Psalm 51:12 NIV
Dolly, Middletown, OH All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient; all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
1 Cor. 6:12 KJV
I am using Habakkuk 3:18. Some one before me had that one, It is so in time with where I am with our family plans. pray for us!
Melissa, Houston- Ps. 19:14 NAS “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord my rick and my Redeemer.
Melandie, Raleigh,N.C. 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 minds in Christ Jesus.
Phillipians 4:6-7 NIV
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant
whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.”
Isaiah 43:10
Skylar, Collinston, La. How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a persons face, softening its harshness. Ecclesiates 8:1 NLT
Debra, Cathay ND. “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live.”. Deuteronomy 30:19 (ESV)
Kimberly, Tuscaloosa,AL: 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.”
Marita – Maricopa, AZ
“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12,13 (ESV)
Marcia, Grand Rapids MI – Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5 (NIV)
Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.
Melissa Detroit, MI. “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control”. Proverbs 29:11 NIV
Leila Hollingsworth, Carrollton, GA: There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 NIV
NC
“You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north”
Deuteronomy 2:3 NASB