ADORE:

(5 minute Friday)

Adore: honor - exalt- worship

The first thing that came to mind was a song I sang as a kid. I used to go outside on a warm summer night and look at the cloudless sky. I would be so overcome by the beauty of the stars in the black sky and the vast number of them. I would sing this song as a praise to my God.

Father, I adore You

Lay my life before You

How I love You

Spirit, I adore You

Lay my life before You

How I love You

Jesus, I adore You

Lay my life before You

How I love You

I think it is not an easy thing to truly adore God 

Not without visual help

When I see the depths of the ocean

When I see the majesty of the mountains

When I see the beauty of nature 

I am awe struck by what His hands have made

I automatically cry out in praise and adoration.

But when I see the storm

When the giants are all around me

When I start to give way to fear

My first thought isn't 'Father I adore You'

When unexpected blessings come

When someone sick is healed or made well

When I witness a miracle

I am quick to say 'Jesus, I adore You'

When I think of life itself

Sacrifice

Surrender

Pain 

Sorrow

even in all this I should be able to say 'Spirit I adore You'

It is because my vision is cloudy, that I do not see my God clearly in the everyday. My adoration is conditional. It is based on sight, emotion, and circumstances, not faith. I need to adore my King and my God because of who He is, and because He alone is worthy of all praise and worship. He deserves to be adored.

"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is Your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things." 1 Chronicles 29:11 (NLT)

Prepare:

(5 minute Friday)

This December my thoughts have been less focused on the season.
I feel a stirring in my soul.
All that is happening in the world around me, and the uncertainty of what 2015 will hold..
I want to use this last month of the year...
to prepare
I want to take time to catch up on my journals
to go through our "Blessings Jar" that is full of recorded blessings
to remember what God has done this last year
and in my mind.. prepare
I want to have my heart ready and full of memories to hold onto
Full of answered prayers to Praise God for
Full of goals accomplished and laughter shared
and in my heart... prepare
I want to take time to see what worked for my family
And, more importantly, what didn't.
What can we learn from those times that were hard?
I have no idea what next year will bring.
I need to prepare.
Year by year passes and then the start of a new one comes.
New goals, new ideas but very little time to reflect
I must prepare.
I want to start a new tradition in my family.
A tradition to cherish December as a time to ponder, a time to get my heart and mind ready for next year.
A time to prepare

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
"If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to Him in prayer!" Job 11:13

Notice:

5 Minute Friday:

Open your eyes and notice
Open your heart and see
Notice the small things and whisper a prayer

Notice the mom with her hands full
Basket overflowing
Notice the kids making a fuss
But don't shake your head
Take time to whisper a prayer
For peace to fill her soul

Notice the man moving slowly
The wrinkle in his brow
As he tries to read the signs
Notice his confusion and doubt
But don't shake your fist
Whisper a prayer for a clear mind

Notice the birds in the trees
Singing their song of life
Notice their nest and the work that it took
But don't just see and walk on
Whisper a prayer of thanks
For ears to hear and eyes to see

Notice the sun as its rises
Notice the colors of the changing sky
Notice the sun as it sets
And brings on the night
Then whisper a prayer to say thank you.
Thank You God for another day of life

Notice the people around you
Notice those whom you love
A day brings many good and hard things
Take time to really notice them
Don't take them for granted
Whisper a prayer of help
So you will never forget to notice them
So you will have no regrets when they are gone

TEACH: Day 11

[Challenge: 5 minutes daily in October]

Teach

Teach me.. great Teacher
Teach me what matters most
Teach me to embrace truth
Teach me to identify the lie
Teach me to hold on to what is important
Teach me to let go of what is not good
Teach me to know the difference
Teach me what love is
Teach me how to do life so it matters
Teach me what I do not understand
    ...but think I do
Teach me the faith of a child,
   dependence and trust in You
Teach me the precious gift of a breath
Teach me the value of a moment
Teach met the joy of life
Teach me in the midst of the sorrows of life
I want to learn from You
The Almighty One who had no teacher
because
there was no need to be taught
You are wisdom, Creator, God
Teach me who You are.

"Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You." Psalm 25:4-5

CARE: Day 10

{Challenge: 5 minutes daily in October}

Care

take care my child
where you walk
the path you choose to follow
it may seem fine
it may seem fun
but do you know what lies beyond
take care

take care my child
the words you say
may seem necessary
or easily forgotten
but words cans sting
and leave a mark
that never goes away
take care

take care my child
the friends you choose
can give and they can take
make friends
but do not think
it doesn't matter
they will impact your life
take care

take care my child
of dreams and goals
spread your wings be free
but do not use them
at the expense of others
to harm and hurt
is not worthy of who you are
take care

take care my child
of your time
it doesn't last you know
each moment is precious
each moment can be treasured
each moment can be wasted
take care

"But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over. My child, pay attention to what I say, listen carefully to my words. Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart." Proverbs 4:19-21

JOIN: Day 9

[Challenge: 5 minutes daily in October]

Join
Join hands in prayer
through out our land
and cry out to God Almighty

Join hearts and minds
while we can
and pray for courage

When news is bleak
when answers we seek
join hands and hearts
in prayer

Take courage friend
in this hour
do not let confusion reign

Trust in God
who know and sees
join hearts and minds
in prayer

When days seem dark
trust in the light
for in His light we have hope
we must join together
lift up hearts of prayer
to calm us in our need

Do not fear
He is near
when we join hearts and minds
in prayer

"Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my plea! Answer me because You are faithful and righteous." Psalm 143:1

SAY: Day 8 (5 minutes daily in October)

What do I say with my words?
Do I choose them wisely?
Do I say things that encourage, build up, and give hope
When I'm not paying attention to my words
I can say a whole lot of hurt

Does what I say show my faith in God?
Does what I say cause other's to fear

What do I say with out my words
My eyes, my facial expressions
they can say much more to someone
than the words leaving my mouth

I want to say "your important to me"
I want to say "you matter"
but if I'm not careful
just a look away
a distraction
can actually say
I wish you would hurry because
your taking up my time

good listeners say so much with their eyes
people who care deeply say more than mere words
when they touch your hand or give you a hug
people who are frustrated, impatient, or angry
only need to look at you
and you know exactly what they saying without trying

what about
those eyes that never meet yours
or don't stay very long before looking down
they say i'm not ready to talk
or I don't want to be vulnerable
at least not until I know I can trust you

What do my eyes say?
Do they cancel out what I say with my mouth?