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
Jennifer Olmstead
Janesville, Wisconsin
Ephesians 6:10 (HCSB)
Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by HIS VAST STRENGTH.
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[And, yes, Ma’am, Miss Beth, I am borrowing this one from your Milwaukee LPL Recap; as:
# 1) I REALLY NEED to memorize this Scripture verse again!
And, # 2)Even though I ONLY live SEVENTY-FIVE to EIGHTY miles from that particular LPL venue; the Lord kept “appearing to be attempting to close that door upon me.” 🙁
Well, it turned out to be a “correct feeling” on my part; as, the UTI I had earlier that week turned into a Lousy, Rotten Kidney Infection! So, I was in bed resting and/or sleeping all day Friday and into Saturday.] I was pretty “bummed out” about it, though !
SO, I am REALLY Praying that LPL MILW. was audio-taped this time !!!
However, I am SUPER EXCITED that the LPL Simulcast is coming up soon; and that I can watch it from Home !!!
Love ya, sister, Jennifer
Psalms 90:12 HCSB
Teach us to number
Our days carefully
So that we may develop wisdom
In our hearts.
Janis Slatter, Auckland, New Zealand
Proverbs 31 v 15 Amplified
She rises while yet it is night and gets spiritual food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks
Debbie DeLeo, moved from Seattle to Ellensburg, Washington… “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:10 nasb…
Karen from Powell, Ohio
I am confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Psalm 27:13 (NIV)
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.””
Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mat.11.28-30.nlt
Exodus 14:14-15 (NKJV)
“The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.
And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.”
Carolyn
Wheaton, IL
*I loved hearing from Fran! I went to high school with her husband, and we met each other online years ago, I believe first through this blog!
Dede Mitchell Atlantic Beach FL
Phil 1:6. He who began a good work in you will carry it onto completion until the day of Christ Jesus!
Alicia Casady, Columbia, MO
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14
Nancy Redkey, IN
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16. NIV
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2. ESV
Devote yourselves to prayer be watchful and thankful. And pray for us too that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ. Colossians 4:2-3
Jami Carey, Fishers, IN
But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from Me. I, the Lord, have spoken!
Isaiah 54:17 NLT
Robin Greenwood, IN
Therefore,humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,that He may exalt you in due time.
I Peter 5:66 NKJV
Kerri Turner, Milton, FL
Psalm 139:5-6 NIV
You hem me in-behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Shelly Wilson, Fort Worth, TX
Romans 8:6 (NKJV) – For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Tammy, Deer Park, WA
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Romans 12:3 (NIV)
Alice Hinckley, Dallas, TX:
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners Isaiah 61:1 NIV
Rebecca from Lake Mary, Fl
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
I Peter 5:7 NIV
april, Seymour, TN
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6 ESV
Payson, AZ
Romans 12:10 (NIV)
10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Crystal & Reese, Canton MI
Phil 2:5 NIV
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others
Chris, Seattle, WA
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:6 NIV
Laura Stevens
El Paso, TX
2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Lindsey, Scenery Hill, PA
Matthew 7:1-2 Esv
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
Patti Egbert, Brush Prairie, WA
“Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts.”
1 Corinthians 14:1 (ESV)
Stephanie, Pawleys Island, SC
I was very worried. But your comfort brought me joy.
Psalm 94:19 (NIRV)
Lisa Curtis
Jackson, MO
A little late but I think I posted on fb on time. Still feel like it doesn’t count if I don’t post on the blog.
Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14 NIV
Hebrews 10:39 esv
“But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”
Holly Smith
Now in College Station, TX! Give God Praise!
Cathy in Orofino, ID
For in CHRIST JESUS…..the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Gal.5:6 NIV
Vickie Ethingtom, Chandler, AZ “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.”
Jude 1:20-23 NASB
Tami G. Franklin, TN
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13 NIV
Rita – Alva, Florida
“If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”
Jeremiah 29:13 _ NLT
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13
Dori Wooldridge Indiana
Deuteronomy 6:4-6
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, The Lord is one. Love The Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be yon your hearts.”
Amanda, Calgary, AB
Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you;
he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 44:22 ESV
Sue Starling
Matthew 5:9 ESV
Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God.
Haven’t had internet for the past week- hope that doesn’t disqualify me! 🙂
“And he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.'” Revelation 21:6
Nancy, Junction City, AR.
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:3-4 NKJ
Christi Hudson, Newnan, GA
For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. Ps. 33:4 (NIV)
And The Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden and like a spring of water who’s waters do not fail. Isaiah 58:11 NAS
Erika, Monson MA
Heather Evans. Bryan, TX
Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:39(NIV)
Becca, Monterey CA.
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:”
~ Philippians 2:5 NIV
Allison Crook
Albuquerque, NM
“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From whence shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.”
Psalms 121:1-2 (NASB)
Miranda
Loganville, GA
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Psalm 95:1 NIV
Michaela
Loganville, GA
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10 NIV
Michelle, Bossier City, LA – Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children
Ephesians 5:1 NIV
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV)
Shantha Diaz, lincoln, RI
Tisha
Pilot Mtn, NC
The fear of the Lord leads to life;
then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
Proverbs 19:23 (NIV)
Amy 7634
“And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
1 Corinthians 6:11 (ESV)