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
Hannah from Albuquerque; to remind me to think of Christ as often as I eat:
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Luke 22:19 ESV
Shelli Littleton, Royse City, TX: You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV
Karalee and Katelyn Littleton, Royse City, TX: You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV
Hallie, from Oklahoma City:
“Oh, that we might know the Lord!
Let us press on to know Him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn
or the coming of rains in early spring.”
Hosea 6:3, NLT
Laura, O’Fallon, MO
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 NIV
Lisa Cumming, GA
Proverbs 29:22-23
An angry person stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.
Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.
TNIV
Stephanie from Fairmont, WV
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Kathy, Houston, TX
Your eye is a lamp, lighting up your whole body. If you live wide-eyed in wonder belief, your body fills up with light. Luke 11:34-35 the Message
Anne
Lorton, Va
“Because you are my help, I will sing in the shadow of your wings.”
Psalm 63:7
NIV
Ruth, Pikeville, TN — “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2 NIV
Amy from Johns Creek, GA.
“Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives.”
1 Peter 3:1 (NIV)
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
Trechell from Spring, TX
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the honor both now and on that eternal day.
II Peter 3:18 (NET)
Caitlyn, Surveyor, West Virginia
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
But He knows the way I will take, when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV Billie Payne Batesville, MS
Melisa from Katy. The Lord gives strength to His people. The Lord blesses His people with peace. Psalm 29:12 (NIV)
KK from Burleson, TX
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33, ESV
GaLynn P
Crowley, TX
“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, fixin our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1&2a NIV)
Angie from Allen, TX
Oh, that we might know the LORD!
Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn
or the coming of rains in early spring.” (Hosea 6:3 NLT)
Amy Herlte- Plymouth, MN
Psalms 32: 1 (2NLT)
“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!”
Sheila from Katy, TX
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off anything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Christina H.; Gridley, IL
Psalm 32:7 (NASB)
“You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah”
2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NLT
Amy Dean- Jacksonville, Florida (sorry, forgot that)
Penny from Jefferson, GA
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV
Anne Ranck in Lewisburg,WV
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.
I Samuel 12:23 NIV
Antonia Greenhaw; Bremen, GA
Hebrew 11:1 NKJV “Now faith is the substance hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Katina Rice Kernernsville, NC Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV) 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Sinclair, Wyoming the tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit. Proverbs 15:4 HCSB
April Nichols- Wilkesboro, NC
Romans 15: 5-6
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
NIV
Carol from Encinitas, CA Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NKJV
Adrienne, Willow Grove, PA
psalm 119:11 esv
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5, ESV
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower, the righteous run to it and are safe. Prov. 18:10 NIV
Hilary, Columbus, GA
“Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.”
Psalm 43:4 NIV
Change “lyre” to “harp” – newer NIV
Cindy, Puyallup, WA
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NIV
She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs with no fear of the future. Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Mandi in Lincoln, NE: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them- yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10
Christy Segars, Loganville, GA
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26, NIV
Heather from Highlands Ranch, CO From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. Acts 17:26 NIV
Jennifer Pearson; Nesbit, MS
“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” Psalm 8:3-4 ESV
Stephanie, Hamilton, GA “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, :and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that am he. before me no god was found, nor shall there be any after me.” IS 43:10 ESV
Kami Marrder from Houston, TX “Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” Romans 12:11-12 HCBS
Heather, Atlanta, GA
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Elske from Uden, the Netherlands, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galations 5:1 NIV84
Jennifer from Deer Park–“But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.” Psalm 73:28 NLT
Shelly, Lakewood, CA
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31 (NIV)
Debbie from Prattville, AL
“You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.”
Psaml 65:11 NKJV
Heather Williams, Ooltewah TN
So that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil. Hebrews 6:18-19 NASB
Tammy, from Melbourne, FL
Philippians 3:13-14, KJV
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”