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. 8451
    Stacy says:

    Stacy Boerboom, Cape Girardeau, MO

    Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Colossians 3:11 NIV

  2. 8452
    Diane; Emporia, KS says:

    Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV)
    18. When I said “My foot is slipping,” your love, O Lord, supported me.
    19. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

  3. 8453
    Sandy, Pensacola Beach says:

    “I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me.” Acts 27:25 NIV

  4. 8454
    Hope Shukers says:

    “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction,
    faithful in prayer.”
    Romans 12:12

  5. 8455

    Joan, La Vernia, Texas
    In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 ESV 3/15/15

  6. 8456

    Joan, La Vernia, Texas
    Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” Joshua 3:5 ESV
    4/1/15

  7. 8457

    Joan, La Vernia, Texas
    And as for you, command the priests who command the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'” Joshua 3:8 ESV
    4/15/15

  8. 8458

    Joan, La Vernia, Texas
    Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 ESV
    5/1/15

  9. 8459

    Joan, La Vernia, Texas
    Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
    Psalm 119:105 ESV
    5/15/15

  10. 8460

    Joan, La Vernia, Texas
    The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end;
    Lamentations 3:22 ESV

  11. 8461
    Kim W. From St. Louis says:

    “And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Cor 5:15 NIV

  12. 8462
    Belinda Marais says:

    Belinda Marais, Centurion, South Africa,
    Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by your name,
    you are mine….
    Because you are PRECIOUS in my eyes,
    and honoured, and I LOVE YOU,
    I give men in return for you,
    peoples in exchange for your life.
    Is 43:1,4
    ESV

  13. 8463
    Alison K. Powder Springs, GA says:

    Philippians 4:6
    Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

  14. 8464
    Ellisha H. says:

    Ellisha from Emmaus, PA
    we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
    1 Thessalonians 2:12 (ESV)

  15. 8465
    Michelle Lux says:

    Cedar Park, TX
    Hebrews 13:8
    Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

  16. 8466
    Kristi says:

    Kristi, Anchorage, Alaska

    Colossians 2:7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. (NLT)

  17. 8467
    Melinda says:

    Rowlett, 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

  18. 8468
    Annette Turkson says:

    Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him for He shields them all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests secure between His shoulders. Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV

  19. 8469
    Marni McKenzie says:

    Hebrews 13:6 NKJV
    So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my Helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

  20. 8470
    Angela Wagner says:

    Angela Wagner Cobham, Surrey
    This I recall to mind, therefore I have hope, The LORD’s lovingkindness indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.
    Lamentations 3:21-22 NAS

  21. 8471
    Angela Wagner says:

    Angela, Cobham, Surrey
    The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace, Because (s)he trusts in Thee. Trust in the Lord forever, For in God the LORD we have an everlasting Rock. Isaiah 26: 3-4

  22. 8472
    Teresa says:

    Teresa L. of Rio Rancho, NM

    Joshua 1:9 (NKJV)
    9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

  23. 8473
    Peggy Rush says:

    Peggy Rush, Independence, Missouri
    Psalm 119:37 NKJV Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in your way.

  24. 8474
    Pat Johnson Licking Mo says:

    Proverbs 3-5 KJV. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding

  25. 8475
    Cheryl Hart says:

    Psalm 105:4 NLT
    Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always,

  26. 8476
    Trisha says:

    2 Pet 3:9, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (NIV)

    Just what I needed at this time. Thank you fuzzy top!!

  27. 8477
    Sandy Harper says:

    Sandy Harper
    Ringgold, Georgia

    Psalm 23:1 (KJV)
    “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

  28. 8478
    Sharon Freeman says:

    Psalm 8:5-9 NKJ

    5For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
    and You have crowned him with glory and honor.
    6You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet.
    7All sheep and oxen–even the beasts of the field,
    8The birds of the air, and the fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas.
    9 O Lord, our Lord,
    How excellent is Your name in all the eargh!

  29. 8479
    Karen Jones says:

    A new command I give unto you: love one another
    as I have loved you, so you must love one another.
    John 13:34
    Ocean Springs, MS

  30. 8480
    Brenda Riley says:

    June, 15, 2015

    Psalm 37:23 KJV

    The steps of a good are ordered by The Lord, and He delighteth in his way

  31. 8481
    Jess Bucher says:

    Jess Bucher from Valparaiso, Indiana
    “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5-6 NIV

  32. 8482
    Samantha Barrack says:

    Samantha from SC says, “Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
    My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25-26 (NIV)

  33. 8483
    Lanette Tuck says:

    Matthew 5:23

    If therefore you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,

  34. 8484
    Mary Coulter says:

    Mary Coulter, Springfield, Missouri. “I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his Word.” Psalm 130:5 (NLT)

  35. 8485
    Elizabeth says:

    “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house”, says the Lord Almighty. “And in this place I will grant peace”‘ declares the Lord Almighty.

    Haggai 2:9

  36. 8486
    Allison Bayles says:

    Allison Bayles, Katy, TX
    Hebrews 4:14
    For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet he did not sin.

  37. 8487
    Renae says:

    Hendersonville,TN
    Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage;
    be not afraid,neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God
    is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9 KJV

  38. 8488
    Connie says:

    Connie from Woodstock, GA
    “If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.” 2 Timothy 2:13 (NLT)

  39. 8489
    Allison Bayles says:

    Allison Bayles, Katy, TX
    Hebrews 4:16 niv

    Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

  40. 8490
    Donna Verschoot Columbia, SC says:

    Psalm 29:11. NIV

    The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace

  41. 8491
    Marlene says:

    Marlene
    Indianapolis, Indiana

    God is pleased with everyone who worships Him and does right, no matter what nation they come from. Acts 10:35 CEV

  42. 8492
    Sue Christian says:

    Sue From Wolfeboro, Nh
    “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life, he who opens wides his lips comes to ruin.” Proverbs 13:3 ESV

  43. 8493
    Marilyn Gillis says:

    Marilyn Gillis
    Florence, AL
    2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
    Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
    He is a new creation; the old has
    Gone, the new has come!

  44. 8494
    Denise from OK says:

    The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Psalm 28:8 NIV

  45. 8495
    Marilyn Gillis says:

    Marilyn Gillis
    Florence, AL
    2 Corinthians 5:18 NIV
    All this is from God, who reconciled
    us to Himself through Christ and gave
    us the ministry of reconciliation:

  46. 8496
    Peggy says:

    But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
    I Thessalonians 4:13-18 NASB

  47. 8497
    Donna Brassfield says:

    Donna Brassfield , Claremore, Oklahoma

    Col 3:12
    Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
    (NIV)

  48. 8498
    Danielle says:

    God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
    1Corinthians 1:9 ESV

  49. 8499
    Angie Colbeck says:

    “A cheerful heart is good medicine,but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

    Proverbs 17:22

  50. 8500
    Brittney Sullivan says:

    “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” Proverbs 16:32, NIV

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