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
Saint Petersburg, Fl
You have crowned the year with bounty,and your paths overflow with a rich harvest;
Psalm 65:12 NAB
Becky Round Rock, TX
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I Thessalonians 5: 16-18 NKJ
Patricia, Dallas TX
Hebrews 10:23-{HCSB}
‘Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful’.
Katie Cannon, Tempe, AZ
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Elizabeth Cromwell from Memphis, TN
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.”
Meredith from Lubbock, Tx. “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” -1 Peter 5:7
NIV
Amy from Everett, WA
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:2 Niv84
Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Kim, Muncie, IN- Follow my decrees and be careful to obey my laws, and you will live safely in the land. Leviticus 25:18 NIV
Roxanne, St. John’s
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.”
2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV
Rachel, Hixson, TN
The Lord hears the cries of the needy, he does not despise his imprisoned people. Psalm 69:33 NLT
Aileen Hunter, London, ON
“The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers.”
1 Kings 8:57-58 ESV
Ty from Euless, Texas I am confident your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of The Lord forever. Psalm 23:6 (NLT)
Christina, Arlington, Texas – John 14:26 (HCSB)
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, the Father will send Him in my name — will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.
Diane – Niskayuna NY
1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. NIV
Booneville, MS
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ” John 14:6 NIV
Dori Adams Raleigh, NC
“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 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, my have power together with the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19 NIV
Ellen from Morehead City, NC
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:1-5 ESV
Arminda of Salt Lake City.
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. “. (Luke 6:37 NKJV)
Lubbock, TX
“He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.” -Isaiah 33:6 (NIV)
Rochester, NY “Be kind to each other, tender hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 English Standard Version
Nicki from Dallas/Baton Rouge
Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 1:1-6 (ESV)
Diane Hung. Cedar Rapids, Iowa. For those whom He fore knew He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His son, so that He would be the first born among many brethren. NASB
Rochester, NY. “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32. ESV
Juanita, Norfolk, VA
John1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. NIV
Kathy from Rogersville, Alabama “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
Joan, 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
Matthew 18:10 See that you do not dispise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my father in heaven. NIV
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV
Santa Rosa, CA
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before Him with thanksgiving
and extol Him with music and song.
Psalm 95:1-2
Donna,- Fort Wayne, IN
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV 84)
Amy – St. Leonard, MD
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
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.
Cedar Park, Tx
Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3 NIV
Laura Smith, Chattanooga, TN:
“LORD, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.”
Psalm 90:1 NASV
Plainfield, IN
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 NLT
Janet, Vancouver, BC : And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. @ Corinthians 9:8 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.” NIV
Jeremiah 29:11
Brittany from Frisco, TX.
“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. aIf you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.” – 1 Chronicles 28.9, ESV
Kimberly, Atlanta- Psalms 32:8 NIV I will instruct you and teach in the way you should go. I will counsel you and watch over you.
“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 (don’t know what happened to my first post!)
Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land an befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37: 3-4 ESV
Kelly from Manassas, VA
“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 – NIV
Sara, Saint Ignatius, MT
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12 NIV
Susan Morrison from Innisfil, Ontario
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. Galations 6:9,10 NASB
“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.”
~Ecclesiastes 7:8
Trish- Pamplico,SC
So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision-you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.
Philippians 3:15-16. The Message
Princeton, NJ
Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God.
Psalms 1:1 ABS
Andrea from Sherwood, Arkansas…”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, NIV84
Kathy from Valrico, Florida…Search me, O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Joy Klassen – Manitoba, CANADA
Psalm 139: 1-2 NIV
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceived my thoughts from afar.