Hey, Sweet Things! Do some of you remember me telling you that I had a little surprise for you in the works? THIS IS IT!!!!! Our very own Siesta Scripture Memory Team SPIRAL!!!! Inside are 30 blank index cards just begging to be filled with your choice of memory verses. I’m almost having to stand up to type because I am so pumped. For those of you who are new to our community, one of the things we prioritize and love to do around here is memorize Scripture. It is a huge part of calling the mind captive to Christ (2 Cor. 10:3-5) and most of us know from experience that our battles are won or lost in our MINDS. I have been actively memorizing Scripture as a primary Spiritual discipline since my early 30’s. I am thoroughly convinced that God used it to bring immeasurable healing to my mind, my memories, and my thought life. I tend toward obsessive thoughts and fears and unrelenting replays of bad memories and, when I fall away from actively hiding God’s Word in my heart, they come back with a vengeance. Anybody else? There are no words big enough to express the difference Scripture memory has made in my life. God also showed me along the way how much accountability and partnership can enhance the success of the discipline. Two years ago I was trying to decide who I should ask to be my accountability partner for that year and God brought the idea to my mind to make it the whole willing blog community and to offer accountability to them in return. The result was one of the neatest experiences we’ve ever had on this blog. I honestly have never felt the pleasure of God more fully over anything we’ve done here.
We created “The Siesta Scripture Memory Team” and each made it our goal to memorize 24 verses, two a month for that calendar year. We signed in on the first and fifteenth of each month with the present verse God was placing on our hearts. (We didn’t memorize the same one together. It works best if we each get to memorize the verses that most apply to our present lives and circumstances. However, I always offered my verse in case someone else was drawing a blank or felt that it also resonated with them. In those cases, some of us memorized the same thing.) We logged in twice a month with our first names, cities, verses, and translations and held each other accountable to get them hidden in our hearts for keeps. We worked hard and saw victory after victory over the flesh and the kingdom of darkness. We topped off the year with a free event in Houston for those who kept their commitment. The only ticket in was a well-used spiral. We had a BLAST. As long as I live, I’ll never forget what all of you looked like in pairs, saying half of your verses to one another.
Well, the SSMT (Siesta Scripture Memory Team) is BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! We will begin January 1st. Look for very specific instructions next week on how to participate. (Hold off on as many questions as possible until that time because the post will answer so many.) Everyone is welcome! Even those who have never visited our blog before. Anyone who wants some accountability in memorizing Scripture is invited. Let me also quickly say that no one is pressured to participate. You won’t be an outcast here. We still do many other things on this blog. It’s just an offer made in much love to those who would benefit from it in their walk with Christ. Living Proof Ministries exists to encourage women to love the Lord Jesus Christ and walk with Him in His Word. This is one way we hope to accomplish our ongoing goal to the great glory of God.
Again, I will get you all the details within the next week BUT I needed to let you know NOW about our brand new, you-inspired SSMT spirals! Let me tell you a couple of things about them in advance:
*You are by no means required to have one to participate! These are strictly for those of you who want one! It is very easy to go to your neighborhood Walgreen’s, CVS or Target and grab a spiral of index cards. That’s what I’ve done every year up until now. (But, admit it, aren’t these the cutest things ever?? I.LOVE.IT. I am so thankful for Sabrina who jumped on the vision the moment I expressed it to her and for Cheryl Casey who listened carefully to the concept then created this design for it and for our beloved Cathy at Copy Doctor who sped ahead and got them printed. As we always say around here, it takes a village.)
*You are welcome to order one even if you don’t wish to participate in the SSMT. Many of us may not want the added pressure of 2 verses a month but we still like to keep a Scripture memory spiral. By all means! There is no legalism where these are concerned. If you want one, you can have one. If you don’t, you’re free!
*We very much wanted to serve you with this spiral and not attempt to make any profit off of it. We are offering it to you only at our cost plus shipping and handling. This is NOT a way for the ministry to make money. You’ll see that it is $3 plus S/H. Sabrina got the cost as low as possible. I was thrilled with this outcome.
*Now, listen to this part carefully. Once you place your order, we will turn them around as quickly as humanly possible. Please keep in mind that our staff is small but very willing to serve! We also have Christmas holidays to celebrate so the ministry will be closed part of the time. Many of you who order right away may have your spirals by January 1st but if we end up with several thousand orders (we have no idea what to expect), yours may not get to you until the second week or so of the new year. Please know that we’re going to get them to you as fast as we are physically able. Just write your first couple of verses on temporary index cards until you receive your order then write them again permanently in your spiral when you receive it. Sound good?
And, because I know someone’s going to demand to know now: yes, we are going to have another SSMT celebration (in mid-January 2012) for those who keep their commitments in 2011 but no one – let me say that again – NO ONE will be scorned for not showing up with this cool spiral. I mean that. I am also laughing out loud at the ridiculousness of it. I am acting like a nine year old.
OK, if you want one, here’s what you do. Copy and paste this link into your browser and it will take you straight to the order page:
http://www.lproof.org/store/product.asp?itemid=2011SMTspiral
Listen, even if you don’t care one iota about a spiral of blank index cards, please know that we at Living Proof Ministries so desire to serve you and cheer you on in your walk with Christ Jesus. He is everything to us around here. May He be thrilled to spend 2011 with us!
I love you,
Beth
I love this! I have looked for “cuter” spirals for my memory work. Now you have just made my day. I’m thinking of asking my teenage girls to join me. This just might motivate them. Thanks!
I am SO EXCITED! I ordered mine, but first I texted my BFF to let her know she MUST get online and read this and she MUST order one!
2010 has been an awful year for me and it mainly has to do with my walk with Christ. Bible study is one of my passions, I love it. But this year was terrible, I didn’t finish a single one I started – and that is very unlike me. I am very much looking forward to 2011 – I have so many things to look forward to.
In January I will start Here and Now, There and Then and I can not wait. And my before mentioned BFF – EEEEEK! We are planning a road trip in June to drive from GA to KY to see you! And we are soooo incredibly pumped up about it!
I can not wait to get this in the mail and get started, I’m terrible at memorizing but I’m going to keep it simple! 🙂 Thank you Mama Beth! <3
I LOVE the Spiral and I’m so excited to get back to being accountable to memorize Scripture AND super excited that another celebration is in the works for 2012!!! WOOHOO! Thanks for making all of this available to us!
Just saw your tweet and I’m in! Love the spirals – what a great idea! I’m setting up a folder on my “notecards” app…with 2 toddlers streamlining things is best :)! Can’t wait to post about this too and see if a few of my favorite gals would like to get in on this!!!
Welcome, Stacey! We have so much fun around here. May Jesus be obvious to you every time you visit.
I’m so glad you have spirals. I didn’t know about your blog when you did this last time, but I loved the idea of having a spiral with scriptures to memorize so I got myself one and have memorized a couple. I have already been trying to decide if I was going to keep using the same spiral or if I would buy a separate one for my SSMT verses…now there is no question…I am ordering this one! 🙂
I have been battling the enemy in my mind so much lately, and I am so excited to fight back and WIN this BATTLE with all my siestas, Beth, and Jesus to keep me motivated!
“I tend toward obsessive thoughts and fears and unrelenting replays of bad memories…” ME TOO! Praise God for His word; memorizing it has helped me overcome the enemy’s lies with God’s truth! Best weapon of defence around!
LOVE THE SPIRAL!!! very cute. Thanks for offering it to us Siestas. I plan to order one right now!
Can’t wait for our reunion!
love,
Audrey
This Michigan Siesta just ordered mine!!!
Stacie
Oh, I’m excited! I ordered 3 (gonna give away 2 on my blog). I was a Scripture Memory Drop-Out in 2010, and I’m not going to let it happen again. I’ve decided (well, unless God changes the plan) that all my verses for 2011 are going to be about God’s heart for the poor and oppressed. Hoping and dreaming to go back to Cambodia this summer as a family.
The 2010 SSMT Celebration was AMAZING, and I’d move heaven and earth to go again. Sleeping with Amanda ;), reciting Scriptures with Melanie, reconnecting w/old friends and meeting new, and a special lunch with a woman I’ve long loved and admired.
Praying blessings all over the your family’s heads, Mama Beth! Love you!
Just ordered 3 sets!!! I am going to invite my daughters to join with us this time. They are 13 and 11. I hope to put them in their Christmas stocking! I was able to come to Houston last time….oh how I pray the three of us will get to come to the next celebration!!
LOVE IT! Just ordered it and thought to myself I will just consider it an early Christmas present. I’ll just hand it to my man and have him stick it in my stocking if it gets here in time. That will so make me smile on Christmas morning (and him too so he doesn’t have to shop)!
I have really been struggling with my lack of committment in many areas of my life in recent months (i.e., quit MOPS group, only attended 1/2 of my Financial Peace classes, and haven’t been to church in more than a few Sundays)..leaving me depleted and defeated! Life has been getting in the way (move across country this past summer, 4 children, husband with new job and going to school at night, etc.) I was just praying this morning that I would like to just set 1-2 goals this year and see them through to completion. And I certainly think this is just what He ordered! I so neeed some renewing and I know that comes through the Word!
Thanks so much for your encouragement and investment in this Siesta Community. Love you much! Merry Christmas everyone!
Darcy, I think you’re right. Cut way back on the number of commitments. Way back to one or two that God seems to have His hand on for you then, through the power of His Holy Spirit, you can persevere and keep them.
Thanks so much for that encouragement and confirmation. It is what I hear Him saying to me too…time to simplify. For now in 2011 it will be scripture memory and family worship at church on Sundays consistently. I think even just those two things done faithfully will yield growth (and hopefully more peace) in my life and thus our home life. Please know you are loved much! Blessings to you and your lovely family over this season!
Dear Siesta Mama,
That spiral is the cutest thing ever and I will order it just as soon as I finish digging myself out of the 20 inches of snow that dropped in on us Minnesotans!!! It was crazy watching all that snow come down blowing sideways! I love that you took the time to do this for us,
knowing how busy you are! You’re the best! Love, marylee
I…am…so…excited!! And that is the cutest spiral ever. There is a great creative team working at LPM.
This will be my first time being a part of the SSMT, and I am rip, roarin’, ready to go!
Ordered mine and looking forward to its delivery.
I ordered mine, even 2, so I can give it to a very special friend! Can’t wait
Oh Beth! So you’re hand-making each and every spiral ring notebook to keep costs low? That is too sweet.
(Just kidding. But dang. How else are you doing it? That’s less than a Grande Peppermint Mocha, and God’s truth will last longer – and look better – than the extra jiggle on my hips.)
Off to order. And to dream of the Siesta reunion in 2012. No nursing babies then! Is it possible?!?
Yay!!! I am so excited about the SSMT. I have felt very convicted (not guilted, convicted) about the need to memorize Scripture. How in the world can I recall Scriptures when I need them if I haven’t memorized them? And how can I choose ones that the Lord is laying on my heart if I’m not consistently in the Word? I am so excited, let me tell you, because this is exactly what I need for encouragement and accountability!!!
SO Excited!!! I had so much fun last year in Houston with the Siestas. A highlight of 2010 for me. On my way to buy my index cards. Thank you so much!
Love you,
Patty
Patty Patty patty!!!! Love you girl, can’t wait to see you!!
Whooo hoooo!!! I can’t wait. Dear Lord please expand my brain beyond current capacity so that I can memorize all my scrips. Thanking Him in advance knowing that He is ABLE. Glory to God….This is going to be so much fun.
Blessings Siestaville and a extra special Blessing for our Siesta Mama Beth~
Thank you so much I am so excited I better start saving my money for SMT CELEBRATION in 2012 can’t wait.
Boy you are right about changing the mind I have a tendency to get depressed and get anxious at times and when I do not say my verses my mind goes south and north and east and west and wherever else it goes. So I truly truly thank you mama seista for keeping us seista’s faithful and holding us accountable. The spirals are so cute I love the art work I just added my last verse to my 201o spiral on the 1st of Dec. Thank you to the Village for loving us seista’s and thank you to Sabrina , Cheryl Casey and Cathy at the copy doctor.
Looking forward for another yr in God word and hiding it in my heart.
Ordered my spirals already.
Love Carol
WOOOO HOOOO! This is awesome. I always look for a cute spiral but never seem to find. I like for God’s Word to be written in something pretty 🙂 Thanks so much to the whole “village” for doing this. I just ordered 3. One for me and one for each of my tweenage daughters. LOVE IT!!!
So happy to hear…I have been patiently expecting this post! Ordered my spiral today (ordered 2, one to give away), posted the invitation to my facebook page and see if I could get some new friends to join us!
This is awesome! I can’t wait to get started! (who says I have to wait?!?!) God’s really been talking to me about how I spend time with Him. I have a pack of index cards just laying around the house–maybe I’ll get a key ring thingy to keep them all together. I think I need this more than I ever have before!
SO EXCITED about SSMT 2011!
Whoop!
It was actually the first thing I mentioned when
I got home from Bham…got the weird look,
But I didn’t care!
I love scripture memorization…and what
was the coolest thing for me was how many
God put on my heart…I think there were like
5 I looked up to memorize myself…
He wants us to know His Word…it’s the
Only true way we will KNOW Him!
And I will tell some siestas here that there
are some verses I put your names by…it helped
me memorize all the more bc when I would
read the verse later in the Bible I would
think of you!
I think it’s why I chose to use a picture album
To keep mine in…the Bible
Is like a full picture album to me:)
And mama beth, I completely agree
with how His Word helps us push through
the triggers of the past…my friend actually
just wrote me saying that who I always
scare scripture with…we learn from the
unlikely for sure!
Cannot wait…!!!
Share would be the word instead of scare,
But I guess it would work sorta like conviction..
Maybe not lol..carry on.
Just had to say, I love the way you use words!
I’ve read several of your posts before, and what a gift!
🙂 thank you for your encouraging heart!
oooh….. OMS (cute jill_in_AL)…. i am soooo excited about this….. i was just talking to some girlfriends about memorizing scripture… but we were all asking how we should do this…. God’s timing is perfect timing!
i’m recruiting some girls as we speak…. to join SSMT and to join the siestahood.
oh, i’m so excited!!!!!!!!!!
Dear Beth
I was so blessed by our first year of Scripture Memory, I will talk to anyone about it at the drop of a hat. I never miss an opportunity to share with others know how very blessed they can be by storing up God’s Word in their minds and hearts.
We had our own small SSMT here on Hilton Head this past year, and have just celebrated completing our “20 in 2010” goal.
Thanks for doing this with us again. If I can get to my second SSMT celebration, I don’t want to leave without meeting you and saying thanks for all your ministry has done in my life.
Siesta Scripture Memory 2011 – YEA!!
Margie, I still think about the wonderful way God saw to it that Sherry & I would meet you & Karina in the lobby of the hotel after the Saturday event was over back in Jan. 2010. Sherry & I didn’t have a car and you and your sweet husband invited us to dinner with you & even took us to Walgreen’s so Sherry could get cough drops.
Then….we all attended church together the next morning. I’ll never forget it.
Sherry & I talk about you all often when we get together.
You’ve got to come in 2012! Through blogging & through events like these, I’ve met some of the most amazing women ever! I’m super excited!!!
I am pretty new to the blogging community, but I am very excited about memory verses.
Tracy
YIPPIEE , i am so excited to be doing this again 🙂
I love the Spiral! I haven’t commented in weeks. Time didn’t allow me to participate in the weekly questions. I’m doing the Esther study (love it) right now with some friends.
I’m so looking forward to SSMT again. My verses from last time carried me through some very rough months financially and health wise.
Take care. Love,
April
I love it! After reading the devotion in the Deeper Still booklet from B’ham on “Loving Deeply With All Your Mind,” I studied 2 Cor 10:3-5 for two hours the other day! What started as a 20 min devotion, turned into me picking apart these verses in commentaries and looking up word definitions of Greek/Hebrew, etc. God spoke to me in these verses like never before!!!!How cool is it that you referred to these exact verses and how we are to call our minds captive to the knowledge of Christ! I have to memorize and pray His Word and get my little “neon” notecards I have made (thanks to your teaching of this) or Satan does extreme combat in my mind. I was a completely destructive thinker with those exact fears, unimaginable worries, and bad memories you speak about and have to guard against going back to that. Reading your book, Praying God’s Word, years ago is where I first learned how to use His Word as the Sword of the Spirit that it is, and now I am so excited to purchase one of these spirals and do this with all of you Siestas this year!!!!! Thank you!!
Amanda that got up on stage at Deeper Still – HI! I took a picture of you up there because I was laughing that Beth kept playing with your hair!
I figured she’s such a loving mom she probably didn’t even realize she was twirling your hair while she kept talking. It was so cute, she really is our Mama. 😀
hahaha
Hi Michele!!! How sweet you took a picture!!! Yes, she probably didn’t even realize it at all but it was blessing my socks off!!! It’s kinda like those spiritual giants in your life you look to or people who you know in Heaven you will get to talk to and thank for helping you see Jesus!!! Well I was about to burst into tears with the filling of the Holy Spirit thinking…wow I didn’t have to wait until Heaven!!! I got to thank her now! (That’s what I said to her on her way in and when she asked for me to be a volunteer) Then, to have her play with my hair…how funny and just precious!!!! There are so many people in our life that help us along the way! Thanks for posting to my comment! Email me the pic if you ever have time! [email protected]
Beth, I would love one, but being from Canada it takes so long to come. Can you tell me how much it will cost in canadian dollars? I almost bought a plain book but everytime I looked at it, something said wait. And I am so glad I did. This ordering is new to me so if you can send me the cost that would be great. Thanks Beth!!!
Oh, my gracious, Rebecca, I don’t know but call the office and ask for resources and they’ll help you figure it out. (Look at one of the ticket giveaway posts for the toll free number. I’m replying to you from home and don’t remember it. Sorry!) We want you to have one and we’ll get it to you as quickly as we can. And save your money for next January!
Dearest Beth….
Thank you so very much for this encouragement!!!
The Lord and I have been chatting about what is ahead for me next year.. (sending my last two off to college ..empty nest) and where He would have me. It’s been a constant conversation of “to the Word beloved”and you have put such a beautiful stamp of confirmation on it. I’m in. Completely in. Thank you.. I love you dearly.
Dedra, Love you like crazy!!!! I am excited about memorizing as well!! To the Word my beloved is right!!! Can’t wait to see what I am going to learn about HIM through the next year!!!!
Can’t wait for another SSMT year. I was so blessed by the last one. I gained a new friend (Siesta Sister Meredith) when we met, the first time, at the airport on our way to the celebration in Texas. We recently ran a half marathon together and said we couldn’t wait until the next celebration in 2012. This time we plan on staying TWO nights to spend more time with our other “sisters” and, in particular, get out picture taken with our Siesta Momma. 🙂
Thank you Beth and the Living Proof Staff for all you do! Merry Christmas to each of you and your families.
Much love,
Vicki
The BEST Christmas Present yet….another year of Siestas and Scriptures…YEAH! Love the spiral…..ordering now!!
Beth, Another way to get the 2011 Scripture memory spiral would be to provide a web site to copy, print and paste the cover sheet onto our own spiral books. This way it might cut down on the thousands you would have to mail before the new year. Just a suggestions but would help with the “wo”Man Power!
It’s perfect! and your pic is so darlin! Thanks for thinking of us and keeping us close to your heart. Know that you are dear to us… so much love for you! Can’t wait for the scripture memory time! i’ve never done one on the blog before.
all smiles.
Jessica
Thank you, Beth!!
Kristi, how sweet of you to offer to buy spirals for other siestas. Reading that almost made me cry. Bless you, siesta.
HURRRRAAYYY!!! I knew I was going to have to go find a very cute spiral – I always need it to be cute. And the Lord (through LPM) hath provided! LOVE IT!
OH MY WORD!!!! SO CUTE! I have ordered mine and put a download item in my basket while I was at it! I only made it a few verses in last time…..looking for another try! Thankful for the no condemnation in Christ but also thankful that HE continues to push me to grow and become more like Him. I am looking forward to being STRETCHED this year.
So excited for this challenge! I really need it! Just ordered my spiral. 🙂
I just ordered mine! Thought about just using a plain one…but the cuteness will definitely encourage me to keep with it;)
Amen to that!
My husband just walked in and asked what I was reading that was making me smile so much… I had to turn my computer around so he could see! : )
Have already been praying the last few weeks about my verses for 2011! SO excited…
Thank you for doing this again! I need the accountability… I wish I could say I faithfully memorized verses in 2010… sadly I failed : ( *but I do keep my 2009 verses by my bed and go over them all the time!
Emmy! I want to travel to SSMT 2011 in 2012 with you and Wendy (Mom of 11) and Deborah (Twinkle) again. Because one of my favorite memories of 2010 was SSMT 2009! The Georgia Four – what a wonderful trip!
I love you!
Jan
Me too!!!!! I miss you and love you Georgia Jan!!!!
I want to make sure that I catch up with your group this year!! You guys really encouraged one another and I LOVE that!!!! Want to be a blessing!!
EMMY!!!! Hope we will see each other and can’t wait to hear what verses it is you memorize!!!
Yea! Tiffany!!!!! I can’t wait!!!! : )
My sweet friend Emmy!
I’ll never, ever forget the special day in Jan. at the event when I shared a prayer request with you in the hallway of the church & you said “Let’s just pray now!”
You prayed the sweetest prayer & that prayer was answered. It was amazing.
You know the rest of the story. :)))
Love you & can’t wait to see your sweet face again in Jan. 2012!!
Oh Valerie!
I will never forget our sweet time in the hallway! I am so thankful God answered our prayer! Speaking of prayers… I’m going to London for Christmas and will see Chas! He is doing amazing! Thank you sweet friend for all your prayers! God is good! Isn’t it so cool how God knitted our hearts together through prayer and this blog! Only God! I love that!!! Yea!!!! I can’t wait to see your sweet face in 2012!!!
Emmy : )
Love it!!!!! Just ordered one for myself, one for my daughter Grace (10) and one for my mama! Hopefully we can all make the trip to Houston in 2012!
Off the subject…Beth I adore that top you’re wearing. So CUTE! I’d love to know where you shop. ;o)
Much love,
Kimberly
Kimberly, I bet that top is…mmmmm…six or seven years old. Isn’t it fun?? Glad you like it.
i am holding back tears as i read this, realizing that i know that this is for me. dangit … here they come. i am one who struggles with fear and obsessive thoughts and even now, as i desire to commit to memorizing verses for next year, i’m not totally sure i can trust God to change me. i feel too wrapped up in my thoughts to let His Word really change me through and through. but i’m going to make a go at it because i need it.
thanks beth … and all you siesta girls for your encouraging stories and words.
lisa
Lisa, We read Heaven Is For Real this past month; it so encouraged my soul. Your comment jumped out to me and I thought I would encourage you to order it on Amazon…only 10$…Gift your Soul!! Kari
Love the spiral, Beth! It will definitely catch some eyes when we’re going thru them when we’re out and about! Thanks for doing this for us, right here at Christmas! I’ve already ordered mine!
Ordered mine!!! Cannot wait to be in Houston again in 2012. Memorizing scripture is LIFE CHANGING. Thanks for challenging us Beth.
Linda
I don’t think I’ll pay for overseas shipping but I will pick up a spiral here and join in. I think I need the renewal in memorizing!
Thanks for the partership everyone!
EEEEEE!!! I think it is as adorable as you are Beth!
I can’t wait – I didn’t participate in the last SSMT because I didn’t start reading your blog until late in 2009, but I did try to start on my own this year.
I already placed my order for 3 spirals – I will give one to my (biological) sister who (I am SO praying!!) will hopefully be a brand new spiritual sister SOON; and I am giving one to my friend at work because we need to work on keeping a heckuva lot more of God’s word in our hearts than the words we speak and think while we’re at work !! Bless you Beth and your village and all siestas!!
Stacyjo
Yay! It was a wonderful experience last time – can’t wait to get my spiral and begin again! Can’t wait to see y’all again in Houston!
I am so excited to get started with these new verses. My life is absolutely crazy and I am so excited to get all my verses in one cute little package instead of all over the place! Just what I need as I take care of 5 little ones and wait for my husband to come home from deployment! I love organization and it is so much better when that organization can be cute!
YES!!!!!!!!!! I am so pumped about this. I started shaking when I saw the post title. Being a part of the SMT in 2009 was one of the highlights of my Christian walk. I canNOT wait!!!!
Love your “name….raising futher Esthers” !
Yay that you are bringing this back.