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
Eleanor, Tuscaloosa, AL
PROVERBS 3:15, NASB “She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire compares with her.” (On Wisdom)
Myra
Johnson City, TN
Psalm 65:11 (NLT)
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;
even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
Vanessa from Anderson, SC
“But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it, and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams.” Mark 4:20 (The Message)
Amy from Fayetteville-Fort Polk- My friends, I don’t feel I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. Phillipians 3:13 CEV
Julie, Dallas, GA
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
The Message (MSG)16-18 Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
Kimberly from Stockbridge, GA
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strenthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
Psalm 91:14-16: if you’ll hold on to me for dear life says God I’ll get you out of any trouble. I’ll give you the best care if you’ll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times; I’ll rescue you then throw you a party I’ll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation! The Message.
Carrie Todd Hunter Truckee, CA “You know what I long for , Lord; you hear my every sigh.” Psalm 38:9, NLT
Nicole, Greenfield, IN
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Di, Cowpens, SC
The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise Him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt Him
Exodus 15:2 NIV
Sarah in Fort Worth, TX.
Isaiah 52:9 NIV
Burst into songs of joy together,
you ruins of Jerusalem,
for the Lord has comforted his people,
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
Brenda Chase; Clarksville, TN
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. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Linda from Holland,OH
“22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
Lamentations 3:22-24
Meghan Crowder: Sisters, OR.
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
Proverbs 14:30 NIV
Lori Hays; Jacksonville, FL
“I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me, freeing me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4, NLT
Kandis from NC, He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God , in whom I trust!” Psalm 91:1-2 NAS
Kim Smith, Monticello, MS. In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people. Remember that you will receive your reward from the Lord, which he promised to his people. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24 (NCV)
Vanessa Szanto, Rio Rancho NM
As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man. Proverbs 27:19 NIV
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Bonnie, Alexandria
“The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I may know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he awakens me and opens my understanding to his will.”
Isaiah 50:4 NLT
Elizabeth from Moore, OK
Galations 5:22-23 (ESV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Rebecca, St. Catharines, Ontario
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds,
John 12:24
Shari from Hemet, CA
“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.”
Jeremiah 29:11
NIV
Katie A. from Fuquay Varina, NC
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 (TNIV)
Terri Loveland from Burnsville MN
9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Matthew 6:9-13 ESV
Paula from Moorefield, WV
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5: 23-24
Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Oops! Kingsport, TN
Laura, The Woodlands, TX, O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.,Psalm 139:1, NIV
Jessica from Smyrna, Ga
“Do not confirm 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 NIV
Jenna from Omaha, Nebraska
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” -1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV84)
Emma (age 11), Nampa Idaho. “My child never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart.” Proverbs 3:1, NLT
Jeremiah 29:11 (New Living Translation)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Amber from Vancleave,MS. Establish my footsteps in Your word, and do not let any iniquity have dominion over me. Psalms 119:133 NAS
Julia Satterfield, Smyrna GA
Phillipians 4:6 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything,but in every situation by prayer and petition with Thanksgiving,present your request to God.
Yvette, Seattle,Jeremiah 33:6
New King James Version (NKJV)
6 Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.
Libby, Springfield, MO
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
Karen, Everett, WA
“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT
Shera. Lynchburg, Va. Our hope comes from God. May He fill you with joy and peace because of your trust in Him. May your hope grow stronger by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13. New Life Version
Laurie from Mt Airy NC, 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
Debbie G., Waukesha, WI
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when He is revealed.”
1 Peter 1:13 NRSV
Terri from Wilkesboro, NC “Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Eph 4:23 NIV/Life App Study Bible
Brandy from Tipp City, Ohio. But only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. Luke 10:42 NIV
Psalm 91:1
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”
ESV
Rebecca from Richmond,VA
Dueteronomy 6: 6-7 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. NKJV
Jill from Lexington Park, Maryland
Philippians 2:16
New Living Translation (NLT)
Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
Lynell Johnson; Jacksonville, FL
I sought the Lord,and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 NKJV
Cheryl, Austin
Proverbs 31: 10-11 (ESV) “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.”
Betsy, Northfield, MN
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 38-39. NRSV
Sarah Vint
Ames, IA
Eph 3:16-21 (NET)
“16 I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love, 18 you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled up to44 all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond46 all that we ask or think, 21 to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Julie from Granbury, TX
Inspired by the “Great Forsake and Take” to fight fear with the Word:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 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 43:1b-3a (ESV)