A Little Bit of What I Learned from Five Minute Friday

I have only participated in two Five Minute Fridays.  I am already in love!




This Friday's writing prompt from Lisa-Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday was WRITER.  As I read different posts, I discovered new thoughts that were inspired from other writers.  When a writer helps you learn more about yourself, I believe you should take note.  As I read each writer, I learned not only about them but about how their words impacted my thoughts on writing and on being a writer.  I also believe you should express thanks.  I am not done reading.  I am hoping to get more time in today to enjoy other posts and offer encouragement.  I am not citing everyone I read, but certain posts brought my mind to a clarity of my own thoughts that I hadn't expected.  Thank you to everyone for sharing your hearts and your words.  This is a little bit of what I learned about me.


When reading Julia's post at Learning To Grow, Daring to Love - I realized that I am not the only one who has a moment of "YIKES" when thinking of claiming the title "writer."  The writer prompt was tough for me.  I did learn that you do not have to be making a living at anything to claim it as part of who you are, because God has made this part of who you are.  A calling from God is for His purposes.  He may want me to write in order to simply heal my own heart, and considering the life I have lived, that is a strong possibility.  It has been my therapy and tool for learning at times.  I am so encouraged that many are embracing that they are writers because that is really a part of God's identity. 


I was blessed by Adrienne's encouragement at Life with Intention and Adrienne reminded me that a part of writing is often encouraging.  She was very encouraging with her post.  She reflected the love of the Lord with her encouragement.  I think that as readers we should encourage writers.  Encourage them whether they are taking steps with a blog or releasing a novel.  I believe Jesus would love if we would do this. 


Jamie at Love isn't Love until It's Given Away shared words that touched my heart and reminded me that I am writing and using that gift in many ways from a card to family member to writing down happenings and experiences in my life.  I walked away encouraged to embrace it all.  I will.


Jemelene's post was so powerful and compelling.  I was reminded how there are some stories only we can tell.  If we stifle that story within, how will others know the beauty of the life we live.  Jemelene shared the writer in her daughter who has no words but expresses her story in a most beautiful way.

Through Kelly Greer at Kelly Writes, I was reminded of how if we look back, we can often see these flags that God placed in our lives that show us this call to write and express everything in words.  Sometimes we need to ask God to bring those memories up.  In His time He will. 

Reading Becky's post at Moments by Becky Keife reminded me that sometimes I simply write to see God's hand in my life.  When I record these happenings, I remember them and we all need to remember His work.  We have a very alive and active God.  Let's keep that in mind.  Writing helps me with that. 

 When I read the post at Father Says... I was reminded of how the writer truly shapes our perception of a story.  A writer leads you through the story and often shows you as much as they tell you.  In fact, a writer may tell you even more with what they show you.

From Cheryl at Realing In Life, I realized I need to embrace my dream.  If I am not willing to cling onto it with both hands, it really is far more likely to slip away.

As I said, I'm not finished yet.  I hope to get at least ten more read tonight.  If you participated in Five Minute Friday this week's or any, what have you learned?

Music Review - WOW Worship - Deluxe Edition

After a long, long week, I could not wait to hit the Family Christian Store to pick up the  WOW Worship Deluxe Edition CD.  I feel like I have been waiting a long time for this one.  One of my most listened to CDs is the purple WOW Worship CD (I have no idea what else to call it, it is purple).  It is THAT GOOD!  So good that I had to pick up this one. So without further ado...my thoughts.

The Deluxe edition CD costs a few dollars more than the regular lime CD,  but with six additional songs, I felt it was definitely worth it.  

WOW Worship (lime) contains music from many of my favorite artists and a few whom I had heard of but not listened to.  I especially enjoyed Vertical Church Band and Elevation Worship.  I will definitely be looking for more from them.  Tim Timmons is also a favorite of mine and I was really happy to see him on the CD in the Deluxe Edition.  

My favorite songs on the CD would be "Beautiful Things" by Gungor, "White Flag" by  Building429, "Oceans" by Hillsong United and "10,000 Reasons" by Matt Redman.  I do own a lot of the CDs that contain many of these songs, but it is nice to have so many in one set. 

I enjoyed the majority of the 36 songs, the two songs that didn't work for me were done by artists who I do like, but I prefer other artist's versions.  I like for King & Country but would have preferred Seventh Day Slumber's version of "From the Inside Out" and "The Stand" by Hillsong Young & Free just had a Kidzbop feel.  Both are very talented groups, this was just a personal taste issue.  There are other songs that these artists do that I think would have been better choices for the CD.

All in all, this is a wonderful CD with a great selection.  When plans come into play to release another, I will definitely be buying. 

I give WOW Worship (lime) four stars.

Today I Praise

I am not your average woman.  


For example, right as I began to type that sentence over there, I thought "average girl."  

Your average woman probably wouldn't think of themselves as a girl.  For some reason, I still have that kind of thought.  Who would think that someone nearing 47 (at lightning speed no less), would remotely have a blindness when it comes to a word that defines what stage she is in life?  Sure I can embrace that I am a mother, but a woman?  I just do not feel pulled together enough for that.  

I am that wife who will just begin to speak in a cockney accent for the sheer purpose of making her husband laugh.  I am that mom who will stop the television while channel surfing to enjoy a Flintstone's cartoon (when no child is present).  I bust into laughter over a funny thought in my head.  I also create conversations in my mind when people watching.  I still feel ALL GIRL.

But yep...I'm a woman, and today I praise.

Long and short of it is.  I have been in the midst of a crazy couple of months.  Does eight count as "a couple of"?  Because really it has been that long.  About eight months ago, I took a leap to boldly reach out to be a writer.  Or live like a writer, and all the things that I had confidence in went...

Life as I knew it inside my own mind went a little haywire.  I dived head first into my Bible and began to pray like crazy, and I saw that I needed a big ole life changing lift.  The kind only God can provide (let's face it, He really has to be the center).  

In my search for direction, I came across "The 30 Day Praise Challenge" by Becky Harling.  I realized that one of the things I needed to do to gain perspective was to reach out in praise and thankfulness to my creator.  I know that when I have experienced struggles that the moment I simply praised God, things changed.  Not always my circumstance, but at the very least my focus shifted.

Anyway, for now, my focus will be shifting to praise.  Praising for 30 days for at least 20 minutes a day.  I do not know how this will impact my life.  I am not doing it for some spiritual fitness program.  I am doing it, because in lots of ways I am at the end of my rope.  Not in my faith, but in other things so it is time to let go of the rope and cling to my God.

Over the next 30 days I do plan to share how things are going.  Today, I just want to share what I am doing and invite you to check out Becky's book (I bought mine at Family Christian Store) and Becky.  She has been through the ringer (cancer and more) and her journey of praise and thanksgiving could be a blessing to you. 

Here is a little book blurb from Goodreads:

Discover the Power of Praising God When Becky Harling was diagnosed with cancer over ten years ago, she begged God for healing. A friend of hers had another idea. She challenged Becky to spend twenty minutes a day in praise. Becky thought, What if I’m not feeling thankful? But as she intentionally praised God, she began to experience new joy—and her relationship with God has never been the same. Now, in The Thirty-Day Praise Challenge, Becky guides you in praising God for twenty minutes every day for one month. Arranged topically, the book includes music selections to enhance your praise journey and creative ideas for continuing the habit of praise. As Becky writes, “If you take this challenge, your faith will grow more than you dreamed possible. You will experience more joy, less insecurity, more courage, less anxiety. Thirty days of praising God. Are you ready?”

Publisher: David C Cook

Five Minute Friday - Writer

Last week was my first foray into joining writers everywhere as they wrote without worry or hesitation.  The feeling in a word...FREEDOM.

Sometimes you just have to let go, and the writers who meet up at Lisa-Jo Baker's website and blog for Five Minute Friday engage in letting go once a week starting with a prompt from Lisa-Jo.  Once fingers finish typing away, the joy of sharing and blessing begins.

Join this wonderful group.  You will be glad you did.  There really is only one rule, visit the writer before you...read...encourage.  But if you are like me, you wont be able to stop at just one.

Enjoy and learn more here.

Today's prompt is:

WRITER



GO...

Imagine my horror at the word "writer."  

My dreams and my fears all poke in my mind at the very thought of the word "writer."

Writing has been my peace.  Writing has been my comfort.  Writing has been my therapy.  

It has also been my agony.  Well...not so much the writing.  The empty screen in front of me.  The need to fill it with the fleeting idea that was so strong when I woke up and now is just tickling the edge of my mind.  Aggravating when things aren't working.  Fulfilling when they are. 

My joy.

My act of worship.

My prayer.

My way of being me.

My big ole world is all wrapped up in a ball of anxiety and thrill.  

The ups and downs.  

The nightmares.

The fantasies.

My dream come true some day.  IF....

If I choose to type anyway.

If I choose to get up and get uncomfortable.

If I choose to dig deep when need be.

If I open the door and let someone in.

If I choose to give my whole heart's desire to God.



...STOP


I did this prompt tonight because it has been a crazy long week.  This week was my radio station's gift drive.  It is that we share God's vision with our listeners.  It is a time of long hours.  Because I had to be in the office at 6 am, and my head was filled with how things would go on this final day, I decided to hold of on Five Minute Friday.  I thought for a moment about holding off until next week.  But I began this journey last week, and there was  no way I was going to let one long week pull me out of it.  I'm here, and I'm happy because I am a writer.  :)  Nice to say that.

I hope that you have a wonderfully blessed weekend, and that you get the chance to meet some of the other writers who are sharing their hearts this week.  I gave the link up top, but it is worth giving again.  Join us here. 

Five Minute Friday - Jumping In with MIGHTY

Several weeks ago I became intrigued by Lisa-Jo Baker and all the incredibly gifted and heart-filled women who post on Five Minute Friday.  Last week I prayed about joining in.  I am not a big joiner.  This was a big move for me.  Last night I was on Twitter and I kept seeing #FMFParty tags.  OOOPS!  It is that time?  Already?  With my station's gift drive next week and a visit from the monthly momma reminder, I almost passed it by.  This morning I awoke and decided if I don't do it now, when will I?

Learn more bout Five Minute Friday's here.

Today's prompt is:  Mighty
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Mighty

I here Laura Story in my head as I write the words Mighty.  Mighty is a word that describes my God.  My Savior and my King, is MIGHTY.  He is mighty to save.

But what am I?  If I am a child of God.  If I am His princess, I would share in some of his qualities.

Right?

Am I mighty?  Am I a conquerer?

Did I move 3000 miles to get away from an abusive relationship?  Yes.

Did I overcome anorexia and find myself now pleasantly plump? (Yes, I am now fluffy)


Do I speak on air to the invisible listener and share that Jesus loves them?  Yes.

Was I prepared for either of those things?  No.

But I did it.  I do that.

I am mighty.  I am His girl.

Biggest of all, daily I face a thousand fears (what can I say, I'm a bit of a worrier lately) and daily I move past them.  To some the smallest would be to be here right now throwing my caution to the wind and writing. Today, writing this was the hardest, but my God is migty.

That is the best part of all.  Where I am weak, He is strong.  He is mighty no matter what place I am in.  I can reach out and ask for His help to be what at the moment, I cannot be sure I can be.  My God does supply all my needs.  He is mighty.  Oh and he is also YOUR God.

"For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."

Zephaniah 3:17

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Lisa-Jo Baker also has a book coming out next week.  I want to mention it here because I really do so appreciate this time to step out.  It is called "Surprised By Motherhood."  Learn more about it and her.  And also, would you pray for her as well.  I am sure this is an exciting yet also stressful time.

Study Review - Restless: Because You Were Made for More by Jennie Allen - Finding Purpose In Your Passion

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  Jeremiah 29:11-12

Have you ever felt like you were in a state of seeking?  Have you felt that God had something in mind for you to do, and maybe, just maybe you weren't there yet?  Have you felt restless?  I have.  When I go to the local bookstore, I am often drawn to the section that features books on finding your spot, your place, your purpose.  Maybe it is because the world is so full of opportunities or maybe because I never really had a lot of push in my own natural gifts.  Either way, I have honestly searched for direction.   Recently I was offered the opportunity to review Jennie Allen's study "Restless."  I honestly had never heard of Jennie Allen, but a quick look at her website as well as a look into her book "Restless" and I was ready to go!


Small Group Study - 
Restless: Because You Were Made For More
Author:  Jennie Allen
Publisher:  Thomas Nelson, Inc


First let's unpack the study a moment.  Basically it looks like this:

Contents:  
DVD Study - Eight Sessions
Study Guide
Leader Guide
Conversation Cards

I began right away with the DVDs which each began with some of the lovely women taking the study.  They all answered questions that opened up my own heart.  I found myself thinking right along with them and pondering what I was hoping to get from the study.  And then entered Jennie.

Jennie's teaching style is great.  She is comfortable with God's word and the subject manner.  Jennie teaches with a heart that exudes a love for the audience and a deep caring to provide some cheering on for those of us in the race of our lives.  The videos were long enough to cover some great points, but short enough to keep you from a wandering mind.  The accompanying study guide and cards really helped you delve in deeper as a small group.  

I was so taken with the study and so energized to make a change, that although I received the study guide set for free to assist me with my review, I ordered the Kindle version of the book "Restless" as well.  I was not required to.  I was just so engaged.  I didn't even want to wait to see if the book was available at the bookstore.  I wanted to book bad enough that I wanted it NOW. 

Here's a description of the book "Restless: Because You Were Made for More" by Jennie Allen from Amazon:  

Do you feel like you're missing something? What if this feeling wasn’t a bad thing? It could be a longing for more of God and a catalyst to living the life that was designed before the foundations of the earth were laid. A lot of us, if we’re honest, are afraid. We hold our dreams close to our chest. But our passions have a purpose — they were engineered for God’s greater plan and he intends for us to use them for his glory and purposes. In Restless, Bible teacher and fellow struggler Jennie Allen explores practical ways to identify the threads of your life and how to intentionally weave them together. She explains how your gifts, passions, places, and relationships aren’t random; they’re deliberate and meaningful. And your suffering — it’s possible it has produced the very thing you want to give back to the world. Using the story of Joseph, the dreamer, Jennie explains how his suffering, gifts, relationships — all of the threads of his life — fit into the greater story of God and how our stories can do the same. What would happen if God got bigger than your fear and insecurity, and you spent the rest of your life running without reservation after his purposes for you? You were created for more.

"Restless" is a perfect small group Bible study.  The box set contains everything a leader will need to lead the study.  It is not intimidating. Using the biblical account of Joseph, Jennie guides the reader through a process of finding their own purpose even in their own messy life moments and their own victories.  The importance of all aspects of our lives is really highlighted and after soul searching, Bible study, and journaling, I believe the study group will find a lot of answers and motivation.  You do have to put the work in, but it is worth it, and Jennie guides you along the way in a very warm and conversational style.  God designed you for something special.  You are already living a life that has put wonderful opportunities for you in place.  "Restless" will help you see them and seize them.  

If you do not have a group to study with, I would still recommend this study and the book (plus you might even find places to join in an online study).  If you have really almost been restless to the point of distraction, if you have questioned your own life's walk and ups and downs, I believe this book will be a blessing to you.  I reviewed the series alone and now am energized to bring this to my friends, women's group and co-workers.  I believe they will be as impacted as I was. 
 
Again, restless was provided to me by the publisher in order to facilitate my review.  I was not compensated in any other way.  The opinion of this study and book (which I am already re-reading) are all my own.

Want to learn more, take a few minutes with this study trailer to learn a little bit more.  :)




PS - My prayer for you is that the Lord guides you to His purpose.   There are more of us searching than you might think.  It is okay to wonder. 

Taking Action - Made to Crave Action Plan - Keeping It Going

This week as I take action with the Made To Crave Action plan, I am keeping in mind Deuteronomy 31:8

I keep in mind that God's got this.  I only need to do what I can do.  For now I CAN drink 16 oz of water in the morning to help keep my caloric intake down.  I CAN eat the fruits and vegetables that I do like.  I CAN move.  I CAN also reach out to God for the strength to pass up Cadbury mini eggs (my current temptation).  So far...so good.  

What verse keeps you going?