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!
Erica, Denver, CO
“…may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may filled to the measure of all fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:18-19, NIV
Becky, Chandler AZ
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 NIV
Jana, Fresno… And now dear brothers, fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about these things that are exellent and worthy of praise Philipians 4:8, NLT
Dana, Glyndon, Md
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:23-24
NKJV
Rebecca; Barboursville, WV
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Hebrews 10:36 NIV
Anna, Owensboro, KY
“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken.” Psalm 37:25 NIV
Lisa, Medicine Hat, Alberta. “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” Psalm 90:14
Jessica, Carlsbad, CA: Thanks be to God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NIV)
Patti, Northville – “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted”. ~ Luke 14:11 (NIV)
Kim – Lakeland, FL
This is what the LORD says – your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel, “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17 (NIV)
Deanna, Kingston Springs, TN
” The entire law is summed up in a single commandment: Love you neighbor as yourself.” Gal. 5:14, NIV
Ines, Watsonville
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trusting him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 NIV
Rachel, Asheville: “My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” – Psalm 45:1 NKJV
Laura, Burbank
Isaiah 61:1 The Living Bible
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the suffering and afflicted. He has sent me to comfort the broken hearted, to announce liberty to captives and to open eyes of the blind.
Erin, Kingwood, “They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings-and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” Revelation 17:14 NIV
Susie (Knoxville, TN)
“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”
1Chronicles 28:20 NIV
Kate – Ooltewah, TN
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Stephanie – Newport Beach, CA 16
I heard and my inward parts trembled,
At the sound my lips quivered.
Decay enters my bones,
And in my place I tremble.
Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress,
For the people to arise who will invade us.
Habakkuk 3:16 NASB
Angie from Anna, TX
“He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.” Isaiah 33:6 NIV
Katie, Owensboro, KY
“For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to will and to act for His good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.” Philippians 2:13-15, HCSB
Stella, Middle East – “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” Galatians 5:22-26 NIV
Mary Ann/Mom
Psalm 130:3
If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? As it turns out, forgivness is your habit, and that’s why you’re worshipped. The Message
Madison/Daughter
Isaiah 40:31
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. NIV
Wichita Falls, Texas
Christi – Colleyville, TX
Then Jesus said “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the Glory of God?” John 11:40 NIV
Ola, Woodbridge, VA
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8 (NIV 1984)
Lisa, Plano: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” -1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV
Michelle from Concord, CA
Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there’s no use arguing with God about your destiny.
Ecclesiastes 6:10 NLT
Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” nkj
Jenny, Yukon, OK
Stephanie~ Midland, Tx
“From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done.” Isaiah 43:13 NLT
So you also must be patient. Establish your hearts [strengthen and confirm them in the final certainty], for the coming of the Lord is very near. James 5:8
Joyce, Abilene,TX
Kristen, Athens Tx Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 NIV
Kristi, Gardner, KS: “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3
Betsy, Birmingham, AL
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4 NIV
Brenda, La Palma, Ca.
”After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”
1 Peter 5:10 (NASB)
Rice, WA
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Hebrews 10:36 NIV
I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
Psalm 16:8 (NLT)
Niccol, Wilmette
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:29 NIV
Kim B., Clayton, NC
“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
Jennifer, Dallas, Tx “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” Romans 9:2 (NIV)
Teri Butcher–Romeo, MI
You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.
Psalm 77:14 (NIV)
Laura, Kila, MT “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, amd of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 2:7 NIV
DeLynda- Abilene, TX -“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” Psalm 28:12 NIV
Set a guard over my mouth over my mouth, O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3. NIV
Jennifer, North Charleston, SC, Hebrews 10:19-22, NIV:
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Deanna, Denver, CO
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ROMANS 12:12 NIV
Ecclesiastes 12:11-12
“The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well driven nails, given by one Shepherd. And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.”
NKJV
Carolyn
Wheaton
Hickory, NC
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40 KJV
Julie, Fredericksburg, VA.
“I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for Him.” Lamentations 3:24 NIV
Terri, Pinehurst, NC
15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thes 5:15-18 NKJV
Dee Dee, San Antonio, TX:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
Heather, Auburn, AL – “For I hold you by your right hand–I the Lord your God, and I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid, I am here to help you.'” Isaiah 41:13 (NLT)