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
Darlene, Branson, MO.
“But you are a chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession. You were chosen to tell about the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 (ncv).
Judy, Lexington, Kentucky
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philllipians 3:13-14 NIV
Susan Heim, Fayetteville, GA NIV
Kate, NC
Colossians 1:13-14, the Message
“God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He’s set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating.”
Tiffnie from Houston Texas, Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8 NIV
Kristi, Austin, TX
“You crown the year with your bounty,
and your carts overflow with abundance.”
Psalm 65:11 NIV
Janie from South Point, OH
Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the dawn, or the coming of the rains in early spring.
Hosea 6:3 NLT
Heather from Colorado Springs The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalms 28:7 NIV
Melissa from Kapolei, HI
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
Psalm 119:148 (NIV)
Lindsey from Gulfport, MS
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7, NIV 1984
Dorian from Grimes, IA
Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Sandra from Swainsboro, GA
You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow tih abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV
Brenda; Collinston, La.
“Then Jesus said ‘Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.'” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
Ashley from Ann Arbor, Michigan
“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; You are exalted as head over all.” 1 Chronicles 29:11 NIV84
Sheri from Spartanburg SC-soon to be living in Budapest Hungary;
For I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Vanessa; Gillette,WY
Proverbs 3:5,6 (NKJV)
” Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. in all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.”
Summer from Fuquay Varina, NC
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6 NIV
Katy, Ann Arbor, MI
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears”
Psalm 34:4 NIV
Kelly, cape girardeau, mo
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“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.”
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.”
1 Thes 5:18 NIV
Emily; Richmond, Virginia
The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 NIV
Megan
Eaton Ohio
“I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal, but I continue trying to reach it and to make it mine. Christ wants me to do that, which is the reason he made me his. Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahaed, I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above.”
Philippians 3:12-14
NCV
Luke 10:40(NIV)
But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked. Lord dont you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!
Kasey from Newnan Georgia, “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 NIV
Debra Parker
Houston
Psalm 121:1
ESV
Laura
Bossier City
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Sarah Goldstein from Riverside, CA. You make known
to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your
presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11 NIV
Nicole T., Blue Springs, MO
Proverbs 12:1 (NIV)
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.”
Jennifer, Lancaster PA
For God, who said, “let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6 NLT
Carrie Pullman, WA Philippians 4:8 NKJV Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Sarah from Edinburgh, Scotland
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5: 1 NIV84
Mary Margaret from Franklin, TN
“And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:45 ESV)
Rochet from Kennesaw, GA
See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12;15 NIV
Brooke Wall, Sterrett, AL
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” 2 Peter 1:3-4 ESV
Psalm 16:11
You will make known to me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy; In your right hand there are pleasures forever.
Elizabeth Blakeley from Escalon, CA. “He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.” Psalm 145:19(NIV)
Lisa Porter
Houston
Psalm 121:1
ESV
Tori DeClue; Bolivar, MO
“We have this hope as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure.”
Hebrews 6:19, NIV
Natalia from Castle Pines, Colorado. “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26 (HCSB)
Heather R. Riggleman from Kearney, Nebraska. Psalm 66:16-20 (NIV)
Come and hear, all you who fear God;
let me tell you what he has done for me.
I cried out to him with my mouth;
his praise was on my tongue.
If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;
but God has surely listened
and has heard my prayer.
Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!
Lisa; Newnan, GA
Isaiah 26:8 (NIV)
Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws,we wait for you;
your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.
Hannah K.; Maryland
“Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!” Psalm 141:2 ESV
Mary Beth, St. Louis
“Undeniable splendor enveloped Him –
the one true Son of God-
evidenced in the perfect balance of
grace and truth.”
John 1:14b The Voice
Kristin from Forney,TX
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“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.”
“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.” Hebrews 12:2 NIV
Maddy from Prattville, AL
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB
Lauren from Asheville, NC “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT
Gina DeClue; Bolivar, MO
“May the word of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalms 19:14, NIV
Michele; Kountze, TX
Psalms 46:1 (KJV)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Kim from Clinton, MO. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”. Ephesians 6:18 NIV