Monthly Archives: August 2013

Friday’s Five Picks…A Heart Surrendered

Posted in Wanda at The Watered Soul by

One of my favorite blogs to read is Michelle’s blog at “A Heart Surrendered”.

I happen to know Michelle through church and that’s probably what originally brought me to her blog.  But that’s not what kept me coming back.  Michelle is a woman who loves the Lord and continues to grow in Christ.  Her love for the Lord impacts every aspect of her life.  She is honest, open and shares from her heart.

When I read Michelle’s blog, I’m challenged, encouraged and convicted in my own faith walk and in my relationship with my husband, family and friends.

I would encourage you to visit “A Heart Surrendered” and bookmark it as a favorite.

Linking up with Wanda at The Watered Soul for Friday’s Five Picks.

Five Minute Friday – Still Small Voice

Posted in Five Minute Friday, Incline my ear, Still Small Voice by

Still Small Voice

I cry out to the Lord for help
For the courage to carry on
To not give up
Depend upon the Holy Spirit within me

Filter all that I do and say
Through the grid of God’s
Grace
Mercy
Truth
Love

When I feel I can’t go on
Or take another step
Strengthen me
Give me courage

When I don’t know what to say
Help me to remember
It’s okay to say nothing
Ask my Heavenly Father for wisdom

Let my words reflect the Lord
May the words I speak into broken lives bring
Life
Healing
Grace
Hope
Truth

Light the path before me
Guide each step
Incline my ear so that I may hear
And listen closely to Your still small voice

Susan Wachtel
August 17, 2013

It’s another Saturday morn and I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

The WORD 8/11/13

Posted in Bible, Scripture, Word of God by

The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17

 

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s
Psalm 103:1-5

The Friday Five Fellowship – Kindred Spirits

Posted in Five Minute Friday, The Friday Five Fellowship, Wanda at The Watered Soul, WORD breathed by

I enjoy participating in the Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  Once I’ve posted my own blog post, I like to read some of the other submissions.  Sometimes it’s a picture that draws me or a name that stands out.

There are times it feels like it’s a divine appointment.  One in which I will meet a kindred spirit who loves the Lord and who is open, transparent and Christ centered.

Today I had such an appointment when I clicked on the E. W. Wright’s blog “WORD breathed”.  Today’s posted was prompted by the word lonely.  I would encourage you to head on over to “WORD breathed  – encounters with the Word” where you will find a sister in Christ who digs deep even with the boundaries of five minutes.

Thank you Wanda for encouraging your readers to share what’s touched them at The Friday Five Fellowship.

Five Minute Friday – Lonely Painful Memories

Posted in Five Minute Friday, God, Lonely, Silence from God by

Lonely

Lonely…now that’s a word I’m all too familiar with.  In fact I think I can say I was lonely for most of my life.  All work and no play can make one very lonely.  I knew how to work hard and strive to do my best, but developing friendships was not my strong suit.

·    Memories of phones that seldom ring.
·    Getting home late from work, left time for little else.
·    I chose to let loneliness and lack of trust in God to influence me to make unwise choices.
·    The weekends consisted of cleaning, shopping and church on Sunday.
·    The Lord, church, Bible study and God’s people became my safe haven where the Lord would show me a way out of loneliness.
·    I remember my Bible study leader impressing upon the small group leaders the importance of calling the women in their group each week.  She said that in some instances that may be the only call they receive.  How right she was…what a painful memory.

As hard as loneliness is, there is a more painful loneliness and that is feeling a distance from God.  It may come when I let the noise and demands of the world drown out the voice of God.  Or when I stop paying attention to the still small voice of the Lord, or when I willfully choose to sin.  It’s then that the silence surrounds me and I’m aware that the fellowship of the Lord has been broken.  I feel like my prayers are bouncing off the ceiling.  The Lord has a way of getting my attention through silence and draws me back to Himself.

He never leaves nor forsakes me, but there are times He is silent.

Lord…never let me forget the pain of loneliness.  Help me to reach out to others.  To be a friend, smile, listen and embrace them.  I may never know what’s going on in their lives and how lonely they really are, but You do Lord.  Help me to see them, hear them, love and care about them.  Help me to stay close to You and listen to Your still small voice.

Five Minute Friday – Dive In
It’s another Saturday morn and I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.