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!
Mindy, Birmingham, AL
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6, NIV
Miriam – Columbia, SC
“The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:11 NIV
Cathy, Houston, Texas. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. NIV Exodus 20:5-6.
Jody, Charlotte, NC
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
Beth, I so needed to hear your verse, as I am waiting for God to reveal his next steps in my life. I’m learning this one not just as what He has done in the past, but also, my hope and expectation for the future.
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) Tanya from Indiana
Jessica, Florence, SC: “May the hope of God fill you will all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Kirstin, San Antonio, Romans 12:1 NIV
Therefore I urge you, brothers in view of Gods mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.
Janine, Minneapolis
Psalm 73:28 NIV
But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.
Megan, Knoxville, TN
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34, NIV
Robyn Wright
Topeka, KS
He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 NASB
Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. I Corinthians 9:26 (NIV)
Lanie, Excel
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
I Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV)
Zephaniah 3:17 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.
Darcy, Rock Falls
Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name, you are mine.
Isaiah 43:2 NLT
Aimee, Columbus, Ohio
Psalm 139:1-3
O LORD, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways.
Becky-Dayton, Ohio
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills removed, Yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10 NIV
Shawn from Whitesboro, TX
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Hakakkuk 3:18
Brenda – Frisco, TX
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it’s own. Matt 6:34 NIV
Chonda, Fayetteville, AR, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7 NIV
Patti, Houston, It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ICor 13:7 NIV
Judy, Plano: 2And do not (C)be conformed to (D)this world, but be transformed by the (E)renewing of your mind, so that you may (F)prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 NIV
“…but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments” (Deuteronomy 5:10, NIV).
Emily
Oklahoma City, OK
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5-NLT
Melissa, Colorado Springs. “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
Heather, Chelmsford, Ontario
I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice (Ezekiel 34:15&16). NIV
Cheryl, Zelienople, PA
Verse 1 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 ESV
Verse 2 For the mountains may depart from you, and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10 ESV
Christina, Hanover, MD
But as for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause –
Who does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things without number.
Job 5:8, 9 NKJV
Kim- Tuscaloosa, Alabama
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.”
Isaiah 30:15, NIV
Late to the party…
Long before He laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love. Ephesians 1:4, MSG
Jessica, Westminster MD
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Gal. 6:9) ESV
(Sorry I’m late – no internet yesterday!)
Karen K., Houston, TX — I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it, And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones. Ps 52:8 (NIV)
oops!…it’s actually Ps 52:9 (NASB)
Tiffany, Chesterfield: Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]! Proverbs 31:25. AMP
Spiral – check!
Siestaville – check!
SSMT App – check!
Tania,
Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord. Psalms 27:14 (NASB)
Rhonda, Neosho, MO
2 Corinthians 10:4
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
Kristen, Herndon, VA – “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” Luke 12:25-26
Sandra, Thompson’s Station, TN
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Luke 6:45 NIV
Tania ~Slidell, LA
Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord. Psalms 27:14 (NASB)
Lisa, New York
Genesis 32:24-25 NIV84
So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.
Kristen, Herndon, VA – “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” Luke 12:25-26 NIV
Melissa, St. Mary’s County, MD “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is in vain.” James 1:26 KJV
Sharon, Hamburg
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
Paula, Batavia, Oh
I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:104-105 NIV
Katie, Kuwait City
It is the same with my word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
Isaiah 55:11 NLT
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:24
Sabrina
LIncoln NE
Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
Angela — Richton Park, IL
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Ps. 19:14 NKJV
Darla – Colorado
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 NIV
Jennifer, Monroe, GA
My Health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but GOD remains the strength of my heart, HE is mine forever. Psalm 73:26 (NLT)
Elaine, SC; “It is the Lord who goes before you; He will [march] with you; He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you; fear not, neither become broken [in spririt – depressed – dismayed, and unnerved with alarm]. Deut 31:8 (Amplified Bible)
Wendy, Blacksburg, VA
“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that.” Galatians 6:4, MSG