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
Billie Galyen, Greenville, KY
“The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He will.”
Proverbs 21:1 ESV
mariel
wake forest, nc
The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
MaryAnn from Columbia Missouri Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you, I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NIV)
Denise from Boise, Idaho
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:4-5 NIV
Tracy from PF, Texas “I look to the mountains-does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth!” Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
Richelle from Kingston, TN
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:9 NIV
Darla from Pittsburgh, PA
For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it, for it will certainly come; it will not delay.
Habakkuk 2:3 NASB
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. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.” Lamentations 3:22-24(NIV)
Judy from Russellville, AR, “Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.” Eccl. 9:10, NLT
Kiersten Griffith – Wake Forest, NC
Because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14 NIV
Marty Stringer from Daphne, AL…The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalms 34:18 ESV
Andrea,Louisville,KY
Ephesians 3:20,21. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen
Sophie from Birmingham, AL
“Behold, I will create a new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” – Isaiah 65:17, NIV84
Lisa, WestChester Ohio
“But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.”
Jeremiah 18: 4
NIV
Cherise from Cheyenne, WY: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to You.” James 4:8 NASB
Heather
Ozark, MO
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable,not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God;
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
NIV
Jaime from Syracuse, NY: 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
Jaime from Syracuse, NY: 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
Mary, Columbia, PA~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
Theresa, Sardis, Alabama
“So here is what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life- your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life- and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.” Romans 12:1 MSG
Claudia from Raeford, NC: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…” Hebrews 10:24 NIV
Peggy from Wakarusa IN: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” NIV
Kathy Richmond, Va
2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of sound mind. For VBS 2013!
Tracy, Sidney, Ohio
Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better.
Colossians 1:10 NLT
Charlene Norcross, Georgia Let the words of my mouth, And the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 KJV
Kelly, Auburn, Al – There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 NIV
You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. NLT Ps 73:24-26
Stacy, Big Lake, MN
Michelle, West Des Moines, IA
Jesus spoke…, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 NIV
Colleen, Lyndonville NY:
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God and Timothy our brother,
To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people.
Col 1:1-4
Chris Floyd from Kokomo, IN You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV Amen!
Jess R. Katy, Texas.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Galations 5:22-23
Julie
Ft. Wayne,
In you, Lord my God,
I put my trust.
I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me. Psalm 25:1-2
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Your word.
Psalm 119:37 NIV
Mysti from Dallas, TX
“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. ”
1 Peter 5:10 NASB
Debbie from Seymour, TN
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
Romans 12:1 NIV
Cathy, Dallas
Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek Me and fine Me, when you seek Me with all your heart.” INV
Tasha, Malvern,AR
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NIV1984
Diane – Roswell, GA
“…because, 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.” Romans 10:9 (ESV)
Lisa – El Dorado, AR
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV84
Heather B., Warner Robins, GA
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5 ESV)
Kay from Hermann, Missouri
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV
Michelle K. From Warner Robins GA “Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O Lord of hosts” Jer 15:16 NASB
Heather from Tallahassee, FL
Everything is permissable for me – but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissable for me – but I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV
Cathy from Loxahatchee, Florida
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love The Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him.
Deuteronomy 31:19-20 NIV
Bonnie, from Asheville, N.C.-“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10: 5-ESV
May your deeds be shown to your servants,your splendor to their children.
Psalm 90:16 (NIV)
Kathy Chattanooga, TN
Tara, Greenville, SC
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12 (NIV)
The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22 & 23 (NASB)
Joan, Wichita, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Phil. 4:6 NIV84
Courtney from Mount Pleasant, SC “His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3, NRSV
Oops. NKJV – sorry.