Use "Remember the Milk" to Remember the Word

I have been using Remember the Milk (RTM), a free online task manager, for a month or so now to keep track of things I need to get done. Novel, I know. RTM is very versatile in that you can create any number of lists for categorizing different tasks. For instance, we use it to keep track of our shopping lists. We created lists for Costco, Trader Joe's, and Save Mart and then shared those lists between our accounts. Whenever we think of something we need from one of the stores, we add it to the list. Then before one of us goes to the store, we check the list for items we need, and once we purchase the items, remove them from the list. We also created a filter to combine all of the shopping lists as a Master Shopping list which can then be easily printed out to take along to the store. You can also prioritize and schedule tasks (or items on the shopping list) and receive reminders via email or text message when they are due.

But a few weeks back I had an epiphany: I can use RTM to help me keep a schedule for memorizing Scripture. If there is one thing I have encountered in memorizing scripture it is the failure to review passages I learned in the past. RTM is a great way to help maintain a review schedule. Here is what I have done:

1) Create a new list called "Memory Verses"
2) Create a new task in that list using the verse reference as the task name (e.g. 1 Peter 1:1-4).
3) Add a note to each task. The note holds the text for the verse.
4) Tag the verse either as daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on the review schedule for that verse.
5) Create a due date and a repeating schedule for each verse: daily, weekly, or monthly
6) Create a "Smart List" for each of the tags daily, weekly, monthly. (This allows me to quickly view all of the verses in each category (tag)).
7) Finally, set up an email reminder in your settings to send you an email (or text) reminder each day for the verses you need to review. If you own and iPhone or iPod touch and want to pay $25, you can download the RTM app and use it to manage your tasks. Otherwise, you will need to login to your account to review your verses.

The idea behind tagging and scheduling is this: you start first by viewing and reviewing a new verse daily. Once you think you have it memorized, you change the tag and repeating schedule to weekly. When you feel you don't need to review it on a weekly basis, you change it to a monthly tag and schedule. And there it stays indefinitely (unless you want to set up another schedule, like annual). Not only will you review all of your verses on a monthly basis, you will have a running log of all of the verses you have memorized.

If you haven't worked with RTM, give it a try. It takes a while to get used to the interface, but once you understand it, it is a great way to hide His word in your heart.

Long for the pure milk of the Word!