Tag: Christian faith

The gift of time

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The evenings are dark & Christmas is approaching. It’s that time of year again – to watch Christmas movies. In our house, Lord of the Rings is on the watch-list. 

A favourite character in this Tolkien classic is Gandalf the wizard. Gandalf said, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”

We have all been given the gift of time. How can we spend our time in this busy season of shopping, eating, hustle & merriment?

God gives us an answer in His Word:

‘Rejoice always, 

pray continually, 

give thanks in all circumstances; 

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’

‭‭(1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

We can spend this gift of time:

Rejoicing -expressing delight & deep happiness- even when life feels hard & when things don’t seem to be working out as we anticipated.

Praying – this means more than talking to God- but also listening for His response. We can become the answer to our own prayers as we seek God & His best for us.

Giving thanks means paying attention to what is happening in our days. It means noticing what God is doing in our lives- in the highs & lows, the ebb & flow of our day to day {& being grateful}

As we step into December & as the month gains momentum, we need to carve out time to contemplate God:

Rejoice in awe & wonder of God with us. Our Eternal God stepped into time as a tiny baby in a manger, becoming flesh & blood {yet remaining fully divine}

Pray for love & peace in our hearts, homes & world. And how we can share these God-given gifts.

Give thanks for true joy & hope found only in Jesus. And look back with hearts shaped by gratitude on this year that’s almost through.

Blessings,

Ruth x

Living letters

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In this age of texts & e-mails, I still like to send &  receive old fashioned cards & letters. There’s something special about paper & ink! (Despite the cost of postage!)

 The Apostle Paul wrote many epistles to the early church. Yet he wrote these words about the church at Corinth:

‘You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone.’

‭‭(2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

The Corinthian’s testimoney & the visible God-inspired transformation in them meant that others could read the message of Good News in their lives.

As we live with hope in God’s Word, we too can be living letters that the world around needs to read- the Gospel for now & forever.

Paul also wrote that we should do everything without grumbling or bickering, as we hold onto the word of life. (Phil 2:14-16)

As we live for God daily, we should:

‘Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night’

‭‭(Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

We are God’s special possession, that we ‘may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.’

‭‭(1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

As we enter into the Christmas Season, we can be messages of hope & light, of grace & truth & love.

Blessings,

Ruth x

Surrounded

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I read these ancient words during the past week in Kendal:

‘As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.’

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭125‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

We may feel overwhelmed with struggles & pressed down by stresses. Yet, we are surrounded by our Mighty, Majestic God, & encompassed by His love & power.

Psalm 125 was one of the Psalms that Jewish pilgrims sang as they journeyed toward Jerusalem. As the Psalm states, the city of Jerusalem is encircled by mountains (including the Mount of Olives)

We are protected by the mountain Maker- the One who was the Everlasting God even before the mountains were formed (Psalm 90)

As Moses wrote when He blessed the tribes of Israel:

‘The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.’

‭‭(Deuteronomy‬ ‭33‬:‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

We are safe & secure, for we are surrounded by God & kept in His arms {now & forever}

Blessings,

Ruth x

Love like bread

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As we’ve travelled round the Lake District on these auburn autumn days, we’ve ate bread in Ambleside, Grasmere & Kendal. Crusty sourdough & fresh tin loaves. One local bakery is aptly called Lovingly Artisan. As I savoured the hand-crafted loaves, I thought of a poem I read long ago:

‘Love doesn’t just sit there,

like a stone,

it has to be made,

Like bread;

remade all the time,

made new’

(Ursula K Le Guin)

Making bread requires effort- kneading, stretching & folding the dough.

In the same way our love should be intentional. Love needs to be nurtured – just as a sourdough starter needs to be fed.

It’s been said that love is a verb. Love is dynamic.

The Apostle John wrote:

‘Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.’

(‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:18‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Human love may go stale-yet God’s lovingkindness remains fresh- it’s new every morning! God’s ubiquitous love is the Truest Love of all. It is the starter from which all love flows:


‘Christ’s love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do.’
(2 Corinthians 5:14 MSG)

Time moulds & kneads life into different shapes & directions as we move along in life. But whatever our circumstances, we are urged to follow God’s way of love:

‘Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.’

‭‭(Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

As we journey through this week, we can trust in God, the Master Maker & His love:

‘And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.’
(1 John 4:16 NIV)

Blessings,

Ruth x

Aroma

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We live & move through this world using our five senses- sight, sound, touch, taste & smell. Our sensory experiences can be positive or negative- pleasant or terrible. Last week I experienced the sights, sounds & smells of Scotland’s capital city.

I walked through the buzzing cobbled streets in Edinburgh. The Dome was already fully decorated & the scent of cinnamon & pine lingered- Christmastime was definitely in the air!

We sprayed fragrance testers in John Lewis in St James’ Quarter while those around searched to find their signature scent.

The welcoming aroma of freshly ground coffee ushered us into the Old Town.

Later, I sensed the crisp scent of amber autumn leaves as I ran (slowly!) in Edinburgh’s leafy suburbs. Later still, I lit a jasmine & sandalwood candle in the van.

Scents connect us to memories & emotions. Aromas are nostalgic- reviving our memory & enhancing the moment. They bring the past to the present again!

Science has shown that scents affect our mood & even our work performance.

The Bible compares believers to an aroma:

‘For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.’

‭‭(2 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

This imagery evoked memories of the aroma of incense & burnt sacrifices offered during Old Testament times at the Temple.

However, this smell is perceived differently by others & has a contrasting effect:

“To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?”

‭‭(2 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

This verse is a powerful word-picture. To the  disobedient & perishing we are the rotting stench of doom & death. (The same word is used literally in John 11:39 to describe the odour of Lazarus’ body in the tomb)

Yet to those who believe & are being saved, we are the scent of life- a sweet smelling perfume.

‘Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God’

(2 Cor 2:15 MSG)

This is an awesome responsibility.

We can enhance the sweetness of the atmosphere as God is within us. By His Holy Spirit we can show God’s presence & share the message of Jesus. 

The essence of God permeates the space  around us – flowing out of our relationship with Him into other’s lives through our words & deeds.

May we spread God’s fragrance of grace, life & hope as we cross others’ paths this week

Blessings,

Ruth x

Photo credit-Daniel J Schwarz via Pexels

Eternity

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During the week  on auburn autumn days, we revisited the places where we met.The faded  sun shone on Broughty Ferry & Dundee. So many happy memories shared with the class of 1997! 

Almost 30 years have passed- full of joy & togetherness & raising our family but also with unexpected trials & troubles too. We all experience the twists of sorrow mingled with joy & threads of stress mixed with blessings that are crafted into the tapestry of life.

Life continues to move on. The pace feels quick from the vantage point beyond another landmark birthday.

‘The days are long but the years are short’ as Gretchen Rubin observed.

We strolled along Perth Road – passed Groucho’s, the Tower & coffee shops to St Peter’s Free Church where I attended as a student (where Robert Murray M’Cheyne was minister.)

In front of the church there’s a paving stone with just one word- ‘ETERNITY’

I don’t think about that word often enough- I’m so tethered to the here & now.

The stone reminded me that each day we step on chords that vibrate through eternity. That there’s so much more beyond our day to day life.

The Bible speaks of us as eternal beings- created & designed by God with eternity at our core:

‘Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.’

‭‭(Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

We cannot fully grasp how immense our God is. He is everlasting from before time began. For God existed before He spoke the universe into being.

The oldest Psalm which was written by Moses says:

“Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭90‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

The time of our lives on earth fade in the infinite stretch of eternity:

‘We are a moment, You are forever

Lord of the ages, God before time

We are a vapor, You are eternal

Love everlasting, reigning on high’

(Robin Mark)

On a large rock on the shores of Strangford Lough is painted ‘Eternity where?’

And there’s only two options, two destinations & destinies -eternity with God or without Him. The cataclysmic difference between eternal life & eternal death.

Jesus said:

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

‭‭(John‬ ‭17‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

For our eternal God stepped into time & became a man on earth, that we might know our Creator & be loved for eternity.

Jesus said:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

‭‭(John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

May we truly believe in Jesus & live each day in the light of eternity.

Blessings,

Ruth x

Troubled hearts

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There’s plenty to trouble our hearts & disrupt our peace in this troubled world. Concerns & anxieties. Disappointment & discouragement. Sickness & strife. Apprehension & angst. Waiting & waiting {& waiting}

And often that’s just in our own lives before we absorb the news locally & across our globe.

Last week Pastor George preached on first few verses of John chapter 14. These are Jesus’ words to His closest followers the night before He was crucified.

Jesus said:

“Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me.”

‭‭(John‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

Despite everything that was about to happen, Jesus urged His friends not to be troubled. ‘Troubled’ in the Greek implies being disturbed & shaken- like being tossed by the waves. And isn’t that just how we feel sometimes?

Later, in the same chapter, Jesus says:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

‭‭(John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Another version translates Jesus’ words this way:

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

‭‭(John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

The One who hushed raging tempests on the Sea of Galilee has the power to calm our troubled hearts & usher perfect peace into our lives. This mind-space of peace & heart full of calm is a gift that only God can give.

Through the dark storms of life, God’s love surrounds us, His grace sustains us & His hope is the anchor that holds us fast.

We can:

‘Keep calm & trust God’

May you know this peace from God as you step into a new week.

“May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”

‭‭(2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭HCSB‬‬)

Blessings,

Ruth x

Pursued by Goodness

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“God is good, all the time” he said, his ebony eyes shining.

“All the time, God is good” he continued.His voice was buoyed with hope, echoing around the packed church hall, then resonating in my heart.

I listened to this  African child speaking truth and my own eyes brimmed with emotion. For this child had been born into poverty in a land ravaged by war. Yet, he was declaring the goodness of God.

We may not experience extreme suffering and conflict, but sometimes life takes unexpected, unwanted turns. Difficulties, stresses & strains come our way. And life doesn’t feel good. Life doesn’t seem good.

Three years ago a phone-call burst into my day, interrupting a relaxing time on holiday. This led to a cancer scare and major surgery. Afterwards, a stressful return to work triggered spiralling mental illness,which cumulated in another admission to hospital.It felt like a whirlwind had wrecked my normal everyday life and it hurt.

Recovery was painfully slow and heralded an end to my much-loved career. There followed an ongoing season of disappointment, adapting to my new normal. Life felt heavy. Life was not as I’d anticipated or planned!

Yet I have learned, God is good when life is not.

A prophet wrote long ago:

‘The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him’

‭‭(Nahum‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Our God is good and He is an ever-present help in our dark chapters. He cares about us & what we’re going through.

The apostle Paul wrote these words in the New Testament:

‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’

‭‭(Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

If we love God, then all things-

Uncomfortable things,

Unexpected things,

Unfair things,

Difficult things,

Demanding things,

Absolutely everything!

All things that we encounter are crafted together by our Creator God for our ultimate good.

Psalm 23 is perhaps the most famous Psalm in the Bible- often read solemnly at funerals and quoted to bring comfort when life hurts. The last verse says:

‘Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.’

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Our God is a faithful, good Shepherd who is worthy of our trust as He leads us through this journey of life. And His goodness and mercy are like sheepdogs pursuing us relentlessly – protecting and guiding our precarious life.

Our God is the ultimate source of good. He knows us best and loves us most, and He is at work in our everyday life for our good and His glory.

Today, whatever hard things are surrounding you, pause and catch a glimpse of God’s goodness pursuing you relentlessly all of your days. Even in the difficult days- especially in the difficult days remember:

God is good when life is not

{Today and always}

‘Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.’

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭107‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Blessings,

Ruth x

Letting go

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I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers” said Anne of Green Gables (by L.M. Montgomery)

Autumn is my favourite time of year. I love seeing nature’s rich kaleidoscope of colour blowing in the breeze. I like crisp mornings & cozy evenings. I love the sentiment of change- of endings so we can begin again.

At this time of year, the trees show us how beautiful it is to let things go.

Just as the trees let go of their leaves & let them fall to the ground to create a beautiful patchwork carpet, so we need to let go.


What do we need to let go of ?:

*Past failures
*Regrets
*Selfish ambitions
*Choking Fears
*Broken dreams
*Emotional baggage
*Pet sins
*Unrealistic expectations
*Pride
*Harmful relationships

*Disappointments
*Over-thinking
*(False) Stories told only to ourselves

{And whatever other personal hindrances come to your mind.}

How can we let go? 

We need to bring these things to God. We can pour out our hearts to the One who knows us best. Let go of the things that are troubling us. And most importantly leave them with Him. We can release  our burdens to God’s care, seek His forgiveness if required, then walk in the freedom of His grace.

It is a time of endings, so we can begin again. For, ‘There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens’
(Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV)

Our Creator God can bring beauty from brokenness ,when we let go & leave our greatest fears & biggest burdens with Him.

‘He has made everything beautiful in its time.’ (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV)

Letting go is a necessary step for growth to take place.

For, in this autumn of the soul,
‘You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.’
(Matthew 5:14MSG)

Blessings,

Ruth x

Whatever!

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Sometimes Bible verses become too familiar, even over-familiar. Then their truth simply washes over us, rather than seeping in deeply to affect our heart & mind.

For example, this verse has been adapted into childrens’ songs, & I’m sure many of you have learned it as a memory verse:

‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’

‭‭(Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

But what does that mean in our day to day life? Maybe we need to read it in a different translation or paraphrase to grasp its truth:

“I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]”

‭‭(Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

We can rely on God’s strength within us to get through the trials of life!We may be facing insurmountable mountains or trudging through dark valleys- but we can know our Almighty God’s help & strength. We can be confident & courageous as we press on. 

We can be sure & steadfast in Him:

‘Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am’
(Philippians 4:13-MSG)

We can do all things in Jesus’ strength.

Difficult things. Unexpected things. Things we face at home, or in our work. Things we encounter in this turbulent world.

We do not need to fear. We can place our trust in God- whatever happens.

‘When you go to God,
He will infuse you with
The strength you need
To do that which He has asked you to do!’
(Patsy Clairmont)

Blessings,

Ruth x