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
Linda from Weston, MO. For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 NIV
Abigail from Charleston, SC
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,”
Psalms 1:1, NIV
Lyn from Spartanburg, SC
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV
Kim from Duncan, SC:
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10 NKJV
Patti, Phoenix AZ
Exodus 20:17 No lusting after your neighbor’s house—or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don’t set your heart on anything that is your neighbor’s. (The Message Bible)
karen, Cheney, WA
“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today.”
Exodus 14:13 (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.
Jeremiah 29:11
NIV
Stephanie, Auburn AL, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20 NIV84)
Samantha from London, England.
“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8 ESV
//I’m clinging to Holley Gerth’s take on this verse this month; “She didn’t have to be perfect because she was perfectly loved. “
Donna Buckalew
Parker, CO
For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16 NISB
Megan Kennedy
Bangor, Maine
1 Peter 5:10 NIV
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
Jennifer from Houston, Texas: “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV
Holly from Mobile, AL – So now I am giving you a new commandment : love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. John 13:34 NLT
Jeanette from Tualatin, OR
Psalm 46:10 NIV
Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.
Loribeth from Houston, Texas, Search me, 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
Amy from Miamisburg, OH
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Chris is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3 ESV
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.
1 Corinthians 6:19. NIV
Diane Jackson, Wood River, IL: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)
Janice Hilt, Arcanum OH
“Blessed be the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.”
Ephesians 1:3-4 NASB
Tammy from Staunton, Virginia
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 (NIV)
Anne from Frisco, TX So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV
Jennifer, Granby, CO
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. ~ Col 3:12 NIV
Charlotte,NC
Start Children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6 NIV
Terry
Washington, IL
I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.
Psalms 40:8 NLT
Toni from Orlando, Florida. “Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.” Isaiah 30:18 ESV
Kimberly from Watha NC, Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 NKJV.
Christie from Ashland KY
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 Corinthians 13:1 NLT)
Deanne, Ohio
2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
Rosi Lovell, Hopkinsville, KY
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
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.
Janice, Conroe, TX
…The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by Him, Who shelters him all the day long; And he shall dwell between His shoulders.
Deut. 33:12 NKJV
Janna Hoving from Frisco TX
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Bridget – Phoenix AZ
1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
From Birmingham, AL: “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually!” Psalm 105:4 ESV
Selina. Barbourville, KY.
Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, foreasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
I Corinthians 15:58 KJV
Carol Kirby from Amarillo,TX “and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”Romans 5:5 NRSV
Cheryl from London, Ontario, Canada.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
Psalm 73:25 ESV
Pushkala, Louisville, KY: Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and let them enjoy abundant peace and security. I will bring Judah & Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. I will cleanse them from all sin they committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. Jeremiah 22:6-8 NIV
Ana from Cape Town (South Africa)
“He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!” Isaiah 9 v 7 (NLT)
Zane C., Raleigh, NC: “..I found the one whom my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go…” Song of Songs 3:4 (NIT)
Alicia Payne~Rome, GA
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV
Canal Fulton, OH
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all things, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
Lindsey Gerdes, Canton, GA
So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…
Colossians 1:10 (NIV)
Mary Lou from Forest City, IA
“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Mary Alice Dulweber
Dallas, TX
“After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:
‘ Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.’ ”
Genesis 15:1 NIV
Berni, Albuquerque
“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”
James 4:17 NLT
Whoa! That’s convicting! Thanks for reminder!
April Jones, Springfield, IL
Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her
Will be accomplished!
Luke 1:45 NIV
Michelle Morgan from Berea, KY. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, and pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV
Katie from San Diego 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)
Sharron from Hartselle, Al. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord , is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2 NIV
Sandy from Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Praise awaits You, O God, in Zion; to You our vows will be fulfilled.
Psalm 65:1 NIV