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
Christen Bouchard; Dayton, OH
“Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in Your ways.”
Psalm 119:37, NASB
Lisa – Lynnwood, WA
“O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.” Psalm 139:1 NIV
Taylor ~ Oak Harbor, Wa. You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalms 139:13-16 ESV
Maymee from Augusta, KS
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
Psalms 118:6, KJV
Lisa from Cypress, Tx.
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you and quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Anchorage,Ak Romans 10:9 (NLT) If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Hannah ~ Oak Harbor, Wa.
God, Who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
2 Cor. 4:6-7 ESV
Tina from Oceanside, CA
1/1/13
Colossians 4:5 (NIV)
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still. ~ Exodus 14:14 NIV
Cathy from BC Canada
‘There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.’ Romans 8:1 (NKJV)
Allison, Tampa FL:
Colossians 1:9 (NASB) “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
Amy
Oklahoma
But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.
Hebrews 10:39 NASB
1 Cor 13:7 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
(LOVE) “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Cecile, Niceville
“Then your fame went forth among the nations on account of your beauty, for it was perfect because of My splendor which I bestowed on you,” declares the Lord GOD.”
Ezekiel16:14(NASB)
Danielle from OKC, OK, Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3, NIV
Amy, Sweeny, TX
Brothers, 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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14 NIV
Margie, Maseru, Lesotho – I Sam. 7:12b “Thus far God has helped us.” NIV
Savannah from Cabot, Arkansas
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
1 Timothy 15-16, NIV
Stacey Slayton
Fayetteville , WV
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
NIV
Sandra from Chiang Mai, Thailand
“They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings–and with Him will be His called, chosen, and faithful followers.” Rve. 17:14 NIV
Marie from Franklin, TN
If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.
Isaiah 7:9 NIV
Sammie Knight, Flagstaff, AZ “You adultresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: ‘He jealously desires the spirit which is in us’? But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit therefore to God.” James 4:4-7a NASB
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.”
1 Samuel 7:12 ESV
Ann from Lee’s Summit, MO:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22 NLV
So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Colossians 1:9
NLT
Janey, Victoria, BC, Canada, Matthew 25:40 KJV
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren,ye have done it unto me”
…for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,
“Awake, O sleeper,
rise up from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.”
Ephesians 5:19
Kayla from Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
oops, it is from the NLT.
Kay from Modesto, CA: Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 NIV1984
Traci from Franklin, TN – You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV
Susan, St Peters, MO, John 15:5 NIV “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.”
Beth S. Coon Rapids, MN
I am the Lord your God,who brought you up out of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.
Psalm 81:10 NIV
Heidi ~ Oak Harbor, Wa.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
Psalms 34:4-5
ESV
I Cor. 2:12 (NKJV)
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
Larissa Simpson, Fort Worth, TX
” And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
(Romans 12:2 NASB)
Isaiah 54:4 NIV
Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of of your widowhood.
Karen – Tennessee. Luke 12:34 NIV
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Canton, OH.
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
James 2:12-13 (NIV)
Laurie, Phoenix AZ, Blessed is the one You choose and bring near, to dwell in Your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, the holiness of Your temple! Psalm 65:4, ESV
Candi Stryker; Hewitt, TX
Matthew 5:3 NIV “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Teresa from Coral Springs, Florida
You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65:11 NIV
Laurie Giddings
Lake Stevens, WA
Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
VivIan
Birmingham, Alabama
I Peter 5:10 The Message
So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good.
My post still says “Your comment is awaiting moderation.” Is something wrong with the way I sent it?
Allison from Aliso Viejo CA
Let us then approach Gods throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Kim, The Woodlands, TX
You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV
Monica, Tampa, FL
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Cor 13:4-7 (NIV)
Sheila, Montgomery, Alabama – Romans 8:37-39 (KJV) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Breezy from Chicago, IL
“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.”
Philippians 1:27, NLT
Katherine; Nipomo, California
1. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. 2. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds…
James 1:1,2 NIV
Kristie from Cypress, TX – May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 HCSB
Janet from Springfield, MO says
January 1, 2013
For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self control. 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV