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
Rachel, Frankfort, IL
“You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NIV
Laredo, Texas
“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” NIV
“Jesus looked at them intently and said “Humanly speaking it is impossible. But with God eveything is possible.” Matthew 19:26. NLT
Belinda from Olathe KS
For this child I have prayed
and the LORD has granted
the desires of my heart.
–I Samuel 1:27 NLT
Michelle from Parma, Ohio
3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly. James 3:1 NET Bible
Nicolie from Sterling Heights, Michigan
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Nicole, Ocean Springs, MS
Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. (Psalms 51:1 NASB)
Mary, Spring TX
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him
Psalm 28:7 (NIV)
Tabitha, Raleigh NC – 2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
ESV
Amy, Feeding Hills, MA: “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)
Catherine
Houston
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)
Zephaniah 3:17 New Living Translation
For the Lord you 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.
Ann from Indiana
Jenn from Medford, OR
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 NASB
Serena Hazel
Logan Lake, BC, Canada
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Terri from Powder Springs, GA
“Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. Galatians 6:6 NIV
Sloan Atlanta, GA
Psalm 73: 25-26 NIV
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Terri-Shawnee, Kansas
“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Cindy, Kalamazoo, MI
Luke 1:45 ESV
“And blessed is she who believed that there would be fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord”
Dana, Atlanta, Psalm 32:8-9 (NIV)
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.”
Karen Basham from Land o’Lakes, FL
“Let all that you do be done in love.” I Corinthians 16:14 (NASB)
Jane, Calgary, Alberta. “You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 (NIV)
Monica from Memphis, TN
Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7 NLT
Melina from OKC
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
—Isaiah 58:11 NIV
Desta from Trinchera, CO ~ Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure – pressed down, shaken together and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return. Luke 6.38 ~ NASB
Jennifer, Clemmons, NC
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. 1 Peter 5:6, NKJV
roxanne hummelstown, pa
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
(Psalm 32:1-2 ESV)
Bev Mt.Gilead Ohio
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand and say to you: Do not fear I will help you. Iaiah 41:13 HCSB
Megan JOY Burdzy – Calgary Alberta, Canada – Simon answered, “Master, we worked hard all night trying to catch fish, and we caught nothing. But you say to put the nets in the water, so I will.” When the fishermen did as Jesus told them, they caught so many fish that the nets began to break. – Luke 5:5-6 (NCV)
Bonnie from Port Orchard, WA– Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 NIV
Sharon
South Charleston, Ohio
You, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.
Psalm 59:17 (ESV)
Alyssa, Tom Bean, Texas, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5, NIV
Denise,McDonough, Ga
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Psalms 62:8 ESV
Kelly from Aurora, IN “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has
perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of
those who wait for Him.” Isaiah 64:9 NIV
Tammy from Van, TX, 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
Karla from Cedarburg, WI – “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19-20 NIV
Cathi, The Woodlands, TX.
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13
NIV
Deborah from Hartsville, SC “God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us”-Psalm 67:1 NASB
Jeanette Dahm, Tualatin, OR
Be Still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will ve ealted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10 NIV
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33 KJV
Cindy
San Angelo
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. (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)
Christine, California: I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. Ecc 2:24 NLT
There is no fear in love, but perfect love cast out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love
1 John 4:18 ESV
Jenna from Saline, Mi “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5 NIV
Golden, CO
Hebrews 12:1-2
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. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Susan, Cleveland, Oklahoma
I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. Jeremiah 24:7 NIV
Renada from Sedalia, CO
For I know the Plans I have for you says the Lord, they are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 The living bible Paraphrased.
Chanda Mangiaracina, St. Petersburg, FL
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Eze 36:26
NIV
Bethany from Frisco, TX
“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” Psalm 27:4 (NIV)
Tressie ~ Daphne, AL
Now to him who is able to do far more abduntantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen – Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV
Cindy from Belleville, Illinois.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds. Psalms 73:28
But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds. Psalms 73:28 NIV