Category Archives: Five Minute Friday

Five Minute Friday blog posts

FMF December

The mouth speaks out of the abundance of the heart. Your true being brims over into your words and actions. It comes out of the heart. If good and abundance of good; if evil and abundance of evil. Does your heart have a good treasure or evilness? A person’s words express the overflow of the heart; what you say flows from what is in your heart. Words matter. We are called to speak against evil and bring forth righteous words to build our nation. We are to be watchmen for our country. The church is the watchman for our nation. We will be responsible if we keep silent. Our sins are heavy upon us, and we can’t survive this way. We must turn from our wicked ways. We do not let liars destroy our nation, our culture, and our children. We know who are liars because we can hear their words. Be heroes of faith, to make a stand to return to God’s ways. Pray that we dream and find the Lord’s destiny for us. Pray that the Holy Spirit speaks to the prodigal to come home.

The Troubadour's Song 
The Troubadour's Song

The Eastern Star shined
through the night
illuminating the way.

The Word sang a melody
for my heart to hear,
soft and gentle. 

For those with ears
to hear, it was pure 
and poignant 

Like tiny beats
of an hummingbird's wings,
a whispered message arrived.

A single voice announced
the King's arrival.
He dwelt with us.

A songless world 
yearned for echos of a
promised aria.

Despair dispelled.
The Troubadour sang
the redemptive story.

The morning light hummed,
arousing a sanguine hope,
the frame repeats-

Joy to the World. 
In the beginning was the Word
The Word was with God and
the Word was God. 
He was in the beginning...
In Him was life and 
He was the light of men. 

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John Chapter 1 
From the beginning to the end, Jesus lets us know what is in store for us.

Turn

The rich young ruler turned away from Jesus and grieved. 
In v. 18, he called Jesus a good teacher, not Lord. 
In verse 19, Jesus asks him, "Why do you call me good, only God is Good?
The rich young ruler didn't recognize Jesus as the Son of God. 
V.19: Jeuse refers to the 10 Commandments, which are rules to live by (guidance). 

But rules without love are empty. Jesus gave him a challenge to show his true heart. The rich young ruler was unwilling to turn.

It wasn't about riches; it was about what he valued most. It was not about Jesus. He wanted Jesus to accept his standard of worship. He was willing to give in part but not all. His heart was still wicked. 

Today, many believe they are saved but will be left behind because they are no different than the rich young ruler.

Jesus left with nothing undone.

Jesus left nothing undone while hanging on the cross. Psalms Chapters 22-24 are a picture of the cross. 
His first request: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34

He honored his mother: Woman, behold your son! Then to John, Behold, your mother. John 19:26-27.

His example of grace: One thief ridiculed Jesus and demanded to be saved without recognizing his need for grace. The other thief confesses who Jesus is, a man without sin, and receives grace.
 
At noon till three, darkness fell over the land: Jesus cried: My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me? Mark 15:33-34. The Father isolated the Son for us. Jesus became sin for us. Darkness fell in Egypt at the first Passover when the death angel came. 

Around 2:00, Jesus cried: I thirst. He was given sour wine, but he refused it. In the garden, he asks the Father to let this cup pass but accepts the Father's will. Jesus refused man's cup. 
With that, Jesus says it is finished: The Father's will is done. 

With Jesus' last cry of triumph, He willingly gave up his spirit. His choice, not by man.

https://wordpress.com/post/brontebrown2.com/1868

https://wordpress.com/post/brontebrown2.com/1824

FMF/June

Friendships are the threads woven in the tapestry of one’s life. 
Iridescent threads
shimmering in sunlight
woven in my heart
FMF/ Sunshine
life's tapestry
Iridescent threads 
woven in my heart 
I imagine God showing me a tapestry of my life in heaven. Family and friends who have shaped my life will be like shimmering sunbeams woven throughout. The iridescent lines of friendship will burst forth in a prismatic array of colors revealing the depths of God's love.
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17

One response to “FMF/June”

  1. aschmeisser Avatar
    aschmeisser

    Don’t want to see a tapestry
    of my life, because,
    there really is no need to see
    my old life that was.
    Anything there that was good
    will still be on the road ahead,
    and I think I really should
    concentrate on that instead,
    ’cause the God that saves our tears
    also saves each smile,
    and the lights of former years,
    and what was worthwhile
    were sifted at God’s judgement seat
    and these I once again will meet.

    Liked by 1 person

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FMF May/ Soon/Deliberate/Chapters

I am a bit behind. 
Peter had several chapters in his life. A Jewish boy raise to be fisherman. Jesus called him to follow him, Matthew 4:19. He was called to be one of the twelve disciples and first to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah. 

Charcoal fire chapter was about a new commission. At the first fire, Peter denied Jesus three time and the second charcoal fire is where Jesus cooked breakfast by the sea of Galilee. When Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?", there was no judgement. Jesus didn't shame Peter. With the new chapter, Peter was given a new commission. 

Each chapter is a new beginning. God catches us in grace and keeps us in grace. 
Deliberate
Every action Jesus took while walking on Earth was deliberate and taught a spiritual principle that we may miss.   

1. Jesus' challenge to the rich younger ruler to sell everything wasn't about being rich. The rich young ruler wanted to earn his way to heaven. Eph 2:8-9- It is a free gift by faith alone. 

2. Healing on the Sabbath was about the hardiness of men versus God's coming grace. 

3. Jesus deliberately slept while crossing the storm tossed Galilean Sea. He was awakened by panicking disciples. He quietens the sea. Jesus let them face the harshness of the sea to let them know he would be with them through difficult times. 

4. Raising Jairus' daughter taught the Centurion leader that Jesus had all authority. 

5. Sometimes, our ministry is at home, just like the Demoniac. He wanted to follow Jesus. Jesus said, " Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you." And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. The Demoniac reached people that might have ignored Jesus because they saw the change in him. 
Take a new look at the scriptures and find the spiritual principle beyond the healings, the confrontations, and more. 

6. Jesus healed the blind man, and the blind man who can now see, immediately enters the synagogue proclaiming Jesus. The blind man's healing speaks of man's spiritual blindness. Your Messiah is here and yet you cannot see. 
Revelation 3:11 
I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/616840313667334/?s=fb_shorts_tab&stack_idx=0

God's rathe is against
the intrusion of evil-
given over and measured. 
Haiku by RL Brown

God's divine wrath was poured out on Jesus.  EZ 7:8 and Rm 3:25. Jn 3:36. 
When the church is caught up, God's will deal with evil as explain in Revelations. 
God's wrath is provoked by evil. God's wrath and man's angry are two different things. Just like we exist in a time bubble, God is eternal with an eternal perspective. God's nature is love. He may love the sinner but God rathe is toward evil and those who cause evil and bring destrution on this world. 
How is God's wrath revealed? 
Therefore, God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity (1:24).
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions (1:26).
God gave them up to a debased mind (1:28).
At the core of the human problem is that we are sinners under the judgment of God, and the divine wrath hangs over us unless and until it is taken away.
Our names must be written in the Lamb's Book of Life. 
https://openthebible.org/article/six-things-you-need-to-know-about-gods-wrath/#:~:text=The%20Bible%20speaks%20about%20God's,was%20poured%20out%20on%20Jesus.

Persist in Prayer As We Take a Public Stance Against Evil

Michael said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you.”

We start by knowing the battle is the Lord’s. We stand on the solid rock of Truth. We are confident that salvation is rooted in our hearts.

Then we wear the full armor of God while speaking the Word of Truth without apology. Hell is forever. Wisdom comes as we test the spirit and pray for discernment. We can no longer be tossed about by empty philosophy, fear of offending, or ambivalent to attacks against the church.

Our persistence builds our maturity so that we are ready to give the right word with confidence that His Spirit leads us into battle. 

James Chapter 1
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

To Have and Let Go

If autumn falls silent under the evening snow 
If sheltered seeds don winter's coat 
If March winds howl for spring's warmth
If budding flowers emit the earth's scent
If spring pollinators awaken and take flight
If golden rays titillate terra's loam
If nature bears burgeoning yields 
If the impetus for life circles again
If thankfulness flows from within
If we understand the Creator above
then what do we know of love?

Love is to have, to hold, to enjoy, and to freely let go.
Happy Earth Day

FMF: Have and Earth Day

3 responses to “To Have and Let Go”

  1. lisamarcelina Avatar
    lisamarcelina

    Lovely poem, thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. aschmeisser Avatar
    aschmeisser

    Yeah, OK, I get the deal,
    releasing hold is good, know,
    but if we’re going to keep it real,
    ain’t no way I’m letting go.
    Cancer’s got the upper hand,
    and it’s been a crappy week,
    but I don’t need the Promised Land
    right now, not even one small peek.
    I intend to stay and fight,
    and to myself be ever true.
    It may be dumb but it’s my right,
    and exactly what I’m gonna do,
    and even though all hope is gone,
    I’m right here, so bring it on.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. dawnfanshawe Avatar
    dawnfanshawe

    Amen. Though I do struggle to let go and to hold lightly to the treasures He has given to us.

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Realizing the end of the sandwich generation.

When does the sandwich generation end? My father-in-law was the last aging parent in my family to die this past January. Mothers, fathers, and step-fathers from each side of the family are gone.

Passing down a slice of life seems awkward. Does my piece of bread fall to the next? It is a curious question. My role as a caretaker continues, even as my husband moved to the head of our family. 

Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." "Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children." "Honor your father and mother.

Before society, the church, God began with Adam and Eve to begin a family, the basic unit of all cultures. It is fundamental to hope, security, and knowing God. God gave us family as a refuge and to renew our strength. Children soar in a family and, through adversity and love, grow.

I guess the best answer is to put your family in God's hand. After all, it was his idea. Now that we are the head of my family, the sandwich has changed I'm on one end, my kids in the middle and grandkids on the other. Hopefully, I'll be around for a double-decker when great grandkids come along. 
Deep within my roots,
generational stories
intertwine.
Bifurcating branches
twist and wind upward,
etching life's wrinkles.

Break

Breathe in the sunlit air, 
watch a zephyr stir the trees, giggle in a swaying hamcock, 
tickle your toes in the cool grass and watch the clouds dance-

Take a break and see the Creator in the world around you. 
evening wanes
twitters and tweets
surround me,
life nestles,
I rock
I listen
I let go
God's World is full of 
dangling treasures
hidden in nature
for seekers to find. 

Job 12:
7 “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;
8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.
9 Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?
10 In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.

Follow Me

Paul Hurst from Facebook
Secular humanism is a big failure. Hopes based upon assumptions of an inherent goodness in mankind. They should have read the Scriptures and remember that mankind is fallen into sin.
Paul to the Corinthians in dealing with false teachers and empty philosophies. 
I Corinthians 11:1
Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
Human betterment, which relies on incentivizing people to make good decisions to create a better society, will fail when the incentive structures fail. (Ben Shapiro paraphrase.) Incentivizing people to do what is right is evident when they think they are entitled to the wealth others have earned. It is clear when workers demand pay beyond their skill level. It is evident in the looting of stores and trying to steal your way to wealth through Ponzi schemes. 

Our Founding Fathers understood that governmental systems do not make a good society. People do. People whose hearts are moved by kindness and benevolence are the heart of any culture. 
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
But in Christ we are a new creature: @ Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Our greatness was never in wealth but in the people who believed in Jesus and stood on righteous principles.

Choose

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned, received, heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. Phil 4:8

There is not one self-help book that can replace the simple truth found in the bible. Choose to act by first unplugging from this world. Breathe in and out, and let go of festering feelings inside, then meditate on God’s Word.

Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Psalms 34:4-5. 

nature's mystery 
sprightly beads nestle betwixt 
succulent leaves  

pearly light of glistening eyes 
echoes a dance of 
the coming spring.

Poem and Photo By RL Brown

Let Us Not Assume

As iron sharpens irons, so does one man sharpens another. Discernment is a great gift.

Picture: Anonymous Facebook Post
Eleventh hour
America's demise
wokeness disinformation
downfall from within

Discernment's gift
facts vs narratives
Assumptions vs. Truth
I bought a book in 1991 by Catherine Millard titled, The Rewriting of America's History. I didn't understand the significance of this book then. Still, in today's environment, I can see the devasting results of not knowing your history and listening to others define history with present-day blinders. (Thomas Sowell is one of the greatest minds to explain current times and the adverse effects of specific gov't policies.) 

The word today is 'assume.' Why assume to judge the past with blinders? 
Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Discernment is a gift that divides truth from fiction. Boys are genetically different from girls is a biological fact. No two boys are alike, or two girls just alike, not even twins. But this is NOT where discernment takes place. Facts are just that facts which differ from theories. Discernment is where God grants grace to remove your blinders (ex. western raising vs. eastern cultures and many more) and to hear and catch subtleties that differ from His Word. Homosexuality is based on a delusion that all forms of love are okay. But God said no, that isn't true. 

How do I tell God's Truth through the wokeness, lost history, and hostile rhetoric about my ancestors who came to America? Don't assume! I don't judge their opinions or their beliefs, nor do I back down. I don't argue with those who refused to hear. I leave one nugget of Truth, God loves, and God forgives- 

He loves me, forgives my lack of foresight and deluded beliefs, and constantly works in my life to open my eyes. Discernment is a great gift. 
Forward written by Dr. D. James Kennedy
For Americans, 'to reclaim our beloved nation from the destructive forces of humanism, secularism, athesim and false religions, we must first retirieve the true history... by relearning the gacts that a righteous new government came from righteous people seeking to advance the kingdom of Christ..."
Rewriting a nation's history is frequently one of the first strategies taken by a conquering nation. If you do not know where you come from also do not know where they are going.