Word Prompt

Decline is the word of the day, a prompt that intrigues me while at the same time leaving me with a now what?   So I’ll write and see how it strikes me today.  I was delighted to read about Kate discovering a new project to work on.  It’s sad that she’ll have to decline activities in order to fulfill obligations, but how exciting to have a new project in the works eh?   Decline happens right?   Sometimes it a choice we make and other times it something that happens overtime. 

Decline Happens

Decline happens.

One can decline to
attend events, invitations,
and so forth.
And in so declining you are
choosing other things to be
more important than the event
or invitation offered.

It’s the way it goes right?
You say no to one thing in
order to say yes to something else.

It’s kinda like… I can say no to
doom scrolling in order to ride
my bike or walk on the treadmill.
I can say yes to talking with my hubby
before work instead of doing the dishes.

It’s all choices.
BUT decline of body and mind
isn’t all about choice.
One’s body changes as one gets
older and it takes more work to
to regain, or even to keep fit mentally
and physically. Aches and pains
are signs of a life well-lived but
sometimes it’s rather inconvenient.

But those inconvenient moments
provide encouragement to keep
on trying to stave back the decline.
To not let tiredness and defeat rule
the day…. to remember that God
calls me to be more and doesn’t say
“give it up if you’re tired”. Take rest
indeed, but use that as rest, not
an excuse to stop moving forward.

So what will I (or you) continue
to decline in order to help
stop the natural decline of living?

Today that question is asked, can we become lazy in our faith?  If so, what does that really mean?  Is that a good or bad thing or possibly a combination?   And besides, just what does it mean to you to be lazy?   There are different takes on it I’m learning.  🙂   OH… and if you like to write, join us for this week’s word prompt with Miss Kate. 

Lazy in Our Faith

There are times when I think
I don’t know the meaning of
the word lazy.
You’ll always find me
doing something, whether it be
scrolling on my phone (it’s doing something),
or exercising, or caring for critters,
reading, gardening, walking about,
working at home or as a grocery clerk.

You’ll rarely find me just
doing nothing (which to me is
the very definition of lazy).

BUT I’m learning from others that
being lazy doesn’t mean doing nothing,
but can just be chillin’.
Hanging out a home having a
day where nothing is planned, but
a time to relax and do what you will.

So a day of doing lego, could be
deemed as having a lazy day.
Sitting around reading, is
being lazy. Just as can be
gardening, doom scrolling, walking
about the block or whatever. It’s
an attitude of mind.

So here’s a question I need to ask
myself (and perhaps one you ask to).
Can we be lazy in our faith?
Should we ever be lazy in our
relationship to God?
We are told to work out our salvation
in fear and trembling right?

What does it mean for us if we do
become lazy in our faith?
Not taking the time to pray, or read
scripture, or ponder on things.
Are there consequences we aren’t
always aware of until perhaps
it seems insurmountable?

Or does becoming lazy in our
faith denote a high level
of comfort and lack of fear?
I don’t always know the answers
but asking questions can help
promote thinking it through.
And that’s a necessary process yes?

Did you know that harmony can be explained?   There are lots of different ways of define harmony which I’ve tried to cover.  If I could find it again I’d pull up that bible verse I saw early today. It fit so well with everything, but alas, I saw, read, was delighted, and then moved on.  Anyways, if you want to read what others have thought of this weeks’ word prompt, go check Kate out. 

Harmony can be explained

Harmony can be explained
partially as a balance.
It is reached when
a balance is achieved between
two diametrically opposed sides.

Harmony can be explained
as a musical combination of
notes that play well together,
pleasing to the ear, or
slightly discordant as in a
minor chord. Major chords tend
to sound better together yes?

A harmonious gospel quartet
has four voices that blend
well together. Just as the gospels
form as harmonious chord, four
voices blending together to tell
the story of the life of Christ.

One can see harmony, like in a book
I am reading. Wherein a new city is
built upon the bones of an old
city.  You see the new city using the
important remaining bits of the old,
and turning them into foundational aspects
for a new city full of beauty.

This leads me to ask.
Have You found balance in your life?
Do you realize yet, there is more
to life than the life you are living?
There is a God above, and here below,
that cares deeply for the eternal
lives of his created loved ones.

So will you?
Will you take a moment to
consider the deeper things
of life? Will you consider the
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Find your balance in the best
way possible. Consider God well.
It matters!

Bury Me is my thought process on the word prompt provided by Miss Kate.  To read what others have to say about you’ll have to visit her.  I’ve tried to provide a nonchalant view of death since it has no long-term hold over me.  I have wishes and desires to see before I’m gone, but really, I’ve no control over it all anyways, so why be afraid? 

Bury Me

Bury me in the backyard,
throw me to the moon,
it doesn’t really matter
since I was dead before noon.

You see I’ve a better place
a-waiting, so it don’t matter
much.  What happens to the old
remains matters not, when I’m ready gone.

I have to admit, I wanted to
stay and see, what happens with
my boy and his girl throughout
the coming years. To see them, hopefully
come to faith in God.

Concern I had for critters,
and what happens to them,
as I don’t much want them dumped,
but safely cared for or at the very
least euthanized well.

I hate to think of the sorrow
of people left behind, but
hope that Christ’s message
is given to all who would so mourn.

I would that death not be
feared by anyone at all.
That more would see their
salvation which is held
so close at hand.

For death has no sting,
it has no victory. It’s all
been beat back by sacrifice
and God’s planning long ago.

The words from Numbers 6:22-27 immediately popped up into my brain as soon as I saw today’s word prompt.  I’ve heard this Aaronic blessing for most of my life at least two times a month in church services.   It doesn’t seem to pop up as much in the current church I am attending.  They use other scripture frequently to close a service.  Have you ever pondered the words of this benediction?  The Lord bless you… there’s much to consider eh? 

The Lord Bless You

These words popped into my brain
the moment I saw the word
benediction.

Through a restless night of sleep
pondering the words to
The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace

The Lord Bless You
Just who is this Lord to
whom we call upon?
We know that he is the
maker of covenants, the creator
of the world, and the one by whom
all things are held together.

The Lord Bless You
What does it mean to be blessed?
Is it a inner feeling of well-being?
A prosperity of our soul?
Or unhindered fellowship with God?
What does it mean to you if
someone says “bless you”?

defining bless you

To me it’s different if a person
says it, then if I hear God
saying it through scripture.
When I hear The Lord bless you…
it’s like I know God wants the
very best for me and He’ll be with
me to see it all through.

If a person says “bless you” I don’t
really know what they are meaning.
Are they saying “have a good day” but
just using Christianease to say it?
Or are they basically saying
“good luck” with your day? I don’t
really know what is meant and no one
has ever clearly explained when asked.

The Lord bless you.
Me… blessed!
It’s specific and yet
global at the same time.
Me, part of the people of God,
being held and watched over
by the God of the universe.

Doesn’t that fill you with amazement?
I know how much you matter to
God in part of his whole global
care of the world and his
chosen family of peoples?

What does the word
benediction stir up for you?

I started this post last night and then fell asleep with the laptop humming in my ear.  It’s just early afternoon now and I’ve found time to sit and finish.  My focus changed overnight so poem “my longing” changed to Longing for Connection and Purpose.   Anyways, I hope the words given me this day to write find a spot of thought in your brain today.   🙂 

Longing for Connection and Purpose

Longing fills my heart
a heart weeping with need
for rest, time, and connection.

Nah, not really.

What is a longing in my life?

That’s the question I suppose.
or perhaps the question is
what is the longing
of the human soul?

Connection. To be able
to have relationship with
others in a way that works
for a given individual.

Purpose. Having a purpose
in life has saved more people
than it has not. Purpose gives
folk a reason to keep going.

The thing is, people let us down,
whether those people be external or
just ourselves. Distraction, internal
conflict, and more threaten.

For people to truly
thrive our connection and purpose
needs to be greater than ourselves.

If it isn’t, we are just
setting ourselves up for disaster.

So truly our longing is for
something greater than ourselves
to impact our lives meaningfully.

Find a way to be connected to something
more. Read God’s word. Think on it.
Focus on truth. Find others who seek
to understand God’s word to walk alongside
of, and find your longing for connection
and purpose fulfilled.