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
The Eungard family: Brad and Gwen, Adam (10), Eleanor (8), Amelia (6), and Owen (2) in Schweinfurt, Germany
1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV): Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
“In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” Ex 15:13 NIV
Kathy, Carrollton,TX
Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all he has done.
Phillipians 4:6. NLT Open Bible
Reanna ~ Cypress, CA ~ “Your turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. Lord my God, I will give thanks forever.”
~Psalm 30:11-12 ~ NIV
Kaley from Lawrence, Kansas. 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. NIV84
Sharon from Jersey Shore, PA
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ.
Colossians 3:8
Lacie from Seattle, WA | And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Eph 3: 17-19 NIV
Jeanie
Sparta, TN
“For you are my rock and my fortress, therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.” Psalm 31:3 NKJV
Allison (my 11 year old daughter)
Sparta, TN
“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 NKJV
You go Allison!
Ann from McKinney, TX Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back to back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9&12 NLT
“You crown the year with Your bounty and goodness, the tracts of Your chariot wheels drip with fatness.”
Psalms 65:11
Amplified
Hannah, League City, Texas
Luke 8:5-6 ESV
A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.
Amy G., from Carthage, MO.
Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. (Proverbs 24:14 NIV)
Betsy from Mt Olive, AL
For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT)
Naomi, Colorado Springs, CO. “The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8 NLT
Amber from Pineville, LA Psalm 139:14
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, Marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well.NKJV
Dean~Barbourville~ “He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;he enables me to stand on the heights.” Psalm 18:33 NIV
Brooke, Birmingham, AL
You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. | Psalm 119:114, NIV
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
I John 4:18. ESV
I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on Your laws. Psalm 119:30 NIV
Peggy from Homer, IL
Stephanie Riverside, MO
Psalm 16:5-6
NIV
LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
Mary, Westfield, NJ
“A new command I give you. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you much love one another.” John 13:34 (NIV)
Emmy Saman 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
Jill from Grand Rapids, MI:
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. ” Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Judy from Dallas, …so I sent a messenger to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” Nehemiah 6:3 NIV84
Psalm 40:3 – He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. (NIV)
Cassie-Sulphur Springs, TX
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8 (NKJV)
Kathryn, Oceanside CA, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps” NLT
Ashlee Wallace
Snow Camp, NC
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5 NIV
Cathlene from Amarillo, Texas
God be gracious to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us.
Psalms 67:1 NAS
Mhairi Smeaton, Scotland
‘For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.’
1 Corinthians 13:12, NIV
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6: 24-26 (NIV)
Judy Woodward, Lake Charles, LA
“Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong.”
Psalm 37:1 (NIV)
Amanda, Strawberry Plains, TN
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31, NIV
Cecilia from Raleigh, North Carolina.”For you did not receive the Spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of adoption as sons by whom we cry Abba! Father!” Romans8:15 ESV
Jenni from Birmingham, AL “For the vision is meant for its appointed time; it speaks of the end, and it does not lie. It may take a while, but wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:3 (Complete Jewish Bible)
Renee, Fairfield, OH “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46:10-11 ESV
Jolene, Omaha : The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 NASB
Aimee, Eden Prairie MN
Lamentations 3 22-24 “Gods loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left” The Message
Kate Jones from Windsor, PA
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
~Proverbs 31:25 NIV
Frances,Wilson,NC “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.”
Galatians 5:1 NIV
Teresa from Lavergne, Tennessee…2 Timothy 1:7…For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. KJV
Tracey from Littleton, CO
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.
Isaiah 43:10 ESV
Kathy from Aiea, Hawaii: “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.” Psalm 130:5, 6 (NIV 1984)
Teresa, living in Obermohr, Germany, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers, over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand firm. Ephesians 6:10-13 ESV
Misty, Edmond OK
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2 (NIV)
Kelly from Gainesville, Ga
Proverbs 16:20
Whoever gives attention to the Lord’s word prospers,
And blessed is the person who trusts The Lord.
Mindy B., Gloster, LA – “So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.” Ezra 8:23 NIV
Keri from Frisco, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind. Then you be able to test and approve God`s will is-His good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 NIV
Shauna, from Buda, “You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done.”
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about these things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9. NIV