Hey, Sweet Things! I hope you had the sweetest Christmas day. You guys had such special traditions. I loved picturing many of you yesterday doing the very things you described. Yolanda, I keep thinking about you coming from a sharecropper’s family and getting to pick out anything you wanted from the grocery store at Christmas. That you got the okra and your brother got the cool whip made me so happy. What a culinary pair. I hope so much I’m remembering those details right! If I’m butchering your story, correct me and forgive me.
Our family had such a great day! We stretched from a 22 month-old to two nearly 80 year-olds. We read the Christmas story together, prayed as a family, and tore into presents of all shapes and sizes. I was so whipped by late last night that I almost couldn’t make it to the mattress but the Moores, Jones, and Fitzpatricks had indeed celebrated the birth of Christ and shared much joy and laughter. And food. God lent me the cooking gift for 24 hours and my meal was so stinking good that I kept wanting to high-five my own self. Every time the conversation went to something else, I tried to subtly steer it back to my miraculous kitchen extravaganza and how it all came off at the same time. These are Christmas miracles, people. Not pearls before swine at the Moore house.
I don’t have a single picture to show you right now because I never picked up my cell phone. Melissa took great pictures with an actual camera but those will have to be uploaded. We’ll get them to you soon. So many fun things happened yesterday but I’ll mention the one that still had me tickled when I got into bed last night: Jackson’s first shot at karaoke. I got him a Phineas and Ferb Karaoke Machine and his parents thought it best not to get it out of the box until they got home at a later hour. Amanda videoed his debut last night and texted it to me on my I-phone. I’ve watched it over and over. I sent it to Travis and he had the good sense to love it, too. He thought maybe he noted a worship leader in the making based, I believe, on Jackson’s enthusiasm for the craft rather than his actual pitch. It is so hilarious and endearing that I can hardly stand it. Of course, little Miss is right up in his business but he occasionally acquiesced and put the microphone up to her mouth. She, too, sang with considerable gusto. The two main words of the kids’ song were “born again” (really LOUD) so the karaoke experience was the richer for its fine theology.
OK, I promised myself I wouldn’t do this because I need to stick to the task at hand and keep this post very focused so that we can direct people back to it in the future. SO, on with our important purpose: how to participate in the 2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Team! Here are a few things to know up front:
*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. When we first began the blog several years ago, 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. 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 helping stuff Siesta Scripture Memory Spirals into envelopes on the 22nd, I said to my coworkers, “JUST THINK, what would happen if 6000+ women really did memorize 24 Scriptures in 2011?? What are the implications of that? What kind of repercussions might that have in our personal lives and our homes?” And we got all riled up. 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.
*Very often you will see me refer to SSMT. Just so you’ll know, that is an abbreviation for “Siesta Scripture Memory Team.” I also want the rest of you to keep in mind 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 2011, 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. 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: “Forget about what’s happened! Don’t keep going over old history. Be alert! Be present! I’m about to do something brand new. It’s bursting out. Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road in the desert and rivers in the badlands.” Isaiah 43:18-19 The Message
(That was my first Scripture from last year so I wrote it from memory. If you choose that one, you better double check it. It’s at least 95 per cent accurate…I think. Yep. Double check it.) 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. 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 mid-January of 2012. (I’m writing this from my home on Sunday evening and I forget exactly which weekend in January 2012 we scheduled it. I’ll double check and let you know shortly so you can save money for your transportation and hotel. We do not charge for the event. Your entrance fee is your well-used spiral. By the way, Travis is planning to be there again to lead us in worship and my beloved LPM staff and daughters are looking really forward to it, too.) Here’s how you qualify:
*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, 2011)
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. 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.
Sarah Gulfport 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
I am so excited! I received my Spiral today although I had resolved myself that it would be on back order and whenever I got it is when I got it. But I got it today and YAY! I already know my scripture verse that I want to memorize and can not wait until tomorrow. What a way to bring in the New Year! Thanks for all you guys do at LPM. It really makes a difference in my life!
mzzterry in texas
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
I’m in!
Sweet Beth,
I’m in to do this again. How wonderful to hide God’s Word in my heart.
I’m in
I’m ready….I need this.
OH MY…God is soooo good. I have been having situations this last week where I was reminded that I should be memorizing scriptures to carry me through….and I found this tonight online looking for bible study hints….Count me in!!!!!!!
Yup count me in
Missed it in 2009 but looking forward to working on my memory skills in 2011.
Looking forward to having His word on my heart!!!
Ok – I’m signing up and looking forward to the challenge. I loved it last time but was not able to attend the end session. This time I told my hubby I was going come whatever may! He said we could make it a ‘family’ vacation! Super excited to see what words from God’s playbook He wants me to commit to my heart!
Thanks Mama Beth for spearheading this adventure!
Kelli in Colorado
I’m so thankful my friend Mary posted this on Facebook.
I’m excited to get 2011 started with a goal of 24 verses memorized with the “siesta’s”. 🙂
Thanks so much Beth!!!
I’m looking forward to participating for the first time! Love the spiral, and I’m determined…if my 4 year old can memorize 24 verses a year in her Awana Cubbies group, then I can memorize 24 with you ladies! To God be the glory!
Can’t wait to get started ! I got my sister a SSMT spiral as well and she is excited and ready to go as well !
My daughter invited me to join all of you on this wonderful adventure. I’m excited but very nervous as I have never been one to quote scripture. I want to be able to do this as I think this will enrich my opportunities when I’m speaking with others.
My little 4×6 photo book in hand hoping to post my Scripture at Midnight. Such is life… Not disappointed. Mine will be Isaiah 58:6 bright and early! 🙂 Looking forward to the SSMT.
Besides getting married (ee!) SSMT is the thing I’m most excited about in 2011. It’s a resolution I can keep. Participating in 2009 was such a blessing, and is really a journal of my year. I’m excited ladies!!
I just found your website from another blog. This is my first try- let’s see how it goes. Peace!
Starting today.
I don’t want to miss out on putting my verse in. I know this isn’t the right place, but Beth is still sleeping, I guess, or I’ve missed the post for today somehow.
1 Corinthians 2:5, NIV
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Phyllis
Gilmer, Tx
LOL Phyllis, me too!! I have been up for 2 hours waiting to publish my first scripture. So, here it is: Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
I’m going to do this with my sister who lives farther away from me than I would like! We’re excited!
Want to be a part of this and wondered if I missed anything. Will blog come in my email if I am already getting your blogs? Or, do I have to do something else?
I am up early to get started today 1/1/11!
Thank you for your ministry!
Donna
I want to do this so bad so and be successful at it that
i cant wait.
“Forget about what’s happened! Don’t keep going over old history. Be alert! Be present! I’m about to do something brand new. It’s bursting out. Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road in the desert and rivers in the badlands.” Isaiah 43:18-19 The Message
Beautiful!
This I can do! Perhaps my Bible study group to do as well! I’m going to ask my daughter to partner with me in this exciting adventure.
What a wonderful way to start 2011….and to be transformed by God’s word throughout the year.
Lynda-Wyoming: Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 NKJ
Is it too late to get in on this? just wondering, been MIA for a while.
No ma’am! Today is the day! Come and join us!!
yay
Lynn – Edmond 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (NIV)
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God 1 Cor 10:31 NIV
Then I pray to You,O Lord. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life.
Psalm 142:5
Beginning today!! woohoo!!
Angie, Queen City, TX
16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thess. 3:16 NIV
I’ve read the blog for a couple of years now, but haven’t ever jumped into SSMT – never seemed to catch it at the right time. When I saw the spirals and realized that I could start at the beginning of the year, I got excited!
I bought spirals for myself, my sister, my aunt (my spiritual mom), and my cousin thinking that we could all do SSMT together, memorize the same verses (each choosing six throughout the year), and hold each other accountable. We’re all really excited about seeing how the Lord is going to work in this area of our lives this year.
My question is this – can I post one entry on the 1st and 15th for all four of us and have it count for the SSMT celebration next year? We all live in east Texas and would love to participate, if possible. My aunt isn’t very technological and doesn’t understand the blog comment concept! I’ve already posted for Verse 1, but if I need to go back and change it, I can.
Thanks for everything y’all do to encourage all of us in this journey we’re taking together! Happy New Year!
I saw your post earlier with the 4 names. I think this will work fine, but if you can include email addresses for each one, I think that may help us out. Blessings!!
Thanks so much for letting me know! I tried to type all of our email addresses into the “mail” blank of this comment, but it wouldn’t submit. Can you let me know how I can get you those without posting them visibly in a comment? Thanks so much and God bless!
Ahhh, hadn’t thought about that. Just keep doing it as you did this time. We’ll let you know if we need something different. =)
Sorry to make it more complicated for y’all. I just know my aunt would get really frustrated trying to post a comment. She’s brilliant, but computers are NOT her thing!
I can email them to you if you ever need them.
Thanks for all that you do! 🙂
Yet (s)he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in (her) faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised. Romans 4:20-21 NIV
AND
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her! Luke 1:45 NIV
(M’Lissa, Keller, TX)
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen!” Ephesians 3: 20-21, NIV Study Bible
Charne (Standerton- South Africa)- “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.(Isa 43:10)ESV
rachel,alexandria. “You crown the new year with Your good blessings and You leave abundance in Your wake.” Psalm 65:11 NET
susan, corbin. “You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance” Psalm 65:11 NLT
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints–Colossians 1:3-4, NIV
Brenda, El Paso “Do Not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19. NASB
(I’ve got me some wilderness – GLORY!!)
“But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!”
Habakkuk 2:3 (The Living Bible)
(Toni-Gulfport, MS) Isaiah 32:17 (NIV) The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
Debbie / Canada
2nd Cor. 10:3-5 / ESV
For though we walk in the flesh we are not waging war according to the flesh.
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the fles but have divine power to destroy stronghold.
We destro arguments and every lofty raised against the knowleadge of God, and every thought captive to obey Christ.
Loni from Colgate, Wi.
Oh Lord, Be gracious to us, We long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.
Isaiah 33:2
January 1,2011 at 11:34 am
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” Phillippians 4:19 TNIV
So excited to get started today!!!
Heidi, Somerset, KY: “The rich rule over the poor and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7 (NIV) Working on reducing debt this year and this verse is my inspiration!
Can’t wait to have another year of powerful verse memorization for 2011! My friend Donna and I did it in 2009 and received such a blessing. I continue to read over my spiral often. In fact on this day 12-26 the minister of music from our church called me at 8:40 AM and asked if I could teach the youth S.S. class which began at 9:30 AM – I said sure – I took my spiral and shared the promises we all have from God’s Word. God’s word keeps me going everyday! Looking forward to a new year.
Diane Roth, Florence, SC John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. King James Version