Finally!!!!!!!!
Are you ready, Sisters? Do you hear me cheering?? I have never been more excited about doing this.
I am on the verge of doing about 10 backward flips on my hardwoods. I said on the verge. Not quite doing it. Well, I’m doing it in my heart. That counts for a lot around here.
SO LET’S DO THIS THING! Now, promise me this! Promise me you will read this entire post before you leave a single comment. I know you’re about to burst and I am, too, and, for that reason, I’ll keep it as short as possible. It’s so important that we get our ground rules firmly established so that we’ll have a fabulous experience. Remember, hundreds of our participants this time around are brand new so let’s make sure everybody’s on the same page.
A few things you absolutely MUST KNOW:
*Your comment to this post is your official registration onto the team. Everybody starts at Verse 1 no matter when they begin the process. (Word gets around and we often still have people joining in with us even in March and April. We don’t mind how late they begin as long as they can catch up, memorize their verses, and document each one of them on the proper post as an official participant.) This launch post will remain right here in this January 1st 2013 slot all year long and each new person will need to make her first entry here. This is how we track who signed up when we get to the end of the year and it’s party time.
*Your comment must be strictly limited to the following 5 pieces of information: name, city, verse, reference, translation. I’ll say it slower now for those brand new to the process:
Your name (or first name if you prefer), city. Your verse for that two-week period written all the way out, the reference for it (where it is found in the Bible: Book, chapter, verse) AND the *translation you’ve taken it from.
(*For instance, is the Bible you’ve pulled the passage from a KJV, an NAS, HCSB, NIV or NLT? Or is it The NET Bible, The Message or another similar version? The translation almost always appears on the outside spine of a Bible. If not, you will find it on the first few pages. If you’re looking on line, you’ll get an option to choose a translation. Do so as it speaks most clearly to you. We aren’t fussing over translations here in our memory work. You also do not need to stick with one version throughout.)
Just those 5 pieces of information! They will comprise every comment to this post. And the moment you start scrolling through all of them, you’ll see why. Page after page after page after page of Scripture and each one telling a reader exactly where to find it. It is the most powerful sight to behold. This invites people who are not participating in the memory work to reap tremendous benefits by just reading the comments and taking strength from verses they may not have known existed. This way it has the potential to bless our whole community or any weary visitor to our blog. I’ve been in crises before and gotten on the comment pages and scrolled from Scripture to Scripture and practically wept with relief and fresh courage or revelation. That’s why it’s best to keep the SSMT comments as succinct as possible. If you’ve got an exclamation in you that you just can’t hold back, you can occasionally make the briefest comment like, “I really need this one!” or “I’m sharing so-and-so’s verse” but, please, no more than that.
Comments other than the verse-entries on the 1st and 15th of each month can’t be approved. I’m so sorry and I hope you’ll understand. Thousands of us will be doing this together so the moderation process is monumental from the administrative side. The verses will be all Lindsee and I can handle in the comments for our two SSMT days per month. Keep in mind: NONE OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS PERTAIN TO THE OTHER BLOG POSTS HERE AT LPM. We will be completely free to do our regular thing on all other posts! The really stringent rules are only for the 1st and 15th of each month in 2013 and in reference to Siesta Scripture Memory Team. I hope that makes sense!
*Your comment may take 24 hours to get moderated (or posted if you’re new to the blog process) and sometimes a bit longer if it falls over a weekend. We try our hardest to stay up with it but on those days when 500+ come in at once, it’s quite a task! But we love it! It just requires a little patience on all sides! Before you assume that your entry somehow vanished and you’re tempted to write it again, give it one full day and see if it shows up. Keep track of what time you posted it and double check the comments around that same time. The accidental repeats make it much harder to track participation through the course of the year so always double check. If you don’t find it a day later, by all means, post it again!
*Remember that you get to choose your own verse! That’s really important! The ease with which you can memorize a verse is greatly impacted by how much it means to you. The more you need it or want it, the more you’ll absorb it. If you come up dry at times, no problem! You can either share my verse or another in the comment line that really speaks to you.
*PRAY that God will bless you in this endeavor and will enable you to memorize His Word! Ask continually throughout the entire year! When I get stuck and frustrated that I can’t get my words in order, if I’ll stop what I’m doing and ask God to supernaturally infuse me and help me to concentrate, you would not believe how quickly a breakthrough will come.
Are you about to stuff a sock in my mouth?? I’m about 2 seconds from stuffing one in my own mouth. Melissa gave me two new pair of boot socks for Christmas so at least I have fresh choices.
All right, already! Here goes mine! In honor of our process ahead and how willing the Holy Spirit is to help us…
Beth from Houston Texas, But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 NIV84
Here’s one more alternative if you’ve never memorized it for a new year! I just love it for January 1st:
You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV
May God’s grace abound to you, Sweet Thing. WELCOME! We have such a fabulous challenge ahead of us. GOD, GRANT US YOUR GOOD FAVOR!
So…what are you waiting for??? SIGN IN WITH VERSE ONE!
PS. I thought you guys might find it a bit amusing that I brought in the first 300 comments in the CAR on the way to the airport to catch my Atlanta flight for Passion 2013. Laughing. You keep your blog mama busy. I love you so!
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
pamela t., Fairmont, NC
Lamentations 3:21-26 (Contemporary English Version)
Then I remember something that fills me with hope. The Lord’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. Deep in my heart I say, “The Lord is all I need; I can depend on Him!” The Lord is kind to everyone who trusts and obeys Him. It is good to wait patiently for the Lord to save us.
Tabitha Mt. Juliet, TN
Psalm 128:1 NCV
Happy are those who respect the Lord and obey him.
Jacki Blaylock, McCurtain, Ok
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matthew 22:37 KJV)
Karen from Lake Jackson, TX
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 Today’s NIV
Kristy from Tappahannock, VA “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 ESV
Cindy from Fort Worth
“Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
whose tongue utters no slander,
and casts no slur on others;
who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
will never be shaken.”
Psalm 15:1-5 NIV
“Come to  me, all who labor and are  heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and  learn from me, for I am  gentle and lowly in heart, and  you will find rest for your souls. For  my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 ESV .
Tiffany, Mobeetie, Texas – Therefore, you shall love the Lord your God, and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgements, and His commandments always. Deuteronomy 11:1 – NKJV
Christina, Dallas, TX
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 ESV
Danielle, Garden City, KS
Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. (Psalms 139:23 NLT)
Greg, Barrington, IL
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
I Peter 5:6-7 (ESV)
Mary- Altoona, IA
I will plant a new heart and a new spirit inside of you. I will take out your stubborn, stony flesh and give a willing, tender heart of flesh. Ezekiel 26:26 the voice
Anna Fowler from Seattle, WA
“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” ~ Romans 8:32 NIV
Rachel from Alpharetta,GA
Oh that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the dawn or the coming of the rains in early spring.
Hosea 6:3 NLT
Wendy from Gillette, Wyoming
Philippians 3:12-14
New International Version (NIV)
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Changed to ESV
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Conselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
Greta-Fort Smith, AR
“You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.”
Psalm 65:11 NIV
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NKJV
Dona Hall, Florence,MS
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
James 4:7-8 NIV
Jennifer from Charlotte, NC “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:3-4 (NIV)
“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”
Psalm 62:1-2 (NIV)
Melanie-San Antonio, TX
Clancie Speck from Elizabethtown, KY,
“All whom My Father gives (entrusts) to Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, no never, reject one of them who comes to Me). John 6:37, AMP
I can’t help wondering why my Scripture selection is still awaiting moderation on January 4; I posted it on January 1 and it remains “awaiting moderation.” I’m memorizing it for myself whatever the outcome!
With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26 NIV
Sandy Baumer, Fort Thomas KY
Psalm 119:2. ESV
“Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with their whole heart.”
Emily from Nashville, TN “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you,plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Jane from Gulfport, MS – “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” John 14:1 (NASB)
Matthew 6: 33-34
33 Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore, stop worrying about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Sarah M.; Syracuse, NY; ‘Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.’ (Colossians 3:1-4 NLT)
Kristen from Rockville, VA: I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be skaken for He is right beside me. Ps. 16: 8 New Living Translation
Heather
Lancaster, Pa
Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ESV
Robin Butler from Bradenton, Fl
Ephesians 3:20 Now ro Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine according to His power at work within us. NIV
Leslie from Fayetteville, Ar
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)
Amanda Sartin from Lowell, Arkansas
and this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. Romans 5:5 NLT
Neeley from Auburn, Alabama
James 3:1 “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” NIV
Trisha from Honolulu, HI
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Dutchess of Winterville, NC; And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38 KJV
Tracee from Morristown, TN, I lifted the burden from your shoulder and took the heavy basket from your hands. When you were in trouble, I rescued you, and from the thunderclouds, I answered your prayers. Psalms 81:6-7 CEV
Shauna – Washington, DC
Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 (Common English Bible)
Carol Midland, Texas
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3 NIV
Louisville, KY
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to You. John 12:26 NIV
Michelle D., Oklahoma City,
“How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you would bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.” Psalm 31:19
Heather from Commerce City, CO – You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV
isaiah 40:31
” but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. “
MaryJo from Chandler, Arizona,
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 48:10, NIV
Darlene from Macedonia
“Respect and obey the Lord! This is the beginning of knowledge. Only a fool rejects wisdom and good advice.”
Proverbs 1:7 CEV
Melissa Sweet from Midland, MI
“‘Do not be afraid’, the prophet answered. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
2 Kings 2:16 NIV
Cathy from Fridley, MN;You will live in joy and peace.
The mountains and hills will burst into song,
and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.
Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.
These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name;
they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love. Isaiah 55:12-13,NLT
Nancy from Lee’s Summit, Missouri
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6, NIV
Zani, Capetown (South Africa),
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.” Ps 32:8, NIV