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!
Dawn, London, UK
Psalm 105
3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
4 Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always.
Molly, Bend. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” 3 John 1:4 KJV
Phyllis – Charlotte, NC
So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision — you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.
Phil 3:15-16 (The Message)
Karen, Virginia Beach, VA
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:6, NIV
Dawn, London
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always.
(Psalm 105: 3 – 4 NIV)
Heather, Nova Scotia, Canada
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit,who is in you,whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
1Corinthians 6:19-20
Sue – Oxford, NC
Psalm 27:13-14 NKJV
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!
Joy; Cairo, Ga.
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
May not be exact (I’ve memorized it in the last two days & don’t have my Bible in front of me).
“We do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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.” II Corinthians 10:3-5
Sharoni, Houston. “Children…let Me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are My disciples ~ when they see the love you have for each other.” John 13:34-35 The Message
Janet, Grundy “Do not merely listen to the work, and so decieve yourself. Do what it says.” James 1:22 (NIV)
Dinah- Atlanta, GA
What , then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all- how will he not also, along with him graciously give us all things. Romans 8:31-32 NIV
Kathy – Anahuac, TX
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 NIV
Margaret, Kingsport, TN
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Juanita: Owatonna, MN (My precious husband and four children(ages 12, 11, 9,and 7) are joining us, as well!! Praise God)
Isaiah 30:18 NIV
Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!
Pam T, Wadesboro, NC
Galations 5:22 NKJV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Jessica
Strasburg, PA
Psalm 13:5-6
“But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord becasue He is good to me.”
Jacque, College Station “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.” Philippians 2:14 NASB
Nell, Wichita Falls – Proverbs 19:19-21 A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; for if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. Listen to counsel and receive instruction,that you may be wise in your latter days. There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand.
Abbi and Chloe, Wichita Falls – Proverbs 19:20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.
Pattie, Converse (San Antonio).
Psalm 63:1, NLT
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.
(Funny today, since it’s been raining for days on end!)
Renee, Lansing, MI
John 14:14-14 NIV
“And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it”
John 14:13-14 NIV
Melissa, Vevay, Indiana
O Lord, you are my God: I will exault you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1 NIV
Sharen, Geelong, Australia. “8 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 praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8 NIV
Louisville, Kentucky
Jeremiah 32:17
Ah, Sovereign LORD, You have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm, NOTHING is too hard for You. NIV
Elizabeth, Cedarburg, WI
Psalm 32 (New Living Translation)
Psalm 32
A psalm[a] of David.
7 For you are my hiding place;
you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with songs of victory.
Interlude
8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over
Ann, Fez (Morocco)
Psalm 127:1,2
Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat — for he grants sleep to those he loves.
NIV
Beth, Ypsilanti, MI. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
“Do not be conformed 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
Marilyn-Amarillo, TX
“Be strong and courageous and do the work. Don’t abe afraid or discouraged by the size of the task, for the LORD God, my God is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you”. I crhonicles 28:20 NLT
Kim…Cypress, Tx
Look, I am about to do something new. Now it begins to happen! Do you not recognize it? Yes, I will make a road in the desert and paths in the wilderness.
Isaiah 43:19
“Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
Psalm 37:4 KJV
Lynn
Rochelle, GA
Jennifer, Niceville, FL
Psalm 31 19-22 (MSG)
What a stack of blessing you have piled up for those that worship you! Ready and waiting for all who run to you to escape an unkind world. You hide them safely away from the opposition. As you slam the door on those oily, mocking faces you silence the poisonous gossip.
Katie–Danville, KY
Psalm 118:8 “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” KJV
(I was inspired to use this from a previous entry–thanks!)
Sheila–Bangkok, Thailand.
May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20,21 NIV
I’m late! Sorry.
Leigh-Ellen, Sherman
For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6 NIV
Tina, Mason, OH
But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The LORD is great!” Ps. 40:16 NLT
Consider it pure joy, my sister, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it’s work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4
Susan, Barrie, ON, Canada
You then, my daughter, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:1 NIV
Beth, Thurmont,MD
Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.
Philippians 2:14-15 NIV
He who call you is faithful; He will surely do it.
1Thessalonians 5;24
Jena, Louisville Tennessee
Hebrew 10:23,24 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faihful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeeds. (NIV)
Jennifer Hudson, NH
Psalm 95:6 Come, let us worship (in awe and reverence) Him; Let us kneel before the Lord, our maker. (Good News)
Kristin, Brunswick, OH.
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8 NIV
Jena, Louisville Tennessee
Hebrew 10:23,24 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. (NIV)
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
Luke 18:27 – NIV
Russellville, Ar
Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matt 11:28-30 NIV
Carolyn, Warwick, RI~A day late & a dollar short…
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Ann, Olive Branch, MS- It is God who arms with strength and keeps my way secure. Psalm 18:32 NIV
Traci, Frankfort, Ky
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him.”
Lamentations 3:25
“You will NOT succeed by your own strength or power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord” (Zechariah 4:6 NCV)
Abilene, TX