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
Tammy Jones
Gadsden, AL
You crown the year with Your goodness; Your ways overflow with plenty. Psalm 65:11, HCSB
Tracey WV– Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know it John 7:17
Stacie from Blue Mound, Tx
2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.
Ecclesiastes 5:2
TNIV
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Psalm 116:1
MK
Gig Harbor WA
”But now thus says the Lord, He created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel; “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine.” Isaiah 43:1 ESV
Veronica Petty, North Hollywood, CA
“The sheep listen to (the Shepherd’s) voice and heed it: and he calls his own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out.” John 10:3 (AMP)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 ESV
Sherie
The Woodlands, TX
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7,8 NIV
Sarah, Tacoma WA
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7 NIV
Wendy Couper, Peterborough, Ontario.
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. (Isaiah 43:19 NLT)
Jennifer from Lynchburg, Virginia “For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself.” Romans 14:7 NASB
Michelle, King George, VA “Oh!May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing life, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit will brim over with hope!” Romans 15:13 The Message
Brandy Pritchard from Abilene, Texas:
My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 NIV
Samantha Austin 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.
from Flower Mound, Texas “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10 NIV
Kim Redlands CA
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
Matthew 21:22
NIV
Melody Reid, Greenville, SC
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Melinda from Birmingham, AL: “Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden and I wi give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 ESV
Jennifer, Fairfax VA
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground. (Psalms 143:10 HCSB)
Shannon from Starkville, MS
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, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Wendy – Longmont, CO
“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
Faye, Peachtree City, GA
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Lindsey from Edmond,OK
“We put our hope in The Lord. He is our help and shield.”
Psalm 33:20. NLT
Janell from Denver, CO
“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”
2 Samuel 22:31 & Psalm 18:30 (NIV).
Kim from Prosper,TX The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Prov. 16:9 ESV
Christina, Des Moines, Iowa
Oh, Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
Psalm 139:1-3
Jennifer H. – Harrisburg, NC
“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you. I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”
Psalm 9:1-2
ESV
Carrie from Cary, NC: “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). TNIV
Leslie Ruth; Chattanooga, TN
Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV)
“Finally, brothers {and sisters}, 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 such things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me- practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Lisa in Annapolis, MD
“And from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Col 1:9 ESV
We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we may walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10 NKJ
Susan from Jacksonville
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and GLORIFY your Father who is in heaven
Matthew 5:16
Joni
Animas, NM
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1: 2-4 ESV
Christina Gajewski; Coppell, TX; “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” Isaiah 61:1 NIV
And all of your children will be taught of the Lord and great will be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13 (Amplified)
Marianne Foriska,Saegertown,PA
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God,the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
Isaiah 43:2-3 ESV
Cyndi, Lexington Ky
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.
Philippians 3:13-14 NIV
Anne, Santa Clarita California – You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. Psalms 65:11 (NIV)
Joan from Allentown, PA 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 84
Jeremiah 15:16
Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. NASB
Jennifer from Jonesboro, Arkansas
Lamentations 3:22-23, NASB
The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease. For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.
JJ
Oviedo, FL
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Aaronia, Atlanta, Tx “And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.” II Chronicles 19:19 (The Message)
I cry out to the Lord;I plead for the Lords mercy.Psalm 142:1 NLT
Meg, Columbus, OH:
“But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.” Psalm 71:14, NIV
DeeAnn from Edmond, OK
Proverbs 1:7 (NIV84)
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline:
Ephesians 3:14-21 English Standard Version (ESV)
Prayer for Spiritual Strength
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
MaryD from Phoenix, AZ
Matthew 25:25 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?”
Kristina, Frisco, TX. “You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance” Psalm 65:11 NIV
Brandi from Windsor, Colorado. You crown the year with your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV