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. 1501
    Elizabeth says:

    “Their actions are crooked, and their ways are wrong.” Proverbs 2:15

  2. 1502
    Rut says:

    Hamilton, Ohio

    “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:22-24 (NIV)

  3. 1503
    KimMorris says:

    Kim, Richmond, Tx, “It has no commander, no overseer or ruler” Prov 6:7

  4. 1504
    Sandee Jasnoski says:

    Sandee Jasnoski from Wichita, KS
    John 8:47a NIV
    “He who belongs to God hears what God says”.

  5. 1505
    Cindy says:

    The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

    Psalms 27:1

  6. 1506
    Rachel Roy says:

    Rachel from Woodstock, GA

    “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain”

    Hebrews 6:19

  7. 1507
    Leisa Hale says:

    Leisa, Sheridan,In

    Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” NIV

    Phillipians 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, NIV

  8. 1508
    Jenny says:

    “For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:35 NASB

  9. 1509
    Sally Uhl says:

    Psalm 34:4
    I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

  10. 1510
    Sarah Martin says:

    Deuteronomy 7:9

    New International Version (NIV)

    Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

  11. 1511
    Ruth says:

    From Hamilton, Ohio

    “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

  12. 1512
    Glenda Arnold says:

    Glenda – RoyseCity, Texas

    Isaiah 43: 1 NIV

    Fear not for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name, you are mine.

  13. 1513
    Donna, Gloucester, VA says:

    Romans 8: 38-39 NIV
    For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
    neither angels nor demons,
    neither the present of the future,
    nor any powers,
    neither height nor depth,
    nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

  14. 1514
    Sandee Jasnoski says:

    Mark 9:24 NLT
    I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief.

  15. 1515
    Patti says:

    Patti – Ft. Worth, TX

    “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

  16. 1516
    Elizabeth says:

    Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman.
    Proverbs 2:16 NLT

  17. 1517
    Cindy says:

    God is perfect Love.

    1John 4:18

  18. 1518
    Karen Buchanan says:

    Karen Buchanan, Dover, AR. KJV. Psalm 37:25 “I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging bread.”

  19. 1519
    Rachel Roy says:

    Rachel from Woodstock, GA

    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.
    -Lamentations 3:22-23

  20. 1520
    Kim Morris says:

    Kim, Richmond, Tx, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Mt 5:8, NIV

  21. 1521
    Cindy says:

    For sin shall no longer be your master because you are not under the law, but under Grace.

    Romans 6:14

  22. 1522
    Linda Malloy says:

    “Blessed are the merciful, for the will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 NIV

  23. 1523
    Karen Buchanan says:

    Karen Buchanan, Dover, AR., KJV. 1 John 4:19 “We love Him because He first loved us”.

  24. 1524
    Ruth says:

    From Hamilton, Ohio

    “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

    Galations 5:22-23 (NIV)

  25. 1525
    Sally Uhl says:

    Ps 94:22

    The Lord has been my defense and my God the rock of my refuge.

  26. 1526
    Sandy says:

    And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

    PS 9:10(ESV)

  27. 1527
    Sandee Jasnoski says:

    “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

  28. 1528
    Sandee Jasnoski says:

    Sandee from Wichita, KS
    Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)
    He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

  29. 1529
    Kim Morris says:

    Kim, Richmond, Tx, ” Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” Psalms 119:18, NIV

  30. 1530
    Ruth says:

    From Hamilton, Ohio

    “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 (NIV)

  31. 1531
    Julia says:

    Julia from Cincinnati, Ohio

    Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

    Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)

  32. 1532
    Rachel Roy says:

    Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

    1 John 3:18

  33. 1533
    Cindy says:

    Praise be to God! In His great mercy he has given us new birth into living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
    1 Peter 1:3

  34. 1534
    Leisa Hale says:

    James 1:6 NIV But when he asks, he must beleive and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

    James 4:7-10 NIV Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil,and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.

    James 1:17 NIV Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

  35. 1535
    Denise Germantown,WI says:

    And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, (Hebrews 10:24 ESV)

  36. 1536
    Rachel Roy says:

    Rachel from Woodstock, GA

    Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

    1 Corinthians 4:5 NIV

  37. 1537
    Kim Morris says:

    Kim, Richmond, TX,
    “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths” (NIV), Ps 24:4

  38. 1538
    Ruth says:

    From Hamilton, Ohio

    “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

    Psalm 19:14 (NIV)

  39. 1539
    Sally Uhl says:

    Psalms 147:11

    The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

  40. 1540
    Sandy, pensacola beach says:

    “My help comes from The Lord who made heaven and earth”
    Psalm 121:2

  41. 1541
    Sandee Jasnoski says:

    Sandee Jasnoski from Wichita, KS
    But Lord, ”Gideon asked, “how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” Judges 6:15 NIV

  42. 1542
    Rachel Roy says:

    Rachel from Woodstock, GA

    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

  43. 1543
    Sally Uhl says:

    2 Cor 5:7 NKJV

    For we live by faith, not by sight.

  44. 1544
    Leisa Hale says:

    Leisa from Sheridan, In:

    Hebrews 13:5 NIV
    Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said “Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you.”

    Romans 8:31 NIV
    What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

  45. 1545
    Xan Moody says:

    Xan
    Cullman, AL

    Psalm 6:2-3
    Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak.
    Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
    I am sick at heart.
    How long, O Lord, until you restore me?

    New Living Translation

  46. 1546
    Cindy says:

    And they cried, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory!
    Isaiah 6:3

  47. 1547
    Cindy says:

    I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!

    Mark 9:24

  48. 1548
    Sher, Mansfield says:

    I Peter 1:20 “He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.”

  49. 1549
    Ruth says:

    From Hamilton, Ohio

    “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me.” Psalm 13:5-6 (NIV)

  50. 1550
    Kim Morris says:

    Kim, Richmond, Tx, “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.” Prov 16:31, NIV

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