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.
I am IN like FLYNN! can’t wait!!! I love it!
I’m new to your blog, but not new to your studies. The first conference of yours I went to was around 1997 or ’98 or so. I could be wrong, but I think it was around that time. I’m pretty sure it was in Virginia.. I was brought by my mother in law while we were visiting from California. Since the birth of my first child (Jackson in 2002) I stopped working outside of the home and was actually able to make my church’s Monday night study. We’ve done so many of yours including Breaking Free twice. I want to thank you Beth for all you do to help so many people in their faith walk. And I love this scripture memory idea. I will be on board this year! Much love!
I can hardly wait. I’m literally crying I’m so touched. I have already picked up my spiral so many times and tried to imagine how it will look a year from now, what we will go through together. I will write my first Scripture by the light of a sparkler after I kiss my honey at midnight Friday 😉
I always wonder what will be in that spiral over the course of the next year and what will be going on in my life. It’s a tender feeling to realize that God knows already and is equipping me in advance.
Will the celebration be in Houston?
Absolutely. At my home church.
Yippee Yippee YIPPEE!!
SO excited! Come on January!!
I love you too BLOG MAMA. and I and sending my best hugs to you….So consider yourself hugged by a grateful blogger SIESTA STYLE HUG! 🙂
I have the scripture spiral so you can count me in.
Thanks for sharing just a little about handling ATTACKS on your own family. I am finding that God’s Word can take the emotional wreck that I was when in crisis and make me stable again and keep me stable. The emotional pain was so great that I couldn’t bear it at times. God has settled me down. He keeps me coping even though by all rights I should not be able to manage the despair. Staying in the Word is key for me. Thanks for being there when my heart was broken. Nancy in Tyler, Texas
Thank YOU Blog momma for being here and encouraging me by reminding me that God’s love is real
, I just arrive here a few weeks ago. I was in desparate straits
I am so looking forward to participating, FINISHING, and God willing attending next January! I have two spirals and I am waiting to see who I am suppose to give the other one to.
This has nothing to do with this post but I have to share! Last Christmas I asked my husband for tickets to see you when you came to Tampa in April (i think it was). I had sent him the link and gave him all the directions. Christmas morning- no tickets. He said it confused him but I could buy the tickets myself. Once I finally went to buy them it was sold out. WELL, this year I found out you will be in Pensacola next December and I mentioned it to him in passing a couple times, months ago. Christmas morning he handed me a gift box, inside it was a printed piece of paper with the arm bands attached to it. I am thrilled to be going but that was not even what touched me about the gift. He stepped WAY WAY out of his comfort zone, I have no clue when he ordered them or where he had them mailed to. It was so much more than tickets.
I could have ordered those tickets for Tampa many times before it sold out but I would have used a cc and we were trying not too. Everytime I went to do it anyways, I felt so convicted and couldn’t do it. Then it sold out. God is doing some awesome things in my husbands life and heart right now and if I had “charged” ahead before I would have missed something so sweet and special this year.
Cara
Can’t wait
We have our siesta memory verse spirals ready and waiting, doing this with my 32 yr old daughter! 🙂
mama beth 🙂
I am so excited:) 2011 is going to be different for
me. I can feel that God is going to do something
huge:) but my plans have to line up with His,
so I’m just going to let Him speak for me and keep
my mouth shut about things He “might” do, and just
let Him DO, for crying out loud!
my verses this yr taught me: He delivers me from my
fears, He himself will fight for me, He will sustain me,
He will rebuild the ruins and restore places long devastated(Isaiah 61:4?),
Nothing is too hard for Him!:)….LOVE it!!!!
anyway, this is why I love SSMT, because it gets
me following the light on the path to where
He wants me.(psalm 119:105) I’d stumble trying to figure it
out on my own…His Word is life to me!
Xoxo
Ang
beth, i got tears just thinking about january 2012!!! i’m so ready to get started again!
much love,
tracey knight
arkadelphia ar (just practicing!)
Want to join! Need more of God’s word in my heart/mind.
I think I’m going to try doing this with you. I’m not good at memorizing anything, but I’m always encouraged here and know the benefits from facing this challenge will be great. Beth, thanks for allowing your passion for the Word to spill over into this community!
I’m so excited to get started. I NEED this!
Dear Beth,
I love you so much! I’m getting ready to go back to Haiti tomorrow after 2 wonderful weeks at home. I can’t tell you how many nights I have recited my scriptures that I memorized in 2009 since I’ve been in Haiti. I’m looking forward with great joy to memorizing scripture in 2011. Got my spiral in the mail last week! YAY! What joy it was to get it before I leave tomorrow. AND, I bought new pens yesterday ~ different colors. I have to use a different color for each scripture… 🙂 Much love and blessings to you and your family!
I was already thinking about doing SSMT this year and ordering my spiral when my mom surprised me with an early Christmas present she had my 3 year old make for me. It was a spiral that she had purposed for “passwords” for my computer. She told me she just couldn’t wait to give it to me because my son was so excited about his craft project. It is the cutest thing all decorated with butterflies and mama…. all in glittered foam cutouts. I was sqealing with delight knowing God was just confirming my participation! When I told my mom about my plans we both giggled at how awesome God is. I have already bought my special pens to write in my spiral, and God willing I will be rocking a very special hand decorated spiral at next year’s celebration!! I can’t wait to see what verse God writes on my heart first!!!! YAY!
Thanks for being a great encouragement to me via the blog. I don’t share very often but it is fun to follow and I always feel like I am part of the “sister-family”.
We are moving to Chiang Mai, Thailand in 2 wks and will have lots of changes going on again. We have been in Singapore for 6 years and focus mainly on South East Asia so the move will be a great help in reaching some of the closed countries we minister to. While living in the states I was involved in many of your Bible studies and I now enjoy catching you on the internet. I am looking forward to how the Lord uses His Word in my heart and life. Thanks for your honest sharing and encouragement.
WOW, Barb! May Christ continue to go before you, behind you, within you, and all over you.
Barb,
I have some friends that just moved to Chiang Mai…I wonder if you might know them?? The Hambrice family??
Dear Siestas and Siesta Momma
This is only the 2nd time I ever replied to this blog site that I’ve been following for a year or 2 now. I wasnt going to do the scripture memory and I’ll say why in a moment ( its sooooo lame!!!) but its now 6:30 am and Im snowed in here in NJ…digging out of a blizzard here!!! I’ve been out of work for over 3 years and I need this scripture memory discipline.I WILL NOT LET SATAN WIN JUST BECAUSE i CANT AFFORD A STINKIN $3.00 SPIRAL!!! I WILL WRITE IT ON SCRAPS OF PAPER AND STAPLE THEM TOGETHER IF i EVER HAVE TO!!!
So lets get on with it….Im determined not to let him get me down. Im working on the Revelation study now and just got thru session #8 where Beth talks about where we are not defeated…Satan’s lost that power through the death of Jesus on the cross. He cant accuse me any more…So take that Satan you smuck!!!( Excuse me but he makes me so mad!!!) Im the lady Siesta Momma you replied to on the talk to me Tesday’s about the question where what did we ask God recently for wisdom about…I asked for wisdom and understanding if pets are in heaven when they die. I cant believe the comfort I had from one lady in particular who even called me ( I had left my phone #) If i had that kind of support then I want it again learning scripture from this blog with you ladies and I’LL DO IT BY THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS….SPIRAL OR NO SPIRAL!!!
BRING IT ON….I CANT WAIT TO DO THIS
on fire kathleen in nj,
KATHLEEN
Bring it on, Kathleen.
Kathleen…..last time I just wrote my verses on 3×5 index cards and clipped them together. Kept them with me and while in my car at every red light, I would go thru/meditate/recite the verse out loud. Write them on whatever you can find….this is too incredible to pass up! Blessings to you Siesta!
Ginger
Wetumpka, AL
Thank you Ginger…I’ll make my own out of construction paper and lined paper I have in the house. I thought everyone would be together owning one of the Siesta scripture spirals I wouldnt be like the rest of you guys, but I’ll be okay…thanks for the reply
Miss Kathleen
Miss Kathleen, I am not buying one of the spirals either. Money is tight, but God has provided some blank cards in the back of my file cabinet that will do the trick. I have the hand writing of a troll, so I am not sure it would look right in that cute SSMT spiral anyway. LOL
And I would love to go to the celebration, but will only make it if God provides a way. More than that though, I want a year like never before of walking with Jesus and His Word.
And who knows for those who can’t go, perhaps God will provide a live internet feed to those who kept the commitment and qualify. (hint hint Beth) It would be cool if those who can’t make if for one reason or another could be paired up with other siestas who can make it and say their verses to each other on the phone. And with resources like http://www.biblegateway.com/ or http://www.e-sword.net folks could easily get the right translation on their screen since they can’t hold the cards.
Just a thought. I know there are many who would like to come and for one reason or another can’t the trip but long to be a part of the celebration.
Miss Cat Lady….
I hope you go back and see your reply for Im writing back to your reply to me and its days later…
LOVE your blog name by the way!! Let me know please if there is some way we can “attend” the siesta event at the end of all the memorization. I too cant afford it. The video link would be awesome….would that be possible. Its such a cool idea for those who would like to be ther but cant….im in NJ and no $$$ let me know what an awesome thing that would be to be in that powerful meeting and see Beth too in person…..SIGH!!
Here’s my email pls reply back.or by phone (im such a phone person as apposed to computer, twitter (never done that) and email)
[email protected]
908-630-0489
Love ya siesta,
Miss Kathleen
Miss Kathleen
Kathleen,
Somehow over time, I became “the cat lady”. I didn’t like cats AT ALL! I always thought I would get married, have a husband, children and a dog–NO CATS! God had other plans and I am 41 single, no hubby, no kids, no dogs and 4 cats. On Christmas, my neighbors tried to give me another cat. As much as the cats have come to bless me–I can’t afford any more blessings right now. God has had a lot of plans that have been my plans for me. I am glad He loves me enough to give me what is best and what I need rather than what I want.
My email is [email protected] if you want to drop me a line. I will send you an email, but just wanted you to know mine in case I ended up in the spam box.
Anyway, I know that Beth “Siesta Simulcast” Moore has the technology to make it happen, so I suppose it is a matter of cost and logistics. I hope that even if a live link for those that qualify can’t be made to happen that perhaps those who can’t attend can grab a cup of coffee, tea, or drink of their choice. Raise their mug to the sky and then say their verses to the Lord. Perhaps we could pick a time to do that and it altogether even though we might be miles apart. And for that God has the technology and presence to meet with all of us no matter where we are!
I have already started working on a passage. It was such a blessing this morning to lay in my warm bed and say the verses out loud. One of the cats was annoyed at me and started to groom my head. He does that when he thinks I need to get up and give him his meds and treats in the morning. He hates it when I dottle and he lets me know. So I pulled my head under the covers to avoid his affection so that I could finish and he crawled under and looked me in the eyes as if to say “get up woman!”
True to my lifelong nature, I procrastinated in 09 and only made it through May 15 with my scripture memorization. I’d like to make excuses and say, “oh, wait, but right after that I turned 50, got married, moved from my lifelong SC home to Seattle, then 8 months later moved to Germany, left all my friends and family, etc, etc.” but you know what? WHAT should be most important? No excuses this year. None. I NEED the Word in my tired old soul. I need the Word to breathe, to live, to survive the raging hormones and the tears that try to overwhelm every day. I need the Word to inspire me to reach out in this new world and do my job to support my husband’s ministry. Oh, how I need the Word tucked away in my heart, because if I depend just on my little brain I can’t even remember to unload the dishwasher!
Thank you, Beth, for leading this SSMT. Put me in, Coach!
WendyB
who is saving her euros and pennies starting today for a trip to Houston in ’12!
CAN’T WAIT! Already have the verse picked out, my brand-spanking-new Siesta spiral is on my dresser waiting to be filled with the Word of God. You have no idea how much I need this in my life. Not just the memorization, but the accountability. Although I knew this was coming, this morning it was like an extra bold Starbucks Sumatra with an extra shot of espresso to my spirit to read this post. Glory to God and His perfect timing.
Blessings and welcome to all the new women – you will be blessed
Kim
The snow is still coming down and the winds are howling here in Long Island, NY but I anticipate God coming down in a great way in all our lives as we are diligent to not only memorize but take in and live out His Word. This will be my first time participating and I am so excited to start the new year right. Thank you, Beth, for always directing us back to the One who makes all things possible.
I am so excited to participate in this for the first time. I stumbled upon this blog early in the spring when life didn’t seem worth living. I spent the first part of 2010 in the hospital because I was suicidal. After finding this blog, I have been so encouraged by the posts and comments. I was also tickled to see that the verse I chose for my first memory verse is the same one Beth chose for last year. I want to remind myself daily that Satan cannot haunt me with events from my past unless I let him.
Oh, Dear Casey, you are so dear to Jesus. He has plans for your life that the enemy would like to thwart. You stick tight with Jesus. His way is life. Scripture memorization is for YOU, darling thing. It’s for me, too. Bad pasts. Beautiful futures.
Casey, I almost didn’t go to SSMT in Jan 2010 due to the same issues as you. Mine was in Oct-Nov 2009 and my memory was struggling with all that went on mentally and emotionally, BUT I went and God was at work that weekend for sure; thanks to the love of the LPM staff and other Siestas. I can’t wait to meet you in person in TX and give you a true Siesta hug!!
If you hadn’t gone in January, I would never have met you, you beautiful thing! You are such an encourager and filled with so much love. It is an honor, to walk alongside you, memorizing God’s Word for us. Love to you!
Thank you so much for your kind words of support! I am looking forward to taking this journey with you also. Hugs to you!
Casey-
Eph 6 all the way…I’d love to talk to you,
I’ve not been in hospital, but came very close
many times…You need SSMT….we all do!
the world is a painful place, but we don’t have
to carry it’s pain…so easier said then done,
I have at least 5 diff verses I want to tell you,
But I will just pray them over you instead.
He is greater! He is powerful! He moves mountains!
Here’s to a God steered 2011!
I don’t know how to react to the love I feel here. You all have made me feel like I’m not a failure. I feel welcomed into a fold of godly, encouraging women! I cannot wait to get to know each of you more in the coming year! Thanks for taking the time to write your words of support! Love y’all already!
In “Breaking Free” there is a part where Beth talks
about the beautiful sunset, and telling God,
“I love you.” and God stops her and says,
“don’t say I love you, instead say I love you too,
There is never a time I don’t orchestrate it first.”
(I hope I got it remotely right, mama beth)
Casey, girl I know what it feels like to not
know how to easily receive love, and I don’t know
your past, but its hard to receive it,
If it was never given. Please know this community
is filled with love…God orchestrated love 🙂
Received my spiral and am so excited. I participated last time and this time my daughter-in-love is going to do it with me! Thank you so much for this wonderful way to meditate on God’s Word with others. You have blessed my life so much these past six years. I didn’t think it was possible for me to love and enjoy God as much as I do now and it was your Bible studies that opened the door to my heart. May God continue to richly bless your ministry.
My spirals came on Christmas Eve morning. I was so excited and I cannot wait to write down my first verse. We all had a blast last year in Houston and I will never forget how much fun Lichelle, and my friend Georgia and myself reciting our memory verses together. We went upstairs in your church’s gym and sat on the walking track and recited our verses. lol 2 Siestas actually walked around the track while reciting their verses.
I have asked God to give me a theme verse for 2011 and He did. 🙂
Have a wonderful week and Happy New Year!!
Much love,
Patty
God has given me my theme for the year also Patty…Psalm 139 🙂
I can’t wait to begin memorizing this chapter that reminds me that God knows me…he really knows me…and nothing in my life takes him by surprise…and this little chapter happens to have 24 verses. How convenient is that?!
I’m really going to try to do this this time. BTW, there is a demonstrable effect that writing the verse out helps you memorize it, particularly if you are a kinesthetic learner (you learn by doing things better than by hearing or reading them). Somehow muscle memory gets involved the same way it does for riding a bike or swimming.
I’d love to know more about that, Regina!
It’s true. I learned a teensy bit about this in a seminar. When one of my daughters was in third grade, her teacher recognized her as a kinesthetic learner and recommended she use a magic board to assist her with homework since she retained more if she wrote things out or acted them out. I, on the other hand, am a visual learner and retain best if I see something written out: so I am fully entertained by lovely fonts and plan to print my verses out in a generous variety of them (and I am completely nerdy enough to even know the names of most of them). It’s actually very helpful to know your “learning language” in order to best shape your memorizing to the natural wiring God gave you.
In addition to writing there is apparently also science that shows speaking it aloud can actually rewire the thalamus in the brain, when done repeatedly. When my daughter was having trouble with memorizing times tables, I would have her write them over and over while saying them out loud. It seemed to help. So, speak those verses out of your mouths…you will not only remember them but you can change your thinking with the Word!
I cannot wait! His Word never fails, it is our very breath!
Oh I can’t wait! It is such a blessing to read through all the verses…That is what I think I love most, well besides the actuall memorizing them all. I still have my old spiral on my treadmill and read and say them outloud while I am walking away! I think that is the most important thing I learned from doing this is how important it is to say the verses out loud!!
Blessings everyone!
michelle in VT
Michelle, I thought I was the only “nerdy” on with having my scriptures at my treadmill, going over them as I walk.
Yolanda,
Isn’t it great to know you are not alone! haha
Blessings,
michelle
Beth, I thank God for you. I was not raised up in a Christian home and never had Godly guidance. So I get alot of my guidance from you. I do study God’s word but sometimes when I don’t understand things I read things you have wrote or posted and it sets me in the right direction. I am just a work in progress. Thank You for all you do for us Siesta’s. Love love love you! Looking forward to joining in on the fun.
I’m so glad you’re here, Diane. May God continue to grow you up in His knowledge and grace. We’re all in process here so everybody belongs!
I can hardly wait for 2011. I am so excited. Thanks for the inspiration.
Ok, girls, I am brand new at this but excited and ready to go! I haven’t picked my first verse yet, but I am praying so pretty sure God will lead me to just the right one. Oh and Melissa… I attended your break out at the Forum in N.C. and you did a great job. A little nervous but just precious and so knowledgeable. Well done!
I am in! Love the accountability. Love the encouragement. Love meditating on God’s word. Thanks so much, Beth, for constantly pouring out love through this blog. It makes a huge difference!
I’m not sure if this is cheating or not but I’ve already started chewing on my first verse. I’m one of those who isn’t good at memorizing so I’m giving myself a head start…just sticking my toe in the water, so to speak. I am already struck by the power there is in the trying. I literally catch myself grasping for His exact Words. What could be better than that? I can’t wait to see the fruit of an entire year of this.
Not cheating at all, Ginny. All you’re doing is cheating the devil.
🙂 Thank you, Beth. I love the thought of that!
I CANNOT wait to get started! So excited.
I just started memorizing scripture less than a year ago. It’s amazing how I think I’ll never remember it and then one day without even focusing on it, boom out it comes! I led the family prayer at Christmas dinner for the first time. I wasn’t prepared, but the next thing I knew I was quoting a verse! Now where did that come from? We know! My niece said: did you prepare that? I said, no! It just came out that way!
Oh I SOOOO can’t wait! I’ve never done this before, and am really looking forward to it. Off to buy my spiral today!!! Thanks again Beth, you are such an encouragement!
So excited. Can’t wait. This will make me so much more accountable, which is what I need. Thx!
I’m soooo excited about this!! Last year I must have wimped out because I did not finish. 🙁 I remember doing so well until summer hit. I am thankful for the spurring on that can be found here.
I’m so grateful for each and every siesta that is found here! Thanks for being such a good momma to us!
Hugs and blessings,
Fran
TN
I promise to bug you to keep with it:)
And you know I will!
I am so glad that you decided to do the scripture memory again. I did not do so well by myself this last year. Thank you so much for your leadership.
Beth,
From the get-go you had me in tears. I am truly in this for the long haul. I can’t wait for 2011 and all the scriptures that we will begin to wield and to hold up and protect us….our shield of faith.
We love you and I, for one, can’t wait for January 1st!
With much love,
Yolanda
Me, too, Yolanda. Me, too. 🙂 You are sweet, sweet dear one. I sense a swell of our Father’s pride and love dancing around in my heart for you. How sweet it is to see you through His eyes in this moment.
Love you! I can’t wait. 🙂
I participated in SSMT two years ago and continued to memorize scripture in 2010. It has been an amazing blessing to me. We were going through a difficult season as my husband’s business was slim to none. The first one I memorized was Ephesians 5:21-24 from The Message about respecting and submitting to my husband as Christ does to His church. I chose this because earlier in our marriage we had 2 six month periods of time where he was unemployed and let me tell you siestas that I was not a pleasant woman then. I wanted it to be different this time; to be at peace, a helper to him, a support, and to show that my trust was in The God who Provides. Oh, LORD you are so faithful. I have to say that these may have been the best 2 years of my life. I love, love, love having verses at the ready whenever my mind starts to head south. I have also shared verses with friends in need when I didn’t have my Bible with me! How handy 🙂
I could not afford to come to the SSMT celebration last time, but I am going to be there in 2012! My best friend is going to join the team this year too. I know she is going to get her socks blessed off!
“I wanted it to be different this time…” Love that God actually makes us different. He makes me the woman I want to be, but am otherwise powerless to become.
Amen!!
Beth, I just had to tell you what just happened. Before my quiet time, I logged on to see if the instructions were up yet for the SSMT. I read through them and then turned to the second day in my new 90 Days with Paul study (I received it for Christmas …..yay) and the first question you posed was this: “In what ways do you ( or could you) keep the truth of Scripture more readily available and accessible to you throughout the day?” I just had to laugh and share.
Isn’t God’s timing perfect? That makes me so happy. Well, I guess you know it’s the will of God for you right now.
Beth,
I just want to thank you for all the lessons I’m learning from you about how to be a wife, mother, and someday…mother-in-law and grandmother. I know you’ll say it’s only by God’s grace, but I’ll take all the grace I can get! My family growing up was wonderful, really, but there are things I want to be different for my kids (5 and 2) than for me; and you’re giving me a glimpse into some of the things I didn’t even know were missing but that I want for them. So, thank you, and know that you and yours are prayed for often.
Can’t wait to memorize scripture again…I think my husband is going to join me this year:)!
This is so awesome. I already have my 1st scripture at the ready, going to be like a fast gun draw! Looks like I’m putting on the full Armour of God in 2011. Want to let you know I feel very blessed to have so many siestas to walk with. I got to know Beth:)through a ladies bible study in Dubai (I’m believing in God) and now residing in Australia I found you via the blog. Even though I’m not in the USA, I do feel very close. It’s especially nice receiving your updates. Just hearing about the book stores, favorite coffee hubs, the LPM offices, passionate team, homelife, it all makes me smile. You shine His light in such a wonderful way and I thank you for the continual encouragment to study God’s word.
God Bless you Beth and all those Siesta’s out there fighting the good fight.
Hi, Siestas & Beth
Hi, Beth I am very excited to start the New Year with scripture memorization and with all these other siestas at that! I am new to your blog and I love it, all of your stories inspire, encourage & uplift. Thank you for taking the time and putting so much effort into the ministry for us ladies we sure need it.
So, glad to hear that your Christmas was really good with your family… 😉
Much love
Blessings in the New Year
I’m so excited about doing SSMT for the first time and am already starting to plan for my trip to Houston in 2012 (I’m in Lincolnton, NC)!! I’ve already told my husband we’d make a nice vacation out of it!
I really want to learn more about the Bible this year and I think this is an awesome way to do it! I can’t wait for the spiral orders to open back up so I can get in on the fun but in the meantime, I’m ready to go with my own!
I just love you to pieces Beth! Thank you for opening up this opportunity to us!
In Him,
Amber Moon
I have invited 3 other Siestas to join me on this journey!
I am so looking forward to doing it again with all of you!
i. am. in. i only joined the blogging world full steam last january, so i missed the last one. i am pumped!
I read the Siesta’s verses all last year from the sidelines, since I am so stinkin’ pitiful at memorization. Well, this year I’m jumping right in. My Heavenly Father already knows that memorization can be a challenge for me, so there’s just no sense in being ashamed any longer. I can’t wait to see how the Word is going to impact all of us this coming year!
No shame! Just ask Him to get His Word in you however it’s most effective. STAY WITH IT ALL YEAR LONG, Shannon!
Good morning Beth! I am so excited about the SSMT starting up again. I tried to do it on my own this past year and guess what…didn’t have the accountability from you & the Siestas. I purchased 2 spirals and am giving one to a friend. She doesn’t have a computer, so is it okay that she makes her posts from mine? I am hoping we can attend the event in 2012 together. I love reading your posts which gives me encouragement and to know that I am a part of a group of wonderful Christian woman who I can count on for prayer, comments or advice. I don’t make many comments but when I do I get such sweet replies from the Siestas. I am looking forward to starting 2011 with you and all the Siestas in Siestaville! Love to all and praying for a very wonderful & blessing New Year.
Sounds like you had a fabulous Christmas–and how you manage to remember all of us in the midst of it, I know must be the grace and strength of God. Thank you for feeding your little siestas. This little sheep is sending some very grateful bleets and ba-ahs your way.
And, thank you so very much for doing this! I feel truly blessed to be a part of such an essential discipline.
Since the blog posts arrive in my mail box a day late, I’ll try to remember to check in on the first and fifteenth–but, I’m glad to know I can post the next day if I forget.
Are the spirals available in Canada yet? I’d better check that out, or head to the dollar store and pick up one I can personalize.
I am going to start praying right now that God will open a way for me to be able to meet with the group in 2012. Can’t wait to see what He is going to do! 🙂 🙂 🙂