SSMT, verse 2

Wow, I can't believe it's time for our second verse already! It's so funny...for days I was asking the Lord, "What verse do You want me to memorize?" over and over and over. Oh sure, there were plenty that I thought would be good, but none that just - you know - grabbed me.

Finally I decided on one, wrote it in my spiral, and then suddenly it seemed like verses were jumping out at me all over the place! I started jotting them down on sticky notes (I'm weird, I just can't put them in my spiral until it's time) and before I knew it little flourescent squares were stuck everywhere. Isn't that about how it goes? At least I shouldn't have trouble coming up with a verse for the new few months.

Anyway, since you're holding me accountable, here's my verse from the 1st, typed from memory:

"Lord, I have heard of Your fame, I stand in awe of Your deeds. Renew them in our day. In our time make them known. In wrath remember mercy." Hab. 3:2 (I have to abbreviate the reference because I did NOT memorize how to spell that book.)

I can't prove I typed it from memory, so you'll just have to trust me. And if you know me in real life, one thing you know about me is that I follow the rules. ;)

And, without further ado (adieu? no, that means goodbye. why do I keep using this word?), here is my new verse for the 15th:



Compassion? Check. Kindness? Uh.... Humility? Great. Gentleness, patience? Dangit. Looks like I've got a lot more work to do here than just memorizing.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22

Hang on, let me get another sticky note...

SSMT

About 5-ish years ago I was part of a Bible study group that was doing Beth Moore's Believing God study. Oh man, did God ever change my life through that study. So much so that I did it twice. Believing God, then Breaking Free, then Believing God again. Talk about an intense several months. Intense and hard. Tortuous. In a good way, of course. Have you done either of these studies? Uh-may-zing. Beth has since revised Breaking Free and recorded all new videos. I'm chomping at the bit for a chance to do it again (wait, what am I saying?) but so far God hasn't presented the opportunity.

In Believing God, Beth taught us about doing scripture memory using spiral-bound index cards. I used those little jewels faithfully throughout all of her studies that I did with that particular group. Ohhh, buying a new card spiral (and sometimes cool new pens) every semester was like a trip to the candy store. I loved cracking open that new pack of cards and writing the first verse in it. Mmm. The best.

Anyhoo. After that particular group stopped meeting, little by little I stopped doing the spirals - and hence, stopped memorizing scripture. Every once in a while I'd try to give it a go again, but never with much success.

Then two years ago, Beth did a scripture memory challenge on her blog. You may have been part of it. Any Siestas out there? I started with gusto - so, so excited about the challenge of memorizing scripture again - and, like most things I start with gusto, before long I fizzled out. Online accountability just doesn't do much for me the way in-person, every-week accountability does.

*sigh*

But this year, the Siesta Scripture Memory Team has returned. Yay! I just love second (and 10th) chances. And this year, Beth and her staff have created these cute little spirals for us to use to write our verses in.



Don't you love 'em? You can order them from her website. I may or may not have screamed like a girl when mine came in the mail. Fortunately, I am a girl. And here is my first verse for the new year.



I don't remember for sure, but I think I may have actually learned this verse during Believing God. Love it. "Lord, I have heard of Your fame, I stand in awe of Your deeds. Renew them in our day..." We could all use some of God's awe-inducing deeds in our lives, couldn't we? Renew them in our day, Lord.

And...are you ready for some more squeal-worthy news? Guess who's doing SSMT with me?



Yep, Kloe has her own spiral and is choosing her own verses. (Her first verse is one that she's memorizing as part of the requirements for a badge at church.) So fun!

But wait, there's more! At the end of the year - next January actually - Beth is having a "Siesta Scripture Memory Team" get-together in Houston! Everyone who keeps up with their memory verses and does at least 21 out of 24 (we do 2 per month) is invited. Sooooo cool! That's accountability enough for me! (I hope) Wanna join the team? I'd love to see you there!

Anyone else doing SSMT this year? Did you do it last time?

Have you done any of Beth's studies? Which was your favorite?

What's your favorite Bible verse?

P.S. If you're wondering what a "siesta" has to do with scripture memory, here's the story.