***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
“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 7:20
I’m in! Wendy from Ga: ” this means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person; the old life is gone, a new life has begun! 2 Cor 5:17 NLT
Patty Urlaub from Wickenburg, AZ
“Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.” 1 Chronicles 28:20 ESV
Linda Summers from Akron Ohio: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! -2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Meredith from Trabuco Canyon, CA
“How precious are your thoughts about me, O God, they cannot be numbered!
I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!”
I commit! Susan K. from Ravendale, Calif.:
If I try to hide in the darkness, the night becomes light around me. For even darkness cannot hide from God; to you the night shines as bright as day…
Psalm 139:11. The Living Bible
May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.” Colossians 1:11 ESV
Sherry Page from Elizabeth, CO
O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.
Isaiah 25: 1 NIV
Lisa from Boise, Idaho
“So shall My wrod be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succed in the thing for which I sent it.”ESV
Icommit!
Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.
John 14:1
Sarah, Bracknell, UK
Christina Ladner of Kiln, MS “Create in me a clean heart, Oh God and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 NIV
I commit! Cecilia Woodstock, GA 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (â€James‬ â€1‬:â€1-3‬ NIV)
Ellen from Toowoomba, QLD
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
Cindie Zelhart from Maroa, Illinois: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3: 20-21
I commit! Vickie from Bentonville, AR. “You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you.” Isaiah 26:3 HCSB
I commit! Casey, Athens, Ga. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God”. – Philippians4:6 ESV
Debbie from Semmes, Al
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Katrina Casey from Chandler, OK
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV
Renee’ from Suffolk, VA
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin that clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Hebrews 12:1 ESV
I’m in
Pamm Wynn from Albuquerque, NM
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)
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 NIV
Charlotte Busbee from Concord, California “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise.” Psalm 111:10 NIV
Joanna from Macon, GA – Colossians 3:1, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God.” NKJV
I commit! Lynn from Greenwood, SC.
Be careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16
Hi, I’m Brittany from Orlando, Florida.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
I commit! Melissa from Brandon,MS
2Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. NIV
I commit! Nasarel from Bridgeton, NJ. “so My word that comes from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.” Isaiah 55:11 HCSB
I commit! Jennifer from Spring, Tx
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
â€â€2 Corinthians‬ â€3:17‬ â€NIV‬‬
Linda L from Calif. – Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Joyce from Montgomery Village, MD
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
I commit! Holly from Tatum, Tx
“Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.”
2 John 1:6 NLT
I commit. Lisa Parker from Leachville, Ar.
But, when you ask you must not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea blown and tossed by the wind.
James 1:6
Nancy from Lufkin, Texas
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 NIV
Judy from Marietta GA says: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” KJV
I commit! Autumn from Benton, AR
‘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.’ Romans 12:1
Proverbs 3:3
Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 3:3 nasb
I commit, Rebecca from Tempe Arizona
I commit!! Susan Turner, Shelby, NC
““You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”
â€â€Matthew‬ â€5:14‬ â€NIV‬‬
Debbie Inman from Hillsboro, Ohio
“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.”
Isaiah 60:17
Jammy Williams – Meridian, MS
Psalm 51:10-12 (AMP) Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a right and steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.
Jody, from Blacksburg, VA.
Psalm 73:28 ESV
“But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.”
I commit! Ashleigh from Louisville, Kentucky.
“Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.”
â€â€Titus‬ â€2:3-5‬ â€ESV‬‬
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15 NIV
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB)
Heather Hofman of San Tan Valley, AZ ”So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Colossians 2:6-7, New International Version (NIV)
I’m in., jessica from arvada co
Isaiah 41:10. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Esv
Janay Wilborn from Dallas: “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.”
â€â€Isaiah‬ â€43:19‬ â€NIV‬‬
I commit. Marsha, New Boston, Tx.
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful. Instead, you receive God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15 NLT
Kathy, Easley SC
For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 NLT
I commit! Pam from Round Rock, TX
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 and 19 (NIV)