I had only three things to buy: tea bags, milk and eggs. Surely I didn’t need to write that down. It was only three items, for goodness’ sake. I could remember that, couldn’t I? I picked up my keys and headed for the garage, mumbling over and over: milk, eggs, tea – milk eggs tea – milkeggstea.
Somehow in between the kitchen and the garage, my mantra got shortened to milk, tea and uh … Now what was that third thing? Why or why didn’t I write myself a list? Trooper that I am, I climbed in my car, mumbling something about not really liking milk in my tea, hoping against hope that the name of the third item would pop into my head before too long. But when I got to the store, there I was, right in the middle of the Valley of No-Recall just at the entrance to the Land of Abandoned Memory. Somehow, the word milk kept rolling around in my brain, so I took myself off to the nearest drive-through for a milkshake. Is a raspberry milkshake considered brain food?
My husband, Doug, would have taken those three things – tea, milk, eggs – and made himself a little mnemonic. Don’t get frightened by the sound (or the spelling of it), for a mnemonic is nothing more than a memory aid. The fancy name comes from Greek and is a form of Mnemosyne, the ancient Greek goddess of memory. Doug would have taken the first letters of the words – milk, eggs, tea – and formed the word “met.” He might have come home with a melon instead of milk or a loaf of Texas-sized bread instead of tea, but he would have gotten the three things that began with the letters in his little mnemonic tool.
Mnemonic devices do help us remember things. Every beginning algebra student knows that Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally means that the order for solving equations is Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition and Subtraction. If you can’t remember how to spell rhythm (and we know how often we need to do that!), we can help ourselves by repeating, “Rhythm Helps Your Two Hips Move.” If you are ever asked to name, in order, the musical notes on the treble clef stave, (the ones on the lines, that is) you can answer by saying, “Elvis’ Guitar Broke Down Friday,” and know that the notes are E, G, B, D and F. (The notes of the spaces are FACE, just in case you were wondering.)
I’ll bet you can quote the rest of this little ditty, can’t you? “Thirty days hath September/April, June, and …” See? Mnemonics work, don’t they?
I have found that the older I get, the harder it is to memorize Scripture. Yet, the older I get, the more I need to remember all the Scriptures I can. Here’s a few mnemonics I have used to help me. Maybe they can help you, too.
I put Scripture to music. It doesn’t matter if it is a real tune, or if anyone knows the tune but me. It’s a tune I sing to myself in my head or under my breath. Putting the words to music lets them sing their way into my memory. It works great in the shower, too!
Scriptures can have things in common that help me remember them. For instance, John 3:16 is one that most of us know. There are other great “3:16” passages, too. Acts 3:16 recounts the power of the name of Jesus. 1st Corinthians 3:16 informs us we are God’s temples. Colossians 3:16 emphasizes the importance of the word of Christ dwelling within us. 1st Timothy 3:16 speaks of the mystery of godliness, and 2nd Timothy 3:16 encourages us that all Scripture is God-breathed and useful for every good work. There’s also several “let us” passages in Hebrews. “Let us” be careful (4:1), “let us” make every effort (4:11), “let us” approach with confidence (4:16), “let us” draw near (10:22), “let us” hold fast (10:23), “let us” consider one another, (10:24), and “let us” not forget about meeting together (10:25).
It takes quite a bit of effort, but Scripture is something we should never stop trying to commit to memory. Deuteronomy 6:6 says, “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.” So, develop your own little mnemonic aids. Make it a game, sing a song, chant a chant, whatever it takes. Just commit Scripture to your memory as much as you can.
As for grocery shopping, let me advise you to make a list. Otherwise you might come home with an eggplant instead of eggs.
I’d leave now, but first I have to ask. Does anyone remember where I parked my car?
Verna Davis may be contacted at www.TheJoyLady.com
Religion
LAUGH LINES: A few mnemonics may help you to remember Scripture
- Religion
-
-
THE JOY LADY: It’s not too late to send God a Valentine this year
I just finished up doing a little surfing on some Valentine’s Day sites. After the necessary censoring for language and questionable love hints, I have gathered a few Valentine hints that might make your upcoming Valentine’s Day easier.
-
Paris church launches Bible-reading campaign
The Bible is the best-selling book in history, but how many people in our communities are actually reading it? A Gallup survey reports the average American household has four Bibles. However, research by Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (2008) found that only 16 percent of Americans read the Bible every day.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Feb. 11, 2012
-
THE JOY LADY: Doug and I made one promise — to love each other
The first time I met my then future husband, he was no catch. Trust me. It was my first semester in college — August 1970.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Feb. 4, 2012
-
THE JOY LADY: Spurred on to husk out the good works left to do
I’ve got this thing. It was passed down to me inside a tin box that once belonged to my grandfather’s aunt. The thing is about 6-inches-long and 2-inches-wide.
-
Maryland Community Church develops app
People can experience a church activity without physically being there. A smart phone helps make that connection for a Terre Haute church.
- Church briefs: Jan. 21, 2012
-
BOOKS: Wabash Valley author to sign books at Java Haute on Saturday
Brazil resident Marjorie E. Hopkins will sign copies of her Christian Life book, “Dying to Meet Him: Wit and Wisdom from a Funeral Director’s Wife” from 1-3 p.m. Saturday in Java Haute, at 3805 Wabash Ave.
-
THE JOY LADY: Be VERY careful with all the words you say
Our language is peculiar, isn’t it?
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Jan. 14, 2012
-
New Signing for the Savior class beginning
Senior Education Ministries Inc. in partnership with Families by Choice and Park Place Apartments has scheduled Signing for the Savior.
-
Holiness Association to offer Indoor Camp
Vigo County Holiness Association will offer an Indoor Camp from Jan. 17 to 22 in 8th Street Wesleyan Church at Eighth Street and National Avenue in West Terre Haute.
-
THE JOY LADY: Lyrics of hymns, worship choruses soothe my soul
When my children were teenagers, I annoyed them. On purpose! Of course, their reaction to my attempts to annoy just added to my fun. The frustrated sighs, the shaking heads, the averted faces only served to keep me going.
-
Church to break ground on sanctuary
Groundbreaking on new expansion and remodel project at Cross Lane Community Church is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday in the church at 2204 Lafayette Ave.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Jan. 7, 2012
- Church Briefs: Dec. 31, 2011
-
THE JOY LADY: With forming habits in mind, let’s ask some basic questions
OK. It’s over. Pack up the snowmen, the manger scenes, the mistletoe and the ornaments. Put the tree back in the box and cart it all to the attic. Christmas is over.
-
THE JOY LADY: Do we forget that Christmas is all about Jesus?
I have a collection of manger scenes. Seventeen, as a matter of fact. A small one, about two inches by three, was purchased in the Holy Land and is carved out of olive wood. It was given to me a couple of weeks ago by a dear friend (thank you, Norma) because she wanted to add to my collection.
-
NEWSMAKERS: Dec. 24, 2011
Seventeen individuals made their first commitments as Providence Associates during a recent Eucharistic Liturgy at St. Mary-of-the-Woods and at other sites across the United States.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Dec. 24, 2011
-
First Congregational Church offering ‘Longest Night Service’
During this season, we often think of Santa and presents, nativity scenes and the birth of the Savior, as well as family gatherings and meals.
-
Independent Nazarene Church plans Christmas concert
The Singing Barrick Family will be presenting a Christmas concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 25 at the Independent Nazarene Church.
-
THE JOY LADY: He is worthy: Are our hearts full of worship this Christmas?
Those manger scenes I’ve been talking about remind us that Joseph’s heart was full of courage and Mary’s heart was obedient. As for the shepherds — their hearts were full of worship.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Dec. 17, 2011
-
Christmas Dinner planned at Marshall church
The fifth annual Community Christmas Dinner, sponsored by Marshall First United Methodist Church will be on Dec. 25 at the church in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone who lives in the Marshall area is welcome to attend this free dinner.
-
THE JOY LADY: Like Mary, we should give God our total, humble obedience
My heart needs to be more like Mary’s. Here she was, minding her own business, busily preparing for her wedding, when the angel Gabriel showed up and told her she had found favor with God and that soon she would be with child. She was going to give birth to Jesus, the Son of the Most High, whose kingdom would never, ever, never end.
-
Sponsor a child at Christmas
All 18 elementary schools in Vigo County were able to submit names of three to five families from their school that need the most help for the holiday season.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Dec. 10, 2011
-
Terre Haute native on her book: It’s a ‘Bible study with a twist’
“Refreshing Bible study with a twist” is how Terre Haute native Mary Ann (Shouse) Crum describes her recently released book, “Live. Learn. Laugh! Stories and Studies That Reveal God’s Amazing Heart” (Xulon Press, 2011).
- More Religion Headlines
-
THE JOY LADY: It’s not too late to send God a Valentine this year
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Coroner: Houston Autopsy Results Weeks Away
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Fans 'Speechless' Over Houston's Death
Snow Strands Italian Towns
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Video of M.I.A's Obscene Halftime Gesture
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Turkey's first face transplant
Adele's revealing "60 Minutes" interview
Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget
Bobby Brown on Houston's Death
Exclusive Video: Bobbi Kristina Leaving Hospital
Lusetich: AT&T Recap
'Bachelor' Free Falls into the Ocean
Raw Video: Aurora Borealis As Seen From Space
Grammys 2012: Highlights
2.12: Pebble Beach Pro-Am -- Phil Mickelson
2012 Grammys: Rihanna
2012 Grammys: Taylor Swift
Exclusive Video - Whitney's Bodybag
FUEL TV: Punk Payback Gym tips
Whitney's Final Days - EXCLUSIVE
Romney Tops Santorum in CPAC Straw Poll
First glimpse of Blue Ivy Carter
Angry Dad Shoots Teens Laptop
