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!
Melody, Crystal Springs, MS
Romans 12:1-2 NLT
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead w/ you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Mary Anne, Gilbert, Louisiana, “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.” Psalms 28:7 NIV
Sandy
Lexington, KY
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13b-14 (NIV)
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
Ashley
Queen City, TX
Kathy,West Milton. But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 New King James
Lori, Smyrna, TN – Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (NKJV)
Good morning all you Siesta
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33 NIV
Shannon Buda TX
Good mornin’ from Powder Springs, GA!!
In the morning, O Lord, Thou wilt hear my voice; In the morning, I will order my prayer to Thee and eagerly watch. Psalm 5:3 NASB
Prayin’ for all you gals 😉
Psalm 91:1-2..Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High; will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
NIV
Laura R
Lake City, FL
Amy from Charlotte, NC,
“Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:6-8 NIV
Amy, Edmond OK
Ephesians 6:13 (ESV)
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm”
Jennifer, Park City, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1Peter 2:9 NKJV
Suzanne, Knoxville, TN
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV
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
Kristen, Houston TX
“Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you-majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” Exodus 15:11 NIV
Casey, Fort Pierce, FL
Psalm 40:1-3 (NIV)
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the LORD
and put their trust in him.
Erica, Houston, Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV) Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do no know.
Debbie in Jax, FL
Lord, my God, You have done many things- Your wonderful works and Your plans for us; none can compare with You.
If I were to report and speak (of them),
they are more than can be told.
Psalm 40:5 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Brenda, St. Peters, MO
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” ~ Galatians 5:16 (ESV)
Kathy, Easley: “Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you: your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.” Isaiah 26:8 NIV
Shirley Palm Coast, FL Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:14 New Living
Angie, Clarkston. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 13:30-31 (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. Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Pat
Crawfordsville, IN
Cyndy, Columbia, SD. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8 NIV
Lindsay, Mobile,Al “Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing.” Philippians 2:14-16 The Message
“And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony”. Col. 3:14 NLT
Jeanne, Santa Rosa, CA:
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for he LORD.
Psalm 28:13-14 (NIV)
Dendy, Hernando, Ms: “The Lord is my Rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” Psalm 18:2 NLT Hoorrrayy!!! Lovin this!
Kathryn, Glendale AZ, ‘My brothers and sisters, do not show prejudice if you possess faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ’ James 2:1 NET
Lisa V., Washington NJ
“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.” Psalm 59:16-17 NIV 2010
Rosie, Tacoma
Do not be anxious about anything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your request to God.
And the peace of God which transends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
Lisa McGriff, Dothan, Alabama
Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.
Psalm 46:10
New Living Translation
Lynn, Red Deer, AB Canada
Psalm 32:8 NIV
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
Barb, St Cloud, “And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command.”
Ezekial 36:26-27
I needed that verse today. Blessings!
Lindsey from Dubach, LA: May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. -Romans 15:5-6 (NIV)
Kristin, Jacksonville. “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)
Katie ¤ Augusta, Ga: Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful Heb 10:23, NASB
AK, Lexington, KY
Isaiah 43:18-19 NCV
The LORD says, “Forget what happened before,
and do not think about the past.
Look at the new thing I am going to do.
It is already happening.
Don’t you see it?
I will make a road in the desert
and rivers in the dry land.
Were you in my BSF group a couple of years ago? Stephanie, Cynthiana Ky.
Sharon Nixa, Mo.
Oh,the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked; or stand around with sinners; or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. Psalm 1:1&2 NLT
Sherry, Friendsville. “Now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” kjv
Andrea, Orlando FL Psalms 66:1-4 NIV
“1 Shout with joy to God, all the earth! 2 Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious! 3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. 4 All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name.”
Laura, Bossier City: Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice saying, ” This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
Dawn, Gardner, KS, “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.” Psalm 127:1, NIV
Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield, for our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you. -Psalm 33:20-22
Karen, Laconia, NH
“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)
“For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any two edged sword…” Heb 4:12. “The Word (the Logos) became flesh and made His dwelling (tabernacled) among us…” John 1:14
Jackie
Plate City MO
Patty Swinford, Gadsden AL “… and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” Is. 61:3 NIV
Tanya R.
Sierra Vista, AZ
The word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to use who are saved it is the power of God. 1 Cor. 1:18 (ESV)
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 2:16-17).
Betty,Copperas Cove
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3 NIV