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!
Anne Mt Prospect, IL.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22 NIV
Rhonda – Lima, OH
Ps. 40:5 (nasb)
Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done,
And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count.
Melody, Chelsea, AL
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 2:25 NIV
Inger, Loveland “In the same way, let your light shigne before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matt. 5:16 (NIV)
Patti Rae, Saskatchewan, Canada
“If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven – if there was anything to forgive – I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” 2 Cor.2:10-11 NIV
Melanie – Orlando, FL
Ephesians 4:15 NIV
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
Gayle – Wilmette, IL
I prayed to the Lord and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Psalms 34:4 NLT
Leighanne – Athens, GA
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. Romans 12:12 – NLT
Sarah – Peoria, Illinois
Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
I Peter 3:4 (NIV)
Missy Ocala, FL: Psalm 103 2a (NIV) Praise the Lord, my soul and forget not His benefits….
Kasie- Cedar Park, TX
So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 2:27, NLT
Shelley~Ft. Worth
My determined purpose is that I may know Him–that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly.
Philippians 3:10 Amp
Connie, Shorewood
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Melissa, Waco. Psalm 1:3, NIV “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. Ps 145:3 NIV
Jenny, Tulsa OK
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. John 1:1-2 NIV
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace those whose mind are stayed on you because he trusts in you.
Kristi Knoxville, TN
Hebrews 10:24-25
Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Andrea Roberts-Mansfield, TX
” But he wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a hrvestof righteousness.” James 3: 17-18 NIV
Julie
Jacksonville, FL
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. ~Proverbs 31:27 (NIV)
Heidi, Round Rock, TX
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 NIV
Shelley, Fort Worth, TX
“But make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not have to depend on others.” 1 Thess. 4:11-12
D’Anna, Philadelphia, PA.
Ephesians 3: 14-19 (NIV)
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Tori– Used to be Winston, now Hickory, NC
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promises, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” -2 Peter 3:9
Valerie, NJ: You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
A spiritual goal of mine for the year 2011 is to commit scripture verses to memory, which began Jan. 1st. Then, as God would have it, I was led to this memory team and would love to join you all for the support that I need to stay committed to this goal.
Here are my first two scriptures:
1.)A happy heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit drains your strength. Prov. 22:17(NCV)
2.)We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. They are the people He called, because that was his plan. Rom.8:28(NCV)
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. Colossians 3:23-24
Kathryn, Atmore – “God will fight the battle for you. And you? You keep your mouths shut!” Exodus 14:14 (The Message)
Lydia, Oklahoma City, Ok.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6 NKJV
Those who fear the Lord have a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. Proverbs 14:26 NIV
Sheryl – Clovis, CA: “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lam. 3:21-23 NIV
Kendra from Charlottesville, VA
Psalm 5:11-12 But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You. For surely, O Lord You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as a shield.
Heidi in Cool, California
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14 NIV
Michelle, Parma, Ohio
This I declare of the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I am trusting Him. Ps91:2NLT
Rebekah, Groves, TX
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
Jackie Frohne, Centennial CO
“I do always those things that please him”
John 8:20 KJV
Britney Columubus,GA
“I am the Lord there is not other;
Apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you, even though you have not acknowledged me.” (NIV)
Bev, Glasgow, KY
Everything is possible for him who believes. Mark 9:23b NIV
The Lord shall fight for ME and I will hold my peace.
Exodus 14:14 NLT
Dana
Blue Ridge, Tx
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
Sorry I’m late…been out of town at the state BETA convention….
Angela – Cleveland, TN
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5 (NIV)
Diane, Ijamsville, Maryland
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not is despair, persecuted, but not abandon; struck down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthian 4:8,9
The Lord shall fight for ME and I will hold my PEACE.
Exodus 14:14 NLT
Carol P., Indianapolis, “ You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Judy, Montgomery “If you believe, you will receive what you ask for when you pray.” Matt 21:22 NIRV
Barb
Chiang Mai, Thailand
“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
Cindy, Columbia
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15, ESV.
Shelley
Pisgah Forest, NC
Romans 5:16 NAS
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”
Barb from Jacksonville, FL: Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV