Tag: 5 minute Friday

My Faith

5 minute Friday — BEAUTY–The beauty of a cup of water given in Jesus’ name

admin

“I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.”
 Mark 9:41

There is BEAUTY in thinking of and in doing for others.  From the greatest of tasks to the the smallest of tasks, acting in kindness towards others matters and it is BEAUTIFUL.

In the last several weeks I have been the recipient of several refreshing cups of water.

  • Snowpants, lent to me so that our family could have a beautiful day on the slopes near our home (Yes, there is skiing in Indiana.  It is called Perfect North)  
  •  A handwritten note to tell me that someone was praying for me
  •  An invitation from a friend for coffee and conversation
  •  A text message, sent to say a friend was prompted to pray for me

                                       

You may not think it’s much, but when you are the recipient of such blessings, it means the world.

I pray that God rewards each person for the kindness and beauty they showed me.

Now its my turn to go out and do the same for others.

Who’s thirsty? 

My Faith

Five Minute Friday (or Saturday) – SIMPLIFY

admin

The word this week is “Simplify.”
Honestly, writing about “simplify” gives me heart palpitations and a nervous sweat.  I put so much pressure on myself to once and for all “get organized.” I think of my closets, my drawers, my schedule…
I would love to be able to open each drawer or cabinet of my home and proudly say things like, “Here are my cleaning supplies, alphabetized by name brand.”

or

“In this drawer are my socks, coordinated by color and outfit for which I might need them.
or
“Here is this month’s calendar…all perfectly coordinated with no double bookings or emergencies.”
But honestly, that is not how I live. And probably never will.
So how could I possibly have anything to say about the word, “Simplify?”
I went to the expert—my 14 year old son. I asked him what was the first thing that came to mind when he thought of the word, “simplify.”
His answer made me smile.
“Math,” he said. 
“What?” I asked.
“You know, fractions.”
 
Simplify fractions.  I love it!  It was enough to get my brain moving in a different direction.
Maybe my post doesn’t have to be about organization!
And I thought of Jesus. What would he have to say about this topic?
Jesus told Martha, the queen of all organization, that only one thing was needed.
ONE THING!
That was sitting at his feet and spending time with him.
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42
So that is my challenge to you and to myself—
Have I done the one thing that is the most important? 

I’m pretty sure the rest will fall into place.

My Faith

5 Minute Friday – MOTIVATE (My title: Know Your WHY)

admin
I am back in action with the Five Minute Friday Blog Link-Up.

Today’s word for five-minute-Friday is MOTIVATE.

Recently at school (I’m a teacher) we had a training that helped me unlock MOTIVATION on several levels.
            First, we were talking about motivating our students. 
            This also transferred to us as educators.  We need motivation.
The big idea was the importance of knowing your “WHY.”  
When you know WHY you are doing something, and you buy into that reason, you become very motivated to do it!
–Students need to know WHY they are learning or studying certain topics.
–Teachers need to define WHY they are in the classroom each day.
–All of us, for whatever task we undertake, have a WHY, but maybe we have never taken the time to define for ourselves what it is.  
Knowing your WHY (or even reminding yourself of it) can make all the difference in the world.
Two quick examples:
            
My teaching:  Being a teacher requires a wide skill set.  Not everything I do is enjoyable. But here is my why—I’m there for the students. To help nurture them into becoming adults who will reach their potential.  Reminding myself of that flips a switch in my heart while I’m doing some of the “not so pleasant” stuff.
My writing:  My why is to PLANT SEEDS OF TRUTH in young hearts. That gives me focus, even as I’m selecting the topics I want to write about. Also, If I’m just out to make a name for myself, despair is going to set in quickly. But my WHY keeps me motivated to continue.   
In conclusion,
                       
Knowing your WHY…it’s a game changer!  It MOTIVATES!

What is your WHY for the task God has given you to do?
My Faith

5 Minute Friday (or Saturday) — ONLY

admin

If only…   two sneaky words that can rob each day of joy!!

Recently I read and studied author Shannon Popkin’s Bible Study Control Girl.  In it, she reminded me that “Transformation begins in our thought patterns.”

She continued, “When you reflect on truth, you wear new grooves in your mind.”

“Thoughts are powerful.  What we believe shapes the direction we take in life.  So to change direction, we must change our thought patterns.”

She tied it in with Romans 12:2 which says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

So how does that apply to the key word “ONLY” for 5 minute Friday?

Lately I have gotten into a bad habit of thinking “if only”

If only _______, then I could really have joy and/or be happy.

If only _______, then life would be fair and/or better.

If only _______, then I would really have it all together like “insert name of person I can’t quite be as perfect as.” 

You get the picture.  But the problem with “if only” is that I am wallowing around in the darkness and missing out on so many current experiences of JOY!  Time to stop that, and start being transformed by the renewing of my mind!

My “if onlys” may never happen.  (and probably won’t).  So what is it in my present situation that I can give thanks for?  Many, many things!  There’s the big stuff like…

  • my salvation
  • my husband
  • my kids
  • my job
  • my fantastic students
  • my friends
  • God’s provision for my needs

Then there is all the beautiful extra blessings that happen along each day…
Such as… (I love details, don’t you?)

  • Doug (my husband) putting up the Christmas light this year–they make me smile.

  • Going to the movie Coco with my daughter and loving all the great Día de los Muertos tie-ins for class.

  • Facetiming my daughter who is in college.

  • Getting to analyze an Agatha Christie novel with my son as an assignment for his class.

  • Coffee with a student from our former youth group where I had the privilege of hearing about her trip to Africa and all of her adventures.

  • A light sprinkling of snow this morning.

  • My students–I love our conversations in Spanish and English…they make my day brighter EVERY day!

  • God’s voice to me through his Word as in the Control Girl study.
In conclusion:

I need to spend time reflecting on truth.

I need to stop saying if only and start living in the joy-filled NOW.  What about you?

My Faith

5 minute Friday — NEAR

admin

What is near?

It is a calendar date?  24 days until Christmas…Christmas is near!

2 months until my birthday…my birthday is near!

But that type of nearness is relative.  Near could be a day away.  A week away.  A year away.  You get the picture.

But to be near is also “nearness of presence.”  Nearness of proximity or physicality.  Your house is near mine because we are neighbors.  Another example, “Put the couch near the bookshelf.”

So what about the verse in James 4:8, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

That gets my attention.  Especially when you consider that one of God’s attributes is his omnipresence.  He is everywhere present.

Not to get too deep, but is there a nearness that is nearer than being near? Don’t laugh. 🙂 Stick with me.

I think what I mean is a nearness of relationship that is deeper than a nearness of proximity.  God is always near.  But, is there something more that happens when we make an effort to draw near to God through reading our Bible, journaling, prayer, and being still before him and listening?

“Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

I think that could be what the verse is talking about.  I know that I long for God to draw near to me.  I want a nearness of relationship with the Savior of the world.

He promises that when we seek him we will find him.  

I’m going to take him up on that promise!