Are You Waiting?

Today is Five Minute Friday...five minutes...one word...no editing...
Today's word is WAIT.

You show up at a restaurant and are greeted with this sign...
Please wait to be seated...
You fill your cart with groceries and as you approach the checkout...there are people ahead of you...
so you wait.
You find the cutest pair of shoes and as you paying you discover the price tag is missing...
you have to wait for a price check.
You are driving home, excited to get there and you hit every red light...
waiting for a green light seems to take forever.
You make a business call...only to be put on hold...
You wait...and wait...and wait.

Sure seems like we spend a lot of our life waiting. In fact studies have shown that we will spend approximately 6 months of our life waiting in lines. If you are like me, patience during the wait can be difficult. Wait is one of my least favorite words, I truly am an impatient person. 

God asks us to wait.
But they who wait on the Lord will renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

While we are in the waiting room, God renews our strength...I like that kind of waiting. God always has a reason and a purpose when He says wait. Use that time to pray and study His Word, because when the waiting is over He will have something exciting for you...be prepared to run!

Welcome...

Today is Five Minute Friday. One word, five minutes, no editing. Today's word is WELCOME...

Every morning I have an opportunity...some mornings I take that opportunity...some days I speed right by it. Every morning He waits for me, every morning He anticipates my attention, every morning He welcomes me to join Him. 

I imagine Him sitting in my living room, in my striped chair; hoping I will curl up on my couch and just chat with Him. He doesn't need fancy words, He doesn't need a well crafted speech. In fact some days He would be happy to sit with me in silence. He just wants me to join Him, to invite Him into my day. He has written me a love letter that He wants me to read, to study, to soak up every word. 

He is Jesus, He welcomes you into His presence every morning! Don't miss the chance to welcome Him into you day as well!

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, 

left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 

Mark 1:35

Adore...

Today is the last Five Minute Friday of the year. The word for today is ADORE...

O Come Let us Adore Him

O Come Let us Adore Him

O Come Let us Adore Him

Christ the Lord

Don't let this season pass by without stopping to adore Him...

the babe in the manger.

That babe is more than just a baby...

He is our King.

That babe is more than just a king...

He is our Savior.

Stop in the midst of the Christmas chaos...

stop to adore Him.

As you sing familiar Christmas carols...

stop to adore Him.

Stop and ponder why He came...

not just so we could celebrate this season with tinsel and gifts.

He came because He loved us...

He came to save us...He came knowing how it would end.

That babe in a manger...

He is our King...He came with a mission.

That babe in a manger...

He is our Savior...He came for us!

Prepare Him Room...

It's Five Minute Friday again, where do the weeks go anymore? Today's word is PREPARE...


Go...

Joy to the World!  The Lord is come
Let earth receive her king!
Let every heart prepare Him room...

In the hustle and bustle of December...
Prepare Him room...

In between the to-do lists and the shopping...
Prepare Him room...

During the flurry of parties and concerts...
Prepare Him room...

In the midst of the magic of the season...Santa and elves...
Prepare Him room...

In the mess of baking and frosting and taste testing...
Prepare Him room...

In the hunt for the perfect tree and hanging of lights...
Prepare Him room...

As you make travel plans and constantly check the weather...
Prepare Him room...

When you are still groggy as the morning sun peeks over the horizon...
Prepare Him room...

And heaven and nature sing...
And heaven and nature sing...
And heaven and heaven and nature sing...

Don't just let heaven and nature sing and point to Him...join in...prepare Him room and sing Joy to the world...the Lord is come!!!

Dear Hope...

Today is Five Minute Friday. One word, five minutes, no editing. Today's post comes from a place of grief and love. My sweet daughter had a miscarriage the week before Thanksgiving. It was not her first. As you read this, please pray for Josh and Abby as they work through another loss. Today's word is DEAR....

Dear Hope,

Hey sweetie, I just want you to know how very loved you are. My heart hurts it loves you so much. Your mommy and daddy love you so much too. You have been prayed for so many times. From the day your mom told us she was pregnant again your grandpa and I prayed everyday. I will never forget the day that your mommy called and said they had heard your heartbeat. I cried that day, tears of joy. That was a huge answer to prayer.

A few weeks later we got news again of you, this time there were tears...for a different reason. This time there was no heartbeat. But sweet Hope we did not give up on you that day. Your family and so many other people began praying without ceasing. During that time is when you got your name, how fitting a name. As long as you were still in mommy there was still Hope. You are one loved baby, if only love were enough. We don't have the answers to why we won't meet you on this side of heaven. What we do have is a God who is big enough for our grief in losing you. We have a God who grieves with us. Your life may have been short, but know this little one that short life of yours has impacted many.

Jesus has you now, let him hold you. Tell sweet Faith we love her too, and your other siblings....

Love for ever and always,

Grandma.

Rejoice in hope,  be patient in affliction, be constant in prayer. 

Hebrews 12:12

Five Minute Friday...giving him notice...

Five Minute Friday time! One word...five minutes...no editing. Today's word is NOTICE.

Are you feeling discouraged? Do you believe lies that are whispered to you? There is an enemy who wants to destroy you and me...
Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8


I am tired of his lies and deceit so I am giving him notice...

Satan...you have no power here. Your tricks and deceptions will not work on me. I have Jesus on my side...I am leaning on Him for support. He is my strength...He is my shield...He is my defender. These scriptures are what I will listen to...I will not believe your lies, so quit trying...

I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. 

Philippians 4:13

The LORD is my strength and my shield. 

Psalm 38:7

In the day when I called out, You answered me, 

and made me bold with strength in my soul.

 Psalm 138:3

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, 

in Him I will trust, my shield and the horn of my salvation, 

my stronghold and my refuge, my Savior, You save me from violence. 

2 Samuel 22:2

(now read those verses again...substituting the I's and me's and my's with your name...)

I've read The Book...Satan loses in the end...he is defeated. So live in victory!!

Five Minute Friday...I Still Do...

Today is Five Minute Friday. A group of bloggers all sharing thoughts on a single word and five minutes to write whatever comes to mind. The word for today is STILL....

GO...


November 14 is just a regular day....
           it is not an anniversary of anything...
                   there are no big date plans....
                          in fact this morning has been quite uneventful...

In the midst of just a regular day...
           in the quietness of my morning routine...
                     I reach for a cup to make my hot chocolate in...
                           this cup says it all...I still Do.

         
Over 26 years of marriage...
            9631 days...many of them just plain ordinary days...
                      but is any day with you just ordinary?
                             In our every day life  know that I still Do!

I still love you...
      I still count it an honor to be your wife...
           I still smile when I think of you...
               My heart skips a beat when I know you are on the way home...
                    I still thank God everyday for you...even on "those" days...
                           I still do!

take five...He will never leave...

Well, I did it. Today is day 31 of a 31 day writing challenge. This has really been fun and challenging.   Today for the last day I am joining up with Five Minute Friday. The rules are pretty much the same as I've been doing all month long, five minutes to write on one word. The word for today is LEAVE...

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  

Deuteronomy 31:6

He will NEVER leave you...He will NEVER forsake you. That comforts me.

When I am feeling sorry for myself...He is right there. All I need to do is talk to Him.

When I am struggling...He is right there. All I need to do is lean on Him.

When I am facing a challenge that takes my breath away...He is right there. All I need to do is ask Him for strength.

He is right there, He is always right there, by my side. Why do I forget that? He is not going to leave me ever! When He makes a promise...He keeps it. He promised me that He will never leave me...He promised me that He would go with me. That brings me peace and comforts me. 

How about you? Are you struggling? Do you feel alone? There is no need to...HE is right there!

take five...I dare you!

Today is Five Minute Friday and also day 24 in my take five series. The word for today is DARE...

Just over nine months ago I received a new title...grandma! Let me tell you it was love at first sight, actually I am pretty sure I was in love before that first peek. We prayed for that little girl every day during the pregnancy. When you pray for someone you begin to care. We didn't know who exactly we were praying for, no idea if it was a boy or a girl, no idea what the name would be. We didn't care, this little baby was special and we were in love. Now we get the privilege of praying for her by name and we are honored to pray for her daily...she is our crown. And we eagerly anticipate the day we have more crowns to pray for. (no pressure kids!)

Grandchildren are a crown of the aged...

Proverbs 17:6

My paraphrase of that verse goes more like this...

Grandchildren are a crown of the middle aged...

So, I want to dare you to do something. I dare you to look at these pictures and not smile. This little beauty is Ellie... our first crown!

*photo credits 
Mandi Pool Photography
Amber Rae Photography
Heather Boyd 
Ashley Klingsheim

take five...how long is it?

Today is day 17 in my take five series, it is also five minute friday. Stop over at Heading Home to see what other bloggers have to say about the word of the day. Today's word is LONG..

 

I'm a numbers person...that's just how my brain works. There is always a calculator running in my brain...I hear the year someone was born and I automatically calculate how old they are. Numbers matter to me. 

There is one thing that my brain has not been able to calculate and that is just how much God loves me, His love cannot be measured with numbers. There is no exact measurement to how wide, how long, how high and how deep God's love it; it is beyond measuring. A measurement indicates something is finite, God's love is not finite, it is infinite. It is wider, deeper, longer, and higher than any number could ever indicate. It is the most powerful love imaginable, it is a love like no other, it will not fit in a box. 

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,  may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:17-19

I thank God for His love for me, I am in awe of it, I pray to grasp the enormity of it. I pray that I would never try to put it in a box, but that I would allow it to be what it is. I pray that I can love Him back in an immeasurable way, I pray that my love for Him is too deep, too long, too wide and to high to be measured! 

take five...this man I really care about!

Today is day 10 of my 31 day writing adventure and it is also Five Minute Friday. The word for today is CARE...

Go...

They say opposites attract and in many ways that is true for us...

He's an extrovert...I'm an introvert.
He sees instructions as suggestions...I see them as iron clad.
He likes to keep things...I love to throw things out.

You get the idea...we are not a like in so many ways. However, the important stuff...that we agree on! We have the same faith, the same set of convictions, and when we were raising our kids, we were a team. 

This is one man I love having on my team. I appreciate so many things about him:
His heart for the Lord...
His heart for people...
The way he loves and cares for me... (I'm kind of high maintenance!)
He goes above and beyond in many areas...
He really is funny...(don't tell him I said that!)
He will go the extra mile...without being asked...
He is my favorite pastor...(I've never fallen asleep while he was preaching)...

This month is the awareness month for many things...all good things...breast cancer awareness...domestic violence awareness...this week is baby wearing awareness week...but my post is in honor of Pastor Appreciation Month. Brian is my pastor and I see all he does,I get to see the behind scenes part of his job...his calling...and seeing how hard he works, and how much he cares makes me appreciate him even more!!

 Me and my man...

 My new favorite shirt....

It says...Pastor's Wife...some people never meet their heroes...I married mine

new every morning...day 3...take five

Welcome to day 3 of take five. Today I am also linking up with five minute friday. Read my post and then head over to heading home to see what others have to say about the word of the day. Today's word is NEW.

I admit it...I am NOT a morning person. With the days getting shorter, it's even harder for me to pull myself out of bed. My hubby on the other hand...he wakes up with a song on his heart and can be heard whistling even before the light is turned on.

BUT...when I do manage to rise before the sun, I find great delight in watching it rise. That will always put an end to my morning grumpies. I can't watch the sun rise without a song forming on my heart...the sun comes up its a new day dawning...it's time to sing your song again. I also find myself thinking of a verse in Lamentations....His mercies are new every morning!

I may not always be a morning person...but God is. He gives each new day as a fresh start...new mercies are awaiting us with each sunrise. Oh how I love Him for that!!

Cling to his promise of new mercies. Let each new day dawn with expectation. Let's look for 10,000 reasons for our heart to sing!

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Because...

Today is Five Minute Friday. One word, five minutes, whatever comes to mind. Today's word is BECAUSE...

Go...

Photo credit

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow...
Jesus is alive and because of that simple fact, I can face whatever tomorrow throws at me! 
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34)

Because He lives, all fear is gone...
This is a huge thing for me. I went through some pretty severe anxiety, fear ruled my heart. Jesus came in and calmed that anxiety, He took away my fear. 
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  (Isaiah 41:10)

Because I know He holds the future...
He has never let me down yet. His plans are greater than my plans, His plans are perfect. 
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
Before Jesus, life really had no purpose, I was lost. HE LIVES and because of that my life has purpose, meaning and there is joy in my heart!!!
I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! 
(Revelation 1:18)

Five Minute Friday...Am I Ready?

Today is Five Minute Friday.  A flash mob of sorts, a group of bloggers coming together to blog about  the same word for five minutes. The rules are simple, one word, five minutes, no editing. Today's word is READY.


GO:

I am known for asking questions, lots of questions. It's what I do. Over the years there is one question I have asked myself repeatedly. Am I ready?

A young 18 year old about to move onto a small college campus...I was scared and unsure. I kept asking myself...Am I ready?

A young 22 year old standing at the back of church about to walk to aisle towards my groom...Am I ready? I was an thus began a great adventure!

A 24 year old finding out that I am indeed pregnant...Am I ready?

The night before my first day as a homeschool mom, a pile of curriculum stretched out before me...Am I ready? A scary step that resulted in yet another great adventure...one I miss everyday.

The mother of a 16 year old ready to go out solo driving for the first time...Am I ready...Is she ready?

Unloading boxes and suitcases at a school so far away from home....Am I ready to say goodbye? Only to have this process repeated again in two years and again with our youngest in just two more years.

A daughter dressed in white...was I ready? Another daughter dressed in white...was I ready? A son taking my arm and seating me at his wedding...was I ready? I mean just yesterday each one of these kids was just a toddler holding my hand to cross the street!

An empty nest, a quiet house, a new adventure waiting around the corner...am I ready?

In each instance I was ready, whether I knew it or not. I was ready because God was directing my steps and the steps of my children. He knows with each change in my life I will wonder that very same question, He knows I may fight it a little, He knows I may be a little bit scared and possibly overwhelmed, but thankfully I know HIM and I trust Him...so ready or not let the adventures keep coming!

Five Minute Friday...A letter to moms saying goodbye...

After a long break I am back for Five Minute Friday. Today's word was a challenge for me, not because it's a tough word, but because change is such a big part of my life I wasn't sure which direction to take. So here is my five minutes of unedited writing on CHANGE...


Dear Mom,

I feel your pain, I understand your grief. I was there not long ago.  I watch as you post pictures on Facebook...pictures of a car packed way too full, pictures of a nervous 18 year old standing in their empty dorm room, and that one last picture of them right before you drive away.  I understand the bittersweet emotions you are experiencing. It feels wrong to have your baby move out, yet at the same time it feels right. This is a milestone you have been preparing for since you welcomed your baby into this world.

This emotion is not new to God, He knew we moms (and dads) would struggle with this change. He knew that sometimes the changing of seasons in our life can be difficult. He wants us to lean on Him, He wants us to shift our parenting from being hands on to being on call. We will always be their parent, but we must change how we parent. There is a giving up of control, there is a shift to being on our knees more. Our baby has always been in God's hands, but when he moves out that fact seems more clear to us then ever before.

This time of change can be tough, it's ok to cry, it's ok to laugh, it's ok to feel whatever you are feeling. As hard as it is to believe right now, your relationship with your baby will become richer, deeper and better. All three of my babies are out of the house, I hated dropping each one of them off at school. I hated missing them, I hated change....but now I get the joy of watching them establish their own families. It is a joy unlike any I ever imagined...to see them love their spouses and thrive as the people God made them to be...wow...it's awesome!

Know that I am praying for you sweet mom.  Change is hard, but it leads to some wonderful new beginnings...




Three years ago our family looked like this...

Today it looks like this....I am thankful for these changes in my family!

There is a time for everything,

    and a season for every activity under the heavens...

Ecclesiastes 3:1

** check out some other takes on the word change...

Five MInute Friday...Catch and Release Parenting...

 Today is Five Minute Friday. When I saw this week's word I was amazed at how fitting it is me! Read on and see my take on the word RELEASE...

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." Ephesians 5:31

My husband went fishing last weekend and I have heard many fishing stories in the past week. So with that background in mind you will understand where I am going with the word release this week.

Parenting is the ultimate catch and release program. God gives us the perfect "catch", we measure that little one and take pictures proudly displaying our prize. And to us that baby is a prize, the best prize.  We don't have to release right away, but we know one day it is coming!

Years go by, we nurture and love and raise that sweet little "catch" to adulthood. We spend hours praying over and for that child. We spend many sleepless hours rocking and cuddling him back to sleep. We play games of catch in the backyard, we build numerous forts, we answer about a million and one questions that start with the word why.

Then comes the day, the day we have to release our catch. Last week my husband had to throw back anything over 19.5 inches. So, on Saturday, we will release our final catch, our son is over 19 and God has given us peace that it is time to release him. We aren't throwing him back though, we are releasing him to adulthood. At 6:21 pm our son will be standing at the end of an aisle watching his beautiful bride walking towards him to become his wife. This for parents is the ultimate release.

My emotions are unsteady this week. My heart is full, so full in fact that it is leaking out of my eyes. Release my son, am I ready? From the moment God gives us our children we know this day is coming, but is it possible to prepare the heart for the emotions of release? I'll get back to you on how that goes!

No answers...just questions. (Five Minute Friday)

Today is Five Minute Friday. A flash mob of sorts; women from all over getting together to write on the same topic, for the same amount of time; but with different results. Today's word is HANDS...

Go...

Hands...my first response if I have my hands. I have scars on them, I chew my nails, my fingers are short and stubby instead of long and slender.


But...then I thought about it.  Does God call me to have beautiful hands? Or does He call me to do beautiful things with my hands?

When I worship...are my fists clenched? Or do I open my hands and raise them up to worship Him?

At home...are my hands idle? Or do I use them to honor God by serving my family?

In the morning...do they play the latest game on my phone? Or do I use them to hold God's Word so I can immerse myself in it?

Do my hands reach out to others? Do I greet people with a hand shake, a pat on the back or do I simply keep my hands at my side and distance myself from people?

Do I use my hands to write an encouraging note? Or are my hands more likely to write a discouraging status on Facebook?

Do I use my hands to write out checks to tithe or give beyond that? Or are my hands writing out checks so I can have more stuff?

Are my hands part of the hands and feet of Jesus??

These are the the questions I will be pondering today!

Five Minute Friday...Nothing

Today is Five Minute Friday. One word, five minutes, lot's of fun. Today's word is NOTHING...



In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...
     He created them out of nothing!

God took nothing and made something beautiful.
     There is beauty all around me, everyday I marvel at a new plant that is blossoming in my yard.
           Everyday I marvel at the beauty in a sunset.
                 Everyday I marvel at God's creativity. He created rolling hills, lakes, oceans, mountains, flat land, rocks, trees, flowers, and so much more...out of nothing all was created.


God took me and made something beautiful.
       I am beautiful, because God made me so. Without Him I would be nothing, my life would be pointless, hopeless, and without meaning.
               Everyday I marvel that God loves me that much.
                   He created me with a purpose, HE created ME...because of Him, I am not nothing, my life has meaning and hope.

I am thankful for nothing, because absolutely NOTHING can separate me from His love!!!

For I have every confidence that nothing—not death, life, heavenly messengers, dark spirits, the
present, the future, spiritual powers,  height, depth, nor any created thing—can come between us and the love of God revealed in the Anointed, Jesus our Lord.

For I have every confidence that nothing—not death, life, heavenly messengers, dark spirits, the present, the future, spiritual powers, height, depth, nor any created thing--can come between us and the love of God revealed in the Anointed, Jesus our Lord. 
                                                                                                Romans 8:38-39 (The Voice)

Five Minute Friday...Glue

Today is Five Minute Friday. Today's word is GLUE....


GO...

 GLUE, verb transitive 1. To unite; to hold together.

The sun, the moon, the stars....all held together by Him!

The oceans, the seas, the rivers....all held together by Him!

The air we breath...held together by Him!

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  Colossians 1:16-17


...in Him all things hold together. He is the glue of not only the universe, the visible and the invisible. He is the glue of my life. When things seem to be coming undone around me, He is there. He is there holding me not only together, but holding me. Without Him I would have no peace, no hope, no joy.

Today is Good Friday, the day they crucified my Lord. The day He was beaten, ridiculed and crucified. A day filled with despair and sadness. I am sure His followers were wondering why? I am sure they felt a lack of peace, hope and joy in those dark hours. I know if Jesus had left me I would feel that same despair.

But....Sunday came. The day peace, hope and joy would appear with an exclamation point. He had risen, just as He promised. He's alive. Because of that event I will never know the pain of Jesus leaving, He is living inside of me. I'm alive!! He is my glue...holding all things together. AMEN!

Five Minute Friday...Paint

Today is Five Minute Friday. Five Minutes...one word...no editing.  Today's word is PAINT.


Go:

God is a beautiful artist. He not only paints beautiful sunsets, He also is making a beautiful masterpiece in you. That's right, you are God's masterpiece. You are His creation.

I believe when you were born God looked down and said "just wait until you see what I'm going to do with this one. I have saved some of my most vibrant colors for her life."

Are you unhappy with some of the colors God is painting in your life? Do you wish you could pick up the brush and paint a different picture? I know there are time when I feel that way. Times I wish I could see the whole picture, times I wonder just what is God doing. But you know when I leave the brush in His hand, He will eventually use a brilliant brush stroke to take what I felt was a blemish and He will turn it into something beautiful. Trust God to paint your life, He sees you as a beautiful masterpiece, His creation; He is the artist and Picasso has nothing on Him!!