Scripture memory verse 10, Africa, and pretty feet!

Why do I feel so guilty about coming back to my blog "haven" after having not posted in awhile? I honestly think it's because I want it to be so much more than it is right now. It's supposed to be my place to share...dream...teach...laugh...cry...scream...praise...all in words! I've been doing lots of ALL of that lately...just not here. Let me share a bit of what's been going on.

Back in the winter, my sweet friend and spiritual sister, Lorie, invited me to join her on a mission trip to Liberia, Africa to help lead women's retreats for a couple groups of precious Liberian women. Can I just say that no twisting of my arm was required, because this encompassed my calling and my passions: speaking, teaching women, sharing Christ's love, and Africa! Shortly after committing to the trip, Lorie continued to build her mission team while I began the process of raising financial support for me to be able to do this...mission trip funds were simply not in our budget this year. God was faithful! He provided every last dime that I needed! He. Is. So. Good!!! Throughout this spring, Lorie and I have been meeting weekly to prepare for this retreat, and she secured a couple of other dear women to make this journey with us. Excitement surrounding this trip and God's plan for us in this continued to mount! Fast forwarding a bit...

In ways that only God can do, He shocked all of us (Lorie and her husband included) a few weeks ago when he re-opened her womb after 7 years of unexplained fertility, and have given them the blessing of a new life. Yes! She's pregant! In all of the pregancy excitement, I momentarily forgot that this might mean she can't go to Africa. But, that's exactly what it means. While we still don't know what God is up to, and why He would choose to restore her fertility now right before we are scheduled to leave for this trip...I know that He is Sovereign and in complete control! He has a plan and purpose, and the rest of us on this mission team are still going to fulfill that purpose for Him. He has too much He wants us to share with these women, so we are going to do what we've been called to do in the land where He has called us! (Lorie: get ready for 2011!)

So...with all of that said, I've been a bit overwhelmed (in a VERY good way) preparing for this trip. While I also work outside my home at a summer camp and conference center, you can imagine that leaving to go to Africa the day before summer camp is set to begin brings a little anxiety. I have lots to do to prepare to be gone from work, to be gone from my family, and to prepare for these Liberian retreats. But...just you wait...upon my return, I'll probably have more blog posts than you care to read about over this adventure and journey that God is allowing me to take. I am completely humbled that He would choose me to serve Him in this way.

In preparing for this upcoming trip, I've been praying that God would give me specific scripture verses to cling to and take with me - written down separately - on this trip. So, whenever feelings of inadequacy and fear creep in or doubt or questions of why I'm doing this...I can immediately go to these verses and be reminded of what He promises in His Word. So, in preparing for this 10th memory verse of the year, he showed me something pretty amazing...I have beautiful feet! Bet ya didn't expect to hear that vain remark come out of my mouth did ya? Actually, it's based in scripture (my chosen verse for this second half of the month):

Romans 10:15b (NIV)
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!

According to this, I have beautiful feet, because I'm on my way to Africa very soon to share this good news with sweet women! Woohoo! I just love God's word! This verse actually comes from Isaiah 52:7 also, but in that context, mountains are also referenced, and since I'll be on the African coast (away from mountains), I thought I'd stick with the Romans wording. Ha! Ha! Any of you clinging to a specific verse right now? I'd love to hear it. What are you working on memorizing?

I pray that the rest of your weekend is most blessed as is your upcoming week. I would love your prayers over our team for this trip and for the women that we will be serving. We leave on June 5 and return June 14. Thanks sweet friends!

Scripture memory verse 9!

It's May 1 - already! It's hard to believe that 1/3 of 2010 is already over. This year is flying by! So...with today being May 1, it's time for another scripture memory verse posting. How does it feel - those of you that are doing this with me - to have 8 verses memorized already? Did you think you'd be able to do it? I knew you could!

For those of you that have "fallen off the wagon" so to speak - GET BACK ON! There's no time to re-commit like the present. God wants you in His word and His words in your heart! So, just start where you are...no need to make up for lost verses. Let's get back at it friends! If you're new to my blog and have no idea what I'm talking about, then simply go back and ready my January 1 post for clarification. It's never too late to join us!

The verse that I'm going to start memorizing today is a very popular verse, and I've heard it and read it many times before, but I've never committed it to memory before. I don't know about you, but my faith has been tested A LOT lately. I find myself continually saying out loud...(1) God - you are who you say you are. (2) You can do what you say you can do. (3) I am who you say I am. (4) I can do all things through Christ. (5) God's Word is alive and active in me. (Thanks Beth Moore!) If I don't constantly remind me of these truths, then doubt tries to creep in. I have no room for doubt in my life - it's full enough as it is. Anyway...right now, I'm praying for some God-sized things. And...I mean some GOD-SIZED things. There is nothing too big for God. And...I am reminded of that with this new verse I'm choosing to memorize:

Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..."

See the word immeasurably? It CAN'T be measured! That's huge friends! I stand on this truth.

How about you? What are you working on memorizing? Let's hear it...your name, city & state, verse, and translation!

Be blessed today!

Scripture memory verse 8!

WOW! It's shameful to realize that the last blog post I actually wrote was the one entitled "Scripture memory verse 7!" That means I haven't written in a couple weeks. I'm so disappointed in myself at times, but friends...I simply can't do a lot better than that right now. From a work standpoint, this is my busiest season. In addition to that, my Africa mission trip is just a little less than 2 months away! I've had 4 shots already and 2 more to go! And...if that wasn't enough...I've begun a new Mary Kay business for the purpose of earning money for adoption. Yes...adoption! More to come on that later. Then...She Speaks (more on that later too) is only a little more than 3 months away, and I have to prepare for that as well. And...I'm leaving for a quick jaunt to Florida with some work friends in the morning for a little work and a lot of fun! Yes - lots going on, but I'm grateful for the opportunities God continues to give me! He IS amazing!

Aside from busyness, it IS time for those of us committing to this scripture memory verse challenge to post another verse. I know the day is almost over, as of this writing, but it's still April 15. So, I'm going to post my verse! Those of you that are joining me on this journey or would like to join me...please post your verse within the next day or so. Don't forget to give the book, chapter, verse, translation, and type out the verse. I'd also like to see where you're from...first name and city, state will do nicely for that. If you have no idea what I'm talking about...read here for more information!

The verse God has led me to this time is from Proverbs:

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

How often do we set out to do something and never even ask the Lord what He thinks about it or what His desire is for us in the matter? Do you struggle to find success with plans that don't involve God? From personal experience, when God is in the center of my plans (His plans), and I commit those plans to Him...he allows success. But...I fail to do this so often.

So...what verses are you working on? Let's hear 'em friends!

Coming up...another 40 day blog post journey. Stay tuned! God willing, I'll be blogging the 40 days leading up to my mission trip to Africa (April 26-June 4).

Be blessed friends!

Scripture memory verse 7!

Good evening friends!

I'm so sorry for getting this posting up so late today. This day has been a full one, and unfortunately I'm just now getting around to posting my April 1 scripture memory verse. That's right! It's that time again scripture memory verse team! I can't wait to hear what you're working on for this first part of April.

Today, I've chosen a verse that is simply filled with praise. God is so worthy of our praise, dear ones! He is worthy of our praise in all circumstances and at all times...happy, sad, lonely, wonderful, fearful, times of grief, and times of joy, and I could go on and on. Bottom line - He IS my praise, and I choose to glorify Him!

I love beginning my morning quiet time prayers with praise and thanksgiving. We do the same thing at my Wednesday night prayer group. Having specific scripture verses to offer aloud as praise to the King of Kings only enhances that intimate time.

So...with that said...here's the verse I've chosen:

Psalm 63:3-4 (NIV)
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will life up my hands.

As always, feel free to join me in my memorizing that verse, or work on whatever you feel led to work on! Let's hear it folks...verse, translation, first name, and city!

Have a blessed evening!

Scripture memory verse 6!

As promised (even though it's very late in the day), I've returned to "blogland" to post my next scripture memory verse. I'm so committed to this challenge, that regardless of what trials life brings my way, I will not stop memorizing God's Word. I keep looking back at 2009 and realize that often times the verses I memorized were literally what got me through the days, weeks, and months sometimes. I know that some of you who began this journey with me in January have not been around for the last few posts. I know that some of you are in a foreign country right now (on mission work). That's okay - you can catch up soon! Some of you may feel like you missed a few opportunities earlier this year so why get back on the wagon now? Don't stop! That's exactly what the enemy wants to see you do! Please don't give in to that ploy! You can start right back up where you left off. Either way - I'll be here twice a month posting my verses. We've got to keep at this friends! God's Word is powerful. Living. Active. Sharper than a double-edged sword. (see also Hebrews 4:12)

OK - that said - this will be a brief post. You can read my previous blog post to get a small understanding of why it needs to be brief right now. I'm sad to report that I continue to feel great discouragement right now over difficult life situations. I'm doing what I can to try to overcome that, but I can't do it on my own. I'm leaning on God's Word and my prayer warrior friends heavily right now. So...my memory verse for this time is something that I hope to memorize quickly and cling to deeply and constantly:

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV)
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

I need to know and believe that today! How about you? What verse has God led you to memorize beginning today? If you're struggling with picking a verse, feel free to work on the same one that I'm doing. So, if you're used to this...go ahead and post a comment with the verse you're memorizing including translation. If you're just joining us for the first time...you can read more about it by looking at my first post for the year by clicking HERE. It's NEVER too late to start!

Have a blessed evening friends! You are special to me!

Scripture memory verse 5!

Can you believe it's already March? I'm still trying to get used to writing 2010, and we've already completed two months of this "new" year. Where has the time gone? It's also hard to believe that those of us that have been working on the Scripture Memory Verse Challenge for 2010 have 4 verses under our belt already! (If you joined us late...don't worry about it. We're simply so happy to have you meet us wherever you are along the journey.)

Before I get to the actual memory verse for the first part of the month, I thought I'd catch you up a little on what's been going on with me since I've been a little light on blogging as of late.

Two weeks ago, I began a fast. I completely fasted from all solid foods and only drank water and organic fruit/veggie juices. I actually did a full seven day fast! I've completed several fasts before but nothing beyond 3 days. I'm still in shock at how easy the fasting part was. It wasn't perfectly easy - there were a few (but very few) times of difficulty. However, for the most part, I felt great that entire week. Nobody (other than my family and a close friend or two that I asked to pray for me) even knew I was doing this. I was on such a spiritual "high" the entire time I was fasting. My quiet time in God's Word was deep and very profound at times, and my prayer time was out of this world. I had 7 things that I focused on during the fast, and I devoted one day to each of those focuses. I feel like I've heard clearly from God in response to a couple of items, and I'm still waiting and praying about the others.

By contrast, the week after my fast was horrendous (and, this week is unfortunately starting the same way so far). I went from such a spiritual high to such a spiritual low very quickly. I honestly feel like I'm under attack (and probably am). But, I'm not going to stop trusting God for those things that I know to be true. I'm just feeling a little down these days, but that will change soon too. I just need a little time and a lot of prayer. Regardless, I WILL make fasting a regular part of my spiritual walk from now on. It's way too important not to, and I feel so close to God during those precious times.

So, in light of the spiritual attack that I feel as if I'm under...I've chosen the following verse to memorize for the next 14 days:

Isaiah 43:2 (NKJV)
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.

Let's hear it folks...verse, version, your first name, and city!

Be blessed dear friends!

Scripture memory verse 4!

It's that time again scripture memory verse buddies of mine! February 15 brings us to our second memory verse of the month. How's it going so far? Do you find it fairly easy to memorize the verses or a bit difficult? If it's been a bit difficult for you, then (1) ask God to lead you to the verse He wants to challenge you with, and (2) don't try to take on a verse that is too lengthy. I always want to challenge myself with verses a little more difficult than "Jesus wept", but I don't want it to be so difficult that it makes me want to throw in the towel. We're talking consistency here friends. We simply want to create a habit of setting aside two days a month to select scripture to work on memorizing the other days of the month. That's it. Some months may find you choosing lengthier verses than others - that's okay. I would just caution you to not make that the norm but rather the exception.

For me, I had a very difficult time choosing a verse this time (hence the late posting this evening). I truly didn't feel any of the ones I looked at "click" with me. I kept praying and asking God to make it clear, but my mind continued to be a bit muddled. Then, I realized it all boils down to the fact that right now I'm seeking God on some very big matters, and I fully expect answers. Maybe not today but someday. I'm at that place that I don't like to be very often - waiting on God. But, it seems that I've found myself there a lot lately. I've also found that He doesn't want me to quit waiting either. There's a reason for the delay, so I have to trust that it's all for His appointed time. As I kept going over these thoughts over and over in my mind and kept searching the scriptures for the verse I was to begin memorizing today...He finally revealed it to me!!!

For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.

Habakkuk 2:3 (NKJV)

So, let's hear it friends...leave a comment with your first name, city/state, verse, and translation. I can't wait to hear what verses you're working on.

If you're new, please join us right where you are today. Here's a LINK back to my original post to help get you started, but you can simply start today. It's NEVER too late to start memorizing God's Word!

Be blessed sweet friends!

Scripture memory verse 3!

WOW! The first month of 2010 is gone already! Can you believe we already have two memorized verses under our belt this year? How are you feeling about it so far? I love how when we're diligent to seek God through His Word that He ALWAYS shows up! He often speaks to us through the verse that we're memorizing at the time by allowing us to not only hide it in our heart but to allow it to burst forth in a very tangible way in our everyday lives. For example, my last verse spoke about God being strong during our weaknesses. I was talking with a friend a little over a week ago, and she was talking about this very thing - how weak she was in a certain area, and the Holy Spirit prompted me to reminder her that especially during that weakness - God will be able to reveal His strength! I love it when that happens!

Moving onto the verse for February...

While I didn't watch The Grammy's last night...I certainly had no shortage of information seeing the Facebook and Twitter posts that kept flying about all evening. I'm sure some people were disappointed with the winners and others were elated. What was your favorite song? Mine? Well, my favorite song didn't come from some Grammy nominated selection...mine came from a song the Lord gave me years ago when He claimed me for his very own...

"He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord." Psalm 40:3 (NIV)

I love that! But, it also scares me a bit, because I wonder how often I turn people away from my sweet Father because of how I allow my "song" to be played at times. Sometimes my song sounds a bit scratchy (like one of those old scratchy LPs) and people beg for it to be turned off. Sometimes I play it too loudly, and it hurts the ears of those listening. Sometimes it sounds like all the others so it gets ignored. I love how Sheri Rose Shepherd puts it in His Princess, "Don't let the noise of this world destroy your magnificent melody, My beloved. Seek Me in the quiet stillness of the morning, and I will fill your heart with divine music. Stay in Rhythm with My Spirit throughout the day, and I will make your life an irresistible medley that will linger like sweet perfume in the hearts of all that journey with you." Ooooh...that is sooooo good! I want my song to be like a "sweet perfume" that entices and draws others to join me on the same journey. How about you? What song has God given you?

So, for the first part of this month...I'm going to commit Psalm 40:3 to memory to remind me that others are listening to my melody, so it better be "in tune" and better give praise go God!

Let's hear it...what are your February 1 verses? Verse and version; first name and city, state!

By the way...if any of you are a little late in joining this scripture memorization train...don't let that stop you! Please go ahead and jump on and start right where you are...God will bless your efforts. No doubt!

Be blessed today my friends!

Scripture memory verse 2!

Good evening friends!

Guess what today is? It's January 15! You know what that means? It's time to start memorizing scripture #2 for the month (and the year)! If you have no idea what I'm talking about...you can read about it here first! We'd love to have some newbies join us on this amazing journey! It doesn't matter if you didn't get started on January 1. You can start right now and either (1) memorize 2 verses for this month to get completely "caught up", or (2) simply begin your scripture memorization journey this year on January 15! Simple as that! But...whatever you do...simply join us! You won't be disappointed!


In choosing my second verse for the month, I searched for something that would speak to God as being my all sufficiency, my provider...Jehovah Jireh. I feel so weak and so defeated sometimes, and I need to know God as Jehovah Jireh during those times especially. He's the One who provides not only financially (Praise God!), but He also provides emotionally, Spiritually, mentally, and physically. Sometimes...I need Him to provide peace...sometimes strength...sometimes comfort...sometimes resources. So, the verse I am choosing to memorize now is 2 Corinthians 12:9 from the NIV:

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

So, let's hear it scripture memory verse buddies...post a comment with your first name, city and state, your chosen verse, and the translation you're using this time. I can't wait to hear what you're working on. If you're stuck or don't have a particular verse in mind to use, you are always more than welcome to join me in memorizing the one I've chosen. And...most importantly...don't forget to record your verse in your spiral (you have gotten it...haven't you?)!

Continue to work on verse 1. Last year, I would daily recite all verses I memorized up to that point until I knew that I knew them. I might then work on old verses every other day but continue to work on my newest verse each day. Once you've committed them to memory, you can even drive down the road simply saying them out loud. You'll be amazed how quickly you can amass a bunch of memorized scriptures!

Have a great weekend!

Happy New Year! Scripture memory verse 1!

Happy New Year blog friends!

I love this day that ushers in a new year, a new month, and a new decade. New beginnings! Gotta love 'em!

For those of you that have been reading my blog for awhile, you know that one of my focuses in 2009 was on scripture memory. I joined my "Scripture Mama" Beth Moore via her blog community at Living Proof Ministries last year two times a month to post the scripture passages I worked on memorizing. I'm not sure if Mama Beth is going to continue this in a blog format again this year, but I loved it so much that I have determined to do so. It really made a huge impact on me last year - got me deeper into God's word and enabled me opportunities to use the scriptures that I memorized in very tangible ways.

So, I'm going to follow the same format that we were instructed to do last year. It worked very well and works even better to have friends doing it together for accountability purposes! Care to join me? Here's how it's going to work...

1. Go to your local Walmart, Walgreens, Target or something similar and pick up a spiral bound index card set (like in the picture below). They really are inexpensive, and will help to keep your scriptures organized all in one place.



2. On the 1st and 15th of each month, we'll be choosing a verse from scripture to memorize. It can be as short or as long as you'd like, but I would encourage you to choose something challenging and yet not so challenging that you set yourself up for failure from the get-go. These need to be scriptures that you've never committed to memory before. They don't have to be ones you've never heard just ones you've never memorized. Some of the ones that I chose last year were ones I've heard my whole but never took the time to memorize. If you're struggling with choosing a scripture, then I invite you to memorize the same one that I'm doing. I certainly don't mind sharing!

3. Then, write your scripture, book and verse(s), and Bible translation on one of your index cards. Carry that spiral around with you everywhere - car, work, bathroom, whatever it takes to write that verse on your heart.

4. After writing it down, come back here and post a comment and include the same things in the verse above...the actual Biblical reference with book and verse(s) as well as your first name, city and state. That's it! It's simply a way to hold each of us accountable. We'll do this each month on the 1st and 15th, and you'll be amazed at how God uses this discipline in your life!

Now...I realize that with this being New Year's Day, you may not have time or desire to rush right out and buy a spiral notebook. That's okay. Just try to do so as soon as possible. For today, you can just write the verse down on a piece of paper and transfer to your spiral later. Just start!

Some of you may happen upon this blog post after January 1 and still wish to be included. OF COURSE you may still join us. This is not a selective community. The more the merrier, and if I happen to be the only one posting on the 1st and 15th - I'm still going to do it. However, the more public I make this - the more accountable I'm going to be.

Lastly - tell all your friends to stop by! I'd love to see this scripture community grow. It's one of my passions! I honestly don't care if they don't want to read a single one of my blog posts, but I'd be tickled pink to have them join us these two days a month!

So...are you going to join me? What's holding you back? Here we go...

My first scripture passage of the month (and year) is coming from my absolutely favorite New Testament book of the Bible - James! I've really thought a lot about the fact that I use the faith word rather loosely. Yes, I have faith about this or I have faith about that...blah blah blah. The real question is this - am I putting feet to my faith or is it all talk? That's where this verse comes in.

James 2:17 (NLT)
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

Ouch! James gave us some pretty tough words to chew on, and I especially love the New Living Translation of this verse.

Another tool for you to use if you'd like to examine different translations of a verse to help you decide which to use is BibleGateway.com. I love that website!

So...are you in? Are you going to walk this scripture memorization journey with me in 2010? Ready to get spiritually healthier? Jump aboard! Let's embark!