Your friendship elevates me, encourages me, speaks to me uniquely to be heard and not wasted. You remind me of backbone. I am stood up for, understood, and even put up with at times. I can't stand the idea of someone hurting you. I will stand up for you too.
You anger me. Your words speak to the weak parts of me, that haven't been conformed, haven't been touched. But, you say it, regardless. You anger me, the weak parts of you, the parts of your heart you won't let Him touch and the parts you try to hide too.
You change me.
But you do none of these things. You can't change me, make me something that I'm not, and you can't make me good. But, there is something deeper; a spirit. That part of you, it's changing, and I'm watching. And learning. And you watch me too.
Friend, we are becoming who we are meant to be, with each other's help and reminding.
Showing posts with label 5 minute Friday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 5 minute Friday. Show all posts
Friday, April 25, 2014
Friday, April 18, 2014
Five Minute Friday: Glue
Wow, it's Friday again. Right before Easter. I have been pondering on the heavy weight of what it must have been like for Christ to be in the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing soon He would be betrayed by one of His disciples and be flogged, and then crucified...
My heart is filled with gladness and sadness all at once. Sadness because my dear Savior compassionately saw me- my meanness and pride before time began- yet passionately put Himself down, was humiliated, and died for me.
I'm also glad, because He is seated at the right hand of God, and the completion of his work means purpose and a way for me to know Him and live this life.
What does that have to do with glue? The first verse that popped up into my head was Colossians 3:14
"Beyond all these things, put on love which is the perfect bond of unity."
There it is, glue, bond.
And verse one:
"Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God."
So, since I have been raised up with Christ, I love others! How else could I without the work of the cross making me and reminding me how to love correctly! It's really humbling to see how Christ has loved me, flawed and all, I want to love those around me. I find it absolutely essential that if I want others to see the love of Christ that He has for them, I must be able to show that in a way that unifies the body of christ, the Church. I edify her (the church), and encourage, exhort, continuously, and by grace shown in the work of the Cross.
A bit more than five minutes later, that is my prayer on glue today. Be blessed, and have a happy Easter weekend knowing you are loved and therefore can be love to others.
My heart is filled with gladness and sadness all at once. Sadness because my dear Savior compassionately saw me- my meanness and pride before time began- yet passionately put Himself down, was humiliated, and died for me.
I'm also glad, because He is seated at the right hand of God, and the completion of his work means purpose and a way for me to know Him and live this life.
What does that have to do with glue? The first verse that popped up into my head was Colossians 3:14
"Beyond all these things, put on love which is the perfect bond of unity."
There it is, glue, bond.
And verse one:
"Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God."
So, since I have been raised up with Christ, I love others! How else could I without the work of the cross making me and reminding me how to love correctly! It's really humbling to see how Christ has loved me, flawed and all, I want to love those around me. I find it absolutely essential that if I want others to see the love of Christ that He has for them, I must be able to show that in a way that unifies the body of christ, the Church. I edify her (the church), and encourage, exhort, continuously, and by grace shown in the work of the Cross.
A bit more than five minutes later, that is my prayer on glue today. Be blessed, and have a happy Easter weekend knowing you are loved and therefore can be love to others.
Friday, April 4, 2014
Five Minute Friday: Writer
The Great Composer, Artist, Creator, Writer...
God is many Good things. He created CREATIVITY. In all forms. He made the expanse of the heavens and the waters and earth. He made each individual with a unique personality and spirit. He made math, physics, all sciences and every way for us to understand the world around us...
He is the great writer of history, and of our stories. And that's what gets me. He knew me before I was made, and knew how I would be, the ways I would go, and who I WILL become. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed at the idea that God has unknown things in store for me. But He knows what they are and He's not failed at His plan. I am a part of His story. It's a complex story with many twists and turns, ups and downs. None are useless or by chance. They all are for good.
So, while I may not be a great writer, I can trust that He is. And since I am a part of His story, I know that everything that happens to me past, present and future will ultimately be used for something amazing. It's this knowledge that let's me live in peace and joy, knowing that He's got the big picture figured out, and I'm not forgotten or lost in it, but am a useful part of it.
...
OK, that was a bit overwhelming for me, but it's been a few weeks since i have written. ciao!
God is many Good things. He created CREATIVITY. In all forms. He made the expanse of the heavens and the waters and earth. He made each individual with a unique personality and spirit. He made math, physics, all sciences and every way for us to understand the world around us...
He is the great writer of history, and of our stories. And that's what gets me. He knew me before I was made, and knew how I would be, the ways I would go, and who I WILL become. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed at the idea that God has unknown things in store for me. But He knows what they are and He's not failed at His plan. I am a part of His story. It's a complex story with many twists and turns, ups and downs. None are useless or by chance. They all are for good.
So, while I may not be a great writer, I can trust that He is. And since I am a part of His story, I know that everything that happens to me past, present and future will ultimately be used for something amazing. It's this knowledge that let's me live in peace and joy, knowing that He's got the big picture figured out, and I'm not forgotten or lost in it, but am a useful part of it.
...
OK, that was a bit overwhelming for me, but it's been a few weeks since i have written. ciao!
Friday, March 7, 2014
Five minute Friday: Willing
Today's writing prompt is WILLING.
GO
I must admit, it took me a good stop-and-pause for me to think about that word. Ideas came up to me, "well, what are you willing to do?". I couldn't think of anything in particular. Most of the time, I like to think of myself as very open and brave...willing. If I am honest with myself, the real thing I deal with is why I am NOT willing.
What I will myself to do, and what I'm willing to do- what stops me from crossing over is fear. I let fear get in the way of trying, or being 'willing' to try. Being open to failure. There are so many great things to be experienced in failure, why wouldn't anyone want to be more willing to do something crazy, scary, daring, unexpected. Of course, as long as these things don't get in the way of your conscience :)
Today, reflect on how you want your life to be daily characterized by the attitude of willing. It won't be easy, but I'm sure it will be worth it. Fight yourself and it's tendencies to be 'safe'(or rather, in control), and walk in bravery that will accomplish things through strength that comes from above.
OK done, i want to write more, but of course, I'm rushing.
Have a blessed day.
GO
I must admit, it took me a good stop-and-pause for me to think about that word. Ideas came up to me, "well, what are you willing to do?". I couldn't think of anything in particular. Most of the time, I like to think of myself as very open and brave...willing. If I am honest with myself, the real thing I deal with is why I am NOT willing.
What I will myself to do, and what I'm willing to do- what stops me from crossing over is fear. I let fear get in the way of trying, or being 'willing' to try. Being open to failure. There are so many great things to be experienced in failure, why wouldn't anyone want to be more willing to do something crazy, scary, daring, unexpected. Of course, as long as these things don't get in the way of your conscience :)
Today, reflect on how you want your life to be daily characterized by the attitude of willing. It won't be easy, but I'm sure it will be worth it. Fight yourself and it's tendencies to be 'safe'(or rather, in control), and walk in bravery that will accomplish things through strength that comes from above.
OK done, i want to write more, but of course, I'm rushing.
Have a blessed day.
Friday, February 21, 2014
5 minute Friday: SMALL
While I am waiting for my DIY pics to load, I figured I would write my 5 minute challenge. You can do this writing challenge by visiting LisaJoBaker's blog for 5 minute Friday.
Today the word is Small.
GO:
I am small, in light of this world. In light of God. Back in college, I believe the count of people on this planet was over 7* billion? So, I'm a 'small' amount of that.
The other day, I was talking with Jeremy about some recent events of tragedies all over the world. I told him, although I wasn't positive, that I thought that God looked down at his creation and thought that we were just as wicked as the time that He decided to destroy the earth. The only thing keeping us from that fate was His convenant. I know this is incredibly negative thought, but there is just so much hurt happening all over. And I am small. And we: are a remnant.
Although just a remnant, a small amount, God looks down from heaven, and He puts Himself in us. THAT'S BIG. He wants to change this world through His people, for His purpose, His kingdom, His glory. Each one of His children has a mission. And even though that mission is finite for us, it has lasting implication because of what He can do with it.
The other day, I was listening to the radio, and it was a christian radio station so it was a testimony that came on (of course, right?). The story was of a man who preached the word, over and over again, to every city he came to in the South. One of those cities actually did not want him to preach in their town. So, he went outside the city, and he preached there, in a tent. On one of those nights, a young man came into the tent, and he accepted the Word planted that day, walking up at the altar call. He prayed and was saved. That young man was Billy Graham. As many people know, he would go on to faithfully preach himself, the Gospel, over and over, and through his ministry, MILLIONS would come to know their Savior.
Does anyone ever talk about the man who preached to Billy Graham? I don't even know his name, although I'm referencing his ministry. He was small. In this story, and really, in history. But, it's plain to see that God did something pretty amazing through him, which he got to take part in. In him being faithful to what God called him to, the weight of that Work that Christ did through him, is eternal.
DONE
Thanks for reading. Love yal!
Today the word is Small.
GO:
I am small, in light of this world. In light of God. Back in college, I believe the count of people on this planet was over 7* billion? So, I'm a 'small' amount of that.
The other day, I was talking with Jeremy about some recent events of tragedies all over the world. I told him, although I wasn't positive, that I thought that God looked down at his creation and thought that we were just as wicked as the time that He decided to destroy the earth. The only thing keeping us from that fate was His convenant. I know this is incredibly negative thought, but there is just so much hurt happening all over. And I am small. And we: are a remnant.
Although just a remnant, a small amount, God looks down from heaven, and He puts Himself in us. THAT'S BIG. He wants to change this world through His people, for His purpose, His kingdom, His glory. Each one of His children has a mission. And even though that mission is finite for us, it has lasting implication because of what He can do with it.
The other day, I was listening to the radio, and it was a christian radio station so it was a testimony that came on (of course, right?). The story was of a man who preached the word, over and over again, to every city he came to in the South. One of those cities actually did not want him to preach in their town. So, he went outside the city, and he preached there, in a tent. On one of those nights, a young man came into the tent, and he accepted the Word planted that day, walking up at the altar call. He prayed and was saved. That young man was Billy Graham. As many people know, he would go on to faithfully preach himself, the Gospel, over and over, and through his ministry, MILLIONS would come to know their Savior.
Does anyone ever talk about the man who preached to Billy Graham? I don't even know his name, although I'm referencing his ministry. He was small. In this story, and really, in history. But, it's plain to see that God did something pretty amazing through him, which he got to take part in. In him being faithful to what God called him to, the weight of that Work that Christ did through him, is eternal.
DONE
Thanks for reading. Love yal!
Friday, February 7, 2014
Five Minute Friday- 'write'
I think this is hilarious, of all things that I would NEVER do, it's make an effort to robustly display my thoughts via the web. However, my friend Claygirlsings, encouraged me to take the five minute friday challenge to stop being so worried about what others think of my writing. What do you know, the first prompt is 'WRITE'.
If you are interested in taking this challenge or find out more, go here. (Lisa-Jo Baker's blog)
So, 'write':
5 minutes, go...I think that it's pretty funny that my first prompt is just 'write' seeing as it's the very thing I have a hard time being confident in. I don't even want to link up this post to the actual website... we'll see if i will. In talking, I don't speak in linear thought, it makes it very hard to communicate to friends and family. In fact, as a result, I sometimes have shied away from doing so because I believe it might be too much work for others ;)
However, writing is a bit more different. It gives me a chance to re think, rewrite, and come up with what I want to say. This process takes way longer, and often times, these days, i dont have time for that. Something else stops me, it's the fact that once I hit 'publish' I have put my thoughts and heart out for everyone to see, at least the ones who stop by on this page. And, THAT, is what I am afraid of. Being known through my words, written. Because, when I do actually take the time to write, it's what i have thought through, and put out.. no excuses on grammar or punctuation-it's my thoughts. What if someone reads it and thinks I'm stupid, naive, ignorant, arrogant, rude, etc...
OK, 5 minutes somehow turned into 7. and that's what I had time to put out there. Wow, that was exhilarating- I do this because I know that I shouldn't fear anything, but God! I need to get over whatever it is that keeps me from living real w/ people.
Next time, i hope to write more and hopefully, in my honesty, you are encouraged to take on this challenge. I'm sure you will do fabulous. don't forget to link up your blog to the host, Lisa-jo Baker's blog!
Thanks, Claygirlsings for the challenge! Now back to laundry... :)
If you are interested in taking this challenge or find out more, go here. (Lisa-Jo Baker's blog)
So, 'write':
5 minutes, go...I think that it's pretty funny that my first prompt is just 'write' seeing as it's the very thing I have a hard time being confident in. I don't even want to link up this post to the actual website... we'll see if i will. In talking, I don't speak in linear thought, it makes it very hard to communicate to friends and family. In fact, as a result, I sometimes have shied away from doing so because I believe it might be too much work for others ;)
However, writing is a bit more different. It gives me a chance to re think, rewrite, and come up with what I want to say. This process takes way longer, and often times, these days, i dont have time for that. Something else stops me, it's the fact that once I hit 'publish' I have put my thoughts and heart out for everyone to see, at least the ones who stop by on this page. And, THAT, is what I am afraid of. Being known through my words, written. Because, when I do actually take the time to write, it's what i have thought through, and put out.. no excuses on grammar or punctuation-it's my thoughts. What if someone reads it and thinks I'm stupid, naive, ignorant, arrogant, rude, etc...
OK, 5 minutes somehow turned into 7. and that's what I had time to put out there. Wow, that was exhilarating- I do this because I know that I shouldn't fear anything, but God! I need to get over whatever it is that keeps me from living real w/ people.
Next time, i hope to write more and hopefully, in my honesty, you are encouraged to take on this challenge. I'm sure you will do fabulous. don't forget to link up your blog to the host, Lisa-jo Baker's blog!
Thanks, Claygirlsings for the challenge! Now back to laundry... :)
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