February 15, 2011
I get pretty excited about finding just the right verse to memorize, the verse that is going to be my constant companion for the next couple of weeks, the verse that swirls around in my mind and comes to the forefront of my thoughts, the verse that is going to be part of me for life.
I don't know what that verse will be for the second half of February, but let me tell you how I found my February 1 verse. I was watching a Lysa TerKeurst (of Proverbs 31 Ministries) webcast, and a guest on her show quoted Psalm 90:14 by saying, "Satisfy me in the morning with Your unfailing love, and I will sing for joy and be glad all my days." Wow! That connected with me immediately, and I quickly looked up Psalm 90:14 in my Bible.
But the verse wasn't the same; it didn't have the same appeal to me, and the "luster" was somehow gone. I rewatched the webcast, thinking I had written down the wrong reference. No, I had the right reference and the right verse---the difference was in the wording. Psalm 90:14 actually says, "Satisfy us in the morning......that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." Lysa's guest had personalized the words, changing the pronouns to refer to herself. And once I realized what she had done, there was the verse that had captured my attention: "Satisfy ME in the morning with Your unfailing love.............."
My mind knows that this verse really says, "Satisfy US....." but in my heart, I can say, "Lord, satisfy ME...." and make it my personal prayer.
Blessings as you choose your verses for the end of February; if you haven't joined us yet, it's not too late--just jump in and let us hear from you!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Pulse Beat Article
February 1, 2011
I wrote this article for the February issue of the Pulse Beat, the Bemus Point United Methodist Church's newsletter, to explain the reasoning behind the formation of a team such as ours.
Feel free to join us this month, or anytime in the future; all you need is a Bible, a pen, and a spiral-bound set of note cards. Contact Jan Stowell through the church office if you have questions or wish to become part of this life-changing team.
I wrote this article for the February issue of the Pulse Beat, the Bemus Point United Methodist Church's newsletter, to explain the reasoning behind the formation of a team such as ours.
2011 Scripture Memory Team
If you’re looking for an investment that pays great dividends and gives eternal benefits, then consider joining the 2011 Scripture Memory Team!
Team members, who range in age from teens to seniors, are excited about memorizing two verses a month during 2011, a goal that is both doable and mind-transforming. Each person chooses his or her own verses to memorize and then these verses are shared with the rest of the team, either online or in printed form for those without computers.
Our team exists to give accountability and encouragement as well as strategies for memorization. We’re not looking for word-for-word perfection, but we believe God will honor our efforts as we bathe our minds in His truth.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
More People on Board
January 15, 2011
I'm excited that we have several more people joining us as we memorize verses this year! We're glad to have you aboard the 2011 Scripture Memory Team. Memorizing and meditating on the Word is a great way to take our thoughts captive to Christ---even if we don't get every word in the right order, we are still building up our spiritual arsenal against enemy attack.
We can all use a dose of encouragement along with accountability to keep us going---hence, the concept of a "team." For those of you who are new to the SMT, I suggest using today, January 15, as the starting point for your first verse; that way you won't get overwhelmed with trying to learn 2 verses at once.
I am eager to see your January 15th verse selections!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
It's Time to Get Started!
January 1, 2011
Are you ready to memorize some Scripture?! Today begins our new year of committing God's Word to our minds, where it can seep into our spirits and help transform our lives. All you need is a spiral-bound set of index cards, a pen, and a Bible.
We'll each pick new verses on the first and fifteenth of each month and share them with the others on our team by writing them in the comments section of this blog. All you need to type in are your name, verse, reference, and translation abbreviation.
Here are some hints to get you started:
1) Choose a verse that's meaningful to you--ie. a promise to claim, a praise, a sin to avoid, a prayer, an attribute of God, etc. I often keep a running list of meaningful Scriptures gleaned from our Bible studies, sermons in church, or Family Life Network programs, and then I have a treasure trove of verses from which to pick.
2) Don't try to memorize too much at once. If you have a passage of several verses you want to memorize, just start with one at a time. It can kill your enthusiasm and your confidence to try to do too much. And if you have a huge verse with many clauses, feel free to memorize it in two parts--take a full month with it if you want.
3) Work on your verse a little each day, and you will see results. I generally read my new verse at first, looking for parallel constructions, repeated words or phrases, abc order or reverse order, or anything that will help me get a handle on memorizing it. Then, as I read it over several times, I try to look away as much as possible. Try reading your verse out loud 5 times each day, looking away when you can, and looking at it when you need to. Before the two weeks are finished, you will have your verse committed to memory, and you'll just be cementing it further into your mind and heart.
If you are interested in signing up with Beth Moore's Siesta Scripture Memory Team as well, she'll have a blog post on the 1st and 15th of each month with her personal memory verse, and people will be entering their verses online. You simply have to give your first name, city and state, and write out your verse, its reference and translation. Even if you don't sign in, it is well worth it to read over the list of Scriptures---it's a blessing and a half, and you will get to see many verses that you might wish to memorize in the future. This is her blog's URL: http://blog.lproof.org/ Beth's ministry has designed a spiral set of 30 3x5 note cards just for this year's memorization. Each set of cards is at cost ($3.00 + $2.00 shipping) with an attractive cover, and each card has a complementary border design. Here's the online store URL where you can see the spiral: http://www.lproof.org/store/product.asp?itemid=2011SMTspiral
I'm looking forward to sharing this walk together. Let's make this a Jesus year, for sure!
Are you ready to memorize some Scripture?! Today begins our new year of committing God's Word to our minds, where it can seep into our spirits and help transform our lives. All you need is a spiral-bound set of index cards, a pen, and a Bible.
We'll each pick new verses on the first and fifteenth of each month and share them with the others on our team by writing them in the comments section of this blog. All you need to type in are your name, verse, reference, and translation abbreviation.
Here are some hints to get you started:
1) Choose a verse that's meaningful to you--ie. a promise to claim, a praise, a sin to avoid, a prayer, an attribute of God, etc. I often keep a running list of meaningful Scriptures gleaned from our Bible studies, sermons in church, or Family Life Network programs, and then I have a treasure trove of verses from which to pick.
2) Don't try to memorize too much at once. If you have a passage of several verses you want to memorize, just start with one at a time. It can kill your enthusiasm and your confidence to try to do too much. And if you have a huge verse with many clauses, feel free to memorize it in two parts--take a full month with it if you want.
3) Work on your verse a little each day, and you will see results. I generally read my new verse at first, looking for parallel constructions, repeated words or phrases, abc order or reverse order, or anything that will help me get a handle on memorizing it. Then, as I read it over several times, I try to look away as much as possible. Try reading your verse out loud 5 times each day, looking away when you can, and looking at it when you need to. Before the two weeks are finished, you will have your verse committed to memory, and you'll just be cementing it further into your mind and heart.
If you are interested in signing up with Beth Moore's Siesta Scripture Memory Team as well, she'll have a blog post on the 1st and 15th of each month with her personal memory verse, and people will be entering their verses online. You simply have to give your first name, city and state, and write out your verse, its reference and translation. Even if you don't sign in, it is well worth it to read over the list of Scriptures---it's a blessing and a half, and you will get to see many verses that you might wish to memorize in the future. This is her blog's URL: http://blog.lproof.org/ Beth's ministry has designed a spiral set of 30 3x5 note cards just for this year's memorization. Each set of cards is at cost ($3.00 + $2.00 shipping) with an attractive cover, and each card has a complementary border design. Here's the online store URL where you can see the spiral: http://www.lproof.org/store/product.asp?itemid=2011SMTspiral
I'm looking forward to sharing this walk together. Let's make this a Jesus year, for sure!
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