Five Minute Friday || Choose

Today, Lisa-Jo Baker and FMF. Click the image to read and see other's posts. There you'll find a list of those who have also shared.

Today's word prompt: choose

Now... let's write.

GO

They sit engrossed in whatever they're interested in at the moment.

All of a sudden her voice breaks the silence. "I'm hungry!" He pipes up, "Yea, me too."

A few minutes pass. He suggests they go get a bite to eat somewhere, a restaurant. He then asks, "What do you want to eat?" She speaks up and says, "You choose." He says, "I don't know what I want." She says she doesn't either. It's like a game of cat and mouse.

Our lives are like this too. We end up with what I commonly call: "Indecision constipation". We treat our relationship with God like this also. We sit in our cozy chair and get cheeky with God when He urges us to do His will. We pick and choose what we want to do to serve. We stay in our comfort zone not risking ourselves so we don't get hurt, like all the other times we've reached out.

This quote speaks volumes:

"Among the things you can give and still keep are your word, a smile and a grateful heart." - Zig Ziglar

A simple smile is contagious. It warms up a cold heart. Being grateful turns around a negative situation. Show God's love to everyone. You never know who will be blessed because they're having a bad day!

STOP

Five Minute Friday || Small

Join Lisa-Jo Baker for FMF. Click the image to go to her blog. There you'll see a list of others who also have shared.

Today's word prompt: small

Ready?  

GO

In this world there's a lot of things. A lot of those things are small. They're so small, they're microscopic. Not visible to the eyes.

Take a step back. Lay on the lawn on your back. Look up into the heavens. What do you see? Look at the galaxy through the lens of NASA. Keep panning out and the Earth just looks like a dot on the map of the Universe.

Our bodies and minds are the same way. Look through the microscope and see a whole mess of life going on inside of us.

When we step back and look at our thoughts we see a plethora of ideas running around. We also see our mindset. We journal our daily activities. There's a whole world going on in our minds. All those small things make up the whole. God designed everything right down to the smallest thing.
When we step back and see life we see oceans of people. We are one of those people. We each make up the tapestry of life that God has created. When we're all put together and step back and see all the small that makes up the whole, we see a beautiful art piece created by God.

STOP
 
Happy Friday Everyone!

Five Minute Friday {H}ero

Come and join Lisa-Jo Baker for FMF. Click the image to be transported to her blog. While there you'll see a list of others who also shared words of encouragement and their stories.

Today's word prompt: Hero

Ready? GO

Her little eyes searched around the room. She nuzzled in closer to hear my heartbeat and feel my warmth.

Her toddler feet went out the door following her auntie. Then she tripped on the walkway and fell, causing injury. Tear-filled eyes searched for comfort in the pain.

Those little feet carried her to the car and to the classroom as we walked into the first day of kindergarten. She had grown wings and was ready to fly.

The same feet that carried her to class later carried her across the sports floor. She was pushed over and fell to the floor leaving her unable to stand. Those teen eyes searched for a rescuer and met mine as I ran to lift her, moving to safety.

The screams that came from the other room searching for help after falling and getting cut screeched through the house. Again I came to her ailing side to administer emergency treatment.

Each cry and scream was met with a hug and aid, wiping away tears and soothing cries and screams.

Where was her hero when she was gulping down hard liquor, smoking a bowl or shooting up? HE was always with her. HE has never left her, nor will HE forsake her.

STOP

Five Minute Friday || Fight

A new year. The first Friday. It's time to write my first 5 minute Friday post of the year.
Click image on the right to read Lisa-Jo's post and then check out other's posts.

It's a great community. We just write, unveiled and naked. Before your mind runs away with craze about writing naked... I'm not referring to your person being naked without clothing. I'm referring to writing unhindered, and open-minded. Strip off all the masks. Tear down all the walls. Be the real you. No more hiding. You'll receive lots of love in this community.

Today's prompt - Fight

GO

I don't give up without a fight. Fighting seems to come easily for me. As a child I was bullied. For whatever reason, I couldn't figure out. One day walking home from school some girls were walking behind me. They started in picking on me. I finally had enough.  I snapped. Just before we reached the corner where we separated to go our own way she hit me in the back of the head. I turned, grabbed her by the hair, and threw her to the ground and called her a choice word. I knew I was in trouble for saying it. But, I thought to myself, it was all worth it. Those girls never bothered me again. Because of my home life I was a frustrated child. Because of that frustration I turned into the bully. I started fighting other kids. The previous event gave me confidence in myself to stand up to others.

Fighting isn't always the answer. However, standing up for ourselves is a good fight. Because of my fighting I've been able to overcome the low self-esteem.

I believe those who bullied me saw how down trodden I was. It didn't that I had to wear glasses. People can be very cruel. Learning to mentally fight back helps to overcome those negative people. It took me a long time, but, I was able to overcome it.

Keep on fighting, don't give up!

STOP

Five Minute Friday | Reflect

I'm linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday. Lisa-Jo posts that there will be a break for December while she travels to her beloved South Africa for Christmas. I wish her and her family safe travels and a wonderful Christmas. Thank you, +Lisa-Jo Baker for laying your heart bear as we all pour over your words. God is definitely using you for His purpose.

Today's prompt: Reflect.

I once read about naked writing. When I first read the words "naked writing' I was very curious about that.

GO

For years I had been living behind these protective walls I had built around my heart. I was very private and reserved about the true me. If anyone ever penetrated the secure walls they would learn things that they would not like. They would learn things that would cause them to be repulsed. They would see the real me. A tattered, broken and beaten to shreds heart. To me, it was very ugly. The things that caused such a disturbed heart would disturb those who saw it.

I was a rough and tough person who stood up to everyone. Even if there was no real reason to stand up to them.

I had to prove myself. The fights. Climbing trees. Jumping off the garage roof. Jumping off the top rail of a one lane bridge over a river that went through the town I lived in during high school.

To escape and be alone I would put on my jogging suit and just start running. I would run till I found myself in the middle of the country far from others. I turned around and went back to town. I knew I had to go back eventually.

I struggled with life. I got mixed messages when I was sexually and physically abused. That also included mental abuse. I did not know true love. My experience was tainted and toxic.

When God spoke to my tender heart at nine years old I listened intently. I wanted what He offered and pulled me to. For several years I searched for what God was telling me in my heart. I learned true love is from Him. The Christmas Story and the Resurrection Story express His true love. His love washes over me. I soak in His presence.

STOP

That's naked writing. So, I learned from reading a few articles. I'm still learning to be a naked writer. It's so freeing and empowering!

Today is day six on the advent calendar. We have 19 more days until Christmas. Happy Advent!

A Day in the Life | FMF-BEDN

#BEDN Blog every day in Novemeber.

A single day. It turns out that it's pretty much every day.

For today I want to incorporate another meme. Five Minute Friday.

The word prompt for today is: Truth.

I will write for five minutes about Truth for a day in my life.

I wake up as the sun shines in the window. It's warmth and brightness, that's truth. When I pull my thoughts together... there's a rush of thoughts from the previous day. Somehow my new day is influenced by those thoughts. At present, I'm in a stage of physical healing. My thoughts rush in on, what's my next move going to be? Do I check my email? Do I get dressed now? Do I want food now? The truth of it is, I need to just take baby steps and one moment at a time. As the day unfolds, the next step will just happen.

I love blogging and reading other people's posts and reading life from their perspective. They are moving. There are some that's funny. Whatever they are, I love them. On occasion I'm inspired and influenced by them. I trust God. He will lead me.

What's the typical day in your life? Take five minutes and scribble it down. Share with us.

Five Minute Friday: Grace

Today's the day a mob of bloggers join in and wrote for five minutes on a word prompt. No editing, just write, over at Lisa-Jo Baker's blog. Check it out!

Today's word prompt: Grace.

GO:

We all want favor. We seek it. We ask for it. We do everything in our power to get it. How can we acquire it?

There is a way to receive grace, unmerited. It is free to us. We don't need to pay anyone anything. We don't need to be anyone's slave.

Do you know how to receive this grace I speak of? I'll share with you how. It's not hard. It only costs you one thing. Not money.

We are all sinners, fallen from God's grace. In order to be reunited with God we must seek and accept the free gift of Jesus' salvation. Devote our lives to honoring Him and disciple others to do the same, living by example as a Child of the Most High King, Jesus.

There's no sin so bad that He won't accept you into His family. He forgives all sin for all time. He loves you and me. He wants to be in relationship with you. There's nothing sweeter than His grace. His warm loving arms to hold you when you need a hug because of bad day or something hurtful said or done to you.

All that is required is for you to simply come to Him and accept His free gift. He's waiting for you arms wide open.

STOP!

Five Minute Friday - Together

Fridays a group of people who love to throw caution to the wind and just write without worrying if it’s just right gather to share what five minutes buys them. Just five minutes. Join Lisa-Jo Baker and see other's posts. What great joy be in the community.

Today's word prompt: Together

GO

What do you think of when you hear the word together? Most will answer something like being together with others in community. That fits in with what I'll write about today.

I found this great bit of scripture:

Have the Attitude of Christ 

Philippians 2:1-3

1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 

2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 

3 Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 

In verse 1 you'll notice the question of fellowship together in the Spirit? And in verse 2c working together with one mind and purpose. When the Spirit works in and through us we are in unity together being like-minded and working together as one in Christ. In doing so we aren't selfish, or trying to impress. We're humble and thinking of others as better than ourselves. This is the ultimate of love, is it not? As commanded in Galatians 5:14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Love is such a powerful thing.

STOP

Five Minute Friday - Laundry

It's a group of writers who join together on Friday. We write from a word prompt set by LisaJo Baker. Click through and read her post as well as other's posts. They are quite profound.

Now, onto today's word prompt: Laundry

GO

I remember the smell of warm fabric and the sounds of the swish of the sheets being tossed up onto the huge rollers of the hot steam iron. The heat rolling through the room from all the equipment was thick. The feel of the warm fabric coming from the dryers gave such a soothing feeling. You know when you pull your favorite blanket from the dryer and want to snuggle it and wrap up in it? That's what I mean. Folding the washed and dried hospital linens and gowns was therapeutic. The feeling of a job done is almost euphoric. The only true euphoria that I can attain is from the Holy Spirit.

STOP

Five Minute Friday-Ordinary

Here we are; back to Friday and Five Minute Friday where we write for five minutes on a word prompt. If you'd like to join, click the image and be virtually transported to LisaJo Baker's page. She explains how to join in. Hundreds of people post a week. See what they're posting. Some very profound posts.

Today's word prompt: ordinary!

GO

Mundane and boring... two words used to define ordinary. Sounds like stuck-in-a-rut lifestyle to me. Everyone falls into that category at some point in their lives, even me. I don't know about you, but, I don't like mundane and boring.

I love motorcycling. There's nothing mundane and boring about it. Especially when I had to suddenly maneuver around other travelers of the road to avoid a auto collision. However, what did occur left me with an injured knee and ankle. Have you ever watched any motorcycle stunt riding videos or seen any in person? After the fact, my imagination steered toward thoughts of me looking like a stunt rider drifting around other automobiles hearing the screeching of my rear tire as I slid across the pavement. Now, that's the opposite of ordinary. Also, as another riding friend likes to call riding: "twisting the wick."

Now, over the past 14 or so days, I've been living somewhat of an ordinary life as I heal from the injury. However... It is quite the contrary as I traverse through life with this injury trying to maneuver to keep from further injury and pain.

STOP

Five Minute Friday - Write

Here we are; back to Friday and Five Minute Friday where we write for five minutes on a word prompt. If you'd like to join, click the image and be virtually transported to LisaJo Baker's page. She explains how to join in. Hundreds of people post a week. See what they're posting. Some very moving posts.

Today's word prompt: write!

GO

In conversations with friends and talking enjoying their company they tell me I should write a book. I come back with a statement like: "It's all been said before, why try to reinvent the wheel when there's already the same thing out there?" 

Well, the time is now... no more lame excuses. So, I've been working on my first book for about a month now. It's pretty complicated because I have to do research to get my facts straight. Nobody wants to read babble. Also, I've been writing these posts and other articles on another blog... my business blog. I don't know if you know it or not... I'm a bodyworker [massotherapist] and a Biblical Life Coach. I am weaving my story into what I am writing for relevance and relating to people. I tried different writing methods, like, just typing it out in Word or notepad, etc... I was very frustrated with that because my thoughts were all over the place. My husband mentioned mind mapping... I didn't know what that is. He explained and also shared a software I could try out. I absolutely love it. I've been able to track my thoughts and get things organized.

STOP

Now, it's your turn!

Five Minute Friday || Small

Join Lisa-Jo Baker and write for five minutes on the word prompt for this week OR go visit and read what other's have written. Click image to the left to magically teleport there.

So, todays word prompt: small.

GO

When she was born the nurse placed her on the gurney. There she lay. She was so small. Just under 7 pounds. She grew like any other normal baby would. She went to have her wellness check-ups just like other babies. Every single visit, the nurse always said she was too small. Worried that something was wrong or she wasn't being well cared for, her mother cried and lamented over her baby being malnourished. Until one day at one wellness check, a new nurse was afoot. The nurse took all the measurements and checked all the small things on the child, 3 years later. Her mother asked the nurse if she was within normal size parameters. The nurse reports that the child was on the small side of normal, but within normal parameters. Shew, what a relief, the child's mother expressed. At that point, the child's mother started investigating the genetics of each ancestor of the child. There were a lot of "small" people in the child's ancestry. She simply inherited the small genes. That child... is average size today... She's a grown adult. She is my daughter.

STOP

Five Minute Friday - Lonely

It's that time of the week again. Let's join Lisa Jo Baker in today's word prompt. Also check out the others linked there and see the wonderful posts out there. Click the image and it'll take you there.

You ready? Today's word prompt is: Lonely.

GO

There's been songs written about being lonely. There's been movies made about loneliness. There's been books written about being lonely. Lonely is the one in isolation. People who have become ill and left to themselves to figure out their way through. There's people who are dejected because those who don't want them around. Such is the lonely.

I remember a time I would visit the elderly and I had a hard time departing because they wanted to visit more. They didn't want to be left alone.

I remember a time when I felt desperately lonely. I didn't feel wanted. I didn't feel loved or cared for. There's others out there who are lonely. There's also those who feel lonely even when their surrounded by a sea of people. Mentally, they are lonely.

GOD is with me. I'm never truly alone. HE helps me through the rough patches. Thank YOU LORD!

STOP

[20130726] Five Minute Friday

Join Lisa-Jo Baker for 5 Minute Friday. Write for five minutes on a word prompt.
#fiveminutefriday

Today's word prompt: Broken.

GO


When I hear the word broken I think of something that has become damaged in same way rendering it unusable.

I heard the shatter as the glass hit the floor as it broke in a zillion pieces.

We can compare our lives to that scenario, don't you think? We get broken hearted. We sometimes fall into broken relationships. We can become mentally broken. It's not just about broken glass or even a broken body part [like I acquired last night when I split a toe open.] The material things can be repaired and/or replaced. However, it takes some times for a broken heart to mend. For some, they harbor ill feelings, the brokenness lingers sometimes for a lifetime. We sometimes wish ill-will for someone who has hurt us or a family member/best friend. There's a saying...

“Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” - Malachy McCourt

God calls for us to surrender all the brokenness to HIM. Leave it at the foot of HIS Throne. HE will take all our burdens and lighten our load. I came to a place of total surrender before I got to a place of wholeness. I stopped believing the lies of the devils and believe only the truth of the LORD!

STOP

[20130719] Five Minute Friday

Join Lisa-Jo Baker for 5 Minute Friday. Write for five minutes on a word prompt.
#fiveminutefriday

Today's word prompt: Belong.

GO

At some point in our lives we reach a point of longing... a longing to belong. We feel lonely. Emotionally speaking. We have a sense that we belong somewhere. But where?

Even I have had this longing to belong. I have always felt like an outcast to my family. A black sheep if you will. I was the odd person out, for everything. I was always the last one picked for school yard games. That's a lonely feeling, thinking nobody wanted me.

One day I was invited to church by a schoolmate. So, I went. I had a good feeling about this place and the people. I continued to go. Then, bam, there was an alter call. I was so compelled to go up I couldn't hold myself back. Before you know it, there I was knelt at the alter giving my life and heart to GOD asking Jesus to be my Savior. Then a couple months later I was baptized in the local river with some others. This scripture has a lot of meaning for me:

Romans 8:14-16 

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.

When I was baptized God's Spirit adopted me and His Spirit joined mine to affirm that I'm His Child. From that moment on the loneliness was gone. He is my constant companion. When I begin to feel down, He lifts me up.

When I participate with others in the family of God it's an awesomeness I can not describe!

I belong!

STOP

Five-Minute-Friday-Present [20130712]

Thanks to Lisa Jo Baker for curating FMF. To join or check what others have written, click image to the left.

Today's word prompt is: Present.

GO

This word can be taken in different ways. When I hear the word present I think of a gift. There's no better gift than the right here and now present. We can't change the past, it's gone. We can try to plan for the future and speculate how we want it to turn out. But, still, the future can change in an instant by present circumstances. We can live in the present and enjoy each moment, creating great and wonderful memories for us to reflect upon when we get to the future. What we do in the present will impact our future. Make the most of the present, because we may not have a tomorrow. Live the present as if it's your last day and enjoy life. Smile. Laugh. Have fun with friends and family. Go for a bicycle ride. Have some ice cream.

It took me awhile to work that out. For the longest time I kept living in the past. Being stuck in the past is a bummer because we can create new and exciting things now to make the present a great place to be.

STOP

Your turn!

20130628 - Five Minute Friday : In-between

Write for five minutes. Unedited, straight from heart or hip, whichever you prefer. Each week Lisa Jo Baker gives a word prompt.

This week: in-between.

[GO]

What's the first thing you think of when you hear in-between? I had to read some other posts first to get an idea what others were saying. There's a plethora of ideas of in-between. One idea that stuck with me is being in-between seasons of life. That spoke to me because that's where I feel like I am right now. We transitioned from one place to another... completely different climate, completely different attitudes and people. It feels like starting over. I left one life behind and began a new one, elsewhere. Now, I'm finding myself re-establishing my identity. I have to prove my identity. It gives a feeling of being in limbo, being in-between. I don't like the way I feel. I know it's all temporary. But, it's the here and now that I'm dealing with. It feels strange. Almost like I'm lost and finding my way. I'm enjoying making new friendships. I'm learning to build a relationship with someone I didn't like much before. I'm trying to get used to, acclimate, to my new environment. The weather is really different from anything I've ever experienced. Right now, I don't know how to cope with it. It's hot and dry... desert dry. This too shall pass!

[STOP]

Now it's your turn!

[20130621] Five Minute Friday

Every Friday FMF is amass with writers from all over. Lisa-Jo Baker sets the tone with her word prompt.  It's a great community. Click the image and join in or just click through and read the posts.

Today's word prompt is: Rhythm

{GO}

My life fell out of rhythm for a time. I felt like I was off the rails. By that I mean that I had a hard time accomplishing tasks/chores, getting places on time and living my daily life. My life surely was chaotic. It reminded me of the time that Jesus was out to sea with His disciples. Jesus went below deck to take a nap. While napping His disciples became frightened because a storm was upon them and the winds blew, the boat rocked and the rains pelted them. They freaked out and went below deck to wake Jesus to see what to do. For me there were days when my life felt like that.

We recently moved from one state to another. The packing, the loading... the stress and the whole lot of it had me in a tailspin. Things are beginning to settle down. Life if beginning to flow better.

{STOP}

5 Minute Friday | Song | {20130517}

It's Friday! Yay!

Time to take 5 minutes and share.

Today's prompt: Song


When I hear or read the word song I simply think lyrics vocalized... to music or not!

Then, I recall... "There's a song in my heart!" There's a lot to be said for that.

When people are happy they sing songs of joy. When people are sad they sing songs of blues.

I also recall... Song Bird. Even the birds sing songs. They whistle out their tunes. I love the sound of birds singing. I'm a morning lark. So, when I wake from my slumber and get my day going... I hear the birds singing their morning song. They whistle while they work. Scratching and picking away at the dirt to get their breakfast and some to even take food back to the nest to feed their flock.

I love to live life with a skip in my step and a song in my heart!

Click the image linked to Lisa-Jo Baker's Five Minute Friday.

Five Minute Friday | Comfort {20130510}

Word Theme: Comfort

Most people will give an emotional response to the meaning of comfort.

Comfort for me conjures up the idea of comfort in textile. I'm a very tactile person. I love soft squishy things... Like a soft squishy teddy bear or pillows. Also, thinking back to a cozy warm fire and cozy soft bed coverings.

Comfort in the way my clothes and shoes fit. I deal a lot with sensory perception challenges. Certain things absolutely drive me to distraction... So, everything I do is done for my comfort.

The other thing that comes to mind for me in the realm of comfort is the all treasured: comfort zone. We're told we need to step outside our comfort zone and stop letting things hold us back.

Comfort is something we all like to have. Whether it's an emotional response or a good fit with items.