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.
Though I haven’t commented in a really, really long time I’ve still been reading along and following. 🙂 I’m so excited to start!
I just got my spiral in the mail the other day and I am so excited to get started! I have my new pens and everything ready to go. This blessed my life tremendously and I had a blast at the SSMT Celebration. This is so worth it!!
Thank you to you and your wonderful staff! Have a very Merry Christmas!
xo,
Shelly
I am ready, willing, and gratefully able. Oh, and did i mention in great need of Gods word written all over my heart and mind?
Hello Siesta Mama,
Your sound so excited about this, it’s hard not to get caught up in it. Grin. At the same time I ‘ll be starting this I’ll also be starting a class for people with PTSD, which I have from severe child abuse. I’ve heard and read countless testimonies of how people have come out of this class totally transformed. My therapist says by spring I’ll be saying this is the best thing I’ve ever done. I’m scared out of my wits!!!! So maybe with the combination of these two things maybe God will do something in me that I could have never dreamed of. What do ya’ think? Grin. Blessings to you all siesta’s and magnificent woman of LPM!
Sorry if my comment was to much information. I won’t be offended if you don’t publish it. Maybe you can pray for me that I’ll stop being so idiotic in this way. Oh I could just bawl, in fact I think I will…please delete this..
Sweet Anon – that is not too much info at all! No worries here, girlfriend!! Sounds like the two things will be beautiful compliments to each other and I’ll be praying that the Lord does a mighty work in and through you.
Blessings, sister,
Gretchen
Just got my spiral in the mail today. So excited to join this team, and intentionally put the Word of God in my heart and meditate on these scriptures in the upcoming year.
Looking forward to it!
Merry Christmas LPM! 🙂
Sounds so exciting! Please, count me in! This is my first time. *Smiling* Now I know what SSMT stands for.
Congrats by the way, to the winners on the previous post.
Once again I say : I am seriously so thrilled to have discovered this blog.
xo
Ganise
How do we enter the drawing?
Betsy, the drawing is now closed. But if you’re wondering how to do the scripture memory with us, just leave us a comment with your verse on the 1st and 15th every month on the blog post provided! I hope that helps!
Got my spiral! Ready to do this thing. Hopefully I can make it to the big celebration in 2014.
I am so excited to be a part of the Siesta Scripture Memory Team. I started memorizing scripture about 3 years ago, but with all that has been going on in my life the last 18 – 24 months have slacked off. I am trusting that this will jumpstart me getting back into it.
Just got my spiral, yeah. My husband would like to try doing this with me. Is that ok or is it no boys allowed?
I am going for it. I have been thinking about strategies and techniques to help me memorize and most importantly remember what I have memorized. Pen and spiral ready!
To be honest my mind immediately started listing off the reasons why I can’t participate this year: 4 month old nursing baby, almost 3 year old who wants Mommy at all times, homeschooling a 5 1/2 year old…blah blah blah. I am definitely in a season where there is not enough of me to go around and I feel like everyone just wants more of me than I can give.
BUT I am saying no! No to all of that. I CAN do this. I WILL do this! And I think I already know my first verse: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galations 6:9
Can’t wait to get started!
I’ve watched this from the sidelines, wishing I’d joined in at the first. This year…I’m in.
I just can’t wait to start again!! This is so fun to do!! Thank you for reviewing everything….Much love to you, Blog Mamma!!
Looking forward to Jan. 2014 already – had a terrific time last year!
Blessings,
Anita
Could someone email me and tell me and my friend, Jane, if we post our verses here on this blog? We’ve never done this before. Thanks! 🙂
Yes ma’am! You post them in a comment here on this blog on the 1st and 15th of every month. There will be a new post for you to do just that! You won’t miss it!
Discipline is something that has been on my heart a lot lately, so I’m looking forward to beginning this challenge. I think I only got about halfway through last time.
Oh I can’t wait!! This has been such good food for my soul! I’m currently on the lookout for just the right pen to use! 🙂
I am so excited I can’t wait!!!! God Bless You all and Merry Christmas!
Beth, I am READY. Growth and glory to God are my only goals. I likely will never make it to a SSMT celebration, although I’ll be there in heart. But I want you to know I’m SO ready that I’ve already picked my first verse and wrote it ahead of time in my little notebook. 😉
I was blessed today to stop by the LPM office (I live just a few blocks away) to pick up my spiral and a few for family and friends. I was greeted so warmly and enjoyed visiting with Evangeline as she filled my order.So excited about this year of scripture memory!
Beth, commentaries!
I have recently started doing the Precepts Bible studies and I have no commentaries. These would be totally awesome.
P.s. I am so excited you are coming to Alaska.
Geri
Beth and team, will you have a new “siesta app” or will we just keep adding to the 2011 one? I have been using the 2011 for the last year to memorize verses in 2012. I love having this app on the iPhone. I can quickly look at the verse if I am having trouble remembering it. I look forward to the new challenge, with or without a new App.
Can’t wait to do this again! It’s so powerful in my life.
I just got my spiral today in the mail and I am SO excited to get started. I know that in order to impact my girls (I lead an amazing group of 12 – 6th grade girls weekly) I need to immerse myself in the word. I still have to find my pen (YAY!) but I am ready to memorize and see what God has for me in 2013.
Merry Christmas Mama Beth and all the LPM staff.
Jessica
I have been checking my email and twitter constantly in anticipation of this post. I’m so glad I stuck it out on last year and am soooo excited to begin again. God has already provided the topic after an “interesting” 2012!
Can’t wait!
I’m very excited to participate in the SSMT 2013. Looking forward to the new year! Thank you!
I would love to participate in this memory verse challenge. I need this and know God will meet me here.
So excited for SSMT!!!! It’s my first year!!!
So excited to do this again!!!
I’m so excited for another year of SSMT ! I am so thrilled to be participating this time with my twelve year old daughter right with me. We got our adorable spirals in and we need more of Jesus and are ready to memorize His word !
Just ordered a few spirals and I can’t wait to start again with my mom, daughter, daughter-in-law and friends! Thank you for your inspiration and encouragement!
WAHOO!! Can’t wait to get started and hoping to have more friends do this with me this year. Also, I can’t wait to catch up with the Siestas I met at the last one. THANK YOU for doing this again!!
Spirals are at the ready! We can’t wait.
In 2011 I didn’t too to well on memorizing and gave up half way through. This year I’m depending on the Holy Spirit and my Siestas to keep me going!!! Can’t wait!!
This is my first time with SSMT and I am really looking forward to it. Blessings to all at this most blessed of seasons.
Really looking forward to hiding God’s Wordin my heart!
WOOHOO! My spiral arrived in the mail today!!!!
From one broken record to another…Beth, 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…I’m in, can’t wait 🙂
Elaine, you are so right! Each time, as Walt Whitman said, the world is too much with me, I listen to Beth teach or watch her teach on the internet, and it sets me back down “in the world but not of the world.” Amen.
I can’t wait to meditate on and memorize God’s Word with y’all next year. God will do mighty things in all of us as we begin this journey together again!
Lindsee, I love that your picture is up now! 🙂
Can’t wait to get started! I did this for the first time in 2011 and God’s Word made a huge impact in my life! I cannot recommend this highly enough! To God be the glory!!!
I am so excited. I bought spirals for all of the girls in my Bible Study group so that we can all do this and support each other.
I am so excited!!! I had forgotten about this until today and I can’t wait! I know the Lord is going to do some amazing things in my life through this experience!
Waiting on my spiral to arrive. Looking forward to get started!
Love y’all and Merry Christmas!
Beth, I am so excited to do this! It will be a challenge, but with God all things
are possible!! Can’t wait to get started!
I got my Siesta Book a couple of days ago! I can’t wait to start!
I’m also a newbie. 🙂 I ordered my spiral. Can’t wait to get it and begin the adventure on Jan 1!!
Just got my SSMT spiral, can’t wait to get started….Thank you…
Pam in San Diego
Joining the SSMT this year is my happy thought. I am so looking forward to this journey!!
I need this, and the accountability; looking forward to it.