Sunday 31 January 2021

The simple beauty of a snowdrop

I had a little walk today whilst it was snowing. The snowdrops are out in their numerous clusters.  It's so easy to see them in bunches with their little heads bowed over ... they look beautiful like that and are such a welcome sight.  But to take an individual one and look at the simple, striking beauty of it ... it's stunning. God chose to create it exactly like that and He cares about every one of them.  Isn't it beyond amazing that He who designed and sustains every snowdrop, every year, sent His only son to die for us, each one of us, individually, despite the fact that we chose to turn our backs on Him and reject Him.  What love is this!


Saturday 30 January 2021

A 3G prayer

 "Lord help me to become more gentle, generous and gracious"

Amen, Ingrid x



Thursday 28 January 2021

A verse for the moment...

Jeremiah 17v7-8

“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit”.

Wednesday 27 January 2021

Midweek Thought ~ The Vine

No I’m not talking about the very nice pub not far away in the village of Hannington! 

The True Vine

John 15v1-8 talks about Jesus as the true vine. I was asked to look at this as part of an opening session of a course I’m just starting. Around the same time one of my daily emails mentioned it to.

Verse 5 says “I am the vine, you are the branches. He / she who abides in Me, and I in him / her, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing”.

Isn’t it easy to think about this passage and focus on bearing fruit? What can I do, how can I get involved, how should I try to bear fruit, does this activity count, what if I fail, maybe I’m useless and don’t have any gifts worth working on, does God grade the fruit, I don’t have much time or energy, is just praying for someone a fruit?!

Here’s the thing that I’ve noticed when looking at it again.... yep, perspective. It’s so easy to get it round the wrong way or immediately have our focus on the outward expression of something rather than where that external evidence may have come from. Surely, when we stop to think about it, it’s obvious that there’s no point in expending energy on worrying about our fruit if we haven’t worked on our roots. What does the verse say? 

1. We can’t do anything without the true vine, which is Christ

2. We can only bear fruit if we’re abiding

So, before we go on about bearing fruit and getting all geared up to perform and get involved in numerous activities and works, we need to abide.  To succeed in producing bountiful fruit, abiding must come before activity. Fruit requires roots. So let’s check our roots first.

To me, the very word abide conjures up the image of being settled somewhere, comfortable, sure and secure.... like I really know the place and am happy living there, it’s home.  Is my spiritual home embedded in the vine, am I truly happy and comfortable there?

Don’t get me wrong, I believe that as branches of the vine, we are there to bear fruit, it is an expected function and outcome. However, to bear fruit worthy of our position as children of God, joint heirs with Christ, we need to tend ourselves, to get nourishment, sustenance, strength and vitality to grow, so that in time this fruit may develop and produce the best bounty of all ... to glorify the Father (v8).

I have a feeling and know from my own personal experience, that the more we focus on abiding and being rooted in the true vine, the growth and subsequent fruit, which will naturally occur as a result, will develop almost without us being conscious of it.

The gift that you have will be evident. The work or role you would be best fulfilling, will be an open door before you. It will be like that verse in Genesis 24 “I being in the way, the Lord led me...”. I take that to be that if we are in ‘the way’, in Christ, in the true vine, then the leading of the Lord as to where we should go, what we should do, how we should use our gifts, will smoothly follow as we just take our next step on this great journey of life. Much fruit will abound.

Many of you will know, and possibly even more now that lockdown has given us the opportunity to grow produce at home, that to receive the outcome we desire when planting a seed, requires dedication and attention. Good soil, food, water or rain, weeding, pruning, pest control and sunshine.... not just once, but over and over. It’s no good going away for a week and giving a plant a weeks worth of watering in advance so that it’s had it due amount! It’s a daily process of care, nurturing and tending. Folks, we need to do this with our hearts. How can we bear fruit to help others and bring glory to God if we aren’t carefully tending our own hearts, every day?

The vine has many branches. We are part of a whole but are unique individuals. We are relational and should be very aware of our fellow ‘branches’. Many verses encourage us to build one another up, to share each other’s burdens (Gal 6v2) and to fellowship... to me that is what a church is, or should be. Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 talk about this as us being one body but all different members or parts, it’s the same pictorial illustration and one worth paying close attention to. We should not try to survive alone, but rather, allow the Holy Spirit to showcase the gifts given to each one of us as we applaud, build up and encourage every individual whose vital presence enables us to function as a whole.

Believe me, I get it, it’s pretty tough right now to feel like we’re bearing much fruit! During this latest lockdown mine has more of a weedy, unhealthy appearance to it. But what I can do is to take the time to dig deep into my roots and abide in the vine. I feel it’s a good time to re-stock on the essential nutrients we need to flourish ... prayer, getting to know my Bible again, teaching my children good truths, singing at home, speaking to God whenever, and sharing with Him my daily angsts (including the burden of home schooling!), taking time to pause and reflect, going out and enjoying the beauty of creation, contacting someone who’s been on my heart, shopping for someone, sharing and encouraging (usually through WhatsApp!), taking time to think about and express what I’m thankful for every day..... the list can go on and I know you’ll have other things to add in for yourself.

Here’s the thing though... I believe that all the above, when you actually stop to think about it, are fruit!  Abiding and fruitfulness go hand in hand.  The one naturally produces the other.  It’s like a cycle, in fact I couldn’t get to sleep the other night so put my light back on and jotted down an A-G list of this cycle which if you can imagine as a circle ⭕️ with A-G around it so that once you get to G then you’re back onto A again, you’ll see what I mean!...

A - Abiding

B - Bearing

C - Continuing

D - Die to self daily

E - Emerge stronger having been tended / pruned (again)

F - Fruitfulness (again... abundance)

G - Growth (even more).... as we Abide and start again.

Not sure if it’s any help to you but I found it useful.  Just remember that it’s less about the fruit and more about abiding, get the order right and the fruit will take care of itself. It’s the quality of being Christ centered and Christ like which matters, not the race to produce quantities of fruit.  What God may require of you will be different to what He will require of me, however one thing will be the same and that is for us to keep ourselves rooted in Christ and after that, to care for and love each other.

May you have a nourished and blessed week with God’s love sustaining you every hour of every day.

Ingrid x


Saturday 23 January 2021

Happiness is ...

... being fortunate enough to have a childcare bubble which incorporates fresh air, animals, cousins, mud and the chance to help ‘drive’ a tractor for a chuffed 5 year old! 
Even coming back to a flooded kitchen didn’t get me too down 🤦‍♀️ 
(Spot the moon)





 




Friday 22 January 2021

Looking up

Why don’t we look up more?

I appreciate that lately in my patch of the UK, if you did look up outside too much then the rain clouds would have no doubt given way to a moroseness, potentially leading to the desire for hibernation.

However, yesterday evening for example, I walked out to let my dog have a final run round before bedtime and I was so focused on watching her (to be fair she is on her last legs and I needed to make sure she didn’t fall or seize up), that I kept my gaze downward.  It was only as she walked further away from me that I lifted my head to see the heavens declaring the glory of God (Psalm 19v1)!

The stars were magnificent.  The moon was so bright.  There’s very little light pollution where I am so the heavens can appear vivid and often seem to come closer the more you gaze upwards with a steady stare.  Constellations like Taurus were showcasing their star clusters such as the seven sisters (Pleiades) ... (although why is it that even on the clearest of nights, I only ever seem to be able to count 6 of them!).  No matter how much of a rush I’m in, it would be totally lacking of me not to pause.... breathe... gaze.... pause.... wonder and reflect.

Reflect?  What on?  Even in a matter of say a minute (a 5yr old at the back door telling me there are black bits in his water!), I was reminded of two things.  The majesty of God and the smallness of myself.  Perspective is key.

I find creation beautiful.  It really is.  The night sky is no exception.  Our minds just can’t comprehend it all, but it is beautiful.  It is also vast and complex.  To think that the One who upholds all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1v3) finds me beautiful and takes an interest in my life is humbling.  Despite being less than a speck in the universe and throughout the timeline of eternity, the God who was, and is, and is to come is honestly concerned with my welfare, the welfare of my children and still has things for me to do for Him. 

He desires me very specifically to do something with my life for Him.  I am unique, made for a purpose, worthwhile and loved, therefore I have gifts and a role to play that I am best suited to fulfill, not you!  You of course can say exactly the same thing.  Incredible and what a privilege.

I find it easy to be dismissive about this and almost use the ‘I am small’ card as an excuse not to doing anything. After all, I don’t feel as though I have much to offer, or the time for that matter and certainly not the energy.... I am mostly, constantly tired!

However, I have come to the realisation recently that the less I focus on me and what I am, or am not, what I lack, how I disappoint and mess up, and the more I focus on just talking to God through the day and sharing everything with Him, the greater clarity I get on what’s important in life.  I find I get the strength to endure, peace to accept, patience to continue, courage to stay firm and the faith to trust God for the next step, then the next one, and in fact for the major decisions which may lay just round the corner. He has gone before and prepared the way. Where He directs, He will provide.  I can rest in this.  

CS Lewis said “True humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less”.  Don’t go beating yourself up about past failures, you are more than the sum of your past!  Your mistakes and poor choices do not define you. Instead of lingering with an inward and backward gaze, direct it upward.  Don’t try to view and find God through your problems and circumstances.... see them through the filter of God.  Have Him as your primary focus and all that unfolds before you in life will become less daunting, maybe more pleasing and possible, but certainly more spiritually empowering.  Truth will filtrate into every part of your life, bringing glory to God and the outpouring of His light to others around you.

I struggle like the best of us and often resist, get faint hearted and vulnerable, but moments pass and the God of all grace is there just as He was at the start.  Isn’t it great that He is the same yesterday, today and forever!

Just like that night sky, full of stars beyond number, I, as a 1, can seem insignificant, yet each star is there for a purpose and is beautiful beyond description.  You, like that star, are beautiful beyond description and much more precious to God than any star.  You were created with a unique pattern to God’s design so that you could live out your life as no other person has, could or ever will.

You are amazing.  You are loved.  You are valuable and precious to God.  Simply trust Him.

Ingrid x

John 15v9 Jesus says “make yourselves at home in my love” (The Message)



Good morning!

A good one to start the day! Love this song by Mandisa:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=AnmWwudeqfM&feature=share

Thursday 21 January 2021

Helpful podcasts link

Hi folks

Just thought I'd share this link to some podcasts which I've found really helpful lately.

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-equip-project-podcast/id1485877985

Ingrid x



Midweek thought 20.1.21

A Midweek thought ~ Refuge and Rest

 

Following on from my reflections and ramblings last week, I was encouraged by my father who shared with me some of his thoughts around Psalm 61 and read out a poem he had written which I will attach at the end.


Verse 2 of Psalm 61 refers to a heart growing faint.  Who can’t relate to that?  


Those times when overwhelm kicks in or weariness pervades, when challenges seem unending, solutions elude you, loneliness has become the norm, demands are unrelenting, events are unexplainable, and pain engulfs you. We all know something of what it is to feel and experience a faint heart… we often just don’t know how to keep going.


Now for the good news!

We have a refuge.


This refuge has two key elements to it.  Rock and wings.  Not the two most likely elements to be put together in my book but they so beautifully portray what we need most, or I should say, what I often need most, and that is security / protection and comfort / reassurance and embracing rest.  


It's mind boggling (Psalm 139v6), that the one who provides all this for us 24/7 is creator God, sustainer of the whole universe.  


It is available to all who seek Him.  This refuge is never full up, off-line, unavailable, socially distanced and can never go out of business.  He who provides this never slumbers or sleeps (Psalm 121v4).  


His business is to listen, care, provide, direct, reassure, comfort, sustain, bless, renew, forgive and faithfully love us…. Always.  There is no love or relationship that can be found on earth such as this.  Why would we ever try to find solace elsewhere?


The rock is a fortress, a strong tower which is impenetrable to the enemy.  It sends out the message of strength, power, security, fortitude and an indomitable spirit.  Inside we find refuge.


The wings are fragilesoft, downy and cosy. They tell me of warm and loving care, comfort, rest for our weariness, true and pure relaxing renewal.  Underneath these wings we find refuge.


The two remind me of other couplets I have jotted down… courage and compassion; strength and sincerity; fortitude and faith; power and peace; truth with love.


So, let us cling on to the fact that no matter what may happen in our tomorrows, we have a refuge to run or crawl into.  The promise at the end of the Psalm tells us that if we do this, God’s love and faithfulness will protect us (Psalm 61v7).  That’s another promise to memorise!


Here’s another one “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” Psalm 46v1 and I personally love this one:

Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me” Psalm 31v3.  (This Psalm is full of lovely expressions, like: “Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your unfailing love” (v16).)


On a personal note, despite being encouraged and strengthened by others and their prayers, battles still exist.  Life doesn’t suddenly become easy but the peace that passes our understanding enables moment by moment to pass, hopefully with grace and enough strength to take each step that unfolds on the path of life.


Just a couple of nights ago, I awoke at around 4am and literally cried out to the Lord (yes I did cry), struggling with something personal to me. It would not be profitable to anyone reading this for me to share the exact nature of my struggle, but I know full well that each of us at times can have something that niggles, or worse. It may be pride, jealousy, greed, the desire for status or recognition, immoral thoughts and desires, doubt, the hunger for more money, discontentrejection, self-pity or anger (there are many more I’m sure).


At that time in the morning, I struggled, but I looked at my phone (to check the time) and decided to look at my emails.  The UCB word for the day had come through and the verse at the top was Isaiah 50v7 “Because the sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a flint, and I know I will not be put to shame”.  It helped me.


I read a verse for the day later in the morning, 1 Cor 10v13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it”.  Verses like “Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials… because … the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1v2-3) arrive in my inbox and hit the mark.  


God cares about the detail of our lives, every tiny detail, every struggle and every victory.  He’s ready to help us and reach out if we just let Him.


It’s so easy to feel defeated when time and again we may struggle with the same ‘thorn in the flesh’.  I have often felt so broken and guilty by repeating over and over the same mistakes or making the wrong choices. I’ve willed that God would not forgive me (yep I know that seems odd), because I haven’t felt in the least bit worthy of His forgiveness and mercy (again!) …. And am often in automatic dread that if He does forgive me then I’ll only go and repeat offend… feel worse and start the cycle again!  How in the world God can constantly wipe the slate clean when we come before Him in true repentance and submission, and even want to use our lives and bless us, is truly love from out of this world!  


I realise now that it’s the learning through the wrongdoing and suffering which is key. Believe it or not, God’s plan for my life isn’t baffled or gazumped by my depraved humanity…. How astonishing is that?!  He’s there every step of the way to guide me back to His path for my life, to forgive, to lift up, to encourage, to nourish and cleanse.

Like Jeremiah so famously puts it: “I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (ch 29v11).


Why on earth would we want or chose to follow anything else?  What a mixed and confused bag we are…. Choosing to go our own way, struggling with our fleshly desires and weaknesses, despite all this, being blessed by God and then become all smug and self-sufficient,thinking we can do without Him, the very one who has provided the refuge we have needed during our time of storm.


We’re all a bit bonkers!  But as Alice says in her wonderland to the mad hatter: “I’ll let you into a secret, all the best people are”!


Don’t despair, we’re all human and will constantly battle something in this life.  It’s the refuge you run to and take solace in that really mattersbecause there you will find life, real, true and everlasting life from the giver of life, our God of love.

 

With my love and care for your hearts


Ingrid x

 

A Rock and a WingPsalm 61 v 1-4

 

The rock it stands so steadfast, immovable and strong

And yet there comes from off it, a melody of song

From little, tiny, feathered friends, who come and fly away

While the big old rock just stays there, to wait another day

 

The one it never changes, is always just the same

While the little wings just fly away, almost before they came

What contrasts and what beauty, is there before our eyes

In those little, tiny, feathered friends, and the big old rock that lies

 

Our Lord the rock we stand on, the one in whom we hide

Who never ever changes, whatever may betide

But then He is the one as well, who shelters with His wing

So safe, so snug and so secure, in spite of everything.


(Ingrid’s Dad)



Midweek thought 13.1.21

Heart Sharing ~ An honest reflection

As my first attempt at a midweek thought, please ‘bear with’. 

I am somewhat incapable at the moment to take the time to think far beyond my current circumstances and challenges, therefore my flurry of thoughts will be rather personal but hopefully somehow relevant to you too.


I keep thinking, how can I be of any encouragement to you when I am so broken and weak myself.  I can go from a seemingly patient, fun, loving mother to snapping at my children so harshly that I inwardly recoil from the ugly sound of my own voice. Why does my desire for Christ-centredness, true perspective and loving patience dissipate so quickly at times?  The ongoing struggle with our ‘old nature’ is real every day, especially during these highly stressful times.  


I have recently felt very overwhelmed and at the brink of tipping over some unknown edge which will always as you can imagine, bring a great sense of fear, struggle, panic and the desire to run and hide…. I did envisage escaping to some woodland, building a den with the children and teaching them to forage.  Away from societal demands, expectations, regulations, relational conflict, feelings associated with the perceived failure to perform and complete the endless list of things to do every day.


Unable (or more to the point, not allowed), to reach out for help in the traditional way, it can leave one feeling almost panic strikingly helpless.  I realise that if we all shared our own stories, each one of us would have challenges, concerns, heartache and exhaustion to convey. We would want to encourage, listen, care and provide, to do whatever was needed to build up, restore, renew and move each other forward into a more positive place.  


One thing we can do which no virus can stop us from, is to ask each other for prayer.  This in fact is the most powerful weapon we have, each of us, for each other.  I have personally known the power of prayer in my life when I have reached out and asked for it very recently. The answer I have wanted has not always been given, however I have been given the strength to come through the challenge (not easily I may add, and often with a great deal of tears).


It is so easy to quote verses which are aimed to support and encourage, however at times even they can seem lacking and almost cruel when they fly in the face of your own sense of overwhelm and fear.


“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4v3)

“The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8v10)

“My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Cor 12v9)

My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12v9)

It is often said that God will not give you more than you can bear.  I sometimes think that in fact He does, for the very reason that you will then rely on Him rather than your own resources.  


Suffering can often be the only thing which forces us to flee for refuge and strength to the only one who can give it.  


To shelter under those wings; to run into that strong tower; to curl up in the palm of His hand; to listen only to His voice; to call out like Peter “Lord save me” and to immediately be taken by the hand of the Saviour, then accompanied by Him back to the boat, back to a place of security and calm.  


The reassurance of knowing His presence through whatever circumstance will always give a peace which is beyond our comprehension because it just doesn’t make human sense.  It is impossible to humanly generate it as it comes from the divine.


At times when little else seems to aid our weary hearts, bodies and souls we must rise and cling to the truth of Gods faithfulness.  He is faithful no matter what is around the next corner of our lives. That is truth.  Speak it out loud and rely on it despite what you may be feeling. Feelings are not reliable, are often inaccurate and certainly are best not used to guide decisions or dictate choices.  Keep breathing, just do the next right thing and realise that your never changing, constantly available, faithful God is a heart call away.  He wants to hear from you, help you and will be there for you no matter how you feel, what challenge you face and even if you doubt His presence and promises at times.


It would be good if we could all take some time each day to memorise a promise which God has given us in His word the Bible.  That way, when times are tough, we can speak out loud a promise to claim for ourselves and to hear the truth of His word.  Here’s an obvious one to start with:

“Great is thy faithfulness” (Lam 3v23)


If you get a chance, go onto youtube and listen to this song:’Truth I’m Standing On’ by Leanna Crawford:


https://youtu.be/mQq1zEBk41E


I listened to it for the first time yesterday and it spoke to my heart, expressing a lot of what I have shared and felt.

I’d also like to share a poem my sister in USA sent me as an encouragement yesterday (see below).

 

May the God of all comfort wrap you up with His faithfulness, love and peace.


Ingrid x 

 

“From an old English parsonage down by the sea

There came in the twilight a message to me;

Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,

Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.

And on through the doors the quiet words ring

Like a low inspiration: “DO THE NEXT THING.”

 

Many a questioning, many a fear,

Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.

Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,

Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.

Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,

Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing

 

Do it immediately, do it with prayer;

Do it reliantly, casting all care;

Do it with reverence, tracing His hand

Who placed it before thee with earnest command.

Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,

Leave all results, do the next thing.

 

Looking for Jesus, ever serener,

Working or suffering, be thy demeanor;

In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,

The light of His countenance be thy psalm,

Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.

Then, as He beckons thee, do the next thing.”

 

Me

Hello readers!

Just in case you wish to know a little bit about me before delving into my ramblings....

I am a 46 year old woman who is now a lone parent to 3 children, a boy who is currently 5 and twins, a boy and a girl who are 3.  We have an elderly jack russell and some fish.

I was privileged to be brought up in rural Hampshire on a farm, to wonderful parents who instilled in me (and my 4 sisters) the truth from God’s word, the Bible, from a young age.  They did their job to share God’s truth and way of salvation, however that didn’t automatically mean I became a Christian or walked a holy life, making all the right choices!  Far from it.

So from where I am today, which is a much better place than I have been, I’ve started to jot down thoughts and as a result of sharing the initial couple of thoughts with others, have been encouraged to try blogging so that maybe you can be encouraged too.

Everything is virtual right now in this covid-19 world, so with that in mind, I’ll send a virtual hug out and get round to typing out thoughts as and when I can.

I’ll share the first 2 that I’ve written now so there’s at least something on here other than this introduction!

I may add the odd song, quote, photo and recommendation amidst my longer thoughts. Feel free to ask any questions if you have one. Any song I post, I will also add to my page of ‘songs I like’ so you can always go there to find them and any others.

Ingrid x

A piece of audio work ~ Sleep To The Psalms

Hi Folks It's been a while and I've decided to reappear to chat some more if that's ok! I've completed a piece of audio work...