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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9,767 Responses to “Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2015 Instructions and Spiral Information!”

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Comments:

  1. 7401
    Elizabeth says:

    “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”

    Prov. 16:3

  2. 7402
    Carol Englund says:

    Carol, Michigan

    I have come as a light in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. John 12: 46 NLT

  3. 7403
    Jess Bucher says:

    Jess Bucher from valparaiso, IN

    “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowiness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” -Philippians 2:3

  4. 7404
    Tammy deGaravilla says:

    Tammy deGaravilla, Silsbee TX
    Zephaniah 3:17
    “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. “. NIV

  5. 7405
    Laura Hoffman says:

    Laura – Newton, NC Psalm 46:4-5 NIV
    There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the Holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her. She will not fall. God will help her at break of day.

  6. 7406
    Jill Mlakar says:

    Jill Mlakar – Bainbridge Township, Ohio 44023

    I lift up my eyes to the hills.
    From where does my help come?
    My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

    Psalm 121:1-2

  7. 7407
    Ashly says:

    Ashly – West Columbia, SC

    “But to all who believed in Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 (NLT)

  8. 7408
    Peggy says:

    Jackson, MI

    You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. And for this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received from us the word of God’s message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work I you who believe. I Thessalonians 2:10-13 NASB

  9. 7409
    Helen Aregood says:

    March 1, 2015
    Psalms 91:4 (NIV)
    He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge: his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

  10. 7410
    Becky says:

    Becky, cleveland, Tn
    Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other,
    just as Christ God forgave you.
    Ephesians 4:32 NIV

  11. 7411
    jantce griffin says:

    Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord and He heard me. NKJV

  12. 7412
    Leeta says:

    Leeta, Bay City, Tx

    Therefore since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

    Romans 5:1 (NLT)

  13. 7413
    Tiffany Johnson says:

    Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Psalm 119:37NIV

  14. 7414
    Lanette Tuck says:

    Matthew 5:16

    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.

  15. 7415
    maggie turnbull says:

    Romans 12:9 (CEB)
    Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil and hold on to what is good.

  16. 7416
    Karen Clayton says:

    From Tishomingo, OK
    For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37 ( NIV)

  17. 7417
    Traci Wilhelm says:

    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

  18. 7418
    Jan Hair-Dalton, GA says:

    Hebrews 12:2 NASB. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfect or of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

  19. 7419
    Shanna Dorman says:

    San Angelo, TX
    James 1:9-10
    The Brother of humble circumstances should boast in his exaltation, but the one who is rich should boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field.

  20. 7420
    Cambry Dorman says:

    San Angelo, TX

    1 Peter 3:4 {HCSB}

    Your beauty should be of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a
    gental and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

  21. 7421
    Danielle says:

    2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
    Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!

  22. 7422
    Belinda Mullet says:

    Belinda Mullet, Belton MO

    “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
    Ephesians 4:29 NIV

  23. 7423
    Sheryl Donat says:

    Isaiah 40:31New Living Translation (NLT)

    31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
    They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.

  24. 7424
    Faith Sullins Licking, MO says:

    1 Corinthians 7:23 NLT
    God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.
    1 Corinthians 7:23 NLT

  25. 7425
    Jaela says:

    Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
    Proverbs 31:30

  26. 7426
    Jaela says:

    Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.
    Psalm 136:1 (NIV)

  27. 7427
    Bonnie says:

    Bonnie Tulsa Okla.

    For nothing is impossible with God.Luke 1:37 NIV

  28. 7428
    Leanne columbia City,In says:

    I waited patiently for the Lord;he turned to me and heard my cry.2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,out of the mud and mire;he set my feet on a rockand gave me a firm place to stand.3 He put a new song in my mouth,a hymn of praise to our God.Many will see and fear the Lordand put their trust in him.

    Psalms 40:1-3 | NIV

  29. 7429
    Trisha says:

    I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. (John 16:22, NIV)

  30. 7430
    Terry Colomba Hardy, VA says:

    March 2
    My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you- I whom you delivered.
    Psalm 71:23

  31. 7431
    Beth Howard says:

    Beth Howard~ Gillette, Wyoming

    Isaiah 30:15 “This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”

  32. 7432
    Laura Marek says:

    1Corinthians 1:8. EVS, For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.I

  33. 7433
    Jamie Buchanan says:

    Jamie Buchanan, Weston WI

    For 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

  34. 7434
    Donna Miller OR says:

    Eph 2:8,9 KJV
    For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God:
    Not of works, lest any man should boast

  35. 7435
    Debbie from San Antonio says:

    For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God.

    Ephesians 2:8 ESV

  36. 7436
    Rachel Younger says:

    “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago” Ephesians 2:10 ESV

  37. 7437
    Donna N. OH says:

    Psalm 27:14
    Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

  38. 7438
    Sandy Jankauskas says:

    New Braunfels, TX
    Rather, as servants of God we command ourselves in every way; in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;
    2 Corinthians 6:4 NIV

  39. 7439
    Debra Permenter says:

    I got behind, so I am posting verses for February 15, 2015 and March 1, 2015.
    The name of The Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 NIV
    In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NIV

  40. 7440
    Jamie Williams says:

    Calhoun, GA
    Take delight in The Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4 NIV

  41. 7441
    Jamie Williams says:

    Calhoun, GA
    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

  42. 7442
    Terriekka Cardenas says:

    Terriekka C., Midlothian, TX
    The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭3‬ KJV)

  43. 7443
    Carolyn Tarman says:

    Carolyn Tarman – Jetmore, Ks
    “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV)

  44. 7444
    Reyna fuentes says:

    Rockport, Texas
    Colossians 3:14
    “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

  45. 7445
    Rebeca Gibson says:

    Rebeca
    Katy Texas
    Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
    Mark 11:24 | NIV

  46. 7446
    Maranda says:

    Psalm 139:13,14 NIV
    For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
    I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

  47. 7447
    Ashley Ehrlick says:

    Ashley Ehrlick, Billings, MT – 1Cor. 15:58 “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” (NLT)

  48. 7448
    Debbie Kennedy says:

    Debbie Kennedy Brunswick, GA

    Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

    Ephesians 6:13 NIV

  49. 7449
    Kawana Dobbins says:

    Enterprise, AL

    Colossians 1:17-18New King James Version (NKJV)

    17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

  50. 7450
    Kristi says:

    Kristi Stallo, Greenville SC

    You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isiah 26:3 NIV

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