Siesta Scripture Memory Instructions

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.

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2,602 Responses to “Siesta Scripture Memory Instructions”

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Comments:

  1. 1851
    Melanie says:

    Philipians 4:7
    And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

  2. 1852
    Angie from Queen City, Tx says:

    And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh. Everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” Genesis 21:6 NCV

  3. 1853
    jane bailey says:

    Jane, Gadsden,Al.
    Phillipians 4:6 NIV
    Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,present your requests to God.

  4. 1854
    june says:

    june, Gadsden, Al.
    John8:12 NIV
    When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

  5. 1855
    Amanda Taylor says:

    “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

    Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)

  6. 1856
    Amanda Taylor says:

    “Teach me your way Lord that I may rely on your faithfulnes, give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.”

    Psalm 86:11 (NIV)

  7. 1857
    Amanda Taylor says:

    “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for buidlding others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

    Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

  8. 1858
    Claire for Laconia, NH says:

    may 1 scripture Nehemiah 8:10b (NIV) …Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

  9. 1859
    Lynette says:

    Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

  10. 1860
    Ashley Foster says:

    “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” 2 Tim 1:7 (NAS)

  11. 1861
    Ann Forrer says:

    Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! Psalm 130:2 ESV

  12. 1862
    Debbie Scherrer says:

    Debbie, Sevierville Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city Rev 22:14 NIV

  13. 1863
    Kim H- Austin says:

    “For nothing is impossible with God.”
    Luke 1:37 Quest NIV

  14. 1864
    Yescenia says:

    “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

  15. 1865
    Claire from Laconia, NH says:

    Chronicles 16:9 (NASB) The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.

  16. 1866
    Kathy says:

    Kathy West Milton

    Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, is it not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong.
    1 Corinthians 13:4,5

  17. 1867
    Melanie Johnson says:

    Melanie from Georgetown says, “When I am aftaid, I will trust in You.” Psalm 56:3 NIV

  18. 1868
    Earlene Brewer says:

    Oak Ridge, Tennesse

    “In you, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in your righteousness.” – Psalm 31:1

  19. 1869
    Phyllis/Flower Mound TX says:

    “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged.” Psa 34:18 The NET bible

  20. 1870
    Debbie says:

    Debbie, Crystal Springs, MS
    1 Corinthians 15:58 (New International Version)
    Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

  21. 1871
    Jill Hoda says:

    Jill, Crystal Springs, MS
    1 Corinthians 15:58 (New International Version)
    Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

  22. 1872
    julie williams says:

    24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.
    2 Timothy 2:24 NLT

  23. 1873
    Terri Schuchardt says:

    But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,I wait for God my Savior;my God will hear me. Micah 7:7

  24. 1874
    Barbara, Bakersfield says:

    Show me your ways, oh Lord, teach me your paths;guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalms 25:4-5 NIV

  25. 1875
    rae says:

    rae, columbus, I refuse to give up…i will catch up! “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run to it and are protected.” Prov. 18:10 (holman, CSB)

  26. 1876
    rae says:

    rae, columbus, “No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.” prov.18:24 (holman, CSB)

  27. 1877
    rae says:

    rae, columbus, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.” Isaiah 55:8

  28. 1878
    rae says:

    rae, columbus, “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me. Lord, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands.” psalm 138:8

  29. 1879
    Angela from Round Rock says:

    Exodus 23:25-26 (New International Version)
    25 Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you

  30. 1880
    Leslie Daniel says:

    Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave

    Proverbs 12:24 NLT

  31. 1881
    jane bailey says:

    Jane, Gadsden, Al.

    2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

    We live by faith, not by sight.

  32. 1882
    June McCurley says:

    June, Gadsden, Al.

    Matthew 7:7
    “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

  33. 1883
    Barbara R./Blanket, TX says:

    No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful;He will not let you be tempted beyond what wyou can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. ICor. 10:13 (NIV)

  34. 1884
    Jennifer says:

    Round Rock, TX

    NIV Philippians 4:6-7
    Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

  35. 1885
    Jennifer says:

    Round Rock, TX
    June 1 entry

    NIV Philippians 4:8-9
    Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

  36. 1886
    Susan says:

    Susan fromRound Rock, TX

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

    Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

  37. 1887
    Darlene says:

    You are the Light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Matt 5:14

  38. 1888

    Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

  39. 1889
    Lynette says:

    What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 NIV

  40. 1890
    Melanie Johnson says:

    Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again; Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
    Phil. 4:4-5 NIV

  41. 1891
    Megan, Columbia says:

    The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe. Proverbs 18:10 NIV

  42. 1892
    Kim H from Austin says:

    Keep your roots deep in him and have your lives built on
    him.
    Colossians 2:6

  43. 1893
    Debbie Scherrer says:

    Debbie,Sevierville
    I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counel. Psm 32:8

  44. 1894
    Terri Schuchardt says:

    1John 4:4 Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world

  45. 1895
    Yescenia says:

    A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.
    Message Bible Proverbs 25:28

  46. 1896
    Ashley Foster says:

    Ashley from Evans, GA: “The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NAS

  47. 1897
    julie williams says:

    But when the Holy spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Here there is no conflict wtih the law. Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

  48. 1898
    Angie from Queen City, Tx says:

    “Because He was full of grace and truth, from Him we all received one gift after another. ” John 1:16 NCV

  49. 1899
    Jane says:

    Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.
    1 Peter 4:8 NIV
    Jane, Gadsden, Al.

  50. 1900
    June McCurley says:

    June ,Gadsden,Al.
    Be completely Humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

    Ephesians 4:2 NIV

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