Probably Proverbs: Answers to life's questions.

Five Minute Friday::Rise

Blessings of remembering the BRAVE on this Memorial Day 2015; those who gave their very lives for the freedom of us who live.  On this day of remembrance I am joining Kate Motaung and over a hundred other beautiful women for Five Minute Friday.

This week's prompt is RISE.  

My timer is set for 5 minutes.

GO!

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I saw the word RISE on Kate's website, but in my mind I read ARISE.  Immediately my thoughts recalled an old hymn I just recently sang in a ministry training conference, and by which my soul was wonderously moved.

The refrain was immediately on my lips as I saw the word RISE.

I will arise and go to Jesus, 

He will embrace me in His arms; 

In the arms of my dear Savior, 

O, there are ten thousand charms.

I was so stirred by this hymn, quite foreign and ancient sounding in contrast to the more common worship music of our day.  The cadence and the words caused me to stand at attention and focus on the meaning of what I was singing.  Holy Spirit brought a sudden conviction, "Wake up, and pay attention to this battle cry.  Sing it for all your worth if you really mean it!"

Once home from the conference, I went to the internet to research this old hymn.  The words were written by Joseph Hart in 1759, while the music was previously written by Jean Jacques Rousseau in 1750.  Such an old, old hymn and yet it was chosen in our modern day to bring a group of believers, training for leadership, into worship before Almighty God.  Interestingly, the name of this hymn is Come, Ye Sinners.  How utterly appropriate!

Here are the words, which struck deep to awaken my spirit.  Here are the words, which caused me to stand at attention as if waiting for my Commander to hand me His battle orders.

Come, ye sinner, poor and needy.  Weak and wounded sick and sore.

Jesus ready stands to save you.  Full of pity, love and power:

He is able, He is able, He is willing; doubt no more.

He is able, He is able, He is willing; dount no more.

refrain - 

I will arise and go to Jesus, 

He will embrace me in His arms; 

In the arms of my dear Savior, 

O, there are ten thousand charms.

Come, ye thirsty, come and welcome, God's free bounty glorify.

True belief and true repentance, Every grace that bring us nigh, 

Without money, without money; Come to Jesus Christ and buy.

Without money, without money; Come to Jesus Christ and buy.

refrain - 

Come, ye weary, heavy laden.  Bruised and broken, full of sin; 

If you tarry, till you're better, You may never enter in:

Not the righteous, not the righteous; Sinners Jesus came to win.

Not the righteous, not the righteous; Sinners Jesus came to win.

refrain - 

I will arise and go to Jesus, 

He will embrace me in His arms; 

In the arms of my dear Savior, 

O, there are ten thousand charms.

Grateful today as an American citizen for all our brave men and women who gave their lives so I might freely write, post, believe and live today.  Grateful today for my dear Savior, Who came and called my name to follow Him; He gave His life a ransom for mine.  I will arise and go to Jesus!

I Will Arise and Go To Jesus (Come, Ye Sinners) by Michael Card, Starkindler: A Celtic Conversation Across Time

Jesus as Servant...my example...

So if I, Your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet,
you also ought to wash one another's feet.
For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you.
John 13:14-15  hcsb

Psalm Sunday*May 24, 2015

In You, O Lord, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
in Your righteousness deliver me!
Incline Your ear to me;
rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me!
For You are my rock and my fortress;
and for Your name's sake You lead me and guide me.
Psalm 31:1-3 esv

Looking for my Father in the mirror

Mirror, mirror on the wall

Who do I look like after all?

Holy Spirit unveil my eyes to see

(ever increasingly)

a reflection of the One who forever 

adopted me.

Psalm Sunday * May 17, 2015

Tuesday @ Ten...I Write Because

This Monday night almost Tuesday morning, I should be asleep.  An early alarm will shake my peaceful rest too soon.  Normally, my eyes close and sleep overwhelms me as my head simultaneously snuggles into my pillow.

Tonight though, my mind is awake.  I'm not feeling anxious.  Perhaps the short cat nap during the movie was enough to keep me alert for awhile.

So, as I clicked on Tuesday@Ten tonight, I saw KarenBeth's writing prompt from last Tuesday...I write because.

I write because...

my mind is busy

all the time

thoughts weave in and out

over and around

like the major highways of our city

thoughts, words, ideas, songs, conversations 

continuously zoom around the thoroughfares of my busy - 

sometimes overactive imagination

I write because...

it's a tool 

which enables me to organize thoughts

it's a solution

when a brain traffic jam occurs and I feel stuck

it's a peaceful pastime

bringing solace from the chaotic, fast-paced world

it's a method

I find useful for focusing, learning and even memorizing

I write because...

I feel free to express myself

I enjoy the process of stringing many words together to form meaningful expressions

I feel creative

I feel I have given a piece of myself

I write because...

words thoughtfully, prayerfully organized

allow me an opportunity to 

thank, encourage, love, greet, celebrate, teach, edify, motivate and congratulate

I write because...

my life redeemed in Christ

is His story worth telling

to honor my Savior 

and give Him all praise and honor

I want to leave behind a testimony

of a transformed life

by faith in Christ

my life written in journals and blogs

a new creation

a chosen, adopted daughter of a loving Father who is King

Yes, He's given me the words.

He's writing the story of my life

I write because...

Psalm Sunday*May 10, 2015