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
Phoebe, Tucson, My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. James 2.1, NIV
Kimberly, Tampa Isaiah 41:10 NIV
So do not fear 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.
Sarah, Manhattan KS. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. Luke 21:14 NIV
Sara Pipkin
Littleton CO
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my hear may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:25-26
NIV
What a good verse to memorize. I needed to see this.
Rachel. Yellowknife, NWT, Canada. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”. Hebrews 13:5 NIV
Dianne,Magnolia TX, “Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.” Psalm 17:3 NIV
debbie jo, greenwood, “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
Leslie Fett-Fayetteville, Ar.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22, 23 ESV)
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refugee and my fortress, My Good in whom I trust.”
Palm 91:1-2 NIV84
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. Psalm 62:5
Lynne from Fletcher, NC: “Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” –Romans 12:1 (NIV)
Beth Mattei, Mobile, AL”This means that anyone who Belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life has gone; a new life has begun.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT.
Psalm 1:2-3 “but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. (3)That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” NIV
Sign me up!
Kristina from Duluth, MN “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Mandy Moore
Lancaster, PA
Matthew 5:1-5
ESV
“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.”
Lori
Bangor, Maine
Have mercy on me, O God! Have mercy on me! For in You I have taken shelter. In the shadow of your wings I take shelter until trouble passes.
Psalms 57:1 (NET)
Amber, Norman, OK
Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Penny, Cabot, AR – The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
Jennifer from Bourbonnais, Illinois, Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 NIV
Isaiah 58:6 NIV
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Brittany Kasischke from Houston – 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 (NIV)
Ashley, Duette, Fl. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
Heather
Rossville, Ga
“Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the light to my eyes, or I will die.”
Psalm 13:3 NLT
Abbi
Monroe, Louisiana
“I know, Lord , that our lives are not our own.
We are not able to plan our own course.”
-Jeremiah 10:23, NLT
Linda
Jamestown,NY
You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65:11 NIV
Sara Coll ~ Forest Lake, MN ~ “For you we’re once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases The Lord.” (NIV)
Heather
Concord, NH
“Your Heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you love for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Matthew 6:32-34 NLT
Sara Coll ~ Forest Lake, MN ~ oops! Forgot the reference! Ephesians 5:8-9
Lawsona from Sealy, TX, “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'” Acts 2:38 NIV
Christine, Hardeeville SC. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV
Teresa of Sturgis, psalm 91:4 niv, He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Psalm 42:1
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.
Angela, Platte City, MO, 2 Cor. 9:10 NLT For God is the one who gives seed to the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
Sarah
Shelbyville, In
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vein conceit, but in humility considers others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 NIV
Plano TX
“The mind of a man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 NASB
Taylor
Fort Worth
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
Philippians 4:6-7 MSG
Jill from Geronimo, TX
For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son and whomever shall believe in Him shall not parish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV
Christine, Lewisburg PA
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
Angel Bowman
Murfreesboro, TN
You alone created my inner being. You knitted me together inside my mother. I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made. Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this.
Psalms 139: 13-14 God’s Word
Brandi Loumiet from Traverse City, MI
You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV
Rosa from Rahway, NJ…You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV
“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today…The LORD will fight for you; you need only be still.” Exodus 14:13-14 NIV
Donna from Miami, FL
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV
Sandy Harmer, Ft. Gibson, OK
The sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. Isaiah 50:4 NIV
Sandy Harmer, Ft. Gibson, Ok
The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. Rom 8:6 NIV
Jaime, Scottsdale, Arizona
Psalm 86:11 NIV Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Kendra from College Station Texas, For God dud not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. NIV
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because
you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance. James 1:2-3 NIV
Angela, Jersey City, NJ, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalms 23:4 King James Bible