***NOTE: If you are looking to register your verse 1, go ahead and comment with your selected Scripture on the “SSMT 2017: Verse 1!” post.***
Hey Everybody!
We are revving up around here for SSMT 2017! 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 2017 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:
2 Options for you!
1. Print your SSMT 2017 cover from home.
(I took this picture with my phone standing on the shore of Galveston Bay, mesmerized by that sky. You can find a lot prettier beaches but I’m not sure our wide-open Texas sunsets can easily be surpassed.)
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:
2. Or, Order the spiral from LPM.
Our Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2017 Celebration will be in January 2018. 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. More information still to come.
Whew! Have I exhausted you?? I’ve worn myself out. 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
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
Ephesians 3:20 NIV
I want to join
Nottingham U.K
Lamentations 3:22-23
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed,because his compassion fails not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
I would like to participate and join please….and pray for God to help me in this
So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
Ephesians 1:6-8 NLT
Jessica Wittmayer
Lucedale, MS
“12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,[d] but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:12-14 NLT)
Let the godly sing with joy to the Lord, for it is fitting to praise Him. Ps. 33:1, NLT
Looking forward to memorizing scripture!
Diana Scott, Romulus, MI
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 NLT
Cincinnati, Ohio
Isaiah 43:19 NIV
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.
So looking forward to joining SSMT again. I did it a couple years ago and I must say I’ve missed the encouragement and fellowship that I received when I was doing SSMT. Happy.
Kristin Mitchell from Dunmor, Ky John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:8â€-‬9 NIV
Dawn from Orland Park, IL “The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.” Psalm 28:7 (NIV)
Lisa Matthews
Scottsmoor, FL
“The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 (NKJV)
Jamie Thacker
Cumming, Ga
Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things , things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1 NIV
Be filled with the knowledge of His will in all understanding so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:9b-10
I commit!!! Joy Kellum from Tupelo Mississippi
Gayle Failing from Ludington, Mi. John 15: 1,2 I am the true vine, and my father is the gardener.He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. NIV
Looking forward !
Kathy Springer, Baton Rouge, LA
“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
Romans 5:8 NLT
Tamara Parker Cleveland, OH: John 15:7 If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you can ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. NIV
Lesley, Steamboat Springs, CO
2 Timothy 1:14 (NIV) Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”
Kelly Haas, Fond Du Lac, WI, Isaiah 43:18. NIV
Kim Miles from Pageland SC
And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel as it seemed good to the potter to make. Jeremiah 18:4 NKJV
Angie Stark from from Pekin,Illinois :
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace
With confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Tracee, Morristown, TN
Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain.
Isaiah 40:4 KJV
Laura, McIntosh, FL
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
I commit! Michaele Lockard, Grand Rapids, MI: John 15:7 If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you can ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. NIV
Toledo Ohio
To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. Psalm 25 : 1 NKJV
I commit! Cori from Lock Haven PA. What then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 NIV
Rhonda Edmunds from Milton, WV
” I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” Philippians 3:10 NIV
Philippians 2:12-13 The Voice
12 So now, my beloved, obey as you have always done, not only when I am with you, but even more so when I can’t be. Continue to work out your salvation, with great fear and trembling, 13 because God is energizing you so that you will desire and do what always pleases Him.
Winnipeg, Manitoba. Canada
Rachael from San Marcos, Texas
I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who lives but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
I Commit! Kim from Wisconsin “O LORD, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced. Save me, for you do what is right. Psalm 31:1 NLT
Sherry McCurrie: Russellville, AR
I am the LORD, your Holy One, The Creator of Israel, your King.
â€â€Isaiah‬ â€43:15‬ â€NASB‬‬
I Commit!
” A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out. in faithfulness He will bring forth justice.” Isaiah 42:3 NIV
Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots some trust in horses but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. NIV
Amy Libdan, Gettysburg,PA
Tammy Causey, Humboldt, TN
Heb 4:16 Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time. HCSB
Elaine ~ Powder Springs , GA ~ Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.
â€â€Psalm‬ â€115:1‬ â€NLT‬‬
Rebecca from McCalla, Alabama
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”
â€â€Philippians‬ â€2:1-2‬ †NIV
“”Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
â€â€Isaiah‬ â€43:18-19‬ â€ESV‬‬
I am excited too. Growing with sisters.
Revelation 5:1-2 (NIV)
Then I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”
Kathy Freshwater
Vonore, TN
Deborah from BENTONVILLE AR
“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
â€â€Matthew‬ â€6:6‬ â€NKJV‬‬
Sharon Radigan Northport Al: Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being , praise his holy name. Psalm 103:1 NIV
Tonya Hardy, Istanbul Turkey
“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
Robyn Wong, Roswell, GA
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter 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.” Hebrews 12:2 NASB
Dottie Morrow, Mansfield, TX
“Length of days is in her right hand. in her left hand riches and honor.”
Proverbs 3:16 NKJV
I commit! Annette Webb, Cuyahoga Falls, OH: “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” Isaiah 40:1-2 ESV
Hi. I hope I am doing this correctly. My verses for this go around are: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:14 – 15 NKJV These are our verses we are teaching the kiddos at Sunday School this morning!!!