My Very First 5-Minute Friday: Home

Every Friday, Lisa-Jo Baker (Formerly the Gypsy Mama), gives a word prompt and encourages her readers to write with abandon--but only for 5 minutes.  

**For this first post, I wrote it on my iPhone, from my cozy bed.  Yes it took me all 5 minutes ;-)**

This week's prompt is "Home"

Go.

HOME

Most days I'm content where I am. Our little suburb is just far enough away from the city for conveniences, and just a 10-minute drive to the country so I can enjoy weekly horseback riding lessons.

Then there's the days I say, "I hate Ohio. I've been trying to get out of here my entire adult life." The weather is unpredictable, I'm over the random snow-in-the-morning-melts-by-the-evening days with their grey skies.  I'd rather be anywhere than here.

I've mentioned more than once the desire to move south... Ft. Worth, Phoenix, Atlanta...

While talking to my hubby, we decided that I wouldn't be happy anywhere we could move to.  Really, 
I'm just longing for the day of Christ's return.  Heaven is my home.


Stop.

Prayer Meeting With the Kids

Today I'm linking up over at Satisfaction Through Christ for Tuesday's Prayers.  Check out the other bloggers prayer posts from there too!

http://satisfactionthroughchrist.blogspot.com
http://ramsaygrace.blogspot.com

Prayer Meeting With the Kids

First, my friend, Amy over at Feet 2 Our Faith, suggested setting Prayer Alarms for everyone in the family.  I LOVED this idea, but I didn't really want to use the calendar app on my phone for this since it's synched up with my husband's phone and may interrupt his work day.

Then, Ann Voskamp over at A Holy Experience wrote about a prayer app where you could schedule prayers.  Perfect!

So...  I got the Prayer Notebook app for my iPhone and scheduled the 11:00 a.m. hour for prayer for my husband, the 3 children & Little Rogi#4.

The first day, when my phone chimed, I just started praying for my husband.  Twice the kids came in and interrupted the prayer time.  I was mildly annoyed but explained that I was praying, asked what they wanted prayer for and they went on their way, happily knowing that I would be praying for them right then.

Today though, we were all reading our books on the couch when the first reminder chimed.  I told the kids that I would be praying for daddy, then all three of them and our little guy in Ethiopia, and asked if they wanted to join me.  They ALL decided to join me.  We all prayed out loud for each person, and whoever was the one receiving prayer at the moment, closed the prayer time by giving thanks for the prayers lifted up for them.  Before we were finished, the kids were adding other prayer concerns for extended family members too.

What a beautiful prayer time!  When we were done praying, we talked about continuing this habit and watching the LORD answer our prayers over time.  I will be cherishing this time with them every day.

I'm a blessed Momma <3

Psalm 136

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!

                             clap!                    clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!

As the pastor read each line of the Psalm, he had the whole congregation sing, "His mercy endures forever," while clapping a rhythm.

Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!

                clap!                        clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!

It was amazing to me...  As the pastor read each thing God has done... "His mercy endures forever!"

Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!

               clap!                    clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!

To Him who alone does great wonders,

                clap!                    clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!

You could feel the Holy Spirit inhabiting the praises of His people as he promises! (Psalm 22:3) 

To Him who who by wisdom made the heavens,

                        clap!                    clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!

To Him who laid out the earth above the waters,

                                         clap!                                  clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!

His Word IS alive and active and sharper than any two-edged sword! (Hebrews 4:12)

To Him who made great lights,

                               clap!                    clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!

The sun to rule by day,

                           clap!              clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!

The moon and stars to rule by night,

                                    clap!                       clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!

He was there, in that moment!  This congregation of God's people wanted to be led.  

To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn,

                                 clap!                            clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!

And brought out Israel from among them,

                                         clap!                                  clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!

With a strong hand and an outstretched arm,

                           clap!                                  clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!

To Him who struck down great kings,

                                 clap!                            clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!

And slew famous kings,

                          clap!           clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!

Sihon king of the Amorites,

                      clap!                             clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!

And Og king of Bashan,

                      clap!                 clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!

And gave their land as a heritage,

                                clap!                      clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!

A heritage to Israel His servant,

                           clap!                       clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!

Remembering all the LORD has done... they were engaged and participating in the Word of God for the first time in a LONG time.

Who remembered us in our lowly state,

                                        clap!                       clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!

And rescued us from our enemies,

                                        clap!                       clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!

Who gives food to all flesh,

                                        clap!                       clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!

I loved this! I was engaged in the Word of God!

I didn't realize that it hadn't happened for me in a long time.  Sad...  but now...

I'm hungry! and I want to share this with more than my twitter friends who (most of them) I only know online... deeper fellowship with those who are in my own congregation.  Does anybody else feel this?  I want to be led like the Israelites were led by Joshua into the Promised Land.  I want to carry this engagement with the Holy Spirit throughout the rest of my week... the rest of my life... every hour of every day!

Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven!

                                               clap!                    clap!

For His mercy endures forever.____

                     clap!           clap!