Blog | 5 Minutes for Faith

Let Frustration Guide You

Written on May 25, 2014 by Kari Scare in Blog, Devotional, Kari

Consumed by Frustration

Ever felt consumed by frustration? Like all your attempts at progress meet only baffling failure? If not failure outright, perhaps you just feel stuck with your wheels spinning.

No matter what you try, you can’t lose weight and never have enough energy.
With all the cleaning you do, your house remains constantly cluttered and unorganized.
All your kind words and gestures along with any attempts to truly show interest fail to result in real connection.
Simplicity of any kind remains illusive, and life just seems constantly filled with drama and complication.

Frustrating. Baffling. Unsettling.

My first instinct? Do something about it.

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One thing you can do when you don’t have any answers

Written on May 22, 2014 by Susan Stilwell in Susan S.

“I honestly wonder if God gives a rip about me,” the young woman mused as she flopped onto the couch. I listened as she gave voice to her honest feelings, and silently begged God for words that would soother her broken heart and convince her that He most certainly does give a rip.

Sad woman

I’m meeting more and more people like her, people whose lives have turned upside down. They read the latest best seller or listen to self-help podcasts or look to Oprah for answers, searching for anything that might heal their brokenness and give them hope for a brighter future.

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Transformation Keeps Coming

Written on May 20, 2014 by Ginger Harrington in Blog, Ginger

Keep in step with the Spirit.

God’s timing is not our timing.

We push and rush, but His timing is best.

Keep walking.

Keep pressing.

Keep seeking more of God with every step.

Let’s keep in step with the Spirit rather than race ahead,

pushing to become what we THINK we should be.

All that we seek can only be done by Spirit.

Let’s cultivate faithfulness with every step.

Don’t give up and don’t give in.

Transformation Quote.jpg

Trying so hard to make ourselves, we measure progress in this place of becoming.

Eyes fixed on what we lack, preparation and practice can feel like failure rather than progress.

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Prayers for Seed, Soil and Souls

Written on May 18, 2014 by Dawn in Blog, Dawn P

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. ~1 Peter 1:23

Jesus stands in a boat teaching the masses, telling one of His most well known stories. He tells the parable of a farmer planting seeds describing the soil and ultimately the outcome. Apparently the disciples were not completely clear because Mark records the fact that once His core group of followers had Him alone, they questioned the meaning. Isn’t it reassuring to know that those closest to Jesus didn’t always get it? Jesus patiently and persistently elaborates:

“You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom—you know how it works.

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Praising Him in the Midst

Written on May 15, 2014 by Laura in Blog, Devotional, Laura R.

Psalm 108.1

All too often, I have trouble praising God in the midst of unpleasant situations. I’m full of praise when I see His work in my life, and I praise Him for the beauty He creates around me. But it’s those times of trials where I struggle.

Praise was my One Word for 2013. So, you’d think I’d have this praise thing worked out. But, I’m still working on it. I think I’ll always be working on it because it’s hard to put myself aside—how I feel and what I’m thinking—and start praising.

It takes a conscious effort to praise God at all times—especially times I don’t feel like it, when I’m angry or complaining…times when I’m overwhelmed by life…and times I’m starting to doubt that everything will work out.

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Motherhood in the Trenches

Written on May 14, 2014 by Molly Huggins in Blog

It was Mother’s Day last Sunday. A celebration for so many, myself included, but also a day of great sorrow for others – for the mother who longs for children her body cannot carry. For mothers who have lost babies in the womb and long after. For the mothers of prodigal children. For single mothers who are parenting for two.

I am {temporarily} in the last category … my husband is currently serving in Afghanistan. I’ve written before on single parenting three small children – it’s the hardest thing I’ve done yet, and I’ve been deployed myself!

You find yourself in these moments, in the trenches of motherhood.

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Renewing Joy in Motherhood

Written on May 11, 2014 by Kelli in Blog, Devotional, Kelli

Do you ever feel like you are giving it your all trying to do it all and nobody even notices or seems to care? I have felt like this lately, over spent and exhausted.

Undone and unraveled. A giant mess.

Maybe you have felt this way too? Maybe you, like me, have even struggled to feel the joy in all of it and only felt the burden?

Well, you know what? You are not alone.

You have been called to be a life giver, dream believer, confidence builder, clothes and dish washer, grief bearer, maturity trainer, comforter, spiritual advisor, soul encourager, minister, grace distributer, teacher, warrior, truth seeker and finder, courageous, and a relentless lover.

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The Crescendo of Praise

Written on May 8, 2014 by Nikki in Blog, Devotional, Nikki

img_1878-sunsetjpg
The sun enters gracefully, allowing the crescent moon to descend in glorious splendor. Its slender, sickle silhouette dances over the treetops until it retreats in peaceful slumber. One by one, the stars follow suit as they blink farewell, allowing sun’s rays to burst in fortissimo as it makes its crescendo of praise.

And I’m captivated. Simply mesmerized at how the colors radiate and claim their space in His majesty. It never grow old. Each day portrays a new sonnet for I’m convinced not one sunrise is exactly the same with the way the trees sway in unison, keeping time for each songbird as they make their daily début.

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