Test-Five Minute Friday

Tonight I am going to try something different for the post. Instead of writing it out first, I am going to just type and see how it comes out. Ideas have been floating through my mind all day today about this word which can evoke so many different emotions in different people. So I am setting the timer and am off.

Ready. Set. Go.

The first thing that came to my mind was the verse in psalms- Psalm 139:23-24 "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (NASB)

An image of a battery commercial came to mind also. You know how good something is by how it responds in extreme temperatures or conditions. If it can hold its own, it's worth its weight in gold.

Then there's all the testing we do do in public schools today -YUCK! YUCK! AND DOUBLE YUCK! Welcome to America's public school system, if it moves, we test it and not just once or twice.

One of the most sobering thoughts of a test though is the test of time. We truly see what and who people are over the long haul. True colors come shining through in all kinds of weather.

I am also reminded of Joseph when he recognized his brothers after all those years. He didn't just throw open his arms right away and tell them how much he missed them and let them feast to their heart's content. He tested them!

STOP

To see what others have been tested with check out www.katemotaung.com

Collect for Five Minute Friday

Collect yourself, your things, your thoughts

Gather everything in one place

Hold it together

There are so many collections to be had and stored. And they will all wear out just like a garment. In fact, can you think of any collections that have remained totally intact before you or your mom or your grandparents were even born? 

I only know of the Bible, a collection of writings from over 2,000 years ago, and it still holds value for today. The words were spoken, written down and have been shared so many times. The message sticks.

STOP

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, or both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (NASB)

To see what others have collected, check out www.katemotaung.com

Time for Ten at Exploring the Writer's Craft

This morning I had the privilege of participating in a free writer's workshop where we were given ten glorious minutes to write about any topic after reading a mentor text. It impressed upon me even more that I need to make time for that on a daily basis. I need to just stop and clear my head. Here is what I came up with this morning and later revised again and again.

Time for ten minutes
Last night it was five
How often do I do this?
How often do I sigh?

Breathe in deeply, exhale out
Let words flow freely
Time for five or ten is how

Let the ink flow purposely 
moving words through and out
World of work in motion paused
Heart strings resonate now

Don't get this much 
Doesn't come knockin' on my door
Art of stillness in writing
Allows focus and so much more

I am running out of time
Running out of space
Blocking all else out just to write 
Five or ten is what it takes

Phone turned off, beauty sitting still 
Writing what I value, what I love
This really is not new

Again, won't come knockin'
But other voices will
They can wait till I'm done
So for now, I bid them adieu

How much more can I say?
Will I stick to this now?
Perhaps reminders on my i-phone
Can encourage this vow

Stop and write, 
Reflect, look outside
Stillness beckons and woos me
Right now it is LOUD!

My body will thank me
This can help keep me sane
Tick, tick, tick, time's almost up
Time for ten was the frame

Five on Five Minute Friday

I wonder how long it's been since I joined this online community. I don't know if its been five years yet. I will have to look and see. 

Next year it will be five years since my dad passed away which is hard to believe. 

Five is a mile marker, halfway to a decade. They seem to go faster and faster. I am always wanting just five more of something like sleep or time to finish everything.

How I wish everything in the world would pause at 5:00 for five. Maybe I should start that and see if it helps. Take five at 5:00 and think of five great things.

Who, what, when, where and why.

STOP

wwwkatemotaung.com to see what others have come up with for "Five".

Listen- Five Minute Friday

I love to see his flaming, red plumage and bright, orange beak. He is my favorite. Yet I have learned to recognize his tweet; high pitched and very boisterous, at times. As soon as I hear it, I know it is him. He loves to hide in shrubs and tall, dark evergreen trees, so there are many times I can't see him. Yet I know he is there. I know his call.



How often it can be with God's mysterious ways. If we have trained our ears and quieted ourselves enough, we can hear Him. Even if He's not flashing brightly in everyday circumstances, we can learn to follow the voice of the King.

STOP

I Kings 19:11-13 "The Lord said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.' Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, 'What are you doing here Elijah?' " (NIV)


To see what other have come up with this week check out www.katemotaung.com