A hard note to write
To all the loyal BibleMemory.us users out there:
This is a hard note to write to you, but I must do it.
I’m going to have to discontinue the BibleMemory program indefinitely. The last email will be sent out on Saturday, May 16th.
The site costs $335 a year to host, and that is money that I need right now. I can’t afford to put that kind of money into a web site, when my family’s needs must come first. Unfortunately, efforts to earn money via the site (through ads) haven’t helped defray the cost of the site. I have received a few donations from some folks over the years, for which I’m very grateful!
The site may be back if I can move it to a cheaper (or free) hosting service that hosts the language this program is written in, ColdFusion, and the database, SQL Server 2005. So please check back periodically.
Thanks for all your input and support over the years. You all have made this site great! It has been a pleasure to serve you over the three years the site has been on the web.
Sincerely in Christ,
Robert
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:45 am
I was sorry to read this today, Robert. Thank you for serving me for the past year or so, by helping me hide God’s Word in my heart. Your labor was not in vain.
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:48 am
I just want to thank you for what you’ve done thus far and for the help it has been to so many people.
If you manage to find a way to continue, all the better.
If not don’t dwell on having to stop but on all that was achieved up till now.
God bless you and your family.
May 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
That’s sad news, Robert, but I fully understand.
I’d be willing to contribute toward hosting and perhaps others would, as well. But I would guess the hassle of collecting, organizing, and tracking contributions is no small task.
I checked my own hosting provider, which is inexpensive, but they unfortunately don’t support ColdFusion.
Blessings to you in Christ,
Sean
May 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Hi Robert,
How has the response been from your note? Has any one stepped forward to host the site or donate toward the yearly cost? Your Bible memory program has blessed me this year as we have gone through a difficullt family time. As I have memorized scripture over the years, God has used His Word to remind me of His faithfulness and how He is worthy of all praise! He has changed me from being fearful to being able to look to the future in faith in Him.
I’ve been memorizing through your program for over a year and have found it a wonderful way to memorize. I’m praying that the Lord will provide the funds needed for you to continue with this program.
We are grateful to the Lord for you and your family! Thank you for your faithful service to Him!
Blessings,
Sharon
May 4th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Robert…I would certainly be willing to chip in to keep the site viable. Have others indicated a willingness to help out. I think the concept is wonderful and it has helped my discipline of memorizing verses. I’m not prepared to plunk down $335, but I am certainly willing to help through a subscription or a free-will donation. Any thoughts?
May 5th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Hi Robert,
This is sad news indeed. You have done so much work, and reached so many people. Bible Memory is part of my morning routine and it will definitely be missed. Praying there will be enough donations to keep the site going. Thank you for your efforts and sharing the word in a fun and challenging way. Pls let us know how to send a donation.
May you continue to be blessed in all your endeavors.
In His Name,
Jodi Fay
May 7th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Amen, family always comes before extras - even noble extras.
Although I don’t have a good track record of finishing projects, and I apologize to you for that, maybe someone else would be interested and do better than I. So I suggest that you release the memory programs, and the CF source code (or a blueprint), that others may rebuild the site on any language-database pair they have access to. You could suggest or even insist, as a term of the license, that such a person contact you first so you have a chance to watch or assist.
But whatever you do, I’ve enjoyed meeting you and using your site.
Be blessed,
Chris
May 8th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I appreciate everyone’s comments, concerns, and encouragement!
I did find a service that hosts my type of program for free, so I applied, but I’m not too hopeful, since I haven’t heard from them for several days.
When this program started, I charged $5 a year for the service and pretty much no one signed up. I feel that if I now charged or had some type of subscription, there wouldn’t be enough people to defray the cost of hosting. And I don’t really want to drum up contributions each year as bills come due.
I’d really rather not ask for donations at this time, in case it comes up short.
If the site goes down Saturday the 16th, keep checking back- I’ll keep the domain name going and post updates if the site is coming back.
May 9th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Thank you so much for your efforts in getting this program to us. I will truly miss it.
If there were a way your users could keep it going, by contributions, gifts, subscriptions, etc. it would get my support. But, I realize any attempt at raising funds also takes time and effort. I’ll keep watching for that God directed donor to honor you with a hefty gift.
Char Ransom
Minneapolis, MN
May 12th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Robert, several people here expressed an interest in sending a little in keep this program going. I am able and willing to pay the difference up to the $335 total to keep it going another year. For the future, keep in touch. If you can find a cheaper or free outlet that would be great, otherwise, I will plan on continuing to support as God enables.
Simply let me know the balance after anyone contributes and I can send you a check or make a payment on visa. In Christ, Phil Walker
philjohn1558@yahoo.com
http://www.scripture-memory-support.org
May 15th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Phil, thank you for your generosity and love for the Lord to keep this site going! Robert, thank you for all of the years you and your family have given so generously that others could hide God’s Word in their hearts!!!
I’m encouraged that this site will continue! To God be the Glory!!!!
Memorizing with you,
Sharon
May 17th, 2009 at 4:15 am
Phil, what a generous gesture. Robert and Phil, I stand by my original offer to join others to make contributions to BibleMemory. It’s been such an important part of my effort to know the Bible and our Lord better. Please post an address where we can send donations and hopefully Phil will not have a large gap to fill. Blessings to you both.
In Christ,
Sean
May 19th, 2009 at 6:26 am
Hi Robert,
I just got your note. I must admit I am sorry to hear the news of this site being discontinued. I do have a couple thoughts;
1) I am sure faithful subsribers would be more than happy to dontate $5, $10, $20 (even more in my case) to defer the costs to keep the site up and running.
2) If there is no way to perusuade you to continue providing this ministry; can you recommend another on-line Bible memory site?
3) Finally, how can I continue with Piper’s fighter verses program?
I can’t tell you how much your ministry has meant to me; checking my verses each day has become a treasured routine. Thanks so much for all the time and effort you have invested on our behalf.
Respectfully, Kirk Houston
May 25th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
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