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. 1001
    Darlene says:

    Darlene, Pittsfield, NH

    And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

    Acts 13:52 (NASB)

  2. 1002
    Ruth says:

    Hamilton, Ohio

    “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.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

  3. 1003
    Meryl says:

    You will keep in perfect peace him, whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

    Isaiah 26: 3, 4 (NIV

  4. 1004
    Susana says:

    “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
    Psalm 139:23 (NIV)

  5. 1005
    Lindi says:

    Lindi
    Meridian, Mississippi

    Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6 NLT)

  6. 1006
    Jeannine Iovan says:

    “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. ( NIV)

  7. 1007
    Kim Kortegast says:

    So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. (Romans 12:1 MSG)

  8. 1008
    Antoinette Morrisey says:

    Antoinette Morrisey, Kansas City

    Luke 1:46-48 NKJV

    And Mary said: “My soul magnifies The Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior for he has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

  9. 1009
    Detta says:

    Detta, Yukon OK
    Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
    Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

  10. 1010
    Rachel howard says:

    Ruston, la
    Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)

    For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

  11. 1011
    Andrea Zimmerman says:

    Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will gie you the desires of your heart. Psaml 37:4 NIV

  12. 1012
    Julie from CO Springs says:

    1Peter 5:10 (NIV)
    “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. “

  13. 1013
    McKayla from Grant, AL says:

    Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
    -Psalm 23:6 NIV

  14. 1014
    Leisa Hale says:

    Leisa from Sheridan, In:
    We love because He first loved us.
    1 John 4:19 NLT

  15. 1015
    Heidi says:

    Heidi, Atlanta
    Isaiah 54:13, ESV
    All of your children shall be taught by The Lord, & great shall be the peace of your children.

  16. 1016
    Debbie Hartshorn says:

    Debbie Hartshorn
    Jonesboro, Arkansas
    Luke 6:38 NIV
    “Give and it shall be given unto you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “

  17. 1017
    Jessica Gatewood says:

    Romans 5:1 KJV. Therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

  18. 1018
    Opal McDannald says:

    Opal McDannald from Odon, IN
    Colossians 3:23 NLT “Work hard and cheerfully at what ever you do,as though you are working for the Lord rather than for people”.

  19. 1019
    Diane says:

    Diane from Houston
    Psalm 139:3 NIV You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

  20. 1020
    Tiffany from Indianapolis says:

    We love because He first loved us.
    1 John 4:19 NLT

  21. 1021
    Amy says:

    Amy from columbus.
    Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Philippians 1:3

  22. 1022
    Kristy Roberts says:

    Kristy Roberts, Newkirk, Oklahoma
    You, O Lord, will not withhold Your compassion from me;
    Your loving kindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.
    Psalm 40:11 NASB

  23. 1023
    Ambika Chacko says:

    Psalm 32:8NIV
    “I will instruct you teach you in the way you should go,
    I will guide you with My eyes”.

  24. 1024
    Carla Rybolt says:

    “God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved & to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
    1 Timothy 2:4 NIV

  25. 1025
    glenda arnold says:

    glenda – Royse City, Texas

    Deutoroonomy 6;7
    Impress them upon your children. Talk about them when you sit at ;hoome and when you walk along the road. When you lie down and when you get up. NIV

  26. 1026
    Linda says:

    My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:7

  27. 1027
    Donna says:

    “No one is like you, Lord;
    you are great,
    and your name is mighty in power.”
    Jeremiah 10:6 NIV

  28. 1028
    Kathleen Martin says:

    Kathleen from Knoxville

    Eph 6:18 NIV
    “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

  29. 1029
    Donna Patterson says:

    He comforts us every time we have trouble, so that when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us. 2 Corinthians 1:4 NCV

    Donna Patterson, Southside AL

  30. 1030
    Jennifer says:

    This is my command – “be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NLT

  31. 1031
    CHARLENE says:

    CHARLENE EDWARDS, GADSDEN, AL

    1 PETER 1:13 THEREFORE, WITH MINDS THAT ARE ALERT AND FULLY SOBER, SET YOUR HOPE ON THE GRACE TO BE BROUGHT TO YOU WHEN JESUS CRHIST IS REVEALED AT HIS COMING. NIV

  32. 1032
    Betty Samson says:

    Matthew 5:3
    Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

  33. 1033
    Patti Cocchi says:

    “My soul yearns, yes, even pines and is homesick for the courts of the Lord: My heart and flesh cry out and sing for joy to the living God.”

    Amplified Ps 84:2

    Patti Cocchi San Rafael, Ca.

  34. 1034
    Maria Dinverno says:

    Maria from Detroit, MI

    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,

    Heb 12:1 (NIV)

  35. 1035
    Jessica says:

    Proverbs 11:28 KJV
    He who trusts in his riches will fall but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.

  36. 1036
    Diane K. Walter says:

    Psalm 112:7
    He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

  37. 1037
    Leisa Hale says:

    Leisa from Sheridan, In:
    I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NIV

  38. 1038
    Sally Uhl says:

    Psalm 105:4
    Look to the Lord and his strength, seek his face always.

  39. 1039
    Ginger Schultz says:

    Gray, TN

    “Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.” Rev. 5:1 NIV

  40. 1040
    Kay from Kansas City says:

    We loved because He first loved us.
    1 John 4:19 (niv)

  41. 1041
    Lori Webb says:

    Lori from Fairmount

    But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 KJV

  42. 1042
    Cindi Martin says:

    Cindi from Amanda.
    Blessed is the man who preserves under trail, because he who stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

  43. 1043
    Sandee Jasnoski says:

    Sandee from Wichita, KS
    “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty!” NLT

  44. 1044
    Natalie Bennighof says:

    “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
    Matthew 5:3 (ESV)

  45. 1045
    Annie says:

    “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8 NIV Annie from Colorado.

  46. 1046
    Mary Schneck says:

    Blessed is the man who trusts in The Lord and whose hope is in The Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:7 & 8

  47. 1047
    rosa says:

    Be strong and take heart, all you who hpe in the Lord. Ps. 31:24. Today, if you hear his voice do not harden your heart.

    Rose

  48. 1048
    Kim morris says:

    Kim,Richmond,Tx, “Whover believes in me, as Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within.” Jn 7:38

  49. 1049
    Misti says:

    Misti Lubbock,Tx
    Romans 12:2 NLT
    Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but the God transform you into a new personby changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

  50. 1050
    Bethany Hitman says:

    Bethany
    Petaluma, Ca
    “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy and we will find grace to help us when we need it.”. Hebrew 4:16 NLT

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