WELCOME, EVERYONE, TO THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE 2015 SIESTA SCRIPTURE MEMORY TEAM!
WOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!
Allow me to introduce myself to you as your fellow sojourner for the next 12 months and your official cheerleader. It will be my pleasure to remind you often that, in Christ Jesus, you most certainly CAN be victorious in this adventure of the faith, this challenge of the mind and this discipline of the Spirit.
Nothing we’ve done on this blog since its inception has seemed to attract more outrageous favor from God. We are convinced that He loves it. God never misses a single individual going to the work of memorizing His Word but imagine His delight when a huge community of tremendously diverse women in age, background, and worship tradition band together in a pilgrimage of faith. You don’t have to stop and wonder if it’s God’s will for His words to abide in you. The Word of God alive, active, and abiding in us speaks to us, shields us, warns us, strengthens us, sanctifies us, equips us in our callings, and directs us in our decision making. It sharpens our insight and improves our discernment. It makes us wiser and, let’s be bold enough to say, even smarter. Our brains were hardwired to flourish across the board when nourished by the Scriptures. Above all else, Scripture abiding and thriving in us builds up our faith, for “faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) Â And, Girlfriend, we want to be women of faith. That faith erupts into works that were planned for each of us before the creation of the world. (Ephesians 2:10)
OK. I want to get right to it before I lose some of you so that no one will be unclear about the protocol.
The entry of your first verse is your official registration for SSMT (Siesta Scripture Memory Team). Everybody who joins us needs to start right here in a designated comment to this exact post. Even those who may jump in with us a couple of months late who are willing to work double-time to get it all done will start right here.
For a quick recap of our objective: Remember, we are committing to the memorization of 24 verses in 12 months. Two a month. We each get to select our own verses to align with our personal needs and challenges. Choosing a Scripture that resonates with you is immensely helpful in the memorization process. If you have trouble coming up with one of your own, you can always share mine or look through the other entries for ideas. You’ll find your SSMT posts right here on the blog at 8:00 AM on the 1st and 15th of every month in 2015. [Under the LINKS section listed on the right hand side of our blog home page, you will find all SSMT posts will store together for easy access. See “Scripture Memory Team 2015”.] If you haven’t had a chance to read all the instructions and hear about our end-of-year celebration, please go back and read the informational post then return to this spot. Questions unanswered here are answered there.
One of the most important things for you to know from the top is how to arrange your comment with the verse you’ve selected. We limit each comment to this information:Â
Your name, city, verse (written all the way out), reference, and translation.Â
SO, here goes mine! I’m obsessed with the Book of Ephesians right now so much of my memory work will probably come from those pages.
Beth Moore, Houston, Texas. “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” Ephesians 2:19 ESV
We’re fellow citizens with the likes of Peter and John and James and Stephen and Paul and Timothy and Barnabas and Joanna and Susanna and Lydia and Tabitha and just try counting all the Marys. We’re fellow citizens and members of the household of Middle Eastern believers confessing Christ in hostile climates, of Chinese believers meeting in house churches, of Eastern European believers finding hope in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have brothers and sisters in Thessaloniki, in Paris, in Belfast, in Riyadh, in Copenhagen, in Calgary, and Rome. We – right here in this community – are sisters to a household of God that stretches across this globe, saved by the blood of Jesus Christ alone. By grace through faith. “It is the gift of God, not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) That’s what makes us family. We, beloved sister, are in gorgeous company. Let’s give our time on this planet as part of this household all we’ve got. Christ is so altogether worthy.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! One last thing before I say Go! Don’t panic or jump the gun and post a second time if you don’t see your verse published soon. I will be moderating all these launch comments by myself because I don’t want my staff to have to work on the holiday so I beg your patience. I’ll be hard at work on it but it will take me a while to get them all posted. As a rule over the next 12 months, only post a second time if it’s been 48 hours since you left the comment and you still don’t see it.
****I noticed that some of you posted verses earlier than this post was published and they came up on the SSMT informational comments.  I should have doubly emphasized what time the posts will go up each round: 8:00 AM, each 1st and 15th. So sorry if I did not make that clear enough! If you submit your verse earlier than that, it unfortunately appears under the wrong post and, the way blog moderating works, there’s no way for us to transfer the comments over. If you left your 1st verse under any other post than this one, please add it here as well. This is the official registration post.  I know it’s a bit complicated at first! Hang with it! So sorry for your extra trouble!
Hey, I am so glad you’re doing this with us. So much love to you.
OK, GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Leigh,Cypress, TX
Psalm 65:11, NLT
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
Emily Lakenan (age 9), Daphne, AL
“…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.” (Philippians 4:8 – KJV)
Christina KarsenGray, Coquille Oregon
Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. Whoever speaks, let it be with God’s words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10, 11 NET)
Shannon Potts, Cibolo, TX. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NIV
Casey Petruszak, Cairo, GA
Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
– 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (NLT)
Beth Carter, Richmond VA
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give peace to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
~John 14:27 NLV
Michele from Loveland Colorado “finally, brothers, whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.
Phillipians 4:8
Emily Swenson, Pineville, LA
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:24-25 NLT
Cindy St. James, Mo : Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Stephanie Volkmer, Tulsa, Ok.
Show me Your ways o Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation. (Psalm 25:4-5, nkjv)
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 NIV
Helena from Paradise PA
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13
Shelley Ball, Sevierville, TN, “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. ” (â€Romans‬ â€15‬:â€4‬ ESV)
Cindy, Union Grove, WI
Philippians 4:13 ESV
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.-Romans 8:1
Michelle from Waterloo, ON, Canada
“May you be strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy” Colossians 1:11 ESV
Judy Silvio, Baton Rouge, LA
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3 NKJV
Brenda Segler, Mansfield TX “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (â€Jeremiah‬ â€1‬:â€5‬ NIV)
Carla M – Lee’s Summit, MO
Matthew 6:14 KJV
[14] For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Amanda Dolinger-Westfield, NC
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. -Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Julie McGirk, Prescott, AZ
“But the land that you are going over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water by the rain from heaven, a land that the LORD your God cares for. They eyes of the LORD your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.” Deuteronomy 11:11-12 ESV
Elaine Marino – Brea, CA
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, Ephesians 2:19, NKJV
Lea Ann Frank, Hales Corners, WI. “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” Psalm 145:8 NIV
Isaiah 40:31a
Heidi from Minneapolis: “We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever -increasing glory, which comes from the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
Leslyn, Little Rock, AR (soon to be Houston, TX)
So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ- eternal and glorious plans they are!- will have you put together and on your feet for good.
1 Peter 5:9-10, The Message
Amy James, Gipsy, MO
So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalms 90:12 KJV
Michelle Henderer, Livermore, CA.
“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
Stephanie Tyson, Albany, GA
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Ephesians 5:15 (NIV)
“Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise,”
Lori, Friendswood, TX
Robin Corman, Colorado Springs CO
Thessalonians 16-18 ESV
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Elizabeth S, from Spring Hill, TN
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 NIV
Rachel Boyer
Psalm 91:4 KJV – He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
GLenda Self, Nederland,Texas “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.” Isaiah 43:19 NLT
Laura Norris- Ashville, AL. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for The Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you!
Deuteronomy 31:9 (NIV)
Samantha Purdy – Graham, TX
“Do everything in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:14
Elizabeth Stewart, Brooklyn Center, MN. So do not fear,for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. Isaiah 41.10 TNIV
Sandy, Amarillo TX
No better place to start then at the very beginning!
Genesis 1:1 NIV
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Cindy O’Neill Painesville, Ohio. “the Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 NIV
“Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be achieved.” Proverbs 16:3 HCSB
Stancy Hagans, Coppell, Texas
But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV
Elizabeth S, from TN
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 NIV
Shannon Coats, Canton, GA: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 NIV
Brenna Rosetti, Wiggins, MS
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13, NKJV
Jody, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Ephesians 6:14 “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place” NIV
Jen Newsham. Longview, Texas. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” – Psalm 73:26 [ESV]
Caterina Nelson, Kaufman, TX.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (â€Romans‬ â€12‬:â€1‬ ESV)
Courtneay Odden, Scottsdale, AZ
“Dear Children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
Debbie Wahlbrink, Fort Thomas, KY “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”
I Corinthians 14:33a
Dawn, Eugene,Oregon: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 NIV