Tag Archives: Five Minute Friday

Five Minute Friday – What’s in a Name?

Posted in Adoption, Christian, Five Minute Friday, Name, Uncategorized by

I’m participating in this week’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  If you like to write or need some inspiration and encouragement be sure to check it out.

Today word prompt:  Name

For the first 3 months of my life I didn’t have a name because I was given up for adoption at birth.  On my original birth certificate, it only recorded my birth mother’s last name.  Legal paperwork recorded my name as Baby Girl Dawson.

Three months later, my parents Frank and Gayle Bunts adopted me and I was given the name Susan Harriett Bunts.  From that day on, I was someone’s daughter and sister to my brothers Michael and Patrick.

My first name was given by my brother Michael.  He had a girlfriend named Susan and later he had a cow that he named Suzy.  The name Susan means lily and is of Hebrew origins.  When I think of a lily, I think of Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The name Harriett was the name of my father’s mother whom he loved greatly.  Harriett is French and means home ruler which is kind of appropriate because I love being home.  “There’s no place like home.”

At the age of 49, I was given a new last name when I married Christopher Wachtel and I was welcomed into the Wachtel family.  I wish I had the opportunity to meet my in-law Leo and Ruth Wachtel.  I look forward to meeting them in heaven.  In the mean time I am blessed to know the rest of the Wachtel family.

Even though I’ve lived with those names for many years, the name I value most is Christian.  At the age of 32, I finally recognized that I was a sinner and repented of my sin.  I recognized that there is a God to whom I will give an account and that He is the God of the Bible.  He made a way for me to be forgiven through His Son Jesus Christ and His sacrificial atoning death on the cross.  Christ’s death paid the penalty for my sin and for all who repent believe in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sin.

God assures believers that He has called us by name.

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!”
Isaiah 43:1 c-d

Everyone who is called by My name,
And whom I have created for My glory,
Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.”

Isaiah 43:7

Though I didn’t have a name for the first three months of my life, God knew me and He called me by name.

13 For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.

Psalm 139:13-16

Before God laid the foundations of the world, He knew and called me.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

Ephesians 1:3-6

28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

Romans 8:28-30

Though I did not have a name for the first three months of my life, God knew me, He knew my name and He called me to salvation through Jesus Christ.

Though I may have been considered an accident by my birth mother, God planned my life before He laid the foundations of the world.

When I think about who I am, first and foremost I think of myself as a Christian and that truth overshadows everything else in my life.

 

Five Minute Friday – Handpicked Burdens

Posted in Burden, Five Minute Friday, poem, Uncategorized by

I’m so grateful to be participating in today’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge. If you like to write or need some inspiration and encouragement from others be sure to check it out.

Today word prompt: Burden

The burdens the Lord brings
Or allows into our lives
He never meant for us to carry them alone

He has a good purpose and plan
A design for each one
He knows our burdens and cares for each one of us

A burden that will cause us
To repent of our sin
Cry out to the Lord for forgiveness

A burden that will reveal
Our weakness and deep abiding need
Cause us to depend and rely upon the Lord

A burden that will grow and change us
Take us from selfish and self-focused
Develop a compassionate and caring heart

The Lord invites us to cast our burdens upon Him
He is the Lord and daily bears our burdens
We in turn are to bear one another’s burdens

Won’t you come to the One who invites you
Take Christ’s yoke upon you and learn
For His yoke is easy and His burden is light

Susan Wachtel
November 9, 2018

 

Five Minute Friday – It Only Takes a Moment

Posted in Christ Jesus, Five Minute Friday, God, Gospel, Hope, Moment, poem by

It’s been a while since I’ve participated in the Five Minute Friday writing challenge. But it feels so good to dive back in. If you like to write or need some inspiration and encouragement from others be sure to check it out.

Today word prompt: Moment

It only takes a moment
For everything in your life to change

One moment
And things will never be the same again

Sometimes those are good moments
Filled with happiness, excitement and joy

Other times, it’s a sad or desperate moment
One that you will look back on and wonder
What if
If only
I wish

The thing of it is
We don’t know when those moments are coming

We don’t know
When it will be the last time…
You’ll see that loved one alive
Or the last time you get to say I love you
The final time you will hear their voice
The last message that will come across your phone

When that moment comes
Only then you realize…
No more chances to say I’m sorry, I was wrong, please forgive me
No more opportunities to share the Gospel of Christ
No longer can you tell them what they’ve meant to you
Your words of encouragement will not be heard by the one who needs it the most

No longer will you be able to hold their hand
Look into their eyes
Laugh together so hard it makes you cry
Hug them and feel them hold you tight

So today
For a moment
Take a moment
To be with
To do or say
That which you can’t do
When the one you love has been taken away

Susan Wachtel
October 26, 2018

In light of the recent death of my brother, Michael Bunts, I’m very aware of those moments that have passed and I can’t get back or do over.

When a fellow Christian dies you miss them, are profoundly sad and grieve their loss. But it’s a grief with hope in the knowledge that their life is not over and you will see them again in heaven. They are in the presence of God, where we long to be.

But when it’s someone who doesn’t know the Lord Jesus Christ, or hasn’t repented of their sin and put their faith in the complete and finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, that’s a sadness without hope for their eternal security.

Even in that profound sadness and loss…there is always hope for the believer based on who God is. Sovereign, Righteous, Holy, Holy, Holy, Compassionate, Truth, Deliverer, Refuge, Strong Tower, Strength, All-Knowing, All-Powerful, Great High Priest, Everywhere Present, Creator, Eternal, Without Beginning and Without End, The Good Shepherd, The Way, The Truth and the Life, The Narrow Gate, Without Sin, Pure, The Lamb of God Who Takes Away the Sin of the World, Resurrected Savior, Kind, Patient, the Mighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ the Son of God, Immanuel, Messiah, Wrathful, Punishes the Wicked, Merciful, Gracious, Just, Judge…and so much more.

Five Minute Friday – Always Grateful for Rain

Posted in Five Minute Friday, Grateful, Rain by

Today, I’m participating in this week’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  If you like to write or need some inspiration and encouragement be sure to check it out.

Today word prompt:  Rain

After living in Southern California, that has experienced drought for many years, I’m always grateful for rain.

We moved to Texas in 2014 I was excited, in part, because Texas wasn’t in a drought.  I remember the first time we got rain after moving here.  I was shopping at Hobby Lobby up in Flower Mound and when I came out to my car there were huge dark storm clouds on the horizon.  I made a B-line for home, which at the time was temporary housing in Irving.  I made it home before the rain started…then it proceeded to pour down rain.  I felt like a little kid excited over the storm.

I would be hard pressed to tell you the last time we had rain in California in the years before we left.  I’m sure there was some…but it was very little and nothing like the thunderstorms that kick up here in Texas.

There is nothing quite like driving as a storm rolls in and watching the huge bolts of lightning light up the sky one right after another.

Or laying in bed and hearing a loud clap of rolling thunder that makes me jump.

Or driving down the road and sheets of rain blanket the car and I can hardly see five feet in front of me.

Today, as I sit here and write about rain, it’s raining and I give God thanks and praise for the rain.  Rain that refreshes our garden…waters the dry cracked ground.  Rain that will cool down the hot temps.  I’m ever so grateful for rain.

 

 

Five Minute Friday – Rush to the Lord

Posted in Five Minute Friday, poem, Rush by

Today, I’m participating in this week’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  If you like to write or need some inspiration and encouragement be sure to check it out.

Today word prompt:  Rush

Start

Lord, I confess to You
So much of the time I feel rushed

I rush from morning to night
I rush to take care of the urgent

How much of what man considers urgent is truly important?
How much of it has eternal consequences?

When I read about Jesus, He didn’t rush
Though He had people coming to Him night and day

Desperate with crippling sickness and disease
A pressing needs that only the Savior could meet

Yet Jesus, the Son of God
Took time to pray to His Father in heaven

Jesus was driven to do His Father’s will, not man’s
He responded with grace, mercy and compassion

May I rush to spend time with Christ Jesus
May I focus my mind on Your life changing Word

May I rush before the Father’s throne of grace
May I bring Him my prayers and wait upon the Lord

Help me to make a priority
That which is important to You

May I rush to come before the Lord
May I be quick to listen and obey

by Susan Wachtel
August 31, 2018

End…Times Up

I’m so looking forward to fall. While I’m not in school, I will be back in Bible study classes. I desperately need the disciple and focus of in-depth Bible study. More than I know, I the community of believers.

How about you? Are you in a good Bible study? If not…now is a good time to jump in. A lot of studies begin in early September. There a are a number of in-depth, verse by verse studies available, like Community Bible Study, Bible Study Fellowship, Precepts or perhaps a study at a local church near you.

I cannot adequately explain how important it is for you know God’s Word for yourself. God will use it to grow you and change you. He will enable you to be discerning and wise and read, understand and obey His Word.

 

Five Minute Friday – God is Loyal

Posted in Five Minute Friday, Loyal by

I’m participating in this week’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  If you like to write or need some inspiration and encouragement be sure to check it out.

Today word prompt:  Loyal.

When I think of loyalty, its something that we all desire in relationships.  We want our spouse, family and friends to be loyal to us.

Some examples from the Bible that come to mind…Ruth and Naomi.  Ruth remained devoted and loyal to her mother-in-law during a time when Naomi wasn’t too pleasant.  She was grieving the loss of her husband and two sons while in a far-away pagan land.  Ruth is a reminder to me that we are to be loyal through good times and bad.

How about Joseph in the Old Testament?  Now that is someone who by God’s supernatural grace remains loyal to his family, including his brothers, despite the fact they hated him out jealousy and wanted him dead.  Because of his relationship with God, he saw God’s hand in all his circumstances and knew God was doing a good work in and through him.  He was able to trust God and return good for the evil done to him.

Jonathan and David…both were loyal to each other and their respective families.  Jonathan loved his friend and knew that David was God’s chosen anointed man to be the next king.  He even risked his own life and his father’s wrath to warn David so he could get to safety.  David showed his loyalty to Jonathan and later to his son Mephibosheth.

Times Up

I have to ask myself, am I a loyal person, both the God and people?  If I’m honest, I recognize fall woefully short!  My hope is in God, not me and what I can do.

As believers in Jesus Christ we can know the absolutely loyalty of God.  When we have genuinely repented of our sin and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior…then we are saved.  He paid our sin debt in full on the cross and clothed us with His righteousness.  In Christ we are eternally secure.

How wonderful it is to meditate on what God has done for us when we have been saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39

 

Five Minute Friday – Loved Even When I Don’t Feel Like It

Posted in Five Minute Friday, Loved by

I’m participating in today’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  If you like to write or need some inspiration be sure to check it out.

Today word prompt:  Loved

Goodness…when I first read today’s Five Minute Friday prompt of loved…I thought oh no, what can I write about love.

Let me tell you a secret…I don’t think there’s been too many times in my life when I can honestly say I’ve felt loved.  Why…not sure entirely.  Not sure if it’s part of the baggage that some adoptees feel?  Maybe, maybe not.

When you don’t feel loved…you start thinking you are unworthy of love and something is wrong with you.  Is there something wrong with me?  Absolutely and with the world too.

First and foremost, I’m a sinner and I live in a broken sinful world.

But the thing that helped change me is when I was saved…when I recognized my sin, repented and believed in Jesus Christ and His perfect and complete atoning sacrifice on the cross paying the penalty for my sin.

That was done out of love.  Love of God the Father who came up with an outrageous plan to save sinners.

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  1 John 1:10

Love of the Son, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself up for me and all who would repent and believe.

Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. – John 15:9

My Five Minutes Ended

Sometimes…I may not feel God’s love or feel loved or deserving of love…but now I can go by what I know…what recorded in Scripture.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). – Ephesians 2:4-5

Because of God’s love for me…may I now walk in love.  Love of God first and love for others.  I have a long way to go…but praise God…He has given me the Holy Spirit and the Bible to help me grow, learn and change.  Forgiveness for times I fail and fall short.  Abundant grace and mercy daily.  Assurance that my sin debt…all of it…was paid in full.

Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. – John 15:9

We love, because He first loved us. – 1 John 1:19

How about you?  Do you feel loved?  Do you know that God loves you?  Do you know that He made a way for you to be saved from your sins?  It’s through Jesus Christ and His death on the cross.  To know that truth…pick up your Bible or read it online.  Where to start…how about the Gospel of John in the New Testament.  Don’t wait one more day.  For today is the day of salvation.

 

Five Minute Friday – Blessings from a Precious Friend

Posted in Five Minute Friday, Ruth Stingley, Speak to Your Heart, Uncategorized by

When my dear friend Ruth told me that she was writing a book of Biblical blessings, I was so excited and could hardly wait until it was published.  I looked forward to holding “Speak to Your Heart” in my hands and reading the blessings which she had written.

Ruth Stingley is a prayer warrior.  If I’m going through difficult times, need encouragement or wisdom Ruth is a person I want to have praying alongside me.  It’s been my privilege to have this lovely woman of God pray for me over the years.

Her prayers are Christ centered and honoring to God.  She is realistic and doesn’t deny that bad or difficult things happen.  But rather than be overwhelmed by circumstances, Ruth is in awe and overwhelmed by her Heavenly Father, her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit Who dwells within her.  She has a confidence and assurance of who she is in Christ and the spiritual blessings that God has given believers.  She takes time to meditate on scripture and dwell on God as He has revealed Himself in the Bible and sing His praises.

Because of the many blessings I have received from Ruth, I want to pass those blessings along and offer Ruth Stingley’s book “Speak to Your Heart” to one reader.  If you would like to receive this book, please leave a comment and on May 1st, I’ll select one person’s name.  If you are the winner, I’ll notify you via email or on this blog.  Once I get your mailing information I’ll send you a copy of the book.

In the meantime, check out Ruth’s website Speak to Your Heart and learn more about the author and her book.

Good golly it’s Friday and I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  Head over to “Lisa Jo Baker”, and take some time to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

Five Minute Friday – Safe Haven

Posted in Five Minute Friday by

Long before I had a blog to express myself, writing has been important to me.  Writing is the place where I can:

·    Work through ideas
·    Wrestle with God
·    Confess my fears, doubts and failures
·    Remind myself of God’s faithfulness in my life
·    Tune out the loud noise of this world
·    Quiet my mind and think
·    Reveal emotions beneath the surface that are impacting what I do and say and choices I make
·    Admit I have un-forgiveness in my heart and have the Lord remind me why I need to forgive and show me how
·    Learn to love my enemy
·    Be real
·    It’s the woodshed that God takes me to do business when I have a wrong heart or attitude
·    Heal from the hurts and wounds from everyday life

Writing has been and remains my safe haven.  Writer is part of who I am.

It’s another Saturday morn and I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  Head over to “Lisa Jo Baker”, and take some time to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

Five Minute Friday – God’s Blessings in Strange Packages

Posted in Uncategorized by

Sometimes God’s blessings come in some mighty strange packages.  

If you had asked me a few months ago what my plans would be for the coming year, I would have guessed that our lives would continue to go on pretty much as they always have, including working during the week and occasional vacations a few times a year.  

Never would I have guessed the sudden turn our lives would take.  Sometimes God allows those clarifying times in our lives to help us to see what’s most important.  In the last few months, God has done just that in my life.  

He has helped me to see that other things had usurped what should be first in my life…God, His Word, my husband Chris and our marriage, the church and our family and friends.  

As a Christian, I think of course God is first in my life.  After all the years I’ve wait to find my husband of course Chris is a priority in my life.  But when I started to see how I’ve been investing my time and attention in the last few months…I didn’t see God, my husband, friends, our church and our home as my top priorities.  Instead I saw work at the top of this list.  As a result of how I’ve invested my time and attention, everything else, including that which should be my top priorities had been put on the back burner and fallen short.

After seeing our lives with new clarity and the toll misplaced priorities have taken, my husband and I decided that it is time to have me quit work and stay at home.  To take care of my husband and our home that God has blessed us with.  To restore order and put a stop to the chaos of our lives.  To put God first…to take the time to study and read His word.  Not just go through the motions and forget what I’ve just read when I close my Bible.  

I’m doing the countdown now…just 6 more working days and then I will be a homemaker.  Not sure what all that means or looks like…but I’m relieved and excited.  I’m prayerful that the Lord will bless us as we seek to put first that which He has revealed as most important.  I’m looking forward to the love, joy and peace that will fill our lives and our home.

It’s another Saturday morn and I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  Head over to “Lisa Jo Baker”, and take some time to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

Living Brave – Five Minute Friday 02/07/14

Posted in Uncategorized by

It’s hard to focus my thoughts these days because I’m weary in many respects and my mind is preoccupied by things of precious little consequence, especially in light of eternity.

What does it mean to live brave…what does that look like in my everyday life?  

First and foremost it means having my heart and mind focused on God.  To read His word daily, to know what He reveals about Himself, about me, about this fallen and broken world in which I live.  About seeing the beauty that’s here even in the midst of sin and brokenness.  

It’s about worshiping God everyday…really every moment…in thought, word and deed.  Singing songs of praise, worship and adoration.  Praising God even when things are amiss…praising Him for who He is.  Praising Christ and remembering what He has done for me and all those whom He has called.  

It’s about persevering in prayer no matter what.  Especially when it seems like God is not answering my prayers and no solution or help is in sight.  

It’s about taking the time each day to write about what I’m learning in this thing called life, so I don’t forget it.  

Lord…help me to keep my focus on You.  To be willing to praise and worship You at all times.  To trust You in the dark and when it feels You are far away.  To bring to mind Your perfect and true Word and to choose to believe You and walk by faith, not by sight.

It’s another Saturday morn and I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  Head over to “Lisa Jo Baker”, and take some time to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

Five Minute Friday – Impactful Words

Posted in Five Minute Friday by

Prov 18-21

Why your words matter…what a powerful and thought provoking idea.

Immediately it brings to mind memories, both good and bad, of words spoken by me and others.

Words that…

Sting
Hurt
Crush the spirit
Kill
Teardown
Injure
Cut
Are Harsh
Graceless
Bitter
Wrath-filled
Rage
Destroy
Steal
Unforgiving

Words that will be remembered for a lifetime.

Words of life
and death
Good
and evil

Words that…

Encourage
Build up
Heal
Strengthen
Tender
Grace filled
Hope
Thankful
Gratitude
Peace
Joy
Forgiveness
Life giving

Christ centered words
Other centered words
Self-centered words

Words I should never have said
Words I wished I had never heard

Words I regret
Words I wished I had said

Words that can’t be taken back
Words that can never be said

Timely words
Timeless words

Truth
Lies

Opportune time
The wrong time

Words that reveal the darkness of soul without Christ

Words that reveal the transforming work of Christ in our lives

Words that honor and glorify God
Words that bring reproach from unbelievers

Even now, 40 years later, I can still remember words I wish I had never heard.  Words that impacted me for life.  I also remember the words of those who sow life giving, timeless truth from God’s word into my life.

What words will I choose today?  I need to remember that words really do matter.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21

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.

1/11/14 Five Minute Friday – This Tapestry Called Life

Posted in Five Minute Friday, Uncategorized by

Thank You Lord
For helping me to see
That I’m viewing this tapestry called life
From the back side

That which appears
Nothing more than a tangled mess of threads
Ugly, random and without purpose
Looks much different from the other side

There is a day coming
When I will view this tapestry
From Your side
From God’s perspective

It is then I will see purpose and meaning
In trials and tribulation
I will comprehend that which I could not see
This side of heaven

What seems like justice delayed
Is not justice denied
All Your accounts are not settled
Here on earth

You are patient, merciful and compassionate
To the ungodly and unrighteous
You desire for all to come to repentance
That no one would perish

Those who have been declared righteous
Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross
One day their pain will cease
Their suffering will be redeemed

It is not so with the ungodly and unrighteous
Those who reject Christ’s perfect sacrifice for sin
For they will give an account to God
To the One who is holy, righteous and just

One day I will see
How You perfectly wove the dark threads
Along with the bright and beautiful colors
In this tapestry called life

By Susan Wachtel
January 11, 2014

Yesterday morning I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  After writing, I had to head out the door for a busy day after a long week.  But I still wanted to post something for this week’s submission.  If you would like to try your hand at the five minute 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.

Five Minute Friday – Fly Out the Window

Posted in Five Minute Friday, Prayer, Uncategorized by

In the middle of a busy and somewhat chaotic week, the Lord was there to meet me and had some lessons for me.

I was feeling quite overwhelmed by the amount of things I had to accomplish, requests coming in right and left and I was seeing the stress on others too.  I was overwhelmed and felt unable to do what I needed to or be of help to anyone.

When I stepped away for while I felt like the Holy Spirit was nudging me and asking me, “Susan, where’s your focus?  It’s not on God, but it’s on your circumstances and people.  You need to get your focus back on Me.”

In my own strength and power I would be unable to accomplish what I needed to.  My peace would fly out the window.  I wouldn’t be living in a manner that glorifies God.  I would be of no help to others or be able to encourage and strengthen others.

Instead I need to see my circumstance through my God who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, more than I can ask or imagine.  I need to be going to my Heavenly Father in prayer, with thanksgiving and present my requests to Him.

I need to be prayed up and taking my every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.  Let God overwhelm my impossible circumstances with His overcoming power.

Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; let not man prevail against You.” 2 Chronicles 14:11

Image

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.

Five Minute Friday – Two Trees

Posted in Five Minute Friday, Jesus Christ by

This week’s word prompt ‘Tree’ immediately brought to mind…two trees which have impacted and affected all men

Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil Tree from which the Cross of Christ  was Hewn
Adam Jesus Christ
Disobedience Obedience
Desired to be like God Denied Himself
My will be done Thy Will be done
His life brought death to all men His death brought life to the many
His sin brought separation from God He endured separation from God, bearing man sin and brought reconciliation
Sin reigned Grace reigned and abounded much more
Sin nature our inheritance Free Gift – Justification to all who believe
Transgression and death reigned He broke the reign of sin and death
Condemnation Righteousness
Separation from God Eternal life with God
Created in God’s image God Incarnate
Defeated Victory
Succumbed to temptation Tempted but did not sin
Faithless Faithful
Works Rest
Sinful Sinless
Bad news Good news

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.

Five Minute Friday – Truth Be Told

Posted in Jesus Christ, poem, Trusting God by

Ephesians 3:20

LORD, the truth be told,
I’ve been struggling
with fear and doubt

Try as I might
I can’t control the future
or guess what will happen tomorrow

In my fear
I’ve gotten my eyes off of You LORD
Forgotten
that You are able
that You have a good and perfect plan
which You are working out in my life

I’ve lost sight of the fact
that You walk with me always
both in the peaks and valleys of my life
You use all circumstances
To help me grow and change
You expose my sin
So that I will confess and repent
You buff out that which is displeasing to You
and reveal conduct unbecoming a Christian

Help me walk by faith
May I not doubt Your goodness
or Your ability to accomplish what concerns me today

May I remember that with each step I take
You are with me
You alone know what my future holds
You are perfectly able to direct my path

Help me to keep my eyes on You Lord
Not my circumstances
Not the people that surround me

Help me to trust You
Tenaciously
Unswervingly
to the end

Five Minute Friday
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.

Five Minute Friday – Reflections on Grace

Posted in A Good Word, Chalkboard Scripture, Five Minute Friday, Grace by

Grace

Grace is one of my favorite words.  First and foremost it makes me think about God and His all-encompassing grace for all areas of my life.  Most importantly in saving me and covering my sin…no removing my sin as far as the east is from the west!

Below are some of my reflections of God’s grace…

A – Amazing Grace, Abundant Grace
B – Bountiful Grace
C – Continuous Grace, Compassionate Grace, Covering Grace
D – Daily Grace, Dying Grace
E – Effective Grace
F – Forgiving Grace, Faithful Grace
G – God’s Grace, Greater Grace, Gentle Grace
H – Healing Grace
I – Infinite Grace
J – Justifying Grace, Joyful Grace
K – Kind-hearted Grace
L – Limitless Grace, Loving Grace, Living Grace
M – Matchless Grace
N – Necessary Grace, Need Grace
O – Overwhelming Grace, Obedient Grace…the grace to obey
P – Powerful Grace, Pursing Grace, Perfect Grace, Patient Grace
Q – Quintessential Grace
R – Redeeming Grace, Reconciling Grace
S – Saving Grace, Sustaining Grace
T – Triumphant Grace
U –Undeserved Grace
V – Victorious Grace
W – Wonderful Grace, Wooing Grace
X – …
Y – Yonder Grace
Z – Zealous Grace

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.

Five Minute Friday – Write & Remember

Posted in Five Minute Friday by

When the winds of change blow…
It seems as if there is no area of my life that’s untouched.

It’s then I feel compelled to meditate, remember and write about Who You are O Lord.

You are my Heavenly Father enthroned above
You know the end from the beginning

You had and outrageous plan set in place
Before the foundations of the world were laid.

You alone are Faithful
You are the Covenant Maker and Promise Keeper

You are the Priceless, Matchless Son of God
The One who is Mighty to Save

You are Holy, Holy, Holy
The Sinless Son of God

You are the Obedient Son of God
Who bore my sins so that I could be saved

You are the Way, the Truth and the Life
No one comes unto the Father, except by You

You are a God of Love
You are a God of Wrath

You alone are Righteous
Your motives are always pure and undefiled

You are a God who
Saves
Redeems
Restores
Forgives

You are a God of
Hope
Joy
Peace
Patience
Love
Grace
Mercy
Justice

You are my God, my Ever Present Help in times of trouble.  You alone are unchanging.

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.

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 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.