Mercy

It's been a bit since I've joined my friends in the Five Minute Friday community to write. Each week I've seen the word prompt, and had ideas, but life has a way of invading our small spaces and taking over our time. This week though, I could NOT pass up a chance to spend five minutes, or a little more reflecting on Mercy - a thing we all so desperately need.

Set a timer, and go:

The first thing to come to mind when I read the word Mercy are the lyrics to Matthew West's "Mercy is a Song." Now that it is stuck in your head too, I want to focus on what mercy means. The dictionary describes it as: compassion, charity, forgiveness, humanity, kindness, and generosity. These are all good synonyms, but mercy is more. 

Mercy is deeper, and can only originate from God.

Mercy is not receiving what we deserve. We deserve death. Each and every one of us deserves death. We have sinned, fallen short of following God. Whether by cursing the person who cut us off on the road last night or by committing a crime, we have all fallen short of Jesus' commandments to love God and love one another. 

Mercy is not going to hell when we deserve it.

Mercy is forgiveness and some grace. Grace is getting something good that we do not deserve. Can you see the difference? Mercy is not going to hell for our sins. Grace is having blessings poured out on us when we have done nothing good to earn them. The Scriptures tell us that the rains fall on the just and the unjust. (Matthew 5:45) That is a blessing, an expression of grace. 

If we have been given mercy (and grace), then why are we so hesitant to offer mercy to others? How can we choose to withhold mercy from the people around us? Our family, our neighbors, our co-workers? How about that guy you heard on tv that you did not agree with? These people, these human beings probably did not get up this morning thinking "I'm going to tick people off today, let me go cause strife." And yet, it might have happened anyway. You see, we need to offer mercy for the big things AND the small things. Because God is merciful to us. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Show mercy, extend mercy, offer mercy, be merciful. You are still alive and able to read this post because God has been merciful to you. 

Go and do likewise: offer mercy. Then spread grace.

If you want to hear joy, grace, freedom, and mercy, here is Matthew West's song.

How

Today I'm joining back up with one of my favorite groups, the Five Minute Friday writers. And yes, I am quite aware it is Tuesday - life is moving at a different pace around here ;)

How do we write stories that show both the grit and the grace of everyday life? I have been taking an online writing course this spring from Leslie Leyland Fields. Each week we are encouraged to think about another element of writing our stories. It isn’t write, write, write, but rather think, think, investigate, think, write, refine, write some more. 

This slower process has been good for me. It has reminded me that not everything needs written right now, and truly, maybe not every story even needs written at all. Through it all Leslie has encouraged and challenged us to not be afraid to write into the hard or difficult memories in our lives. Not everything I write needs to be shared - amazing, right?!? But for those things that I DO feel led to share, I want them to be the best they can. I want my writing to draw people into my story, the one where God is the center, where Jesus is the Savior, and where I keep listening day by day to hear where to go next.

How we write and what we write can either encourage or discourage others. Right now our world, and our country in particular, is going through a lot of very, very hard things. Am I adding noise to the chaos, or am I offering a glimpse of peace, of healing, or restoration? I pray it is the latter.

So I’m going to get back to writing, a little at a time, and see where this think, think, investigate, think, write, refine, write path takes me. To start with, I’m not going back very far. Just two and a half weeks or so. How soon will you read this story? I dunno.

Two and a half weeks ago the girls and I were in a minor car accident. It is categorized as minor, no airbags deployed, none of us had to go to the hospital immediately, but the changes in my life and activities these past two weeks have been anything but minor. That is where I will start writing. I am praying that through writing into this difficult time I can offer hope, and peace in the midst of this crazy world. So check back next week. Maybe some words will have been through the refining process by then.

How will I proceed? With much prayer.

Rush...

Today is the 6th of December. Are you feeling a holiday rush? Are you scrambling to figure out where, when, and with who? Or are you trying to figure out the how of your holiday season?

What if we all took a step back and decided to not rush through this holy time of year? What if we took more time reading about the birth of Christ than we spent in line at the local department store?

Rush is just one letter different than push. 

Instead of pushing yourself, and your family, through the holidays, choose to enjoy this time. Reflect on what a wonderful gift we are actually celebrating. Jesus coming to earth to take our place on the cross.

Stop

Imagine

Without the gift of Jesus we would not have anything to celebrate. We would not have hope or joy, or even purpose. But, because of Jesus we can live lives filled with hope, joy, and purpose!

This year, this week, even today - you can choose to slow down and marvel at all we have to be thankful for. There is no perfect present to be found at the store - because the perfect present has already been given. Choose to accept it, and the wonder and magic of Christmas, Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection will change you forever!

'For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in the manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men."' ~Luke 2:11-14

Begin

We recently took a trip, my husband and I, to celebrate our anniversary. Besides being a great time to get away from the everyday pressures of life and spend time together, it was a sort of sabbatical for me. I've been writing for several years, and I've never really taken a long break of time to just stop, rest, and reflect on where to go next. My writing well had grown dangerously close to dry. It was so refreshing to step away and experience life without having to decide ahead of time what part of it to write about.

While we were away, my friend Kate, who runs the Five Minute Friday community released a writing prompt journal. To honor its release, I decided to start with prompt number one as my first writing after my vacation. You might get to read quite a few of these in coming weeks, as there are 52 writing prompts in The Five-Minute Writing Prompt Journal.

So today, if you too need a fresh start, why not take a few minutes and think about how to begin...

What could you accomplish if you just decided to begin? How often are we crippled by fear of failure? How often do we miss out on a blessing that God has in store for us because we are afraid? Don't let fear stop you - I'm talking to myself here too!

I want to begin, to take a chance on success, and to be content even if the results aren't as amazing as I had hoped. I want to have the faith that can move mountains, but first I must find faith the size of a mustard seed. As it grows and is strengthened, that faith will help me do amazing things, because it is faith in an amazing God!

So today, I begin. I walk by faith, knowing that God will protect me, and assured that He will direct my path, and my words.

I'm not looking to make one right choice, I'm looking forward to a lifetime of correct choices. Following Jesus, encouraging others, and sharing my gifts.

It's day one.

Lack

Today's Five Minute Friday prompt is: lack

When I look at the world around me, at my writing, at my home, at my marriage, I can focus on all of the things that I lack. It appears on the surface that others have so much more than I do. I can see with a calloused heart and a cynical eye what the world is offering, and I wonder, do I even really want those things?

My apparent lack of the things that make up the American Dream does not bother me as much as it used to. That is only because Jesus stepped in and showed me a new way to live, a life that is eternal, but that begins here; lived out in my day to day life on earth. When I remember that God's Word promised to provide all that I need for life and Godliness, I realize that I lack nothing. 

Truly, I lack nothing!

My life is not like yours, and that is okay. My life is filled so full that some days I am not even able to put those thoughts and feelings into words to show you that indescribable joy that Jesus has offered to me, that He continues to offer to me, that I have come to accept as my daily bread.

This life is not perfect, because I have not yet been made perfect, and the people I live with are not perfect. I am still a faulty human, but I am redeemed. There is NOTHING so big in my life that God cannot handle it for me. Every time I am tempted to build up a wall to protect myself from a niggling fear, God reminds me that I am safe in His arms. He shows me that I can daily, hourly, minute by minute pour out my struggles to Him. He hears me, He sees me, He acts on my behalf. That produces a peace that the things of this world cannot take away.

My marriage still has struggles, my children still forget to clean up their rooms, my bank account may never hold a million dollars, but those things that others think I lack, they do not matter in light of this amazing relationship with my Heavenly Father.

I lack nothing, because Jesus never fails.



I could have had a miserable life... 

But God, in His infinite mercy, showed me a better way.

Measure

It has been a while since I've been able to participate with my Five minute Friday friends. It is good to be back!

As soon as I saw Kate's note that this week's word was Measure, the song from 4Him began playing in my head... do you know that one? The Measure of a Man. It's really old, okay not that old, but like 25 years old, which in today's music world is ancient. LOL!

How do we measure what is inside a man or woman? The Bible tells us that only God can discern the thoughts of our hearts. Yet, I've often read the phrase to "take the measure of a man" in books, so there must be something that helps us discern.

I think this measuring is by focusing on the fruit of someone's life. Now, no one is perfect, least of all me, so let's start with some extra grace.

If someone were to look at the fruit of my life what might they find to measure me by? I try to always speak the truth. Sometime that requires me to be silent because I have nothing helpful to say. I know that my words can bring joy and healing, or pain and arguing. Which words are being measured today?

I've also heard the saying that our character is "measured by what we do when no one is watching." Hmm... how do I spend those few quiet times? Am I spending it in prayer, or reading God's Word, or writing an encouraging note to a friend? These actions, or my lack of them, might figure into that measuring.

Daily I am thankful for grace. I want to be a person who is known for a generous heart and a kind spirit. May I allow God to mold me to be more like Him, so my measure would reflect His glory.

Value

The world finds value in things. Today in the US is known as Black Friday, the day that traditionally kicked off the Christmas shopping season. Isn't that in and of itself a problem? We have a holiday season, not marked by the presence of the One who is supposed to be celebrated, but rather marked by how many more days we have for consumerism until the 25th of December.

This post is not a slam on celebrating Christmas, far from it. What I've been thinking about though is how we, as Christians, can turn the season back to a celebration of Christ's birth and what He would do for us here on the earth.

Can we find value, not in things, but in people? Can we choose to spend our time this season seeing the value in each person that God created? Can we choose to value the opinions or life-earned knowledge of others? Can we value the sanctity of life? Can we please get back to remembering the baby that was born instead of the number of shopping days left?!

I enjoy being a good steward of the money God has granted us. Most people enjoy getting a good price, a value, when they are at the store, but there is so much more to value than things. I love being able to spend wisely, give with open hands, and see God at work. More than anything this season, what I want is to see lives transformed by the message of the good news that those angels told the shepherds about in Luke 2: Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Value the things that have eternal significance. 

This post is a part of the Five Minute Friday community. Hop on over and join us!

Burden

Today's Five Minute Friday word is: burden

In Matthew, Jesus called those who were weary and heavy laden to come to Him for rest. In Galatians we are called to bear one another's burdens. How do we do this? How do we lay our own burdens upon Jesus and yet humbly take up one another's burdens? It all begins and ends with prayer. 

Jesus is calling us to come to Him for rest because He knows that we today, just like those people 2000 years ago, will try to do it all ourselves. Our pride gets in our own way and we don't want to ask anyone else for help. We have convinced ourselves that we will be the one person who can hold it all together and have a perfect, or nearly perfect, life in our own strength. Oh friend, stop believing that lie. The ONLY ONE who can hold it all together is the ONLY ONE who led a perfect life - Jesus! Because He loves us so much that He died for us, He knows that we also need help with the daily living. He took our place in death, and now He wants to BE our place in life. When your life is focused upon Jesus, amazing things happen!

One of the most amazing things about laying down your burdens and allowing Jesus to carry then for you is that then you realize you have time, space, and strength to help others carry their burdens and lay those at Jesus' feet too. We take up the burden of a hurt friend, a sick loved one, or a homeless person we meet in the park because we know how much our own lives changed when Jesus took our burdens. We begin by praying for that other person, and then we listen to see if God wants to use us as His hands and feet to help them physically as well. Maybe you offer to drive your friend to their Dr appointment, or make a meal for your sick neighbor. Perhaps God calls you to give a meal to the homeless person, or direct them to the local shelter where you volunteer.

Bearing one another's burdens is what we do as Christians. It is what we were made to do. The world sees what we do and knows it is spurred on by love, for no one would do it otherwise.  The world knows we are His because of our love for one another. Put down your own burdens and carry someone to God in prayer today.

Five Minute Friday ~ Who

Kate's word for today is: Who

I'm going to go a little off theme from my 31 days of encouragement/ Christian Living posts and tell you a little story...

WHO

Who is in this Five Minute Friday group and where do they come from? I can only tell you a part of our story, because I only know a few of the many, many people in this awesome bunch, but let me start you off with what I do know, and then you can read some of the other posts from today to learn more...

This group is a family made up of writers from across the North American continent, and across the globe. Some live in the midwest, near Kate - our mostly fearless moderator, some live in Canada or other northern places, but most live far away. The American coasts, Texas, Iceland, South Africa, and so many places I would love to visit and learn more about.

How did I end up here in this family? My friend Annette invited me. I've met people online through this group - writers of poetry, writers of fiction and non-fiction, those who specialize in devotionals and those who write essays. We are definitely a diverse group. I think we are a small part of the body of Christ, all cultures and places, gathered together for the purpose of encouraging one another. Is everyone here a Christian? I have no idea. What I do know is that the other writers in this family encourage and challenge me to be a better writer. They lift one another up through prayer and encouraging words. Every once in a while, we get to see some other members of our Five Minute Friday family in real life at events, like last week's Breathe Christian Writers Conference. These people have become my friends.

So like my friend Annette did for me, I now invite you to join us. Come to our table and join the family. Write, learn, listen, grow. You will be so welcomed here, and you'll want to encourage others to join the feast!

Potential

Kate's word for this week is: potential

Just 5 minutes to write, here we go...

We begin each day with the potential to do great acts of service for God, to share joy, and to love those around us. 

Some days we use that potential well, other days we squander it by focusing on the wrong things. It takes a mindset and a heart-set of choosing to follow God to live in our potential. Too often we are distracted but he things of the world. We let the actions of other people get on our nerves and distract us from where we are headed. 

On some of our toughest days it can be difficult to choose joy. When we hear about the death of an acquaintance or when there is more month left than money we can end up focusing on the struggle instead of focusing on the great God who loves us.

Each of us has potential to live a full life in Christ. May we choose today to live in that fullness, to allow God to work through us, and to enjoy that potential to love others and dwell in the joy only Christ can give!



*You may notice a difference in the post today. After Emily spent a lot of time last semester learning about simple ways to help dyslexics have an easier time reading, we are trying a change to the Ariel font. It may not look as pretty as those other fonts, but hopefully it makes it easier for our readers!

Complete

This week's word from Kate is: complete 

When I first read today's word, a song started playing in my head. It is one we used to sing in church sometimes, and it digs deep into the truths of Scripture: that we are complete not because of what we can do, but because of what Christ has already done for us.

Complete in Thee! no work of mine
May take, dear Lord, the place of Thine;
The blood hath pardon bought for me,
And I am now complete in Thee.

Yea, justified! O blessed thought!
And sanctified! Salvation wrought!
The blood hath pardon bought for me,
And glorified, I too, shall be!

Singing the song this morning, I was reminded that the growth I have seen recently in my own life is 100% God's work. As I learn how to get out of His way and let Him work in my life by refining me and pruning me, then the Holy Spirit that resides in me can shine through. 

My life is not my own, no matter how many times I foolishly try to take up the reigns and order myself around. My life is hidden in Christ. That means my outside sometimes still looks a bit ragged, like the coreopsis in this picture, but inside, in my heart, where the real work in happening, I am being transformed into something beautiful. Something Christ-like that will spread the seeds of the Gospel. I have been justified, and now I am being sanctified, all in God's perfect timing.

That is what it means to be complete.

Rain

Kate's prompt for today is: rain

Writing for five minutes: go!

When it rains we too often get upset because we think it ruins our plans. That reminds me of the verse that says "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." ~Proverbs 16:9

Could we be looking at it all wrong? Does God use the rain not only to water the earth (and in turn us) but also to direct our stubborn hearts in the ways they should go? How often have your plans been thwarted by the weather and you needed up having a fun time playing a game or doing something together inside instead? How often did the rain keep you inside and away from the poison ivy, away from the dog wandering the neighborhood, or away from the traffic accident? Probably more times than we will ever know.

Before you decide that rain is just a bummer to your end of summer plans, stop and think about all the things the rains do that benefit us. Besides the obvious ones of making crops grow and flowers bloom, it helps decomposers in the woods turn dead trees back into good soil, rain helps the mushrooms grow, the aquifers replenish, and oh yes - let's not forget - the rain washes our souls!

Do you remember when you were a little kid and you couldn't wait for the rain to stop so you could go stomp in the puddles? Find that joy again by allowing God's rain, whether gentle or hard, to fall upon your spirit and wash you clean.

Rest

Last Friday's word prompt from Kate was Rush. Even before I knew what the word was going to be, I had been feeling stretched too thin by the rush of life and had decided to take the weekend to rest. This is where that rest led me...

Rush, rush, rush, that seems to be all I do these days. And yet, God has been quietly telling me - in multiple ways - to rest. To rest my body, to rest my mind, to rest my anxious thoughts. To rest and remember that He is in control of every step of my future.

So I called a vacation. I told my family that I would be resting this long weekend, and that I would be spending some time out in nature - in the quiet - away from phones and computers and clocks with alarms.

I so needed to set aside the tendency to rush and not really accomplish anything well and instead rest, and let God accomplish things for me.

On Friday Arlene and I went to a remote state park (without any cell phone coverage) and went hiking. What a glorious time of not needing to answer anything. No phones, no emails, no in-store pages asking me to come find something. 

Saturday I really wanted to write, but God reminded me that those readers would still be there if I took a few days off to rest, so I rested instead. We went to an outdoor concert, and I focused on just relaxing. No chores, no deadlines, just sunshine, clouds, and a cotton candy colored sunset.

Sunday we went to church and God spent some time reminding me about how HE is the one who determines our steps. How thankful I am for that - a reminder that I am not in charge of whether an idea lives or dies. That my timeline is such a silly thing when God has bigger plans for my life. A reminder to let go, to rest again in Him. To be His child.

Today, I rested, and then I did a little work on Arlene's coursework for this, her last semester of high school. Mostly though, I rested. Thank you God for allowing this rushed Mama a time to rest. Thank you readers for understanding that we all need a time of rest.

When I feel the pull to rush, may I continually hearken back to God's voice that calls me to rest in Him. I will work, I will write, I will love on my family, but help me to no longer rush.

Loyal

Last Friday's word prompt was loyal. I realize it's Monday now, but humor me ok? It's been a long month.

Five minutes:

Loyal is  a word most often used in the world of sports, or when describing a dog. Sports fans are loyal to their team, and cheer for them even when they're having a bad year. Most dogs are loyal, that's why they're dubbed "man's best friend." 

But what about you, are you loyal to anything? Maybe the word you use instead is faithful. I do not remember reading the word loyal in the Bible, but that doesn't mean its not there. I do know the word faithful is used a lot - especially to describe God.

God is always faithful. Even when we are faithless. 

It is going to happen someday, you're going to be faithless. Either because you did or said something that denies God's involvement in your life, or because you feel empty, faith-less. What happens when you hit that day? God remains faithful. He loves us no matter what. That is a comforting thought. When we fall down, He picks us up, cleanses our skinned knees, and encourages us to keep going. 

I hope you are faithful to your friends, I hope you are faithful to your family, and most of all, I hope you are faithful - loyal - to God. On those days when you struggle, when you feel empty, faith-less, look back at all the times that God has been faithful to you, and be encouraged, He will always be there for you.

You are loved!

Thirteen

Kate's word prompt for this week is thirteen, but that is one number shy of how long I have been a 4-H parent. So let's just think back 13 of those 14 years, after all, it's only five minutes!


Thirteen years ago our oldest daughter had just finished her first year of Mini 4-H. She had bitten by the 4-h bug and was ready to take on the world. Two years behind her, her little sister also joined Mini 4-H as Emily graduated to her regular 4-Her status. 

Every year since they were little, Kurt and I had made a point to take them to the Indiana State Fair. It is a truly awesome way to spend part of your summer, and while 4-H is a big part of it, it is by no means all of it.

We have random pictures like the one above of the girls at the State Fair from over the years. This one was probably taken around 2009 or 2010. 

Yesterday the girls left to spend the next month working at the State Fair. It is a privilege offered to older 4-Hers, and recently retired 4-Hers, to help with setting up, and overseeing the 4-H projects brought to the State Fair. They work hard, get a little pay, and make some really awesome friends!

This weekend I will go see them when I take Arlene's last 4-H projects to be entered in the State Fair. After 14 years of fun, our 4-H journey is almost over, but what a wealth of joy, challenge, and learning it has brought to our family! I'm so glad our own children had a chance to enjoy 4-H. It is different than when I was in 4-H all those years ago, but not as different as you might think.

If you're headed to the Indiana State Fair in August, check out the 4-H buildings, maybe you'll see the grown-up versions of these two fairgoers hard at work!



p.s. yes, I'm sure Arlene will give me grief about choosing this photo when she reads this tonight - but it's still one of my favorites, she has always loved her milkshakes :)

Way

This week's Five Minute Friday word prompt was :Way

As I thought about it, the words that kept repeating in my head were not my own, but these, from John 14:6. 

So I spent my five minutes illustrating them, instead of trying to write something new.

These words have been a life verse for me. Just as Jesus said to His disciples, "Come, follow Me." He has said these words to me time and time again.

Jesus is the ONLY way.

SaveSave

Vacation

This week's Five Minute Friday prompt is: vacation

A couple of years ago we went on a family vacation to Florida. It was the first time our girls had ever been to Florida and while we had a lot of fun, we also learned some important lessons about being a family while we were there.

An amazing thing happened on the first morning we were there: we saw a Roseate Spoonbill. These birds only live in Florida and places further south. When we first spotted it flying overhead we though from the color it might be a flamingo, but then realized it was a different bird and went about asking questions until we could identify it. I think that find, and seeing green parakeets later in the trip, really spurred on my husband's love for birdwatching.

The girls and I learned a lot about Floridian birds and other animals because of that trip. We also learned a lot about choosing to put others first. While it was a fun trip, we also realized that we as a family had been drifting apart before the trip. When we realized how that changed our dynamics, and how easily we got frustrated with each other, I determined to spend more one on one time with each girl, as well as planning things to do together. They were growing up, but I did not want us to grow apart. God has blessed that decision and now we are much closer than we were.

Wherever your vacation find you, or whatever you find on your vacation, may you keep the joyful memories, and allow God to fade the not-so-pleasant ones!

Settle

It's been a while since I've had the privilege of joining the Five Minute Friday free-write. I've missed the community! 
In my defense, I was busy reading Kate's new book, and working. You can read my review of A Place to Land, but mostly, I want to encourage you to get your own copy and let God speak to you through Kate's words. 
If you're new to the Five Minute Friday idea, here's how it works: Kate gives us a word prompt late Thursday night and we all write for five unedited minutes. Then we share and encourage one another. It is great fun! You should join us!

This week's word is: settle

Far too often we think of the word settle as a negative word. Settle for less, or settle a new colony. These themes make us think that someone has done something wrong or controversial. It is time we take back our thinking and realize that God does mighty things in our lives. 

Settle can be a wonderful word. You can settle into a comfy couch or settle into a relationship with a new friend. It denotes a feeling of belonging, or comfort or joy. We all could use a little more joy in our lives! 

Right now I am settled on the couch in a patch of sunshine. I suppose I could be out picking up trash in the yard, but instead, for this one afternoon, I am going to settle into the knowledge that God is enough. I have no need of striving to earn grace, I have been given grace abundantly. I am not going to try to earn favor from other people by trying to meet their needs instead of listening to where God wants my focus to be.

Today, I choose to settle into the contentment that comes form knowing I am a child of the One True King. Knowing that Sunday is the celebration of Jesus' resurrection fills me with hope and joy. 

That's the kind of settling I'm doing.

How about you?

Privilege

This week's word is Privilege
Just 5 minutes...go!

Today I have the privilege of inviting you into my home. I am so honored that God has given me this time to get to know you better. May I offer you a cup of tea or a glass of water?

Please tell me about yourself. I want to listen as you pour out whatever it is that you want me to know about you and your life. Too often in the past I have thought that getting together with friends was about what I could get from the encounter, but recently God has been showing me that it should be about what He can give to others if I am only willing and obedient to be His hands and feet.

Are you hurting inside? We shall pray for healing and direction. Are you joyful? I will rejoice with you and we can give God the glory for the great things He has done. Are you looking for advice? I can share my heart, but know that I have learned one key lesson in this Christian life - we all must learn to depend upon God more than we depend upon ourselves! Sometimes this takes only days, other times it takes years. Do not fret, I will pray for God to make Himself known to you and give you guidance.

I am privileged to be able to pray for you. Prayer is the line of communication from ourselves to God. When we read His Word and pray, it becomes a real conversation - the two-way line of communication that tells us to trust Him, because he sees our needs and is going to meet them according to His perfect timing. 

Let's choose to focus today on Romans 12:1-2. Listen along as I share this great passage of Scripture with you - may it speak to your heart - and tell you how much God wants that relationship with you that you crave.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable, and perfect.
~Romans 12:1-2 ESV

Agree

Kate's word prompt for this week's Five Minute Friday free-write is: agree

Yes, I am quite aware it is Saturday - work with me here okay?

How can you and I tell if we agree upon a particular topic? We talk about it and discuss the situation or idea, and eventually we will be able to tell if we agree or not. 

What if we did not speak the same language? How would we communicate to other people our desires and our agreement or disagreement with a situation?

Might we use our faces, our body language, our actions - as we walk either towards or away from a gathering? It must be frustrating for people who cannot understand or speak our language to make their opinions or desires known to us, or for us to communicate with them.

I think about the Great Commission, when Jesus told His disciples to go and spread the Word of God, you know: Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations... and I am with you always. Matthew 28:18-20

How did these disciples share the knowledge of the love of God, and the sacrifice of Christ? Many of them probably knew the language close to their homelands, but what about later, when they ventured farther away? First they had to learn the language of the native people - and learn it well - to be able to communicate this great love and forgiveness. It is similar to what Bible translators today do through organizations like Wycliffe. First they learn the language, then they get to know the local people, then they share the Gospel with the locals. Once there are local, native speakers who have accepted Jesus, the missionaries work with them to get the Bible translated into the native language to share with others.

Maybe you are not going around the world to meet new people, so maybe your language learning will be smaller. But the first step is the same - we must go, and the second step is the same - we must learn about the people we wish to share with - as we learn about their lives through the relationship of friendship, we learn to speak their language, and we show them the love of Christ through our words and your actions.

Let us agree that the first step is this: to go!