Tag Archives: scripture memorization

Scripture Memorization #9 – A Sacred Event

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This week a dear family friend, a husband, dad, grandpa (Pop Pop) who was like a father to me left this land of the dying to be with Jesus in the land of the living.

It is a sacred and holy event.

He knew he probably only had four to six weeks to live when he found out about his disease so he visited with family and friends and asked them to take on a challenge.  To honor him and his family I’d like to extend his daily challenge to you as part of our scripture memory post.  He asked that all his loved ones and friends commit to read a chapter of the New Testament and to ask Christ to speak to them through the scriptures each day.  A simple request.  It’s a few minutes each day that changes lives.  Maybe you’ll consider the challenge because:

There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. 2 Tim. 3:15-17 MSG

Although family and friends undoubtedly persevere in sorrow when a loved one goes on, my prayer is that grief and joy can beautifully dance together in mourning a loss and celebrating a life and legacy.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV

A couple of potential memory verses I’ve had on my heart to share:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.  2 Cor.  1:3-4

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matt. 5:4

May our ears and eyes be open to the true riches of this life so often found in suffering…and if I may ask…what would your final request be if you thought you only had a few weeks to live?  I’m pondering and would love to hear from you.

-Madge

Scripture Memory #8 – A Sweet Relief!

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I’ve been planning to get this post done all day, and now that I’ve filled up on strawberries with cream cheese frosting** for dessert – I am really ready!  I have had my fill of sweet strawberries and that decadent dip of creaminess on the bottom.  We made the frosting fresh this morning!  Come on my sweet friends, I know you want to join us on this amazing journey.

Below are a few handy sweet scriptures I like for the end of April.

How sweet are your words to my taste,  sweeter than honey to my mouth!  Ps. 119:103

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Prov. 3:24

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.  Prov. 16:24

I’ve been laboring a bit with verses in the second chapter of Colossians for the past week or two and I’m happy to share these two verses because I love thankfulness:

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,  rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Col. 2:6-7

In the book One Thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp says, “Thanksgiving creates abundance; and the miracle of multiplying happens when I give thanks – take the just one loaf, say it is enough, and give thanks – and He miraculously makes it more than enough.”

 

My prayer is that we overflow with thankfulness through the circumstances…today and every day, and He will make it more than enough. —-Madge

**Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
-8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
-8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, cut into pieces, room temperature
-3 cups confectioners’ sugar
-1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Place cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl to soften. Beat until smooth and well blended. Add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla, and continue beating until smooth. Store in container in refrigerator.  Yummy and gluten-free.

Scripture Memory #7 – Join the Team!

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April is upon us with full beauty in each new blossom and bud! Spring changes are stunningly beautiful, but as with just about any change in life, there is a dusting of ‘the unwanted’ that accompanies it. The thick yellow dust may annoy us or even cause discomfort, but the pollen proclaims life and growth for that which had been dormant. Not to be over dramatic, but I truly believe that scripture pollinates us to grow toward the truly pure and beautiful even though it challenges and can cause discomfort.
Webster’s says that pollen is ‘the fertilizing element of flowering plants, consisting of fine, powdery, yellowish grains or spores, sometimes in masses’.

It’s funny to me that just when we are prone to throw out our well-meaning resolve of new year’s goals, spring roars in to freshly remind us that we need pollination…yes fertilization to grow. For me, this year’s pollination has been rooted in the Word. God grounds me firmly with his truth.

Although we may be successfully attacking some of our goals we can surely use a review and reset on others. What better time to do it than today? My list is reviewed and hope for new growth is pollinated. It’s not always easy to realign.

Praying that you’ll join me this refreshing…

Pick your seventh verse or start with your first verse! Below is a review of the verses we’ve mentioned this year…

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

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives… Col. 1:9

March on my soul, be strong. Judges 5:21

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. James 2:8

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Eph 4:29

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do… Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.’ James 1:25, 27


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

Happy spring!

Scripture Memory #6

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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