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
Bonnie from Jacksonville, FL
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
Psalm 32:8 NIV
Dawn – Lafayette, Louisiana
Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things, preserve my life according to your word.
Psalm 119:36-37 NIV84
Janey from Naples Florida
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” Isaiah 43:18 NIV
Diane in Runnells, IA “Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her and she will watch over you.” Prov. 4:5,6 (NASB)
Kim from Atlanta, Georgia
1 Corinthians 13:4–8a
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (NIV)
Julie S., Mt. Juliet TN
Colossians 3:23 / NLT
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
Judy, Taylors, SC
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26 TNIV)
Carina from Westlake Village California
Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.
Psalm 143:8 NKJV
Tami, DS, LA
Romans 12:15 (NIV)
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Rene’ from Knoxville, TN
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God John 1:1-2 NKJV
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28 HCSB)
Kati from Cincinnati, OH “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Ephesians 4:1 NIV
Lisa (Austin, TX)
Phil 4:13 (NKJV)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Amy Adams
Middletown, DE
Romans 10:17 NIV: Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Margaret A.from Merry Hill, NC, You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65:11 NIV
Danielle Dallas, GA
1 Peter 1:13-14
So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the special blessings that will come to you at the return of Jesus Christ. Obey God because you are his children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of doing evel, you didn’t know any better then. (NLT)
Debra Funderburk – Many, La
James 5:8 (Holman Christian Standard)
You must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.
Leslie from Xenia, Ohio
“You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11, NIV
Adrian from Summerville, SC “O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.” Psalm 139:1 NIV
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the HOPE to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Ephesians 1:18-19 NIV84
Kristen Sarfraz, Littleton, CO
“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.” Isaiah 41:10
Liz S.; Philadelphia, PA
“The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.”
Psalm 97:1-4 (NIV)
Carrie Williams from Auburn, Alabama: I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13)
From Toledo, Ohio
1 Corinthians 9:24
NIV
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize”.
Jen Sherman from Plano, Texas
John 14:26 But the counselore, the Holy Spirit, whom the father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will reming you of everything I have said to you.
Cathy from Monroe Georgia
Humble yourselves therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6 NIV
Sophia from Lynn, MA
I went to the Lord for help.
He answered me and rescued me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
Julie from Chicago IL, For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. Deuteronomy 4:24 NIV
Bobbie L. / College Station, Tx
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him
Psalm 28:7 (NIV)
Cassidy from St. Louis, MO
“Love The Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5, NIV
Jennifer from Lititz, PA
Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never forget you.”. NIV
Hebrews 13:5
Donna, Ozark, MO. The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 NIV.
Desiree Abbott, Georgetown, TX, NASB, James 1:2-4
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trails, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Susan from Louisville, KY
For The Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
Sarah; Fredericksburg, VA
Hebrews 4:12 NIV
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
janita, oskaloosa,iowa “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
Denyse; Dallas, TX
Psalm 34:10 NIV84
“The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.”
Gigi Hughes; Conway, SC
Romans 12:2 (NIV84)
“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.”
Rachel Harmon, Birmingham AL
Exodus 14:14(NIV)
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Lynne from Blackwell, Ok. Psalms 86:5 You are a forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. NIV
Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith we have peace through God through our Lord Jesus Christ
Shellie P.
Spokane, WA
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Proverbs 13:10 NIV
P.S. I may miss a few of these if not all of the rest of them because I’m going to treatment and I don’t know for how long at this point.
Jennifer; Lititz, PA
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. God has said,”I will never leave you; I will never forget you.”
Elissa OConnor, Barkhamsted, CT
NLT Deut. 10:21
” He is your God, the one who is worthy of your praise, the one who has done mighty miracles that you have seen” <3
Marie from Manchester, ME
Psalm 121:1-2 (NLT)
I look up to the mountains- does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth!
Angie, Ormond Beach, FL
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being and with all your might.
Deut 5.6 AMP
“Look to the Lord and His strength; seek his face always.” Psalm 105:4 NIV
Susan, Madison,MS
Psalm 89:15 (NIV ’11)
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence,Lord.
Jeannie Armstrong; Charlotte, NC
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
Lam. 3:24 (ESV)