Friday 24 June 2011

The inspiration behind my inspiration.....

As you may remember, I was inspired to learn scripture through reading Ann Voskamp's blog...



holy experience



 However, do you want to read the story of how SHE was inspired to learn Colossians?  It's such a challenge, reading of the heritage that has come of the scripture memorisation that came before....  read it, and be refreshed in your own commitment to memorise the scriptures.

Keep on keeping on.




Friday 17 June 2011

Freedom to memorise the Bible

I found this article whilst on my internet travels.  It is all about scripture memorisation in persecuted countries and how important it is.  Please read it - your heart will be challenged, and you will realise what a precious thing it is to freely have the scriptures.

In order to receive a Bible in one Christian fellowship in Vietnam, where scriptures are few and far between, the criteria for receiving a Bible was.....to flawlessly recite PSALM 119!  And you thought Philippians was a challenge?!

I know I cannot flawlessly recite the verses I am learning, so far.  I am still stumbling and struggling for perfection.

 Are we too comfortable with our freedoms, and take for granted the precious book we hold in our hands?  We know we can pick it up and read it whenever we want, so we don't take the time to truly hide the words in our hearts.  I really  have found that having them learnt well brings them to my mind with more readiness.

Remember your persecuted Brothers and Sisters in Christ in your prayers.  And, be thankful for waht you have, whilst diligently learning the words of scripture...we don't know when we may not have God's Word so readily to hand.


Thursday 9 June 2011

are you all hanging in there?....

hi folks!

I am sorry things went quiet for a few weeks!  I had been on holiday ("vacation" for you American's!), and since I came back I have had a grumpy, teething 1 year old and then a special weekend of services at our Church.  I was doing a lot of baking, and providing hospitality for a lot of people (ie 25 for dinner on the Saturday, before the service!).

So, I have been here, busily learning, but not blogging!

How are things going?  Are you getting those verses learnt - and learnt well?  I have to confess, that I have struggled with the last couple of weeks.  As I add more new verses, I seem to find it difficult to remember "what comes next", although I could tell you the verses "not joined together", so to speak! I seem to need far too much prompting to remember which verse comes next!  But, it's coming on - I'm getting better.  Improvement in little steps is better than no improvement.  And, the more I repeat it, the better I will learn it.

I have had little helps from various children, as well as Robert keeping me on track too.

Please share how you are doing!  Let us know how you are being blessed and encouraged by the scripture we have learned so far.

Praying for you all.

Monday 16 May 2011

Summer reading with Good Morning Girls

I mentioned in one of my earlier posts about how the Lord used my Good Morning Girls group to challenge me about memorising the scriptures.

Today, they have just started their summer reading session.  It will based around the book by Sally Clarkson "The Ministry of Motherhood".  You can read a review of it here.  Sally Clarkson is a woman with a real heart for the Lord, and for encouraging ladies in their role of motherhood.  I am really looking forward to reading this book with my group.  It's not too late to sign up with a group.  If you go to the forum on here you can find others looking for a group, or if you know others who would be interested, then you can start your own!  The book is available from many online retailers.  They also have a daily scripture to read and study, if you would rather do that.  Or, you can carry on with a study of your own, but just have a group to be accountable to.

This week is just the week to introduce yourself to your group, so they haven't started reading the book yet.

I know how much it has blessed my heart and life by having an accountability group for my devotions.  I am sure it would be a blessing for you too!







Wednesday 11 May 2011

Wednesday in the Word

So sorry this is a bit late going out, but I am in "holiday mode"!







"For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"   Philippians 1:5-6 

I have taken great encouragement from verse 6.  Christ is doing a work in my life.  It's a good work.  There are so many days where I feel that I have let the Lord down - I don't do what I should do - I don't speak to others the way I should  - I don't have the right attitudes.  But, do you know what?  God is working in my life!  HE began that work, the day that I trusted in Him as my Saviour.  HE will continue to work in my life - day by day - hour by hour - moment by moment.  No matter how I seem to fail, He is still working.  Like a potter moulding a piece of clay - there may be multiple re-mouldings, and corrections of flaws, but there is a good work in progress! He won't give up on me - cast me off as a failure, or not worth the effort.  The work will continue until I am perfected in Christ in glory.

I am so thankful to the Lord for the work that He is doing, and particularly from the encouragement of learning His Word. 

So, will you share with us what you have learnt this week?  Looking forward to hearing from you - don't forget you can just share in the comment section below.

Monday 9 May 2011

A wonderful example

Last week I had the give-away for the Journible.  These books promote the concept of writing out God's Word for yourself, just as they had to do in the days before they had the Scripture's in print.  The discipline of writing it out helps to cement it in out minds.


On the topic of memorising and writing, I came across this excerpt, here.


Learning from the Persecuted

The persecuted Christians place much importance on heart knowledge of the Scripture. Our dear friend Sabina Wurmbrand told us that before she was arrested in Romania she was very poor. But while in prison she became very rich.
This was because as a pastor's wife she was not well off with this world's goods. However, she was rich in the only currency that mattered in prison - the Word of God. And because she had stored up such spiritual treasures through Bible memorisation, Sabina Wurmbrand was able to make fellow prisoners rich in the Word of God.
The persecuted Churches of Eastern Europe placed a high priority on Scripture memorisation. Many congregations had corporately memorised the entire Bible. So at any given service the pastor could call upon some member to recite from memory any chapters of those books of the Bible which he had been assigned to memorise.
Some Christians had wrapped a spare Bible in a plastic bag and buried it in anticipation of later confiscation. Often I came across families engaged in writing out the whole Bible by hand. When Bibles were very scarce precious copies were rotated amongst members of the congregation. Many families then used their night to copy as much of the Bible as possible - by hand. Most Christians had memorised a wide selection of hymns and chapters of the Bible.

(Learn more about Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand here )

I wonder, if the Pastor's of our Churches called upon US to recite scripture, in the Western world, would we be able to do it??


Friday 6 May 2011

And the winner is.....

........ VICKI!

You are the winner of the Journible!

If you could contact me with your address, then I will get it sent to you ASAP!!

I hope that folks have been inspired to get one for themselves.  I will certainly be buying myself one!

Trust you are all getting on well with your memorisation - please feel free to share how things are going!


Wednesday 4 May 2011

Wednesday in the Word




Well, it's Wednesday again!  Time to share what has spoken to your heart from the verses for this week.

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 
 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy," Philippians 1:1-2


The thing that struck me today was regarding the first verse.  "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you." Once again, I was struck by the persoanl way that Paul refers to God  - "MY God".  He is our God, when we are saved and belong to Him.  He is my God in times of joy, when I am able to rejoice in His goodness and greatness.  He is still my God when things are difficult or sad - because He never leaves us or forsakes us.  He can be relied upon, because He is unchanging - "great is thy faithfulness".  

However, the other point that struck me, was that Paul said he was able to thank God upon "EVERY remembrance" of them.  Are others able to thank God for every remembrance of me, or do I give them a reason to try and forget me?  Do I say things, or do I behave in a way people would rather forget?  I really trust that I don't, and may God forgive me if I do!

Or, on a different note, is Paul just reiterating the sentiment that he expounds in other places - that "in everything give thanks".  We should be able to give thanks for the good and for the bad, so, no matter how the people in Philippi treated Paul, he was going to be thankful anyway?

Or, is the reality (for which we do have support, based on the rest of the book!....), that they really behaved in a way that was God-honouring, and for which Paul was truly thankful?!  As much as we know this is the case, it certainly made me think of things that challenged me in my behaviour and attitudes!  God's Word truly is a two-edged sword!

So, please share your thoughts - I would love to hear what you have gleaned from the verses this week!

Every blessing



Tuesday 3 May 2011

Grab a great give-away!

I mentioned a give-away last week, and here it is, but you will only have a couple of days to enter.

My lovely husband had a terrible ear infection for a couple of weeks, and so was unable to preach in the midst of it all.  We were blessed to have a young man come and preach for us on the Lord's Day evening.  He and his lovely fiancée came back for some supper and fellowship after the evening service.  It was a great opportunity to chat about many things, and a delight to talk about the things of the Lord.

My Bible memorisation challenge came up in conversation (funnily enough!).  The young lady then mentioned that she and her fiancé had found something called a Journible.  "What's a Journible?" I hear you ask?  Is it a journal?   Is it a Bible?  Yes, and....well....YES!  It is a journal, where you write out portions of the Bible!


"Rob Wynalda's The 17:18 Series encapsulates the biblical mandate to write Scripture on the tables of our hearts. By writing out Scripture ourselves and buttressing that with answering questions and  taking notes about the texts, we will grow immensely in hiding the Word in our hearts and exemplifying it in our lives.
This series of books is suitable for children and adults, for lay people and pastors, for Bible study class and private devotions.
Try a volume yourself. By the Spirit's grace, your soul will prosper, and you will want to write out the whole scriptures."
Dr Joel Beeke
President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

 There are various ones for different books of the Bible.  I believe they are planning to add more.

The format is that the right hand page is for writing out the scripture, and the page on your left is for taking notes about what you have read.  It also has some questions to think about what you have been reading and writing.

This video explains their motivation behind producing this

Yes, I KNOW you could do it yourself, in a notebook.  I love pretty notebooks.  However, with this, you know that there will be the right number of pages and space for what you are doing, and there will be no danger of it all not fitting in! It will also be a great keepsake for you to look back on, and will look smart on your bookshelf.

This video explains why this is a better plan than a notebook.



Soooooooo - hands up who would like to have a chance to win a copy of the one that, *surprise, surprise*, includes the book of Philippians?!


To be in with a chance of winning you can 1. Post a comment under this post, 2. Share about the give-away on your blog/website and share your link in a comment below, or 3. Share about it on FB, and if someone comes on here and leaves a comment stating your name and that they found out about the contest on your FB page, you will get your extra chance (make sure you tell them to mention you on their comment!)  (Winners will be chosen using www.random.org)

There is still time for people to join in with this challenge.  They could just start and work at their own pace, or they could learn a bit more in their first week or two, and then they would be in synch with everyone else.  Let's spread the word to people about learning THE WORD! Let's get people challenged about their commitment to hide God's Word in their heart.

This contest will only be open for a short time - you have until Midnight on Thursday to leave a comment, and the winner will be announced on Friday!

Just to add, for those who may be struggling, if you don't have an account with any of the listed server's, you add your comment using the "name/URL" option - you will then see a box where you type your name - just leave the URL box empty.  Then, you will be able to post your comment.  Hope that helps some of you who have not been able to comment, and don't want to have to sign up with Google etc.  



Wednesday 27 April 2011

Wednesday in The Word

Every Wednesday I would love it if you would share on your blog what you have been gleaning from the verses you are memorising that week.

Is the Lord challenging you?  encouraging you?  teaching you?  rebuking you?  Whatever you are learning, I am sure we would be blessed to hear the Lord's "still small voice" in your life.  After all, isn't that one of the reasons why we want to hide God's Word in our hearts?  To hear Him speak to us? And, as we hear him speak, then build others up at the same time?



So, come and join in sharing God's blessing. Share how the scripture has spoken to you on your blog, grab the lovely button above (copy link address, and paste), and then link up below!

If you don't have a blog, please leave a comment under this post, and share that way. I would love to hear what is on your heart.

So, let me begin!  I have been struck by the greeting - they send the saints in Philippi "grace, and peace".  Not just grace and peace from any old person.  That would be pleasant, and kind.  But, from God - God OUR FATHER!  Our heavenly Father who delights in giving to us.  Who joys in being gracious towards us, when we do not deserve His grace.  Peace from our Heavenly Father - peace with God, and peace with others BECAUSE of God.  What a wonderful blessing.

Today, I would desire the same thing of you all.  That you know God's grace and peace in everything you do and experience today!  I pray that the Lord will give me a peaceful heart through all I experience, by His grace!

Every blessing,




PS - don't forget to link up and share!


Tuesday 26 April 2011

Found a perfect give-away!

I was browsing some of my favourite blog's whilst drinking my morning coffee yesterday, and came across
a perfect give-away .



It is a gorgeous cushion that has a pocket at the front for putting Memory Verses into, to keep them safe! I think she designed it for children, but I'm thinking it would work just as well for anyone! I don't know if she will ship overseas, but those who are on the "right" side of the Atlantic could give it a whirl!!


There are loads to choose from, if you are the winner.  

Keep a look out on here for something similar coming up soon....but as a give-away from me!

And, on the subject of "give-away's" another post will soon be up! Drum rolls and baited breath.......!

Trust you are all getting on well with your verses? I have got it memorised...but have the odd stumble.

Every blessing

Sunday 24 April 2011

"I can do all things..."

Isn't it wonderful to remember this verse as we begin.  It doesn't feature in our memorisation until the beginning of April next year....that is, if you don't already know it by heart already!

"I CAN do all things...." - what affirmation.  We CAN do it.  My Dad used to get me to chant before school races " I can do it"....."I CAN do it"....."I can DO it"....."I can do IT".  PMA - positive mental attitude!

"I can DO all things....." - this reminded me that it's not just going to happen on it's own.  We have something that we need to DO.  We need to put effort into our memorisation - it's not just going to happen on it's own!

"I can do ALL THINGS...." - including memorising the whole of Philippians!  People have done so much more. We are not relying on our own abilities - we don't need to fear our own weaknesses or what we consider to be too "hard" for us.

But ultimately, it's the latter part of the verse upon which we rely.  "...through CHRIST which STRENGTHENETH me."  it's not in our own strength that we rely - our own intelligence  or capabilities.  It's Christ.  The Son of God.  GOD who has promised to give us strength. What other strength do we need, other than that strength which comes from above.

"I CAN do ALL THINGS through CHRIST which STRENGTHENETH me". Phil. 4:13


Saturday 23 April 2011

"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Bible Memorisation"

To start off our first week, I want to link to Ann Voskamp's blog again.  She has a great post about "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Bible Memorisation".  I could have copied it all here, but it quite frankly would have taken me more time than I have! PLEASE read it as we start our journey.  It has some really great helpers for committing this book to memory.  I may mention different elements of it on our way through.

You will find it here.

It includes a link to print out the "7 habits..." in the same sized format that I have done our print-outs.

Someone also asked about when we should review previously learnt chapters.  I think that once a week, as she suggested, would be a good plan.  As often as possible would be better!

Praying that we would all start off well this coming week - praying that we will be strengthened on our task, and that the devil would not hinder us.


"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil... the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" Ephesians 6:10, 11 & 17

Thursday 21 April 2011

A step closer

I have finished typing up the print-outs! You can now print out and use them wherever works for you....in a notebook, as laminated cards, to stick up on the fridge, or carry about in your pocket!

It is in the KJV -  I would endorse the KJV as the most accurate translation of God's Word, in English.  If you don't normally use it, give it a go!  Contact me if you want the original document  to change the version.

I also provided the reading plan, then if you just want to read it straight from your Bible, you can.

The print-outs include the reference for that week's verses; the reference for the verses to review; a "days of the week" score off section, to show that you have done your memorisation each day; and, the verses for that week.

Here is the print-out for all the verses.

This is the reading plan.

I will post some pictures of mine as soon as I can...

Tuesday 19 April 2011

One thousand gifts....

I just wanted to share with you about an amazing book I am reading.  Why?  Simply because it was reading this book that brought me to doing this memorisation challenge.  I read her book.  I found her blog.  I saw her taking part in the challenge to learn Colossians.  And, here I am now!

Ann Voskamp writes with beauty.  With intelligence.  With an astounding honesty and depth.  I don't think I have ever read anything quite like it.  She deals with the issue of "Eucharisteo" - which means "giving thanks".  She deals with giving thanks ALWAYS.  In everything.  Especially in hard times.  Seeing the devastating moment when her younger sister was hit, and killed, by a truck, had a profound effect on her life.  You read of her journey from bitterness and heartache, to giving thanks in everything.

I need to buy myself a pretty notebook (any excuse - *giggle* ), and I will start my own "one thousand gifts" list.  It is recording those little moments of blessing, that are so easy to overlook as mundane or pedestrian, and acknowledge them as what they really are - gifts of beauty and grace from God.

My first ten...


1. dribbly smiles from my littlest child
2. daughter curled up, hidden behind the book she is reading
3. the big, red moon last night
4. the warm sunshine
5. the impromptu gift of flowers from the garden, from a child
6. extra cuddles with a poorly child
7. my dishwasher
8. teaching a child to read
9. bargains at a charity shop
10. new books arriving in the post


This  is the cheapest place to get it in the UK.  You won't regret buying it!  Who knows how it may challenge you, and create the domino effect such as it is having through my life!

Her website is here.



Monday 18 April 2011

"two are better than one..." (Ecclesiastes 4:9)

As much as this blog is designed to encourage each other in our learning of scripture, there is never a substitute for a real, live person to help you and hold you accountable for what you are trying to achieve.  Have you found someone to do that?

I have asked my husband, who will help me.  He's a natural at memorising things, so I am hoping he will be an asset! However, I also plan to get my children to help me.  As  I mentioned previously, I want to set a good example, and what better way to do it, than to get THEM to help ME?!

Who is your "two"?  Whoever you ask, I am sure they will be encouraged by your journey, simply by helping you.  Plus, they will no doubt end up learning along with you, so you will be helping THEM too! 

Sunday 17 April 2011

Welcome!

"Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I night not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11

The Lord has been dealing with my heart. It's been a refreshing and uplifting experience, which has come from many quarters. It mostly centres around re-establishing my quiet times in the morning. Those tender, precious moments, where God's word strikes with that two-edged sword upon my heart. Where God speaks in a whisper one minute, and with the a humbling strength that speaks to my sinful soul the next. I have been girded up in my day-to-day life as a wife and a mother, because I am walking closer to the Saviour. I am able to give thanks, with joy, in so many ways. I am becoming, with God's grace and enabling, a more patient, gentle and loving person. "swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:" (James 1:19) is how I am trying to live my life. My heart thrills on so may levels.

I still have a long way to go, however! I need to get some of the nitty-gritty elements of the humdrum of life sorted. I need to get more organised - more disciplined. And, so here you find me starting with "first things first". If I need to be more disciplined in keeping my home in order, how much more do I need such a determination in committing the precious Word's of God to the hidden parts of my mind, my heart and life?

I have heard of so many stories, from diverse examples in history, of incidences of people memorising large portions of God's Word, and being inexplicably grateful for doing so at some point in their life, when they have either had no access to the scriptures, or have lost the ability to be able to read at all. Believer's who have gone through times of persecution and have drawn strength, peace and security from the scriptures that they hid in their hearts. How soon will this be our circumstances?.....

It's never wasted time to make the effort to memorise the scriptures. Never. And yet, I haven't done so, in any major way, in my adult years. I am thankful for the individual, or small groups of verses, that I have committed to memory. But, it's not enough! I challenge my children to push themselves in life. To always do their best. To go the extra mile. To honour God in every way they can. Am I being a good example? Are they seeing me taking the time to go over....over....over.....God's Word until it's hidden away, never to be forgotten?

That's my aim. To hide God's Word in my heart. To honour God, to be an example to my children, and ultimately so that I fulfil the last part of the verse that heads up this blog...."that I might not sin against thee". If our mind and life is filled with God and His Word, we are less likely to follow into ways that are sin.

Will you join me as I seek to have the light of God's Word illuminating from inside, out?

I will post more over the next few days, with the print-outs and the reading plan that I will be following. Looking forward to sharing the journey with those who wish to jump in with me!