Category Archives: Five Minute Friday

Better ~ Five Minute Friday

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Linking up with the talented writers over at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com where the idea is to write for five minutes to a given prompt. I love writing to a prompt! Sticking to five minutes? Not so much.  I always try but usually don’t stop. But it’s the first post in 2019 and I’m ready to give it another go!

Time starts now!

The Better Story

“Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!’ ” John 20:27 (NLT)/ Pixabay

Rain had been coming down for what seemed like weeks.  It sure didn’t feel like it was only a few days before Christmas, but the calendar told a different story. Of course, there was lots I still needed to get done and in my attempt to check things off my list, I was rushing here and there. You know what can happen when you’re in a hurry, don’t you? Without warning my feet flew completely out from under my body and Wham! I found myself unexpectedly sprawled out on the wet sidewalk! Thankfully, nothing was broken so I slowly returned to my upright position.  Pain accompanied me each step of the way as I completed the stops I had yet to make. It wasn’t until arriving home and taking off my jacket that I realized my elbow had taken the brunt of the fall. The evidence was bright red on the sleeve of my shirt.

I didn’t have time for stitches! It wasn’t on my agenda! Still, there I was with my arm propped up on a shiny silver table while skilled hands kindly put me back together. It didn’t take long for bruises to appear, muscles to protest, and a sense of gratitude to set in; as I realized I’d been spared a worse fate.

I’m much better now! Dark purple splotches** have faded to yellowish-green and pain from many pulled muscles has diminished. Where stitches once were woven into my skin, a scar now remains. A scar that will to me, always serve as a reminder and a prompt to the story….”remember the Christmas when I not so gracefully laid spread out on the sidewalk and shed blood in an attempt to give my all to a to-do list?”

We’ve all had wounds that left scars to tell stories of our lives. But, isn’t it amazing that there is One whose wounds and scars save our lives?

“He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 (NLT)

Jesus shed his blood, gave his all, so that I could be healed. You could be healed. Because of God’s grace, Jesus took the brunt of the fall of man, spreading his arms out on the cross and taking our sins with him. Our dark splotches become white, our pain diminishes, and where we’d once been bound by sin, He now remains. His scars become ours to bear. They serve as a reminder to each of us to tell the story.  His story. The better story! The one with a happy ending. The story that fills us with such gratitude when we realize that we’ve been spared a much worse fate. It’s a story that’s meant to be shared again and again, because it gets better and better every time it’s told!

 

 

With ~ Five Minute Friday

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Joining the lovely group of writers over at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com to write to the prompt “With” today.  Why, don’t you hop over there and see what others did with “With”!

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2: 9-11 (NIV)/ Pixabay

Christmas Comes With or Without

Are you ready? There are only four days left until Christmas! Have you found the perfect gifts? Are they wrapped and placed under your beautifully decorated tree? Do you have your menus planned and the groceries stocked up in your cupboards? Are your cards and packages mailed to all those who are far away from you this season? Or maybe, just maybe…..you’re more like me: still finishing your cards, nothings wrapped, as a matter of fact, you’re still waiting for gifts to be delivered, and you have no idea what you need to get at the grocery store. Well, guess what? Christmas will come with or without all the preparations being made.

Think back to Mary and Joseph. They had a long trip ahead of them.  Joseph had readied a donkey for Mary to ride upon.  I’m sure Mary had prepared food for the journey.  They’d thought it through and everything seemed to be in place. That is of course, until they reached Bethlehem and found they weren’t prepared at all.

Mary was tired and uncomfortable. Crowds of people wandered the streets around them. Finally,  Joseph knocked on a door with the hope of preparing a place for Mary to rest, only to be turned away without a room or a plan. You know what happened next:

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her first born, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2: 6-7 (NIV)

They weren’t in a warm, cozy room at the inn.  Christmas came without it.  Mary wasn’t prepared with baby clothes and a blanket but instead, had to wrap Him in cloths. Christmas came without them. There was no cradle to rock Him in, just a manger full of hay. Christmas came anyway. It wasn’t as they had hoped or planned but their baby met them right. where. they. were.

That’s the message for us this Christmas and every day: Jesus came to meet us right where we are.  We don’t have to do this or that.  Have this or that. Be this or that. Just like Christmas, Jesus comes with or without our feeling prepared to meet Him. And He loves us just as we are.

Yes, Christmas is only four days away and you may be sitting in the midst of wrapping paper rolls, ribbons and piles of unwrapped gifts, covered in flour as you roll out cookie dough, or find yourself tangled in strings of lights attempting to finally decorate the tree, all the while worrying that you’re not prepared. Take a deep breath and remember that Christmas will come, with or without every little thing being perfect and it will be fine. More importantly, remember that Christmas HAS come, long ago as a baby in a manger; Who’s gifts of hope and love are for each one of us, wherever. we. are.

 

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and if you’ve felt Jesus knocking on the door to your heart, now’s the perfect time to answer, make room, and let Him in to meet you where you are.

 

Deep ~ Five Minute Friday

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I’m joining in (a little late) with the other great writers over at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com  writing to the prompt “deep”.  Hope you’ll visit and see what “deep” subjects they’ve written about! Here I go…….

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:6-7 (NIV) / Pixabay

In Too Deep

I remember an unexpected storm back when I was a teenager where it snowed and snowed and snowed some more. It continued until the drifts became as high as the windows on our house! When we finally took the plunge (literally) and headed out, we didn’t get far. It took only a few attempted steps to realize that the deep snow made it very difficult to move! As hard as it was for us, it was even worse for our little dog, Pixie.  Unaware of what awaited her, she dashed through the open door as usual only to immediately disappear from sight. As you might have guessed, her weight was too much for the soft, powdery snow and so she found herself unexpectedly submerged. Trapped in the hole of her own making, Pix was unable to see her way** out, powerless to move, and so she lifted her face to the sky and let out a forlorn cry. Things hadn’t gone as planned! She found herself in peril of being buried and all she wanted was to go back to the shelter of our house.

So, here we are, entering into the Christmas Season: a time of preparation, hope, and peace.  Wait! What? Peace? Oh, we set out as usual with the idea that this year we’ll cut back and focus more on the birth of Jesus, but then comes the blizzard of activities piling one upon the other upon the other, until we’re in too deep finding ourselves unexpectedly snowed under. And Baby Jesus? We lose sight of Him and are in peril of missing out on the joy of our Savior’s birth! It makes me think about those innkeepers long ago. They too were in the midst of a flurry of activity; unaware of what awaited them on the other side of the door when Joseph knocked or of the Miracle they crowded out of their lives.

What can we do to break free from the holiday trap we find ourselves in?  Maybe these simple things can help us see our way and move in the right direction:

*Pray ~ Making time in our busy day for prayer helps redirect our focus from our plan to His and reconnects us to the only Power we need to help dig our way out of all that weighs us down.

*Listen to the traditional Carols ~ You know I love music and Christmas songs rank high on my list but when I feel overwhelmed with expectations or begin to feel drained I turn on those old wonderful standards like “Silent Night”, “Away in a Manger”, and “Joy to the World” and let the story of Jesus’ birth sink into my soul as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

*Read the original Christmas story found in Luke 2 aloud from the Bible. It doesn’t matter if anyone other than you is listening or not.  Allow the words to speak to your heart and lift your spirit.

*Choose people over things ~ I am a perfectionist extraordinaire from way back, so I know the pressure we can put on ourselves to provide the “perfect” Christmas for everyone but I’m here to tell you, that mindset will sink us quickly into a deep hole of our own making. Spending time with those we love IS the perfect Christmas gift and no fancy wrapping is required!

It’s December 4th. Has the avalanche of “to do’s” begun? Are you already in too deep? I hope not, but if you are, like Pixie, lift your face to sky and cry out to the One who can help lead you back, not to the house, but to the shelter of a stable and the miracle of the Babe in the manger.

I would love for you to share ways that you use to keep Christmas from losing its true meaning and becoming overwhelming. Feel free to leave your ideas in the comments! I need all the help I can get!

 

 

Burden ~ Five Minute Friday

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It’s that time again! Another prompt from http://www.fiveminutefriday.com Today’s prompt is “Burden”.  I’m not sure but I think a visit with a beautiful donkey named Liza Jane set me on the path to today’s post.  Of course, it took me more than five minutes which is par for the course. If you’d like to read more about our burdens, just click on over.  You won’t be disappointed.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV) / Pixabay

Burdens are Lifted

There once was a little donkey
Who’s burden was the weight,
Of one: young, pregnant, and weary
Looking for rest for it was late.

With each step he did carry
The girl into the night.
When finally, a stable
Up ahead came into sight.

The donkey’s burden was lifted
As she slid down from her place.
Little did the donkey know
He would gaze at the Savior’s face.

There once was a little donkey
Who’s burden was a man.
Destined for this journey
Because it was God’s plan.

With each step he did carry
The man who they called King;
The people laid their cloaks down
And with praise they did sing.

The donkey’s burden was lifted
As the man slid from His place.
Little did the donkey know
He would witness God’s loving grace.

We’re like those little donkeys
With burdens, we must bear.
Step by step we travel
Beneath a load of care.

Laden, tired, weary, and worn
We struggle on our own.
Why is it that we always forget
We’re not in this alone?

Yes, our burdens they were lifted,
As Jesus left His place on high.
They were nailed with Him onto the cross
Where He died for you and I.

A baby, a man, a Savior
Once on a little donkey did ride.
His yoke is easy. His burden light.
And in His rest, we can truly abide.

 

 

What Do You Have on Repeat? ~ Five Minute Friday

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It’s Five Minute Friday! Today’s prompt is “repeat”. Want to know what others have been inspired to write about the prompt? Head on over to http://www.fiveminutefriday.com And here’s a novel idea I’m actually going to try and stick to the five minute limit!  Haha!  We’ll see how that goes!

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 (NASB)

What Do You Have on Repeat?

Music reaches me like nothing else.  There are times that a message in a song brings God’s word to life and touches me so deeply that I set my iPod on repeat so I can listen to it again and again until the words saturate my parched soul and fill the cracks in my broken heart. Words like ” You give me everything”, “Fear is a liar”, “Come to the table”, and “You wash me in mercy, I am clean” are just a few of my favorites I’m replaying right now.

The problem is that these uplifting words are not the only thing repeating over and over in my head.  Competing with those inspiring lines for my attention is that voice.  You know the one: it points out all my mistakes, weaknesses, and insecurities. And, it doesn’t just mention them once or twice, but repeats them again and again and again.  The worst part?**  I listen. And all too soon my soul becomes thirsty and my heart needs repair once more.  Maybe you know this struggle, too.

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8 (NASB)

I don’t know about you, but changing the tune on my iPod is a lot easier than changing it in my head! I’m not able to do it on my own; believe me I’ve tried!  What if we began to measure what we’re listening to by the standards above? If that voice is repeating lines that are not pure, lovely, and worthy of praise then it’s time we hit stop and play a new song. Not just any old song but let’s dwell in one with words like “Amazing grace how sweet the sound”, “I know Who holds tomorrow”, and “Jesus loves me this I know”( just a few more of my favorites). I’m hitting the repeat button right now!

Share ~ Day 5 ~ 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes

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This post is part of the October 2018 Edition of 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes. I hope you”ll join me in seeing where each prompt takes us.
 P.S. Just so you know, I’m finding it difficult to stick to five minutes (**) and it may take me longer than the 31 days to finish all the prompts. Not easy for this rule follower!
You can read more 31 Days entries at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com  

Love is Meant to be Shared

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. John 13:34 (NLT)/ Pixabay

Cleaning out my classroom after teaching for 32 years was no easy feat! That’s a long time of saving, creating, collecting, and reusing! It took many short trips to the dumpster and one LONG trip down memory lane!

Deep in the corners of drawers, cupboards, and shelves I found trinkets, artwork, photos, rocks, dried flowers, even petrified candy children had shared with me throughout my career.  Precious things that this teacher just couldn’t throw away! In amongst those treasures were also a variety of love notes from my students.  Some scribbled on scraps of paper, the backs of old spelling tests, and others drawn with crayons or markers, filling the paper with colorful images. Many letters had no name on them to identify the writer, just the words “I love you” in a child’s print of long ago. These presents brought me joy when they were first given and continued to give again these many years later. Continue reading →

Potential in Little ~ Five Minute Friday

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It’s Five Minute Friday time!  Yay!  Today’s prompt is a hopeful one! It’s “Potential”.  I know there are going to be great thoughts shared over at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com so don’t miss out.  Just click on over and soak it all in!

“It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.” Mark 4:31-32 (NIV) / Pixabay

I love when this happens! You know: when things just unexpectedly fall into place. My husband has a calendar of church sign sayings and last night he brought this one home to me:

“Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the apples in a seed.”

My response was that it was a good one and I hoped I’d be able to use it sometime. It never occurred to me that “sometime” would be now, but when Kate revealed that the prompt for today is “Potential”, this church sign saying immediately came to mind. I’d call that a “God Wink” wouldn’t you?

Go back and read the saying again.  Let it settle in. God knows how many apples a tiny seed will produce! Stop and ponder on that for a moment….a small seed grows into a tree.  The tree produces fruit; not just once but season after season for its lifetime! Amazing isn’t it? There’s potential within that little seed for harvests that will nourish generation after generation!

And isn’t that exactly what God does? Finds potential in little.

“His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?” “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied.  Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.” Matthew 15: 33-37 (NIV)

Potential in little.  The disciples were panicked when Jesus suggested they feed the more than five thousand people around them.  They looked at the small amount they had and saw impossibility.  Jesus however, looked upon the meager offering and saw a nourishing feast that would be talked about for generation after generation.

Jesus also taught lessons about the mustard seed. He used the smallest of all seeds on earth as an example to His disciples and to us, that great things can come from tiny beginnings; not just a large, strong plant, but the great harvest in the Kingdom of Heaven and our “mountain moving” faith.

How often do we shrink from doing something, something maybe God is calling us to do, because we feel too insignificant to make a difference or that what we have to offer just isn’t enough? I know I have more times than I’d like to admit. The truth is, on our own we are lacking; but with God our insufficiency is a seed with the potential to bear fruit for our lifetime!

Yes, God can count the apples in a seed, provide a banquet using a snack, and even see beyond our small grain of faith to what it will one day become.  So, the next time you or I feel we don’t measure up to His call, let’s remind ourselves that our God is a God of possibility. After all, He IS the one who sent a tiny baby to save the whole world!  His Perfect Potential in little.

 

Darkness~Five Minute Friday

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“For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!” Ephesians 5:8 (NLT) / Pixabay

Complete Darkness

Living in a place where others come to vacation is a gift!  I love hearing tourists’ comments about the beauty of my little corner of the world! I live in the shadow of the highest point in the state which offers views that take your breath away.  Not far from me are rocks that draw climbers from all over and just down the road are amazing caverns formed millions of years ago by water dissolving the limestone that is plentiful in our area. Drip by drip, magnificent formations grew in to what is now a popular destination.

Taking the caverns tour has been a favorite of our guests and each time we go through I’m still awed by the artistry buried below the earth’s surface; created not by man, but by God’s hand. Once we’ve descended deep into the cave, the tour guide warns that we are about to experience the most feared part of the cavern. It’s not bats (although they’re there). It’s not rocks falling from above (even though some have). No, the scariest part of being in the cavern? Complete darkness!

Once the lights are turned off… You. See. Nothing. Your hand in front of your face? Not there! The person standing next to you? Gone! The longer you are engulfed in the blackness the more uncomfortable it becomes. Your eyes don’t adjust, moving is impossible, and all sense of your surroundings is lost. As your heart rate increases, panic begins to set in!

Doesn’t life sometimes cause us to feel exactly like we’re stranded in complete darkness?  The answer we long for? Not there! Hope we’ve been searching for? Gone! The blackness of fear, grief, frustration, and so much more becomes unbearable. In panic, we look in all directions but are still unable see where to go. We. Can’t. Move.

Back in the cave, just when you wished you were anywhere else, the guide’s flashlight turns on. Here’s the amazing thing: the small glow from that one flashlight illuminates the beauty of the place you’d just felt helpless in! Even more amazing, is that we have a Guide in life who leads us to find beauty in the dark places, too!

“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world.  If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.””
John 8:12 (NLT)

In our darkest hours, God offers The Light. On the gloomiest days, He shines The Light. When we’re wishing to be anywhere other than where we are, His Light is waiting right there to guide our way. It may be just a tiny glimmer, but when we look toward It, we’re able to see the next step where we hadn’t before.

When on the tour, it’s easy while standing in the abyss of complete darkness to forget the beauty that surrounds you, even though it’s right within your reach.  It takes a light to remind you of the majesty you’re in the midst of. The same is true for us; feeling as if we’re in complete darkness steals joy, hope, and beauty from our lives.  It’s when we remember to turn to His Majesty: The Light of the World, that we are reminded that Jesus has overcome the darkness completely: not just for today or tomorrow but for all eternity! Feeling lost in the dark? Just follow The Light and then BE the light for others!

Today’s prompt at  http://www.fiveminutefriday.com is “darkness” so pulled this post from the archives to share.  Click on over to see what enlightening things the other talented writers have to say about darkness.

Three’s a Crowd ~Five Minute Friday

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“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV) / Pixabay

Ever had a guest who overstayed their welcome?  I sure have. He took up residence a long time ago and then refused to leave.   Living with him camped out in my head became normal.  He planted negative thoughts in my mind as comfortably as planting his feet on the coffee table. Instead of cleaning up after himself, he enjoyed trashing my hopes and ideas. He cooked up ways to feed on my insecurities, leaving only crumbs of confidence behind. This guest unpacked, settled in, and crowded out my dreams. Maybe you’ve heard of my roommate. His name?  Fear.

It’s difficult to think about all I’ve let fear keep me from doing: meeting new people, responding to a need, experiencing adventure, following my dreams, and so much more. As recently as this past month I had the opportunity to meet with other writers who I’d never met. The invitation thrilled me and I began planning for the event. But, the closer it came, the more messages fear began leaving for me to replay over and over in my head, finally convincing me that I wasn’t really a writer, I would only make a fool of myself, and I needed to just stay home with him.  Thankfully, that’s when God reminded me Whose house I live in! I’ve finally recognized that fear, having no intention of leaving, had plopped himself down and wedged his way between God and me. (FYI: God didn’t move over to make room for him; that was all me.) Anyone else ever sat on that couch?

“There is no fear in love: true love has no room for fear, because where fear is, there is pain; and he who is not free from fear is not complete in love.” 1 John 4:18 (BBE)

If we’re going to live the greatest commandment of loving God with our whole hearts, souls, and minds, it’s time to clean house, pack up all of fear’s lies, doubts, and accusations, and send him on his way…..far away!  When we choose our roommates carefully and dwell in the house of the Lord, we have this promise:

“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

The eviction notice has been served! It may take a while to clear everything out and give this “temple” of mine a good cleansing; but I’m looking forward to a new found peace without that extra voice always butting in. So, want to join me in saying “goodbye” to fear? Now’s the time, because you know what they always say…. “Two’s company, three’s a crowd”!

 

 

 

 

 

 

His Mercy Rains and Rains ~ Five Minute Friday

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It’s raining over at  http://www.fiveminutefriday.com not really, but the prompt is “rain”. Grab your umbrellas! Here we go……

“Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. Jude 1:2 (NIV) / Pixabay

It rained and rained and rained and rained. By afternoon: school was dismissed early. By evening: phone lines were dead and the electricity flickering. By nightfall:  we were without power and water was rising in the cellar. We awoke the next morning to an eerie hush that hovered heavy on the air. No birdsong. No traffic. No voices. Just the loud roar of rushing waters making their way down what had once been the road that lead in and out of our little town. In a matter of hours, life completely changed and from that moment on, time was defined as “before the flood” and “after the flood”.

When I left my classroom in the rain that day, I never imagined it would be weeks until I’d return. I’d called my mom to tell her we had a flood warning but not to worry. It never occurred to me that we’d be out of touch for what seemed an unbearable amount of time. Nothing could have prepared me for handing my nine month old son over to Army Reservists who’s all-terrain vehicle could make its way across mountains to take him to my in-laws’ farm where there was wood heat, when we had none. The flood of 1985 destroyed roads and farms, demolished homes, and swept away precious lives. It also taught me about community, perseverance, compassion, and God’s amazing grace!

We are rarely prepared for the storms of life. They come unexpectedly and often leave us in dark and seemingly unbearable places. It’s easy to feel engulfed. Even though many years have passed since that November flood, I’m reminded still today of the lessons I learned in it’s aftermath. While singing along with Chris Tomlin’s song “My Chains are Gone” one day, I got to the lines: “And like a flood, His mercy reigns. Unending love, amazing grace.” and I was overcome!   I know what a flood can do and these words reminded me that God doesn’t give his gifts of mercy, love, and grace like a light, spring rain but rather just like a flood: with all its power, abundance, and an outpouring that saturates our souls and fills us to overflowing. When we accept those gifts, time then becomes defined as “before Jesus” and “after Jesus”. And our lives? They are completely changed forever! Amazing!