Tag: journey

Abba’s child

curlysue028

‘One of the tragedies of our life is that we keep forgetting who we are’
(Henri J M Nouwen-Here&Now)

‘Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is an illusion’
(Brennan Manning)

Many of us struggle with identity- who we are & where we fit in this planet. We can become distracted & develop spiritual amnesia, forgetting who & Whose we really are

If we have turned to God & trusted in Him for forgiveness, we are now a child of God:
‘See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.’
(‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

‘See what an incredible quality of love the Father has shown to us, that we would [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are!’
(‭‭1 JOHN‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

Back in Easter 1988 I trusted in God as my Saviour- I was adopted into the family of God, along with countless others who have called to God in Jesus’ Name through the years:

‘But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.’
‭‭(Galatians‬ ‭4:4-7‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

We can call God our Father in heaven. Or “Abba!” (Daddy) We are adopted.

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
(‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭6:18‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“I have called you by name- you are mine!”Isaiah 43:1)

Adoption was once a somewhat abstract concept to me. But this Easter changed that- as I met for the first time three children adopted into the Canez branch of the Coulter family tree!

One photo taken to celebrate their adoption contained a chalkboard with four words written on it:

*Wanted
*Chosen
*Loved
*Adopted

The Bible uses these words to describe our relationship with God:

‘just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will– to the praise of His glorious grace and favor, which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved [His Son, Jesus Christ].’
(‭‭EPHESIANS‬ ‭1:4-6‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

We need to read & re-read these deep truths & embed them into our hearts & minds.

‘So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.’
(‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:15-17‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

We are no longer a slave to fear- we are children of God. Speak this truth to yourself again & again.

The only Perfect Parent is God our Heavenly Father. He can be trusted. He is a Good Good Father. He is love & He loves us.

‘For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.’
‭‭(Zephaniah‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Yet, we can forget Whose we are. Over years, our close relationship with God can drift.We can turn away from Him & chose to go our own way.

Many of us are prodigals. Of course, we’re still our Father’s children – nothing can change that. But we’re certainly not close to our Father- we’re living in a distant land, far from the Father’s house. We’ve squandered His riches, freely given to us. We’re missing out on the privileges of His children – we’re searching for scraps in the pigsty when we could be feasting at His table.

Maybe today, we need to come home, to return to our Father’s house, to feel the warmth of His embrace and the unspeakable joy of a restored relationship. There’ll be no anger, or awkward questions, just His tender voice saying, “Welcome home” and His deep unconditional love- the love that He’s been aching to show us while we were apart. And we’ll wonder why we were away so long – away from our Father’s house, but we’ll realise that we were never, never away from our Father’s love.

‘You may go through seasons
Of sun & wind & rain.
You may tread the desert
And in out of pain.
You may run through years
Wondering if you’re good enough,
But you will never run too far
That you’re outside of His love.’
(Morgan Harper-Nichols)

We may be unlovely at times but we are never unloved!

‘If we were all to live as how we are loved – everything would change’
(Sarah Bessey)

‘How glorious the splendour of a human heart that trusts that it is loved’
(Brennan Manning)

Blessings,

Ruthx

PS ‘Abba’s child’ is the title of a book:

*Abba’s Child:the cry of the heart for intimate belonging- Brennan Manning 1994

Photo by Liane Metzler on Unsplash

Easter 1988

curlysue028

Easter 1988. It’s over 30 years ago now, yet happy memories are etched forever.

Fun & fellowship at the Immanuel Church Easter Youth Weekend.

There was friendly banter & deep chats. There were campfires on the beach under star studded skies.

And on the Sunday night our speaker- Gerald Titmus spoke. I don’t remember what he said but as he spoke, the Spirit moved in at least eight lives.

One thing I recall was Gerald saying that in God’s eyes there were just two categories of humans- those who are trusting in Jesus to forgive their sins & those who are not. Race, colour, gender, religion & good works are irrelevant in the big picture. Just going to church wasn’t enough. We were all sinners in deep need of a Saviour.

Instantly I realised which category I was in & I wanted to change it. I prayed a simple prayer- & asked God to forgive my sins & come into my life. And He did.

The next day our youth leader Ivis shared this promise with me:
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
(‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:20‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

It’s a beautiful picture- Jesus knocking & waiting for us to respond to His offer of forgiveness. Yet, He also said:
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last”
(‭‭John‬ ‭15:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

‘None of us is the leading character in the story of our lives. God is the larger context and plot in which all our stories find themselves.’
(Eugene Petersen)

God is at work in our broken sin-stained lives. He is our Creator & Recreator when we turn to Him in faith:

‘GOD made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him’
(‭‭Psalm‬ ‭18:20 ‭MSG‬‬)

‘God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.’
(Psalm 18:24 MSG)

For me, responding to Jesus’ invitation that night was like a light switch. For others the realisation of truth is more gradual- like the sunrise. The dawning of the truth of knowing. God rather than merely knowing about Him. This makes all the difference in the world -for time & eternity

“And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”
‭‭(John‬ ‭17:3‬ ‭ESV)

Before we left Ballycastle to go back to ‘normal’ life in Belfast, Ivis shared another verse. Another promise from God:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
(‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

God is our Help & Strength through life-no matter what.
Before He died,Jesus promised a Helper within:

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,”
‭‭(John‬ ‭14:16‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

As believers, we have the Spirit of God within. So,
‘What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.’
(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

At the campfire we praised the Creator of the ocean crashing on to beach beside us- the same One who had scattered those stars above us. We worshipped our Heavenly Father who sent His Son to die in our place & gave His Spirit to endue us with everything we need in this journey called life.

We sang:
‘Jesus my Saviour is alive
And I can feel His power
He guides each step & holds my hand
And I know He understands’

And those words are as true now as they were then:
‘For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.’
(‭‭Psalm‬ ‭48:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Blessings,

Ruth x

The path less travelled

curlysue028

I’ve been mulling over the thought of wandering along a path that’s less travelled since I read these words:

‘The road not taken

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.’
(Robert Frost)

The concept of choosing between two paths in life is not a new one:
This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”(Jeremiah 6:16 NIV)

Jesus Himself spoke of the narrow path to true life:
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14 NIV)

On Jesus’ authority, there’s only one way to enter this narrow path that leads to eternal life with God:
‘Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”John 14:6 NIV)

The difference between the busy highway through life & the narrow path is the difference between trusting God & doing our own thing. It’s deciding to please ourselves versus living for God. This makes all the difference in the world ( & the next)

The most important decision we can make is the faith-filled declaration:
‘I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back!’

Of course we won’t always stay on track. We may go off the narrow path- wandering astray at times like sheep. But our Good shepherd will get us back on course.

He will guide us through lush green pastures & verdant valleys with pleasant vistas to the mountain tops where we gasp at the grandeur of grace.

It is not an easy path. It can be strenuous & challenging at times. It can lead to deep waters & fiery trials (Isaiah 43) & even through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23) At times we may not like the path at all. Oftentimes, we wouldn’t have chosen to go this particular route.

But,’Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations’ (unknown)

‘God takes us where we did not intend to go to produce in us that which we could not produce on our own. It’s called uncomfortable grace.’
(Paul Tripp)

Daily as we walk this narrow path, we need to channel our energies in their God-intended direction. We need to ask the Good Shepherd to guide us. For, there are questions that Google can’t answer, & places that sat. nav. can’t lead us to!

‘In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.’ (Proverbs 16:9 NIV)

I love the prayer of King David’s heart written centuries ago, as he walked the path of life:
‘Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. (Psalm 25:4, 5, 17 NIV)

And God’s promise in response applies as much to us as we seek to walk with God today:
‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.'(Psalm 32:8, 9 NIV)

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. (Psalms 32:8 NLT)

If you feel as though you are standing at the crossroads of life today, the easy highway stretches in front, & the narrow gate may seem insignificant.

Although, ‘Normality is a paved road’ (Van Gogh),please, ‘Don’t squander your precious life’ (Proverbs 8:33 MSG)

If you decide to follow God’s Way that involves ‘A long obedience in the same direction’ (Eugene Petersen) you will be overtaken by blessings:
‘And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. ‘(Deuteronomy 28:2 ESV)

You will have the blessing of having your sins forgiven, & the assurance of a God who walks the path of life with you.

And the goodness & mercy of God will pursue us along the path:
‘Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, forever. ‘(Psalm 23:6 NIV)

At the end of the path we will be welcomed into everlasting joy in our eternal Home by our Heavenly Father, the Good Shepherd:
‘You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.’ (Psalm 16:11 NIV)
‘and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.’ (Psalm 23:6 NIV)

As we travel along the path of life day by day to our destination,
‘The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.’
(Psalm 29:11 NIV)

Blessings,
Ruth x

Be You!

curlysue028

Another Royal Wedding is just around the corner. An estimated 2 billion people around the world watched the best of British pomp & ceremony when Prince William married Kate in 2011.Several commentators remarked that Prince William’s bride walked up the aisle as a ‘commoner’ -Catherine Middleton, but emerged as future Queen of England.

One thing that struck me, was the opening quote during the wedding address by the Bishop of London:
‘Be who God meant you to be & you will set the world on fire’ -St Catherine of Siena

Powerful words for anyone, on any occasion!

Powerful words because they are true, echoing several Bible verses:

‘Let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t’ (Rom 12:6 MSG)

‘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.’ (Gal 6:4 MSG)

Yet, so often we DO compare ourselves with others- & we are so pre-occupied with trying to be like them, that we are not doing what God has designed us to do.

We are hand-made with love by God, & ‘It is in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for’ (Eph 1:11 MSG)

And when we think of who we truly are in Christ, we realise that we are no longer ‘commoners’, but children of the King of kings (Wow!)

Often I get frustrated by myself – when I look inside, I am not who I want to be & fall short of what I hope to be.

‘We are all a little broken. We don’t need more varnish. We need a carpenter’ (Bob Goff)

‘God loves you unconditionally, as you are and not as you should be, because nobody is as they should be.’ (Brennan Manning -Ragamuffin Gospel)

So, ‘Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion. God’s love for you and his choice of you constitute your worth. Accept that, and let it become the most important thing in your life.’
(Brennan Manning)

Blessings are ours because we are His!

So,‘Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can do with your own life’ (Gal 6:5 MSG)

‘Be yourself-everyone else is taken!’ (Oscar Wilde)

‘Be you- the world will adjust!’

‘Be who you are, and not who you think you cannot be.’ (Claire Diaz-Ortiz)

Let’s be who God created us to be.

Let’s be focused on that truth rather than getting distracted by damaging comparisons to others!

Why?
Because ‘the smile of God is the goal of your life’ (Rick Warren)

‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.’
‭‭(Ephesians‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

‘How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.’
‭‭(Ephesians‬ ‭1:3-6‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

Blessings,

Ruth x

Not our home!

curlysue028

“Farang!”

I jerked out of my jet-lagged stupor

“Farang!” the Thai lady repeated as she pointed to the passport queue in Bangkok airport.

Farang is the Thai word for foreigner. I’d heard it twenty years ago in a village off the beaten track near Manorom in Central Thailand. Back then cute Thai children smiled & pointed at my pale skin,freckles & curly hair & called out ‘Farang!’

In South-east Asia I was a long was from home & was definitely a foreigner!

Post-Brexit we are considering our nationality & citizenships -Northern Irish, British , European & the implications of each label.

Just after the apparent upheaval, of the Referendum, I read :
‘But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ’
(Philippians 3:20-NIV)

We as Christians need to shift our axis, for ultimately, our citizenship is in heaven.

So, let’s ‘Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.’
(Colossians 3:2 NIV)

As I followed my reading plan, I read these prophetic words:
‘They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings- and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.’
(Revelation 17:14 NIV)

Our God is still on the throne. He has always been in control. He is Lord of lords, & King of kings. He’s got the whole world in His hand- that includes you & me, our wee country , our malunited kingdom, splintered continent & the entire broken planet.

I was reminded of the Bible study of the book of 1st Peter last year. A central theme in this book is that God’s children are sojourners or temporary residents here. Aliens in a foreign land!

As Billy Graham said:
“My home is in heaven. I’m just passing through this world.”

In the Hall of Faith we read that Abraham lived as a stranger in a foreign country, ‘For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.’ (Hebrews 11:10 NIV)

Wherever we live here, whatever our country or city, we are eternal beings with body & soul:

‘I have found a desire within myself that no experience in this world can satisfy; the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.’
(CS Lewis)

Home is often more than bricks & mortar. It’s the place where we belong.

‘Home is a physical space; it’s also a state of mind’
(Gretchen Rubin)

I believe that home is not a place or space but a Person.

At an OMF Conference in 2013 the speaker concluded:
‘Our lives are a journey & God is our home’

He echoed these ancient words of truth:
‘Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.’
(Psalm 90:1-2 )

The Eternal God is our heart’s true home, our dwelling place, our refuge

The cross is our only way home. The only way to ‘the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time’
(Titus 1:2 NIV)

‘Though I am broken
Grace is my welcome home to You’
(Rend Collective)

‘Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”
(John 14:23 NIV)

‘Home is where Jesus is’ was the slogan written on the roof of a makeshift home in a refugee camp photographed by Open Doors

In Him we have ‘Never-ending joy, never-failing love.’
(Rend collective)

In this journey we call life,

‘Our father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns
but will not encourage us to mistake them for home.’
(CS Lewis)

For,
‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’
(1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT)

‘We were made to run through fields of forever
Singing songs to our Savior and King
So let us remember this life we’re living
Is just the beginning of the beginning
Of this glorious unfolding

We will watch and see and we will be amazed
If we just keep on believing the story is so far from over
And hold on to every promise God has made to us
We’ll see the glorious unfolding’
(Glorious unfolding-Stephen Curtis Chapman)

Life here is as restrictive as the bud before the blossom, as limited as the cocoon before the metamorphosis into a butterfly!

This world is not our home- we’re just passing through. There will be trouble & tears, illness, disappointments, upheaval, wars & rumours of wars.

But, ‘Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.’ (Thomas Moore)

For, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’
(Revelation 21:4 ESV)

This world that we’re passing through is ultimately passing away:

‘The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace’
(Chris Tomlin -Amazing Grace)

As we journey through life:
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.’
(John 14:1-3 NIV)

‘You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.’
(Psalms 16:11-ESV)

Don’t ever forget:

*‘Our citizenship is in heaven.’ (Philippians 3:20-NIV)

*‘Our lives are a journey & God is our home’

Blessings,

Ruthx

Run YOUR race

curlysue028

Originally posted July 2017

This year my word for the year is Run – literally & metaphorically!

In the past week, despite the craziness of work I’ve ran 3 firsts:

Last Saturday I ran Ireland’s flattest half marathon at Clontarf for the first time. It was flat but the vital detail of 4 miles running on beach was omitted ! I didn’t get a PB but almost (Those who know me best will know I am disappointed with 2:02) Maybe next time!

It’s the first HM that I’ve been given doughnuts after – & they measured the distance in km rather than miles just to confuse me!

On 4th July I ran my first virtual race- 7km at 7 am for Tribe #run for love for human trafficking. I know I am truly an upholder as per Gretchen Rubin’ s four tendencies. I completed it in pouring rain through huge puddles with soaking feet ( & absolutely no one was watching-thankfully!)

On Friday I ran the Round the Springs 10k at Greyabbey. It cleared my head for sure – & there’s a vey unflattering photo of me on their Facebook page to prove I did it!

I’m not going to break any records or reach the podium!

I run so I can keep calm & carry on

I run so I can eat more chocolate!

I’m not expecting to run an ultra run or 100m sprint anytime soon.

But I run my race

As I’ve been pounding the pavements, I’ve been thinking about ‘Run your race’

With emphasis on your:

Run YOUR race

I first read this phrase on Claire Ortiz-Diaz’s blog

The phrase appears in the New Testament:

‘Do you not know that in a race all the runners run [their very best to win], but only one receives the prize? Run [your race] in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours!’
(‭‭1 Corinthians 9:24‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

We need to run our race not others. We can’t compare our race to others & we don’t have to run like them- we just need to run the best we can with the ability we’ve been given

We need to focus on where we are at, our stage & season of life, and :

‘Run the mile you are in’
(David Willey)

‘Run your race. Do your work, not someone else’s. Don’t allow envy, spite, ego, or greed to derail you.’
(Todd Henry – Accidental Creative)

We need to get rid of any thing that hinders our race, holds us back or distracts us.

‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.’
(‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:1&2 NIV‬‬)

‘You were running superbly! Who cut in on you, deflecting you from the true course of obedience?’
(‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:7MSG‬‬)

We need to focus on Jesus who began & finished our race. He is like a pacer guiding us through the race:

‘To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.’
(‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

During races, runners are aiming for Personal Bests – the best time that they have ran for that distance. In this ultra race of life we need to do our creative best:

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)

As we run, we need a positive mental attitude:

‘Clear your mind of can’t.’
(Samuel Johnson)

‘You must do the thing you think you cannot do.’
( Eleanor Roosevelt)

Or as the Bible says:

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
(‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“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 were made to run’
(Jen Hatmaker)

‘So I run with purpose in every step.’
(‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭9:26‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Blessings,

Ruthx

Captured time

curlysue028

Captured time. I read the name of the antique shop in Greyabbey as I ran past.

Captured time. Now more than ever before we love to capture moments, to create happy memories. But we can’t capture time itself- we can’t catch it. No matter what, the earth keeps spinning, time marches on & moments run through our fingers like grains of sand.

Tonight we celebrate another revolution around the sun- the end of another year- chronological (Chronos) time

We’ve just celebrated the moment that split history in two.

‘The hinge of history is on the door of a Bethlehem stable’
(Ralph W Sockman)

I love how this poem puts it:

BC:AD

‘This was the moment when Before
Turned into After, and the future’s
Uninvented timekeepers presented arms.
This was the moment when nothing
Happened. Only dull peace
Sprawled boringly over the earth.
This was the moment when even energetic Romans
Could find nothing better to do
Than counting heads in remote provinces.

And this was the moment
When a few farm workers and three
Members of an obscure Persian sect
Walked haphazard by starlight straight
Into the kingdom of heaven.’

(U.A. Fanthorpe)

This was God ordained Kairos moment:

‘But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.’
(‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4:4-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Jesus said, “ I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”
(‭‭John‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

‘Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth’
(Hark! The herald angels sing-Charles Wesley)

Our Unchanging God transcends time:

‘Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.’
(‭‭Psalm‬ ‭90:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Yet, ‘Eternity stepped into time,so we could understand’ (Michael Card)

And He is at work in time

‘He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.’
(Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Psalm 39:5 (AMP) says ‘My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best each of us is but a breath’

‘Selah’ is the word that follows next, & the amplified version translates this word as meaning ‘Pause, & think calmly of that!’

Indeed. Selah- Pause.Stop.Think.

‘Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.’
(James‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭NIV)

Our time here is so transient, like a vapour, like the notorious Irish mist that appears for a little while, then vanishes.

‘What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night… It’s the breath of the buffalo in the wintertime.It is the little shadow which runs across the grass & loses itself in the sunset’
(Native American saying )

In complete contrast, our God is from everlasting to everlasting. To Him, one thousand years are just like a day that has past (see Psalm 90)

‘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)

Compared to the vastness of eternity, our time here is but a moment.

Yet, our lives are in God’s hands & we can trust in Him. ‘Lord,through all the generations, you have been our home’ (Psalm 90:1-NLT) He has been God ‘from “once upon a time” to “kingdom come”’ (Psalm 90:2 MSG)

So, as we live our lives, we can stay close to Him & dwell with Him. We can make the most of our time here. We can’t capture time but we can ‘redeem the time’ by keeping in contact with Him.

‘Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.’
(Psalm‬ ‭90:12‬ ‭NIV – A prayer of Moses the man of God)

All our days are written in His book. The Author of the epic story we call ‘Life’ knows how many pages are in the story of each of our lives (& of course what actually happens in our story)

‘Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, the days of my life all prepared before I’d lived even one day’ (Psalm 139:16 MSG)

The Author of All knows how the story ends- with a happy never-ending:
‘This life is but a shadow.What is real is what will follow (attributed to CS Lewis)

As we pause & reflect on the Eve of 2018, we can trust the One who has been there already & holds it altogether:

‘I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year,
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied, “Go out into the darkness,
and put your hand into the hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light,
and safer than a known way.”
(Minnie Haskins)

Blessings,
Ruth x

Neither merry nor bright

curlysue028

For the myriad of hurting hearts this Christmas.

The Christmas lights were turned off in St George’s Square Glasgow on 24th December 2014 as a mark of respect to those who tragically lost their lives there when a lorry careered into a crowd.

Christmas lights have went out in homes, hearts & lives across the globe- extinguished by loss, grief, terrorism, cancer, suicide.

Anguish has been painfully, indelibly etched on the broadsheet & tabloid pages carrying news from Yemen to Myanmar & everywhere in between & beyond.

This month I’ve sat across a desk from too many people for whom Christmas is not the most wonderful time of year but rather the most difficult, dreaded time of the year.

I’ve stared into eyes brimming with tears for as long as I could bear –

Hearing the deafening silence that trails behind grief.
Sensing the ongoing heartbreak & unimaginable loss.
Feeling the palpable pain of an aching void left behind.

I’ve been reminded of the words from Les Miserables:
‘There’s a grief that can’t be spoken.
There’s a pain goes on and on.
Empty chairs at empty tables
Now my friends are dead and gone.’

For many this Christmas there are empty chairs & places in their homes and hearts.

For them, Christmas accentuates winter of the heart & soul.

Like in Narnia – it seems that it’s always winter & never {truly} Christmas again.

There’s no merry & bright.
No wonderful ,white Christmas.
No magic & sparkle.

Yet, it was into darkness like this- indeed because of darkness like this, that God sent His Son- as Imanuel- God with us.

Jesus, the Word of God, God the Son entered our world as a baby in the manger.

‘The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.'(John 1:14 NIV)

Or as Eugene Petersen paraphrased this verse:
‘The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.’ (John 1:14 MSG)

I also love the deep truth of this paraphrase:
‘He pitched His tent in the darkness of our valley’
(Geoff Thomas)

God came down to be where we are.

Bringing:
Love to the unloveliness of this fallen planet
Hope in hopelessness
Everlasting light in deep darkness
Comfort to those who mourn
Healing to broken hearts & lives
Freedom to captives bound in sin.

‘Christmas means Jesus came down & got involved in suffering. He hears your cries’
(Tim Keller )

‘When Love came down to earth
And made His home with men,
The hopeless found a hope,
The sinner found a friend.
Not to the powerful
But to the poor He came,
And humble, hungry hearts
Were satisfied again.

What joy, what peace has come to us!
What hope, what help, what love!’
(Stuart Townend)

When you strip away the trimmings & decorations, Santa & the reindeers, the indulgence of over eating & over spending.

When you listen for the still small voice of God,

When you follow the shepherds & the wise men to the stable …

There you’ll find the heart beat of Christmas- Jesus, God the Son- the reason for the season.

At Christmastime, you may find Jesus rejoicing with those who rejoice – at family gatherings & social events.

But I believe you’ll be more likely to find Him mourning with those who mourn, drawing alongside the marginalised, the broken & the needy.

During His time on earth, he was familiar with sorrow. He knew the reality of grief & loss. The shortest verse in the Bible simply states,

‘Jesus wept'(John 11:35)

‘Yes he walked my road, and He felt my pain,
Joys and sorrows that I know so well;’
(From the squalor of a borrowed stable-Stuart Townend)

He knows us. He loves us, & He cares deeply about us. The One who scattered the stars at creation’s dawn is also a Collector of tears:

‘You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.’
(Psalms 56:8 NLT)

Even through tears, at this time,at the heart of Christmas you’ll find Jesus. In Jesus you’ll find the hope & comfort you desperately need.

He says ‘Come to Me’

This Christmas, Jesus is not lying in a Christmas card stable. He is not sitting at a Pinterest perfect Christmas dinner oblivious to your need. Rather, He’s reaching down & reaching out – to your hurting heart.

He’s waiting for you – to come to Him

Jesus said,“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 NIV)

He’s asking, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG)

‘While God may not deliver us from pain & suffering, He’ll walk with us through it’ (Tullian Tchvijan- It is finished)

God is with us:

In our pain
In our grief
In our sorrows
In our darkness
In our trials
In our triumphs
In our daily lives

When the lights are switched off at Christmas, only Jesus can colour to our hearts & lives-for He is the great light of the world

‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. ‘(Isaiah 9:2 NIV)

Blessings,

Ruthx

What lies within

curlysue028

One of the most thought provoking sentences I’ve read this year leapt out of a page of the devotional book my mother-in-love bought me last Christmas:

‘Honest souls know what’s inside of them. They alone can showcase a Saviour’
(Chris Tiegreen )

Someone has wisely said that we need to be honest with ourselves before we can be honest with God.

Honestly, what really lies inside us?

Truthfully, what lies deep inside us is much darker than sugar and spice or even slugs and snails suggested in rhymes.

Augusten Burroughs wrote ‘I myself am made entirely of flaws stitched together with good intentions’

When I look within myself I can clearly see an obvious bias toward selfish ways, bad attitudes & cold indifference. ‘Old fashioned’ sin that is as common as ever.

For the Bible says, ‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23 NIV)

We humans all bear damaged souls & broken beauty. We fall short of what we are created to be .

Built into each of us is tremendous capacity for both good & evil.There’s a mix of fears, failures & faults. The hope of all we long to be versus the truth of who we are (as Casting Crowns aptly put it)

We as humans fall painfully short of our own expectations, let alone God’s.

Paul wrote ‘I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.'(Romans 7:15 NIV)

‘Sometimes the most impossible person to live with is yourself,’ wrote Ann Voskamp, ‘Our hands are so stained with sin, that even our best works can leave traces of dirty prints’

She echoes words written by a prophet thousands of years ago: ‘All our righteous acts are like filthy rags’ (Isaiah 64:6 NIV)

But the great news is this, that between then & now, at the very crux of history, Jesus came to earth to deal with our dirty rags of sin within:

‘For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.’(Titus 2:11 NIV)

‘But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.’ (Ephesians 2:4-5 NIV)

And,’Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus’ (Romans 8:1 NIV)

If we trust in Jesus, His glorious grace shines within us , dispelling the grip of sin:

‘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)

‘In the presence of light you see darkness.
In the presence of power you see weakness.
In the presence of beauty you see ugliness.
In the presence of God you see your need for grace’
(Tim Keller)

And asking for God’s grace within us can totally transform us!

‘We know what we are but not what we may be’ (William Shakespeare)

‘He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,’ (2 Timothy 1:9 NIV)

For the amazing truth is that God knows exactly what lies inside us-
& yet He still loves us!
He sees our sin & has sent a Saviour
He sees our problems & our potential
He knows our mistakes & our mission

And because of His grace, our sins are:
Forgiven
Forgotten
Forever

His grace inside us:
redeems our life
releases us from fear
& illuminates our path

When we focus on
the grace & mercy of God the Father poured within our lives,
the sacrificial love of God the Son,
& the light & power of God the Spirit,

Then:
‘What lies behind us & what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us’ (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

And remember:
‘We’re far worse than we ever imagined, & far more loved than we could ever dream’ (Tim Keller)

‘In your greatest moment you are never more than a sinner who has been embraced by the mercy & love of God & forgiven at the expense of the death of His Son.
In your most broken times you are never less than a daughter of the King, a chosen child of the Father & an inheritor of every blessing in Christ’
(Valerie Murphy -Focusfest 2011)

If you’re like me, you might want to read those quotes again slowly, to inhale the audacious truth, then exhale grateful thanks to our Good, Good Father God.

Amen!

Blessings,

Ruth x

The sound of love at House of Grace

curlysue028

In April 2016 I was 6200 miles away from home in a country close to my heart. I was visiting Chantaburi in Thailand -150 miles from Bangkok toward Cambodia.  This verdant area grows infamous durian fruit- banned in some public transport yet exported throughout Asia. Nestled near  banana groves lies the home that grace built- designed to give hope for children affected by AIDS. At the House of Grace Pastor Kitisak & his wife Jariya are parents to  68 children aged 4 to twentysomething.

The story began in 1995 when Pastor Kitisak & his wife Jariya were asked to look after 2 children affected by AIDS. Rejection of children with HIV or whose parents have died of AIDS is sadly common. It’s not always possible to look after them in their local  communities. So, gradually the number of children entrusted to Pastor Kitisak & Jariya’s care  increased.

Initially they moved to live in an old school but soon they had a vision for purpose built facility for these children affected by HIV . In 2006 building started & one little boy in the home named Toto was the first donor – giving 15 baht.

Last year , I had the privilege of visiting Alan & Maelynn Ellard who work with ACET Thailand at House of Grace.

As I walked upstairs into the sunny green room where House of Grace church meets, names & photos from prayer letters became live in 3D!

‘Love can be spoken in any language, though it may sound a little different.’

I had read  these words on the plane- in a blog written by Luke- Rob’s cousin’s husband.

So, what did love sound like at House of Grace?

Love sounded like children praising God wholeheartedly . One of the little girls had been very ill & needed hospital treatment. Watching her sing brought tears to my eyes.Listening to the older children leading worship was so encouraging.

Love was Pastor Kitisak exhorting the older children at Bible class  from God’s words in Proverbs 4:4:

‘Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.’

Love sounded like happy chatter  in the dining room as Jariya served food to the children after church.

Love was the excited sound of three little boys playing cars with Alan after lunch.

The week after I got home  Alan & Maelynn sent some photos. As I scrolled through the digital photo album, I caught glimpses of what  love looks like at House of Grace:

*Playing after school

*Having fun at camp at the beach

*Praying over a grown child as they start the next chapter

*Celebrating Christmas together

*Baptising a teenager in the sea

There was a photo of a plaque inscribed with words from 1 Samuel 7:12 :

‘Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”’

God has helped so far. He has been faithful . One powerpoint slide stated that they had never had to buy a grain of rice as God had provided for their needs.

House of Grace brings hope- the chance to belong in a family & for the children to find true life in trusting God.

Jesus said:
“I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”
(John 10:10 MSG)

‘Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.’
(John 17:3 NIV)

Please pray for Pastor Kitisak & Jariya as they show grace & love to the children, & look after them physically,emotionally & spiritually.

‘Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.’
(James 1:27)

Find out more information from ACET Thailand

Blessings,

Ruth x