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
Jennifer, Cape Coral, FL
“Rejoice always,pray continually,give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 NIV
Krysta from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
“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)
Michelle R from San Antonio Tx
Isaiah 43:19
For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
NLT
Sherry from Cullman, Alabama: Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
Robin, Oak Harbor, Washington
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and againt the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
oooooooooooops! Gads I forgot to put the reference. Ephesians 6:12. Sorry!
Karen True from Boerne, TX
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (Ephesians 5:8 NIV84)
Molly | Lexington, Ky.
“The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. This shows that the son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave Him is greater than their names. For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus: ‘You are my Son, today, I have become your Father.’ God also said, ‘I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.'”
Hebrews 1:3-5 (NLT)
Ashley Phelps from Chesapeake, VA. “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}
Jen Robbins, Greenfield, Indiana
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” Ephesians 1:4-6 NIV
Kathy from Bear Creek NC
You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NAS
Wendy from Acworth, Ga
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Jami
Shelby, NC
Psalm 23 KJV
1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Lisa, Sharpburg, GA
And now dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me- everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 NLT
Jeannie, Nashville, Tn.
“Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strentth be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” Rev. 7:12 NIV
Katie from Grand Rapids, MI
Commit everything you do to the LORD.
Trust Him and He will help you.
Psalm 37:5 NLT
Kelly, Harker Heights, TX ~
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion says my soul, ‘Therefore, I hope in Him!’ The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:22-26 NKJV
D’Shan Berry from Roswell, NM
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 4:8 ESV
Mary. Thousand Oaks, CA.
“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 🙂
Sharon from Arlington, Texas.
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Ephesians 4:1
Jill, Export, PA
“You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NIV
Elisca, Alexandria, Louisiana, Isaiah 43:1
But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redemed you;I have called you by your name you are Mine. NKJ
Martha from Brevard, NC
“But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.”
Psalm 73:28 ESV
Angela, Oklahoma City, OK, Isaiah 58:1 (NLT)
Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don’t be timid. Tell my people Israel of their sins!
Hilary in Salem, Oregon: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Dyane Bell, Edmond, Oklahoma “You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.” Ps 65:11 NLT
Stormy from Lynchburg, VA
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 NIV
Kim from Marysville, Oh. “He has shown you, O man,what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 (NKJV)
Kim from Rogers, AR “The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8. NLT
Valerie M Fernandez from Houston, TX “Do not lack diligence, be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” Romans 12:11-12 HCSB.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
Karla from Richland Washington, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1 NKJV
Will there be a 2013 LPM-SMT App or spiral available? Interested in both:)
Olda, Huntsville AL
“But The Lord is faithful, He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3,5 ESV
Gena Carter Elgin Texas
Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Psalms 4:4 (NLT)
Sheri, Oswego, NY “May I never forget Your words, for they are my only hope.” Psalm 119:43.
Linda from Hot Springs, AR — “May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26 NIV)
Karen Purcell, OK
I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says The LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. NKJ
Jill in Palm Coast,FL
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal rock. Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT
Marky
Pocatello, ID
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4 NIV
Shannnon, Kissimmee, FL.
I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve. Jeremiah 17:10 (NIV)
HAPPY NEW YEAR SIESTAS!
Donna from Angleton, Texas. You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV
Amy from Maple Grove, MN But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33, NIV)
Sabrina K.
Lincoln, NE
Joshua 1:9
New Living Translation (NLT)
9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Rachelle from Van Wert . Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 ESV
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 TNIV
Amanda from Denton, tx
“teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11 NIV
Kristin from Durban, South Africa
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
Julie from Honolulu, HI;
“Strengthen the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees,”
Hebrews 12:12 NKJV
Lori Behrens
Granbury, Tx
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65:11 NLT
Amy & Carolyn (mom and daughter) from Cherry Hill, NJ
But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:25, NIV
Sarah, Austin, TX “Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him, tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.” 1 Chronicles 16:8-10 NIV