Happy Lord’s Day, You Delightful Siestas! The only reason I’m getting to be on here at this hour on a Sunday morning is because Curtis is preaching at the 6:30 PM “Ascend” service at our church this evening so, needless to say, I’m going then. I’ve had you on my mind, praying for you and cheering for you so much over the last week. At this point, do you realize we have about 3000 of us memorizing Scripture together? Unbelievable. This morning while I was working out in my garage, I had on one of my Nicole C. Mullen CD’s. (You know, she and I are really tight. I’m her personal trainer. Which, of course, is a lie and some of you are too new to the blog to recognize when I’m making something up. Have you seen that woman’s arms? That’s why I pump iron.) Anyway, I was getting my praise on to her song “Brainwash” and as I listened to the lyrics, I thought how my Scripture-memorizing Siestas would be pumped up in their commitment by it. Here are the words but if you love her kind of music like I do, google it and listen to it. Here, Darling Things, is one great reason why we memorize Scripture. In a few days I’m planning to do a little mini-tutorial but this is perfect until then. Sure love you!
Chorus: I need a brainwash from my head to my soul ~
I need a brainwash, bring it down to my toes ~
I need a brainwash in and out ’cause you know ~
I need a B-R-A-I-N double wash*
Overwhelmed by the stuff on TV ~
Overloaded from the pressure fallin’ on me ~
light head! Oxygen! I’ve gotta breath *
Email, Myspace, backin’ up all the time ~
Voicemail, press one if you’re on the line ~
Transformer, can you renew my mind?
Smack dab in the front of my mind ~
All that I’ve done wrong ~ Re-play and rewind ~
How can I erase it forever this time *
Smack dab in the pit of my soul ~
This guilty feeling’s diggin’ a hole ~
And my thoughts are spinnin’ out of control
The world is straight typical to rock the traditional ~
Kinda keep it real life livin’ mind simple though ~
My past is in remission ~ Thrivin’ on my conditions ~
I need a turn around ~ A fresh way to get down ~
Comin’ straight from Jersey roamin’ in the land of the dirty south, free ~
Escapin’ misery ~ With a Christ mentality ~ The only way to have it ~
Living word habits ~ Feels nice dippin’ me twice ~
Yo, ah I need a Brainwash… (Chorus)
Be not conformed to this world ~ But be transformed by the renewing of your mind
OOPS!! I got a few things wrong on my scripture. It is from 2 Tim. 1:6and it should have been “…through the laying on of MY hands.”
I’m still praising Jesus! It’s more than I would have imagined I could memorize. I’ll have it down good by the 15th.
–Grandmamitz
You have no idea how so very happy my soul is to have found this blog….I am doing your ‘Daniel’ series right now, and I feel so alive, like God is showing me the path back to him – the light in the darkness.
I’m not sure what I expected when I found this blog, but I guess I didn’t expect such a sweet and connected network of people, and I am so humbled by your humbleness.
For whatever reason, I guess I did not expect you to be so normal, so real, so like us….making cookies, scooping up #2’s, answering quizzes, sending birthday wishes to your beautiful daughters…and sharing it! I’m sure you’ve been told this before, but your honesty and your approach to life is so awesome and genuine, and I am longing for that within my own relationships now that God has been invited back in to them 🙂
I thank God that I have found this little place, and I thank God for using you the way He does, and I thank you for listening to His voice. He is pleased, and He is smiling on you 🙂
Our Church’s Theme for this year is Big Love, we have a cross a sweet hubby of a wonderful women in our church made. On the cross(Beautiful wood and steel, engraved, stunning really) we have taken the name of some one we will commit to pray for this year 2009 in hope we are praying some people we love into the kingdom, The sign up sheet went around for 3 Sundays and we were to if led to sign our name to the date our birthday was. Every month on that date we have agreed to fast from a meal or two and pray for the people who ‘s names are on the cross. Now there are several hundred so to actually name each one would be a challenge but the idea is we are praying for the people who others are praying for salvation for. It is a wonderful way we have A) a visual reminder we are to be active in prayer and B)finding different ways to connect with the many many people in our fellowship.
We hope to start the Esther study this month. Meanwhile we have several ladies groups meeting weekly and funny how every group meets the needs of the ladies attending it but they are all so very different.
I am blessed to be able to oversee these ladies groups and work with such amazing women who’s desire like mine is to see every woman grow into the woman God intended them to be, and many of us didn’t realize what that was going to look like or require from us to reach that place. It is an amazing ride.
I am hoping that perhaps if any of you Siesta’s is Blog land have it laid on your hearts to pray for us in the East Coast of Canada if you could lift us up in this years prayer, could you, would you go ahead and do it, we would be honored.
Luv and Thanks
Iris
The encouragement here is what will keep me on task. I have my Bible open on a book rack beside me all day – as I’m doing quite a bit of writing. So, my index card sits in the passage open for the day. As I go through the day, I work on it over and over. There’s one phrase in the passage that keeps getting moved to other places and that just messes me up! *giggle* I’m going to have to work out a mnemonic so that it will stay where it belongs.
Bless you for this encouraging way to do what you’ve asked us to do for years and what we’ve been desperate to do well. A full year of this? I’m so looking forward to it.
Missed seeing your sweet face this morning, but know Curtis will bring a powerful Word this evening. Afsheen was awesome the last two weeks, and Roger brought us some great praise. Brainwashing is exactly what I need, and like Peter, I say not only my brain, but my hands, my mouth–but it starts so much with the thoughts. Being renewed by the washing of His Word–yes ma’am. Love, A
Beth,
thank you so much for this post and for inviting all of us to commit to memorizing scripture with you this year!!
renewing my mind is something i have to focus on ALL the time as i battle with fear and panic that has had a grip on me for too long now, robbing me of living life fully.
i am so excited to be part of this, thank you so much.
love ya
jill
Just wanted to say I know the Lord understands when we are overwhelmed! He is so good all the time! I know people are praying for me and my husband. I feel His love all around me. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (even memorize scripture)
Can I just say how much I love the Lord and the way He speaks to me! Amen to this post! Amen to Nicole C Mullen! Amen to the words of this song! I’ve been feeling like I needed a cleansing of sorts…wondering if it was time for another fast? This posting has led me to believe that possibly a “brain-fast” or in this case, Brainwash, is what I need instead. Maybe this will not just be my usual fast involving the limitation or removal of food, but a fasting of those things that take me away from the Lord and His Word…especially, as I am memorizing that Beautiful Word of His with my Siestas. Isn’t it just the sweetest thing that when you faithfully, expectantly, and excitedly dabble into the Word just a little bit – He leaves us hungering and thirsting for more? Well, I’m going to have wash that brain of mine in order to absorb all that He wants to feed right me now. I feel a flood coming on…God Bless You Beth and your faithfulness to Him!
Great song Beth!
We had a great service today the Lord really impressed on us all to be praying for Israel.
Have a wonderful time tonight!
Smack dab in the front of my mind…
smack dab in the pit of my soul…
And how I have learned when I start feeling like this to immediately cry, call out to God and get Him smack dab in the middle, on top, everywhere!!!
I love scripture, but my problem with memorizing verses is that I get excited when I see a verse I want to learn and write it on a card or piece of scrap paper, or back of an envelope or journal and then I have verses everywhere with no real organization to them and I think only a miracle that I have any memorized at all.
So I am excited about truly committing to two verses a month…no matter what..!!
Michelle
I have loved reading all of the Scriptures that were posted on the 1st. It will take me until the 15th to read them all! I have read most of them out loud, too. What a way to be brainwashed!
And…if you are reading these comments….Cindy from Laguna Niguel, CA…please email me at [email protected].
I just heard this song for the first time not to long ago! It’s awesome! I need a “brainwash from my head to my toes!”. Loving the scripture memory! Praise be to our Rock!!
Love, Tess ATL, GA
http://tesswomack.blogspot.com
Hi! Thank you for sharing that song. Going to check it out…
So glad to be part of this memorization station! I desperately need to “strengthen my feeble arms and weak knees…”
On the pilgrim road,
Loriann
I much enjoyed my service this morning. Our friends who’ve been living in China spoke today. Haven’t seen them in years and they have a little boy now! Such a darling little guy. By the way, Beth, my husband said I’ve been listeing to you too much this morning, because I referred to my family as “ya’ll”.
I have been reading, re-reading, and meditating on several passages of Scripture this past month for strength and wisdom to walk through some very difficult things. This weekend I had a rare chance to visit with my BFF and so wanted to share what God was teaching me in it all through His Word – yet as familiar as the verses were, I couldn’t quote even ONE of those passages word for word! It fanned the flame even more to commit God’s Word to memory. I’m excited to do it!
Just this morning our pastor, John Piper, gave a phenomenal sermon on why it’s so important to memorize Scripture. My heart pounded the entire time. If it’s okay to post, I think the Siestas who are committed to memorizing Scripture this year would be greatly encouraged by Pastor John’s words. The sermon should be available Monday on http://www.desiringgod.org. If you can, listen to the audio of the January 4, 2009 sermon, but a transcript should be available as well.
Much love to all of you ladies!
Linda in MN
Darlin’ Beth, (You call us that so often and you need to hear it, too)
Count me in on the Scripture memorization army. As a senior pastor’s wife, today I needed the “Brainwash”. I begin your new Esther study Wednesday with my gals here in Maryville, Tennessee. Can’t wait!
Hugs, Sharon
Ok..Am I the only one who has ever had to confess envy concerning Nicole’s arms?…
but just started a new training program and I need some new music…think I go find that song!
Thanks!
Blessings!
Teresa
Braden,TN
Amen! Boy do I need that. Been feeling these past few days that the Lord is showing me that I have some areas of bondage and need to break free.
I’m justing waiting for the girls to arrive in about 45 mins so we can start Esther!
Thank you Lord for Beth and all these awesome siestas you have blessed me with! Praise the Wonderful, Saving name of Jesus!
yes, girl has ARMS most men wouldn’t dare challenge.
two things i remember about ms nicole.
1) her muscles.
2) (at a conference) hearing her speak almost an entire chapter from the book of Romans (from memory) during an instrumental break in one of her songs. i believe she is well-qualified to have a guest appearance through songs lyrics in this new season of blog accountability!!! 🙂
don’t know if this helps (i have trouble remembering things that i read as well), but i keep an expo (white board) marker in my bathroom and write scriptures and lyrics on my mirror so that is the first thing i see in the morning. (wipes off with a paper towel and water! windex works too 😉 ) it is see-through too so if you have a LOT that you need to write on your mirror, you can still see yourself through the words (and it’s probably better to look at ourselves THROUGH God’s word anyways, right?!)
(also i love to write scripture references on my wrist. sometimes i get mistaken for having a tatoo, but it’s an easy place to glance down at if you need a reminder, and depending on how large you write, most people never even know it’s there.)
Darlin’ Sharon, I want to give a huge Siesta shout-out to you and all our senior pastor’s wives. We know you live in a fishbowl. We appreciate how willing you are to fight the good fight. Just want to say that I so appreciate the example – none of us has gotten so far in our spiritual growth that we don’t need a good brainwash! We love all you pastor’s wives so much.
This is my first time visiting this but not my first with you Beth. You are my inspiration and give me sooooooo much encouragement.
Can anyone explain to me about what is going on with the memory verse thing that you are talking about? I would like to do it!!
I have been separated for 3 weeks, my husband has end stage liver disease and has decided to continue to drink his life away and walk away from me. I need Jesus every sec of every minute and I would like to do this as I know God’s Word is True and even though I can’t feel Him today, I know He’s working on my behalf. I need Christian sista’s because I feel like giving up and caving in.
So, if anyone can help me with this, I would be honored and I would really love to participate in what you all are doing!
God Bless!
Amen Siesta!!
I just revisted the Aerobic praise post about all the songs other siestas use to workout with. I received an Ipod for Christmas and I am loading it up with songs that will transform me inside and out!
Luv you,
Charlotte
Hi Siestas, I’m so happy to be included in this now! Thanks Beth for the brainwash…much needed here… I wanted to share something “so God” with y’all…I love it it makes sense to me, hope it does to you)! My dear friend who is a “new siesta”, too, and I were chatting about the scripture memorization the other day. I told her that in Feb, when our spring study starts, we’ll be doing Jesus the One and Only. I just finished doing Breaking Free on my own last night. My family and I are struggling with parenting and poor choices we’ve made which have effected our kids, 10 and almost 6 yrs. old. We are trying each day to surrender to God and allow Him to parent thru us, heal the hurts we’ve caused and have in our own lives and make this a year of transformation, restoration and new beginnings for our kids and us. When my friend and I talked about what God has done for me thru Breaking Free, the scripture memorization and starting Jesus the One and Only, she said to me, “You’re gonna have you a Jesus year!!!” and that comment shot thru me bc it’s true! God is coming thru for me and my family, He has orchestrated so beautifully all these things in my life, the BF study, the scripture study, starting the new Jesus one and Only study. He knows I need, my family needs, to have a Jesus year, and in His name and thru His power, yes, yes and amen…I’m havin’ me a Jesus year and I’m so excited about it I can’t sit still! I know that bc of this the devil is gonna try his hardest to bring all that hurt and defeat I just worked thru right back in my life to keep me and my family from the plans our Daddy has for us. If you think of us and God brings us to mind, please pray for us…we need all of Him to have these changes stick and to live in victory..no more defeat! I am so excited to be a part of this siestahood with you all…your comments so encourage and up lift me..thank you Beth for seeing that we all need each other and making this blog possible!
Resting in my Jesus,
Melissa from Concord, CA
Twinkle,
what a great idea bout scrapbooking your index cards. I am a visual learner and I am sure I would start to see the sticker in my head as i recited the scripture. GREAT IDEA!!
thanks,
Charlotte
Oh, that is cool!
My personal theme for my year of Scripture memorization is FREEDOM. Boy, when Jesus works, He works!!Just yesterday I went on a run with my Kirk Franklin on, listening to “Imagine Me”.
It finally hit me. I AM free. Free from a long standing bondage that has literally crippled my walk with the Lord. All this time, I’ve been free but holding on to an empty yoke. Yep, right there in my right hand, a big fat lie. Imagine me, being free!
Boy, it’s only January 4th and my first Scripture has already done wonders for me!(I picked Galatians 5:1) I can’t wait to see what happens next!! whup whup!
Oh I must say, I love hearing, sorry, reading Beth’s responses to other women who are blogging. It really feels more like community as we respond to one another’s comments.
“Brainwashed from my head to my toes”…
No wonder you were using this as you worked out…foot stompin’, blood pumpin’ music…love it.
Memorizing a verse or two works for a week or two, then generally I can only recall the basic message or words but lose the location and the exact words. I so want to recall the verse, the location and be able to bring it to mind at just the right time. Those times when I need to be washed in the Word, or when someone else needs a word.
A goal I’ve had for awhile is to have better command of the Word to witness to unbelievers and in particular to be able to intelligently and passionately present the Word.
It is so embarrassing to KNOW a precept, principal, or instruction in my heart but NOT be able to support it spontaneously with the Word. I feel so inadequate and sometimes like a fraud to so passionately believe and know the truth in my heart and not have the skills to support it. To not be able to defend the love of my life~~Jesus~~just plain hurts.
Please include any suggestions you may have to improve retaining the verses and recalling them.
AMEN to being totally brainwashed this year!! And not by the world…b/c our citizenship is definitely somewhere else! This is going to be a JESUS year!!
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for all who believe, to the Jew first & also for the Greek." ~Romans 1:16 NKJV
Whoop!!!
~Zan in Texas
Now that is just too cool and I love it! I am loving memorizing scripture with my fellow siestas and I have both my verses memorized for this month. Every morning when God wakes me up I quote them to Him. I think if he could he would give us all stickers each month for memorizing his Word! lol
Happy Sunday Beth!
Love,
Patty
When I read the comments to today’s posting, I was relieved to see that it is not too late to commit to memorizing Scripture with the group. This is something I really NEED to do (I know – you said we should “want” to, not just “need” to – but I REEEAAALLY need to).
So much of the time, my heart is empty and lonely, and I fear that God is not interested in me (other than when I mess up). Is it really possible to have a relationship with the Lord that is joyful and peaceful and comforting? So many times, I have made a commitment to “live for the Lord,” but within a couple of weeks (or sometimes days), I give up because I can’t get it “right” – I can’t dot my i’s and cross my t’s the way I should (yes, as a matter of fact, I DO have OCD!) I figure that, by now, the Lord has written me off as a total loser – and that makes me very sad.
All that to say – I NEED to join the memorization group! So, my first Scripture will be Isaiah 12:1 NAS “Then you will say on that day, ‘I will give thanks to You, O Lord; for although You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.'”
Kristen in Mishawaka, Indiana
Exactly what I needed today Bethie, thanks 🙂 🙂
That was fun! I went to Myspace looked up Nicole Mullen, turned on her Brainwashed, opened up a new page went back to LPM Blog and listened and read the words at the same time. What a terrific song and a perfect one to work out to.
Thanks hip hop Siesta Mama that was a blessing.
Any southern siestas ever been to an all day dinner on the grounds where the sheer abundance of food made your eyes bug out of your head? Reading everyone’s Scripture memory verses has been like going back to the table over and over. This is going to be an exciting year, and sisters, 2009 could be the year Jesus comes for His bride. It’s great to be getting ready for THE Wedding with all of you.
Much love,
Patti Hayes
This missions pastor wife loves you too! I already have my ticket for the conference in Nashville! Maybe I will be brainwashed by then! Praying for Curtis.
i need something! i guess a brainwashin is a good place to start! i am struggling to except that as we start 2009 , my 11 yr old son ( he has muscular dystrophy) is transitioning into a wheelchair. I know God is here with us , he has shown us in various ways that doors have opened, but i just don’t want to do this! There is a war going on in my mind to find peace in this situation.
Beth,
Thanks so much for this challenge. These past 2 weeks have been extremely difficult as my sisters and I are watching our Mom in her fight with cancer. It has spread to her brain and I wonder just how long she will recognize us. She is very confused at times and doesn’t know where she is. Seeing her like this makes me want even more to be filled with the Word so if I am ever in the same situation my mind will be so saturated with the Word that there won’t be room for anything else. Mom loves the Lord very much! I know she’s still in bondage to some things…I wish she would’ve gotten free before this happened. I know the Lord will deliver her in the end. Sorry for rambling…just wanted to share how much this means to me and why.
Love,
Beth in Jacksonville
This will be my new song on my Ipod! Thanks!!!
Love ya Mama Beth!! I want arms like hers too but it ain’t happenin!
Hugs,
Fran
I could not leave my verse on the original post, the word verification won’t show on my screen, so, I am leaving it here instead. Maybe you can move it 🙂
Vera
Tremont, Illinois
For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow: it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Heb:4:12
Dear sweet Miss Beth…I do love this song. Have you ever seen her perform it? I had the privilege at Women of Faith in Philly in Sept. It’s amazing- she has teens (probably younger) that get up there and they DANCE. And yes, her arms…ahh, maybe in my glorified body? Love you my sister! In His Love, Joyful heart
Beth!! you used a portion of “my verse” to close!! (Romans 12:1-2)
I need a brainwash too!! I powerwash brainwash! :~)
I would also like to thank you for mentioning that you work out, cause the Lord thumped me with that one too!
*I should have probably read that before I ate a piece of my Momma’s cherry pie-but my my was it tasty!!* :~)
Okay…Been reading all of the posts about memorizing scripture this year and telling myself that is something I want and need to do, but that I didn’t really have to sign up or anything to do it… but I think God is telling me I need the accountability…so I am in! Will memorize Beth’s scripture this week. Beth, you are so precious and so encouraging and I love you to pieces!
Martha in MS
Hello Beth and Siestas! I know I've mentioned my "dissatisfaction" with Minnesota and the weather while we've been visiting here sometimes, okay, I've complained! And I don't usually write overly long posts, but can I tell you about one of the major highlights of being here? Being able to go to John Piper's Bethlehem Baptist church! His sermons have been life changing for me the past couple of months. He's going through the book of John right now verse by verse.
Can you guess what he preached on today? I know you can! John 15:1-7 about His word abiding in us! He started off the sermon with probably 10 minutes straight of just passionately reciting long passages of scripture he had memorized over his 62 years of life- all of Psalms 1,16,103, Romans 5 & 8 and finally 1 Cor. 13. I am telling you, it was beautiful and powerful and inspirational beyond words. We were all just so moved by the power of the scripture and how much Piper obviously loves the word with his whole heart.
He then went on to give his personal testimony of 8 benefits of memorizing scripture in his own life and then from the text in John he spoke of the Bible's stated benefits of memorizing scripture. It was amazing ladies, one of the best sermons ever, esp. considering what we're all trying to do.
At desiringgod.org you can hear and/or read his past sermons. I encourage you to scan through it or listen if you have time. I think it's posted by tomorrow, but it may be there today- I'm not sure. You will be so motivated to get God's word in your heart you won't be able to stand it!
Last week's message about prayer called "Put in the fire for the sake of prayer" using verses in John and amazing verses in Zechariah 13: 8 & 9 as his texts was just about the best I'd heard on the subject of prayer. If you have time, scan that one as well. It's already changed how I've prayed this week.
Anyway, I need to stop murmuring about my flat, dry hair, cold toes and nose and embrace what God has been able to teach me not only though my time here in general, but specifically though the preaching I've been able to sit under. What a blessing! I just love it when God reinforces a message over and over again and I'm hearing this call to memorization loud and clear today! Thank you, Lord.
Rebekah
I have had so much trouble trying to post on this blog. Count me in
on memorizing God’s word. My first memorization is Phil. 4:4-7
Beth,
I, too, am looking forward to the ‘tips’…I have really been working on my verses. Everytime I am thinking about anything ‘off subject’, the Lord brings my verses (James 3:16-17) to mind!
I am so thankful to have this accountability…it seems silly, but just knowing you are doing it (and 3000 others sisters) makes me persevere! I will need those tips by March, though, so BRING THEM ON, girl! 🙂
hugs to you, thank you for caring enough to disciple us from a distance! 🙂
Love that song and Nicole C Mullen! Definately the truth. And can I just say… I know that this is just the first verse, but I was kinda sceptical at first as to whether or not I would actually be able to do this memorization thing. And you know, I have been surprised with myself. I'm actually getting it!!! I almost have my first verse all memorized (it's kinda lengthy) and it's only been a few days. I can't wait to see all the Lord has in store for the coming year with Him. Thank you Beth & Siestas for the accountability. I feel honored to be apart of something so HUGE our Father is doing.
I am so grateful for what God’s already doing in me through this. We had a leadership retreat this weekend and the verse I’ve memorized was SO APPLICABLE for us!!! “Such confidence as this is OURS (MINE!!!) through Christ before God!…” That HE HAS MADE US (ME!) COMPETENT as ministers!!! Oh How I need to remember that when the enemy tries to tell me otherwise! And I’m going to! Got my Sword and my Shield and I’m ready… Thanks, Mama Beth!!! (Now if I can only find 3000 siestas to exercise with…) : )
Thank you so much, Beth for the additional opportunity to build on my relationship with my Lord. I am almost finished with week 6 of Believing God and I am jazzed to continue spreading the words of the pledge of faith to my family and friends. I hope you get a chance to read the latest wave of community posts on that site as you strive to build on this memorization blog. Now each verse I come across gets a double take and asked if that will be one of my 24. It is exciting to see where God leads me on this adventure. Love you too Beth. Hope you come back to Alaska soon so I can meet you and give you big ol hug from my West Virginian rooted heart.
Shelia
I want to believe that I can have this kind of life change. I am in a pit. I don’t want to be here anymore and I just want God to deliver me and cooperate with Him in the process. I am so very tired – I mean a bone weary tiredness that makes me think I have no fight left in me. I know that if God can deliver you, He can deliver me. I want out…Please pray for those of us who wonder if anything will ever change.
[email protected], I’ll try not to leave to much of a cmment but I want to say that I first”met” you with Breaking Free and siesta, I was broke free from chains of unforgiveness that I carried for twenty-five years. I can’t even put words to the feelings I have for that bible study for the funny, serious, sincere women of God who lead me through it. Thank you, you have no idea.
To Lyn who posted a comment at 3:26 this afternoon, if you are here I just want you to know that I am praying for you!!! With all my heart. You hang in there girl. Get back on Beth’s main page and scroll down to “Anyone Game” posting. She will guide you through it. I tried to click on your name and get directly to you but I was unable to, so I pray that you know this is a place of comfort and encouragement and cover. You are not alone, sweet sister.