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
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV84
Jean Fryer
Hendersonville, N.C. 28792
Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (The Amplified Bible)
Spreading Love To Everyone We Meet.
James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. James 1:1-3 ESV
Cheryl Ann from Bellingham, Wa. Psalm 121:NIV
Heather Lilley from Houston, TX
“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” -Ephesians 4:1-2 NIV
Lyndsey; Asheville, NC
Psalm 91:11 (NIV84)
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
Muriel in Ontario Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5,6 (NIV)
Brooke, Princeton, ME:
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
Psalm 46:4,5 ESV
25 “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread.
26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.
27 Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.
28 For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.” Psalm 37:25-28 NIV
“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)
From Elizabethton, Tn.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go. nkjv 1990
apologies:from Joshua 1:9
Ashlie; Cary, NC
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
We demolish arguments and every pretnsion that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
“It is the Lord your God you must follow, and and Him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.” Deuteronomy 13:4 NIV. (Sorry I’m late!)
Becky from Oklahoma City, OK
You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65:11 NIV
Rhonda Lewis; Birmingham, AL
Colossians 3:23 (NLT)
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
Brenda from Alpharetta, GA
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10 NIV
This is a duplicate–I was looking on Eastern time, but I just found my post on Central time yesterday! Sorry, I’m new at this! 🙂
Jen True
Greenfield, IN
We can make our plans but the Lord determines our steps.
Prov. 16: 9 NLT
Isaiah 30:21. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying,’This is the way;walk in it.”(NIV)
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Mattew 11:28-30 NKJV
Leise, Waco, My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. Prov. 2:1-5 NIV
Donna; Abilene, Tx. Psalm 65:11 You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with abundance. ESV
Kimberli Fondren, Cottondale, AL
“Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the Lord.”
Psalm 31:24 (NIV)
Kristetta from Pineville, LA
I will sing to the Lord all my life, I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to Him as I rejoice in the Lord.
Psalm 104:33-34 NIV
Sherri Barton, from Sachse TX
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Malachi 3:10 NIV
“It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deut. 31:8 NKJV
My attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Phil 2:5
Wendy from Oak Harbor, WA. “Teach us to number our days carefullyso that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.” Psalm 90:12 HCSB
Mindy from Sherrills Ford, NC — Be joyful always; pray continually; Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. –1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Cheryl Ankrom from Mobile, Alabama
Philippians 2:14-15 (NIV)
Do everything without grumbling or complaining, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.
Heather, Sedalia, Alberta
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,”
– Ephesians 3:16, 17 NIV
Kristie from Kansas City. Love The Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5. HCSB
Monica from Bentonia, MS. “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” Isaiah 30:18 NIV
Sara Springfield Mo
By humility and fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life. Proverbs 22:4 KJV
Melinda Hollis, Independence, MO
Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Donna, Glendale, AZ
” He who was seated on the throne said, I am making everything new! Then He said, write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true”
Rev. 21:5 NIV
Charlotte,NC
” Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:3 ESV
Kelsey, Dallas, Texas.
1 Cor 15:57 – 58 ESV
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
Beth,Troy
“You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance.”
Psalm 65:11 NIV
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Maysa-Wichita, KS
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NLT)
Nancy from Northridge, CA “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ- to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11 NIV
Dedra Herod, Madison, AL
“For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift – not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are His creation created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8-10 HCSB
Psalm 18:30 NLT. God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
Jen from Greentown, Indiana. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. Colossians 4:6 NLT
Heidi from Anchorage, AK
Borrowing from Beth, “You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NIV
Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7 NLT
Jenny C., Houston
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul years, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Psalm 84:1-2 (NIV)
Jamie Teagle, Atlanta, GA
2 Cor. 10:4-5 (NIV)
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Melisa B. Waco, Tx.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NASB