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
Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. (Psalms 119:129 ESV)
Sheila, Meno, OK
Mackenzie R.; FW, Texas
1 Thessalonians 1:15-16 (NKJ)
For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit..
Lena, Wilmore, Ky
“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)
Lorri Geeter from Clarkston, Michigan
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
Study to show thyslef approved unto God , a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,rightly dividing the owrd of truth.
Stacey from Jersey Shore, PA
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Janet,Wilmington DE
Psalm 23: 1-3 (RSV)
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of rightesousness for his name’s sake.
Sallie, Rocky Point NC
“Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.” Proverbs 17:9 NLT
Lisa, Wichita,KS. Romans 15:13 NIV 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.
Lori – Rogers, AR
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 NIV84)
Staci Wykes, Holland, MI
Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” NKJV
Linda, Tallahasee, FL, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV
Cindy from Overland Park, KS
Psalm 73:23-26 (NIV)
“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. 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.”
Jeannette from Lewiston, ID
“Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 3:3 HCSB
Amy O from Indianapolis, IN “Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19 NASB
Elaine from Baltimore, MD
“Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” Luke 1:45 NKJV
Sharon: Modesto, Ca.
Deuteronomy31:8 NIV
The LORD himself goes before you; He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you. Do NOT be afraid; do NOT be discouraged.
Erica; Austin,TX
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
lauren, richmond.
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? -psalm 56.3-4 niv
Mary Beth ~ Abilene TX
Dueteronomy 10:21 (NIV) “he is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.”
May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God
and to the steadfastness of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 ESV
Julie; Broken Arrow, OK
Exodus 20:3-5a (NLT)
You must not have any other god but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.
Becky, Rockwell, NC
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Sara Elece from Illinois
“Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:21
Ellie from Centennial, CO
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. Is. 50:4 (NIV)
Jody Emmons; Chesterfield, IL
Matthew 6:23 (NKJV)
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?”
Karen from Fredericksburg, VA
“You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NIV
Ellie Richardson, Newton, IA., “My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever”. Psalms 73:26 KJV
Ann from Brainerd, Minnesota: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who builds his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24 NIV
Michelle: Leesburg, Alabama
Psalms 103:8 NIV
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
Just rededicated my life to the Lord Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior. Praise God!!!
Sara from South Louisiana.
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)
Myriam Bay Shore, NY
Isaiah 55:12 – (NIV)
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands
MaryJo Thomas, Indianapolis, IN
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Hillary, Spartanburg
“Teach me to do your will for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.” Psalm 143:10 NLT
1 Cor 13:1-3 (NIV) “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”
Tana from Cataula, Ga
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV
Karen, Lynnwood, WA
“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)
Jane from Lubbock, Texas: “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.” James 1:19 NKJV
Casey from Fort Pierce, FL
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Amberly from Hesperia, CA “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Phillipians 4:5 NIV
Heather ~ Penn Valley, CA
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Mollie, Garland, TX 🙂
“See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The LORD God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.” Isaiah 12:2 NLT
Adrianne Stavish; Atlanta,GA
Psalm 143:10 (NIV)
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”
Sylvia Goree
Georgetown, TX
Matt 5:6 NASB
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Margaret Mills
Escalon, CA
Philippians 4:4-7 NIV
“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”.
Rebekah from Jacksonville, Fl
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13, 14 ESV)
Kate, Bristol, And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6, 7 NET)
LeighAnn, Brentwood, TN
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2 NIV
Ashley from Indianapolis, IN
Romans 12:2 (NIV) “Do not conform 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.”
Jane Mattox from Lubbock, Texas: “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.” James 1:19 NKJV