liluga - love isn't love until given away

"Loving God means doing what he tells us to do, and really, that isn't hard at all." 1 John 5:3 NLT

Friday, April 25, 2014

Five Minute Friday: FRIEND

Sharon and I

Friends in my life have come and gone. I have had great friends in each season of life. But sadly, I do not do a good job of staying close to friends once the season changes. It's not a bad thing, it just happens. We move to a new town, the friends from my old town fade over the years. 

I'd like to say that with cell phones and the internet I am able to keep in touch with everyone, near or far. But it just doesn't happen for me.

I have a handful of what I consider close friends, the kind I can call at any time and the ones who know me well. One is from college (my friend of 20+ years) and several are "mom" friends I've met over the years of raising my kids. They are great friends and I am blessed by each of them. 


Five Minute Friday


Thursday, April 17, 2014

Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted

About 15 years ago, as a new believer, I heard the hymn "Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted" sung by the pastor of my church at the Good Friday service.  I instantly fell in love with the music and the lyrics.

I never forgot about this hymn, but did not hear it sung again until yesterday. I work at my church and the guy I work with was printing out a song they are singing on Good Friday. It made me think of the "Stricken, Smitten and Afflicted" hymn, so I looked it up on YouTube.

I discovered this video by Fernando Ortega that is simply beautiful.  Watch it and be blessed!






Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted By: Thomas Kelly


Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted,
See him dying on the tree
Tis' the Christ by man rejected,
yes my soul tis He, tis He
Tis the long Expected prophet
David's Son yet David's Lord
By His Son God has now spoken
Tis the true and faithful Word
 
Tell me he who hear him groan,
Was there ever grief like his
Friends through fear, his caused disowning
Foes insulting his distress
Many hands were raised to wound Him
None would enter posed to save
But the deepest stroke that pierced Him
Was the stroke that justice gave
 
He who think of sin but lightly
Nor suppose the evil grate
Here may view its nature rightly
Here its guilt may estimate
Mark the Sacrifice Appointed
See who bears the awful load
Tis the work the Lord's Annointed
Son of Man and Son of God
 
Here we have a firm foundation
Here the refuge of the lost
Christ the Rock of our Salvation
Is the name on which we boast
Lamb of God for sinners wounded
Sacrificed to cancel guilt
None shall ever be confounded
Who on him there hope have built

 
 



Notes:
Hymn # 116 from Lutheran Worship
Author: Geistliche Volkslieder
Tune: O Mein Jesu, Ich Muss Sterben
1st Published in: 1850
 

Friday, April 11, 2014

Five Minute Friday - Paint


The first project I tackled this morning was painting a coffee mug for a friend with her "word of the year" on it.  As I was letting it dry, I ventured over to Five Minute Friday to see what the topic was.

PAINT

Coincidental? I think not. 

I had a hard time with the mug. My hand was wobbly and I was afraid of making a mistake. 

I think that is the way I live my life, a little wobbly and afraid of making mistakes.

I have to believe that I can accomplish great things, and that it is o.k. to make mistakes. God never asks us to be perfect, he asks us to try. And when we do, we can accomplish more than we think.

My mug turned out pretty good (o.k., maybe not as cool as some of the ones I've seen on Pinterest, but cool none the less) and I know my friend will be blessed by it. Isn't that what it's all about?

Five Minute Friday/http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/

Friday, April 4, 2014

Writer - Five Minute Friday



When I think about the word “writer” I think of people who actually have published a book or two. People who make a living out of writing. I don’t think of myself, a lover-of-journaling and a “when I get around to it” blogger, as writer.

But what does God say about me being a writer? Am I a writer anytime I use the written word to jot down my feelings and experiences? Am I a writer when I write a card with an encouraging note to a friend? How about when I do publish a post on my blog and my mom and dad and a couple of friends are the only ones who read it?

I believe he says yes, Jamie, you are a writer. A writer of words that I put into your heart. Amen to that.




Five Minute Friday
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