I keep saying it - because it is true... I miss y'all and I miss the tribe over at Five Minute Friday! I have hopes that with the arrival of Fall and routine, I will find myself back in this chair, consistently writing. But let's be honest... the arrival of Lil' Miss can be any day now -- so let's keep it real! I love you and miss you, sweet readers! I miss the processing for myself that tends to happen as I tap out words here... but Life is full and changing (Hello, granddaughter!) so I won't make promises I can't keep. But I will tell you this: I THINK of sitting here and I PRAY for you way more often that it may appear in this season. but Imma try to shrink the gap and meet you here on a regular basis again, starting today with this one word prompt.
Here we go: This is a Five Minute Friday post, which simply means I set a timer and free write for five minutes flat on the one word prompt of: NEIGHBOR
{GO}
My first thoughts go to two different states in our Union... and then to the Word of God.
Here we go: This is a Five Minute Friday post, which simply means I set a timer and free write for five minutes flat on the one word prompt of: NEIGHBOR
{GO}
My first thoughts go to two different states in our Union... and then to the Word of God.
I think of Charlottesville and I think of Houston... and then I think of how the Bible tells us again and again that we are called to LOVE! To Love our neighbors as well as we love ourselves and for some, that is a high call and for others --well, sometimes we don't really love ourselves the way we are called to either, right?
My next thought flashes to the Dr. Seuss book "Are You My Mother?" but I see it written out as "Are You My Neighbor?" because - really, in this call to love - we are called to recognize and remember that we are FAMILY...
All of us - Family! - created in His image, bearing His name, and oh how we are supposed to be following His lead...
His lead always leads to LOVE!
My heart leads me back to the Gospel of Mark, where the answer from a religious leader was so good that it seemed to take Jesus a little by surprise!
Teacher, You have spoken the truth. For there is one God and only one God, and to love God with all our heart and soul and mind and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves are more important than any burnt offering or sacrifice we could ever give.
Jesus heard that the man had spoken with wisdom. "Well said; if you understand that, then the kingdom of God is closer than you think." Mark 12:32-34 The Voice Translation
The Kingdom of God is closer than you think!
Oh friend... this is still true today!
The Kingdom is closer than we think... and it's closer than we act sometimes, too! But oh how I wish that wasn't so.
I know I have read and heard people say that Charlottesville is not America --but what we are seeing in Houston is. I get the point --and the hope. I agree that much of the horrors we saw unfold in Charlottesville were extreme, and what we see in Texas should be the norm. --The reality is us denying the truth that both States offer a glimpse of America is not helpful for anyone!
We WANT Houston, loud and clear... We want compassion and love and unity... we want the best of people to rise to the occasion and to see the kindness of neighbors and strangers alike shining brightly. That is the America we want to see... but for more years than I (being a middle-class white American) have been aware of, many of our neighbors --our brothers and sisters, have had to deal with the reality of Charlottesville.
My saying I can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there... my denying it exists isn't making it go away.
We want Houston to be strong, to band together, to love each other, --to let us love them, too --we want Houston to not only survive but to recover to be better than before. We want that for Charlottesville, too. For America... for the world.
The only way that will happen is when we step up and jump out and we are willing to be the bridge and love first... forgive first... when we are willing to not take sides, but to represent the Kingdom.
Not the Kingdom of race or religion... of Democrat or Republican... even of 'right' or 'wrong'... but the Kingdom of God, that is closer than we think!
{STOP}
I don't want it to take a natural disaster for us (myself included!) to live more like Cornelius in the Bible! In Acts 10, we find out that he was known as "a thoroughly good man" and in an encounter with an angel, he was told: "Your prayers and neighborly acts have brought you to God’s attention..."
Come on!
We are called to love our neighbors as (well as) we love ourselves so before we can do that the way Jesus intends for us to, we must learn to love ourselves.
Not in a selfish, prideful, (old-man, judging and positioning, labeling) kind of love.
No. That is not love at all.
But in a giving, humble, compassionate, (new-man, knowing who I am and how He loves) kind of way. In a freely give Love Away kind of way!
Once we can do that... I believe our prayers and neighborly acts will line us up with Heaven and release more and more and more of the Kingdom!
Because, you guys!!!
It's closer than we think!
Lord, help us see...
Lord, help us believe!
Lord, help us release!
Linking up with Kate Motaung and the #fmfparty Community today. Five Minute Fridays gives us the chance to dive right in and share what He puts on our hearts! Click HERE to read what others have to say about: "NEIGHBOR"
I'm also linking up with the lovely writer communities linked below:
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, THE LORD SPOKE TO ME AND THROUGH ME REGARDING SABBATH REST AND I TURNED MY 31 DAYS SERIES INTO AN EBOOK ON AMAZON. IF YOU ARE FINDING YOURSELF IN NEED OF REST (WHICH --WHO ISN'T, REALLY?) CHECK OUT THIS SHORT, DAILY DEVOTIONAL 31 DAYS OF RESTING IN GOD ...IT'S EASIER/HARDER THAN YOU THINK!
YOU CAN PURCHASE IT BY CLICKING HERE OR GRABBING IT FROM THE SIDE BAR TO THE RIGHT IF REST IS SOMETHING YOU KNOW YOU NEED, BUT JUST KEEP PUTTING OFF!
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, THE LORD SPOKE TO ME AND THROUGH ME REGARDING SABBATH REST AND I TURNED MY 31 DAYS SERIES INTO AN EBOOK ON AMAZON. IF YOU ARE FINDING YOURSELF IN NEED OF REST (WHICH --WHO ISN'T, REALLY?) CHECK OUT THIS SHORT, DAILY DEVOTIONAL 31 DAYS OF RESTING IN GOD ...IT'S EASIER/HARDER THAN YOU THINK! YOU CAN PURCHASE IT BY CLICKING HERE OR GRABBING IT FROM THE SIDE BAR TO THE RIGHT IF REST IS SOMETHING YOU KNOW YOU NEED, BUT JUST KEEP PUTTING OFF!
Visiting from FMF #71 spot. Good words of encouragement! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by, Pam!
DeleteOh friend, here we go thinking along the same lines. I agree...the reality of Charlottesville is all to real for so many. It pains me and breaks my heart. Love ultimately needs to win especially God's love. I'm so glad we are family; sisters in Christ. Go cuddle that sweet granddaughter when she arrives. We'll still be here when you get back! Love you sweet friend!
ReplyDeleteI know, right? This shocked no one... loved your post/take on Neighbor, too!
DeleteYou're on top of your game, girl. Your writer's game!!!
ReplyDeleteHa! Thankfully I was not (at this moment) drinking coffee or I would have spit it out of my mouth due to laughing! ;) I'm so rusty... but it felt good to sit down and let it pour out anyway! xoxo
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