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. ā€œSiestaā€ is just an endearment for ā€œSister.ā€ Thereā€™s no club to join and no person you need to become. If youā€™ve trusted Jesus as your personal Savior, youā€™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 weā€™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, ā€œIā€™ll tell you what we are: Weā€™re sistahs!ā€ but spell-check switched it to ā€œsiestas.ā€ It stuck and thatā€™s been us ever since. We even liked the thought that its actual meaning is to take a nap. Weā€™ll know weā€™ve been a place of divine intervention if weā€™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 ā€œteamā€ because thatā€™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 ā€œSiesta Scripture Memory Team.ā€ If you’re not participating in SSMT, please know that we donā€™t limit the entire blog to our Scripture memory participants. It has a big presence on here because itā€™s twice a month but we still do lots of other things. Please donā€™t feel left out or forgotten.

*Why 24 verses? In previous years, weā€™ve found this to be a very doable pace: 1 verse every 2 weeks. If you do much more, youā€™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 youā€™re capable of doing in the power of the Spirit. Yes, it takes work but itā€™s tremendously fulfilling and the results are nearly immeasurable. Look at it this way: weā€™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 ā€“ NOT ONCE ā€“ have I ever known anyone to get to the end of a Scripture memory commitment and say that it didnā€™t make any real difference. Not a single time.

OK, NOW FOR THE INSTRUCTIONS. You can cut and paste these somewhere if necessary. Hereā€™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 youā€™ve chosen to memorize for that two-week period within twenty-four hours of the post going up. Iā€™ve been asked many times if itā€™s okay if youā€™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 donā€™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-noā€™s. It wonā€™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 youā€™re having a bad day, all you have to do is scroll down a few hundred of your sistersā€™ Scripture selections and I promise you, youā€™ll get a word. Itā€™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 youā€™ll see a sister say, ā€œIā€™m doing the one so-and-so did last time!ā€ (Yes, you can make a comment that brief. Those can be fun. Occasionally youā€™ll even see someone write, ā€œFor the sake of my marriage, Iā€™ve chosen to memorizeā€¦ā€ Thatā€™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 donā€™t all memorize the same Scripture. Weā€™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 weā€™re told to demolish strongholds and take our thoughts captive to Christ. If you donā€™t have a verse on your mind or youā€™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 wonā€™t because heā€™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. Youā€™re free to do whatever works for you.) Keep it simple and meaningful. (If I were addressing you live, Iā€™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, thatā€™s a recommendation and not a rule. Iā€™ve discovered that thereā€™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. Iā€™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 theyā€™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 donā€™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 canā€™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.Ā  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 thatā€™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.Ā  Hereā€™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, thatā€™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 donā€™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 youā€™re one of those who genuinely struggles with memorization, just tell your memory buddy up front and sheā€™ll give you all the grace you need.Ā  Tell her the gist of the verse as accurately as you possibly can. Sheā€™ll be able to tell that you are well acquainted with it and that the goal was accomplished even if you canā€™t say the verse word-for-word.

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

Whew! Have I exhausted you?? Iā€™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 ITā€™S A WHOPPER. Letā€™s do it, Sisters, starting this coming January 1st! Iā€™ll talk to you again about other things before then but I donā€™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. 951
    Michelle Williams says:

    So excited about being able to memorize God’s Word!Thanks so much for the ” Do It Yourself” spiral.Awesome idea.

  2. 952
    Isha Boyd-Mayes says:

    Very excited!

  3. 953
    Becky says:

    I am excited to join.

  4. 954
    Julieanne says:

    I am in! First time!!!

  5. 955
    Kaye says:

    I’m going to try this in 2015. Thank you for the push to memorize God’s Word

  6. 956
    Andrea says:

    I’m in!! Hoping God will sharpen my mind

  7. 957
    Jill Williams says:

    first timer, looking forward to it!

  8. 958
    Ginny says:

    Looking forward to growing and sharing in God’s word through this year!

  9. 959
    Shelle says:

    Please add me to the memory verse group!
    Thank you for always encouraging us to get deeper into His word.

  10. 960
    Katrina says:

    Count me in!!! Not quite sure how to do this but want to try

    • 960.1
      LPM-KMac says:

      Welcome to SSMT, Katrina! Just check back on the LPM Blog each 1st & 15th to submit your verse in the comment section. That is your ‘registration’!

  11. 961
    Catherine says:

    The chapter written in God’s book of my life for 2015 starts here. First time and excited to be here siestas!

  12. 962
    Joy says:

    Thanks for invite. First time to do this. Great challenge as I don’t have a good record for memorization.

  13. 963
    Tessa Harris says:

    God had laid it upon my heart to be memorizing His words in 2015 and then my sweet, encouraging cousin reminded me about this group! I remember hearing about it, but I am SO excited to join this year!!!!

  14. 964
    Diane Long says:

    I am in! Thank you for the invitation to get closer to God!

  15. 965
    Liz says:

    I’m in. I need the accountability!

  16. 966
    Kimberly says:

    I am super excited to be a part of this! Thank you so much!

  17. 967
    Rhonda says:

    I’m in!can’t wait to get started

  18. 968
    Tonya Trent says:

    I thank you for the invitation to join this wonderful Sistahood! I am so excited to participate in this 2015 commitment to Christ.

  19. 969
    Tanya Dinges says:

    I’ve been on a bible study challenge the last several months. This is great, it will fit in with what I am trying to accomplish. Thank you for this challenge!

  20. 970
    Alesha Culp says:

    First timer and excited but nervous. Memorization isn’t one of my better things but I’m excited to see where the Holy Spirit leads me on this journey.

  21. 971
    Lynn says:

    I’m a first timer…very excited. What an answer to prayer. My bible study this morning was all about the importance of getting and staying close to God. I was silently praying for a way to do more to get even closer; found this post by accident. No better way to get close to God than through the word. Thanks šŸ™‚

  22. 972
    Kristi says:

    Silver City, NM
    I’m in!!

  23. 973
    Gail Compton says:

    This is a great idea! Thanks so much for giving me the motivation to get going in 2015!

  24. 974
    Memory says:

    I’m excited!This will be a challenge for me and no my name doesn’t help unfortunately!

  25. 975
    Lorraine says:

    I really want to try memorizing for the year again… Didn’t make it the first time šŸ™
    Got to August and life got in the way. So sorry!
    God willing 2015 will be the year šŸ™‚

  26. 976
    Debbie Sharp says:

    Count me in. I prayed that God would show me ways to draw nearer. This will help me.

  27. 977
    Dawn Mccants says:

    I get easily overwhelmed by new ventures. Partly by the fibromyalgia and medications I’m on, but also because the devil wants me to stay in this state of mind1 I’m going to do this in spite of all of the above!

  28. 978
    Tiffani says:

    New to the Siestas community, but looking forward to joining everyone and firmly planting God’s word in my life this year! Thanks!

  29. 979
    Shirley says:

    Newcomer! Excited!!!

  30. 980
    Christina says:

    Excited to join-in!

  31. 981
    Kelsey Melton says:

    I’m in!!! This is going to be an awesomely rewarding challenge!!

  32. 982
    Shannon says:

    I’m in and so excited.

  33. 983
    Robin says:

    I’m in!

  34. 984
    Jeannie Gibson says:

    I am so excited about memorizing GOD’S WORD!!!

  35. 985
    Lorrie Rawe says:

    Excited to begin this journey with all of you!!

  36. 986
    Jean says:

    I’m in!

  37. 987
    Heather says:

    First timer. I hope I can find where to post. Sounds like just here in the blog. =)

    • 987.1
      LPM-KMac says:

      Hi Heather, Just check back to the LPM Blog each 1st & 15th and submit your verse in the comment section. That is your ‘registration’! Welcome to SSMT!

  38. 988
    Lori says:

    I have never been able to memorize anything, I am praying that will change this year!

  39. 989
    Aundrea Farmer says:

    I think this is really a great idea and I’m very excited to do it!! I am so ready to memorize scripture this year!!!

  40. 990
    Shauna says:

    I’m in! I need this discipline and accountability! Looking forward to it!

  41. 991
    Paige Jones says:

    Please add me to SSMT 2015!

    • 991.1
      LPM-KMac says:

      Hi Paige, Just check back to the LPM Blog each 1st & 15th and submit your verse in the comment section. That is your ‘registration’! Welcome to SSMT!

  42. 992
    Debb says:

    Looking forward to memorizing God’s word and sharing it with others!

  43. 993
    Carol says:

    I’m in.

  44. 994
    Christina Rebar says:

    So excited!! I’m lost when it comes to studying and memorizing scripture so this is perfect!

  45. 995
    Janet says:

    This will be my first time participating! I have such a hard time memorizing scripture so hopefully this will help!

  46. 996
    Janny says:

    I am committing to this and looking forward to the challenge!

  47. 997
    Janice says:

    I want to be a part of the SSMT 2015.

  48. 998
    • 998.1
      LPM-KMac says:

      Hi Dawn, Just check back to the LPM Blog each 1st & 15th and submit your verse in the comment section. That is your ‘registration’! Welcome to SSMT!

  49. 999
    Susan says:

    Excited to do this for the first time! Can’t wait to see what God has in store for us!!

  50. 1000
    Sue Bostaph says:

    I’m in !

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