Susan's Blog: Five Minute Friday

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Five Minute Friday – Arms Open Wide

Each Sunday, I take notes during our Pastor’s sermons. A quote that the Pastor Philip gave on Sunday really struck me. Following a service an older lady said to Pastor Lloyd Olgilvie, “I pray that your life will be as wonderful as it was in the mind of God when He created you.”

Isn’t that something to ponder? I wonder…what did God design and plan for my life? Will I receive it with arms open wide? Am I willing to embrace the pain with the pleasure? Am I willing to trust God with the unknown? Am I willing to go down paths I never expected or feared and tried to avoid?

Am I willing to deny myself, pick up my cross daily and follow Christ?

When the rubber meets the road, do I trust God?

Does my faith translate into action?

If you would like to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday Challenge head over to her website “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.

4 comments:

Unknown said...: Such wisdom in the words of your friend from church. I see my arms wide open. I am allowing the original divine nature of God to BE who I am today. Thank you, Susan, and thank you for taking the time to not only visit but share your encouragement on my blog, too.; 7:58 AM
Denise said...: Thanks for sharing.; 9:43 AM
Wanda said...: Now that's a very powerful statement. God didn't just bring us into the earth haphazardly but He had a plan.; 7:55 AM
Ken said...: Wow Susan, This gives me something to think about. Thanks for sharing and God bless,
Ken; 12:20 AM

My Colors Will Be Clear

I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight seeing, smooth knees, color-less dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, "chinchy" giving and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need position, promotions, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my destination is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few. My Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of the One that gave me life, drew the line in blood for me in the hour of my destiny.

I am one of Christ's remnant people. I belong to Him and none other. All I do to bring this life to another is done because of that blood covenant poured out for me.

I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. I must share will all that one more might hear and be drawn from the flaming darkness that longs to consume. Reach for another, touch but one more!

Until that moment...He will have no problem in recognizing me- my colors will be clear!!!

Not only are the words inspiring but so is the man behind them. The above letter was written by a Pastor in Africa who was undergoing severe persecution. On the eve of his execution he sat down and wrote the above note.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Five Minute Friday – Arms Open Wide

4 comments:

Reagan: His Life and Legend by Max Boot – Reads like a 1,300 page indictment