Scripture Memory #6

It is the ‘Ides’ of March and the year is going by way too fast! On this sunny day when the temperatures would normally be cool and breezy we are enjoying an 80° temperatures!

Tahoe is relentlessly asking for additional playtime and affection on this warm day. He understands that rain means less outside time, cold is great but no one hangs out with him for long evening ‘kong’ play time. Sunny and warm is his happy weather! And mine too. Thank you God for shady oak trees that allow us to be productive on our iPads and laptops outside – even in reflecting sunlight!

Let’s reflect some ‘Son’ light by hiding His word in our hearts – it’s memory verse time! Come on friends, let’s do this thing together! Admittedly, the last couple of weeks have not been the most productive as far my scripture memorization goes, but I’m ready to proceed.

Big thanks to my friends June and Margot who are sounding boards and accountability partners. We look for tips and ideas to share with each other in efforts to strengthen our arsenal of memory techniques as we tackle passages.

I use alliteration, word pictures, silly songs, etc. but was stuck on a verse last week when June shared about a technique she uses. She emphasizes the first word and repeats the entire segment, then emphasizes the second and repeats and so on. Wow. Just trying something new in my methods helped me over a hump!

Here are a couple of great, albeit convicting, verses that can surely stop me in my wheelchair tire tracks in the coming weeks.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  James 1:19

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. James 1:26

What methods work best for you?  Please share your successful techniques!

Madge

A New Year – Honing Some Habits

Welcome to 2012!  As I bid farewell to 2011 I’m hopeful about our new year.  I  enthusiastically enjoy this warm first day of January with keen awareness that the thermometer will not read 66º  tomorrow.  Before I get bogged down in creative ways to stay warm, I want to re-invite you to join me this year in one or more habits, practices, goals…whatever you like to call the little things I do to stay centered on God.

1.  Journaling.  Come on folks, even if you don’t participate in my ‘spiritual/religious/relationship’ habits, you can appreciate this invitation.  Journaling is just plain good for the body, soul and spirit.  Go ahead – google the benefits of journaling and you’ll find article after article touting its value.  Enough said.  Get a journal – I use my iPad and iJournaler app (although I’m seriously considering a change in app so I can cross multiple devices and platforms – suggestions welcome).  Confession: I listed journaling first because I’ve struggled most with daily consistency in this area.

2. Bible Reading Plan – There are so many choices from Youversion.  I wrote about it here.  Also, if you enjoy audio, check out my Daily Audio Bible review.  I can’t say enough about the power of consistent relationship with God’s living word.

3. Scripture Memorization – I’m starting with verses from James this year, but last year I was all over map. Looking over last year’s verses brings sheer goodness to my heart – some of them have seen me through tough times.  Like I shared here, memorization is good for more than the brain…and my first 2012 verse is…If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5

I planned to hold back and leave the list at three, but my wise husband suggested I include the all important act of (#4) Goal Setting.  That’s obvious, I thought.  Certainly goals are discussed, written, reviewed and measured in our house and they’ve served as a catalyst for progress and success in our family and for us individually in many areas. We don’t always achieve our goals, that’s life, but we know if we don’t have them we will lack direction and focus.  Goals are the reason habits 1-3 exist.

My husband, Brent, blogged on goal-setting the day after I wrote this post.  He runs circles around my writing!  Check it out here!

 

I would love to hear about the strategies you use to set goals and keep your focus.  And if you are so inclined, pray about joining me in one or more of the above.  Life’s more fun with friends!


A Favorite Mobile App – Youversion Bible

Oh, do I love my iPhone and my iPad.  Apps are my friends. The Youversion Bible App is definitely right up at the top of my list of favorites. I use it everyday.  Who knew that you could carry so much wisdom and faith in a little app like this?  I always have my bible with me now.  No longer do I need to pack it when I go to church or out of town.  That’s convenience.  I have to confess that, in the past, I actually cut a  ‘One Year’ bible into multiple sections so I didn’t have to carry the whole thing around to do my daily reading.  Before you say ‘sacrilegious’…a quadriplegic figures out how to get around with mobility issues. Physical disability adds a new outlet for creativity.  OK, back to the app….

If you already downloaded a free bible to your mobile device you probably have this puppy. If you don’t have it yet, this is for you.  It’s feature rich and easy to use and it’s free.

Versions.   With the push of a button you can access over 150 versions in 50 languages! 27 versions are in English.  Access to various versions keeps familiar passages fresh and lends new perspectives!

Reading Plans.  There are over 150 reading plans. There are ‘read-through’, ‘topical’, ‘devotional’ and ‘youth’ plans – some take a few days, others years!  I have only scratched the surface of the plans.  Once you select a plan, the readings are easily accessed.  No flipping pages around and you never lose your place from one day to the next!   The flexibility associated with plans is a beautiful thing .  You can start a plan at any time and track your way through its readings.  I like the ‘One Year Bible’ plan because it works well with other tools I use, but I supplement with other plans as well. 

Audio.  Many of the versions have audio associated with them – they are easily identified by a small speaker icon.  Some of the voices are better than others!  When I use the audio, I  switch versions to get the reader I most enjoy.

Downloadable by selection.  Most of the versions can be downloaded to your device as indicated by a green download symbol next to the version name.  By downloading your favorite versions you’ll have the bible even if internet access isn’t available.

Live Events. If you are a pastor or if you lead group meetings, the ‘live event’ feature is handy. Once a group or live event is set up, participants can do things like take notes, ask questions, respond to questions – and immediate results can be displayed for the group.  I haven’t had the opportunity to use this feature, but look forward to trying it out.  Sounds powerful.

The app makes it simple to search or highlight text, add public or private notes, send passages to friends (via email, SMS, Facebook or Twitter), and allows customization of text font type and size.

Youversion is an impressive app that I hope you’ll check out.  I’m sure I’ll reference this app again as we get close to the beginning of the new year.  A new year is a great time to start a reading plan.  Well, anytime is a great time with this treasure.

 

You can check it out in your market place/app store or at www.youversion.com.

Enjoy!

Madge

 

 

Good For More Than The Brain

In past years I liked to take on a chapter of scripture.  Just one chapter…not two or three…to memorize and master.  It’s a habit my pastor started us on years back.  Well, I guess we sometimes get bored of a routine and need a change because I noticed myself getting lazy about my focus on my memory work for a few years.  That is why I was excited to jump on a new system for the year…I joined up with one of my favorite teacher’s blog followers to memorize two verses a month.  I sent out an email to recruit friends to do it with me, and two responded.  One of them is still working on it with me, but I’m hoping for more next year.

Maybe you will consider joining me.  It’s a ‘pick your own verse’ situation – although you would be welcome to join me in my verse.  My friend, Naomi, let’s me choose, she’s a better delegator than I am.  In fact, it’s time for me to pick a new verse…ahhh let’s see…OK, I’m back…

All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.
Psalm 38:9 NIV

Come on, join me, if not now, in January 2012.  Good for the brain and good for the spirit and soul.