Friday, July 15, 2011

Keeping On {An Update}

About a year ago, I wrote about some of the things I did to feed the spirit, both in Aolani and myself. One of the most important things I do for us is Bible memorization.

Well, I have added a bunch more verses (and all of Philippians) to the memorization list that I quote to Aolani. So, how do I repeat it all aloud daily? I don't.

What I do:
  • As far as Philippians goes, there are four chapters in the book. I quote one chapter a day to her, while nursing, and read two chapters on one of the weekend days. This way the book gets spoken in its entirety twice in a week's time. (I hope to start memorizing other whole chapters soon, now that I finally have the verse references in place for the book Philippians.)

  • For all the other verses: First, I go through them in the order they appear in the Bible. Second, I split my chunk in two and just read one part a day, for six days. This way every verse passes through my lips (and heart!) three times a week. I also quote these while nursing. Right now, I read the Old Testament and the Gospel verses together at once and I put the rest of the New Testament verses together. [If you're interested, here are the verses I quote as of now: Dt. 6:5; Ps. 19:14, 27:14, 34:8, 34:18, 37:4, 42:11, 73:28, 105:4, 118:8; Prov. 3:5-6, 15:16, 16:9, 16:25, 19:21; Is. 26:3-4; Neh. 8:10; Mt. 6:33, 11:28-9, 22:36-9; Mk. 4:19; Lk. 9:23-5, 12:9-10; Jn. 3:16-7, 3:30, 4:14, 14:6; Rom. 5:3, 12:1-2, 12:17, 14:17, 15:13; 1 Cor. 2:9, 6:9-10, 15:58; 2 Cor. 5:7, 5:17, 12:10; Gal. 2:20, 5:6, 5:22-3, 6:7; Eph. 4:29, 5:20, 6:4; Col. 4:6; Philemon 1:8-9; Heb. 4:13, 10:31, 11:1, 11:6, 13:8; 1 Pet. 5:7, 5:10; 1 Jn. 2:17]

Here is another thing I do during my repetitions. This has become pivotal to me and my spiritual growth. And, it helps me reap more benefits from all this memorization. I will say a short prayer, to myself, after some of verses. Everyday it's different -- the verse, the prayer. I'll give an example: Mark 4:19 ~ ...but the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desire for other things come in and choke the Word, making it unfruitful. I might pray something like this: Oh, LORD, please protect my heart from being bogged down or deceived or unfruitful! Flourish Your Word in me!

Sharpen your Sword with me!

He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. ~ Deuteronomy 8:3