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!
“The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.”
Is 32:17 NIV
Holly G
Williamston, SC
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.
2Timothy 3:16-17
Donna
Ponder, TX
Vicki, Burton
Daniel 10:12b (NIV)
“Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, (and I have come in response to them).”
The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
(2 Timothy 2:24-26 ESV)
Andrea, Tempe – I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His Word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5 NIV
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5
Joan Fredericktown OH
You are forgiving and good,O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.
Psalm 86:5 NIV
Sally, Englewood,CO; You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake. The NET
Sandy
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
II Corinthians 8:11 NASV
But now finish doing it also; that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability.
Elizabeth- Richmond, Va
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is prue, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellant or praiseworthy- think such things.”
Philippians 4:8, NIV
Colleen — Lilburn, GA
I will praise the Lord who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:7,8 NIV
Hannah, Perry, MI
Anyone who meets a testing challenge head on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.
James 1:12, The Message
Dianna ~ Moultrie, GA
Shepherd Your people with Your staff,
the flock that is Your possession.
They live alone in a scrubland,
surrounded by pastures.
Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead
as in ancient times.
Micah 7:14 HSB
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia/Sydney, Australia
“When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Thy consolations delight my soul.”
Psalm 94:19 NASB
sharon/nederland,tx
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14 NIV
Suzanne, Birmingham: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galations 5:16 NIV
Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is no other.
Isaiah 45:22 NIV
Selfie, Dallas TX
(I changed the past tense to present for my own application).
(from memory!) “To all who do receive Him, who believe in His name, He has given the RIGHT to become children of God!!” – John 1:12 ESV
Tami, New Berlin, WI
“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)
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)
Therefore, there is now no condemnation in Christ. Romans 8:1 (NIV)
Molly, Charlottesville, VA
“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing, you may unwittingly entertain angels.” Hebrews 13:2, NKJV
Amy, Fuquay Varina, NC
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. – Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
Psalm 46:10 (NLT)
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
Janet, Spring Lake, NC
I will seek you with all my heart, do not let me stray from your commands.
Psalms 119:10 (NIV)
Joyce~Big River, Sask. Canada
“Yes, in the way of Your judgments, O LORD, we have waited for You; The desire of our soul is for Your name and for the remembrance of You.” Isaiah 26:8 NKJV
Barbara, N. Tonawanda, NY- And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 10:6 (NIV)
Shannon – Rogers, Arkansas 2 Cor. 7:10-11a “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
Jen L. – Roanoke, VA
Lenae, Prinsburg. “But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” Isaiah 52:12, NIV.
“All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
And great shall be the peace of your children.”
Isa 54:13 NKJV
Columbia, SC
Kari, Benton Finally, brothers, 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 NIV
Mia, Zionsville
“He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11 TNIV
Janet, North Little Rock, AR
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 (NIV)
Karen – Madison, AL
Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:18-19 NASB
Renee, Texas
Father, I pray you will cause no weapon forged against me to prevail. Enable me to refute the tongue of my accuser. Thank you for giving this as an inheritance to your servants, O Lord.
Isaiah 54:17 NIV
Kim ~ Indianapolis
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” {Hebrews 12:1-3}
My Word for 2011 = PERSEVERANCE
Jenn – Katy, TX
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5 NIV
Pam, Campbellsburg In.
Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Luke 6;36
Melissa, Lino Lakes ~ “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
Pam Campbellsburg, In.
Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Luke 6;36 NKJV
Shelley, Friendswood, TX : 2 Timothy 1:7 (NCV) “God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self-control.”
” You are my refuge [my hiding place] and my shield; Your Word is my source of hope.” ~ Psalm 119:114 from NLT [& AMP]
Amanda – Columbus,OH- NKJV Psalm 37:7,8 “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret- it only causes harm.”
Hope, Northport, AL
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
Dianne
Richland, MS
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
I Corinthians 10:13 NIV
Amy, Cumming, GA:
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming dow from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 (NIV)
Kayce, Fairfax, VA: “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
Clarice = Knoxville, Iowa
Now, may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing (as you trust Him) so that you may abound, overflow, and bubble over with the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV/AMP!)
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NASB)