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.

Share

2,602 Responses to “Siesta Scripture Memory Instructions”

If you'd like your own pic by your comment, go to Gravatar.com. Click the first button "Get your gravatar today ->", and it will walk you through a simple process to select a picture.

Comments:

  1. 1951

    Psalm 104:33
    “I will sing to the Lord all my life;I will sing praise to my God as long as I live!”

  2. 1952
    julie williams says:

    All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18 NIV

  3. 1953
    julie williams says:

    That God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting mens sins against them. And he has committed us to the message of reconciliation. 2 COR 5:19

  4. 1954
    Yescenia says:

    and do not give the devil a foothold. (Ephesians 4:27 NIV)

  5. 1955
    Yescenia says:

    Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 NIV)

  6. 1956
    elizabeth says:

    John 16:33 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace In this world you will have trouble but take heart i have overcome the world

  7. 1957
    Megan, Columbia says:

    Praise the Lord all my soul, all my inmost being praise his holy name.
    Praise the Lord, all my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

    Psalm 103:1-2 NIV

  8. 1958
    Anne from KC says:

    Whereas the object and purpose of our instruction and charge is love, which springs from a pure heart, a good clear conscience, and sincere unfeigned faith. 1 Tim 1:5

  9. 1959
    Terri from KC says:

    Jeremiah 17:14 O Lord if you heal me I will really be healed;if you save me I will be truley be saved. My praises are for you alone.

  10. 1960
    Lynette from Stuart, FL says:

    June 15 – Psalm 56:8 (TLB) You have seen me tossing and turning through the night. You have collected all my tears and preserved them in your bottle! You have recorded every one in your book.
    July 1 – II Thess 3:16 (NIV) Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
    July 15 – II Cor. 4:17 (NIV) For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

  11. 1961
    Barbara R./Blanket, TX says:

    I’m beginning to learn the “Roman Road” so that I will be prepared when I am called to lead someone to Christ. Therefore, my verse for now is: All have turned away from God; they have all gone wrong; no one does what is right, not even one. Romans 3:12 (Today’s English Version)

  12. 1962
    Angela from Round Rock says:

    3b Romans 5:8, “God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!”

  13. 1963
    Tracey Keith Hendersonville says:

    Isaiah 49:16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. NIV version. If I didn’t do this correctly forgive me.

    • 1963.1
      Tracey Keith Hendersonville, NC says:

      Revelation 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. NIV

  14. 1964
    Melanie Johnson says:

    I am leaving the country on vacation, can I post early?
    The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 NIV
    Blessings to you!

  15. 1965
    Ashley Foster says:

    “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 (NAS)

  16. 1966
    Ashley Foster says:

    From Evans, GA
    “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.” Psalm 145:18 (NAS)

  17. 1967
    Julie Richardson says:

    Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. NIV
    Romans 12:2

  18. 1968
    Julie Richardson says:

    No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
    I Corinthians 10:13 NIV

  19. 1969
    Lori says:

    Columbia, SC

    Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see.”

  20. 1970
    Kim H - Austin TX says:

    ” Every knee will bow to the name of Jesus.”
    Philippians 2:9-10 NIV

  21. 1971
    Yescenia says:

    Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12 NIV)

  22. 1972
    julie williams says:

    We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Cor 5:20 NIV

  23. 1973
    Mamie says:

    8 Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.
    Philip. 4:8

  24. 1974
    Phyllis says:

    Phyllis, Flower Mound, TX “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all compassion and the God of all comfort. Who comforts us in our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” II Cor.1:3-4

  25. 1975
    Terri Schuchardt says:

    Terri says : Reckless words pierce like a sword,but the tongue of the wise brings healing . Proverbs 12:18

  26. 1976
    Anne from KC says:

    Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God almighty who was and is and is to come. He is worthy to receive glory and honor and power for He has created all things and by His will (pleasure) they exsist. Rev 4:8,11

  27. 1977
    Barbara R./Blanket, TX says:

    For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God. Romans 3:23 (King James)

  28. 1978
    Angela from Round Rock says:

    Romans 10:13 “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved!”

  29. 1979
    Donna Salter says:

    “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.

    Philip. 4:8

  30. 1980
    Jennifer says:

    Round Rock, TX

    NLT, Romans 15:13
    I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

  31. 1981
    jane Bailey says:

    Psalm37:4 NIV
    Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

  32. 1982
    June McCurley says:

    psalm 66:19 NIV

    but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.

  33. 1983
    Rori Smith Midland, TX says:

    Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
    Luke 9:23 NIV

  34. 1984
    Rori Smith - Midland, TX says:

    16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

    I Thessalonians 5:16-18

  35. 1985
    Rori Smith - Midland, TX says:

    We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
    Hebrews 2:1 NIV

  36. 1986
    Susan says:

    Susan from Round Rock, Texas

    Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
    1 Pet 5:7 (NIV)

  37. 1987
    Susan Bryan says:

    Susan from Round Rock, Texas

    He alone is my rock and my savior—my stronghold.
    I cannot be shaken.

    Psalm 62:6 (GOD’S WORD Translation)

  38. 1988
    Susan Bryan says:

    Susan from Round Rock, Texas

    but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.

    Psalm 66:19 (NIV)

  39. 1989
    Lynette Crocker says:

    So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. (II Cor 4:16-18 MSG)

  40. 1990
    e. metzger says:

    But now a righteousness from God,apart from the law,has been made known,to which the Law and the Prophets testify Rom.3;21 niv

  41. 1991
    Shandee from OKC says:

    2 Corinthians 9:8
    And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need you will abound in every good work.

  42. 1992
    Phyllis, Flower Mound TX says:

    “Let the morning bring me Word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8

  43. 1993
    Lori from SC says:

    I sought the Lord and He answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4

  44. 1994
    Kim H Austin Texas says:

    ” I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”

    Phillippians 4:11 NKJV

  45. 1995
    Sandy in Leander says:

    1Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.
    Psalm 86:1 KJV

  46. 1996
    Megan, Columbia says:

    Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

  47. 1997
    Kristi says:

    Kristi in Chesapeake
    They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not grow weary they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah. 40:31

  48. 1998
    Melanie Johnson says:

    For we are all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free- and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. I Corinthians 12:13 NIV

  49. 1999
    julie williams says:

    For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Phil 2:13 NLT

  50. 2000
    Jennifer says:

    Round Rock, TX
    Psalm 4:4 NLT
    Don’t sin my letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.

Leave a Reply

To receive a daily digest of comments on this post, enter your email address below: