Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2013 Instructions!

Hey Siestas!  We’re two weeks out from our big launch and, based on the number of people who got Siesta spirals -not to mention those grabbing their own – we should have one titanic team!  May God get much glory! (If you’re interested in a spiral and have yet to purchase one, click here for the details.) Numbers are nothing if they don’t translate into fruit displayed in our lives but if we truly decide to live out the words that are going to live in us, remarkable things are in store for the Kingdom of Christ among us.

Here is everything you  need to know about how to participate in the 2013 Siesta Scripture Memory Team!

First, a few things up front since many people joining us have no previous interaction here:

*For you new comers, “Siesta” is just an endearment for “Sister.” There’s no club to join and no person you need to become. If you’ve trusted Jesus as your personal Savior, you’re a sister in Christ. If you don’t know Him, we’d love for you to stick around and get to know us and see if anything around here draws you. Everyone is welcome. Here’s a bit of our back-story on the weird name: When we first began the blog, it never occurred to any of us how much we’d come to love each other. As the community grew closer and closer and the participants more and more familiar with one another, one of you asked what name we should call each another. I tried to say, “I’ll tell you what we are: We’re sistahs!” but spell-check switched it to “siestas.” It stuck and that’s been us ever since. We even liked the thought that its actual meaning is to take a nap. We’ll know we’ve been a place of divine intervention if we’re a respite from the female competition and clatter out there. Only Jesus can give us that kind of relief in this exhausting culture.

*We call this a Scripture memory “team” because that’s exactly what we are. We’re a really long line of women standing shoulder to shoulder with our swords drawn. (For you newcomers, Ephesians 6 calls the Word of God the “Sword of the Spirit.”) And we don’t draw our swords to wound people, to convict our family members (God’s job) or to cut off the ears of our hearers. We draw our swords to fight the good fight of faith. While I was saw stacks and stacks of Siesta Scripture Memory Spirals being stuffed into envelopes for shipping, it hit me with fresh impact. What if thousands of women really did memorize 24 Scriptures in 2013?? What are the implications of that? What kind of repercussions might that have in our personal lives and our homes? That’s worth getting riled up over. SO, you bet this is a team. Don’t be too cool for it. Remember, God’s Spirit is a fire. If we’re too cool, we can’t help but quench it. If cheesy works around here, we’re not ashamed. Just throw in a can of jalapenos and grab a tortilla chip.

*Very often you will see me refer to SSMT. Just so nobody’s confused from the start, that is an abbreviation for “Siesta Scripture Memory Team.” If you’re not participating in SSMT, please know that we don’t limit the entire blog to our Scripture memory participants. It has a big presence on here because it’s twice a month but we still do lots of other things. Please don’t feel left out or forgotten.

OK, NOW FOR THE INSTRUCTIONS. You can cut and paste these somewhere if necessary. Here’s how it will go:

1. On the 1st and 15th of every month of 2013, you will find a post by 8:00 in the morning where I will ask for your memory verse and give you mine. This will begin New Year’s Day 2013. You are committing to 24 Scriptures in 12 months. In previous years, I’ve found this to be a very doable pace. If you do much more, you’ll tend to fall behind and not retain. If you do much less, the impact is negligible. You really can do this. So many of you will surprise yourselves with what you’re capable of doing in the power of the Spirit. Yes, it takes work but it’s tremendously fulfilling and the results are nearly immeasurable. Look at it this way: you’re going to be meditating on something: unforgiveness, toxic memories, misery, lust, greed, dissatisfaction, jealousy, competition. Choose Scripture! Christ Himself said as a man thinks, so is he. He also said His words are spirit and life. This is work worth doing, Sweet Thing. Never – NOT ONCE – have I ever known anyone to get to the end of a Scripture memory commitment and say that it didn’t make any real difference. Not a single time.

2.You are to enter the verse you’ve chosen to memorize for that two-week period within twenty-four hours of the post going up. I’ve been asked many times if it’s okay if you’re late supplying your verse and, yes, of course it is, but try to avoid doing it often. The people who make it to the very end of the year are overwhelmingly those who stay up with it month to month. Please know up front that one of the important parts of this process is the exercise of self discipline. This culture is mass producing wimpy narcissists. Year-long commitments like these that require punctuality and focused energy push back on that degenerating trend. All that to say, please don’t drop out if you get behind. I just want you to know that this will be much more successful if you treat it as a real, live commitment you are willing to work hard to keep.

3. When you clock in with your verse those two times a month, keep your comments limited to your name, city, verse and translation. Long comments on SSMT days are no-no’s. It won’t take you long to figure out why we maintain that rule. Wait till you see the powerful sight of hundreds if not thousands of verses flowing down the comment stream. It is a gorgeous sight. When you’re having a bad day, all you have to do is scroll down a few hundred of your sisters’ Scripture selections and I promise you, you’ll get a word. It’s a very powerful thing. Here is a sample comment:

Beth from Houston, Texas: “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV

Always add your translation because so many of your sisters will want to know where you found the wording for your entry. One of the great impacts of this process is how much we reap from each other’s selections. Often you’ll see a sister say, “I’m doing the one so-and-so did last time!” (Yes, you can make a comment that brief. Those can be fun. Occasionally you’ll even see someone write, “For the sake of my marriage, I’ve chosen to memorize…” That’s okay, too, but try to keep it very succinct.)

4. THIS ONE IS KEY! As often as possible, choose a verse that means something to you in your present season or circumstance. This is the reason why we don’t all memorize the same Scripture. We’re not all going through the same things. The more you let God lead you to verses that direct you or edify your soul in your present circumstances, the more He will renew your mind toward your challenges. This is a huge part of 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 where we’re told to demolish strongholds and take our thoughts captive to Christ. If you don’t have a verse on your mind or you’re drawing a blank when the 1st or 15th rolls around, you are welcome to share mine. I will always include it in the post. You might also look at a few of the comments and see if one of theirs resonates with you. I say this next part with a grin: try to refrain from memorizing Scriptures that you think your spouse or your children need to learn. Memorize what you need to learn. That means do your best to avoid jotting your verse on a stick note and planting it on your bathroom mirror where your man can see it and repent of his sins. He probably won’t because he’s got your game. I bet you can guess how I know that.

5. I strongly recommend that you stick with only one verse to memorize each time. (This is just a recommendation and not a rule. You’re free to do whatever works for you.) Keep it simple and meaningful. (If I were addressing you live, I’d have you repeat that sentence back to me so just go ahead and say it out loud in order to nail it down. That sentence could be your best friend through this process.) If you do too many verses or get too complicated, you will soon be overwhelmed and want to drop out. Better to do 24 simpler verses over a 12 month period of time than a chapter over the first month then quit. We want this to be a discipline we practice for the rest of our lives. Think marathon. Not sprint.

6. Either shortly before or after making your entry each 1st and 15th in the blog comment, write the verse by hand in your own spiral. (Again, that’s a recommendation and not a rule. I’ve discovered that there’s something about writing it with your own hand and picturing it later in your own handwriting that helps it sink into your memory bank. I’m not entirely sure why.) Take that spiral with you everywhere you go. Read it and read it and read it and read it. Do mental gymnastics with it. Flip that baby over and over. Many women have told me along the way that they’re not good at memorization and I truly understand that. I also beg to offer two responses: First, that may change. Give the Holy Spirit a chance to do something brand new with you. Second, even if you don’t get your verses down word for word, you are still meditating on them as you read and reread them. You still, thereby, accomplish one of the most important goals: captivating the mind to Christ. You just can’t lose on this one. Either way, it has a powerful effect.

OK, I think that’s enough to get us prepared for January 1st. Now, let me tell you well in advance how to qualify for our Siesta Scripture Memory Team Celebration on January 17-18, 2014 which is the biggest blast ever. I’m telling you about it now so that you can have it for a little extra incentive. Our main incentive is the will and good pleasure of God, of course, but He Himself authored great celebrations in His Name so feel free to be excited at the thought. Also, I want you to have plenty of time to start saving your money for your transportation and hotel. We do not charge for the event. Your entrance fee is your well-used spiral. By the way, we hope to have Travis back again to lead us in worship and Amanda, Melissa, my whole LPM staff and volunteer team will be there  to serve you.  Here’s how you qualify throughout the year:

*Clock in by first name and city at least 21 out of 24 times. (But please make your goal 24 out of 24!) Let me reiterate that you can be late with your entry on a 1st or 15th of any month but, by the end of the year, there has to be a record in the comment sections of you signing in at least 21 out of 24 times on a SSMT post. Make sense? Please give us 24 hours to post your comment before you assume it got lost. We still moderate all comments and the amount we get on SSMT days necessitates a slower pace. Thank you for your cooperation!

*Bring your spiral to the celebration. Again, that’s your ticket in.

*Be prepared to say any 12 of your 24 memory verses to another Siesta (of your choice) during the designated time at the celebration. (We get in pairs.) Some of you will be tempted to let this be a deal breaker but don’t back out! Siestas are really sweet and patient with each other and we are notorious for giving each other hints. We can even act out charades if necessary. If you’re one of those who genuinely struggles with memorization, just tell your memory buddy up front and she’ll give you all the grace you need.  Tell her the gist of the verse as accurately as you possibly can. She’ll be able to tell that you are well acquainted with it and that the goal was accomplished even if you can’t say the verse word-for-word.

*Register for the event when the time comes. (December 1, 2013)

Whew! Have I exhausted you?? I’ve worn myself to a pulp. Sorry this is so wordy! We just want to answer as many of your questions up front as possible.

I want to tell you something before I sign off. I may sound like a broken record but you have to let me say it again as we embark on this wild journey together. You have impacted my walk with Christ. This community has given me encouragement when I was nearly down for the count. I am more disciplined because you are here. You make a difference in my life. You make me think, and laugh, and study. You offer me company when I am lonely. You stir me up to love and good works. You are used of God in my life to make this hard world a better place.

That’s what Siestaville is for. Women walking alongside women on our way Home, stirring up excitement toward that great day. SSMT is just one way we do that. AND IT’S A WHOPPER. Let’s do it, Sisters, starting this coming January 1st! I’ll talk to you again about other things before then but I don’t want the New Year to take you by surprise.

Your blog mama loves you.

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1,641 Responses to “Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2013 Instructions!”

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Comments:

  1. 1351
    Leisa Hale says:

    Leisa from Sheridan, In
    1 John 3:9 NLT
    Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.

  2. 1352
    Elizabeth says:

    Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action. Proverbs 2: 9 NLT

  3. 1353
    Sandee Jasnoski says:

    Sandee Jasnoski, Wichita, KS
    Proverbs 11:25 NLT
    The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

  4. 1354
    Sandee Jasnoski says:

    Sandee Jasnoski, Wichita, KS
    1 John 3:18 NLT
    Dear Children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

  5. 1355
    Denise from Germantown,WI says:

    ” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not. (Romans 4:17 NIV)

  6. 1356
    Rachel Roy says:

    Rachel from Woodstock, GA

    And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
    Isaiah 58:11

  7. 1357
    Mary Beth says:

    Hebrews 12:1. Therefore since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us let us lay aside every encumbrance and sin which so easily entangles and run with endurance the race that is set before us,

  8. 1358
    Kim Owens says:

    Kim from Denver, PA
    “And they shall grow as among the grass, and as willows by the rivers of waters.” (Isaiah 44:4 Geneva)

  9. 1359
    Sally Uhl says:

    Philippians 4:4
    Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say again: Rejoice!

  10. 1360
    Natalie Bennighof says:

    The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers.
    1 Kings 8:57-58, ESV

  11. 1361
    Misti says:

    Misti Lubbock,Tx
    No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 NIV

  12. 1362
    Kim Morris says:

    Kim, Richmond, Tx, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Col 3:2 (NIV)

  13. 1363
    Dee Ann Coker says:

    Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is ure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is praiseworthy-think about such things. Philippians 4:8

  14. 1364
    Mary Schneck says:

    For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

  15. 1365
    Michelle says:

    Michelle from Buda, TX
    “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27 (NIV)

  16. 1366
    Nancy, Wilmington, DE says:

    May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
    Psalm 19:14, NLT

  17. 1367
    Nancy, Wilmington, DE says:

    Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be destroyed, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a consuming fire.
    Hebrews 12:28-29

  18. 1368
    Rita says:

    Rita, Bristol, TN: 2 Peter 1:11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. NIV

  19. 1369
    Heather says:

    Heather
    Circleville, ohio
    Isaiah 41:13
    For I am The Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you. NIV

  20. 1370
    Ann Wellen says:

    1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NIV)
    Rejoice always.

    Ann
    Mandeville, LA

  21. 1371
    Opal McDannald says:

    Opal from Odon, IN

    II Corinthians 9:15 “Thank God for His son–a gift too wonderful for words.” (NLT)

  22. 1372
    Cindi Martin says:

    1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

  23. 1373
    Glenda Arnold says:

    Glenda Royse City

    Matthew 6:7
    But seek first his kingdon andhis righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. NIV

  24. 1374
    Julia says:

    Julia, Cincinnati, Ohio

    Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.

    Proverbs 19:20 (NIV)

  25. 1375
    Kelsie says:

    Kelsie from Searcy, AR
    For The Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before The Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
    Psalm 95:3-7 NIV

  26. 1376
    Dianne Henderson says:

    Proverbs 5: 21.

    For the ways of a man are before the eyes of The Lord. And he watches all his paths.

  27. 1377
    Ann from Colorado says:

    “It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.” Revelation 21:11. NIV

  28. 1378
    Sue Nutter says:

    Sue, Standish, ME

    Do not abandon wisdom and she will protect you; love her and she will keep you safe.

    Proverbs 4:6 (GNT)

  29. 1379
    rose says:

    Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ Phil 2:5 NIV Rose

  30. 1380
    Taylor says:

    Taylor
    Elma,NY

    Psalm 55:22 (NLT)

    Give your burdens to the Lord and He will take care of you. He will NOT permit the Godly to slip and fall.

    God loves you!!:)

  31. 1381
    Maria Dinverno says:

    Maria from Detroit

    He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

    2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT)

  32. 1382
    Ruth says:

    From Hamilton, Ohio

    “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 (NIV)

  33. 1383

    If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:8 NLT

  34. 1384
    cindy says:

    In everything give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
    1 Thessalonians 5:18

  35. 1385
    Michelle says:

    Michelle from Buda, TX
    “Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.” Deuteronomy 4:39 (NIV)

  36. 1386
    Dee Ann Coker says:

    And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
    Philippians 4:7 NIV

  37. 1387
    Mary Schneck says:

    Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

  38. 1388
    Rachel Roy says:

    Rachel from Woodstock, GA

    Since ancient times, no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of the one who waits for Him. I

    saiah 64:4 NIV

  39. 1389
    Melinda Moyer says:

    Wichita, KS

    “But as for you, be strong and don’t give up, for your work will be rewarded.”

    2 Chron 15:7

  40. 1390
    Karen Polasek says:

    Isaiah 51:15
    NIV
    For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar – the LORD Almighty is his name. (NIV)

  41. 1391
    KimMorris says:

    Kim, Richmond, TX, “The Sovereign LORD is my strength, he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.” Hab 3:19, NIV

  42. 1392
    Ann says:

    2 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)

    Pray continually.

    Ann
    Mandeville. LA

  43. 1393
    Cindi Martin says:

    Cindi from Amanda
    Hebrews 12:1 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. NIV

  44. 1394
    Dianne Henderson says:

    John 10: 3
    To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and he leads them out.

  45. 1395
    Katresha Taylor, Fishers Indiana says:

    He saved us and called us to a holy life- not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.

    2 Timothy 1:9
    NIV

  46. 1396
    Misti says:

    Misti
    Lubbock,Tx
    This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1John 5:14 NIV

  47. 1397
    Denise Germantown, Wi says:

    For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:13, 14 NIV)

  48. 1398
    Suzie DeVaughn says:

    Suzie

    Wenona, Maryland

    Brethren, I don not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. Philippians 3:13 NASB

  49. 1399
    Sally Uhl says:

    Philippians 4:5
    Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

  50. 1400
    Denise says:

    Denise, San Antonio –

    pray without ceasing
    (1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV)

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