Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2015 Instructions and Spiral Information!

HEADS UP, SCRIPTURE MEMORY PARTICIPANTS!!! IF YOU’RE ON THIS POST TO READ THE INSTRUCTIONS, YOU ARE IN EXACTLY THE RIGHT PLACE SO PROCEED WITH CONFIDENCE! ****BUT!!! IF YOU ARE REGISTERING AND MAKING YOUR FIRST 2015 ENTRY WITH VERSE 1, PLEASE GO TO THE JANUARY 1ST OFFICIAL LAUNCH POST! THAT’S WHERE VERSE 1 GOES! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COOPERATION WITH THE DETAILS INVOLVED. SO MUCH LOVE TO YOU!

 

Hey Everybody!

We are revving up around here for SSMT 2015! The Scripture memory team we host and support every other year is the most extensive thing we do around here on the LPM blog so you can know that you are the size of an airbus on our ministry radar right now. We are elated about the year we have ahead and believe with all our hearts that God finds tremendous delight in this group of diverse women banding together to memorize His Word. Here is everything you need to know about how to participate in the 2015 Siesta Scripture Memory Team! Please be sure you make it all the way to the bottom of the post where you’ll find the information about our matching spirals.

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

*For you new comers, an explanation of the name is in order. “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 cheer each other on, hold each other accountable, and urge one another to make it to the goal – 24 verses systematically memorized in 12 months – through a process that requires significant practice.

*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.

*Why 24 verses? In previous years, we’ve found this to be a very doable pace: 1 verse every 2 weeks. 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: we’re going to be meditating on something: unforgiveness, toxic memories, misery, lust, greed, dissatisfaction, jealousy, competition. Let’s choose Scripture instead! Christ Himself said as a man thinks, so is he. He also said His words are spirit and life. This is work worth doing, Beloved. 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.

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 2015 starting on New Year’s Day, you will find a post by 8:00 in the morning asking for your memory verse, suggesting one if you’re drawing a blank, and encouraging you in your process. In past years I’ve written all the posts myself but I thought maybe this year we needed to do something to shake it up a bit and make it extra-fun. I’ll still do all the posts on the 1st but the entries on the 15th will be written by a cross section of women from this community who’ve been asked to guest post. That means that, over the course of the year, you’ll hear from 12 of them. They’ll tell you a little bit about themselves, share the verse they’ve selected for that round, and why they chose it. We’ve also asked them to supply us with a picture so you can have a face to go with each name.

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 self-indulgent 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 (first only if you prefer), 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 Moore from Houston, Texas: “May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.” Colossians 1:11 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 others’ 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 more than welcome to share the selection offered in the post. That’s one reason it’s there. 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 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.

 

NOW, about that spiral! In years past, we’ve created them here at Living Proof and shipped them to those who ordered them. But, to our slack-jawed surprise, last time we did it, 10,000 women signed up and nearly all of them ordered spirals. My beloved (SMALL!!!) staff and hardworking volunteers filled every one of those orders over about a 10-day mad-dash and, though they never lost their smiles, it flat-out nearly killed them! We are just too small a staff to handle that many orders. HOWEVER!!! We MUST have matching spirals! So, here is the perfect solution. Watch this tutorial and you’ll see how quick and easy it will be to prepare your spiral:

 

 

There are two sizes to choose between for your spirals.  Click on the size cover you would like to print for yourself then adhere it using any of the methods we suggested. You can certainly use regular printer paper but cardstock works perfectly:

siesta_5x3_final_new

5×3
6×4

 

OK, I think that’s more than enough to get us prepared for January 1st but I so hope you’ll go ahead and get our huge wrap-up celebration on your radar because we want you to know how to qualify and plan to be there! It is the biggest blast ever.

Our Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2015 Celebration will on January 16, 2016. 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 will 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 to attend the celebration:

*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.

*If you’re planning to come to the celebration, be prepared to say any 10 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, 2015)

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

I want to say something to you before I wrap up this diatribe: this community means something to me. I love it because I love you. I think about you on an ongoing basis. So does my staff. You are a huge part of this ministry. Thank you for the privilege to serve you and to embark on another wild journey with you. May Christ find such delight here that He astonishes us with His presence, favor, and power.

So, welcome to Siestaville: women walking alongside women on our way Home, stirring up excitement toward that great day. SSMT is 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.

I love you.

Beth

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9,767 Responses to “Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2015 Instructions and Spiral Information!”

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Comments:

  1. 9051
    Elizabeth says:

    “When there are many words, sin is unavoidable, but the one who controls his lips is wise.”
    Prov. 10:19

  2. 9052
    Anita says:

    For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalms 100:5 KJV

  3. 9053
    Twyla says:

    Twyla from Cortez, CO

    Psalm 42:8 NRSV

    By day the Lord commands His steadfast love,
    and at night His song is with me,
    a prayer to the God of my life.

  4. 9054
    Donna says:

    Stigler, Ok.

    But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

    Luke 12:7
    NKJV

  5. 9055
    Connie says:

    Connie from Woodstock, GA
    “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 (NLT)

  6. 9056
    Leeta says:

    Leeta from Bay City, TX

    5)”Live wisely among those who are non believers and make the most of every opportunity. 6) Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone” Colossians 4:5-6 (NLT)

  7. 9057
    Leeta says:

    Leeta from Bay City, TX

    “But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NLT)

  8. 9058
    Leeta says:

    Leeta from Bay City, TX

    “Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”
    Ephesians 6:11 (NLT)

  9. 9059
    Gina from MO says:

    “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be 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

  10. 9060
    Rosario Kowalski says:

    Verse 14
    Rosario Kowalski, Springfield, Mo.
    The fear of the LORD is the beginning of
    knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
    Proverbs 1:7 ESV

  11. 9061
    Alana, Bosque Farms, NM says:

    Rev 1:17 (NIV) When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. Then He placed His right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.”

  12. 9062
    Melissa Dukes says:

    Augusta, GA.

    “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;”
    ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

  13. 9063
    Elizabeth Stafford says:

    Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Revelation 2:4 NKJV

  14. 9064
    Becky, Indiana says:

    He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
    He set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2 NIV

  15. 9065
    Jan Hair, Dalton, GA says:

    Hebrews 4:16 NASB
    Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may
    receive mercy and find help in time of need.

  16. 9066
    Susan Toney says:

    Susan Toney
    Raymond, MS
    In the same way let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
    Matthew 5:16

  17. 9067
    Alison Bayles says:

    Katy,tx
    Galatians 5:17, niv
    For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are conflict with each other therefore you do not do what you want.

  18. 9068
    Kristi says:

    Kristi, from Anchorage, Alaska

    Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (NIV) Philippians 4:6

  19. 9069
    Trisha Feitshans says:

    Trisha Feitshans, Greenville, OH

    Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

    Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.

  20. 9070
    Allison says:

    Allison, Austin

    Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice! Philippians 4:4

  21. 9071
    Carol Raley says:

    Carol Raley Sandersville

    Psalm 16:1 Keep Me safe,O God, I’ve run for dear life to you. I’ve said to God, “Be my Lord!” With out you , nothing makes sense.
    The Message

  22. 9072
    Denise from OK says:

    Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 NIV

  23. 9073
    Karen Clayton says:

    From Tishomingo, OK
    Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope.
    Lamentations 3:21 (NIV)

  24. 9074
    Sadie Keech Broken Arrow, OK says:

    1 Peter 3:10-12
    “Whoever desires to love life & see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace & pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous & his ears are open to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

  25. 9075
    Lois Lorentzen says:

    Psalm 112:7 (NIV)
    “They have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”

  26. 9076
    Michelle Lux says:

    Cedar Park, TX
    Psalm 119:105New International Version (NIV)
    Your word is a lamp for my feet,a light on my path.

  27. 9077
    Debbie F says:

    Debbie from Wooster, OH
    Ecclesiastes 4:12 “And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken”. KJV

  28. 9078
    Robin Stancil Scott says:

    Cedar Hill, TX
    For now we see in a mirror dimly, but the face to face; now I know in part but then I will know fully just as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 NASB

  29. 9079
    Lisa Walker says:

    Lisa
    Hendersonville,TN
    The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
    He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
    He leads me beside the still waters.
    He restores my soul; He leads me in he paths of righteousness
    For His name’s sake.
    Psalm 23:1-3 NKJV

  30. 9080
    Martha Roberts says:

    Martha, Georgetown, TX, “Hope is the anchor for our souls.” Hebrews 6:19

  31. 9081
    Marilyn Gillis says:

    Marilyn Gillis, Florence, AL
    Ephesians 6:11 NIV

    Put on the full armor of God
    so that you can take
    Your stand against the
    devil’s schemes.

  32. 9082
    Marilyn Gillis says:

    Marilyn Gillis, Florence, AL

    Ephesians 6:12 NIV

    For our struggle is not against flesh
    and blood, but against the rulers, against
    the authorities, against the powers
    of this dark world and against the
    spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

  33. 9083
    Marilyn Gillis says:

    Marilyn Gillis, Florence, AL
    Ephesians 6:13 NIV
    Therefore, put on the full armor of God,
    So that when the day of evil comes,
    you may be able to stand your
    ground, and after you have done
    everything, to stand.

  34. 9084
    Karine Backer says:

    Your hearts should be strengthened by God’s grace, not by obeying rules. Hebrews 13:9 (NCV)

  35. 9085
    Karine Backer says:

    My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2Cor.12:7-9)

  36. 9086
    Karine Backer says:

    I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.
    (Ezek. 36:26)

  37. 9087
    Angie Colbeck says:

    ” My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand”
    John 10 27-28 NIV

  38. 9088
    Sherry says:

    Proverbs 16:3
    Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

  39. 9089
    Wendy Tunison says:

    Wendy Tunison Caldwell, Idaho

    The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
    Proverbs 15:3 ESV

  40. 9090
    Connie says:

    Connie from Woodstock, GA
    “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalm 34:18 (NLT)

  41. 9091
    Kelli Holland says:

    Kelli Holland
    Lafayette, IN
    Proverbs 16.3 NIV
    Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

  42. 9092
    Trisha from California says:

    “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…”
    (2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV)

  43. 9093
    Sandy Harper says:

    Sandy Harper
    Ringgold, GA

    Ephesians 6:13 (ESV)

    “Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

  44. 9094
    Robyn Wong says:

    Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31.6. NASB

    Robyn Wong Roswell Ga

  45. 9095
    Brenda Riley says:

    October 15, 2015

    Ephesians 1:3 RSV

    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ
    with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

  46. 9096
    Samantha Barrack says:

    Samantha from SC says: “For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.” Lamentations 3:31-33 (NIV).

  47. 9097
    Sandra Debter says:

    Sandra, Springville, Al
    Judge not, that you be not judged.
    Matthew 7:1 ESV

  48. 9098
    Allison Bayles says:

    Katy, tx
    Galatians 5:18, niv
    But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

  49. 9099
    layne Pelham, AL says:

    Psalm 34:20-21 “He keeps all His bones, Not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous will be condemned” NAS

  50. 9100
    Donna Verschoot says:

    Columbia, SC
    Habakkuk 3:18 NIV
    I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

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