A Late Five Minute Friday – In the Middle


Joining with Kate at Heading Home

For five minutes of free writing.
“This is meant to be a free write, which means:
no editing, no over-thinking,
no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation.
Just write.”

Why do word prompts take so long to jell?
And when word jells, it seems kind of half set?
Any way, my late entry.

Today’s prompt – Middle

In the Middle of the Rod and the Staff
In the Middle of His Goodness and Mercy
In the Middle of Keeping Confidence Steadfast and Peace
In the Middle of Watching in the Wight and the Joy in the Morning
In the Middle of Trusting Him and Obeying Him

In the Middle is where I want to the Lord to find me.

In the Middle of His grace
In the Shelter of HIs arms
In the Straight and Narrow Way

EVEN IN

storm

The Middle of the Waters
The Middle of the Storms
The Middle of the Fiery Furnace
The Middle of the Lion’s Den
The Middle of the Dark and Lonely Garden

The Place of Perfect Rest in in the Middle of His Will.

Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.

Published in: on January 17, 2017 at 1:24 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Five Minute Friday – Dot-to-Dot

Joining with Kate at Heading Home

For five minutes of free writing.
“This is meant to be a free write, which means:
no editing, no over-thinking,
no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation.
Just write.”

Today’s prompt – Connect

Connect the Dot
We all have seen the game.
Remember simple dot-to-dot pages in school
and the wonderful ones in Highlights?
Now we can find elaborate sketches
involving 100’s of dots creating pictues in detail.

I consider at the beginning of this year:
How do I want my life to be seen at the end of 2017.

dot-to-dot-gingerbread-man

Will I be satisfied with just a mere out line of living?

with most days justed gotten through
with most days blessing just assumed
with most relationships just endured

dot2

Or could I with just a little more effort
find many dots during every day

by paying attention to the details
by filling in the lines of routine with gratitude
by reaching out with trembling finger tips

to find my Father say “Well Done’.

Published in: on January 6, 2017 at 2:54 pm  Comments (5)  
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A Late Five Minute Friday – Common


Joining with Kate at Heading Home

For five minutes of free writing.
“This is meant to be a free write, which means:
no editing, no over-thinking,
no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation.
Just write.”

Finally thoughts began to jell

Today’s Prompt – Common

go

Where have all the friends gone?
For years we have clicked and friended
person after person.

All we knew was that we both liked
flowers and hearts
kittens and puppies
sunsets and oceans
reciptes and knitting patters
kids that do funny things
old people still in love
moms trying really hard to be good moms.

Once in a while we would find
they liked “___________________”
and we would think “OH!”
and pass on.

Now we have found our friends deepest and darkest secrets.
Has this changed the common ground
we built our firendship upon?
Does this mean we are no longer freindly?

A definition of common
adjective,
1.belonging equally to, or shared alike by, two or more or all in question:

Can we agree on one more thing?

Two weeks ago
our country needed prayer and to turn our hearts toward God.
That has not changed.
Let us add to our prayer now.
Lord, help our friendships to stay strong.

 

suzy-hands

Matthew 18:19-20
Again I say unto you,
That if two of you shall agree on earth
as touching any thing that they shall ask,
it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them.

stop

Thank you, Suzy, for your dear picture.

Published in: on November 16, 2016 at 12:50 pm  Comments (2)  
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Five Minute Friday – Park

Joining with Kate at Heading Home

For five minutes of free writing.
“This is meant to be a free write, which means:
no editing, no over-thinking,
no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation.
Just write.”

This week’s prompt – Park

Put it into Park!

park

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of the long day
sitting in the car in the driveway
Put the car into park.
turn of the key.
Sit in the silence for a moment
before the next phase of the day.
__________________________
__________________________
_____________________________
You can fill in the blanks.

but let’s pause in that wee quiet time
before we open the door
and try to carry all the bags at once.

Be in the present
Be in His presence
Be still
Wait
Listen
Whisper Thanks
Ask for Grace
Trust in His Love.

Parking just might be the very best time of the day.

Stop

Psalm 46:10-11
Let be and be still, and know
(recognize and understand)
that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations!
I will be exalted in the earth!
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our Refuge
(our High Tower and Stronghold).
Selah
[pause, and calmly think of that]!

Amplified Bible

Published in: on October 21, 2016 at 9:32 pm  Comments (1)  
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Five Minute Friday – Mail

Joining with Kate at Heading Home

For five minutes of free writing.
“This is meant to be a free write, which means:
no editing, no over-thinking,
no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation.
Just write.

This week’s prompt -Mail

go

may20-009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mail was an important part of my life growing up
Birthday cards with a two dollar bill from Grandma
Many Christmas cards, bright, hung from yarn around the room
Letters from family from far away

Later, I found im my mail box
Bills
Ads
Catalogs
Junk
Christmas cards – Happy New Year
and from my mother-in-law and mother
Happy birthday and Happy Anniversary cards

Now
Bills are paid on line
Ads pop-up on blogs I read
Messenger & Texting come from family and friends

may20-006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I visit my mailbox every 10 days or so
only medical bills and information
some catalogs
at Christmas cards come but fewer each year
but mostly Junk.
except for Mom,
she is still sending Birthday greetings
and Anniversary ‘Best Wishes’
The very very most important pieces of mail I could every receive.
Just like getting a mother’s kiss.

Greet one another with an holy kiss.
2Corinthians 13:12

Published in: on October 14, 2016 at 5:08 pm  Comments (1)  
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Five Minute Friday – Test

Joining with Kate at Heading Home

For five minutes of free writing.
“This is meant to be a free write, which means:
no editing, no over-thinking,
no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation.
Just write.”

This week’s prompt – Test

Testing, Testing, Testing

Do you hear me?

Am I speaking clearly?

Do you understand what I am saying?

Are you willing to follow my words?

As with Samuel –
God called “Samuel, Samuel”

Can I anwser
“Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.”

This is my test.

hearing
understanding
willing to follow the directions

I do not like tests.

I always worry about my answers.
(Even eye exams – did I give the right answer?
Is the 1st ‘click’ or the 2nd ‘click’ clearer?)

What does God want me to learn from my tests?
God, first, wants me to listen.
Secondly, God’s desire for me is willingness to try.
Thirdly, God wants me to lean on Him during the test and
not on my own understanding.

I may not always get an ‘A’ on God’s test,
but I can receive a “Well Done”.

That is good enough for me.

stop

Published in: on October 7, 2016 at 11:31 pm  Comments (1)  
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When You Find . . .

When you find an old blog, February 22, 2013,
and it makes your heart hurt with pride;
reposting is necessary.

In just five minutes. Tell me all about what your mama did that made her yours….

go

my mama took care

34012_138238256191865_100000170743692_412713_5293450_n

when we were small

mama took care of us

Mondays she washed our clothes
Tuesdays she ironed
Wednesdays she mended

I don’t remember if she had a special task for the other days

she once said, “I really enjoy caring for my family.’

dinner was ready the minute daddy came home

as we grew older she continued to care

a tape measure was taken to the thrift shop
to measure inseams and skirt lengths

accounting was kept for daddy’s business

as we grew older, still

she worked at home in the evenings
and in the public during the days

when she and dad owned motels,
business decisions were jointly made
she was an equal partner

when retirement came
she reaped for her labors

when Alzheimer came
she continued to care
I could not count the times I heard

‘I’m sorry.
I don’t understand what you are trying to tell me.
It is the Alzheimers that is causing the problem.
Let’s try again later.”

GpaTopper

“We will take care of each other because we love each other.”

today cancer grows in the brother that lives with mama

yes, you’re right, she’s caring

my mama cares so much, it makes my heart ache with pride.

I love you, mama

stop

pictures added after 5 minute ding.

To bring up to date
today the brother’s cancer is in remission
yet she still cares
as he deals with the aftermath of treatment and surguries
my heart still aches with unending pride.
I will forever love you, mama.

Published in: on July 8, 2016 at 4:31 am  Comments (2)  
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Five Minute Friday – Haven

Joining with Kate at Heading Home

For five minutes of free writing.
“This is meant to be a free write, which means:
no editing, no over-thinking,
no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation.
Just write.”

This week’s prompt –Haven, an inlet providing shelter for ships or boats; a harbor or small port.

go
Favorite Vacation list

#1 2007 cross country road: 56 days, 32 states with my husband
in our suburban pulling a 21 ft trailer.
Would do it again in a heart beat!
(My pictures and journal of the trip haven’t gotten transfered to new laptop, working on it)

#2 Girls’ bi-annual ocean getaway to Monterey with my daughters.
2012-07-01_3girls

My beautiful daughters, Margaret, Emily and Mary

#3 A cruise taken in 2010 as a graduation gift for our daughter,Emily.

10-27-09 005Emily

My mother, Frances Topper, my husband, Elmer, two of our daughters, Mary and Emily and I flew from Sacramento to New York City,
then cruised to Boston, Nova Scotia, Quebec City, PEI and Halifax.

The HAVEN I found was at

Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia.

10-23-09 023

10-23-09 014

10-23-09 044

10-23-09 053

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10-23-09 057

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IMG_8863

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I felt such a  peaceful quietness at Peggy’s cove.
a place of safety for these folks,
tight snug homes,
cold winds blowing,
stories of far gone days,
colors so bright,
to lift spirits up on the foggy days.
It is really hard to describe.
I hope the pictures tell a tale.

I would love to go back again.

stop

Pictures add after – my thoughts are in slow motion today

 

Published in: on June 3, 2016 at 3:09 pm  Comments (2)  
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Five Minute Friday – Cheer

Joining with Kate at Heading Home.

For five minutes of free writing.
“This is meant to be a free write, which means:
no editing, no over-thinking,
no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation.
Just write.”

This week’s prompt –Cheer

GO

Today I’m cheering my first born son’s first born son, Alex.

2012,nov29, Alex & LeslieMy Alex and I.

Alex graduates next Tuesday from High School!

For some people studying is easy and learning a breeze,

Alex had to work hard. and it wasn’t easy.

Volleyball, now that came as second nature.

Beauty like ballet in action.

But teachers don’t grade on how well you play ball.

In fact, how well you study determines whether or not you play.

Alex had a struggle.

Alex overcame.

Alex graduates.

We will all cheer.

And probably shed some tears,

Coz, it doesn’t seem like he should be old enough to graduate yet.

2009 boys n joker Alex is in the middle.

He should still be young enough to tell a school secretary,
“I don’t have a grandma” when she told him I would be picking him up from school.
She said, “you know your daddy’s mom.”
He replied with much relief, ” Oh you mean my Grannie!”

GO! ALEX! GO!

STOP

Published in: on May 27, 2016 at 1:07 pm  Comments (3)  
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Five Minute Friday – Expect

Joining with Kate at Heading Home

For five minutes of free writing.
“This is meant to be a free write, which means:
no editing, no over-thinking,
no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation.
Just write.”

This week’s prompt –Expect

GO

expect
• a : to consider probable or certain
• b : to consider reasonable, due, or necessary
• c : to consider bound in duty or obligated

expectation
• : a belief that something will happen or is likely to happen

 

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
Psalm 62:5

Where do i get my hope?
On whom do I set my affection?
On whom do I lean?

The LORD GOD who says:
I will never leave thee or forsake thee
I will send you a comforter
I AM the Lord God, I change not

These are the stones of my foundation.
As I learned to trust God for my every day needs.
He wrote these promises on the fleshly tables
of my heart with His own finger.

These promises are so apart of me –
the words and I are one.

No one can take them from me.
I can’t even sandblast them from my heart.
The words are set as if in stone.

For many times I have cried to My Father with full expectation
I would receive an answer.
He has never failed to answer.
Always as I have longed for, desired or in my wisdom considered best
No
Has His answer failed?
No
Has His answer damaged my expectation, my hope or my confidence in Him?

NO!

stop

 

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Also expecting a good harvest from our berry vines.

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Definitions,  Scripture and pictures added before/after writing.

Published in: on May 21, 2016 at 5:59 pm  Comments (4)  
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Five Minute Friday – Green

Joining with Kate at Heading Home
for five minutes of free writing.
“This is meant to be a free write, which means:
no editing, no over-thinking,
no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation.
Just write.”

This week’s prompt – GREEN

GO

Green lawns
Green fiels
Green pastures – Got it!

Psalm 23:2
green3
I have been reading ‘A Shepherd looks at the 23rd Psalm’
by Phillip Keller. He says sheep cannot rest
if they feel fear, tension, aggravation or hunger.
And it is only the shepherd who is able to do anything about these needs.

In my life
as I trust the Shepherd

for freedom from daily or sudden fears
for freedon from unrest
for freedom from irritations and distrubances
for freedom from soul hunger

(even though the situations may not change)
just knowing HE has

everything under His watchful eye
everything in His times and seasons
everything is working for my good

brings me rest in these peaceful green pastures of His care.
Only He can make me lie down and rest
as I draw near to Him in my unrest.

STOP

Picture added after stop.

Five-Minute-Friday-4-300x300

Published in: on October 17, 2015 at 10:32 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Five Minute Friday – Present

5-minute-friday-1

“Writing is like wrapping yourself in words and giving yourself away.” ~@lisajobaker

This is where a brave and beautiful bunch gather every week to find out what comes out when we all spend five minutes writing on the same topic and then sharing ‘em over here.

Present: being, existing, or occurring at this time or now; current:

go

In the school room the teacher calls my name.
I respond, “PRESENT!”

I don’t want the teacher to miss me.

I don’t want to miss out.

I want to be present,

I have to be present

not only in body but also in mind and spirit.

Otherwise, I’ll miss the part that is especially for me.

I’ll leave half full, wanting, even perhaps empty.

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Matthew 22:37

stop

Published in: on July 12, 2013 at 9:20 am  Comments (2)  
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Five Minute Friday – JUMP

5-minute-friday-1

Lisa-Jo Baker:

‘On Fridays around these parts we like to write. Not for comments or traffic or anyone else’s agenda. But for pure love of the written word. For joy at the sound of syllables, sentences and paragraphs all strung together by the voice of the speaker.

We love to just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. For five minutes flat.’

Prompt – JUMP!

I think it was Zig Ziggler who told the story of how to train fleas for a flea circus. You put the fleas in a lidded container. The fleas will jump and hit their little heads. Soon they will stop jumping high enough to hit their heads. You can then take off the lid and not lose a flea.

I look up
it’s clear as glass
a glass ceiling?
open opportunity?
I can’t tell from where I’m standing.

I’ve hit my head so often
on the clear doubts about my own
strengths
abilities
capabilities.

I look up – it’s clear

I hear the word – JUMP

I look again

Just
Use
More
Praise

My success clearly doesn’t depend on my strength.

His strength is shown perfect in the light of my weakness.

I’ll jump
and while I’m jumping
I’ll chant loudly
children-playing-jumping-rope-vector-1060350

“I AM the vine,
ye are the branches:
He that abideth in me,
and I in him,
the same bringeth forth much fruit:
for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:5”

To see how others are Jumping, click

Published in: on April 19, 2013 at 11:03 am  Leave a Comment  
Tags: ,

Five Minute Friday – Here

5-minute-friday-1

Lisa-Jo Baker:

‘On Fridays around these parts we like to write. Not for comments or traffic or anyone else’s agenda. But for pure love of the written word. For joy at the sound of syllables, sentences and paragraphs all strung together by the voice of the speaker.

We love to just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. For five minutes flat.’

Prompt – HERE

It was four years ago
sitting on our deck in the sun
Home= half acre, beautiful garden, fruit trees, grape vines
P10301732600 sq ft home – that after 10 years
I still couldn’t believe was ours.
I looked around thinking
I am so content
I have everything I need.

then
employee betrayal
and loss
a circle of employees
handing out final checks
loading up tools in a grave yard silence
good byes
locked doors.

sorting
separating
leaving
moving

to HERE
sitting on our deck in the sun
Home = 7 acres Church property
assistant caretakers
beautiful garden, fruit trees, grape and berry vines
27ft Komfort RV – that I am so thankful is ours
one year later 007I looked around
I am so content
I have everything I need.

For God has never left or forsaken or changed.
God is Here.

Stop.

PS We all know that when we begin to write; we don’t know
what our fingers are going to type.
I didn’t write this for sympathy or pity.
These are just the steps the Lord ordered.
Different from what I imagined,
but confident God’s way is best.  I’m content.

To read what others have to say in 5 minutes  click here.

Published in: on April 12, 2013 at 11:44 am  Comments (13)  
Tags:

Five Minute Friday – After

5-minute-friday-1

Lisa-Jo Baker:

‘On Fridays around these parts we like to write. Not for comments or traffic or anyone else’s agenda. But for pure love of the written word. For joy at the sound of syllables, sentences and paragraphs all strung together by the voice of the speaker.

We love to just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. For five minutes flat.’

Prompt:   after

after
when it’s all said and done
when it’s over

what then?

after

is after dark and shadowy?

is after full of light?

is there hope in after

or is’ it finished?

As the Easter message still rings in my ears

AFTER is just the beginning!

a NEW day – bright
a NEW walk – didn’t our hearts burn within us
a NEW compassion – Thomas, touch my hands
a NEW determination – arise, let us go. . .

After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias
And . . . he saith, Follow me. John 21:1, 19

tissot-christ-appears-on-the-shore-of-lake-tiberias-741x484Picture credit – http://www.joyfulheart.com

Published in: on April 5, 2013 at 11:10 am  Comments (4)  
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