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
Katie from Fort Collins, Colorado
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 (ESV)
(Original post: January 2, 2013 at 3:34 pm – still shows awaiting moderation. So this is a repeat, Beth, to be sure I get on the list! Thanks!)
Susie Hampton; Garland, TX
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One Who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4, NIV84)
Brenda-Ames
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
-Jeremiah 29:11
Kelly Hillis, Chesterfield, MO
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trails of many kinds, because
you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must
finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:1-4 NIV
Lorna Beth
Minneapolis, MN
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
psalm 13:1-2 (NIV 84)
Lisa, Simsboro, LA
“O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.”
Psalms 139:1 NIV
Vicki, from Beaver Dam WI
” The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit”
Psalm 34:17-18
Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 NIV
Ginny, Conifer, CO
The Lord will fight for you;
You need only to be still
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Julie Garner, Boerne TX
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
—Psalm 34:18(NIV)
Chelsie Helderop, Farmington, MI
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Romans 8:15 (ESV)
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose name is stayed on thee. Isaiah 26:3
Tammie, Carlisle, PA. Into the hovels of the poor, Into the dark streets where the homeless groan, God speaks: “I’ve had enough; I’m on my way To heal the ache in the heart of the wretched.” (Psalm 12:5, MSG)
Deborah Lynn from Portland says,
And you will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the LORD is the Rock Eternal. Isaiah 26:3-4
Mindy
Ontario, Canada
Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Commit to The Lord whatever you do and He will establish your plans.
Sadee
Celebration, Florida
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;
even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65:11, New Living Translation
Lisa in Boonsboro, Md.
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8. NIV
Melissa from Houston. “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.” Hebrews 12:1 NIV.
Elizabeth Mullins from Cedar Hill TX! 2nd Timothy 2:13 (New Living Translation): “If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is!
Work with enthusiasm, as tough you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Ephesians 6:7 NLT
Casey from Texarkana, TX, His mother said to the servants, Whatever He says to you, do it. John 2:5 AMP
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, that transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens Matthew 12:28 NIV
Ellen from Houston, Texas, ‘ You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance.’ Psalm 65:11 NIV
NIV Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJ
Leah, Woodlands, TX “…Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger deos not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19-20 NIV
Brooke Corrie, Pittsburgh PA
“Don’t worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.”
Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
Katie Cariss from Medford, NJ
“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10 NIV
“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
Suwanee, GA Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.
Janet in Raleigh, NC.”I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”John 16:33NIV
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 (NKJV)
Ronda Bradley
Junction City, KS
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 NIV
Waylene Loma Linda
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. Ps 147:3 KJV
Tisha, Rainbow City, AL
In my anguish, I cried out to the Lord and he answered by setting free. Psalm 118:5 (NIV)
Courtney Cherest
LaPlata, MD
1Peter 1:1-5 (ESV)
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)
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.
Lincoln, NE
Do not conform 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 (NIV)
Sarah, West Monroe, La
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 for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Tamara from Marietta, GA
James,a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
“Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
2 Timothy 2:3 (NIV)
Marsha from Lufkin
Jesus said to them again; “peace be with you. As the father had sent me,even so I am sending you.”
Rachel – Athens, GA
“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 the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!”
Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Morgan DeClue
Bolivar, MO
Psalm 119:11 (NKJV)
“Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.”
And so, from that day we have heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fulling pleasing him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:9-10 ESV)
Andrea, Ontario, Canada,
” Joshua said to them, ‘ Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the LORD will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.’ Then Joshua struck and killed the kings…”
Joshua 10:25-26a (NIV)
Megan from Louisville, Kentucky: “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV