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
Esther, Vilonia AR, Oh that my ways may be established to keep Your statutes! Psalm 119:5
Lisa from Sioux Falls, SD
So here’s what I think: the best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started and not let those good intentions grow stale. Your heart’s been in the right place all along. You’ve got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it.
2 Cor 8:10-11 MSG
Deb K, Sterling Hts, MI Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and He will help you. Psalm 37:5 NLT
Dana Goodwin, Ashland, KY. “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 (my 2012 CHRISTmas card verse)
Teri from Great Mills, MD
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Kellye from Las Vegas, I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. Jeremiah 31:25 NIV
Joy, Clyde, OH
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”
Galatians 6:9 NASB
Marla from Dixon, Illinois. Create in me a pure heart, Oh God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Karlie. Raleigh, NC.
You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65:11 NIV
Lisa Riley from Sussex, WI
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 that love Him.
James 1:12 (NIV)
Deb K, Sterling Hts, MI Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and He will help you. Psalm 37:5 NLT.
Amy from Charleston, SC
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, presents your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and protect your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7, NIV
Harrison,AR
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 KJV
Dixie from Santa Monica, California
“And after you have suffered for 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.”
1 Peter 5:10 ESV
Denise, Hernando Beach, Fl.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2
Kelly Morris
Grand Prairie
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness”
Lamentations 3:22-23
NKJV
Linda
Okeechobee, Florida
Colossians 1:18 NET
“He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things.”
Becky from Norfolk, VA
For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 NET
Hannah Bryant,Pineville, For I know the plans that i have for you says the Lord,”plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future,Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Cassandra, Ohio, “Take Delight in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart” Psalm 37:4 NIV
Monica from Johns Creek, Georgia. “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
Hannah from Dayton “And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Revelation 12:11a New Living Translation
Beverly from Pearland, TX
“If you know Me, you will know My Father. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.”
John 14:7
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Ashley Fisher
Marysville OH
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. For The Lord your God is with you wherever you go!
Joshua 1:9
NIV
Bridget from Bakersfield, CA
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,”
Philippians 3:12-13 NKJV
Barbie, Powell, Ohio
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
1 Peter 2:9 NIV
Shay from Royal Palm Beach, FL. See I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 NIV
Piiamari from Canton, MI
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2 NIV
Gwen from Jax Beach, FL. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8, ESV.
Marcia from Chesapeake, VA
“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down” Proverbs 14:1 NIV
Rosi Lovell, Hopkinsville, Kentucky
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Caitlin from Demopolis, AL
For His anger is but for a moment, His Favor is for a lifetime; weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5 NASB
Darcy from Clermont, FL –
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galations 5:1 NIV84
Jenny from Littleton, CO
You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV
Kristine from Cincinnati, Ohio
Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to His glorious Name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.
Psalm 72:18-19 NIV
Jennifer from Richardson,TX
“…because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Crystal from Summerton, SC
“Patience is better than strenght. Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city.”
Proverbs 16:32 NIV
Lauren from Abilene, TX — “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation is here, the old has come the new is here.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Laurie, Gibsonville NC
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20 ESV
Jessica Murdock, Sanger, TX.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self control: and to self- control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:5-8 NIV
Amanda Goodfellow
Seagoville, TX
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Carol Walter, Salem, MO. “what is impossible with man, is possible with God”. Luke 18:27 NIV
Natalie
Columbia,SC
Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition,with thanksgiving present your request to God,And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6,7
Kim B. Thatcher, AZ
Forget the former things do not dwell on the past.
Isa 43:18 NIV
Emily from Weatherford, TX
“Blessed are those whose strength is in You, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.” – Psalm 84:5 NIV
Katherine in Grandville,MI
Be joyful 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)
Anne from Shelby Township, Michigan
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Tyler, TX — Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7 ESV
Audrey N. from Cimarron, KS – “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” Lamentations 3:22. NIV
Paige, ATL, Ps. 139:16 Holman
Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all (my) days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began.