Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2015: Verse 16!

2013-10-12 16.45.13

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

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2,539 Responses to “Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2015: Verse 16!”

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Comments:

  1. 151
    Linda Trammell says:

    Conyers, GA
    2 Corinthians 4:8-9 KJV
    8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.
    9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.

  2. 152
    Pam Vining says:

    Pam, Tryon, NC
    “The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still.” Exodus 14:14 NIV

  3. 153
    Cindy Cannon says:

    Cindy Cannon, Brighton, IL
    Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be men (women) of courage, be strong. I Cor 16:13 (NIV)

  4. 154
    Beth Evans says:

    Beth Evans
    Kingfisher, OK
    “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
    ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:15-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬
    http://bible.com/111/eph.5.15-16.niv

  5. 155
    Kathy says:

    Kathy , Austin ps 35:27
    Let them shout for joy, who favor my vindication and let them say continually, “the Lord be magnified, who delights in the prosperity of His servant”.

  6. 156
    Molly says:

    Molly-Overland Park, KS “1 I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.
    2 Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
    Psalms 116:1-2 ESV

  7. 157
    Kim says:

    Kim in St. Charles, IL
    Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
    Matthew 5:13 KJV

  8. 158
    Kassandra says:

    Kassandra Butte, ND
    Ephesians 6:14 NLT
    Stand you’re ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.

  9. 159
    Beth Crocker says:

    Beth Crocker, Madison, WI “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” Jude 1:24-25 NIV

  10. 160
    Beverly Schlomann says:

    Beverly
    Midlothian, VA

    Psalm 46:2 ESV
    Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

  11. 161
    Linda Lorring says:

    Linda Lorring, Reno, NV
    Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)

  12. 162
    Malorie Elrod says:

    Malorie Elrod, Sharpsburg Ga- For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. (‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12‬:‭14‬ NIV)

  13. 163
    Jamie Raborn says:

    Jamie Raborn from Ooltewah, TN

    2 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV

    Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

  14. 164
    Diane Ellison says:

    Diane Ellison from Littleton, CO

    Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

    1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV

  15. 165
    Dianne wade says:

    Dianne Wade
    Maineville, Ohio
    Ephesianes 6 :16 niv
    In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,
    with which you can extinguish all the flaming
    arrows of the evil one.

  16. 166
    Shannon says:

    Shannon, Shelby, MT
    “The LORD protects you; the LORD is a shelter right by your side. 7 The sun will not strike you by day or the moon by night.”
    Psalm 121:6-7

  17. 167
    Linda Williams says:

    Linda W. from Tomball, TX;
    “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5 ESV

  18. 168
    Michelle Wynne says:

    Michelle Wynne, Spokane ,WA
    Continuing from vs 5….Philippians 2:11 “and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father.” ESV

  19. 169
    Diane says:

    Diane in Lenexa,KS
    Psalm 19:9
    The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.
    The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.

  20. 170
    Gayla Stephens says:

    Cedartown, GA

    Psalm147:4 NIV
    He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.

  21. 171
    Susan Canham says:

    Susan Canham, Bismarck ND
    Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
    -Ephesians 4:31 NKJV

  22. 172
    Cara Dorn says:

    Cara, Oswego, IL. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

  23. 173
    Vicki Osier says:

    Vicki from Grapevine TX

    Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be. ~ Psalm 139:16 NIV

  24. 174
    M.H. Esposito says:

    MH, San Mateo, CA

    Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

    2 Corinthians 8:2 NIV

  25. 175
    Stephanie Volkmer says:

    Stephanie Volkmer, Tulsa Ok.
    *set a guard, o Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. (Psalm 141:3, nkjv)

  26. 176
    Charlotte Skadal says:

    Charlotte Skadal, Houston, Texas

    “Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer nor His lovingkindness from me!” Psalm 66:20 (NASB)

  27. 177
    Julie says:

    Julie, new braunfels

    Spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping spiritually fit. Bodily exercise is all right but spiritual exercise is much more important and a tonic for all you do. 1 Tim 4:7

  28. 178
    Kimberly says:

    Ephesians 4:32. NIV
    Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.

  29. 179
    Karen Anderson says:

    Karen Anderson Minot, ND
    We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV)

  30. 180
    Yvonne Gearing says:

    Yvonne Gearing – Kingman, AZ

    Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
    Romans 12:9-10 NLT

  31. 181
    Jen Massara says:

    Jen Massara – Albany, OR
    I tell you, her sins – and they are many – have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love.
    Luke 7:47a NLT

  32. 182
    Adina Berkner says:

    Adina Berkner Pittsburgh,PA

    Your eyes saw me when I was formless, all my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began.

    Psalm 139:16 HCSB

  33. 183
    Michele says:

    Michele Gibbons, Waterloo, Ontario

    Yours is the day, yours also the night;
    you have established the heavenly lights and the sun.
    You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth;
    you have made summer and winter.

    Psalm 74:16-17 ESV

  34. 184
    Margie DeMoss, Eugene, OR says:

    And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
    ~Ephesians 6:16 ESV

  35. 185
    Tara in Salem, OR says:

    Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 1 John 3:18

  36. 186
    Connie Robbins says:

    Connie, London, England

    For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
    1 Corinthians 4:20 (NIV)

  37. 187
    Wendy Tunison says:

    Wendy Tunison Caldwell, Idaho

    Open my eyes that I may behold the wondrous things out of your law.

    Psalm 119:18

  38. 188
    Linda A. Hammett says:

    Linda Hammett from Wake Forest, NC says:
    ” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”
    Psalms 126:3 (NIV)

  39. 189

    New Braunfels, TX NASB
    Psalm 42:8
    The Lord will command His loving kindness in the daytime and His song will be with me in the night. A prayer to the God of my life.

  40. 190
    Colleen Hale says:

    Colleen, Mae Sot, Thailand
    And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
    James 3:6

  41. 191
    Susie Sharrai says:

    Susie, Harrisburg, PA
    All the believers were one in heart and mind.
    ~ Acts 4:32 NIV

  42. 192
    Anne Stinnette says:

    Anne Stinnette, Koror, Palau: “But God being rich in mercy, because of HIs great love with which He loved us,” Eph. 2:4 NASB

  43. 193
    Heather Rattray says:

    Heather Louisville, KY
    ” they are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God.”
    Psalm 92:13

  44. 194
    Harmony Goddard says:

    Harmony, Moncton, NB, Canada. James 1:4 NIV
    [4] Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

  45. 195
    Cynthia says:

    Cynthia Gainesville,Ga
    Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance in what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV

  46. 196
    Mary says:

    Mary, Frisco TX,
    “because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
    ‭‭James‬ ‭2:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  47. 197
    Lori Johnson says:

    Lori Johnson Auburn, MA. Ephesians 3:17b-19 And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

  48. 198
    Nathalie Van Hoorebeke says:

    Nathalie Van Hoorebeke, Birmingham, UK

    God chose what is low and despised in this world,
    even things that are not,
    to bring to nothing things that are,
    so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
    1Cor1:28,29 ESV

  49. 199
    Merle NM says:

    Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

    Psalm 51:2 KJV

  50. 200
    Barbara Slaven says:

    Barbara Slaven
    Loudon, Tennessee
    Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
    Romans 12:12 NIV

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