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. 4601
    Pam, Columbia, MO says:

    Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
    “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.”

  2. 4602
    Debbie Lane says:

    Debbie Lane, Cypress,Texas
    May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV

  3. 4603
    Janese -Wheeless, OK says:

    Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15 NKJ

  4. 4604
    Janet says:

    Romans 8:26. Therefore the Spirit helps our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we should; but the Spirit intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words.
    Janet Stewart. Woodstock, Ga

  5. 4605
    Chris-Brunswick, Ohio says:

    Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1 NKJV

  6. 4606
    Amy says:

    Wadsworth, OH

    Philippians 2:14
    Do everything without complaining and arguing so that no one can criticize you. NLT

  7. 4607
    Louise Kendall says:

    For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. John 3:16

  8. 4608
    Renee says:

    Bay Village, Ohio

    For My thoughts are not your thoughts nor are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.
    Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

  9. 4609
    Beth Qualls says:

    Beth Q, Ashland KY
    Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
    I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

  10. 4610
    Louise Kendall says:

    That whoever believes in him shall not parish but have ever lasting life.

    Sorry enter button was pushed by mistake early

  11. 4611
    Wendy Haines says:

    Wendy Haines, Gurley, Alabama
    “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV

  12. 4612
    Marilyn Blandford says:

    Marilyn Blandford, Brockport “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, Make me dwell in safety.” Psalms 4:8 (NKJV)
    Submitted for second time.

  13. 4613
    Keatha- Poquoson,Va says:

    I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
    Johe 16:33 NLT

  14. 4614
    Kateri Bowe says:

    Kateri Bowe Albuquerque, NM
    Psalm 138:8 NIV
    The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love O Lord, endures forever.

  15. 4615
    Mary Hodges says:

    Mary, Bucklin, KS
    I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. Gal. 2:20

  16. 4616
    Lily Bowe says:

    Lily Bowe San Jon NM
    Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
    “For I know the plans I have for you.” declares the Lord. “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

  17. 4617
    Allison Merrell says:

    My goal is entire book of Jude Jude 1:1 HCSB

    Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James: To those who are the called, loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ.

  18. 4618
    Janean Augusta, Kansas says:

    Psalm 100:1=2 NIV
    Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.

  19. 4619
    Vicki Judd says:

    Vicki – Longview, WA

    1 When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. After he sat down his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to teach them by saying:
    3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

    Matthew 5:1-3 NET

  20. 4620
    Nan, Buffalo NY says:

    “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, –His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2, TNIV

  21. 4621
    Lisette-St.Petersburg,FL says:

    Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence constantly! 1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV

  22. 4622
    Rebekah Farmer says:

    From: Coeurd’Alene, ID.- PS.1:1&2 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Norstandsin the path of sinners, Nor sits in the the seat of the scornful. PS.1:1&2 NKJV

    • 4622.1
      Rebekah Farmer says:

      I missed verse 2 it says, But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And His law he meditates day and night.

  23. 4623
    Donna Rippner says:

    Donna from Allen, TX

    “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

    Philippians 4:6-7

  24. 4624
    Beverly Brockmeier says:

    Isaiah 40:31 (esv)
    But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagle
    they shall run and not be weary
    they shall walk and not faint.

  25. 4625
    Shannon Vasquez says:

    Shannon Vasquez from Denver, CO:

    If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
    ~John 15:7 (NIV)

  26. 4626
    Shantha Diaz says:

    Shantha Diaz, Lincoln, RI

    Delight yourself in the Lord,
    And he will give you the desires of your heart
    Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

  27. 4627
    Robin Independence, OH says:

    Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

  28. 4628
    KK Manley says:

    KK from Cary, NC
    Proverbs 27:19
    As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man(or siesta)

  29. 4629
    Bev S. Des Moines, IA says:

    Philippians 4:8(KJV)

    Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

  30. 4630
    Teri - Huntsville, Al says:

    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)

  31. 4631
    Jan, Phoenix says:

    IThessalonians 1:4 “but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, so we speak not as pleaseing man but God who examines our heart quotation marks.” NIV

  32. 4632
    Elaine G. says:

    Elaine from West Monroe, LA
    And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and my be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11 NIV

  33. 4633
    Juliana from Fremont, CA says:

    Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!
    Psalm 143:10 (ESV)

  34. 4634
    Denise says:

    All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ, even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.
    Ephesians 1:3,4 NLT

  35. 4635
    Carol Sickmeier says:

    Recent studies have been focused on what a Covenant God we serve.

    Carol Sickmeier, Moreno Valley, CA

    Psalm 25:10 “All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of His covenant.” NIV

  36. 4636
    Diane says:

    January 3, at 9:04pm. Dearborn, MI Proverbs 10:22 It is the Lord’s blessing that brings wealth, and no effort can substitute for it. The New American Bible.

  37. 4637
    Julie Myers says:

    Julie Myers, Rutledge, TN
    For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37 (KJV)

  38. 4638
    Tedi says:

    Tedi, Knoxville, MD
    2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV
    But He said to me, “My grace is sufficent for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me,

  39. 4639
    Kerry A Ploeser says:

    Isaiah 43:19 New Living Translation
    For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

  40. 4640
    Pam, Allen, TX says:

    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

    John 1:1 NIV

  41. 4641
    Angel says:

    Angel, Georgetown ,TX. “And He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.'” Luke 10:27.

  42. 4642
    Amy Clark says:

    Amy Clark, Tuscaloosa, AL
    Jeremiah 1:15 NLT
    I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world.

  43. 4643
    Cheryll-Ann Van Dyk says:

    Cheryll-Ann Van Dyk, Cobourg, Ontario

    “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning…” Lamentations 3:22-23a

  44. 4644
    Denise says:

    Denise from Dallas, Texas

    The Lord is good,
    A stronghold in the time of trouble;
    And He knows those who trust in Him.

    Nahum 1:7 (NIV)

  45. 4645
    Jill Smith says:

    Jill Smith – Eugene, OR
    “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 ESV

  46. 4646
    Michelle Burmah-Jones says:

    Michelle Burmah-Jones, Beaumont, Texas; “I have summoned you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. FOR I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD.” Issaiah 43:1-3

  47. 4647
    Donna Walters says:

    Donna Walters, Hartsville, SC — “Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NASB)

  48. 4648
    Jenni says:

    Jenni- Minnesota
    The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers.
    Peter 3:12

  49. 4649
    Vonda Lynden, WA says:

    This is my command-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

  50. 4650
    Dr. Wilma Arant says:

    “He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.” John 7:18 NIV

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