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!
Ashley, Tampa, FL
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
Julie, Weatherford, TX:Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and teaching. 1 Timothy 4:13, NIV
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14. NIV
Cindy, Meridian, Texas
Don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow! Proverbs 10:19
Marie, Harrison, AR — This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.’ 2 Chron 20:15 NIV
Monica, Columbus, Ohio. “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request 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)
Linda, Ashville. I will lie down and sleep peacefully, for you, LORD, make me safe and secure. Psalm 4:8 The NET Bible
Suzann Benson, Kingwood, WV
Blessed be the GOD and FATHER of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, who has blessed us in CHRIST with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, Eph 1:3 ESV
Alisa, Chattanooga, “I praise you because you are fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 NIV
Sandra Conway, AR – But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Brittany, Louisville KY
Don’t fail to discipline your children. They wont die if you spank them. Physical discipline may well save them from death. – Proverbs 23:13-14 NLT
(terrible two’s are starting at my house!) =)
Kaci from Midland, TX: As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. Psalm 18:30 NIV
Karen ~ Greer, SC: (continuing Colossians 1: 15-20) “for through him God created everthing in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see – such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:16 (NLT)
Velma
Colbert, OK
“The LORD is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.”
Psalm 23:1 (NIV)
Sherry, Dallas, TX- “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” ~ Hebrews 4:16, NLT
Kerri
Auburn, AL
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.
James 1:5 English Standard Version
Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. NIV
1 Samuel 16:7b
Colleen
Calgary, Canada
Janet from St. Louis, “Let the high praises of God be in my mouth; and a two-edged sword be in my hand.” (Ps. 149:6 – adapted/personalized from NASB)
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
Veronica
Eldorado,TX
Tracy, MD “Depend on the Lord; trust Him, and he will take care of you.” Psalm 37:5 CEV
Tara, Frankfort, KY
“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Ephesians 4:29 NLT
Sue Ellen Warsaw, NC James 1:19 The Message~My dear brothers and sisters, pay attention to what I say. Everyone should be quick to listen. But they should be slow to speak. They should be slow to get angry.
Sarah, Murfreesboro, TN
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV
Haley,Oklahoma,
“I will always show you where to go, I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places-firm muscles, strong bones. You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry.’ Isaiah 58:11 (Message)
Charise, Arlington, TX–
Colossians 2:6 “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Gayla, Johns Creek, GA “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 hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Jennifer, Medford, OR: “and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you; so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NASB
Casey
Murray, KY
Isaiah 55:8
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways declares the Lord.
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 1:19-20 (NIV)
Donna
Eldorado,Texas
“But He knows the way that I take; When he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 NAS
Ronda – Little Rock, AR –
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 NIV
Danielle, Sevierville, TN.
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV)
Lori, Scottsbluff, NE
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now, no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (NKJV)
Marilyn, Florence, Alabama
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Anita, Nashville
Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” -Matthew 14:31 (NIV)
I love it: Peter doubted. Jesus caught him immediately and brought him back into the boat.
Lisa, Lynnwood, WA
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”
Psalm 143:10
Heather, Woodstock, GA: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18a (NIV)
“But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.” Psalm 1:2 AMP
Annette, Temple, Texas
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
2 Corinthians 4:17
NIV
Grace, Chicago IL
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 NIV
Jenn, New York
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. – Hosea 10:12, NIV
Ashley, Kernersville. “A hostile world! I call to God, I cry to God to help me. From his palace he hears my call; my cry brings me right into his presence- a private audience!” Psa 18:6 The Message
Eileen, Rice, WA
There are different kinds of services, but the same Lord.
1Corinthians 12:5 NIV
Hebrews 10:24 NRSV
“And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds”
Lauren, Stephenville, TX
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10
Melissa from Hazlehurst, GA
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to you brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24 NKJV
Christina, White Castle
Phillipians 4:6-7
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.
Kristin, Tulare, CA – “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthed in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what what he had promised. ” Romans 4:20-21 NIV
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
We destroy arguements and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinithians 10:5 ESV
Niceville, Florida