***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
Louise Shytle, Ashland KY Jan. 1, 2017
Create in me a clean heart, o God and put a new and right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 NRSV
Vicki Thompson of Dayton, OH -“As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work.” John 9:4 NIV
I commit! Cindy from Richmond,Texas. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1 (NIV)
I commit! Candy from Grand Rapids MI. “But if we walk in the light, as He himself is in the light, we will have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all our sin. I John 1:7 NASB
Pamela from New Bern NC
In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation 1 Peter5:10 NLT
Patti from Janesville WI
“If you declare with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 NIV
Carolyn Hisaw, Broken Arrow, Ok.
2:06pm
Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain may you be lifted up and thrown into the sea and it will happen. But you must really believe that it will happen and have no doubt in your heart . Mark 11:22,23 NLT
I commit. May the God of Nope fill me with all Joy and Peace as I trust in Him, so that I may overflow with Hope by the Power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Melissa from Grayson, Ga.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 ESV
I Commit!!! Becky from Euless, Tx. Blessed is the man a who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; Psalm 1:1 ESV
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)
Angela Mangum, Rogers, Arkansas
I commit! “Therefore as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,” Colossians 2:6 ESV
Christy Jones, Summit, MS; “As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the loving hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:3 NLT
Blessed are those whom God corrects, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
Job 5:17 (NIV)
Krista Ripley WV
Ps 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Kjv
Claudia from Georgia
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 | NIV
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guards your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun!” Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)
From Rogersville, Tennessee
Debbie from Acworth, GA
“Elijah went before the people and said, ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God follow him.’ ” I Kings 18:21 (NIV)
I commit. Beth Howard, Missoula, Montana
I Corinthians 2:9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— (ESV)
January 1,2017
Jesus said unto them, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. Matt22:37 KJV
From Marysville, Michigan: Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 NIV
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-20 NIV
I commit!
“I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever; To all generations I will make known thy faithfulness with my mouth.” Psalm 89:1(NAS)
Alisha from Bluffton, OH. “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.” Psalm 25:1 (NIV)
Diane – Chesapeake, VA
” 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
Cindy from Midland, Tx “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he WANTED to do, and it gave Him great pleasure.” Ephesians 1:5 NLT
Lynda Miller, Madisonville, Tennessee. Hebrews 11:6
I forgot to type it out: And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
commit! Deborah from Keenes, IL. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. Isaiah 32:18 KJV
Psalm 138:8 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.
I commit! Deborah from Keenes, IL. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. Isaiah 32:18 KJV
I commit! Melissa from Austin, Texas “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Phillipians 4:6 ESV
I commit.
Mary Ann -FL
“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 NIV
princeton wv 4:25 pm
Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.Selah
Psalm 32:7
Linda O’Neill from Elk Grove, CA
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€46:10‬ â€ESV‬‬
Rosemary Zook, Beaverton, Oregon
“Mar the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer”
Psalms19:14 NIV
Robyn Conners from Olathe, KS
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 NKJ
I commit! Charlotte Ortega from Saugus, CA
Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD all the earth. Sing to the LORD, praise His name; proclaim his salvation day after day.
Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples. Psalm 96: 1-3
Lauren Hance, Jersey Village, TX
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
Psalm 16:9, ESV
Kathy Bowen from Flint, Michigan: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
â€â€2 Timothy‬ â€1:7‬ â€KJV
I commit. “My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Jenn Davis, Leganon, IN
Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exhalted among the nations, I will be exhalted in the earth.
Psalms 46:10 NASB
I commit. Deb from Biglerville, PA The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. Psalm 23: 1 (NIV)
Regina Johnston from Sugar Land, TX – “For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:8 NIV
Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Jan Martin-Vegue from Jurupa Valley, CA
” Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord And whose trust is the Lord Jeremiah 17:7 (NASB)
Becky Konshak from Louisville, CO
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead.
Philippians 3:13 NET
Geralyn Davis From Juneau, Alaska
“although the fig tree shall not blossom,neither shall fruit be in the vines;the labor of the olive shall fail,and the field shall yield no meat;the flock shall be cut off from the fold and there shall be no herd in the stalls. Yet i will rejoice in the Lord;I will joy in the God of my salvation!”
Habakkuk3:17-18
Terri Ray from Moore, OK
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guards your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Ephesians 3:16-19 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” NIV