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
Carrie, The Woodlands, TX. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks the door will be opened. Luke 11:10 NIV
Denise from Gambier, Ohio – Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for his people. Psalm 66:5 NLT
tammy, hayden idaho.
‘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
Laurel, Winston-Salem, NC – “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
Bethany James from Chillicothe, MO:
“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. In God, whose Word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?” Ps. 56:3-4NASB
Kristi Tomlinson, Athens, TX “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, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV
Dionne from Cary, NC – I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8 NIV
Cadence James from Chillicothe, MO:
“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. In God, whose Word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?” Ps. 56:3-4NASB
Connie Capps
Pine Level, NC
Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV
Ellen, Santa Maria, CA
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 ESV
Kristi from Anton, Texas. “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Melissa from Queen Creek: for the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power,love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
Michelle, Houston, “You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NIV
Tracy from Richlands, NC
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. (Lamentations 3:22, 23 NLT)
Brea Burelle, Gardendale, Alabama – O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirst for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 (NIV 84)
Stephanie Techau
Cynthiana, Ky
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Colossians 3:12&13 NIV
Nancy, Springdale AR Psalm 51:10 NIV
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Lyndsey, from Pennsburg, PA
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!'”
Lamentations 3:22-24 NLT
Tammy-Grand Prairie, TX
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20 NIV
Tami from Odessa, Texas
She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future.
Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Sherree from Mansfield TX
Take control of what I say, O Lord, and keep my lips sealed. Psalm 41:3 NLT
Oops. Psalm 141:3
La Chiel from Portland, TN. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Phil 4:6 NASB
Courtney from Columbus, MS – The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7 NAS
DeAnna, Columbus, OH,But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (KJV)
Joan from Carter Lake, IA
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him. Turly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:1-2 (NIV)
Megan from Bloomington Indiana, “Therefore,since we are surrounded by such a great 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
Candy from Overland Park, KS
“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”
Galatians 5:16
NIV
Tara
Kosciusko, MS
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28 NLT
Jill Hsieh, Aurora, Illinois, Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great 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.” NIV (1984)
Seach me, O 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 84
Pat
Crawfordsville, IN
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 NLT
Jennifer Pipes, Arkansas
Marla from Hillsboro, MO
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
Terri Leonard from Baltimore Md – “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He annointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” NIV
Diane Seltzer from Chesapeake, VA.
The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”
Psalm 91: 14-16 NLT
Joanne from Orange,TX
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:1,2 NIV
Joanna from Colorado Springs, CO
“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
Laura, Ada, OK
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassion fail not. They are new every morning: great is the faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23, KJV.
“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
Kingwood, Texas
“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
Kim D. from Knoxville, Tenn. “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.” Romans 12: 9-13 (NLT)
Callie from Mansfield, OH
“God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”
James 1:12
Katherine from The Woodlands, TX
The man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence indeed is the LORD, is blessed.
He will be like a tree planted by water:
it sends its roots out toward a stream,
it doesn’t fear when heat comes,
and its foliage remains green.
It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 HCSB
Linda, Bend, Oregon
I John 1:18 NIV
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The man who fears is not made perfect in love.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV
Shiffra, Vicksburg
“O G-d, you are my G-d, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1 NIV84
Andrea Miller, Massillon, Ohio “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last. John 15:16a NIV
Gwen, Fairmont, WV
“Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise you are only fooling yourselves.” James 1:22 (NLT)
Deborah Stone, Markham, VA
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
– 1 Peter 5: 6,7 NIV
Amy Hedden, Suffield, CT
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Ariana, Niles, MI
“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is ble to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.”
2 Timothy 1:12 NIV84
Nicki Bishop from Bowling Green, KY
“So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”–James 2:12-13 (NKJV)