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
JA; Wheaton, IL
O my people, trust in him at all times.
Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:8, NLT
“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
Wendy from Glenwood, NSW, Australia
He has told you, O Man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 ESV
Cini, Champaign, Il “You heavens above, rain down righteousness: let the clouds shower it down, Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring it up, let righteousness grow with it; I the Lord have created it. Isaiah 45:8 NIV
Shannon; Seneca, SC
James 1:19-20 (NIV)
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.
Kate – Houston, TX
‘and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.’
Titus 2:4-5, ESV
🙂
Pam Tucker, Fairhope, AL
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” (I Peter 5:10 ESV)
Melandie Matthews, Raleigh, NC
Revelation 21:4-6
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. For the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new. Then he said, “Write this down for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.” NIV
Megan – Sydney, Australia
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: grace and peace to you from God our Father.
Colossians 1:1-2 NIV
3 John 4; no greater joy than this: to hear that my children walk in truth.
Lynn, Connelly Springs, NC
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2 KJV
Penny from Hamburg AR,
“Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me”
Psalm 71:20 NIV
Kelly, Fort Smith, AR Psalm 16:11 “You reveal the path of life to me;in Your presence is abundant joy;in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.: HCSB
Jodee — Raytown, MO
The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.
Lamentations 3:25 NLT
Amber from Warrenton, VA
May God be gracious to us and make his face shine upon us, Selah Psalm 67:1 NIV
Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Courtney from North Augusta, SC
Phil 4:6 NIV
“Do not be anxious in anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition , Thansgiving in your heart, present your request to God”
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.
Tammy, Boiling Springs, NC. Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Col. 4:2 NLT
2 Corinthians 10:3(NIV) For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.
Karol from Ozark, MO
“Do not gloat over me, my enenmy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my Light.” Micah7:8 NIV
Debbie in Alexandria, VA
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:4,5, NIV
Carrie, Pueblo CO
2 Cor. 7:1 (The Message)
“Let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God.”
Amanda from Fairbanks,AK
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
Paige, Acworth, GA
“Many are asking, Who can show us any good?
Let the Light of your face shine upon us. O Lord
You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace for you alone, O Lord make me dwell in safety”
Psalm 4:6-8
Titus 3:4-7
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing and rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. NIV
The Woodlands, TX
Mar Jo, The Woodlands, TX- You crown the year with your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. Psalms 65:11 NIV
Debby, Ellicott City, MD: “Not many of you should presume to be teachers my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.” James 3:1-2 NIV84
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
ESV
Jayne
Frisco, TX
From IN, Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your hearts before Him.
God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:8 HCSB
Deb from Shelbyville, TX
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
Mark 12:30 ESV
Crystal Johnson from Columbia, SC
Isaiah 55:11 (NIV)
“So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Sharon Lee; Riverside, Ca.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 NIV
Ann from Cumming, GA. The Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His com passions never fail. Lamentations 3:22. NASB
Katie, Ellicott City, MD: “I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me, freeing me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4, NLT
Sara from Houston, Texas
“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
Monica- Springboro, OH
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1
NIV
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NIV
Ashlie Claunch Glen Rose, Texas
1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of HIm who called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light.” NKJ
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.
Cheri from Indian Trail, NC
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”
Romans 8:31-32 (ESV)
Kim Early From Edmond, Oklahoma…..”The faithful love of the lord never ends!! His mercies never cease!” Lamentations 3:22 NLT
Betsy Roberts – Antwerp, OH
Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)
“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.”
Mandy from Tallahassee, Florida, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” -Jeremiah 1:5
(14 weeks pregnant with our first!) 🙂
Jennifer
Gower, Missouri
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want
Psalm23:1 KJV
Stephanie from Red Deer, Alberta
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)
But if any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting. James 1:5-6 KJV
Brenda S.
Georgetown, KY
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Luke 12:34 NKJV
Loretta from Albuquerque, ” You crown the year with bounty and your carts overflow with abundance” Psalm 65:11 NIV
Lauri Linder
South Weber, UT
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of god, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
New American Standard Version