Wow I never new a group like this existed! I appreciate the invitation from Janet Pope. I wrote Janet and read her book His Word in My Heart, encouraging me that memorization was a worthy goal.
This year was my 60th birthday. My prayer is to memorize the book of Hebrews this year. This is why and this is how one step led to another…..
I am a cardiology nurse practitioner. I have a patient in my clinic who had a stroke a few years ago that has affected his memory. His favorite pastime was scripture memory. I would always ask him to share with me where he was in his memory “habit”. He last recited Psalm 46 to me.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea………..”
To hear him speak it from his heart brought tears to my eyes. However, his last visit he could not recite anything for me and he cried. I then recited a few verses I was learning from Psalm 27 for him and he smiled! I told him how he had inspired me to develop more holy habits while I still have my being! The body is wasting away yes, but may our spirits be renewed day by day! (2 Corinthians 4:16 – It will happen to us all). Psalm 27 is now my battle song!
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?…”
Question? How deep do you want to go with God? —I pray : “deeper-still”. I heard Beth Moore recite the book of James herself, and I asked God for that same gift. I love the WORD. I was able to memorize the book of James. Holy habit I am learning: Count it all joy
My theme song learning Hebrews is THRIVE by Casting Crowns. I wrote out the words in my journal. This verse of the song is my answer if someone asks me why I want to memorize the whole book of Hebrews. ….. Into the Word we’re digging deep to know the Father’s heart! Then if I know the Fathers heart—next verse— Joy unspeakable, Faith unsinkable, Love unstoppable— Anything is possible! Did you get it??? Anything is possible—even memorizing 13 chapters of Hebrews at age 60!
Life is a Marathon not a sprint!! When Janet invited me to join the blog, her greeting was a blessing: “I hope you are thriving in God’s goodness”☺. How could she have known that was my song?!! It’s a joy to be invited with you in this journey of mining for treasures in His word and singing a new song (Ps. 96:1). It is well…….!
Wow! Some days my brain feels so old-and stretched–at age 49–and I REALLY appreciate your encouragement in Bible memory. So sad about your patient getting to the point where he could not quote scripture to you, but I know the Word was still hidden in his heart.
Love His Word and love you post, Phyllis:)
I love the stories that people give from the battlefield of fighting for health. They witness some amazing stories. I met a young girl that she and her family were hit by a drunk driver on their way home from church one evening. This young girl had such brain trauma that she had to learn EVERYTHING again–eating, walking, speaking, etc. Her short memory is still damaged. She can’t think of how to express things, what words to use.BUT, FROM THE MOMENT SHE FIRST REGAINED CONCIOUSNESS AND TRIED TO SPEAK, she could pray and recite the scripture she had memorized perfectly. When she wasn’t praying or reciting scripture, no one understood a word she said. When she was praying and reciting scripture, she was the old Jen. Her body was severely damaged and she still struggles with lots today. Her spirit was not touched.
I too love the stories of people fighting for health on the battlefield! And count myself among them–whether it be physical, emotional, or even mental. God and His Word–this is our health and can bring us through any and every journey to wholeness. Thank you for sharing. This is so encouraging!
Phyllis, I am overjoyed to read your story! I love the Word as well and when I think of thriving, I think of proper nourishment and feeding the soul with scripture as the perfect food. It reminds me of how Jesus tells us that He not only came so we might have life but that we might have it “more abundantly”, from John 10:10. It is His desire that we THRIVE!! Thank you for sharing!
My husband’s grandmother had so many verses hidden in her heart and mind. Toward the end of her life, at age 100, she could name her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, sing “I am so glad that Jesus loves me” and recite some of her “ABC Scriptures.” Her perseverance encouraged me to instill the habit of memorizing into my children (many of her verses were learned as a child) and to work on my own as well.
Thank you for the encouragement of your patient, your own striving and thriving, and for pouring the Word back into the hearts of those who love our Lord! I am encouraged and challenged to re-engage in the battle!
Phyllis, you are an inspiration! Thank you for the encouragement to continue to learn His Word.