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
Jolinda Drake from Kearney, NE
1 I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. PSALM 9:1-2 NKJ
Brandee Loftis from White House, TN
I can be content in any and every situation through the Anointed One who is my power and strength.
Philippians 4:13, The Voice
Kay; Sheridan
Teach me to do your will for You are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10 HCSB
You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV
Linda Francia , Mobile, AL “You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NIV
Kim – Jenks, Ok –
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 NIV
Marie from North Richland Hills, Texas
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.
Eph. 3:16-17a
Carolyn from Springfield, Mo.
“In their hearts humans plan their course,
But the Lord estalishes their steps.”
Proberbs 16:9 NIV
Meg from Littleton: “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:31-32 NIV
Stephanie R., Cypress TX.
For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant walk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not see your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show a proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
1 Peter 2: 15-17 NIV
Kate from Hillsboro, OR
But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously. Micah 6:8 The Message
Yolanda from El Paso, TX
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires”.
James 1:19-20 NIV
John 14:1 (NIV)
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”
Christy
Vidor, TX
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:33 (NASB)
Brigette from Morehead, KY
‘In the same way,the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.’
Romans 8:26 NIV84
Biffy from Greenwood, AR
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10ESV
Amanda from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9a NIV
Candy, La Grange Texas
Blessed be the Lord who DAILY LOADETH us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.
Psalm 68:19 KJV
“Do not fear, for I am with you, Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will strengthen you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10, NASB, Cynthia, Richmond, VA
Susan from Boerne, Texas
But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control. Philippians 3:20,21 NLT
From the rising of the sun to its going down The Lord’s name is to be praised. Ps. 113:3 NKJV
Sarah from Heath, TX
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. I Corinthians 2:3 NIV
Mechelle Williams from Kingsport TN
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
Ps. 1:1 NIV
Carole, Imperial, CA: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
Dianne in Atlanta. “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. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:1-6. ESV
Laura from Townsend, MA The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. John 6:63 NIV
Michaela from Overland Park, Kansas
God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.
I Corinthians 1:30 NLT
Celeste from Thompson’s Station, TN:
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.
Jer. 29:11-12 NLT
Donna says:
Janu 1, 2013 at 10:55 am
Donna from Kokomo, IN says”
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
Yolanda, Queen City, Tx
Matthew 7:7 NIV
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Shalane from Cedar Rapids, IA
“Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14 (NRSV)
Gayla from Lee’s Summit, MO
Jesus said to His disciples, “I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts away every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit. But He trims clean every branch that does produce fruit, so that it will produce even more fruit…”
John 15:1-2 CEV
Tracy from Andice, TX
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5 NKJV
Merissa from Calgary, AB: “But now this is what the Lord says-He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” -Isaiah 43:1 NIV
Kathleen from Wylie, TX
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 NIV
Lauren from Saraland, AL
Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. Psalm 34:8 MSG
Whitney from Edmond, Ok
Take delight in The Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 NIV
Susan from Houston
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and body and soul be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thes. 5:23. ESV
Donna, Oxford, Mississippi
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawn.” Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
6YO: Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37 GNT
2YO: We must love each other. 1 John 4:11b CEV
Kelly, Idaho
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
Tonia Booker-Meridian,ID. “Godliness with contentment is great gain” 1Timothy 6:6 NKJ
Kari from Plano, Texas – You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV
Judy, Marietta, GA:
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
James 1:3-4 NLT
Lisa, Arlington, TN
“The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” Psalm 118:14 NIV
Peggy, Waynesboro, Ms. “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
Anna from Rochester, MN
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old is gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Kim
Orange City
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.”
Psalm 37:7a
NIV
Psalm 65:11 NLT
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
Sarah C from Auburn, Alabama
Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
Isaiah 64:4 NIV