Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2013 Instructions!

Hey Siestas!  We’re two weeks out from our big launch and, based on the number of people who got Siesta spirals -not to mention those grabbing their own – we should have one titanic team!  May God get much glory! (If you’re interested in a spiral and have yet to purchase one, click here for the details.) Numbers are nothing if they don’t translate into fruit displayed in our lives but if we truly decide to live out the words that are going to live in us, remarkable things are in store for the Kingdom of Christ among us.

Here is everything you  need to know about how to participate in the 2013 Siesta Scripture Memory Team!

First, a few things up front since many people joining us have no previous interaction here:

*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. If you don’t know Him, we’d love for you to stick around and get to know us and see if anything around here draws you. Everyone is welcome. Here’s a bit of our back-story on the weird name: When we first began the blog, 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. (For you newcomers, Ephesians 6 calls the Word of God the “Sword of the Spirit.”) 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 saw stacks and stacks of Siesta Scripture Memory Spirals being stuffed into envelopes for shipping, it hit me with fresh impact. What if thousands of women really did memorize 24 Scriptures in 2013?? What are the implications of that? What kind of repercussions might that have in our personal lives and our homes? That’s worth getting riled up over. SO, 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. Just throw in a can of jalapenos and grab a tortilla chip.

*Very often you will see me refer to SSMT. Just so nobody’s confused from the start, that is an abbreviation for “Siesta Scripture Memory Team.” If you’re not participating in SSMT, please know 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 2013, 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 2013. 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: “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV

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. THIS ONE IS KEY! 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 on January 17-18, 2014 which is the biggest blast ever. I’m telling you about it now so that you can have it for a little extra incentive. Our main incentive is the will and good pleasure of God, of course, but He Himself authored great celebrations in His Name so feel free to be excited at the thought. Also, I want you to have plenty of time to start saving your money for your transportation and hotel. We do not charge for the event. Your entrance fee is your well-used spiral. By the way, we hope to have Travis back again to lead us in worship and Amanda, Melissa, my whole LPM staff and volunteer team will be there  to serve you.  Here’s how you qualify throughout the year:

*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, 2013)

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. I may sound like a broken record but you have to let me say it again as we embark on this wild journey together. 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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1,641 Responses to “Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2013 Instructions!”

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Comments:

  1. 751
    Mary-ohio says:

    Luke 6:37
    Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn,and you will not be condemned.Forgive and you will be forgiven.

  2. 752
    Sara Shannon says:

    Leoganne, Haiti
    “But if we walk in the light as he (God) is in the light, we have fellowship one another and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” I John 1:7 NIV

  3. 753
    Katie says:

    Milledgeville, Ga

    “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Heavenly Father.”

    Matthew 5:16

  4. 754
    Kim from Spring, TX says:

    Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

    Psalm 107:1 (NIV)

  5. 755
    Margaret Adams says:

    Margaret A from Merry Hill,NC
    “Set a guard,O Lord,before my mouth;keep watch at the door of my lips.” Psalms 141:3

  6. 756
    Ginger Schultz says:

    Gray, TN

    “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” James 1:19 (NIV)

  7. 757
    Lindy says:

    Auburn,AL

    Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
    Psalm 127:3 ESV

  8. 758
    Misti Warren says:

    Misti-Lubbock,Tx
    Do everything in love.
    1Cor. 16:14. NIV

  9. 759
    Jane Canniff, Atlanta, GA says:

    Hebrews 4:12 – “The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-ended sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” NIV

  10. 760
    Jamie says:

    Jamie Keller, TX
    He has shown you, O mortal, 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
    Micah 6:8 (NIV)

  11. 761
    Valerie H says:

    2 Timothy 4:7 ” I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

    Denver,CO

  12. 762
    Marcy says:

    Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

    Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

  13. 763
    Kelly says:

    VINELAND, NJ

    No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
    1 Corinthians 10 :13

  14. 764
    Deborah Chapman says:

    For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror. James 1:23

  15. 765
    Marva S. says:

    Romans 8:6 (NIV) “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”

  16. 766
    Laney Larsen says:

    Laney from Tulsa, OK

    Matthew 6:25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (NASB)

  17. 767
    Kathleen Martin says:

    Knoxville, TN

    His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
    2 Peter 1:3 ESV

  18. 768
    Patriciaf from Lindale says:

    Galations 5:22 New American Standard: But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

  19. 769
    Kristy says:

    Kristy, Amarillo, TX
    “If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; so that we can, with reverence, serve You.” Ps 130:3-4 NIV

  20. 770
    Jennifer Waddle says:

    “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Chriat Jesus.” ~Philipians 4:6-7 NLT

  21. 771
    Leah Finley says:

    Revelation 2:10
    Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.

  22. 772
    Rachelle Wiggins says:

    II Corinthians 4:1 “Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.”

  23. 773
    Sarah Scott says:

    Sarah, Lufkin, TX
    Titus 3:4-5
    4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

  24. 774
    Kim Tucker says:

    Kim, Mabank TX “He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay,” Psalm 40:2 NASB

  25. 775
    McKayla from Grant, AL says:

    “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.”
    -Psalm 126:5 (NIV)

  26. 776
    joy curbow says:

    The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. Psalm 18:2

  27. 777
    Kara says:

    Kara, Silsbee, TX (This continues my passage memory Deut. 7:9-12)

    Deuteronomy 7:10 “and repays to their face those who hate him, by destroying them. He will not be slack with one who hates him. He will repay him to his face.” (ESV)

  28. 778
    Lynne Black says:

    “For I know the plans I have for you”, declared the Lord, ” plans to prosper you abd not to harm you, plans ti give you hope for the future”.
    Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

  29. 779
    Dawnya Jean says:

    Corpus christi, Texas: Be not afraid or dismayed… for the battle is not yours, but Gods.2chronicles 20:15

  30. 780
    Chanda says:

    Chanda from St. Petersburg, FL

    Now the Lord is the Spirit
    and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
    And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

    2 Cor 3:17-18 NIV

  31. 781
    Kimberly Megow says:

    Valdosta, GA

    For the word of the Lord is right, and all His work is done in truth. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. Psalm 33:4-5, NKJV

  32. 782
    Pam says:

    I am secure with Jesus: John 10:29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

  33. 783
    Maxine Haro says:

    “Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.”
    Jude 1:21(NAS)

  34. 784
    Beth says:

    Trust in the Lord forever, for The Lord , the Lord, is the Rock eternal.
    Isaiah 26:4 NIV

  35. 785
    Leeha says:

    Baltimore, MD
    “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.”
    Isaiah 40:29 (RSV)

  36. 786
    Kim from El Paso TX says:

    Joshua 1:9 NASB
    Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be dismayed, for The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

  37. 787
    Dana says:

    Dana from Round Hill, Virginia

    “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

  38. 788
    Kristin Thurston says:

    He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
    John14:21 KJV

  39. 789
    Kristin Thurston says:

    Trinidad, Colorado

    He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
    John14:21 KJV

  40. 790
    Lisa P- Lakewood, CO says:

    The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord in on me, because the Lord has annointed me to preach good news to the poor.
    He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisioners, (Isiah 61:1) NIV

  41. 791
    Kaneisha Lloyd says:

    Kaneisha from Norman, OK

    “However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.” Romans 4:5 (NIV)

  42. 792
    Sandy Gannatal says:

    Ps 94:19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my heart. NIV

  43. 793
    Monica Jones says:

    Hebrews 10:25 “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching. NIV

  44. 794
    Elizabeth DeLong says:

    Psalm 9:1 (NIV)
    I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.

  45. 795
    Kelly Baker says:

    He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor.

    Proverbs 21:21

    NKJV

  46. 796
    Cathy Gero says:

    Cathy Rockwall Tx

    NIV, Ps 16:1

    Keep me safe, O God for in you I take refuge.

  47. 797
    Connie Minish says:

    Connie M. from Eagan, MN

    “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not discouraged, for The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

  48. 798
    Tencha says:

    1 Peter 1:13 The Holy Bible

    Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded,set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

  49. 799
    Janet Winter says:

    Janet Winter from Huffman,Texas
    Psalm 25:14-18
    (NIV)
    14 The Lord confides in those who fear him;
    he makes his covenant known to them.
    15 My eyes are ever on the Lord,
    for only he will release my feet from the snare.
    16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
    for I am lonely and afflicted.
    17 Relieve the troubles of my heart
    and free me from my anguish.
    18 Look on my affliction and my distress
    and take away all my sins.

  50. 800
    Jill Bunn says:

    Jill Bunn, Austin

    Isaiah 43:1-2 ESV
    But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you, and through the rivers they shall not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned and the flame shall not consume you.

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