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
Michelle Curran from Edmond, OK
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3 TNIV
Ann from Salisbury, NC
“The Lord your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; he renews you by his love; he shouts for joy over you.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NET
Julie Ratcliff, Texarkana,”I wait for Yahweh;I wait and put my hope in His word.” Ps. 130:5 HCSB
Kim from Norman Park, GA: Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 NIV
O Lord, You have searched me and known me. Psalm 139:1 NASB
O Lord, you have searched me and known me. Psalm 139:1 NASB
Liz, Ruston, Louisiana,
You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning, my God turns my darkness into light. Psalm 18:28 NIV
Becky from Arkansas “and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4 KJV
Jenifer Smith, Clearwater, FL
He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel (or insert name), through whom I will reveal my splendor.” But I thought, “I have worked in vain; I have expended my energy for absolutely nothing.” But the Lord will vindicate me; my God will reward me.
Isaiah 49:3-4 NET
Kassie Dulin from Southlake, Texas
“By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.” Hebrews 11:11, NKJV
“Search me O God, and know my heart, test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm139:23-24
Lisha from Wetumpka, AL
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 3:21 NLT
Lynette – Aurora, CO
Psalm 37:7a NLT
Be still in the presence of the LORD and wait patiently for him to act.
Sarah, Dallas, TX
“Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4, NASB
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 NET
Susan K., Tucson, AZ
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
Colossians 3:23 ESV
Becky from Chattanooga, TN
“The Lord will guide you continually,
And satisfy your soul in drought,
And strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”
Isaiah 58:11 NKJV
Amber from Stuttgart, Germany
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God, and the Word was with God.” John 1:1 NIV
Angela, Houston, “since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are praying that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom & understanding, so that you may walk worthy of The Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:9-10 (HCSB)
Michelle Bordelon from Prairieville, LA
Who has spoken and it came to pass unless the Lord has commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come? Lamentations 3:37-38 ESV
Connie from Carterville, IL
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Pam from Springfield, MO
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.
Psalm 13:5-6 NIV
Hi Pammy! Much love to you!
Bridgette from Rockwall, Texas
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30 NIV
Kathy, SCF WI, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Phil 3:10, KJV
Heather, Shokan, New York
Isaiah 58:11 The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. NKJV
YAY!
Valerie from Louisville, Kentucky
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
-Isaiah 26:3 ESV
Stephanie Solomon, Morgantown, WV
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (ESV).
Lina in Lompoc, CA
“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!” Psalm 103:1, ESV
Rachel, Mount Carmel, PA
So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.” Luke 17:10 NIV
MaryAnn from Cincinnati, Ohio ~
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” Daniel 2:20-21 NIV
“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” Proverbs 10:19 NIV
Kelli from Bowling Green, KY
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.”
Habakkuk 3:17-19 ESV
Wendy from Long Island, NY
In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
Exodus 15:13 NIV
Jennifer, Huntsville, AL: “As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient.” – Colossians 3:12, GODS WORD Translation
Villa Rica, GA Proverbs 15:1-2 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
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)
Melissa from Katy, Tx
Wait for the Lord ; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord . (Psalm 27:14 NIV)
I want to know Christ and the power of His Resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him. Phil 3:10,11. NIV
Kim from Bloomburg. 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 NIV.
Michelle from Cypress, TX
Jesus said to him, ” I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 ESV
TCobb, Houston
John 15:1-2, NLT
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”
Lels Ferland, Warner Robins
Acts 20:24
English Standard Version (ESV)
24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Melissa, Glasgow, KY. – “And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.” – I John 1:5, NAS
For some weird reason, I put my last town. I’m in Greensburg, KY now. TOO FUNNY!
Marla, from Morden, Manitoba, Canada. “And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness–secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.” Isaiah 45:3, NLT
Carole LaJunta Colorado
John 14:27 NIV
Peace I leave with you; my Peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Tisha, Pilot Mtn, NC
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Cor 4:18 (NIV84)
Wendy, Pendleton Indiana
for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
2Cor10:4-5 NASB
Valerie from Pflugerville, TX
Don’t get angry. Don’t be upset; it only leads to trouble. Psalm 37:8 NCV
Jenae, Hawesville, Ky
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)
Sarah, Christina and Esther May Wenatchee, WA
“Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”
James 3:1 NIV
Barb Brown from Wetumpka, AL
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
Ephesians 4:2 NLT