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!
Donna, Meridian, ID
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. Zepheniah 3:17 (NIV)
Connie Buckeye,AZ. Galatians 2:19(b)-20. (NLT)
I have been crucified with Christ. I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son Of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Helen
Portland, Oregon
“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
Jess, Baconton
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar off. Psalm 139:2 NIV
Linda
Carrollton
that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossians 1:10 NKJV
1 Corinthians 9:25 NCV
All those who compete in games use self-control so they can win a crown. That crown is an earthly thing that lasts only a short time, but our crown will never be destroyed.
Laura, Mt. Washington, KY
Hilda from Winkler,Canada
For by him all things were created:things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. Colossians 1:16 NIV
Paula, Hanalei Hawaii, “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2 NIV
Celeste, Anaheim, CA
“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.”
Deuteronomy 29:29 NIV
Amy, Maple Valley, WA
Psalm 1:3
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers. NIV
Jenny, KY
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Ps. 34:4 NIV
Lori, Owasso
“for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.” Psalm 26:3
Janet, Moberly, Missouri
Psalm 73:26 (New International Version, 2010)
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Shreveport, LA
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Galatians 6:9-10 NIV
We are destroying speculations & every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, & we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:4 (NASB)
Heather
Cypress, Texas
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalm 18:2 NIV
Tammy-Siloam,NC: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14(NIV)
Susan, Longmont, CO: “Please, LORD, be kind to us! We depend on you. Make us strong each morning, and come to save us when we are in trouble.” Isaiah 33:2 (Contemporary English Version)
Elizabeth
Wilmette, IL
PSALM 5:1-3, NIV
Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing.
Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Galatians 5:16 (TNIV)
Linda, Blue Springs, MO:
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17 NKJV
Michelle, Spokane WA
Jabez cried to the GOD of Israel, saying, Oh that You would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and You would keep me from evil so it might not hurt me! And God granted his request
1Chronicles 4:10. (Amplified Bible)
Above all else guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth, keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left, keep your feet from evil. Proverbs 4:23-27 NIV
Phil 4:6-7 NIV
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.
Nancy, Birmingham ~
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the One who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:5-6 (Message)
Camille-Keller, TX on vaca in Disney World
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 higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV
Melanie, Greenbrier, TN
The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him. Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His Hand. Psalm 37:23-24 NIV(2010)
Amy, Tyler
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit
of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Marci, Wichita Psalm 139:9 NIV – I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Lindsey; Philadelphia, MS.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NASB
Dawn from Elmore, Alabama
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Ephesians 5:17 NIV
Karie Vancouver, WA
“The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.” Isaiah 58:11 NIV
Here’s my verse!
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV
Thanks to my accountability buddy Lauren for doing this with me 🙂
Misty~ Douglas, WY
But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He 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
Misty I am so close to you and I grew up in Douglas.
Nancy – Gilford, NH
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners
(Isaiah 61:1) NIV
Darcia, Nashville
She keeps good watch on the conduct of her household no bread of idleness for her. Proverbs 31:27 (amp)
“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”….that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:9 New King James).
I love that verse . When I was a single Mom 22 years ago my Pastor’s wife Sally Breedlove called me one morning and said God had this verse for me on her heart that morning. It was about February 1989 right after my first husband had left me and our 2 young Daughters.
WOW! How GOD used that verse to set my feet on HIS path. I praise GOD so much for all of HIS word that has steered me in HIS direction not mine.
Kim, Centertown, MO
All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side.
2 Chronicles 15:15 NIV
For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
Amy Sullins
Gadsden, AL
Mildred, Mer Rouge, LA, I’m jumping in late with both the 1st and the 15th memory verses.
“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
“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12,13 NIV
Jennifer, danville il
“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
Janice, Tulsa. “You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” 1 Peter 3:4 The NLT Bible
Sarah, Isle, MN
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)
Rebecca, Houston.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or prasieworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-10 NIV translation
Bev in Galveston County- Here is my 2nd verse
Isaiah 40:31 (New International Version, ©2010)
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.
Janny, Helena MT
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
1 Peter 2:24 NIV
Proverbs 16:9
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”
NLT
Allie, Dallas,TX:
“Forget about what’s happened! Don’t keep going over old history. Be alert! Be present! I’m about to do something brand new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is. I’m making a road in the desert and rivers in the badlands.” Isaiah 43:18-19, The Message
I would have lost heart, 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! (Psalm 27:13-14 NKJV)
Denise Ferrell, Stillwater, Ok
Lori, Salem, OR
“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:7-8 NAS
You crown the year with your good blessings, and you leave abundance in your wake. Psalms 65:11 (NET)
Lynn, Missouri, 2 Lamentations 3:25-27 God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. It’s a good thing when you’re young to stick it through the hard times. (msg)
Jackie, Cypress,TX
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Isaiah 6:8. NIV