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
Tammy ~ Tampa, FL
“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”
James 1:2-4 NIV84
Ashley from Knoxville, TN
“Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”
2 Peter 1:3
NASB
Patti Hayes from Tampa, Florida
I’ve written to warn you about those who are trying to deceive you. But they’re no match for what is embedded deeply within you – Christ’s anointing, no less! You don’t need any of their so-called teaching. Christ’s anointing teaches you the truth on everything you need to know about yourself and Him, uncontaminated by a single lie. Live deeply in what you were taught.
1 John 2:26-27 MSG
Valerie from Smithfield, NC
“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer. He enables me to go on the heights.: Habakkuk 3:18-19 NIV84
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.
James 1:1-4 NIV
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in YAH, the Lord , is everlasting strength.
Isaiah 26.3.nkjv
Jenna from Morro Bay, CA
“Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me for you are my refuge and my fortress.”
Psalm 71:3 ESV
Jamie from New Palestine
Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Sharon from McKinney, TX. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Ps. 27:14 NIV
West Grove, Pa
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
Liz from Austin, Texas
Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.
Psalm 86: 11-12 NIV
Cindy ~ Roanoke, TX
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies. Psalm 118:5-7 NIV
Sheri from Morrisville, MO. Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. Isaiah 26:8 NIV.
Kate from Cheney, WA
You crown the year with your bounty and your carts overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65:11, NIV 84
Del from Clarksboro: ” So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” Matthew 24:44 NIV
Jessica from Omaha, NE
The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
Lamentations 3:25 ESV
Woodstock, Ga.
“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)
Emily, Ocala, FL …Eph 1:18 NLT – I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called-his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
Kim from Corning, NY “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Colossians 1:9 NIV).
LaShay from Saltillo, MS
“The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.”
Deuteromony 30:6 (NIV)
Lorene, Lafayette, LA
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25 NIV
Karen from Jacksonville, FL
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 NAS
Diana from Greenville,KY
You can make many plans, but the Lords purpose will prevail. Proverbs 19:21
Mary Lou, Franktown, VA – I Corinthians 16:14 – Let all that you do be done in love. (NAS)
Kristen, Sykesville
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV
Traci in Pipestone, MN
Because I need to begin to work toward forgiveness in my marriage …
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
Kristi, Greenville, TX, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NLT
Amy from Austin, TX
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 16:33 NIV
Molly Mercer, Macon
For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:17 NIV84)
Joni from Bradenton, FL
She is clothed with strenth and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:25 NIV
Candy Redel from St Louis MO
Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Sandra Tolson from Winchester, KY
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Lacey from Katy, Texas
Know this, my beloved brothers:let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
James 1:19, 20 ESV
Marcia, Portland, OR
Why do you spend money for what is not bread and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance.
Isaiah 55:2 ASB
Charlene, Houston
God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.
2 Corinthinas 9:8 HCSB
Julie Huff, Broken Arrow,OK
I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure.
PS. 119:162 NLT
my son, perserve sound judgement and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.
proverbs 3:21-23
Jennifer from Richmond, Va, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, be 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.”
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
Christy from Omaha, Nebraska: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NIV)
Anna, Alabama, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 HCSB
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)
Stephanie Dallas NIV 1984 Psalm 139:5-6
You Hem me in, hehind and before: you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Bethany Scott, Chandler
“For although we do live in the world, we do not wage war in a worldly way; because the weapons we use to wage war are not worldly. On the contrary, they have God’s power for demolishing strongholds.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-4, Complete Jewish Bible
Bethany from Katy, TX
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. Ps 56:3 NIV
Alisa, Clinton, MS
When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
Mattew 5:1-2
NASB
Leah, KCMO
Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures Luke 24:45 ESV
Kim – Champaign IL
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Genesis 1
King James Version