Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2015 Instructions and Spiral Information!

HEADS UP, SCRIPTURE MEMORY PARTICIPANTS!!! IF YOU’RE ON THIS POST TO READ THE INSTRUCTIONS, YOU ARE IN EXACTLY THE RIGHT PLACE SO PROCEED WITH CONFIDENCE! ****BUT!!! IF YOU ARE REGISTERING AND MAKING YOUR FIRST 2015 ENTRY WITH VERSE 1, PLEASE GO TO THE JANUARY 1ST OFFICIAL LAUNCH POST! THAT’S WHERE VERSE 1 GOES! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COOPERATION WITH THE DETAILS INVOLVED. SO MUCH LOVE TO YOU!

 

Hey Everybody!

We are revving up around here for SSMT 2015! The Scripture memory team we host and support every other year is the most extensive thing we do around here on the LPM blog so you can know that you are the size of an airbus on our ministry radar right now. We are elated about the year we have ahead and believe with all our hearts that God finds tremendous delight in this group of diverse women banding together to memorize His Word. Here is everything you need to know about how to participate in the 2015 Siesta Scripture Memory Team! Please be sure you make it all the way to the bottom of the post where you’ll find the information about our matching spirals.

First, a few things up front since many people joining us have no previous interaction here:

*For you new comers, an explanation of the name is in order. “Siesta” is just an endearment for “Sister.” There’s no club to join and no person you need to become. If you’ve trusted Jesus as your personal Savior, you’re a sister in Christ. If you don’t know Him, we’d love for you to stick around and get to know us and see if anything around here draws you. Everyone is welcome. Here’s a bit of our back-story on the weird name: When we first began the blog, it never occurred to any of us how much we’d come to love each other. As the community grew closer and closer and the participants more and more familiar with one another, one of you asked what name we should call each another. I tried to say, “I’ll tell you what we are: We’re sistahs!” but spell-check switched it to “siestas.” It stuck and that’s been us ever since. We even liked the thought that its actual meaning is to take a nap. We’ll know we’ve been a place of divine intervention if we’re a respite from the female competition and clatter out there. Only Jesus can give us that kind of relief in this exhausting culture.

*We call this a Scripture memory “team” because that’s exactly what we are. We cheer each other on, hold each other accountable, and urge one another to make it to the goal – 24 verses systematically memorized in 12 months – through a process that requires significant practice.

*Very often you will see me refer to SSMT. Just so nobody’s confused from the start, that is an abbreviation for “Siesta Scripture Memory Team.” If you’re not participating in SSMT, please know that we don’t limit the entire blog to our Scripture memory participants. It has a big presence on here because it’s twice a month but we still do lots of other things. Please don’t feel left out or forgotten.

*Why 24 verses? In previous years, we’ve found this to be a very doable pace: 1 verse every 2 weeks. If you do much more, you’ll tend to fall behind and not retain. If you do much less, the impact is negligible. You really can do this. So many of you will surprise yourselves with what you’re capable of doing in the power of the Spirit. Yes, it takes work but it’s tremendously fulfilling and the results are nearly immeasurable. Look at it this way: we’re going to be meditating on something: unforgiveness, toxic memories, misery, lust, greed, dissatisfaction, jealousy, competition. Let’s choose Scripture instead! Christ Himself said as a man thinks, so is he. He also said His words are spirit and life. This is work worth doing, Beloved. Never – NOT ONCE – have I ever known anyone to get to the end of a Scripture memory commitment and say that it didn’t make any real difference. Not a single time.

OK, NOW FOR THE INSTRUCTIONS. You can cut and paste these somewhere if necessary. Here’s how it will go:

1. On the 1st and 15th of every month of 2015 starting on New Year’s Day, you will find a post by 8:00 in the morning asking for your memory verse, suggesting one if you’re drawing a blank, and encouraging you in your process. In past years I’ve written all the posts myself but I thought maybe this year we needed to do something to shake it up a bit and make it extra-fun. I’ll still do all the posts on the 1st but the entries on the 15th will be written by a cross section of women from this community who’ve been asked to guest post. That means that, over the course of the year, you’ll hear from 12 of them. They’ll tell you a little bit about themselves, share the verse they’ve selected for that round, and why they chose it. We’ve also asked them to supply us with a picture so you can have a face to go with each name.

2.You are to enter the verse you’ve chosen to memorize for that two-week period within twenty-four hours of the post going up. I’ve been asked many times if it’s okay if you’re late supplying your verse and, yes, of course it is, but try to avoid doing it often. The people who make it to the very end of the year are overwhelmingly those who stay up with it month to month. Please know up front that one of the important parts of this process is the exercise of self discipline. This culture is mass producing self-indulgent narcissists. Year-long commitments like these that require punctuality and focused energy push back on that degenerating trend. All that to say, please don’t drop out if you get behind. I just want you to know that this will be much more successful if you treat it as a real, live commitment you are willing to work hard to keep.

3. When you clock in with your verse those two times a month, keep your comments limited to your name (first only if you prefer), city, verse and translation. Long comments on SSMT days are no-no’s. It won’t take you long to figure out why we maintain that rule. Wait till you see the powerful sight of hundreds if not thousands of verses flowing down the comment stream. It is a gorgeous sight. When you’re having a bad day, all you have to do is scroll down a few hundred of your sisters’ Scripture selections and I promise you, you’ll get a word. It’s a very powerful thing. Here is a sample comment:

Beth Moore from Houston, Texas: “May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.” Colossians 1:11 ESV

Always add your translation because so many of your sisters will want to know where you found the wording for your entry. One of the great impacts of this process is how much we reap from each others’ selections. Often you’ll see a sister say, “I’m doing the one so-and-so did last time!” (Yes, you can make a comment that brief. Those can be fun. Occasionally you’ll even see someone write, “For the sake of my marriage, I’ve chosen to memorize…” That’s okay, too, but try to keep it very succinct.)

4. THIS ONE IS KEY! As often as possible, choose a verse that means something to you in your present season or circumstance. This is the reason why we don’t all memorize the same Scripture. We’re not all going through the same things. The more you let God lead you to verses that direct you or edify your soul in your present circumstances, the more He will renew your mind toward your challenges. This is a huge part of 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 where we’re told to demolish strongholds and take our thoughts captive to Christ. If you don’t have a verse on your mind or you’re drawing a blank when the 1st or 15th rolls around, you are more than welcome to share the selection offered in the post. That’s one reason it’s there. You might also look at a few of the comments and see if one of theirs resonates with you. I say this next part with a grin: try to refrain from memorizing Scriptures that you think your spouse or your children need to learn. Memorize what you need to learn. That means do your best to avoid jotting your verse on a stick note and planting it on your bathroom mirror where your man can see it and repent of his sins. He probably won’t because he’s got your game. I bet you can guess how I know that.

5. I strongly recommend that you stick with only one verse to memorize each time. (This is just a recommendation and not a rule. You’re free to do whatever works for you.) Keep it simple and meaningful. (If I were addressing you live, I’d have you repeat that sentence back to me so just go ahead and say it out loud in order to nail it down. That sentence could be your best friend through this process.) If you do too many verses or get too complicated, you will soon be overwhelmed and want to drop out. Better to do 24 simpler verses over a 12 month period of time than a chapter over the first month then quit. We want this to be a discipline we practice for the rest of our lives. Think marathon. Not sprint.

6. Either shortly before or after making your entry each 1st and 15th in the blog comment, write the verse by hand in your spiral. (Again, that’s a recommendation and not a rule. I’ve discovered that there’s something about writing it with your own hand and picturing it later in your own handwriting that helps it sink into your memory bank. I’m not entirely sure why.) Take that spiral with you everywhere you go. Read it and read it and read it and read it. Do mental gymnastics with it. Flip that baby over and over. Many women have told me along the way that they’re not good at memorization and I truly understand that. I also beg to offer two responses: First, that may change. Give the Holy Spirit a chance to do something brand new with you. Second, even if you don’t get your verses down word for word, you are still meditating on them as you read and reread them. You still, thereby, accomplish one of the most important goals: captivating the mind to Christ. You just can’t lose on this one. Either way, it has a powerful effect.

 

NOW, about that spiral! In years past, we’ve created them here at Living Proof and shipped them to those who ordered them. But, to our slack-jawed surprise, last time we did it, 10,000 women signed up and nearly all of them ordered spirals. My beloved (SMALL!!!) staff and hardworking volunteers filled every one of those orders over about a 10-day mad-dash and, though they never lost their smiles, it flat-out nearly killed them! We are just too small a staff to handle that many orders. HOWEVER!!! We MUST have matching spirals! So, here is the perfect solution. Watch this tutorial and you’ll see how quick and easy it will be to prepare your spiral:

 

 

There are two sizes to choose between for your spirals.  Click on the size cover you would like to print for yourself then adhere it using any of the methods we suggested. You can certainly use regular printer paper but cardstock works perfectly:

siesta_5x3_final_new

5×3
6×4

 

OK, I think that’s more than enough to get us prepared for January 1st but I so hope you’ll go ahead and get our huge wrap-up celebration on your radar because we want you to know how to qualify and plan to be there! It is the biggest blast ever.

Our Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2015 Celebration will on January 16, 2016. I’m telling you about it now so that you can have it for a little extra incentive. Our main incentive is the will and good pleasure of God, of course, but He Himself authored great celebrations in His Name so feel free to be excited at the thought. Also, I want you to have plenty of time to start saving your money for your transportation and hotel. We do not charge for the event. Your entrance fee is your well-used spiral. By the way, we will have Travis back again to lead us in worship and Amanda, Melissa, my whole LPM staff and volunteer team will be there to serve you.  Here’s how you qualify to attend the celebration:

*Clock in by first name and city at least 21 out of 24 times. (But please make your goal 24 out of 24!) Let me reiterate that you can be late with your entry on a 1st or 15th of any month but, by the end of the year, there has to be a record in the comment sections of you signing in at least 21 out of 24 times on a SSMT post. Make sense? Please give us 24 hours to post your comment before you assume it got lost. We still moderate all comments and the amount we get on SSMT days necessitates a slower pace. Thank you for your cooperation!

*Bring your spiral to the celebration. Again, that’s your ticket in.

*If you’re planning to come to the celebration, be prepared to say any 10 of your 24 memory verses to another Siesta (of your choice) during the designated time at the celebration. (We get in pairs.) Some of you will be tempted to let this be a deal breaker but don’t back out! Siestas are really sweet and patient with each other and we are notorious for giving each other hints. We can even act out charades if necessary. If you’re one of those who genuinely struggles with memorization, just tell your memory buddy up front and she’ll give you all the grace you need.  Tell her the gist of the verse as accurately as you possibly can. She’ll be able to tell that you are well acquainted with it and that the goal was accomplished even if you can’t say the verse word-for-word.

*Register for the event when the time comes. (December 1, 2015)

Whew! Have I exhausted you?? I’ve worn myself out. Sorry this is so wordy! We just want to answer as many of your questions up front as possible.

I want to say something to you before I wrap up this diatribe: this community means something to me. I love it because I love you. I think about you on an ongoing basis. So does my staff. You are a huge part of this ministry. Thank you for the privilege to serve you and to embark on another wild journey with you. May Christ find such delight here that He astonishes us with His presence, favor, and power.

So, welcome to Siestaville: women walking alongside women on our way Home, stirring up excitement toward that great day. SSMT is one way we do that. AND IT’S A WHOPPER. Let’s do it, Sisters, starting this coming January 1st! I’ll talk to you again about other things before then but I don’t want the New Year to take you by surprise.

I love you.

Beth

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Comments:

  1. 5851
    Lori Nelson says:

    Lori from white lake,wi
    Psalm 121:7-8 “the Lord will keep you from all harm-he will watch over your life;
    The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever more.” NIV

  2. 5852
    Donna says:

    Donna Miller- Rio Rancho New Mexico
    May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us:
    establish the work of our hands for us-
    yes, establish the work of hands.
    Psalm 90:17 NIV

  3. 5853
    Karen Wolfenbarger says:

    Haven’t received an email for the 15th. Just wanted to confirm that I have been processed.

    Thank you!

    • 5853.1
      LPM-KMac says:

      Hi Karen, There actually is no email confirmation sent out after you submit your verse. You might make a note to yourself the time you submit your verse and once they are moderated will show up in chronological order. (I did check for your verse 2 on the 15th and I do not see it…) Make sure and submit it on the Jan 15th post for Verse 2. Welcome to SSMT!

  4. 5854
    Grace says:

    1 Samuel 16:7b
    “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, the Lord looks at the heart” NIV

  5. 5855
    Diane says:

    I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10 (NKJV)

  6. 5856
    Jen Hadley says:

    Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

  7. 5857
    steffanie says:

    Stef, Mandeville, Louisiana: “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the Lord.” Psalm 4:5 (NASB)

  8. 5858
    Angie Turman says:

    Fools show their annoyance at once, but the wise overlook an insult. Proverbs 12:16 (NIV)

  9. 5859
    Betsy says:

    Wooster, oh
    For truly I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see and did not see it and to hear what you hear and did not hear it.
    Matthew 13:17

  10. 5860
    Jennifer Hall says:

    Jennifer Hall, Keller, TX
    “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.” Hebrews 4:14 NIV

  11. 5861
    Cathy says:

    Now all glory to God
    who is able,
    Through his mighty power
    at work within us,
    To accommplish
    Infinitely More than we might
    ask or think.
    Ephesians 3:20 NLT

  12. 5862
    Stephanie Hensley says:

    Stephanie Hensley, Kansas City, MO; You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah, 29:13 (NIV)

  13. 5863
    Shaylynn says:

    “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in a Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32

  14. 5864
    Lisa says:

    “…the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you.” – Col. 1:5-6a (NIV)

  15. 5865
    Lauren Lemos, Simi, Ca says:

    do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

  16. 5866
    Brenda McCracken says:

    Brenda from Chandler, Oklahoma; For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. Philippians 1:10

  17. 5867
    Valerie Fish says:

    Matthew 7:25

    “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

  18. 5868
    Cyndi says:

    Cyndi Hobgood, Chandler AZ. Lord, may the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing in your eyes. You are my Rock and my Redeemer. Ps. 19:14 (NIRV)

  19. 5869
    Wendy Staas says:

    Psalm 110:105 NIV “Your word is a lamp to my feet a light for my path”

  20. 5870
    Wendy staas says:

    1 Corinthians 6:13 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong”

  21. 5871
    Darlene Vance, Brook Park, OH says:

    Psalm 55:22 “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.”

  22. 5872
    Carrie says:

    Carrie, Williston, FL Deuteronomy 33:12 “The beloved of the Lord rests in safety- the High God surrounds him all day long- the beloved rests between his shoulders. “

  23. 5873
    Kim says:

    Kim, Columbus, Ohio

    “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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

  24. 5874
    Jeannie Holt says:

    1 Corinthians 13:2

    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 have not love, I am nothing.

  25. 5875
    Stefanie says:

    Troy, OH
    Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV

  26. 5876
    Renee m says:

    And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard you hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:7 NIV

  27. 5877
    Pwnny Cooper says:

    Penny, Fbcqc, Texas. Psalms 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. You works are wonderful, I know that full well.

  28. 5878
    Ginny Moore says:

    Philippians 4:6&7 Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, give your requests to God.

  29. 5879
    Christy says:

    Christy- Durant OK- Proverbls 4:23 (ISV) “Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”

  30. 5880
    Traci Fields says:

    Yet do not know what your life tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
    James 4:14 NASB

  31. 5881

    Stephanie D, Coventry CT:

    “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” ~ Romans 8:26 New International Version

  32. 5882
    Bekka Dolloff says:

    Bekka Dolloff, Minneapolis, KS: Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

  33. 5883
    Jen Cobb says:

    Jen, Ladera Ranch, CA: Isaiah 1:17 “Learn to do right; seek justice.Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”

  34. 5884
    Brenda Voydatch says:

    Brenda Voydatch Meredith, NH
    The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. Proverbs 20:5(ESV)

  35. 5885
    LaNora says:

    “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV

  36. 5886
    Pam Norman says:

    Pam, Duluth, GA Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV ” Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

  37. 5887
    Brittany Hayes says:

    “Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

  38. 5888
    Meghan Vardman says:

    Meghan Vardman from Cypress,TX

    Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.
    John 6:47

  39. 5889
    Sarah Mann says:

    Sarah, Phoenix, AZ
    Proverbs 31:27 (NIV) “She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”

  40. 5890
    Allison B says:

    Allison from Pleasanton CA , Matt 6:25 NLT “that is why I Jesus tell you not to worry about life, whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food in your body more than clothing?”.

  41. 5891
    Margot Cordova says:

    Margot, Houston, Tx

    For our light and Momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what us unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

    2 Corinthians 4:17-18

  42. 5892
    Kathy Ray Oakland Oregon says:

    1Thessalonians 4
    For we know, sisters loved by God,that He has chosen you,
    because our gospel came to you, not simply by words,but
    also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep
    conviction.

  43. 5893
    Mona Boyd says:

    Mona Boyd, Spokane,WA

    Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.
    Psalms 63:4 NKJV

  44. 5894
    Kathy Ray Oakland,OR says:

    1Thessalonians 1:4

    For we know,sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you,
    because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but
    also with power, also with the Holy Spirit, and deep conviction.

  45. 5895
    Ruth says:

    Menifee, CA.
    2 Corinthians 4:17 NKJV
    For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory

  46. 5896
    Debi Zagarella says:

    Debi Zagarella. Carlsbad, California
    Isaiah 43:18-19
    “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

  47. 5897
    Raina Dawes says:

    Isaiah 43:19
    Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

  48. 5898
    Malynda Leroy-Magee, Corsicana, TX says:

    Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. Hosea 2:14 (ESV)

  49. 5899
    Michaela Luna says:

    For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:16-18 NKJ

  50. 5900
    Hope Shukers says:

    Psalms 46:10 NIV
    He says, Be still, and know that I am GOD; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

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