Author: curlysue028

Between awe & atrocity

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It’s hard to believe that autumn is on the other side of the weekend! We have spent the last days of summer in Austria & Bavaria, Germany. We’ve been surrounded by Alpine peaks & strolled along impossibly turquoise lakes & tumbling rivers.

One morning I read these apt verses:

‘God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.‘‭‭ (Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭31‬a NIV‬‬)

Yet one place that deeply affected me was Kielstein otherwise known as Eagle’s Nest, near Salzburg.At 1834m it’s a historic mountain lodge with a beautiful Alpine panorama of peaks & meadows as far as the eye can see. It’s a travesty that it was a 50th birthday present for Adolf Hitler from the Nazi Party in 1938. Here in this Alpine retreat Hitler partied & plotted.

The juxtaposition is stark: awe-inspiring, created scenery, yet also a place of dense darkness and pure evil, where atrocities and genocide were planned. Horrors lurked behind this idyllic place.

Now at Kielstein there is also a large wooden cross standing above the lodge- a reminder to me that God came into the midst of our world to overcome evil. The cross where justice & mercy met, & love & grace dealt with the sin of the whole world.

Our world is ruined by sin- the headlines tell the facts. Our lives tell the story. Yet God’s fingerprints are still visible & His goodness shines brighter than evil.

‘For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.’

(‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

God has created light out of darkness from the beginning of time & He illuminates our hearts for us to shine His light, as we gaze on Jesus’ beauty & glory.

We might feel insignificant-but it only takes a candle to dispel darkness from a cavern. And we are called to let God’s light shine brightly in the present darkness of our fallen world:

‘You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.’

‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬ MSG‬‬)

We see God-colours in the kindness of others, in their love & joy. And we are called to reflect the light of God’s love all around.

No matter how dark it feels, shine God’s bright light.

Blessings,

Ruth x

Unbreakable love

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We visited Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany last week. It is the quintessential fairytale castle, inspiring Disney’s Cinderella Castle & featuring in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Last time we visited, Marienbruke (Mary’s bridge)was under renovation preventing the idyllic viewpoint of the castle.

This time however, the bridge was open & we queued to cross it & admired the enchanting view. As I gazed at the castle, I noticed that there were a few love-locks on the cantilever bridge (& many more at nearby Lech Falls.)

Love-locks are a growing tradition spreading across Europe of sweethearts attaching padlocks to bridges as a symbol of unbreakable love. Sometimes couples inscribe their names onto the padlock or throw the keys into nearby water as a symbol of their true love.

The Bible says:

‘Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.’

(‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Of course, human love is far from perfect. Relationships split. Hearts break. Love dissolves.

But God has declared:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love”(Jeremiah 31:3 NIV)

I ask myself, why does God love me? Why does He love you?

‘He loved us not because we are lovable but because He is love’
(CS Lewis)

We may be plagued by doubts that God loves us- but our unbelief doesn’t alter the fact that He does. God is love- & He really loves us!

And when we trust in God, absolutely nothing can separate us from His unbreakable love.

The apostle Paul declared:

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. 

Neither death nor life, 

neither angels nor demons, 

neither our fears for today 

nor our worries about tomorrow-

not even the powers of hell 

can separate us from God’s love. 

No power in the sky above or in the earth below-

indeed, nothing in all creation 

will ever be able to separate us 

from the love of God 

that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

‭‭(Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭38‬-‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Our hearts are locked into the everlasting love of God forever! And His love never fails! 

 
Blessings,

Ruth x

Circle of calm

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Once upon a time we may have banished worries from our life, but they tend to barge back in unexpectedly & uninvited- hijacking our brain space & diminishing our mental bandwidth. Then overthinking & overreacting invades our days again

When this happens {& it will!} it is such a blessing to stumble upon verses like this:

‘When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.’

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭94‬:‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Or as The Message paraphrases it:

‘When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up.’

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭94‬:‭19‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

Our imaginations go into overdrive conjuring up fearful outcomes & precarious situations. Our anxieties can feel relentless & heavy to carry. Yet, God is bigger than our worried heart!

For, true calmness isn’t found on-line in an app or on the pages of a book- but in God’s abiding presence. In him we find a cornucopia of deep peace & understanding, comfort & consolation.

God can create a circle of quiet calm in our heart & mind from the spiral of anxieties. He quells our fears in this tempestuous world. And he can make every tangle & twist beautiful in its time (Ecc 3:11)

The prophet Isaiah wrote these soothing words:

‘You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.’

‭‭(Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

When disappointments hurt,

When the unexpected happens,

When our heart breaks ,

When we feel crushed & overwhelmed,

When our foundations are shaken,

We’ll find God right there- in the middle of our troubles, heartache & despair.

And we can declare:

“It is well with my soul!”

Breathe in His presence- Know God & the peace only He can give. And deep joy & gladness will dispel the turmoil of life!

Blessings,

Ruth x

A Blessing:

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As we pause & reflect,

As we contemplate the week ahead:

‘Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.’

‭‭(2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2:16-17‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

May you rejoice in the gifts of God’s grace & lovingkindness throughout your days.

May you know His hope as an anchor in the hard times.

May you feel His comfort when things get unbearable.

And sense His everlasting strength for whatever you’re facing.

May His Spirit refresh your soul & whisper courage into all you say & do.

{Today & always}

Blessings,

Ruth x

Be present 💫

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‘Wherever you are be all there’

(Jim Elliot)

How can we be ‘all there’?

It’s relatively easy to think of examples when we aren’t all there:


*When we check & scroll down our smart phones when we’re out with friends or family.

Nowadays we are always switched on & never unplugged!The average smart phone user checks it 186 times a day. I read that checking our phones is as contagious as yawning!

*When we’re not really listening when someone is talking because we’re planning how to interject with our news at the next pause.

*When we think about week ahead as we sit in church rather than focusing our minds on meeting with God.

We need to train ourselves to block these distracting thoughts & listen to what God is trying to say

*When we are consumed with worries about tomorrow & it hijacks today.

To be ‘all there’:

*Don’t let the urgent squeeze out the important.

*Don’t let the trivial impact the important.

*Don’t let digital displace reality.

To fully engage in this adventure called life we need to unplug. We need to appreciate the moment & savour the little things. For sometimes little things are actually big things in disguise.

We need to stay tuned in.
Focused.
Undistracted.
Engaged.
Intentional.

This very moment is where past, present & future intersect! Moments like these weave together to make the fabric of life.

If we aren’t ‘all there’ we can become oblivious to the important things in life as it rolls by. We can miss the daily blessings of our everyday life.

‘The past is frozen & can no longer flow. The present is lit up with eternal rays’
(CS Lewis)

God has dealt with your past, He’s in control of your future & He’s given this moment as a gift. Now is the present!

So,
‘Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.’
(Matthew 6:34 MSG)

Blessings,

Ruth x

Created to be you

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It’s interesting that humankind are described as human be-ings – rather than human do-ings! And we can be many things:

*Be kind

*Be the light 

*Be the change

*Be brave

*Be authentic -Be real

*Be a blessing -Be the gift

*Be yourself!

And when we are being our true, authentic selves, we can be who we were created to be!

We are truly unique & one of a kind. We have different preferences & personalities, ideas & experiences, gifts & skills, thoughts & dreams, hopes & hurts. Yet at our core we are made in God’s image, designed to reflect our Creator’s essence of grace, goodness & lovingkindness.

‘For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’

‭‭(Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

We are God’s work of art, hand-made with love to be His poem to the world. We are uniquely different & deeply loved by the God who died to save us. So we can live as He intended by trusting in Him.

‘You can be much more for God than you ever know, by just being yourself & relying on Him. Keep praying & playing & being yourself’
(Oswald Chambers)

Step into God’s purpose for you:

‘Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.’

‭‭(Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

We can ask God to reveal His design for our lives & who He created us to be. As we seek God through prayer, we can grow into our truest self- our God-given self.

Each day:

*Pursue beauty
*Embrace grace
*Find joy
*Shine light
*Show hope
*Share peace

In your own unique way!

As we walk with God, He will show us what He has created us to do-

with Him & for Him

In His way,

In His strength,

In His time.

Blessings,

Ruth x

*Selah*

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We’re encouraged to keep a gratitude journal & urged to count our blessings! The emphasis is on focusing on the positive- the good things surrounding us.

And actually these sentiments have been backed by research. Harvard concluded ‘Giving thanks can make you happier’ Listing everyday pleasures & tiny joys can foster positivity & improve energy & boost our mood. 

An attitude of gratitude is beneficial:

‘Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.’

(William Arthur Ward)

If we are grateful for good coffee, beach walks, instaperfect meals, close friends & our cherished family, then how much more thankful should we be to God? 

After all, ‘Every good and perfect gift is from above’ 

‭‭(James‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

In the Old Testament, as the Israelites battled with the Philistines, the prophet

Samuel set up a stone & called it Eben-ezer, meaning ‘so far the Lord has helped us.’ (1 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭12‬ )

This rock was a sign of God’s unwavering faithfulness. Samuel remembered how God in His mighty power had helped until this point & so He was more than worthy of their trust in the days ahead. In the future, the Israelites could stop at this Eben-ezer stone & remember with thankfulness God’s gracious acts.

David wrote:

‘But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.’

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭77‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Recall & remember God’s works.

Selah is a word scattered throughout the Psalms.It’s a musical term that means a reflective pause. In our busy lives we too can pause & reflect with gratitude to the God of all our days.

We can literally express our gratitude in a journal, or a prayer or share our thankfulness with others.

We have so much to thank God:

*For His amazing artistry displayed in creation

*For God’s never-ending grace & relentless love.

*For His grand plan of redemption in which He did not spare His One & Only Son, as the offering for our sin

*For His tender mercies & everyday blessings

*For His deep peace & constant presence

*For the warm embrace & inspirational challenge of His Word

He has helped us through trials & tests, problems & pressure, diagnoses & difficulties, stresses & strains. He has guided us in the past & we can entrust our future to Him. 

We live under the extravagant generosity of our Creator God each & every day.

Blessings are ours

because we are His

We are:

Flawed yet forgiven

Redeemed & restored

Beloved & blessed

So pause & ponder with grateful hearts- Who God is in greatness & majesty, & what He has freely given, with grace & goodness.

‘For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.’

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭86‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Blessings,

Ruthx

Thrive

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Tis the season of stretched-out days, hopes of sunshine, iced coffee & good vibes! Beach walks & barbecues- & lazing beneath shady trees. Blooming roses & teeming window boxes bursting with colour. Thriving life is visible all around!

The Greek word ‘bios’, (from which we derive biology & biography) means physical life–existing rather than dying!  It’s life in black & white- survival.

But another Greek word ‘zoe’ means spiritual life from God. This word is used in the verses below & many other times in the Bible. ‘Zoe’ means never-ending, abundant, multicoloured life. Life as God intended it to be- the life we were created for!

Just before His death, Jesus prayed:

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

‭‭(John‬ ‭17‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

True life springs from a personal relationship with God- the One who knows us best & loves us most. The One who sent His Son Jesus to live on earth & die to give us true life.

Jesus also said:

“I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”

‭‭(John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

Without God, our life can feel flat & monotonous. We merely exist day to day. If we trust in God, our life is totally transformed- like the crawling caterpillar metamorphosing into a beautiful butterfly!

With God & in Him, we can have the life we were created for! We need to connect with our Life-giving Creator by communicating with Him -talking with Him by prayer & reading His Word in the Bible. Then, we can abide in God day by day & thrive where we’re planted.

The opening verses of Psalm 1 proclaim that blessed {favoured, happy-in-God} is the one who truly loves & deeply ponders God’s Word. They are described like a lush tree planted by a riverbank that is fruitful & evergreen.

We flourish in our relationship with our God when we are rooted  in His word & His love.

May you thrive & know the overflowing, abundant life that is found in God alone!

‘Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!’

‭‭(Romans‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

Blessings,

Ruth x

Perspective shift

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At this time of year, the airports are bustling & people are on the move! I love travelling but I must admit that I often feel disconcerted moving through airports- travelling around this spinning globe, in transit with thousands of others. I’m reminded again that the world doesn’t revolve around me- that I’m just one of billions!

Our previous house was at the end of a long lane, off another lane in the middle of the Ards Peninsula- away from the glare of city lights. On crisp clear nights we could gaze at the star-studded sky from our doorstep. The Milky Way was twinkling overhead & I stood in awe & wonder at God’s handiwork – the work of His fingers.

In moments like these, the universe felt vast, & I felt incredibly small- just a tiny speck on planet earth- just a minuscule part of the galaxy.

These words of David capture this viewpoint:

‘I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous, your handmade sky-jewelry, Moon and stars mounted in their settings. Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, Why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way?’

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭8‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

We strive to feel significant in the crowd, or to be more than a number at work. At times we struggle with self-esteem & wonder why God would bother with us.

But any thoughts of insignificance should vanish when we consider our status. We are more than just part of creation, we are woven together in love & intricately formed. (Psalm 139:13&14) We are uniquely designed & made in God’s image. And He has poured His love into our hearts (Romans 5:5)

Today, you need to know:

You are fully known yet deeply loved!

You matter & your Father God has plans for your life.

Once upon a summer, we took the cable cars from Chamonix to 3842m. From this viewpoint, lofty Alpine peaks including Mont Blanc stretched to the horizon. The mountains were majestic & as old as time. From this elevated perspective, time felt transient & I felt feeble.

The psalmist David wrote:

“I look up to the mountains-does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!”

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭121‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Our perspective shifts when we look away from ourselves & fix our eyes on God. Our help through life comes from the Almighty Creator of the mighty mountains. 

We are weak- God is All-Powerful 

We are like mist- He is eternal 

We are tiny-He is infinite

Our lives change- God is constant 

Maybe you feel upheaval & uncertainty in your life. Maybe you feel lost & forgotten. Look past the mountains & obstacles around you, to God Himself.

May you encounter your Maker & seek help from Him today!

Blessings,

Ruth x

The sacred outside

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‘’Some old fashioned things like fresh air & sunshine are hard to beat’
(Laura Ingalls Wilder)

There’s nothing like the great outdoors-the world outside our window. There’s nothing like a walk along the beach or in the hills or woods to clear our minds & refresh our perspective.

The Norwegians have a word friluftsliv literally meaning ‘free air life’ which sounds much more poetic than ‘outdoors’

Shinrin-yoku in Japanese literally means ‘forest bathing’ -soaking in the atmosphere of the forest for relaxation & well-being. Our world has all the blue space & green space we need to reduce stress & boost our mood.

We recently visited Zadar on the coast of Croatia. One of its attractions is the Sea Organ. Tubular structures arranged under the marble steps allow the rhythm of the waves of the Adriatic Sea to produce a mesmerising melody. It’s architecture, music & creation combined. It’s a song that never ceases!

‘Creation sings the Father’s Song’ wrote Getty & Townend. Yet often, we’re too distracted to hear the song.

It’s not that God’s music has stopped but often there’s just too much noise to hear. We need to get away from our tech & distractions & soak in the God-made environment. Life feels better barefoot & getting out in nature helps us unplug & unwind- detached from pressures, surrounded by creation.

Our mighty God’s creative artistry is evident on this planet we call home in:

Starlight & sunshine,

waterfalls & waves, 

sunflowers & ladybirds, 

alpacas & puppies,

freckles & fingerprints, 

heartbeats & brainwaves,  

rainbows & ripples, 

moonbeams & mountain peaks.

God’s finger prints are seen across our amazing world- designed & hand-made by Him.

And Yahweh who breathed life into humankind & our world is even more awesome than all of His creation. David wrote:

‘You are glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains.’

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭76‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

We can ‘Stop look around & praise the Name of Him who made it all’ {as engraved on a rock in Tollymore Forest}

It’s like therapy – creation therapy!

And we feel blessed & grateful.

I recently finished a book The language of rivers & stars by Seth Lewis. He wrote:

‘This world was made for wandering, & your soul was made for wonder!’ 

So this summer, wherever you go & whatever the weather, make sure you find some inspirational calm in creation. And more importantly meet the Maker!

Take every chance to appreciate something beautiful. Marvel at God’s handiwork displayed all around!

Blessings,

Ruth x