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
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control.”
2 Timothy 1:7 RSV
Kim from Gilberts Illinois
Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. ESV
Deborah Prattville, AL Eph 3:20-21 (NIV)
“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!”
“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
Laura from Cartersville, GA
“We can make our plans but the Lord determines our steps!” Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)
Kathy from Fishers, IN
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Ps. 91:1-2 NIV
Donna Butler from Arlington, TX
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10 KJV
Noelle from Newnan GA
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15 NIV
Jenny from Wylie, Texas
The Lord, All Powerful, the Holy God of Israel rules all the earth. He is your Creator and husband and he will rescue you.
Isaiah 54:5 (CEV)
Psalm 46:10 NIV
Julie Williams, Houston
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”
John 15:1 NLT
Sue from Port Hueneme, CA
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 NASB
Stacy, Greenfield, Indiana
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 NIV
“We do not make requests of you because we are righteous but because of Your great mercy.” Daniel 9:18b NIV
Donna, from Dauphin, Pennsylvania
He says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NIV
Kristin from Aurora, CO.
You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV
Amy – Houston, TX
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NIV
Pattie from San Angelo, Texas – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6 NIV
Sue Hartley,
St. Louis
Ephesians 1:3 NIV
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Laura from Indianapolis, IN
Sanctify them in the truth: your word is truth.
John 17:17
Tracy- Frisco, TX
An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. Proverbs 31:1-2 ESV
Natalie from Austin, Tx
And my God will meet all of your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:19 NIV
Laura from Waco TX: James 1:19 (NIV): “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”
Amy in Fountain, CO
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.”
Psalm 116:15 – ESV
Brenda from San Antonio TX…
You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been annointed with grace since God has blessed you forever.
Psalm 45:2 NIV
Bridget, Cadillac, MI James 2:1-7 nkjv
My brethern, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen my beloved brothern: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?
Danielle from Van Buren, AR
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
-Isaiah 41:10, NLT
Katie from Anaheim, CA
“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
Melinda, Cheney
Righteous are you, O Lord, and your laws are right.
Psalm 119:137 (NIV)
Karen, Redfield AR
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Psalms 103:1 (NKJV)
Hannah from Fort Worth Texas, The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Revelation 22:21 NIV84
Carey – Columbia, TN
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he taught them, saying:
Matthew 5:1-2, NIV
Jamie, Missouri City, Texas
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us
Romans 5:3-5a NIV
Lisa from Leesburg, FL
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Amy from Caddo Mills, TX.
Proverbs 22:4 The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor and life. NASB
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:5
KJV
“Trust in the Lord with al your hear and lean not on your own understanding, in all uyour ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight”. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Caroline Garrison from Easley, SC:
“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV
Susie from LA
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
I Peter 5:10 ESV
Abby – Prescott, AZ
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord.
Psalm 1:1-2 NIV
Regan from Apache Junction, Arizona
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
“From the rising of the sun to its going down,
The LORD’S name is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3 NKJV
Tensie, Los Angeles, CA (I forgot that part)
Donna, Mt. Pleasant, NC
You crown the year with Your goodness; Your ways overflow with plenty.
Psalm 65:11 HCSB
Adrienne from Horseheads, NY. “Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity (idols and idolatry); and restore me to vigorous life and health in Your ways”, Psalm 119:37 AMP
Heather from Hayden, AL: For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16 KJV
Jeannie Pederson, New Hanover, IL “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.” Prov. 28:19 ESV
Jessica from Fort Worth, Texas: Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. (Psalm 119:111 NIV)
I do not see my post from 01.01.13 at 8:17 p.m. so I’m posting again.
Joan from Allentown,PA
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. James 1:5 NIV84
Glenda Knoxville TN (NIV) Isaiah 55 : 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.