Five Minute Friday — Still

         July 29, 2011

So on Fridays, we take the dare to become Word Artists. To throw editing and proof reading and critically raised eyebrows out the window. We finger paint with our words – in pink and blue and dark purple. In glitter glue and bright green.

Just five minutes. No more. No less.

http://thegypsymama.com/2011/07/five-minute-friday-still

Go:

So many aspects of STILL. . .

Too much busyness, Too much noise

So many times wanting STILLNESS

One place were t here is always stillness and rest

Alone with God, the world forbidden
Alone with God, O blest retreat
Alone with God, and in Him hidden
To hold with Him communion sweet.

Blessed Quietness, Holy Quietness,
Blessed assurance to my soul

Yes, borrowed lines from favorite songs that equal still, He is STILL.

Stop.

picture by: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cauchy-Visual-Horizon

Published in: on July 29, 2011 at 9:45 am  Comments (2)  

Five Minute Friday — Full

July 22, 2011

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.

http://thegypsymama.com/2011/07/five-minute-friday-full/

Go:

full

almost full… half full… stomach full… glass full

grate full… thank full…. vessel full…. heart full

sorrow full,

prayer full…, wonder full…, awe full

force full…, fancy full…, forget  full

cup full…, hope full…, care full…, arms full

so many full ways

so many ways to be full

so much fullness to be weighed

I don’t want to be weighed in the balance and be found wanting.

UN grate.full or UN thank full or UN prayer full or UN care full.

but as in  Luke 6:38  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Stop:

This one is kinda of funky, but that’s what came out. (I cheat-I have to correct spelling mistakes)

Funniest thing, I wanted a cup full picture, googled  ‘cup full picture’ —  half of the pictures were of bras with their cups full!  i guess I should have known.

Opps,  clicked on wrong picture as thumbnail, in this one I’m on the left, baby bro in middle and Mom on the right.

Published in: on July 22, 2011 at 5:57 pm  Comments (1)  

Five Minute Friday, July 15, 2011

Friday, July 15, 2011

Writing the date I thought, this is the birthday of the so desired daughter who was once lost but now is found, Happy Birthday, I love you even more.

This exercise is Lisa’s idea, write for 5 minutes, don’t fix or pretty it up. I’ve already fixed two spelling errors, my mom just won’t let me pass them by…. http://thegypsymama.com

Today’s prompt   —   LOSS

How to start without sounding like pity me.

I am intimately aware of the domino effect of loss. Remembering our losses of the past year, a successful business, comfortable income, beautiful home, years of collections, life style, and then health–the Farmer’s aggressive prostate cancer; I find it didn’t hurt as much as before because the Lord has truly helped me to say as Job, ‘the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord’.

You see, most of the losses were physical things and I remembered the words of Christ:

Matthew 16:26  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life [his blessed life in the kingdom of God]? Or what would a man give as an exchange for his [blessed] life [in the kingdom of God]?

and the words of Paul:

Philippians 3:7-8  But whatever former things I had that might have been gains to me, I have come to consider as [one combined] loss for Christ’s sake.  Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One),

(copied and pasted from the Amplified version of the Bible)

and I realized again,

I still have everything I need

and whether the losses were demanded or voluntary

God will never leave me or forsake me.

Published in: on July 15, 2011 at 11:17 am  Comments (5)  

Five Minute Friday — July 8, 2011

July 8, 2011

http://thegypsymama.com

Writing for 5 minutes brings many surprises and and equal number of OOOH’s.

Today’s prompt is GRATEFUL; this is one of my soap boxes.

go……

My first real pondering on being grateful began several years ago when I read ‘Simple Abundance’ by Sarah Ban Breathnach. Her steps toward an abundant life begins with gratitude; then adding order and simplicity to our lives brings harmony whose natural result is beauty and joy.

I realized gratitude started with my acceptance of the gift: sometimes with the deep sigh of “Okay, Lord” and sometimes with gladness.

Gratitude needed me to  surrender my preconceived plans and ideas to be lasting, and for gratitude to be completely real, I needed to submit to God the acceptance and surrendering to the only ONE who really had all things under control.

Acceptance + surrender+commitment = Gratitude

Did you know gratitude and discontentment can’t live in the same heart?

stop……

Quote from book:

Both abundance and lack exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend … when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present-love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us pleasure –the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.   Sarah Ban Breathnach

Published in: on July 8, 2011 at 1:25 am  Comments (4)  

Meeting with God in the Morning

On some Fridays I join a writing exercise Five Minute Friday,
on July 1 the topic was Welcome, you can read what I wrote here,
my thought was how I should view my time with the Lord each morning.

This morning the thought of God waiting for me with a package played over my mind. I pictured two chairs in a quiet spot , shady, with morning breezes, flowers and bird song, the clucking of chickens in the background and a wind chime or two.

There my Father sits with a package on his lap, waiting for me. I come with His Word in one hand and my coffee in the other. while we visit he begins to take out of the package what he has brought for me today:
Grace in a measuring cup –sufficient for the needs My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Love  tied in a blood red bow for as God has forgiven me, this day I need that love to be able to forgive others 1Peter 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Comfort   a double measure some for myself and some to share 2Corinthians  1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Compassion  like a fragrant rose for He knows just how weak I am Psalms 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

Rest from troubling thoughts John 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Security like a quietness when all around is change Hebrews 13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Caring that feels just like a hug as He tells me don’t be afraid,”I’ll hold your right hand, today” Isaiah 41:10  Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

I have a very little gift, no, not even a gift,
but it is all I have; a small box
with ashes and mourning,
and a spirit of heaviness.
He takes my offering
as if it were special and in His hands
it becomes beauty and oil of joy and a garment of praise.

Isa 61:3  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

So now I am ready to walk this day with God holding my hand and his gifts in my basket. Wouldn’t you like to bring your chair and meet with us to see what God has for you?

Published in: on July 7, 2011 at 10:01 am  Comments (1)  

Five Minute Friday — Welcome

http://thegypsymama.com/2011/07/five-minute-friday-welcome/

It’s a great way to exhale at the end of a beautiful week.

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes for the prompt:

Welcome…

Waiting with great anticipation. . .

Excited to know you are coming. . .

Longing for time to chat and share, tears and strengths. . .

Comforted by your love. . .

Overcome with encouragement. . .

Mindful of your grace. . .

Every morning, new for my receiving and renewing. . .

Come, let us reason together, saith the Lord. . . Isaiah 1:18.

(picture credit   http://fineartamerica.com/featured/country-morning-sunrise-kimberly-camacho.html  )

Published in: on July 1, 2011 at 12:25 pm  Comments (3)  

Five Minute Friday, June 24, 2011, Wonder

The end of the week – a good time for few words.

Want to take five minutes with me and see which ones bubble to the surface?

http://thegypsymama.com/2011/06/five-minute-friday-wonder/

Wonder  —  to think or speculate curiously:  to be filled with admiration, amazement, or awe;
Go……
i wonder at creation
Look at all the different leaves, flowers, would just 2 or 3 kinds do the same thing apparently not
Look at all the animals, why the emu, the mole, the rat
Look at all the fish some bright, some sightless
Look at all the colors, it could have all been black and white
Look at the people, oh the differences to behold
Look at the seasons, steadfast and dependable
Look at God’s love, how wonderful, all creation tells me, I did this just for your enjoyment
“This is the day, I have made enjoy and rejoice and be glad in the present of my Love, your Father.”
stop.

Is it any wonder that I Love Him…..?

Published in: on June 24, 2011 at 8:58 am  Comments (1)  

Every Day

http://thegypsymama.com/2011/06/five-minute-friday-every-day/

Yes, it is Saturday, but I had to ponder this topic and my thoughts finally jelled this morning.  The exercise is to write for 5 minutes, just open up and let it flow; sometimes the flow is fresh and  sometimes something surfaces that needs a little work.  Whatever shows up, it is good.

EVERY DAY

go

Last year was a season of many changes, my whole life seemed to be turned upside down. My financial foundation crumbled, almost everything we had worked for gone, March 12, 3010 felt like a funeral had taken place.

Even so:

Every day I wake up and I have these treasures:

EVERY DAY:  I will load thee with benefits     Psalms 68:19

EVERY DAY: I will hold your right hand   Isaiah 41:13

EVERY DAY: The Lord is my Shepherd    Psalms 23

EVERY DAY: I will send a comforter    John 14:16

EVERY DAY: My peace I will leave with you   John 14:27

EVERY DAY: Let not your heart be troubled  John 14:1

EVERY DAY: My GRACE is sufficient  2Corinthians 12:9

EVERY DAY: Fear not! Isaiah 41:10

EVERY EVENING: I will never slumber or sleep   Psalms 121:4

stop

Scripture references and picture were added after ‘stop’.

Published in: on June 4, 2011 at 11:00 am  Comments (1)  

When Seasons Change

http://thegypsymama.com/2011/05/five-minute-friday-when-seasons-change/

Got five minutes? Let’s write. Let’s write in shades of real and brave and unscripted.
Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not.

When seasons change…………
Monday—–1:00pm biopsy
Tuesday————-feeling fine
Wednesday———feeling good
Thursday————Phone Call ————-
aggressive prostrate cancer.

Our season has changed.

it is still spring

the garden is still being planted

tomato stakes are going in the ground

birds still sing

wind chimes are still ringing

but the season has changed.

NOW—–I am numb

NOW—–I have questions

I don’t know how to put into words.

NOW—–I don’t have any answers.

BUT I CAN STILL TRUST!

I have trusted, I trust today, I will be trusting tomorrow.

a few words from a song that have supported me through many changing seasons:

Yesterday things were different

Today they’re different again.

Jesus never, never changes

Jesus is always the same.

And one of my favorite verses:

Malachi 3:6  For I am the LORD, I change not;

therefore the sons of Jacob are not consumed

Thank you.

Published in: on May 20, 2011 at 2:50 pm  Comments (3)  

Breath Deep, that’s what My Mind read

http://thegypsymama.com/2011/05/five-minute-friday-deep-breath/

It’s Friday Again! I’m trying another 5 minutes of thinking and writing, I guess neither one will hurt very much.

When I saw the prompt ‘ Deep  Breath’ and read a few posts, I thought ‘wow’

where can I go with this one:

Take a deep breathe   —  start:

Breath Deep

Let it out slowly, it’s called a sigh

I know two kinds of sighs

a sigh of acceptance     and     a sigh of regret.

If I Breath Deep and let out a sigh of acceptance as in “it’s alright” (thank you, Sarah Ban Breathnach)

You take over God

My way is not your way, God

God’s way is best, I will not murmur

You see the end from the beginning

Deu 11:11  But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven:
Deu 11:12  A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.

then I find the sighs of regret, sighs of I’m sorry, sighs of ‘I wish I had’ are fewer. . .

I’ll Watch and Pray as I Breath Deep.

Stop

Guess what I read ‘Deep  Breath’ and my mind thought ‘Breath Deep;’ that must have been what I needed for today.

Published in: on May 13, 2011 at 3:56 pm  Leave a Comment  

If I knew I could, I would

This is Friday, I attempt to write on the topic the Gypsy Mama chooses. I am always surprised at what comes out of my fingers.
Join me if you dare

http://thegypsymama.com/2011/04/five-minute-friday-if-i-knew-i-could-i-would

Go

If I knew I could I would TRAVEL!

a driving trip to Alaska

and across Canada

over to PE Island

down through the New England states

follow east coast south and then west.

I would observe and see and look and learn.

I would live in Washington State and North Carolina.

I would observe………

I feel narrow and limited……by my owns fears

I would lift the top off the box; slip out; peer around and SMILE!
You know what, my hands are raised,
I’m starting to push…and…
LOOK
there is a glimmer of light
just a small crack
but it is there
I CAN, IF I WOULD……..

Stop…..breath, it always seems like I’m holding my breath, when the words start coming fast.

Image borrowed from – http://ezine-engine.author-engine.com, thank you.

Published in: on April 29, 2011 at 11:52 am  Comments (1)  

Hard Love

I couldn’t get the button to copy. Here I am again on Friday,
spreading my fingers wide and seeing what will fall out.

http://thegypsymama.com/2011/04/five-minute-friday-the-hard-love/
Write five minutes, no fixin’ gulp!
Five Minute Friday — Hard Love

Go

Hard love is going the distance love.
it’s praying, crying, for the right words love.
its knowing the words will hurt, because the words are hurting you.
It’s writing the words,
repeating the words
living the words, doubting the words, coming back to the words.
It’s standing on the porch love,
it’s waiting love,
it’s struggling love,
it’s dark love without sometimes a glimmer of hope love
it’s preparing love
it is hoping against hope love
it is knowing that if you could read the last chapter of the story,
knowing all the tears, doubts, prayers, disappointments,
you would live the story anyway because hard love is worth it all.

especially from the porch you look down the road and see her coming home.

stop

now I can breath it seemed I was holding my breath the whole time five minutes.

Published in: on April 22, 2011 at 10:48 am  Comments (3)  

On Distance

Got five minutes? Let’s write. Let’s finger paint with words

http://thegypsymama.com/2011/04/five-minute-friday-on-distance/

Ready ……Set……….GO

The distance …going the distance

from a beginning….from a start

there is an end

I want to go the distance

it doesn’t matter how long the journey

It doesn’t matter what road I have to travel: supper highway or country lane; but to behonest I prefer the lalne

I’m a voyeur, an observer in a nice kind of way

I watch and wonder

I’m learning to appreciaate all the things I see along the way

I don’t want to miss a single thing.

but to go the distance ….takes

time

determination

preservance

stick-to-it-ness

stubbornness

focus

love for what is the distination!

I am going the distance, one day at a time, meeting the new, learning, improving, and yes

even though, I love to travel alone

would you like to travel a way with me………….

Stop

Okay a couple typos, it’s all apart of the distance.

Published in: on April 15, 2011 at 10:20 am  Comments (4)  

If you met me

Got five minutes? Let’s write. Let’s write in shades of real and true and unscripted.
Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not.

http://thegypsymama.com/2011/04/five-minute-friday-if-you-met-me/

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Go leave some comment props for the five minuter who linked up before you.

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes for the prompt:

If you met me….

This is a first for me on Friday (Saturday), I’ve read many of your inspiring posts. Not sure just how to do this or what is going to happen:

Hold my nose    JUMP

Go

You would approach a closed door probably surrounded by a moat full of alligators.

I’m hard to met

I appear judgmental

I am afraid of saying the wrong things

I am afraid of you

but if you bravely persist or you think it worth the effort  —

You will find a heart that wants to help: but procrastinates until it’s too late.

You will find good intentions with varying urgency to get things done.

You will find a great starter, and a slow finisher

You will find imperfections  and a deep trust and confidence in the One who loves me just as I am

Stop

After time stops: Again, this is the first I’ve done this and what a topic to start on– as some one said – “I don’t know until I write what I am going to write.”

I read a lot of last Friday’s posts and knew if I wrote how far below the standard I would be. This writing has shown me that it’s time to find homes for the alligators, plant water lilies and buy swans for the moat; exchange the door for one painted red with small diamond shaped glass panes. . .

Published in: on April 9, 2011 at 7:25 pm  Comments (2)  
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