Day 5 - SILENCE {2016}

Today is Day 5 of the "write31days" challenge; and I am linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group for this years' "free writes".  Check out all of my posts in this series here.

The word for today is Silence...

Finding total silence is really hard to do!  Even if I am the only person in the apartment ...

The TV is usually still on; the ceiling fan fills the emptiness; and if it's really silent inside, I can hear the birds or cars or planes on the outside!


If we can quiet our hearts and block out the noises around us, in the silence of a moment, perhaps we can hear God's words, assuring us that everything will be alright, that He has our future (and our present!) in His hands.

And, even if we don't hear His words, we can feel His presence, deep inside our soul ...

Still reassuring us from inside ourselves.

Quiet!  Listen to the Silence that really is around us; we only need to stop and listen intently for Him.

Day 4 - BREW {2016)

Today is Day 4 of the "write31days" challenge; and I am linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group for this years' "free writes".  Check out all of my posts in this series here.




The word for today is Brew...

The first thought I had when I read this word was that "ha ha joke" that keeps showing up on Facebook...

It isn't up to the women to make coffee because the Bible says, "He Brews"!

I am not a fan of coffee; but I love the smell of it as it surrounds the house or restaurant where it is being brewed.  The pleasing aroma fills my nostrils and gives me happy feelings.

What about our "aroma"?  What does our aroma give off to others?  Does it give them happy feelings, like that coffee does for me?

"For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life."  (II Corinthians 2:15 NRSV)

Let's take a look at verses 15 and 16 in the New Living Translation:

"Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.  But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.  To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom.  But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.  And who is adequate for such a task as this?"

Although this version doesn't use the word "aroma" as the other one does, we can still get the idea from the reference to "perfume"...

Same thing, right?

Aroma; Perfume ... a brew that is sure to touch each person with whom we come into contact.

Whatever "brew" we share in our cups, may we always know our cup overflows with God's blessings; therefore, we are able to bless others with His "life-giving perfume".

Day 3 - WARDROBE {2016}

Today is Day 3 of the "write31days" challenge; and I am linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group for this years' "free writes".  Check out all of my posts in this series here.


The word for today is Wardrobe...

My closet - wardrobe - is full of clothes I wear on a daily basis; nothing fancy or formal ... not even very many outfits that are suitable to wear to church or a wedding or funeral.  Just the basics; yet that is really all that I need in this retired life!




In Matthew 6, God tells us not to worry about the clothing we put on; we do not need to worry about such things as clothing or the food we eat.  In fact, we do not need to worry about anything!

Yet, as Christians, we should be concerned about what we put on; we should dress in appropriate ways.  Not in ways that are unflattering or unattractive, and certainly not in sexy or revealing ways.

OK, so perhaps there is a way to dress appropriately, maybe even a little sexy, that could be attractive and flattering, yet not inappropriate. But, we should certainly be aware of how we look to others.

Colossians tells us in Chapter 3 that we should dress in the wardrobe picked out for us by God:

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Shared by forgivenandfreed.tumblr.com

God wants us to attract others with our compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, forgiveness, patience ... and love; not the clothes we put on our back!

So, whatever you put on each day, be sure to put on love!

Day 2 - PAINT {2016}

Today is Day 2 of the "write31days" challenge; and I am linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group for this years' "free writes".  Check out all of my posts in this series here.



The word for today is Paint...

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Shared by carolinacoastt.tumblr.com

What would a canvas of my life look like?  There have been so many ups and downs along the road of life ... I am sure it would look something like the canvas above...

A pretty mixed up, splattered mess!

It would look as if someone just threw paint at the canvas and let it fall however it would.  

Perhaps Danny Kaye had it right after all!  Our lives can't always be rolling hills and sunshine and flowing rivers and all is well in the world!  We have also seen life's challenges; crises and losses and concerns...

But, whatever our lives throw at us - even splatters of paint - God has it all planned out!

He is the great painter, the one who has painted the canvas of our lives.  Our life's journey doesn't have to be a mess.  By following God's plan for us, we have the road map necessary to stay on the right path...the canvas of our life that God has painted for us!

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Whenever I look up at the beautiful sky, whether the clouds are puffy white or gray, I know the Greatest Artist has painted another masterpiece!

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And, we are also one of His great masterpieces!

Day 1 - WALK {2016}

Today is Day 1 of the "write31days" challenge; and I am linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group for this years' "free writes".  Check out all of my posts in this series here.



The word for today is Walk...



Every day I determine to walk the right path; to do the things that I know God wants me to do; to be the person He wants me to be.

It isn't an easy walk; caring for one with dementia - possibly Alzheimer's Disease setting in.  It isn't an easy walk for anyone.

And, I know that I don't always walk the right path; don't always do the things that I should; and am not always the person that I should be...


Many days I feel like Paul:

"I do not understand my own actions.  For I do not do what I want but I do the very thing I hate.  Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good.  But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me.  For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh.  I can will what is right, but I cannot do it.  For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do.  Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me...

"Wretched man that I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"  (Hebrews 7:15-20, 24-25).


Whatever path I walk, I know that God walks beside me; and if I do wander from the path He has set for me, He will be there to lead me back on the right track.

This journey we are all on is never easy; but as long as we travel with our God, it becomes easier...

Whatever may be in our path.

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Shared by sewnwithgrace.com

So, let's all pray for a closer walk with God; and please enjoy "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" sung by Anne Murray:

Introduction - Write31Days 2016

It is that time of year again!  The leaves are changing; the weather is cooler; and there are thousands of writers getting ready to share their thoughts in a 31-day writing challenge!

This will be my third year of participating in this annual challenge.  And, for the second year, I will be joining the five Minute Friday writers, using the Free Writes from Kate Motaung, hosted by Christina Hubbard at CreativeandFree.

I am excited to be joining this challenge once again!  For more information about the "write31days" challenge, check it out here.


I am also excited to announce the "Five Minute Friday" Book of which I am one of the many contributors!  This collection of stories have been compiled from last year's over 100 of the FMF Family members!

All profits from the sales of the book will be divided equally between two special ministries in South Africa:

The Vine School and Ten Dollar Tribe

To order your own copy of the "Five Minute Friday" book, and help support these two ministries, go to CreateSpace, or Amazon.

Lisa Jo Baker says about the FMF Book:  "We threw caution to the wind and we wrote our guts out!"  @lisajobaker, #FMFbook

And, Kate Motaung says:  "All it takes is five short minutes.  Set a timer, and set your fingers free." @k8motaung, #FMFbook


Don't forget to check out my daily posts for this challenge, beginning October 1st!  They will all be listed here.

Day 31 - 2015 - ALMOST

Today's word is:  Almost

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Shared by etsy.com

Had this word come up a few days ago, I would have said,

"We are almost there; almost at the end of this 31-day challenge!"

As it is, we are at the end of this challenge!

We made it!  We are there!  We are where we wanted to be...finishing with a BANG...

Yet, so many have struggled to get through all 31 days, as I have!  It hasn't been an easy road...

Life is not an easy road for many of us!  Life gets in the way of other things such as our writing...

And, that is OK!  Even if it takes more than the 31 days and we complete our series, we have won!

And, if we don't finish?!  That is OK, too!!  We do what we can; and God will bless that which we have completed...even if we feel it is "in-complete"!

Congratulations to all...wherever you have "ended" this challenge!  You should be proud of what you did!

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Shared by lifehack.org

And, now that we are there...

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Shared by elkayem.tumblr.com

What next??

Let us know your plans for the next month or two in the comments!  I will...think about it!  Not sure what I will do at this point!

Perhaps...possibly...maybe...just enjoy the holidays!

This is Day 31- the very last day of "31 Days of Free Writes"!  I have persevered and finished this month-long challenge, linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group.  To read all of my "Free Write" posts in this series, click here.

Day 30 - 2015 - BACON {FMF}

This is Day 30 of "31 Days of Free Writes", linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group.  Check out all of my "Free Write" posts in this series here.


Today's word is #1 of the Top Five from the Reader's Choice words; and, what a FUN word {I think!} ...

BACON

That's right!!  Bacon...

When I saw this word on Kate's post...I laughed!  Literally laughed!  I do think it is a FUN word to "almost" end our month.

So, whatever do I write about BACON?!

Well, I do love to eat bacon; a good BLT or grilled cheese with bacon, or even a bacon cheeseburger or...just crispy fried bacon with breakfast any time of the day!

We've been writing so hard these past 29 days; it's great to have such a fun word to easily write about - or is it easy to write about?

I felt so silly when I read the word Bacon, I have decided to use the words from the FMF "free writes" and share this bit of "whatever"...maybe a bit of whimsy or comical relief ?!

So, here goes!  Hope you enjoy:

Perhaps it isn't that easy to write about this word Bacon?  I thought I'd have a hard time with Green.  I tried to Capture my Calling while writing this series.  I made sure to Embrace my Family and the Home we share; and to remember the Possible Love of Purple!

I Trust(ed) I was Ready to Rest before the Storm came along and Crashed the Wave(s) into the Sea.  I so wanted this series to be fun; and tried to have more Patience before I tried to Fly away...

I had to Laugh at myself many times, wondering if it was really Worth all the Silence and Hope I had Whisper(ed), thinking about the Temporary Honor it would bring to me.

But, tonight as I finish writing today's post, I realize the Value of what I can Offer to you, my readers...

With great Joy, I now present to you, on this Almost last day of our 31 day journey...

BACON!!!

And I pray you will always...

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Shared by stokeglory.blogspot.com

What a wonderful way to end (or almost end) a challenge!!

Can't wait for the next challenge!!!  What about you?

Day 29 - 2015 - SEA

Today's word is:  Sea

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Shared by theultralinx.com

And, I'm sharing a poem today...

"Walking by the Sea"

Walking barefoot

by the sea;

Running, jumping,

splashing free.

Squishy toes

beneath the sand;

Waves roll quickly to the land.

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Shared by plus.google.com

Look!

How far away they go...

Waters to the shore

may flow.

Back and forth;

in and out.

Crashing waves

seem to shout:

"Here I am, Lord,
send me now!
This I pray
my solemn vow!

Use my gifts
to share the word;
Where no one else
Your Word has heard."

Waves may flow
back and forth;
Shouting praises
of your worth.

Thank you, God,
for showing me,
all the glories
of the Sea.

This is Day 29 of "31 Days of Free Writes", linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group.  Check out all of my "Free Write" posts in this series here.  For more information on the "Write31Days" challenge, click here.

Day 28 - 2015 - HOPE

A few weeks ago, I expressed what {I feel} everyone else may have been feeling while trying to get through this 31-day challenge writing every single day!

I said, "I sure hope I will be able to get all of these posts done before the 31st!"

Of course, I took what I thought would be the "easy way out" in using the Five Minute Friday "free writes".

It didn't work!  Some days the words were hard to get my mind around; some days I just had so much other things going on, I wasn't sure if I'd finish at all...

Yet...

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Shared by teentimes.com

And while at times it may have felt "hopeless", I knew that if I just stopped and took a deep breath, and settled into the task at hand...

The words would come; and I would write until I had it all done!  

And now, the end is in sight!

This image with "10 1-Minute Tips for Finding Hope" points out some very quick and simple ways we can remember there is hope!

You can also go to the Bible...there are so many verses that bring hope in many situations.

Check out these verses found on this brightly "hopeful" image:

I

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Shared by southernhospitalityblog.com

Here are a couple more verses that didn't make the list of those above, but also speak of hope:

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Shared by becauseofgrace.com

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Shared by babble.com

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Shared by wisewifesoaps.com

No matter what life brings my way, I know my hope lies in my Father who reigns in Heaven; and I look to Him to show me the way out of my hopelessness.

Listen to Aaron Shust sing "My Hope is in You"...

"The Lord delights in those who fear Him; who put their hope in His unfailing love."  (Psalm 147:11)

Let Him be your source of hope!

This is Day 28 of "31 Days of Free Writes", linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group.  Check out all of my "Free Write" posts in this series here.  For more information on the "Write31Days" challenge, click here.

Day 27 - 2015 - PERHAPS

Just a few more days left for the "write31days" challenge...and yes, I am going to miss writing every day.  But, of course, I will not quit writing...

Perhaps... I will find another month-long challenge!

And, with that being said {written}, today's word is:  Perhaps!

The "Webster's Student Dictionary" I keep near my computer defines "Perhaps" as...

Simply:  "possibly or maybe"...

Actually, I like that word...

PERHAPS!

I use it a lot in my writing...leading the reader to reflect on what I have written and to share "possibilities" for where their reflections may lead.

Even the Bible uses the word; and gives us an example of how the written word can lead us to reflect on other things:

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Shared by lizmarieblog.com

So, reading this scripture can lead us to think and to reflect...

God has created me for something; perhaps...possibly...maybe...

It is what He has been leading me to all along!

Or...

I need to be diligent in what I am doing now because this is what His plans are for me!

Wow!!  See where this word can lead us?

I'm not sure which version of the Bible this verse was taken from; and it may not use the word Perhaps in every version; but here it is found on this image, and fits perfectly in what I have been saying!

I love this quote I also found on pinterest, a possibility of where we may find our strength:

 

And another great quote from Alex Tan:

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Shared by thesecretlaw.tv

Not to forget good ole Charlie Brown with the possibility of the stars in the sky:

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Shared by myhoneysplace.com

And, one of my favorites from an old children's Christmas classic:

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Shared by beautifulbydesign.com

Perhaps...you have your own uses for this word!  Share them with me in the comments!

This is Day 27 of "31 Days of Free Writes", linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group.  Check out all of my "Free Write" posts in this series here.  For more information on the "Write31Days" challenge, click here.