Hey sweet siestas!
How much fun is this? Can we all just stop for a minute and thank our beloved leader, Bible teacher and yes, friend, for spurring us on in this world of scripture memory? I fail every time on my own. We need our people to conquer this task, don’t we? I’m good for a couple of months and then I flat out quit and blame it on something other than myself. But, I won’t quit if I have y’all! I’m thankful for this community. I’m thankful for the accountability. Memorizing scripture has transformed my heart and mind…the Word is living, and we have the privilege to breathe it in when we open those sacred pages and be changed from the inside out.
Something that I have done as I have memorized scripture is to write a brief synopsis of why I chose the verse on the back of the index card. I also date it. At the end of the year, it’s so powerful to go back and read a mini-journal of God’s faithfulness and the journey you’ve taken together that particular year. Go back and do that if you haven’t done it already. I’ll bet it won’t take you long to recall why you picked a particular verse. It will be a sweet gift to read through at the end of 2015.
Ok, my name is Fran Thomas and I’ve been married to Chip for 21 years! That’s crazy to me! I swear I’m still 30-something. We have 3 teenage boys. That’s another kind of crazy! Our oldest is 18. (Insert tears of high school graduation, starting college and hoping you can cook and do laundry on your own) It’s nuts, y’all. Savor the moments, mommas. It flies.
We are living life in Jackson, TN, and I love our community of people here. I work at Union University, teach college girls on Sunday mornings, sing in the choir, and serve with our jail ministry at Englewood Baptist Church. I am also a partner in a non-profit ministry with my two best friends, Christy and Robyn, that we founded called “More than a Mission Trip.” Our heart is missions in every form and fashion. Our heart is for the lost, the saved who are lost, God’s precious people at the ends of the earth and those who are around the corner. Our desire is to encourage other women to serve God locally and globally…there is no better time than NOW to love, obey and serve Him with all we have! We can’t question or delay what God clearly calls us to do.
So how appropriate for me to choose a verse that has me in a season of being scared to death of what God has called me to do. Would this be the Christian “pot calling the kettle black” or what? I like safe and comfy just like you do. It’s predictable and doesn’t make my stomach hurt. I know the scriptural promises from Him, but there is simply something terrifying about taking new steps with Him after a season of predictability. *sigh*
So, we press on, sisters. We believe Him and take Him at His word. I’m doing this even with the butterflies alive and churning about! Unfortunately, I think I have an unbelief issue right now, but I’m choosing to believe Him for this season because He is able! He is faithful… Me? Not so much. He never fails. NEVER.
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6
I don’t want to doubt or be tossed around because of my unbelief. I want my feet to be steady and secure in Him, His voice, and His direction. I really want to believe Him and trust Him even with these butterflies during this new season. I don’t just want to say, “Yes, Lord I believe you,” but it only be a temporary belief or trust. We’ll start strong and then fade, don’t we?
Lord, help my unbelief.
It’s easy to say, “Sure, I’ll get out of the boat, and walk toward Jesus,” but it’s a whole other thing to actually put the feet into motion, isn’t it? Let’s not be tossed around, sisters. Let’s walk by faith and take Him at His Word. Let’s choose to believe Him girls!! Declare it even when we don’t feel it. We’ll begin to believe what we know and speak over that situation. Let’s declare the Truth that we are hiding in our hearts.
Y’all are such a blast! Hang in there and march on strong and steady because we are MORE than conquerors! We CAN do this because He WILL show us the way! He will NOT leave us! He WILL show Himself faithful! He has good plans for this season! He will NOT harm us! And on and on and on the promises go. Declare them. Believe them.
It’s such an honor to journey alongside you. I will be your biggest fan and cheer you on like nobody’s business. Fix those pretty eyes on Jesus and let’s run our race well. I’m praying for us all. I desperately need Jesus and His Word.
Love y’all,
Fran
Sheila H., Mitchell, MB, Canada
“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.”
I Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
“My Word is a lamp unto your feet. My presence is a Light for your path.”
Psalm 119:105
Becky Jo
Chesterfield MI
I love the Lord because He hears my voice
and my prayer for mercy.
Because He bends down to listen,
I will pray as long as I have breath.
Psalm 116:1-2 NLT
Keri Lee Robbins, Las Vegas, NV
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
Matthew 5:5-6 (NKJV)
Karlys, La Place, LA
Let the Word of CHRIST dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to GOD.
Colossians 3:16 ESV
Kim Hower, Gaithersburg MD
But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. (Hebrews 10:39 NIV)
Christy Richardson Portageville, MO
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2 NIV
Kim Hower, Gaithersburg MD
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12-15 NIV)
Oh, sweet Fran, we haven’t chatted in a very long time! I hope you’re coming to the celebration!
Michelle V, Hewitt, TX
so that the kindness he had given us in his dear Son would be praised and given glory.
Ephesians 1:6 GW
Arlene C., Georgetown, TX: But that is not the way you learned Christ. Eph. 4:20 (ESV)
Rebecca Holmes, Birmingham, Alabama
“Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:15-16 NIV
The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Lamentations 3:22 NLT
Sarah, Christina and Esther May: Wenatchee
“You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.”
James 5:5 NIV
christina moore, Plano, Texas~
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
and marked off the heavens with a span,
enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure
and weighed the mountains in scales
and the hills in a balance?”
(Isaiah 40:12 ESV)
Kathy, High Point, NC
I will sing to the Lord,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.
Psalm 13:6(ESV)
Ruth Somers
BatonRouge, LA
. . . bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Colossians 3:13. NASB
Cathy Pernsteiner Clarkston, WA Isaiah 26:3&4 NIV “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.”
Kelly Davis, Danville VA. 1John 1:5
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
Kathleen D.
Bernardsville, NJ
1 Timothy 6:17 NIV
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”
Farmington,Mo “You will seek Me and find me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 please pray for us we are losing our home. I believe God will help me relocate myself with four small children.
Michelle Baylerian, Greenville, WI
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Col 3:2 ESV
***writing this as I head off to LPL-Milwaukee!!!
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5 (NIV).
Jeanette Dahm Lake Oswego, OR. Philippians 4-7. NIV. Do not be anxious about anything ,but in everything , by prayer and petition , with thanksgiving , present your requests to God. And the peace of God ,which transcends all understanding , will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 2:4 NKJV
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
I REALLY need to absorb this and keep it in my heart!!!
Sheila Johnson, Beckley, WV
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 NIV
Shiela Meert, Elkhart IN
“-the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals,the birds in the sky,the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents.” Psalm 8:7-8 NLT
Tensie Palmer, Los Angeles, CA
“that you may with one mind and one mouth
glorify the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 15:6 NKJV
Kim Joyner, Poplar Bluff, MO. “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 (NASB)
Hello, my name is Lori and I live in Medford Oregon
“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.”
John 15:3 NIV
Donna Alsop, Bakersfield, CA
“I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.” Colossians 2:4
Kelly, CA
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6 NIV
Boy I needed this!
Peggy, Yorktown Va
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where month and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your heart is there your heaven will be also. Matt 6:19-21
Glenda Jensen
Belgrade, Mt
Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning. Joel 2:12 KJV
2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
Stacy B.
Detroit Michigan
Matthew 6:33 (niv)
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well
Lynn Larson, Lake Villa, IL
Ephesians 2:16 NLT
Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of His death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.
Oh, I am so happy you werechosen to give the verse this time, Fran!! I am going with yours for every reason you gave, sweet Siesta!
Fran, Opelika AL
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6
Ephesians 4:13 ESV
Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the son of God,to mature manhood,to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Allison in Fort Worth, TX:
Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;
no deeds can compare with yours.
Psalm 86:8 (NIV)
Joan Bush (Coppell, TX): Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Diane, Wichita, KS
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. I Cor. 13:7
Connie Kempf
Eugene, OR
“For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” James 3:16 NKJV
Vonnie Baker, Marble Hill MO
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee,
Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Psalm 27:8 KJV
Phyllis, Ft. Worth, TX
1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NLT) “God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.”
Nance from Newmarket, ON Canada
“And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.”
Rev 21:23
NLT
Wheatridge, Colorado
“For I know the plans I have for you, ” declares the Lord, ” plans to prosper you and not to harm you you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Then you will call on me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you ” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 29: 11-14
Phyllis Winn
Gilmer, Tx
NIV Psalm 130:5 “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.”
1 Cor. 2:9
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
Our daughter in 1994 embroidered this for my husband. We still have it.
Jean, Abilene, TX
O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.
Psalm 84:12
Abbey Le Roy, Bluefield, West Virginia. “Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back.” Isaiah 38:17 (ESV)
Diane LeJeune, Fairview, TN
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27 NIV