Scripture Memorization

One of the things I want to work on spiritually in the next year is scripture memorization.  This is silly, but I always think when I get old, if I were to get Alzheimer's - I would want to be so full of God and His word that the junk in my childhood would be forgotten and all that would remain is Jesus.  I know, kind of weird - but, it's something I wonder about.   I would rather live in God's word than in  memories of my childhood.


Plus - it's just plain good for you.

While we dropped E off at college, one of her required textbooks was a book called "100 verses everyone should know by heart."  I picked it up for myself at the Christian Book Store the other day.  Tonight I read part of the book, wrote down all 100 verses and prepared to get started.

I've always said I have a terrible memory - but honestly - I was pleasantly surprised!  Out of the 100 - I think there were MAYBE 3 or 4 I didn't know.  Maybe.  Now - I will have to work on location - I know the verses but not where they are found.  However - I was really surprised at how many of them I did know. 

Once I am secure in all 100, I think my next step is to memorize all the words of Jesus.  From there, I think I'll work on Hebrews and Isaiah - 2 of my favorite books of the bible. All that should take me through the year I would think.  If not - I'll just keep going!

In memorizing those 100 - I did mix things up a bit.  Some of the verses I knew in different translations, so I decided to learn a few of them in The Message paraphrase because I like the wording.  I especially liked the wording of Psalm 23 and it went like this:

^1-3 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
   You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
      you find me quiet pools to drink from.
   True to your word,
      you let me catch my breath
      and send me in the right direction.

 ⁴ Even when the way goes through
      Death Valley,
   I'm not afraid
      when you walk at my side.
   Your trusty shepherd's crook
      makes me feel secure.

 ⁵ You serve me a six-course dinner
      right in front of my enemies.
   You revive my drooping head;
      my cup brims with blessing.

 ⁶ Your beauty and love chase after me
      every day of my life.
   I'm back home in the house of God
      for the rest of my life.

Isn't that beautiful?  I love the last part - Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.  I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.  I love the thought that God chases me and that I am at home in Him.  Pretty cool!

Anywho - I'll be letting you know as I go along which verses I am working on and in what translation.  My thought is to highlight each verse in my bible in a certain color (yet to be picked) once I have it memorized.  Maybe - eventually - my entire bible will be that color.  Wouldn't that be just incredible??

Who's with me?