Thursday, July 2, 2015

Favorite: Five Minute Friday

Another week, another chance to write on a one-word prompt for only five minutes. We set timers, type quickly, and let it flow without criticism. Then, we link-up our posts so we can read others' posts and they read ours and we have a community that grows from one word each week.
Five Minute Friday.

Go!

"Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things
"

The very first thought I had when reading "favorite".
Oh how I loved listening to Julie Andrews sing when I was a child.
My parents have told me that our copy of Mary Poppins was so frequently watched, I actually wore out the videocassette tape.

With The Sound of Music, I could imagine I was Maria, twirling on the hill and singing.
Most of the story was far above my head, but the music always touched me.


"The hills are alive with the sound of music
With songs they have sung for a thousand years
The hills fill my heart with the sound of music
My heart wants to sing every song it hears

My heart wants to beat like the wings of the birds
That rise from the lake to the trees
My heart wants to sigh like a chime
That flies from a church on a breeze

To laugh like a brook when it trips
And falls over stones on its way
To sing through the night
Like a lark who is learning to pray

I go to the hills when my heart is lonely
I know I will hear what I've heard before
My heart will be blessed with the sound of music
And I'll sing once more
"

My favorite thing in the entire world is music. I cannot imagine life without it. Whether it's instrumental or vocal, soft or crazy wild, this world is full of song. Birds, waterfalls, oceans, thunderstorms, each have their own song.

And I think of God when I am in a quiet place and can hear the song of the wind rushing through evergreens. And the song is always the same. It's a love song.
Today, can I remind us all of something? "You are God's favorite."

I heard that a long time ago. It was puzzling, as favorite had always meant "favored above all the rest" to me. And how could God choose?

But, I am thinking that the world tries to tell us there's always somebody better, and the messages are half-true. (Satan specializes in half-truths)

Jesus Christ is always better, but He died for every single one of God's favorites. You and me and everyone you see.

Here is a declaration of God's favor over you. (Zephaniah 3:14-17)
"Sing, Daughter Zion;
    shout aloud, Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
    Daughter Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has taken away your punishment,
    he has turned back your enemy.
The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you;
    never again will you fear any harm.
16 On that day
    they will say to Jerusalem,
“Do not fear, Zion;
    do not let your hands hang limp.
17 The Lord your God is with you,
    the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
    but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Listen for God's song to you this weekend. You are His favorite

~Tammy

P.S. Since I don't have the lovely comment love widget...can you tell me the number of your post in the linkup in your comment so I can find you? Thanks! (example: #7) or you can give me a direct link to your post.

20 comments:

  1. We are all His favorites!! Love that we had a similar take on this word, Tammy. Enjoyed your post!

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    1. Thank you Holly!
      :)
      Loving and resting in His favor tonight.
      ~Tammy

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  2. I love this because I also love Julie Andrews and Sound of Music is my favorite movie of all times. I used to sing her songs and my mom would tell me that I sang like Julie and look like her. Music is such a beautiful way to hear, listen and worship God. We are His favorite! I am #4 right next to you!

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    1. Thank you Mary! I was delighted to read your twin post! :D
      Love,
      Tammy

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  3. Loved this post. Those verses have been so very dear to me as I have learned just how much God loves us. Your writing touched me. Thank You.
    http://minimooremusings.blogspot.com/2015/07/five-minute-friday-favorite.html

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    1. Thank you, Kelli.

      I loved your post as well, and how you shared your strength coming from God's Word. Very powerful!

      Hope to visit you again in the future!
      Love,
      Tammy

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  4. Well said. There are those who, like Lot's wife, have suggested that I curse God and die, but even an appallingly painful day - like today - cannot convince me of His abandonment. On the contrary, He's given me the ability to see rainbows and butterflies all the more clearly.

    But not hummingbirds. For some reason, I've been attacked by the little psychopaths four times, and their beaks are bloody sharp.

    FMF, BIG number 9!

    http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2015/07/your-dying-spouse-25-does-god-play.html

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    1. Andrew,
      I waited for your post. Though, as it was written, I almost supposed it was your wife who had the "pen" this week.
      You never cease to bring amusement and a smile (which is a sweet salve after the tears). Thank you for your imagery of ferocious hummingbirds.
      Perhaps if you did not take your bingo marker and blot your forehead, they would be less likely to target you.
      I can only imagine why your fragrance is so similar to sugar and nectar that they would single you out for deliciousness.

      And as always, thank you for providing your return address. 'Tis a blessing and a boon.

      ~Tammy

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  5. Half truths... yes. I have listened to them way too many times. Isn't it amazing some of the verses you can read near the end of the Old Testament? I don't think I've ever read those before. I'm number 8 at FMF.

    Hugs,
    Melinda

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Melinda.
      And, after reading your post, how fun! We are sisters separated at birth. We'll have to sing some musicals together!!! :)
      Love,
      Tammy

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  6. Yes! I thought of the song from the Sound of Music too, love it. Thanks for the reminder from Zephania, it is beautiful. Always good to see you, Tammy!

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    1. Ruthie!
      Thank you for your feedback! It's good to see you too. I was out of town for the 4th of July, so I'm catching up today.
      It's a wonderful thing to share this musical memory with so many. :)
      May you know His rejoicing again today!
      Love,
      Tammy

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  7. Wow, do we have a lot in common! :) There's so much to love in this post, Tammy!

    I love Julie Andrews, as well. And the song that came to my mind? Yes, "A Few of My Favorite Things."

    And Zephaniah 3:17-19? One of my favorite verses in the Bible. To know that God rejoices over me with singing just floors me. Especially when I've been unlovely to Him or others.

    But your thoughts on favorite and how we tend to think of it as being favored above others spoke to me. I've struggled with that most of my life. But knowing God can favor all His children brings such comfort and reassurance that I am loved by my heavenly Father. :)

    I'm #11 this week.

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    1. Jeanne,
      I'll tell you another thing we have in common. My middle name is Jean. Maybe a spelling variation, but we have two shared initials and a shared name!

      :) And yes, you are highly favored! You are a joint heir with Jesus. See yourself as a chosen vessel. You are faithful with what you have, and He will trust you with even more!

      Thank you for encouraging me. (And sorry for the delay-catching up after out of town for the 4th of July)
      Love,
      Tammy

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  8. YOU are one of my favorites!!! I did the Sound of Music thing as well!! Kindreds again! xoxoxo #40

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    1. Susan,
      oh how I love you too! :) I was gone until tonight for the 4th of July so please forgive my delayed response.

      I'll be reading and catching up very soon!
      Love,
      Tammy
      I'll even write my own verse to the song on your site. ;)

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  9. It is hilarious actually... I posted my "favorites" post (#43), then got in the bathtub, and was singing this song. Music is my absolute, all-time, "bestest" favorite!

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    1. Tondra,
      I am delighted to share that favorite thing with you! Music is my lifeblood. I can't wait to go read your post. (I was gone for the 4th of July so tonight is catch-up time.)
      Love,
      Tammy

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  10. Holly, Mary and you all went simalar directions this week. I love the Sound of Music too. We are all indeed God's favorites. I'm #16 this week!

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    1. Tara,
      wow. When He speaks, He SPEAKS, yes? :D
      I hope I can always be so attentive. I was gone for the 4th of July, so tonight I'm reading and responding and visiting, and sorry for the delay, but I thank you for taking time to read and reply.
      Love,
      Tammy

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