15 Handy Ways to Memorize Scriptures and Important Quotes (series intro)

Who says grownups can’t memorize Scripture?

Scripture memorization isn’t always easy. When my calendar overflows with commitments, when distractions clamor for my attention, when folks are hollering at me, when the phone is ringing, when text messages are piling up unanswered, and when the rush of daily life slips into warp speed, it becomes extra challenging.

But those may be the moments when Bible verses tucked into my memory bank may take on extra meaning. Those stress-crunch times are often when God reminds me of His own words in ways that fit my current situation to a tee.

Scripture memory counts for plenty – both spiritually and practically.

"This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength'" (Isaiah 30:15, NIV).

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty" (Psalm 91:1)

"I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalm 121:1-4)

Busy adults can't always take time to leaf through the pages of Scripture to find the verse they need - in a crunch! That's why it is essential to commit favorite Bible verses to memory. That way, God can remind us of His promises - right when we need them the most.

Think you can’t memorize Bible verses?

Some time ago, I was teaching a small group leader training seminar at our church. Our curriculum included weekly Scripture memory work.

Several participants candidly voiced their difficulty in memorizing Bible verses. They claimed this is easy for children, but difficult for adults. A few folks said they had lost the ability to memorize, as they grew older.

"My kids keep me so busy!" one mom wailed. "How can I possibly memorize Bible verses?"

“My boss has me working double shifts,” another groaned.

"OK, let's try a little game," I said. I handed out some blank notebook paper. I asked everyone to number the top 10 lines. I gave them the following headings to list. 

1. Home phone number.
2. Cell phone number.
3. Spouse's cell phone number.
4. Address and zip code.
5. Social security number.
6. Spouse's social security number.
7. Children's names, ages, and birth dates.
8. Wedding anniversary.
9. Siblings' names, ages, and birth dates.
10. Two additional phone numbers (parents, friends, etc.).

Then I instructed them to fill in the answers for those lines. And they did.

"Gee," I said. "You guys are smart! You sure can memorize a lot of details! Hey, we haven’t even mentioned all of the log-in passwords you have tucked into your fabulous brains. And this stuff is not nearly as interesting or meaningful as Scripture."

The room became very quiet for a few moments.

Scripture memory is possible. Maybe it just takes some creative techniques.

Are you studying for exams? Home-schooling your children? Participating in a Bible study at church or in your neighborhood?

Maybe you just want to fill your mind with God’s Word.

Memorizing Scriptures and other quotes can be fun. Here comes a blog series - offering some great ways to get started. Follow this upcoming series – right here at Heart of a Ready Writer: 15 Tips for Memorizing Scriptures and Important Quotes.

Stick around. We're going there.

* All verses taken from NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION.

Image/s:

15 Handy Ways to

Memorize Scriptures

and Important Quotes

– Created by this user

on CoolText

Adapted from public domain artwork

Bible memory can be exciting

– Created by this user

with public domain artwork

Feel free to follow on GooglePlus and Twitter. Don’t miss the Heart of a Ready Writer page on Facebook.

Share

 

When is standing still actually a bold action?

Standing still takes power and patience and purpose. It is downright hard, especially when a loved one is under enemy attack.

Parents know this all too well. When someone seeks to harm one of our kids, our feathers stand straight up.

Even more, when the enemy of our souls goes after one of these little ones (no matter how old that little one might be – even in adulthood), look out! We wanna shake our fists and fight.

Only sometimes there seems to be nothing we can do to stop or mend or fix the situation. Maybe the kid seems to be calling the shots in his or her own dilemma. Perhaps the danger lies in bad decisions the kid is making.

Mid-rebellion, the kid appears to have no interest in departing from danger or any sort of parental plucking from the fire into which he or she seems to be plunging.

What’s a parent gonna do?

I’m in the middle of such a situation right now. And it’s nearly killing me.

Maybe you are too. If you are, then you get this. You live it. No pat answers. You know exactly what this sort of primal parental pain feels like.

I’m staring at the ceiling in the dark, wrestling through the wee hours of the night. I am sobbing in my sleeplessness.And I am praying with a frenzy. I’ve tried fixing the thing all sorts of ways with reason, restrictions, and repercussions – but the predicament persists.

Kids don’t come to genuine saving faith, simply because their parents say so. Like us, they make their own choices and grapple with the results.

Oh, Lord. Let ‘em land quickly, before the damage is too deep.

Here’s a truth to claim and cling to: God loves our kids even more than we do.

And the Lover of our Souls wants nothing more than to draw our loved ones’ hearts to Himself, where they can find peace and hope and rest.

 “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." (Exodus 14:14, NIV)

Boom! We are standing in agreement, watching for the Lord to step in with His mighty power.

Remind me of all this tomorrow, someone. And the next day too. I’m gonna need to hear it again.

Image/s:

Adapted from public domain artwork

Feel free to follow on GooglePlus and Twitter. Don’t miss the Heart of a Ready Writer page on Facebook.

Share

Does the LEGO theory block fellowship?

Are people like LEGO blocks, possessing only so many pegs or connecting points with which to form relationships with others? Like the popular building toy pieces, do some people have more connective capabilities than others? And what happens when those contact points are all filled?

That’s the LEGO theory of fellowship and community.

The LEGO theory apparently originated with Larry Osborne’s 2008 book, titled Sticky Church - Leadership Network Innovation Series (Zondervan). In this volume, aimed at church leaders, Osborne discussed ways to build churches by welcoming newcomers without losing old-timers. The idea is to keep growing veteran congregants, while making room for new folks as well.

But something in the tenth chapter of Osborne's book has been bandied about by plenty of Christians lately. Maybe you've heard it. Such discussions may take his explanation out of context, but they surely can raise intriguing questions about fellowship and community.

“We all have a limited number of connectors,” Osborne wrote (see pp. 79-80).

“Introverts have a few. Some extroverts have dozens. But either way, once they’re full, they’re full. And when that happens, we tend to be friendly but to not connect. It’s what happens when you move to a new town and are excited by everyone’s friendliness, only to be discouraged three months later that you haven’t connected with anyone.”

Sorry, but I gotta say it. This concept bothers me a bit.

Over the years, my family has belonged to more than a few churches. We’re not exactly church hoppers, but we have moved around geographically every decade or so for career-related reasons. Suffice it to say, we have been church newcomers once in a while.

We’ve been in congregations that welcomed us warmly and immediately, and we’ve been in churches where we felt like newcomers (Read: “square pegs.”) for many years.

I’m starting to believe in the LEGO theory. At least, I have seen it in action.

About a year ago, we began attending a new church. We became members more than six months ago. And we hardly know anyone yet, although we scarcely miss a Sunday and have participated in some extra classes and activities.

We went to a newcomer dinner, hosted by a very sweet couple, and were introduced to some lovely families. One of the guys there surprised me by outlining the LEGO theory, claiming his LEGO pegs were already overloaded and that he had no room left for new connections.

 I’d never heard of the LEGO theory until that evening. Frankly, I was stunned.

Can you just see Jesus, holding out one hand and shooing someone away?

“Sorry, my LEGO connectors are all taken. I’m at full capacity. Go build community with someone else.”

Nope, me neither.

I joined an eight-week summer Bible study at the church and met a few folks, but I have not seen them since. Maybe we attend different Sunday services than they do.

We signed up for the church’s small group ministry last spring, and we’re waiting for the new groups to form. In the meantime, shall we point to the LEGO theory for our slow start at becoming integrated into the church community?

I’ve been accused of plenty, but never of being shy or withdrawn.

So this LEGO thing baffles me a bit, especially in a church with a reputation for friendliness and community outreach.

I like to think my own LEGO has lots of connecting points, as I genuinely enjoy interacting and forming friendships with tons of people. But, in our new church home, my LEGO is looking a little left out, with lots of empty pegs.

Maybe that’s OK for now.

Outside of church, my LEGO connectors are fully loaded. But I am willing to make room, as the Lord brings new people into my life.

Does the LEGO theory hold together, or is it merely a means of justifying cliques in church?

Maybe the LEGO thing offers an accurate description – at least, in some congregations. Perhaps some people really do only possess the capacity to sustain a limited number of friendships.

And maybe that’s not what Osborne meant. But we’ve surely heard his example used that way.

I gotta believe Jesus can break through those kinds of boundaries and restrictions. What can today’s churches do – to nurture existing relationships, while making room for outreach and welcome?

Pass me another LEGO block or two, would you?

Welcome and receive [to your hearts] one another, then, even as Christ has welcomed and received you, for the glory of God.

(Romans 15:7, Amplified)

Image/s:

LEGO blocks

 product promo photo

fair use

Feel free to follow on GooglePlus and Twitter. Don’t miss the Heart of a Ready Writer page on Facebook.

Share

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Protestant versions of the Lord’s Prayer include this portion. Catholic versions generally do not. This final line is known as a doxology, offering a final word of praise to God.

The inclusion feels fitting.

Together with the worshipful opening of the prayer, this final line focuses appropriately on God. Much of the Lord’s Prayer concentrates on presenting human needs to the Almighty. But this conclusion returns the attention to the One to whom we pray.

May all eternal praise be His alone.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV)

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17, NKJV)

 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen. (Jude 24-25, NLT)

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
    be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13b, NIV)

Image/s:
Lord’s Prayer graphic

Created by this user

Lingering line by line

on the Lord’s Prayer graphic

created by this user

with vintage/public domain artwork

Feel free to follow on GooglePlus and Twitter. Don’t miss the Heart of a Ready Writer page on Facebook.

Share