DFA: 10 Ways to Memorize Scripture

Hello, everyone! 

Emily here, and I have a Dragged From the Archives post to share today. This was originally posted on my blog, A Purpose and A Promise, in February 2016. Enjoy! :)

Today, I have some tips for making Scripture memorization easy and fun! It is so important to memorize God's Word, but I know sometimes it can get a little monotonous. You can sit down ready and excited to memorize a verse, and then ten minutes later get up distracted and bored. I hope you can find some ways to make your time a wonderful time with God!

(Note: I am using the word verse, but if you are memorizing more, please adapt as you need to.)


1. Write it.
Yes, really! Sometimes, writing things over and over can help you remember it better. You can write your verse several times just to practice (and tell your mom you did penmanship :D), or write it out once, really fancy, and use it for #8.

2. Give it a tune.
Do you think you'll ever forget the alphabet song? Seriously, music is a great way to remember things. This works especially well if you're trying to memorize just a verse or two. Just make up a tune, or use one you already know, and make the words fit in. Then sing it to yourself until you have it! :)

3. Teach it to others.
If you have younger siblings, you can offer to teach them a verse (or more!) It's a great way to learn it yourself, and help others learn it! If you don't have any siblings, try a neighbor or friend. Oh, and make sure you teach it in a creative, fun way! :)

4. Challenge Yourself.
I probably use this one the most often. Set goals for yourself, and stick to them! For example, say you want to memorize Psalms chapter 1. Set a time goal for yourself (maybe a week, or two weeks), and work on a little every day. (My example was just a personal one. Use however much time you need, of course!) And if you have a friend (see #6), you're even more motivated!

5. Draw a Picture.
If you're the creative and artsy type, this might be your favorite. Drawing can work the same way as writing it. Think about the passage you're trying to memorize, and just draw it! You can do one big picture, or several small ones, or incorporate it into #9. (And  you artsy people: make sure to comment and add your input!)

6. Grab a Friend.
Ask a  friend if she wants to memorize with you! If you are trying to memorize a large portion (a long chapter, or a whole book),  this will keep you both accountable, and make it fun as well! Plus, having a partner makes you motivated to finish! :)

7. Fill in the Blank.
Write out your Scripture passage, and then go back and erase every third  word (or every key  word, etc.) Then try to fill in the blank parts. If you get it right, make it harder by doing every other word, or removing whole chunks, and trying to fill them back in from your memory. 

8. Look at It-- A Lot! 
Use the neat copy that you wrote of your passage in #1, and hang it up in a place where you will see it a lot, like above your bed. Or write it on your bathroom mirror. Or use it as your phone's lock screen. Or do them all!

9. Make Mental Prompts.
You can do this mentally, or literally. If you do it in your head, simply think of a picture or symbol for each key word in your verse. If you make it unusual, it will help you remember better. Or you can actually write the verse down, and draw in your little symbols.


10. Make Reviews Fun 
The key to learning pretty much anything is practice. So reviewing the Scripture you're leaning is very important. Make it fun! For example, you can make a crossword puzzle with the words, make a matching game to play with your siblings, etc.



I hope that you found a helpful tip in one of these! Did one of these ideas help you? And what is your favorite way to memorize Scripture? Comment below!

Tips About My Favorite Hobby

Hello! Mikayla here, and I’m going to share with you my top five tips on photography!

1. Often times the same photo at one time is a complete flop, 

but if you wait for the lighting to change, becomes much better. So watch your lighting and make sure it’s really how you want it. Cloudy days are especially good because you don’t get a lot of shadows!

2. Try new stuff. 

Whether you’re a newbie, or you’re an old pro, or anywhere between, trying new stuff is always good. It helps keep your photography fresh and you inspired. Try creative blocking, or a whole new angle, or photographing a subject that you’ve never done before. 

3. Don’t let others get you down. 

When I first started photography, I was encouraged by my family a lot. But after a few years, I started having other people criticize my photography. They told me all my photos looked alike, I took too many, and I had to learn lots of technical stuff to take a decent photo. You can’t just throw what they say out the window. Think on it some. But guys, photography is an art, and you have to find your style. Some people aren’t going to like that. I’m not saying their wrong, just that you have to decide for yourself. 

4. Start where you are and use what you can. 

Despite what people will tell you, or you may believe, you do not need a fancy camera to get great photos. Weather you own an Iphone, a small camera, or a camera worth hundreds of dollars, just start with that! You can generally get out of cameras what you put it. I was told lots of times that I could cox more out of our little family camera than anyone else could. That was because I played with it until I got the result that I wanted. So start where you are, use what you can, and then you can start thinking about upgrading. 

5. Sometimes it is necessary to look ridiculous for the cause. 

It’s sad but true. Sometimes you have got to lie on your stomach in wet grass to get a photo, or crouch really low. Sometimes you’ve got to make a silly face to make a kid smile, sometimes you’ve got to stand on beds. Sometimes you’ve got to hang over a railing, and you have to sit down in the oddest places. In rare cases you may even have to stack chairs and books on top of each other to take a family photo. But guys, its worth. Every soaking outfit and cramped legs and weird look was worth it because that’s what it takes to get a good photo. One of my best photoshoots I had to sit down in running water to do. 

The Pros And Cons Of Blogging

Today I'll be sharing the pros and cons of blogging - at least mine that is - so let's just get into the list...

Pro- I don't know about you, but I love the fact that I get to decide how to design my blog. It's just so fun to be creative and design it the way you want to! (Obviously you have to compromise that on a joint blog, but to tell the truth, I'm pretty satisfied with how this blog looks)

Con- Blogging is definitely fun, but it does have it's more stressful moments. Such as posting last minute something you promised or stressing that you can't post because your just too busy. (Yes, sometimes I get stressed because I can't post)

Pro- It's easy to start. All you have to do to begin a blog for yourself, is to press a few buttons.

Con- You have to post sometime. If you haven't been able to tell this is a big one for me. A lot of the time it's really easy just to keep procrastinating. But to have your readers looking forward to your new posts, you gotta post the new posts.

Pro- You get to choose what to post. If you want to post a tutorial, you get to post a tutorial. If you want to post your beautiful fall photos, you get to post your beautiful fall photos. If you want to rant, you get to rant. Get the picture? :D

Con- It's hard not to have a niche. I personally don't have one and it can be hard to want to post things that just don't go together. This is why the pro before this is an awesome one for me!

Pro- Blogging builds skills. Blogging can do a lot of good things for your, but it especially helps you (well, at least me) improve your writing and photography skills. Which are both awesome things to know how to do!

Con- Tags and Categories. As you probably know tags and categories both make it easier for people to find your blog and for your readers to navigate through your blog a little easier. But for me personally, this is what happens: I get exited that I finished my post, I'm about to hit the publish button, then remember that I should add tags and categories. Then the excitement that I had when I thought I was all ready to hit publish goes away because it's still not finished and I have to think of them all. Obviously this isn't a big con, but it's a little frustrating when you forget this until literally the last second. (Which happens to a certain forgetful person who's name I won't mention every time she posts)

Pro- You get to connect with other bloggers. A lot of the people that I admire and connect with in the blogging world I would've never know if I hadn't started a blog! This is by far my favorite part about blogging.

Con- It takes time to grow. Sometimes you feel impatient and feel as if your not growing at all. Two things to remember when you feel like that is one, It really does take time to grow, and two, the numbers don't matter. If your having fun blogging, then don't focus on the numbers but instead focus on the fun that your having!

That wraps up this post! What are some pros and cons of blogging to you? Tell me in the comments!

~Katie

Weaknesses | As Brave as a Butterfly

Hey y'all!

Today I have an old post from my blog, Spreading My Joy.

If you'd like to view the original, click here.

Here's the post:

Today I am sharing about weaknesses and what I believe weaknesses mean.

Maybe your weakness is lying, insecurity, breaking promises, anger, or depression.

I believe that weaknesses are not ways that we should feel bad about ourselves, beat ourselves up about, and feel like we aren't good enough, but ways that we should become closer to God in.

I struggle with insecurity, I am an extrovert and I feel like I should go talk to others about my faith or just talk to them but I feel my insecurities weighing me down and pulling me away. I'm constantly thinking about what they are going to think about me or what others will think about me if I go and talk to that lonely girl sitting by herself.

I have yet to overcome it, but I am not feeling weighed down by it, usually, and I feel that it's a way for me to become closer to the Lord.  To do harder things for my Savior.

Don't let your weaknesses hold you back: beautiful, fearless, smart, forgiving, sweet, caring, kind, secure.

Consider your weaknesses and insecurities as ways to get out of your cocoon and fly away as a beautiful new creature. Fly away as brave as a butterfly.

I hope you enjoyed this post! :)

...And what does fear have?  What are we afraid of?

What are your thoughts? :)

Have a great day!

The Word HATE.

Hello everyone!

This week we are posting and old post.

I thought that'd I share this post from my blog A Bounce in Your Step.

I also made a part one about the word hate that is right here.

Today I'm making a part 2 of my post about the word HATE.

If you haven't read it yet I would recommend you to. You can check it out right here.

Yesterday as I watched Usian Bolt, said to be the best runner of all time run.

These couple of races he's ran, have been easy for him because of the giant lead he has over all the runners. Great story. Awesome guy. What's so bad about him you might think?

He's addicted to the camera. He's said plenty of times, "I'm number one." Millions of people admire him and idolize him and he loves it. He feeds off it.

As I watched him I thought in my mind,

"I HATE HIM."

One thing I don't like to see is people bragging and telling others that they're number one.

But then I thought. What am I thinking?

Instead of hating him, I should pray for him.

He's lost.

He does not know Christ.

He runs for one thing. His glory.

Instead of hating him I should pray for him.

Pray that he would find Jesus.

That he would realize who number one is.

That he would give his life to God, not himself.

Many lives out there are lost.

I often always think bad things about them.

Instead I should love them

Pray for them.

Hate their sin.

Not them.

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

Jeremiah 29:12

But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Luke 6:27-28

We need to love others. Not hate them.

And this is my prayer.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

Proverbs 3:3-4

Lord, help me and all of these readers to love others. To not hate others for the wrong that they are doing, but love them and pray for them. Bind love around my neck and never let it leave me. I want to love like you. Help me to love more Jesus.

Always remember to love the sinner, but hate the sin. :)

I hope you like!

bouncing in to say bye,

                                    bernie 

An Old Post From My Blog Precious Moments

Hello all!
I am a new blogger on this group blog. My name is Ashley and I blog at Precious Moments. My shop is Ashley's Crochet Corner. Feel free to check them out and follow!
Before I share my post, I want to say thank you to Allie for inviting me to be a part of her group blog. :)

I am sharing an old post from my blog today. Here it is.
The Lord Tries the Hearts

Does God try our hearts?

***** 

Recently, during Bible one evening, my daddy shewed us something I've never seen before by asking us this question. "Does God try our hearts?"  We read 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, and realized God indeed does try our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 says "But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts" 
*****
If you've ever ridden a horse, you know they listen to you when the reins are pulled. (Alot of horses do, anyway.) After the horse is tamed enough for a person to ride, reins are strapped on the horse so the rider can control him. It's a joy to ride a horse who is submissive to your commands. On the other hand, it is not very pleasurable to ride a disobedient and stubborn horse.
 It's similar to what God does to us. When we become Christians, it's as if God puts reins on our hearts. He tries us by pulling on the reins to see if we are willing and obedient enough to follow Him.
*****
 Like a horse, if we as Christians are submitted to Christ, our Master, we will go where he leads and directs us. And if we follow Him, God will reward us accordingly. But if we refuse to go where He leads us, we will be rewarded according to our actions. I am reminded of Proverbs 16:9 ~ "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps."  As I was digging a little deeper and searching for verses that talked about God trying our hearts, I came across these verses. 
*****

 Psalms 7:9 ~ "Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins"
Psalms 26:2 ~ "Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart." 
Jeremiah 11:20 ~ "But, O Lord of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause."
Jeremiah 17:10 ~ "I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings." 
 Revelation 2:23 ~ "And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works." 
*****
When God tries your reins, will he find that you are submitted to Him?

I hope you all enjoyed reading this. Have a good and godly day! 

An old post // DIY Pencil Holder

Hey everyone! If you guys don't know I am a new blogger on this blog. You can find my first post here. Anyway today I have decided to show you guys one of my old posts from my main blog which you can find here.  So this is a pretty old post of mine from November of last year. I show you how to make a super cute DIY  pencil holder. You can find the original post here. So lets get started!

"I was doing dishes yesterday when I came across an empty can that reminded me of something at school I saw, a pencil holder with duct tape made out of a can. And that is exactly what this post is going to be about.

Supplies needed

-1-3 different fun duct tapes (I am only using 1)

-scissors

-a can ( like a refried bean or tomato sauce can, it doesn't really matter)

1. If there is any paper on the can you want to peel it of. Water is an easy way to do that. Then you should scrub the can a little to get all of the sticky stuff off, though you don't have to stress yourself over this because you're going to be putting stuff on it later anyway.

2. Now to cut the tape. If you are using the regular size duct tape then you want to cut 3 strips of duct tape that fit around the can of that are the same size. One of them you want to then cut in half.

3. Now to actually make the holder and put the supplies together. First put the 2 big pieces of duct tape around the middle of the can. With the two little strips you will put one at the bottom and one at the top to cover the rest of the can. For the strip at the top make sure to cover the sharp part in the can so when you're reaching to grab a pencil you don't cut yourself. 

4. Now put some pencils or pens in your holder and admire your handiwork. You just made yourself a cute pencil/pen holder. 

Hope you like it! If you make this yourself you can email me a picture of it at nabilaeve@gmail.com. "

So I hope you liked that! Maybe not my best post ever but I at least made an effort to do a semi-cute diy.  If you enjoyed this please subscribe to this blog and also my other blog Hot Town Cool Girl. 

A-Z List Of Flowers!

Hey guys! I'm posting late night so, sorry. I have an A-Z list of flowers! I thought it would be fun to put some flowery things on the blog before fall kicks into full gear. ^_^

Amaryllis





Baby's Breath



Calla Lily



Dahlia



Edelweiss



Ferula Communis



Gerbera



Helichrysum




















Iberis Umbellata
































Jasmine



Kerria



Lantana Camara



Morning Glory



Nemesia



Orchid



Pansy




Queen Anne's Lace



Rose



Sedum



Trillium



Ursinia



Vinca



Wisteria



Xanthosoma



Ylang Ylang



Zephyr



Hope you liked your dose of flowers! God bless!

~Katie

A-Z List of Names

Hey y'all!

I've never wrote a post about my favorite names before, but today I am going to write about my favorite names. (Some of these aren't my very-favorites, because it's hard to find one that I really love in each letter).

Let's get started!  I will be alternating boys and girls.

Alexander

means: defender of men

Blythe

means: joyful

Connor

means: strong-willed

Dorothy

means: gift of God

Ellis

means: Jehovah is God

Francesca

means: Frenchman

Garrett

means: bold spear

Hazel

means: treenut

Isaiah

means: Yahweh is salvation

Julia

means: young

Kyle

means: narrow strait, channel

Lillian

means: pure

Mason

means: stoneworker

Nicole

means: victorious people

Owen

means: noble

Piper

means: one who plays the pipe

Quinton

means: born fifth

Reagan

means: little ruler

Samuel

means: God has heard

Tiffany

means: appearance of God

U-There are literally NO names! :P

Vanessa

means: butterfly

Wesley

means: from the West meadow

X-there are no names with X!

Y-there are no names with Y!

Z-there are no names with Z!

What are your favorite names? Is your name in this list?

Thanks for reading! :)

A to Z List of Music

Hey guys! Mikayla here with an A-Z list of music. I had such a hard job picking some of these, because their are so many good songs!!! But here you go!

All the Pretty Things by Tenth Avenue North

Born for This by Mandisa

Ceasefire by For King and Country

Diamonds by Hawk Nelson

Emily by Francesca Battistelli

Forgiveness by Toby Mac

Good by Leigh Nash and Matthew West

Healing Begins by Tenth Avenue North

I’m not Ashamed by Newsboys

Jesus in Disguise by Brandon Heath

Kings and Queens by Audio Adrenaline

Let the Waters Rise by Mikeschiar

Masterpiece by Kerri Roberts

Nobody Knows Me Like You by Benny Hester

O God Forgive Us by For King and Country

Prodigal by Sidewalk Prophets

(Unfortunately Q is omitted from this list because I do not own any songs that begin with it)

Ready or Not by Britt Nicole

Shine by Newsboys

That’s How You Change the World by Newsboys

Unusual by Francesca Battistelli

The Victor by Steve Green

What are You Afraid of? by Kerri Roberts

(X is also omitted from this list) 

 You Are Loved by Stars Go Dim

(Z is also omitted from this list)

What songs have you heard from this list?

What is your favorite song?