WE MADE IT!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!! To the glory of God, we made it, Siestas! If I could hug your neck, I’d purely squeeze you in two! Please picture me (in a long skirt) doing copious cheerleader jumps! I cannot wait to celebrate with as many of you as possible in January. I wish with all my heart that every single one of you were coming. This girl right here is ready to party. Even one of you missing is too many but I know that it’s hard to manage the time away and the travel expenses are also just too high for many. I’d pay every one of your ways if I could.
Okay, you darling things. I didn’t even have to think twice about the verse I wanted to memorize this last time around in 2011 because it’s about you. With your understanding, I’ll use “sister” instead of “brother.” Here goes:
Beth, Houston. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my [sister], because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.” Philemon 7 ESV
Oh, gracious. That is the truth.
Now, since this is a very special occasion, we’re going to break protocol. This time I’m not going to limit you to your usual 1st and 15th Scripture-only entries. As we wrap up our year, you are welcome to also write a brief paragraph about what this journey with Christ has meant to you and why. No pressure. The invitation is simply there is you want to testify.
You are so incredibly dear to me, Siestas. I am at a loss for words. What a ride.
Lord Jesus, thank You, thank You, thank You, thank You! We cannot do anything to Your good pleasure that You do not first initiate and then enable. To You be all credit, honor, and praise. Please cause us to retain “the implanted word, which is able to save [our] souls.” (James 1:21) Make us wiser and make our hearts larger. You are our delight. We want so much to be Yours, too. You are our everything.
Wanda North Canton, Ohio
Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?
James 2:5 NIV
Stacie Livonia, MI
Psalm 94:18-19
18When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.
19 When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy.
Yolanda, Queen City, Texas
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
This has been a wonderful, rewarding challenge that I have shared with a dear friend as well as all of you. Thank God for the means to allow us to do this and have so many accountability partners. See you in Houston!
Jo Ann/Lincoln, NE
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17
I am amazed that we find ourselves at the end of 2011 already. I can’t say I have memorized every word of my 24 verses but I love the fact I have them all written down in my little Siesta scripture memory book so I can always have them with me. Merry Christmas to each one of my sister’s in Christ!!
Houston
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. (James 3:16 ESV)
Lorraine, Ada,MI…”Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”Rom.12:2
The Word transforms me and my mind and i am thankful for a nenewed practice of memorizing it and keeping it in my heart.
Kim Arlington, VA
“The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.”
Isaiah 50:4 NIV
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
Wow!! What a year! I’m not sure what to say. I was introduced to this siesta scripture memory by the most precious friend I have on this earth, Tami Fite. I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing this journey with her, soaking up his word. About half way through the year we answered a call from Watertown SD to move there to help start a church plant. This move was very hard. I’ve never had a friend this close to my heart as Tami is. God put her in my life and I am so thankful. This scripture memory,has kept me grounded when I’ve wanted to do nothing but run back to my little home town of Platte, SD where I was comfortable and “safe.” God is in the middle of making many changes in our life and I will hold on dearly to the words I have hidden in my heart to get me through. So I will hold unswervingly to the hope I profess, for he is faithful!! Thanks so much for Blessing others like Tami so that she could share with me. See you in January!
Jessica, Winston Salem, NC
“The Spirit is the One who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” John 6:63 (HCSB)
Stephanie; Ogden, Utah; “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”; Hebrews 10:23; NIV
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.
1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT
Lisa, Enterprise,AL
~ Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.
Psalm 62:5
Heather, Ontario, Canada
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). NIV
This year of scripture memorization has shown me how far I’ve drifted from the disciplines God gave me in the beginning. It’s been a very difficult season, year… decade… life! But I say that with much hope–God is good, and the undeserved reward of His presence far outweighs the hardships (of which many have been a result of my own bad decision making).
Thank you. 🙂
Stephanie, Mount Carmel, TN
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24 NIV
Mary Ellen in billings, MT
” For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my (sister), because the heearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.” Philemon 7 ESV
Sheilah, Melbourne, FL
Micah 6:8 (NIV)
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
To say that this year of Scripture memorization has been life-changing is an understatement! My friend of 41 years and I embarked on this journey together and it has been a wonderful bonding experience!! I have used the verses for myself, for others and some have become a very frequent prayer….some have SAVED me in despair…God’s Word is so powerful and true!! Thank you, Beth and the team at LPM!! Looking forward to doing it again next year! Merry Christmas and God Bless every one of you, Siestas! Love you much!
Kathy
Dow, IL
For nothing is impossible for God.
Luke 1:37 NIV
Melissa, Sulphur, LA
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. James 1:23-24 (NIV)
Amy, Granby, CT
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength [the HOPE] of my heart
and my portion forever!Psalm 73:25-26 (NIV)
Thank you for the blessing of encouragement all year long to be in His Word! Best place on earth to be 🙂
Jeanie
Sparta, TN
He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.
Mark 9:36-37 NIV
Melinda, Oconomowoc, WI:
Ephesians 4:29 ” Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Leah, Atlanta: “And Mary said, ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and His name is holy.'” Luke 1:46-47,49
Robbyn, Dickinson, ND
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and loser heart.”
Luke 2:12..”This will be a sign to you:You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
Linda
Johnstown, PA.
Revelation 4:11 (NIV)
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power,
For You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 NIV
I’m late in getting my last entry in….busy couple of days, busy week, busy year! This scripture memory has been SO GOOD! It’s been my rock….my constant rock! In reflecting back on my year, it’s been a busy one and a tough one in several areas. These scriptures have been such a comfort and peace. I have turned to them endlessly! God has taught me endurance and shown me how to go to battle w/ his Word. It makes such a difference to interceed in prayer w/ scripture! I am planning to continue the scripture memory into 2012.
And God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,”
Hebrews 12:28, NIV
And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, (Luke 1:46, 47 HCSB)
The Word has come alive for me. Praise Abba Father!! Thank you for granting me the desire to learn your Word and thank you for writing it on my heart. So thankful to the cord of three strands for inviting me to SSMT. It was awesome! 🙂
1 Peter 3:12 NIV
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayers.”
Vickie
Russellville
NIV
Isaiah 40:28
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary and his understanding no one can fathom.
Marilyn, Mission Viejo, CA
Isaiah 33:6 NIV
He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.
I have loved sharing the living Word with all of you this year. I loved just sitting and reading through our scripture choices. To God be the glory.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 NAS
Julie, Broken Arrow, OK
James 1:17 (NIV)
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows.
There aren’t words to describe what memorizing scripture has done in my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for ALWAYS pointing us to Jesus…to His WORD, and to live it outloud!
Merry Merry Christmas sista Momma, and may you and your family rest in His loving arms!
Ps 27: 13, 14 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord;Be of Good Courage and he shall strengthen your heart, wait, I say, on the Lord
One of the most difficult seasons of my life and it was unexpected- God Bless each of you and especially LPM –
Conné, Angel Fire:
“To the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen” Jude 25 (NIV)
The only fitting end to my year of memorizing scripture. Jan 1 was Isaiah 60:1 “Arise from your depression and prostration…” Well, while sometimes this year I have not “risen” to a full standing position, I can look back and see that I am doing better – by God’s grace, and am looking forward (for the first time in 3 years) with some excitement as to what God has in store for 2012. I am so grateful to you Beth and your Team and to these amazing women in Siestaville – Thank you SO much – no wonder “Heaven is a wonderful place” 🙂 Looking forward to see how God moves to allow me to be in Houston in January!
Johanna, Forysth, MT- Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be His treasured possession.
Deut. 14:@ NIV
Kalonni, Van Meter, Iowa: “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.” James 1:18
If anyone considers himself to be religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world, James 1:26-27 (NIV).
Kay Everett, Wa
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for He has annointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.
Luke 4:18&19 NLT Bible
All these 24 verses tucked securely in my heart……….I am RICH!
Teri~Boise
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
1John 4:10
Oh how wonderful it has been to be a Siesta for the first time this year. Thank you Beth for all your words of wisdom and the opportunity to have so many accountability partners. I do not personally know a single one of you but because of Christ you are my sisters. Merry Christmas to you all.
Terri, Pleasant Hope, MO
But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 2 Peter 1:9 (NIV)
I am so thankful that my dear friend and sister challenged me to participate this year. It has been a blessing beyond my imagination! Our next memorization dare will be the book of James. I can’t wait to get started!! Many thanks to everyone involved! See you in January!
Diane – Chesapeake, VA.
“I have fought the good fight.
I have finished the race!
I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7 NIV
Chris M, Seattle,WA
Isaiah 9:6 NIV
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be upon his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
I studied Isaiah in Bible Study Fellowship last year and decided to memorize all Isaiah verses for the SMT. It has been a very rich time of memorizing and praying God’s Word and each 1st and 15th I have enjoyed reviewing my list of favorite verses to choose just the right one. Early on I chose this for my 24th post 😉
Digging deeper into the Old Testament gives me the confidence of being more mature in my faith. I was raised on the New Testament mostly and did not understand prophecy, the law, the sacrificial system, the exile, Zion, and the like. Praise God that he continues to teach me what I need to know and my faith continues to grow!
Thank you Beth for your great encouragement! I celebrated with you in Houston in January 2010 with my sister and friends, and It was a highlight of my year. I hate to miss this year and I know it will be a real treat for all the Siestas! Until taking the SMT challenge, I didn’t believe I could memorize scripture. We serve an amazing God!
Cindy, Alton NH
Mark 1:40-41 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him and kneeling down to him, saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, I will; be thou clean. KJV
this verse is the grand finalee of God bringing me to the place of humility, before I understood His message specifically for me I cried evertime I read it. Now I understand.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalms 34:8
Sheri, Bolivar, MO
“butif anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.” 2 Peter 1:9
Just thought it would be good to finish the end of the rant I was memorizing. 🙂 So this year has shown me that even though I’m a new Christian, I CAN memorize God’s word. I hear people tell me they could never do this–but they COULD. It’s a choice because we choose to memorize all kinds of dumb stuff all the time (commercials, jingles, songs, phone numbers, etc). I stopped watching TV 6 years ago before I was a Christian–and I have so much more time now! I think also asking God to help me memorize has been a huge key for me. My mentor in the faith has been doing this with me, and we will be in Houston next month for the celebration! I’m so excited that it’s hard to concentrate!! He has given me strength and power to remember these Scriptures! And I love Him more this day than I did when we started memorizing. I feel closer to Him. I will have done 50 verses after this one–so next year…look OUT James! What a wonderful habit this has taught me!!!
Peggy – Cheyenne
I am my beloved’s and his desire is for me.
Song of Solomon 7:10 KJV
This year, God has been leading me to simply trust in him. And wait. I declare that I do trust in God and I will wait for him.
April, Lake Charles, LA
(continuing Psalm 103) “Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:5 (NIV)
The SSMT has given me the little push to do something I should do (memorize God’s Word) but often let fall by the wayside. I slacked off a bit during the summer, and didn’t learn my verses as well as I should, but I now have most of them down cold! God is good!
“But didn’t I tell you that you will see a wonderful miracle from God if you believe? Jesus asked her.
John 11:40 Living Translation