Thursday, December 27, 2018

With-Final Five Minute Friday for the Year!!

Everything has been a bit of a whirlwind since vacation started last week. I finally found a day to catch up and post for the final Five Minute Friday of 2018! Hard to believe another year is rapidly ending. As I think about the old and the new I am challenged to take the images that came to mind with me into 2019. No matter what comes our way in 2019, may we all be able to take a lesson from Xander and remain in peace knowing, God is with us.


With......

I don't get much done with a cat on my lap. I feel guilty moving him or pushing him to the side. He's content as can be sprawled across my legs, snuggled into the warmth of my fuzzy gray and pink robe. Without a care in the world, he rests and breathes deep. Every now and then he lets out a sigh.

As long as he is near to the one he holds so dear, he is at peace. I've had him two months and he even eats slower, now that he's settled in. Often he lays with his rear end facing me, which I've read means he trusts me and likes to protect the one he is with.

He is a love and I am so enjoying him. A new companion.

Do I rest in Jesus this way?

STOP

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." (NASB)

To see what others have for their final post of the year, check out www.fiveminutefriday.com

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Still-Five Minute Friday

We are halfway through December, a month that is impossible for many of us to remain still, especially the little ones. I wasn't sure where to go at first with this week's prompt, but may it be a blessing and a challenge for all of us, including myself.

Still

Slow and steady wins the race.

Still is to persist, remain faithful.

And in the end win.

We're all still here.

Those of us who are,

Jesus has not returned.

And the world has not come to an end.

As so many predicted it would on a certain date.

No one knows the day or the hour.

And yet when He comes,

Will He still find faith on the earth?

Will we remain in Him? 

And let Him still storms and raging seas

that rise and fall around us and from within?

He will still come.

He promised. He must.

Will I still be ready and waiting?

Will I let Him still the storms in me until then?

STOP

Matthew 16:15 "But what about you?" he asked. 'Who do you say I am?" (NASB)

To see what others are still up to with our community Five Minute Friday, check out:www.fiveminutefriday.com

Monday, December 10, 2018

Balance- Five Minute Friday for December 7th!

Ah! The end of 2018 is rapidly approaching. Time to reflect, but also to look at what's ahead. I like the challenge of last Friday's prompt. How easy is it for any of us to.............


Balance

It's a verb, you know

Even out the scales

Have your check book match what the bank says

Walk across a skinny, long beam

My favorite is riding a horse

To keep it, I must stay focused and centered

Even the slightest degree of leaning

To the right or the left can throw me

And them off

It's a skill one develops over time

Once you have it-oh the places one can go

Faster and faster, up, down, all around

If I'm not, I don't want to think where I'd end up

Better to learn it early on and put it into practice

Then find out years later you're way off course

STOP

Matthew 7:14 "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." (NASB)

To see what and how others balance, check out www.fiveminutefriday.com


Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Deep- A Late Five Minute Friday

Tis the season when life has sped up even more, so here I am posting for last Friday's prompt on Tuesday evening.  It is also a season to contemplate depth even more.

Deep

How deep is God's love?

How far does it go?

Look back through the ages 

and see how much and how often He gives.

He has not grown so weary with us that 

He has thrown up His hands and walked away.

He has not breathed such wrath to wipe us out

in an instant without delay.

Every morning the sun rises and in the evening it sets.

His rains water the earth.

We are given 86,400 seconds each day 

to give and receive, receive and give.

We are loved. We are here and now

Emmanuel is with us.

STOP

Matthew 1:23 " Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son and they shall call His name 'Immanuel' which when translated means 'God with us." (NASB)

To see what others have posted for this week's prompt, check out www.fiveminutefriday.com

Friday, November 23, 2018

Value-Five Minute Friday

Here I am actually posting on Friday as opposed to Sunday. Gotta love days off! I hope everyone found comfort with family and/or friends yesterday. Holidays are not happy for everyone. Sometimes they are downright depressing depending on what you are facing. It brings us to wrestle with what do we hold in highest regard. There is always something to be grateful for, but what does each one of us truly


Value

It's funny how time and experience changes what we value most. Now that I realize

the hour glass may be half empty or more, it's not about he who has the most toys in 

the end wins.

In my twenties, it was hard for me to stay within a budget and out of credit card debt. 

Now I'd rather have more time with family or friends than stuff. It's hard to even think 

of a "Christmas wish list" to share with family members. I'm happy to have dinner or 

just coffee and play some games. The time will run out sooner or later. How I spend 

my time will speak for itself.

STOP

Matthew 6:21 "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (NASB)

To see what others value, check out www.fiveminutefriday.com


Sunday, November 18, 2018

One- Five Minute Friday

I love the challenge this week's prompt offers. I hope you feel the same after reading about...


ONE.....

Only opportunity
Never repeated
Each has their own

In ONE moment in time, each one of us was created with our own unique set of prints.

We have ONE life to live.  When that ONE day comes for whom the bell tolls, what will our 

ONE set of prints leave behind? What is the ONE message I will leave behind? What ONE

thing do I really want to stick with people I meet along the journey?


I only have ONE life, ONE opportunity, and ONE message.


May I keep this in the forefront everyday. May I start thinking about the ONE day I will 

leave only my ONE set of prints behind, so that I can plan backwards.

STOP

Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should." (TLB)

To see what others have done with this week's prompt, check out www.fiveminutefriday.com

Monday, November 12, 2018

Burden- Five Minute Friday

It's been a crazy busy time at work with the end of the marking period, while also trying to have a life outside of work. Last weekend, I missed the opportunity to respond to the prompt, so here I am catching up with this past Friday's prompt.........

Burden

It's been lifted and shared. "Many hands make light work," Mom Moms used to say. 

Many hands came through my church during my senior year of college. It was time for me to student teach, my final semester, and I had to let some of my jobs go. I couldn't keep working the twenty plus hours of work study each week in addition to my internship and taking a few classes. Almost a thousand dollar balance remained on my tuition bill. No problems or worries. My church family generously paid the bill.

This past weekend my family shared leftovers with me, so I am set for meals most of this week!

STOP

Philippians 4:19 "but my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory." (KJV)

 This is another crazy, busy week at work which doesn't leave a lot of time for me to cook and prepare meals. Long hours with meeting after meeting for parent conferences and whatever else is on the agenda can wear. Last week, I did a few days of take out, but this week I look forward to home made sweet potato chili, lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, and also a turkey wrap packed with all kinds of trimmings.

I cannot emphasize enough, where would we be with out a little or a lot of help from our family and friends? I am so thankful for their kindness and God's provision. 


To see how others are sharing burdens, check out www.fiveminutefriday.com

Sunday, October 28, 2018

Moment-Five Minute Friday

So this week people are ruminating about a key point in their lives. It may even be more than one. For me, I could only think back to one.......


Moment....

Defining, huh? I never knew when I became friends with the girl next door what it would lead to. We used to sit on her front porch steps late at night talking. I can't remember the day we met or how. I just remember talking with her. I remember the times I witnessed she and her mom laugh and kid about all kinds of things, while her mom colored or permed her hair. I had never seen a mother and daughter get along so well and laugh while hanging out together. It was appetizing. It made me want that fun, loving family life for myself.

STOP

UGH! I hate that darn timer!

To continue, I never dreamed her family would actually become my family. I never knew my friendship with her would lead to her parents taking me in when my own parents were not able to care for me any longer. They said I could stay as long as I needed to. They asked me to go to church with them. I never knew they went to church until they invited me to join them as part of their family. One thing led to another and eventually I came to know God personally through their example of love and faith. 

I never realized until earlier this year, I CAN'T say thank you enough to the woman I now call my sister, who became my friend over thirty years ago. My life changed all because of a friendship! 

Love you, my sister and my friend!

Psalm 139:16 "Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them." (NASB)

To see what others have defined as key moments in their lives, check out www.fiveminutefriday.com

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Who-Five Minute Friday on Sunday

I was brought back to a song by Margaret Becker from my early college days. It's a powerful thought...


Who

Who am I that He called me by name?

He who thought thoughts beyond what I can dream

He who's lead me safely moving mountains in and out of way

He neither slumber nor sleeps, He who holds you and me

Who am I Jesus?

Not knowing how, when, or why

I am humbled in this place.

In Fiddler on the Roof, one asked, "Why me?"

Not looking or asking for anything more than a break

Who are we to the King who sits on the throne, 

changing and writing history?

STOP

John 10:27-28 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me and I give eternal life to them and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of my My hand." (NASB)

To see what others have posted, check out www.fiveminutefriday.com

Monday, October 15, 2018

Praise-Five Minute Friday from October 12th

So I wrote out last night what came to mind for last Friday's prompt and here I am finally posting. I'm ready to read what others have posted as well. What and whom do you......



Praise

Express warm approval or admiration of

I don't know how often I do that. I know when I appreciate others and what they've done, I try to let them know. Today though, I'm reminded of praising God. We are not guaranteed anything in this life. If we were to die tomorrow or next week, what will be the last words to come out of our mouths? What will I be remembered for saying?

It's easy to vent, which is really complaining. All of us do it and sometimes more than others. If we purposely looked for something and someone to praise daily, how much better we'd feel.

STOP

Philippians 2:14-15 "Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people." (New Living Translation)

To see what others are praising, check out www.fiveminutefriday.com

Monday, October 8, 2018

Share- Five Minute Friday

So thankful for days like today when I can catch up at home while sipping something hot to drink, enjoying the coziness and writing for another week. It's time to............


Share

The worries or the wealth?

Which part? How much?

A vision of the future 

What might be can become 

the spark to set the forest on fire

Energy and heat

Gets people moving

And then who knows

what might be

Not just 4,000 or 6,000 pounds

Obstacles and weight removed 

Even more, let it double!

If only we share

Peer through the spy glass

Off in the distance

Let your imagination take flight

Focus the lens

Pass around for all to see

Watch the wealth spread

And the worries become lighter

Partner with Him

STOP

Acts 20:35 "In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " (NASB)

To see what others have shared this past week check out www.fiveminutefriday.com


Part of my inspiration for this week comes from a children's book I read years ago. 

It's entitled "The Spy Glass: A Story of Faith" by Richard Paul Evans. 

Look it up. It is a great read!


Thursday, October 4, 2018

Potential for last week's Five Minute Friday

I don't know if I have ever been this late with a prompt, but here I am the night before the new prompt is to be posted. What can I say? Life has been pretty crazy between work and different events on the weekends. Here I am though with my five minute free write and all the details that came to mind. Hope you enjoy the read.

Potential.....

Made for a purpose

With a certain capacity in mind

He knows what we shall do

He knows what we can stand

Decided before hand

Every day ordained before one

Came to be

In the mind

Spoken into

Formed existence

Potential to reach

Purpose to fulfill

Each one you and me

If I don't know when?

If I don't know how?

I know I am

Day by day, step by step

God grant wisdom and insight

Fill in the lines

Shade or lighten

A mosaic of some sort

Incomplete puzzle

Full of surprises

STOP

Psalm 139:13 "For you formed my inward parts; you wove me in my mother's womb." (NASB)

To see what others have posted, check out www.fiveminutefriday.com


Sunday, September 23, 2018

Complete-A Late Five Minute Friday

It's late and I confess I did not spend too much time thinking of this one ahead. I was just really busy this weekend. I covered the pot of carrot soup simmering away on my stove to plop down and get this done. Lo and behold I realized what I was about to ..........


Complete

What a prompt to end my Five Minute Friday journal with. I'm on the last page of this notebook. It took almost three years of FMF prompts to complete this book. I'll have to go back and find my favorite. It's been some time since I've been part of this community, but in no way is my time finished here even though the pages have come to the end. It's good to complete something. It's as if a chapter has finished or one book filled with many chapters. 

After this one, I'll be beginning a new one and who knows what challenges and surprises lay ahead. Again it's good to complete something. It's a time to step back and marvel at what's been accomplished or what could have been improved.

STOP

Genesis 2:2 " By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done and He rested on the seventh day from all His work He had done." (NASB)

I'm one who prefers to write out my response to the prompt each time before putting it in my blog, so I'm off to pick a new journal for next time.

To see what others have completed or are soon to, check out www.fiveminutefriday.com

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Crowd-Five Minute Friday

I may have crowded a lot into my weekend, but I enjoyed the break from high stress at work. I have yet to check out other's posts about this week's prompt. Hope you enjoy the read.


Crowd...

A noun or a verb

Easy to blend into one and be passed over

Easy to gather around many others to check something out

Jesus drew many

Many would crowd or gather around,

seeking whatever they were hungry for or to do

Popular as He was then, not so much now

I can follow the crowd which requires a wide, wide path to do so

I can crowd around others for the latest thrill

I can seek to be one with the crowd or I can choose to be different, 

set apart on a much narrower course

STOP

Matthew 7:14 "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it."

To see what others have posted this week check out www.fiveminutefriday.com

Friday, September 7, 2018

Rain-Five Minute Friday

What a relief to have finally gotten some of this after blistering temps in the 90's! Some long for it, while others wish they could send it another way. In five minutes I just listed what came to mind. Enjoy the read.



Rain is......

cool, falling, down, down 

splashing here, there, all around

on my head and eyelashes

rose petals, blades of grass

washing cars, watering earth

rain is refreshing, pure, and clean

quenching thirst

unexpected, anytime

north or south, hills or valleys

made of hydrogen and oxygen combined

rain is a good thing

God's gift to a dry and weary land

filling rivers, healing places

God send your rain!

STOP

Leviticus 26:4 "then I shall give you rains in their season, so that the land will yield its produce and the trees of the field will bear their fruit," (NASB)

To see what others have written about rain check out www.fiveminutefriday.com

Saturday, September 1, 2018

Rush-Five Minute Friday

This week's prompt is defined by Google as "dash toward someone or something in an attempt to attack or capture them or it."


In this season what are about to "rush" into?



Rush

It's the final weekend of summer and the countdown has begun. In less than forty eight hours, children will fill our schools and classrooms again. We will be off and running. It's a marathon to get through the next ten months. We all jump in and as defined by Google, we dash! We rush to get everything ready, neat and orderly with the best plans in mind. We rush, but may we, may I dash towards capturing my students' hearts with a love for learning and helping others. May I not be as a clanging cymbal and dishes rattling in the background from all sorts of needless activity. May I enter a new year rushing to love my kids and make the most of every opportunity.

STOP

Colossians 4:5-6 "Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person." (NASB)

To see what others are rushing around with check out www.fiveminutefriday.com

I also wanted to share Linda Ellis' poem about making the most of our dash. You can check out her website also https://www.linda-ellis.com/the-dash-the-dash-poem-by-linda-ellis-.html



The Dash


I read of a man who stood to speak at a funeral of a friend.  He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time they spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own, the cars..the house...the cash.  What matters is how we lived and loved and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard; are there things you'd like to change?  For you never know how much time is left that still can be rearranged.

To be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile...remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read, with your life's actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you lived your dash
?

by Linda Ellis

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Loyal-Five Minute Friday

I hope this encourages someone. I find great comfort in the action of being.....

Loyal

Loving
Others outwardly
Year after year with
Allegiance gives
Life

I've been with the same dentist for over thirty years now. Hey, if it works and nothing's broken then don't fix it. Roland Naglieri has always cared for me well and I am so thankful for his faithfulness to do so. I'm also thankful I've been able to stick with him for as long as I have. It works both ways.

Loyalty brings comfort, knowing what to expect when and from whom. It also proves steadfastness and integrity. Year after year, Roland as never steered me wrong. In fact, he's given me much to smile about and with. I'm thankful for men such as him. I'm thankful God puts that quality in people, especially men.

STOP

Proverbs 28:20 "A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished." (NASB)

To see how others have experienced this great character trait, check out www.fiveminutefriday.com

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Loved- a late posting for the seventeenth's Five Minute Friday

I was away on vacation and just got around to writing something for last week's prompt. How does one sum up in five minutes what it means to be loved or have deeply loved someone else?

 I thought of Victor and Gloria who welcomed my friend, Lori and I into their beautiful home with arms wide open and smiles beaming ear to ear for our respite near the beach.

Then, I thought of Lori who has been with her husband for almost 31 years and has learned to put others before herself. She is content to ask and let someone else pick an activity or get something to eat before she does. She never complains and always looks for opportunities to give.

However, the most extravagant case of love is what I listened to this morning on Chuck Swindoll's Insight for Living while driving to work. May I and others never forget how much we have been........


LOVED..

He loved enough to endure the insults, mockery, and crown of thorns. 

Crucifixion, a barbaric practice in old time Rome.

Christ suffered and did not turn away.

My dad, Guy learned to endure as well.

My half an hour showers, dirty looks and colorful words.

Moodiness at its peak around not so sweet sixteen.



A decision made.

Loved equals believed.

Whole heartedly knowing there is gold on the other side of the rainbow.

To be loved and to give to others means endure for a better future and the best for 

someone else.

STOP

John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." (NASB)

To see how others have loved, check out www.fiveminutefriday.com


Saturday, August 11, 2018

Woman for Five Minute Friday

Many have written and sung songs about the marvelous gift of a woman. Women are unique and individual. We are not the same as men and I have to say, I'm glad to be a woman.


Woman

When I think of the gift of being a woman and the women I have observed and learned much from through the years, there are some key qualities that set us apart.

ATTITUDE- We can set the tone. Everyone knows, if mama ain't happy, nobody is. We add color to everything.

HOSPITALITY-The gift of serving others and making them feel comfortable in one's home, is the meat that feeds many.

INDUSTRIOUSNESS- We sacrifice for the sake of others. Sometimes at the expense of our well being, but we love to give. We have determination that accomplishes much, even if or especially when done on our knees.


STOP 

"It is better to live in a corner of a roof than in a house with a contentious woman." 
(Proverbs 21:9 NASB)

"An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain....Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her saying:'Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.'" 
(Proverbs 31:10,11, 28,29 NASB)

Some of the great women authors and speakers I have learned from include Elizabeth Elliot, Ann Kimel Anderson, Ruth Bell Graham, Amy Carmichael, and Joni Eareckson Tada. Check them out! You can learn much!





I am thankful for these women as well as many who have crossed my paths and come into my life. 
The women I have observed first hand through the years who have taught me life skills and helped to shape who I am today include my grandmother, mother, a second mom(Linda), Grandma Betty, and Aunt B, along with many wonderful women I've met through work or church and have the privilege of being their friend.

Both young and old, frail and strong.

Tall, or short, thin or plump.

Graying or not.

Single, widowed, divorced, or married.

Living life debt free or indebted.

Keeping house, raising kids, working, or finding a new way.

Talking or doing and doing while talking.

Watching and listening, while sometimes deciding.

Wanting and needing, never is enough.

Worrying while comparing.

Bearing good news or bad.

Healing or hurting.

We are women and we are complex!

To see what others are doing with this week's prompt check out www.fiveminutefriday.com










Saturday, August 4, 2018

Anniversary-Five Minute Friday

I dedicate this to the man I have come to love and appreciate as my pastor, Jay Cookingham.

 Thank you for your courage and example! Happy, happy anniversary!


Anniversary....

Hopeful. Fun. Clarifying and a confidence builder. 

He (Jay) left his job of thirty years at a small company doing graphic design to jump into a full time pastorship with a congregation of no more than forty people. Putting his hope and future needs in God's great providence, he took a chance one year ago this month. Not knowing how the finances would work out nor the health insurance nor everything else that hangs like a dark cloud over many, he grabbed hold of the opportunity and hasn't looked back.


STOP

I really hate the timer! There was more I wanted to share. When I spoke with Christine, my pastor's wife, this morning she recounted, what an amazingly thrilling year it has been for their family. We celebrate this anniversary of their first year serving us and our community.

 The biggest lesson Chris said their family learned was to always "worship God as a first response no matter what the circumstances are." I have witnessed first hand while Christine has faced a recurrence of stage four melanoma, both she and Jay have not ceased to declare God's goodness and greatness.

God has faithfully provided for their needs this year as they have reaped even more opportunities to see God work and serve.

 If you would like to read more about them check out www.soulfari.blogspot.com or Jay's ministry www.strategicfathering.com

To see what others are celebrating check out www.fiveminutefriday.com