Tag Archives: Five Minute Friday

As Fast As A Blink Of An Eye

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“Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring.” Proverbs 27:1 (NLT)

Fast As A Blink Of An Eye

It’s hard to believe, but in a few months I will have lived here in the mountains for forty years. Forty years! Pretty amazing for a gal who was only going to stay for one. (God and the guy in this photo changed that plan.) I honestly don’t know where those years have gone. My grandparents used to tell me that the older you get, the faster time passes.  I didn’t understand it back then, but my goodness, I sure do get it now! In a blink of an eye, the 23 year old child pictured here, became the 63 year old sitting in front of this laptop today.  A lot of life has been lived within the flutter of that eyelid. I pray for many more blinks before God changes my plan and leads me to a new home again, but we never know, do we?

“It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.” 1 Corinthians 15:52 (NLT)

“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.” Mark 13:32 (NLT)

The world shudders in fear as it awaits Jesus’s return. We can sense it all around us! The amazing thing is, when we know Jesus, fear is replaced with anticipation as we wait for Him. Maybe like me you’ve experiences a quiet trembling deep within your soul that’s a recognition  we are standing on the brink of something great, something we long for and yet, do not understand.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us that God “planted eternity in the human heart.” Just picture it: at the moment we accept the gift of salvation, Our Father buries a seed that begins to grow. It then takes root in our lives producing a hope that carries us through every day, month and year of this life, and then, in a “blink of an eye” into our future of life-eternal with Him.

Yes, it’s hard to believe how fast life passes…In a blink of an eye. We need to understand that with the simple opening and closing of an eyelid everything can change.  Everything WILL change! My friends, we must be ready. Are you? There’s no time to waste. 

“This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” Romans 13:11 (NLT)

Wake Up and Smell the Coffee ~ Five Minute Friday

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“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

Wake Up and Smell the Coffee

“You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 (NIV)
 “You shall not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea.”
Exodus 20:4 (NLT)

May I be completely honest with you? I’ve taken pride in myself where this Commandment is concerned. Sure that I would never break it, I haven’t let it worry me one bit, that is, until the prompt this week was coffee and I began to ponder on it.

Every single morning when I get up, no matter where I am, the first thing I do is seek out a cup of coffee. Sitting in the quiet, I take my time and linger with it. The planning of my day goes better because I include my morning coffee in it, and between you and me, one cup is never enough, I always desire more. Even when I’m in a hurry, I don’t let that keep me from having my coffee. I’ll skip other things just to be sure I start my day with a cup. When I’m on the go? There’s no question, I bring coffee along with me. Thinking back, I can’t recall a day in I don’t know how long, that I’ve left coffee out of my routine.

Oh my! Coffee! The Lord is using my morning coffee not to waken me as I do, but rather to
A-waken me to the truth.

Idol: anything regarded with blind devotion. 

Devotion: an earnest attachment. 

I’m afraid you’ll have to agree, this sums up my feelings about coffee pretty accurately. Now you might be saying, there’s nothing wrong with a cup of coffee or two and that’s what I told myself at first, too. Until that is, I began comparing my relationship to coffee with my relationship with God and is it ever eye-opening!

Thinking about the description above, I began replacing the word coffee with God:

“Every single morning when I get up, no matter where I am, the first thing I do is seek God. Sitting in the quiet, I take my time and linger with Him. The planning of my day goes better because I include, God in it. I always desire more of God. I’ll skip other things just to be sure I start my day with God. When I’m on the go? I am sure to bring God along with me”……. The truth? While these statements are spot on about my morning coffee habit, I’m ashamed to say they’re all questionable in regard to my mornings with God. On top of that, I can remember many mornings when I’ve left God completely out of my routine, promising myself I’d get to Him later, but then never did.

Idol: anything regarded with blind devotion. 

Devotion: an earnest attachment. 

Here’s the bold, full strength, dark roasted question: Have I made for myself an idol that I put before my God? 

“This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Ephesians 5:14-17 (NIV)

Once again, the Holy Spirit has used my everyday to help me, and maybe you too, understand what the Lord’s will for our lives is. Has He given you, like me, something to ponder? If not coffee, is there something you you might be regarding with blind devotion and putting before God? It’s my hope that we’ll “wake up and smell the coffee,” making the most of this opportunity to change what’s needed to live more wisely and choose to put God first in our lives, where He’s always belonged.

Spring ~ Five Minute Friday

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“My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.” Proverbs 2:1-2 (NLT)

Spring has Sprung

I love everything about Spring, especially all the “re’s”: renewal, refreshment, rebirth, and return. There’s something so hopeful in tiny, green leaves appearing again on branches that once were barren, or the sweet, earthy smell of the first Spring rain that begins to replenish the ground. I’m always amazed when the bulbs buried deep beneath the ground come to life each year after being frozen below. That’s the thing about Spring, there are signs of promise everywhere!

For me, there’s one sure sign that Spring has sprung and that’s when the Robins find the way back to my front yard from their winter homes. Once they arrive, joyful song greets the morning and flitters on the evening air. The winter-worn grass becomes dotted with  red breasts hopping happily from one side to the other appearing to do a welcome back waltz with one another. Would you be surprised if I told you that watching Robins reminds me of something important in my, our, relationship with God? 

A Robin’s process for satisfying its hunger is fascinating! Cocking its head to one side, this amazing bird stands perfectly still and well, just listens. Moments later, it hops a few paces, stops, and listens again. This continues until suddenly the Robin moves into action diving its yellow beak into the ground and coming up with a worm. How is this sure sign of Spring able to hear something as quiet as an earthworm? It remains a mystery but it is a lesson for us.

“Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10a (NLT)

“So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. Then he added, ‘Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given-and you will receive even more.’”

Mark 4:24 (NLT)

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says.”
James 1:22a (NLT)

Following the example of a Robin, to be nourished we too must stop all the “song and dance” we’re doing in our day to day lives.  Then, we need to find time to be perfectly still and just listen. Hearing God speak can be a mystery too, but through His Word, in song, at church, or with His very voice we can hear Him. And when we do, we must then step in closer and listen some more.

Scripture reminds us though (as does our red-breasted friend) that it doesn’t stop there. Listening isn’t enough. We must then take action. What we are called to do will be different for each of us and we never know who will be watching. What we do know is that He will satisfy our needs.

Spring has Sprung! Are you ready? Let’s be Robins in a world that needs to find its way and celebrate “Spiritual Spring” every day of our lives: Rebirth in Christ, Renewal of our Souls, Refreshment in His Word, and the Promise of Christ’s Return.

 

Carry ~ Five Minute Friday

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The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. Proverbs 27:9 (NLT)

Carry

Growing up in the days of vinyl albums and record players, I can remember lifting the arm up off the record and moving it to my favorite song over and over again. Back then the album I listened to most was Carole King’s Tapestry. And the song that was repeatedly played? “You’ve Got a Friend.” The chorus went something like this:

You just call out my name,
And you know wherever I am,
I’ll come running.

To have friends that when called, meet us in our need is a priceless gift.

“Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus.” Mark 2:2-4 (NLT)

These men not only committed to carrying their paralyzed friend to where Jesus was, but they  didn’t let it stop them when they encountered the large crowd. Knowing the wait would keep them longer didn’t deter them from seeking help for the one they held in their hands. They’d come with the intent of walking home alongside their friend so, they came up with an “over the top” idea that landed him right at Jesus’ feet. The result? After encountering Jesus, the man jumped up, grabbed his own mat, and walked through the crowd toward home. 

To have friends who will go out of their way to lay our needs at Jesus’ feet, is a priceless gift.

I am the recipient of this priceless gift. Friendship abounds in my life! I’m sustained by a circle of women who don’t just walk into my challenging times, they run. When it seems impossible, they lift me up. Unable to move under the weight of my burdens, together, my dear friends help bear them and they don’t hesitate to lay them out before Jesus. Without thought, their plans change when my pleas for help reach them. They hold me in my grief, are a support when I fail, and offer solutions when I can’t see my way. And you know what? I do the very same for each of them.

But more than this, the love of friends spans all seasons of life and so, we also share in each others’ joys, encourage dreams, celebrate victories, and laugh. A lot! Through thick and thin, ups and downs, happy and sad, laughter and tears, we’re always there for each other as we walk hand in hand through this life, looking forward toward Home. 

I am truly blessed to know what it means to have friends. I pray, that you do too.

“A friend loves at all times,” Proverbs 17:17a

Trial ~ Five Minute Friday

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What Do You Plead?

“How do you plead?” My own pounding heart is the only sound I hear as I lift my head, eyes filled with condemnation meeting mine. Movements ever so slight catch my attention as hands move to pockets filled with stones. 

“How do you plead?” This trial would certainly be short. How could it not be? Haven’t I done what I shouldn’t, left undone what I should? My thoughts and words alone prove to be strong evidence of my iniquity. Breathing is impossible with the realization that there’s nothing I can do to save myself now.

“How do you plead?” Turning to the One sitting in the judgement seat I’m surprised to see nothing but love in his face. Falling to my knees, the only word that could escapes my tightened throat as a whisper, “Guilty.” And in that very moment my life was forever changed as the verdict was read: “You are forgiven.”

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty of our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God id this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.” Romans 3:23-26 (NLT)

How do YOU plead?

I’m so grateful you’ve joined me here today. I’ve joined with others, like I enjoy doing on Fridays, writing to the prompt “Trial” over at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com You can click over to read more. I pray this might cause you to think a little about your own trial and Who is presiding over it.

Possibility ~ Five Minute Friday

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“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 (NIV)

Possibility

A night dark with fear, raining tears, and anguish in the waiting blinded me to the possibility of mercy. But God…

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Morning dawned begging for a miracle, spirits joined for one so small, and I wondered if hope was even imaginable. But God…

“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2 (NIV)

Days blurred into weeks carrying within them moments of such knee-buckling weakness, the strength to carry on felt impossible. But God…

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

Months of conflicting emotions, seemingly incompatible, how is it possible there can be joy in such despair, peace in such heartache? But God…

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)

Life can forever change in a moment and we’re thrust into a place we don’t want to be.Suddenly, it’s as if we’re drowning with no possibility of saving ourselves. And  the truth is, try as we may, we can’t. But God…

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” Matthew 19:26

Time in the dark let me see me the Light. Being able to do nothing but pray led me to Hope. Weakness taught me about true Strength. The worst of days were intertwined with such blessing that Joy became real. But God… 

Thank you for stopping in. It means more than you know.  If you’d like to read other ideas about “Possibility” click over now to http://www.fiveminutefriday.com 

 

Behold ~ Five Minute Friday

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“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Behold

There are moments in time that stick with you, both good and bad. Recently, I was blessed to be invited to a special meeting with my grandsons and Santa.  The youngest was hesitant at first, fearful of the situation; but Santa knew just what to do. His reassuring kindness, cheerful manner, and engaging voice soon had all three boys drawing near in wonder. It was a good moment and a sight for this MiMi to behold.

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’” Luke 2:8-12 (ESV)

Fearful at first, the Shepherds weren’t sure about the situation they found themselves in at all. But the reassuring promises of the Angels, the joy they proclaimed, the inviting message soon had them in awe at all they’d heard and their fear became anticipation. They’d been “invited” to a special meeting with a Baby in a manger, Jesus, our Savior. They drew near and were filled with awe. It was a sight to behold!

Behold: to witness, regard, contemplate. That’s exactly what I did as I stood off to the side taking in this memory making moment, and it’s exactly what the Angel told the Shepherds to do when visiting them in the fields that night. My friends, it is what Christmas reminds us to do, too. 

We know that life can be challenging. Devastation occurs, the unexpected happens, evil abounds, and it may leave us feeling fearful of our situations; but God knows just what to do.  Christmas arrives, saying, “Fear not! Christ the Lord has come for all people!” Yes, the reassuring promises, great joy, and invitation to draw near to Jesus the Angels brought to those Shepherds long ago, are offered to us today and everyday. 

So this Christmas season, while we’re making memories with our family and friends, let’s bear witness to the miracle that was placed in a manger, regard receiving the gift of Jesus with praise, and contemplate the good news of great joy we’ve received. Then, may our lives, in good moments and bad, shine the glory of the Lord around us, being a sight for the world to behold!

Nourish ~ Five Minute Friday

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“Give us today our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11

Nourish

There are few things I love more than homemade bread and it just so happens that one of the many perks of having my Mother-in-Love as a neighbor, is receiving a loaf straight from the oven every week. 

Answering the door, the fresh bread wrapped tightly in a tea towel is graciously placed into my waiting, open hands. I don’t know about you, but that first yeasty, whiff just smells of home to me, and biting into a warm slice? Well, it’s nothing but pure comfort, one that satisfies my hunger, filling the empty feeling I have deep within. What appears to be a simple loaf of bread is actually an unselfish gift her of time, thoughtfulness, ability, and love offered just for me to enjoy.  I don’t ever want to take even a single crumb for granted!

“Yes, I am the bread of life! Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, but they all died. Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.” John 6:48-51 (NLT)

The world would have us trying to fill up on things that only leave us feeling empty and wanting more, so what better way for Jesus to describe Himself than Bread? After all, He is a fragrant offering leading us to our eternal Home (Eph. 5:2), the One who’s abounding in comfort (2 Corinth.1:5), and who nourishes the deepest longings of our souls. Sound good? Let’s “taste and see!”

Jesus is knocking. Will I, will you, answer with open hands ready to receive the Bread of Life that’s so graciously waiting? He tells us that if we do, we will never be hungry again.(John 6:35) He meets our needs, fills our voids, quiets our cravings. Jesus IS the unselfish Gift of love. His body, the Bread, was broken and offered just for you and me.(Luke 22:19) 

“He replied, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.’ ‘Yes it is, Lord,’ she said. ‘Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table. Then Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, you have great faith!’” Matthew 15:26-28a (NLT)

Let’s not ever take even a single “crumb” for granted.

Hide ~ Five Minute Friday

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“Why are you hiding from us? Don’t forget our suffering and trouble!” Psalm 44:24 (GNT)

Hide

Sleep didn’t come. Looking at the clock, it said 1:30. I looked again, this time 2:00. Then it occurred to me, maybe God was keeping me up so that I could see the lunar eclipse.  I had thought about staying up but had given up on the idea and yet, there I was wide awake. Easing quietly out of bed I put on my fuzzy slippers and thick fleece robe, grabbed my camera, and headed outside with great anticipation. But as I looked up, instead of finding what I was expecting, I only saw clouds that were hiding the moon from my view and was I ever filled with disappointment. Standing in that dark, cold spot alone, I wondered why God had brought me there. 

Not so long ago I was in a cold, dark place, too. Our family had been praying so hard. Our friends were praying. Even people we’d never met were lifting our grandson up in prayer. I’d waited with the anticipation of those prayers being answered, that the doctors would in fact find life within his little intestines. But instead, there I stood, filled with the realization our prayers hadn’t been answered the way we’d hoped. As hard as I tried looking up, I couldn’t see past the devastation to what was ahead and I wondered why God had brought us there. 

“Why are you so far away, O LORD? Why do you hide yourself when we are in trouble?”
Psalm 10:1(GNT)

The Psalms are packed full of lament like this and we know… Life. Is. Too. They say, “seeing is believing.” I don’t know about you, but it’s hard for me to see God’s goodness in the midst of suffering.

“For our life is a matter of faith, not of sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7 (GNT)

Oh how I wish I could say that living by faith is easy for me. You too? There’s no doubt that trouble is always around and it is easy for me to think in those times that God is not. Here’s the thing I’m pondering though, even when the the moon was out of sight behind the clouds that night, I knew from experience it was still there. Maybe the reason I was wide awake in the wee hours was to help remind me and I hope encourage you, that the same is true of God’s goodness, We don’t have to see it in the moment to believe it’s there because we’ve experienced it time and time again. Even in this difficult journey with our grandson, looking back over the last few months there’s evidence of God’s goodness through it all.  So as I continue to learn (it takes me awhile) to live a life of faith, I’m going to try to keep looking up with anticipation knowing God is right there with me.

“How clearly the sky reveals God’s glory! How plainly it shows what he has done!”
Psalm 19:1 (GNT)

Wander ~ Five Minute Friday

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“Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Psalm 55:22 (NLT)

Wander

Early this summer our youngest grandson lost most of his small intestine due to an undetected diaphragmatic hernia. As a result, he now receives all his nutrition through a permanent central line which he is hooked up to for 16 hours a day.

Long tubing extends from his chest and stomach to a back pack which contains the life-sustaining liquid and his pump. Can you imagine what it’s like to try and keep up with a one year old who is constantly on the go while carrying the bag and attempting to keep the lines from becoming tangled on his feet and toys? It’s a challenging and honestly, exhausting endeavor.  That is, until today!

For the very first time since his medical emergency, this remarkable little boy, with everything tucked in a little pack behind him, was able to just wander about with no more entanglement and no one constantly following after him. He has a new found freedom to now choose the direction he will go.

You know, as Christians, we can also find ourselves hooked on things that ensnarl and trip us up. When we are connected to anything, even good things, more than we are to our life-sustaining relationship with God, we can suddenly find ourselves at the end of our rope, feeling as if there’s no where left to go.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
Hebrews 12:1-2a (NIV)

Trying to keep up in life with all the twists and turns is often challenging for me. You too?  It’s easy to feel weighed down and held back by our weaknesses and worries.  I think you’ll agree, we can feel just plain worn out. Until that is, Jesus!  Jesus, who calls us to come to Him because His burden is light and He provides much needed rest.

Our grandson is truly a walking miracle! His life has forever changed but by God’s grace he’s learning to adapt one step at a time. In some ways it’s much the same for you and me. Through the miracle of Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection we can answer Jesus’ call and step into new life with Him, the One who packs up our sins, frees us from their bondage, and teaches us the direction we should go and when we do? That my friends, is where we’ll find we’ve been forever changed, too.