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!
Rachele, Saginaw, TX; Deuteronomy 32:4, “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” NIV (c)1984
Chel
Don’t you realize that whoever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive his approval. Romans 6:16, NLT
Victoria, Rockford, IL.
Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Prov 3:5-6 (AMP)
Beverly, Fresno, For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6 NIV
Sharon, Florien. Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Lainee, Flagstaff-Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel-Philippians 1:27-ESV
I missed week 1 so here are week 1 and week 2:
Revis, Leander, TX – When I am afraid, I will trust in you. Psalm 56:3 NIV
Revis, Leander, TX – You discern my going out and my lying down; you are famliar with all my ways. Psalm 139:3 NIV
Pam, Tyler, TX
“Post a guard at my mouth, God, set a watch at the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3, MSG
Yes! I need to learn this! I think I will do this next!
Bless ya! x
Sharon, Florien. Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unseachable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Marla, Columbus OH
But if anyone has the world’s goods and see his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?
I John 3:17 (ESV)
Cortni, Coden, Psalm 118:8 “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” KJV
Laurie from Newburgh, In.
Ps. 105:4
“Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His prescence continually.” ESV
Patti, Ft. Walton Beach, FL; “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5; NIV
I’m making this one my second week memory verse, too!
“But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.” Psalm 13:5-6 NLT
Cheryl, Bonney Lake, WA “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” John 12:26 (NKJV)
Tammy – Tampa, FL
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV
Staci, Waveland, MS
Galatians 5:16 (New International Version, ©2010)
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Jaclyn, Houston. “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
Erin – Denver, CO
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
Mar Jo, The Woodlands, I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. Jeremiah 31:13
Cindy~Medical Lake, Washington
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)
Shonda, Aurora, SD
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Philippians 3:7 NASB
Tiffany, Knoxville “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9 KJV
virginia, Ramona,
He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
Prov 13:3 nkjv
“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.”
Psalm 19:7
Traci ~ Vadnais Heights, MN.
O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself;
how I praise you!
I will honor you as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to you in prayer,
You satisfy me more than the richest of foods.
I will praise you with songs of joy!
I lie awake thinking of you,
meditating on you through the night.
I think how much you have helped me;
I sing for joy in the shadow of your protecting wings.
I will follow close behind you;
Your strong hand holds me securely!
Psalm 63:1-8 (NLT)
Becca, Hoyleton, IL
“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy2:22 NIV
Hannah, Chesterland “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:17-18 NIV
Cara, Fridley, MN
My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.
Proverbs 2:1-5 (NLT)
Psalm 117:2 (NIV)
For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Queen City, TX
“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
Lisa, Cypress
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17
NIV
Stacey- Morocco,in
Psalm 63:1 (The Message)
God—you’re my God! I can’t get enough of you!
I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God,
traveling across dry and weary deserts.
Carey, Columbia – Joashua 1:8 NIV- Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Kim, W.Richland
Ah Lord God! It is thou who hast made the heavens and the earth by thy great power and by thy outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for thee.
Jeremiah 32:17 RSV
Elizabeth, Charlottesville
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 ESV
Rhonda, Sulphur, LA
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. –Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
Romans 12:17 NIV
… Always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily, because anger will not help you live the right kind of life God wants. James 1:19-20 CEV
Maribeth, Jackson, MS For God is working in you giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him> Philippians 2:13 NLT
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17 NLT
Y todo lo que hagan, de palabra o de obra, háganlo en el nombre del Señor Jesús, dando gracias a Dios el Padre por medio de él. Colosenses 3:17 NVI
Beth S.
Mankato, MN
Kelly- West Richland, WA
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.
Hebrews 13:2 NRSV
Joyce
Bison, SD
Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
Psalm 24:8 (NIV)
Shelly
Amarillo, TX
I sought the LORD, and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears. (NIV)
Psalm 34:4
But now, this is what the Lord says: He who created you O Jacob, He who formed you O Israel; Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1 NIV
Debbie
Portland,OR
Tracey Knight~Arkadelphia AR
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds… Hebrews 10:23-24 NIV10
Emma, Brisbane Australia
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)
Jamie-Wasilla AK
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV
Dana from Houston – I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. Jeremiah 24:7 NIV
Linda,, Madison, MS
For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but my loving kindness will not be removed from you. And my covenant of peace will not be shaken, says the Lord who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10 NASB