Thankfulness ... (for opposition?)

Being British, with all the national reservations that brings, like only showing affection to horses and dogs(!), I appreciate that this may be somewhat alarming and almost more in keeping with our friends across the pond .... but, I do quite often ask my children to express what they’re thankful for on any given day. In fact, I think the American holiday of thanksgiving is something which we should adopt here, over and above things like Black Friday, for goodness sake!

As you can imagine, the responses I get from a 5yr old and two 3yr olds are rather entertaining, sometimes surprising (bordering on alarming!) and quite often very heartwarming. If you haven’t been around young children much and decide to give this a go, don’t be too shocked if they answer with things like poo, wee, Batman, Legoland and paw patrol. Hopefully you’ll also get responses which are slightly more palatable like trees, animals, cousins, friends and each other. What you’re unlikely to get are responses like ‘I’m thankful that I had to share my toys today’... things that are uncomfortable or have an element of challenge.

The point is that there’s always something to be thankful for and at each stage of our lives, what that may look like and be, will vary considerably. A healthy, fit young adult may not even think to be thankful for the fact that they can run ... move the clock forward 70 years and they may be very thankful for the fact that they can still walk with the use of 2 sticks. Our worlds and priorities are different yet if we are Christ followers, there should be some common themes.

In the Bible we are encouraged to be thankful in all things (Eph 5v20; Col 3v15; 1 Thes 5v18) and in all circumstances. There’s a similar sentiment using the words “count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (James 1v2) ... as though we should really be thankful for the times when we are tested in our faith. Thankful for struggles, opposition and the storms of life. Not easy done.

Churchill once said “You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.” So we should be thankful for enemies because they validate the convictions for which we stand ... adversely, without any opposition, our lives are unnoticeable; somewhat lacking in anything resembling conviction, biblical values and truth.

So yes, let us be thankful for daily provision, protection, health, security and such like, but let us become curious about our own lives in relation to any opposition. 

Are we too comfortable, with no external evidence to others of what it really means to be a follower of Christ? Have we become so conscious of non-offense that we are more like a social group of do-gooders waving a flag of faith above us but essentially we live our lives in much the same way as so many other wonderful, kind do-gooders with little or no faith? What’s the difference? Why would someone look at a Christian as opposed to a gnostic, both who do equally good and kind deeds in the community, and chose to follow the Christian faith and trust in Christ for eternal life? What is it that I have and am not sharing ... have I watered down truth so much that I’m non-offensive and all embracing and therefore no threat to ‘the opposition’?

I fully appreciate that Christ was and is, as should we be, all embracing, in love to everyone. Neither am I advocating becoming offensive in our faith. I’ve just needed to re-examine my own life and challenge myself to become bolder in sharing the truth of God’s word and my own faith story ... truth with love. If I find myself ‘under attack’ as a result, then that surely can be taken as confirmation that I’m standing up for what I believe in ... and therefore I should be thankful for it! We should expect this and challenge ourselves if this is not happening. 

Let us preserve ourselves and each other from apathetic faith. Let us make our lives count for God without fear of reprisal. Read Philippians 1v12-24 and be encouraged by Paul’s words and the effect his imprisonment had on the Christians around ... “because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear”.

Remember, baby steps are still steps ... I’m going to try one little thing to share my faith this week (no idea what yet! think I need to pray about it). It may feel uncomfortable and possibly a bit scary because I’m not used to it, but if “God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8v31). I do believe we have a great and powerful God ... let us tap into that power to proclaim His name and love.

Ingrid x

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me”. Jeremiah 29v11-13

 

What is success?

You really have my home group members to thank for this post and I sincerely hope they don't mind me using their thoughts here. I feel they are valuable to share primarily as they should provoke responses in you which may lead to deeper thought and questioning. I had been thinking about this already but just this evening, the subject was discussed once again.

In our group we have a lovely man who has just retired from a big part of his working life within the medical research sector. He kindly shared with us some of his retirement presentation which he had recently given to his team (via zoom). His title and question to the team he was leaving was 'what is success?' ... what does it look like to you? How do we measure it? These are good questions worth thinking about and discussing with others.

Success often goes hand in hand with achievement. I would suggest it also makes us think of hard work; dedication and the pursuance of something we are striving for. It may be that we only see success when we receive recognition or accolade for whatever it is we have been working so hard for. Maybe it therefore heads towards status, bringing our pride into play. 

Is success linked to winning? If 8 athletes compete in the 100m final at the Olympic Games, is the winner of the gold medal the only one to really succeed? Yet they all successfully ran the race and crossed the line.

It's easy to get caught up in the drive for ultimate self-promotion, the recognition that affirms to us feelings that we are valuable, worthy of notice and praise. That we should be 'known' publicly and that ultimately we therefore have a purpose and a deep seated satisfaction making us feel secure.

But is this all topsy turvy? There are very few people whose names are known publicly (for positive reasons) when you think about it statistically in relation to the worlds population. Does that mean the rest of the population aren't successful? No, of course not. I'm not decrying the fact that many people who are known in the public domain for having achieved amazing things truly deserve their honour, however we may just have our scales of balance somewhat weighted in only one direction.

What about success in terms of overcoming a disability, or learning to cope with it? That may prove much harder than painting a masterpiece. What about the survival of false imprisonment or abuse ... is it successful to emerge from such horrors and use those experiences for the good of others? If your chosen path in life is to become a carer, and you spend 40 years plus working in a nursing home specialising in dementia care, doing this with dedication and love ... is that success? You may never get on the honours list but you are a true servant of success in the best way possible.

It doesn't need to be about us individually, or about us being 'first' at all. Success is about living out to our fullest potential in God's way. If we constantly strive to be noticed, first, promoted and praised, with this being our primary objective, then we have things the wrong way round. I read this recently:

Leonard Bernstein, the late, legendary conductor of the New York Philharmonic, gave an insightful answer in an informal interview. Following a televised performance, one admirer asked: “Mr. Bernstein, what is the most difficult instrument to play?” With quick wit and without even a thought he replied:

“Second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find one who plays second violin with as much enthusiasm . . . now that’s a problem. And yet if no one plays second, we have no harmony.”  

It's quite telling isn't it? I'm assuming that the second violinist would not have felt as successful for the very fact that they were second and not first. Less noticed, less known maybe.

Former president Ronald Reagan apparently kept a plaque on his desk in the Oval Office which read: 

"There's no limit to what you can accomplish if you don't care who gets the credit."

Maybe that's the key! So what is God's way and what did Jesus say about all this? In Matthew 18 the disciples came to Him and asked Him who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus answered "unless you... become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven... whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." In Luke's account (ch 9) Jesus says "it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest." In another passage, Jesus taught the crowd around him explaining that if they / we want to become His follower (which is what we should all see as ultimate success), we are to give up our own ways, take up our cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9v23).

Jesus is the ultimate example of what success should look like. He could have come with armies and demanded obedience, forcing all to recognise Him not only for who He was (and is), but for all that He could do and command ... yet it was not the time for that. What He demonstrated for us to follow, was servanthood. It's quite a big pill to swallow if we're honest, because who doesn't like feeling boosted by affirmation and recognition? There's nothing really wrong with that if it comes as a consequence of your living according to Jesus' example. The wrongdoing is if it is the compelling motive for what you're doing and trying to achieve ... Jesus certainly had no time for those who were all about self-promotion and status. He railed on those who strutted around expecting to be noticed. Outwardly so beautiful but inwardly "full of dead men's bones" (Matt 23v27). He himself when taking on the servants role of washing the disciples feet (John 13), gave a remarkably clear example for us to follow.

Success is to serve. Success is to take the position of a child. Success is to work from our insides out and not the other way round. Success is to do all of this without worrying about whether a single other person may ever notice it. Success is self denial. Success is to continue doing this never expecting an earthly reward, it’s a daily discipline.

Let's use these words of Paul to Timothy as a benchmark for our success in this life, so that when our time comes to die, we can also say them with confidence ... "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Tim 4v7-8)

Ingrid x

We may not be rushing around at the moment quite as much as we used to, but let's show these little birds that we do share their heavenly Father. Quietening our hearts and minds with trust in His provision, protection, guidance and care. "Casting all (our) care upon Him, for He cares for (us)" 1 Peter 5v7.

"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life" Philippians 4v6.

Help in the Storm

Let’s face it, it’s been a stormy past year.

I was hoping to have finished my midweek thought this evening (Tuesday), so that it would post for you all tomorrow morning. It will be delayed a day or so! I am so spent that I cried when my 3yr old daughter accidentally tipped the dogs water bowl over. I found out today that I have shingles, which explains some of the pain in my body and general exhaustion. I have no choice other than to keep going and to be the best mother I can to my 3 children despite wanting to curl up under a duvet for at least 24 hours. It will pass and it’s all very insignificant when compared to some of the much greater challenges being faced around us. However the point is, that we can only feel what is present to us, in our lives, right now. That is our reality. It may mean something like spilt water can be the catalyst for breakdown, overload and crying out for help. It’s life and it’s ok. We press on and are lifted up.

I tucked my children in and my 5yr old kindly scolded me as I went to leave the bedroom because I hadn’t prayed. Awfully I said that I was just too tired and couldn’t manage to pray ... so I asked him if he would. He prayed “dear god and father, please let mummy have a really good sleep and that we will all stay in our beds so we don’t disturb her .... and we pray that the whole world will light up and be beautiful”. Well you’ll know full well that I couldn’t have prayed anything more wonderful than that! Bless him.

I love this in the KJV: Psalm 121
1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

I have a fair amount going on at the moment and have had to draw a spider diagram out with all the things buzzing round my head so that I can get them out and make some sense of them / order them. You too will have your list and I have no doubt that some of you will have things which were not expected; may be horrific; too much to cope with; a sadness and grief; unanswered questions and such like. You are not alone. Storms come in all levels of severity and the time scale of them when they start is always unknown. As with all storms though, they do eventually end. If you’ve ever been near a beach during a storm and been able to witness the aftermath, you’ll have seen the truth in the words ‘the calm after the storm’. It can be like a mill-pond, a stillness with maybe only a gentle lapping of the sea line against the sandy shore. There may well be debris scattered on the beach as evidence, and this in fact may take some time and effort to clear up, but there is a peace, a calm which is both soothing and settling to the soul.

We often get the clearest revelation of who Christ is, when we're in the darkest storm. How could we ever appreciate what it is to know stillness and a calm heart unless we had experienced the rough waters of the storm? For there to be a rainbow or a silver lining, there first has to be a dark cloud. Thank God we have a close friend who is not only able to walk to us through the storm and hold our hand in it, but can also talk to it at the right time, dissipate it and bring us peace. Rest in that truth and keep trusting Him.

In the Eye of the Storm ~ Ryan Stevenson:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=-sx8wTnnfSc&feature=share

Praise You in this Storm ~ Casting Crowns:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=MgpaULjZOl8&feature=share

Ingrid x 

 

Words of wisdom to pass on ...

What would you like to pass on to the next generation? For me I want my children and those around me, to know of the love of God, freely available to them as something they want for themselves because they've seen the wonder of it in my life ... why wouldn't they want it? And beyond that ... kindness, true kindness. 

In Deuteronomy 11 it says "So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine ... teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates ... Show love to the Lord you God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him ... you will be blessed." Even if you don't have children, this can obviously be applied to anyone within your circle of influence ... our lives and homes can be beacons of light to so many who feel like something is missing, who are searching for meaning, purpose and security.

Watch this interview by the CS Lewis Institute with John Lennox on ‘what final words of wisdom would you leave to your children and grandchildren?’

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ANP51bdysWM&feature=share

Clothes yourselves with kindness (Col 3v12)

Ingrid x

What is beauty / broken beauty?

I don’t feel beautiful, I really don’t. I don’t think I ever have. 

I know that as a redeemed child of God, I have been born again of incorruptible seed and as such, should see the beauty of Christ in me, therefore having a healthy self image ... but more often than not, I don’t.

Physically, I can look at the profile photo I have on here, taken when I was 40 and I can see how much I’ve aged since then. Having had 3 children and experiencing a difficult relationship in the past 5-6 years has taken its toll. I am affected by it. I will say (as in previous posts) like the hymn writer “let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me”, and I’ll know that’s what really matters ... but let me tell you (if you’re not fully aware by now!), that my humanity will usually trump my spirituality. Sad.

I can feel physically broken, emotionally broken, mentally broken, spiritually broken and yet, no matter how broken and dirty I feel, I remain in God’s sight as one of great value and worth, cleansed by the blood and sacrifice of His son, the perfect substitute. This cleansing of everything broken and dirty about me, makes me whole, beautiful, accepted and unconditionally loved. My true worth is not determined by my own efforts or image but by the price Jesus paid, the only payment fully pleasing and acceptable to God.

I may not be in the physical shape I would ideally like to be right now, but if I concentrate more on my heart before God than my body before others, then my desires will be pure and right.

I may be broken in many ways but the truth to be told is that the healer of souls has mended me for eternity. My self worth, value, identity and security must be daily reaffirmed as in Christ, nothing and no one else. My soul is more beautiful for having been broken and redeemed. 

I pray that I may always see this in others, their inner beauty, and lead broken lives to the one true hope who said that he came to “heal the broken-hearted” (Luke 4v18). God is never surprised by our failures, sins and weaknesses, He knows all about them ... He knows and sees our brokenness but accepts us despite it. He raises us up to become sons and daughters of God so that we in turn can use our lives, our stories, our brokenness to honour Him.

Here are 2 good songs for your Monday along the lines of these thoughts:

You Raise Me Up ~ Selah

https://youtube.com/watch?v=RQc_pYC3t-k&feature=share

Truth be Told ~ Matthew West

https://youtube.com/watch?v=j4wYkS8Z3Io&feature=share

Ingrid x

Together we can keep going ...

Thank you Charlie Mackesy

 

Podcast link

Season 3 is here from the equip project podcast ... focusing on things like social justice, education, language, the media, and the family.

https://theequipproject.buzzsprout.com/693283/7768099?fbclid=IwAR2jVdN5veGxQgmi6lqIfCaZKs0PO4uO7CEbWK-DybWwcFq-GlUTGBYwAFw

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-equip-project-podcast/id1485877985?i=1000508487278

An excerpt ~ from David Gooding

I was pleasantly surprised yesterday, to read something in keeping to my previous post about names. My life, my name, should begin and end with Christ, the alpha and omega.

I can recommend this book and will share yesterday’s reading with you. To be honest, I think any book written by David Gooding would be a good read.

What’s in a name?

So one of my nieces (3 yrs old) recently got 2 guinea pigs. All very exciting but of course they needed names. I honestly couldn’t even guess as to how to spell what she came up with!... kids are great! Their ability to make up words and be so matter of fact about their own little realities is very cute. I think the nearest I could describe to what she initially suggested is ‘hack saw’ and ‘pork chop’ ... yep I know, great names for the unsuspecting guinea pigs! We’re all just hoping that hack saw doesn’t get any ideas into his head about pork chop 🤦‍♀️

So what is in a name? I remember really deliberating over the names for my children. No matter that you have 9 months to come up with some, it’s still a really hard and a very big deal. It seems to carry with it the weight of perceived identity, character, personality, acceptance and much more, in light of the societal trends and expectations of the time. Also, what we as the parent hope for the child ... we put our values, traditions, concerns (nicknames), family expectations and such like into the mix.

Different cultures base name choosing on different values. I remember being in a remote mission hospital in South Africa up in the hills where mostly people from the Zulu tribe lived. I helped out in surgery on the odd occasion and learnt that often mother’s would chose the first word they heard after the baby was born, to call it by... so there was a baby called Anesthetic for example. Cute.  My favorite was a little girl I met in Zambia called marmalade... absolutely love that and yet didn’t consider it when my own daughter was born (with hindsight, very lacking of me!)

We often associate a name with a memory of someone, maybe a lovely person who evokes a warmth within us on hearing their name; or maybe we recoil at the sound of a name because of a very negative association. Yet it’s just a name, a word in fact. It’s what’s behind the name that counts.

Let us live so that our lives are what will be remembered and that those memories to others will lead them to the one name which matters, the only name which will last throughout eternity, the name of Jesus.

Please listen to this song by Casting Crowns called ‘Only Jesus’.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=VXIBP2BdYR8&feature=share

Philippians 2v10 “that at the name of JESUS every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth”.

One day, every single soul every lived will know and acknowledge His name. Let’s be a light to shine into others around us the beauty of Jesus.

Ingrid x

Midweek Thought ~ Prayer: A big subject ... little thoughts

I hadn’t planned on thinking about or talking about prayer but I keep getting this verse stuck in my head!

James 5v16 “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man / woman avails much” or “The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with” or “The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous believer can accomplish much (when put into action and made effective by God - it is dynamic and can have tremendous power)”.

What is prayer? My children hear me pray with them and my 5 yr old asks me to pray before I leave him for the night. It somehow reassures him and gives a peace before bedtime. I tell him he can pray too but he usually asks me to do it, sometimes saying that he doesn't know how to. So I tell him just to talk out his thoughts to God and God will hear him; I say God already knows his thoughts and his heart, but that being our heavenly father, He really likes to hear from us ... so we should talk to Him.

I appreciate that in different settings there may be a more formal presentation of prayer or a more specific agenda / purpose, but I would like to think that the heart of the person praying stays the same no matter the environment they find themselves in. At the end of the day, we are praying to God, not to an audience ... we may be leading an audience in prayer with us, and therefore we are considering them, but we are still praying to God.

So prayer is communication.

Isn't that how it started right at the beginning of time? God coming to the garden of Eden, walking and communing with Adam and Eve ... fellowship; relationship; individual attention and care, in harmony with the laws of nature and surrounded by perfect creation. God chose to do that.

So communicating with God isn't something which is forced on us or laborious, it is much rather, a natural and most pleasant way to spend time ... chatting with the creator of the universe who is waiting to hear from us! How stupendous is that?!

I understand and fully acknowledge that within the Bible there are many 'types' of prayer, including the Lords prayer. Often prayer can be focus driven for a specific reason, for example, a call to pray for our nation during a pandemic. We can have scheduled prayer meetings for those who are sick, a call for healing.  A thanksgiving service where our prayers are full of grateful expressions of heartfelt appreciation to God. Worship / adoration ... this is prayer in praise form, acknowledging the majesty and awesome presence of our God. Intersession ... beseeching God on behalf of someone else or a cause. Confession ... a prayer of contrition, owning up to sin and asking for God's mercy and forgiveness. Petition ... making specific requests of God, asking for something. 

There may be times when our prayers are very short and to the point. Think of Peter as he began to sink after he had walked on the water; he cried out "Lord save me" (Matt 14v30). How often have we expressed similar cries, I know I have. I may not be about to drown (although I can recall that happening once!) ... for me now it is more often "Lord give me patience" or "Lord give me strength to get through this evening without shouting"!; "Lord help me"; "Lord give me wisdom and peace"; "Lord help me be firm but fair, I need courage but compassion". There are lots of 'me' in those prayers and that's ok but it's somewhat imbalanced if they're the only prayers I'm taking the time to make. A relationship based on one side doing all the asking and taking isn't wholesome and won't develop into anything deeper than a shallow existence. On the flip side, I do often express gratitude in short bursts too ... car journeys are great for this and can be done with the kids too ... what can we see to thank God for? Trees, fields, the sky, the sun, the rain, animals, muddy puddles ... you name it!

At other times we may pray for longer, taking the time to think of all those we love, praying for them in detail; praying for our nation; our planet; those suffering; places of war; for refugees; for those in authority. We may thank God for peace in our land; for daily provision; for friends; for our homes and such like. We may even acknowledge God's greatness and share some wonder of His creation that we've enjoyed.

I do find though, that the one aspect to prayer which I fall short of so often, is really appreciating to whom I'm talking. It is amazing to me that God wants to hear from me, that He wants a relationship with me to the extent that I can approach Him as Father and chat away without Him getting cross at me or dismissing me. However, by somewhat limiting my prayer expertise to constant chatter, I diminish what I feel is an opportunity to truly learn and appreciate in a greater way, who God is ... His character; His desire to bless; His Sovereignty; His justice; His heart. After all, what better way to get to know someone, than to spend time with them, truly spend time with them ... both chatting but also just being. Being in someone else's presence will eventually lead to you knowing them intimately. We can't do this from a distance. So by inference, to get to know God, we need to spend time with Him. I need to do that a lot more.

I'm skimming over so much that has great depth to it, but I'm merely expressing thoughts as I skedaddle through to reach where I started, with the verse above.

More often than not, we pray with a hoped for outcome in mind. It may be that we pray for health, for protection on a journey, for a friend who is going in for surgery, for someone to come to faith ... there are so many things we pray for and would like to have the answer that we wish for. I am mindful though, that for us to reach this point of expectation ... to actually know that we have the power to effect an outcome; this power in prayer; we need to be fulfil and be certain things:

• righteous or right living
• have a true perspective of who God is
• fervent 
• persistant
• heartfelt

The result ... power! A dynamic and tremendous power to be reckoned with. A power which avails much. It makes me shake my head because I know so little of it and yet it is at my disposal. Look at the example given in the passage, referring back to Elijah who prayed that it wouldn't rain ... and it didn't! It's really quite funny and also truly amazing. He prayed that prayer for a reason (not just because he was fed up with the rain), and since it was in keeping with God's mind and character, Elijah got his answer. His motive was right, his request was suited to the situation and he believed in his God to answer it.

I find myself so half-hearted in prayer requests even if I do believe that what I'm asking for, is in keeping with what God has laid on my heart. My motive may be right and good; the cause may be true and necessary; I may really, really want it with the ultimate goal of bringing glory to God ... yet, I often lack the faith to believe that God will answer. I know He could and I know that nothing is impossible with God and yet I still fall short of grasping for myself this dynamic power ... laying myself down before God, fervently, persistently beseeching Him in a heartfelt way for something. It's so easy to give up and move on when a prayer isn't answered to our timescale, or the answer isn't what we may have wanted. Yet there are many examples in the Bible where individuals didn't give up but persisted in prayer and were not only heard but answered according to their petition. It's like striving for something; a race; a battle; a journey ... you don't get the prize; the outcome; the medal; the solution, at the first hurdle ... you keep going; you get back up; you re-focus; you bring in others to support you, but you persist. Only in rigorous endeavour and persistent commitment does your hope become reality. 

The end result is worth it. No matter what that 'end' or answer is, it will be worth it because it is of God and He, being God, is in the detail ... He cares and has the long term view, the bigger picture in mind, so will do what is best for you and your situation, of that you can be sure. Let us make our prayers something to be reckoned with so that the dynamic power of God in them produces wonderful results!

Don't give up in or on prayer. Check in on yourself, maybe re-assess and reflect, then keep going. Pete Greig (founder of 24-7 prayer international) simply said this about prayer "keep it simple, keep it real, keep it up". Remember too that "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1John 4v4) ... we have an almighty and powerful God who is on our side and wants to bless, encourage and answer our prayers. Let us grow in our faith and desire to reflect His will in our prayers and therefore live out that power for His ultimate glory.

Here are two more quotes that I love in reference to prayer:

"Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tyre?" (Corrie Ten Boom)

"In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart." (John Bunyan)

I sort of feel like I should end these rambling thoughts with a prayer. Rather than type anything out, I'll simply encourage you to listen to the words of this song which to me, are a lovely prayer.

Speak O Lord ~ Keith & Kristyn Getty

https://youtube.com/watch?v=qNCHZrwlo9c&feature=share

God bless

Ingrid x

 

From my home to yours ...

Spring is coming; hope is present; true love is freely given. ❤️

“And so Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in You.” (David ~ Psalm 39v7)

“Laughter is sunshine, it chases winter from the human face.” (Hugo)

Happy Valentine’s Day. X

Scars

Just a quick post to share a couple of songs really.

I had one of those hard days on Thursday. A day and time which engulfs calm perspective with fear, guilt and agony of the soul. It hurts. It will most likely leave a little scar in my heart and on my mind and that’s ok ... it’s the recognition and moving forward with peace and a desire to learn and share from it which I value most.

I was reminded of the song by ‘I Am They’ which I’ll attach at the end. They express thankfulness for scars because they remind us of who God is and that we are loved despite of and through the turmoil of our lives. God is a God of healing. Every single thing in life is redeemable, there is nothing outside of God’s grace, redemption and healing power. Thank goodness for that!

I recall being in a group a few years ago now where there was discussion about scars being evidence of healing and how true that is! They may well niggle you or itch every now and then, but as you consider them, be thankful for the healing. What a good reminder scars are ... we have moved forward, learnt and grown in wisdom, love, compassion, dependence on our good, Heavenly Father. 

We can therefore be used by God to serve His cause and help others because our lives have faced challenge, pain, distress and suffering ... we are real and honest. That is what the world needs. Honest hearts willing to share and show true love; the love we have experienced from God through both the highs and lows of life.

I love the song by Casting Crowns ‘Nobody’ ... the lyrics are just so great. I truly am a nobody just attempting to share my life and God’s love. Yes I may still face challenges in life, but I am uplifted and excited by God’s goodness ~ His faithfulness in my future.

Ingrid xx

Scars by I Am They

https://youtube.com/watch?v=OqjGT9BSyJA&feature=share

Nobody by Casting Crowns

https://youtube.com/watch?v=1yBzIt_z8oY&feature=share

Midweek Thought ~ 'All' the big little word; Transformers and Love!

Just a quick note ~ I've not been quite myself for the past 2 weeks (not covid), so please forgive my wooly head if it is rather noticeable in my posts! I tend to just write as I think, like I'm talking to you (often with interruptions), so there may be a distinct flavour of rambling with hints of disjointed thoughts ... I value honesty, so what you see / hear is what you get but I sometimes fear that I may over do it and be too raw but hey ho, that's me here so you'll just have to continue to 'bear with' ... (love you!)

Deuteronomy 6v5: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Joshua 22v5: But be very careful to ... love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him ... to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Matthew 22v37: Jesus replied "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind".

Luke 10v27: He answered "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and, love your neighbour as yourself".

Mark 12v44: They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on.

Matthew 6v33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Romans 8v32&37: ... how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ... in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Ok that'll do for verses although there are many more. You'll get the point!

I've been wondering about the 'all'. Don't you think we compartmentalise and portion out our energy a lot, maybe because we feel we have to, to survive? We engage on many levels in many streams of life, always busy thinking about something but not really able to give 'it' our full attention or devotion. How can we when we're pulled in so many directions?!

Yet God asks that we give Him our ALL! How can we expect to receive ALL the things he has promised and wants to bestow upon us unless we give Him our ALL?

I'm just struggling to work out what that really means. How do I give Him all my love? I thought I'd talk it out with you to see if it helps me process through it and work out how to move forward being able to love Him more. It's valentines month so it seemed appropriate to talk a little bit about love.

You may have a similar thought to me regarding giving all. How can it work? How can I give all my love to God but also love others ... spouse, partner, children, relatives, friends, enemies (another challenging command!). How do I know I'm loving with all my mind, heart, soul, strength? 

After I'd had my firstborn child I experienced a love totally different to anything I'd known before. It was all consuming and I knew I'd do anything for that child (still would) ... his life was far more important than mine and I would sacrifice anything for him. Then less than 2 years later I found out that I was expecting twins. I honestly felt torn. How could I love them as much as I loved my nearly 2 year old? I felt guilty.

A friend from my local tennis club explained it this way ... Ingrid, it's like having a chocolate cake (or something you really love!); it's a whole and you love it ... how on earth can you divide that cake into 3 parts now and portion off some of that love to 2 others? Not possible. I couldn't dimmish the love that I had for number 1 / take some away to give to others. She reassured me that I wouldn't need to ... she said, you don't have to share the chocolate cake, you just get 2 more cakes! Each one whole, each one loved. I wouldn't have to divide my existing love from number 1 to incorporate 2 and 3 ... nope, I would simply be given more love to dish out! Each child is loved equally and to the full. My love isn't compromised or divided between them; I simply have more love, enough love so that everyone is loved by me to the fullest potential possible. It would be the same if there were more than 3 or if like some of you, you have a different special person in your life. I know full well that if God brought someone new into my life for me to love, that I wouldn't lessen my love for my children, but that I would have even more love to share and give to that person. Not a problem!

By the same token I'm beginning to think (as I type) that I can therefore love God with all I have. In fact, by loving my children in the way that I do, I am loving God because He wants me to show His love to them (which I need to work on).

What are the 4 things mentioned?

Heart; Soul; Strength; Mind

It would take a much more versed theologian and teacher than me to go into each one and expound truth. In fact it could end up being a series of teaching sessions! Just think about them and relate them in the best way you know how, to existing relationships, then translate that to God ... look into His word to find verses to support each aspect of love. In truth, we are to love God in every department of our lives, using our intelligence, our physical ability, our emotions, our perspective and sense of identity and purpose. With Him first in our lives and guiding us like an inbuilt compass, our love outward to anyone else will be true, sure, steadfast, faithful and hugely expressive ... a longing and commitment like no other. This love is more than what dreams are made of!

Taking it a step further to the outcome beyond the immediate feeling of that extreme love, there is a natural knock on effect. We will want to live in obedience to God's word and we will want to give all. That amazes me ... imagine being that woman who gave all she had ... I don't get it ... what about her retirement plan; what about saving for a holiday; what about a fund for maintenance like if the washing machine breaks; what about the kids education; what about property investment and so on? What does it mean to give all and to obey all? It sure is a high standard and I have so much to learn to even remotely reach the lower rungs of that ladder. It's one thing to give when we still have our various accounts looking healthy for all other eventualities; it's another thing entirely to give all and have nothing to fall back on.

I currently live in a rented cottage. I have money to put toward purchasing a house. It would be crazy to give that up ... not logically sound at all, especially as I am responsible for my children's welfare and future. What if God required it of me? Would I give it up? How would I know? Big questions to which I cannot give the answers. I just wish to challenge myself to reflect and seriously consider what this obedience and giving means and could require. After all, in my previous post I put that we have a good, good Father and so we do ... therefore, if He loves me beyond comprehension and I truly believe that whatever He wants from me is for my best, then why should I even hesitate to give and obey other than my all.

I believe, despite not being able to fully do it, that if I could live this way, that I would be transformed ... recall that verse about being "transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12v2) which comes as a result of not being conformed to the pattern of this world. It leads to the ability to test / approve God's good, perfect and pleasing will. We will also enter into the transformation process of becoming more like Him, into His image (2 Corinthians 3v18).

Most business sectors go through transformation. I've worked within the transformation team at a local NHS trust and have worked within the local authority for years during many transformations ... it used to make my eyes roll when they unveiled the latest transformation plan. When would we ever actually be transformed?! It seemed an endless process, which I think is still on-going. It could never actually succeed or reach fulfillment, as there was always more to change, further savings to find, services to trim, budgets to cut, but a greater need to service. A sort of necessary bonkers system!

Think about super heroes ... a lot of the favourites in my home are the type that transform. How handy to have an amazing robot which has transforming power to turn into a police car and save the day!

We have the transforming power of God's love in our hearts, minds, souls and strength. Let us acknowledge it and use it, but first, let us love Him with all that we have and are. I truly believe that the rewards and blessings that will follow for us to receive, will be so vastly beyond what we can imagine or comprehend, that we will just want to love Him the more. What a rather blessed existence.

Of course with all this love and recognition for the one from whom it flows, the source of all goodness, we will become transformers! Others will bear witness and desire the source, our good, good Father in heaven. Others will benefit from the outpouring of this love from us. We will transform communities through kindness and compassion. We will be involved in good works. We will value and share hospitality. We will endeavour to help those in need ... refugees; victims of abuse or human trafficking; the homeless; those addicted to anything which is causing them harm; children requiring adoption; loneliness; vulnerable groups ... I could fill a page. Also, we will look after our planet; our land; our country; uphold righteousness; look after our bodies; care about our neighbours and so on. We can be and most likely already are in many ways, super heroes. 

Just remember that true super heroes are about one thing ... helping and saving others. There's no place for pride or boasting. After all, we are only able to transform into living out the power of God's love by being loved by Him in the first place. It is not of ourselves but through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. So let us reflect on His love and in so doing, give Him our all.

Sending love through a blog!

Ingrid x

"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive". (Dalai Lama)

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier". (Mother Teresa)

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you". (Jesus Christ) “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”.

And to finish off, a song ... "Let my life be the proof of Your love" ... The Proof of Your Love by 'for King & Country':

https://youtube.com/watch?v=OgqYYk-0wDs&feature=share

Just today ...

"I have rightfully no other business each day but to do God's work as a servant, constantly regarding His pleasure. May I have grace to live above every human motive, simply with God and to God." (Henry Martyn)

Wow! Wow indeed. High ground.

Today I started the day off seemingly well enough, but it didn't last long. I lost it whilst wearing my home schooling 'hat', impatience and frustration getting the better of me. Shouting then crying at my 5 year old. Honestly! Awful I know, but also understandable at times... not necessarily excusable, but understandable. We all have these moments when our fragile minds, hearts and spirits just seem to snap.

I don't really have anything wise to say other than that I got through the day ok after that with many good moments in there too. My son survived it too and was so very sweet, giving me a big hug at the time.

It's just worth checking in with ourselves regularly. How am I showing up? What am I available for? Have I given myself too much to try and achieve today? Am I overwhelmed? What one thing could I do today to help the situation? What are my motives for pushing so hard which then lead to a mini (or major) meltdown? Have I factored in rest? Does all the list have to get done today? Does my child really need to read that sentence right now if it means they're going to experience a harsh verbal berating out of proportion to the situation?

I say 'time out' ... take a walk for 10 minutes; breathe in the very cold, fresh air; sing; do some stretches; read a book to your child; lay flat on the floor and deep breathe for 5 minutes ... whatever it takes to re-set the moment. Most of all, pray. Pray your heart out, let it all spew forth in a torrent if need be. 

One of my sisters said to me yesterday "Ingrid, you have a good, good (heavenly) Father", ~ and so do you! Our very good Father wants to hear from us and listen to our moments of madness and stress. We can strive for life "with God and to God" every day and in each moment, not as a bench mark to which we wish to attain but constantly fail at reaching, because I don't see it like that, but rather by managing moment to moment and getting through those moments with God. We are then in fact living with God, learning to trust Him more, building a closer relationship which will in turn make us more like Him ... this is the business of being God's servant and pleasing Him. Even baby steps are steps.

"Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62v8

Ingrid x

Breathe

For all of you out there having to home school whilst juggling many other daily activities too ... maybe alongside having to care for pre school age children .... you could be doing this as a lone parent or under difficult home circumstances ... I hear you. It’s tough and best not to think beyond trying to reach the end of the current day!

We all have different stories and situations. I know a lot of folk wish they knew the future but to be honest I’m glad I don’t.... as long as I have just enough strength to get through today then that’s fine for now.

One of my sisters lost a close friend lately (not to covid), a young mother to 3 children. Life can be so full of suffering and questions, but, there is hope in the God of all comfort who eagerly waits to provide solace when we struggle in the moments of our deepest pain and confusion. 

John Newton (the author of Amazing Grace) wrote: “Let those who know Him (God), and trust Him, be of good courage. He can give them strength according to their day. He can increase their strength as their trials increase ... and what He can do, He has promised He will do”.

Joni Eareckson Tada could be quoted many times in reference to faith in the face of great suffering but I’ll just include one: “Heartache forces us to embrace God out of desperate, urgent need. God is never closer than when your heart is aching”.

God’s grace will give us strength in the struggle.

So if you feel as though you’re juggling at least one too many balls, or walking a tightrope which is rapidly fraying underfoot, just breathe ... and do the next right thing (which could be as simple as putting the kettle on). 

Here’s a couple of lovely verses and a song to follow:

‘But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble’ (Psalm 59v16).

‘I love you - God, you make me strong. God is bedrock under my feet, the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight. My God - the high crag where I run for dear life, hiding behind the boulders, safe in the granite hideout’ (Psalm 18v1-2).

“Chaos calls, but all you really need, is to just breathe”

‘Breathe’ by Jonny Diaz

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

Ingrid x

Midweek Thought ~ More like Jesus

I'm not sure if any of you will remember / know the song by Keith Green 'I want to be more like Jesus'.  It's old now but the truth of the lyrics still remain as valid today as they did when he wrote it .... "I want to, I need to, be more like Him". I'm going to add a link to a much newer song at the end of this message to you all, which has re-awakened the thought that it's not just about us finding and securing our identity (in Christ), or learning to trust our God more and prioritising being rooted in Him, but it's also about being more like our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ each and every day. I will always need to be more like Him, and a lot less like me!

So do we have grounds to copy Christ? Of course. It's fairly obvious if you think about the start of Christ's public ministry when He said to certain men "follow me" (Matt 4v19; Mark 2v14; Luke 5v27; John 1v43), that He was calling them to become followers of Him, to learn from, to become like Him, so that they would in turn, continue His work of reaching souls with the good news of salvation through faith.

It was a call to take off, leave behind, disregard and abandon the meaning of their lives up to that point and to put on, learn, embrace and live out Jesus Christ whom they would come to know as the Saviour of the world, God's only son. The one who would teach a new way, one without the walls and barriers of discrimination in every form. There would be no reference point to divide or assess humanity other than one simple truth and that was and is His love for every single person who has ever and will ever exist.  

I find it worth thinking about that really carefully, and being able to empty any other thoughts about 'people' in general. We are all absolutely the same when it comes to God's love for us and Christ's demonstration of that love through His life, death and resurrection. There is truly nothing we can add to or take away from who we are which will change His love and the truth of His redemptive plan for us. There is nothing we can do or have done which will affect that love ... nothing!

I love this verse in Jeremiah (31v3) “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness”.

So let's move on with that amazing promise and fact in mind. If that is how Christ loves, and He commands us to "love one another; as I have loved you" (John 13v34), then we'd better jolly well do it. This is Christ centred living at its core. Reflect on His life ... how did He show this love? What characteristics did He portray? Did loving mean He was weak? Did He take time to rest? How did He prioritise His day? Who did He choose to help?

Please take your own time to ponderously read through Jesus' life again and just note down words which spring to mind when perusing. I'll share a few of mine here.

I note that Jesus often showed His love through human touch and concern (Matthew 9). He had to be near to do that. He was in the moment and could see the individual concerned (Luke 8); that meant He cared enough to notice the detail. He took time; He sought out individuals (John 4); He provided for basic human needs (Mark 6); He protected (Mark 4); He intervened against evil spirits (Matthew 8); He meted out justice; He was unafraid to speak truth (Luke 19); He socialised with many (John 2; John 12; Luke 7); He gave relief to psychological, emotional and physical ailments; He was able to restore and reward (Luke 19); He resisted temptation (Luke 4); He cared for children (Mark 10) and was not swayed by outward appearance (Mark 12).

I also note that Jesus prioritised prayer. He often took himself off alone to spend time in prayer. He advocated rest, calling his disciples to "come and rest a while" (Mark 6v31). He kept His focus true, centred on His Father's will, and was therefore able to live out with purpose, the life which He had to, to enable and secure the only possible rescue plan for fallen humankind. At the same time, He set an example to us so that we in turn, could / can be living witnesses to anyone around us of that love ... a love beyond human comprehension, a love which in its truest form should see us being a lot more like Jesus and a lot less like me.

Victor Hugo wrote: “The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved, loved for ourselves, or rather loved in spite of ourselves”. Who better to be loved by than God Himself ... therefore let us love one another.

So, come on people, we’re all just people. Let’s not see class distinctions, background, ethnicity, religion, gender, education, car type, style, friends circles, occupation, postcode, social media presence, political view or titles ... let’s just see people. Every single one, affected by the depravity of humanity and yet every single one, according to God, worth dying for! 

If that’s how He sees us then let us be more like Him toward each other. The opposition won’t like it but let’s make it real from our hearts to each other, every day.

With thanks to Zach Williams for the words of this song which so aptly highlight some of the wonderful characteristics of Christ for us to imitate:

"Lets look a little more like mercy... grace... kindness... goodness... love... faith... patience... peace... more like Jesus, less like me".

https://youtube.com/watch?v=hawc0emHq8c&feature=share

With love to you all

Ingrid x

I’d like to share a song ...

Some of you reading this may know me, however you may not know that at times during my life I have wanted to die. I have also understood how some resort to self harm. Life is challenging and death can seem to be an escape when we reach our lowest and most desperate moments.

I’m here to tell you that even at those times for me, God was there. I may not have felt it or known it as such, but He was always there. 

I look back and can say like the words of this song, that I can see the evidence of God in my life. His goodness, His faithfulness, His mercy, His love, His protection and the hope which He gives both now and beyond death. Therefore, what is there to fear?

I don't understand why my life has turned out the way it has so far, although I know that a lot of it has been down to my own personal choices, maybe some ignorance and naivety, being far too vulnerable to temptation and struggling with my own identity and purpose.  

What I do know and my desire is, that my past does not define me, but that it continues to teach me and enable me to live my future in line with God's plan for my life. For His word and truth to be embedded into my daily living and for my life to be used and shared for the benefit of others. Then maybe one day sense will be made of the chaos, purpose will be evident in the process and peace will pervade every nook and cranny of the heart.

The song is ‘Evidence’ by Josh Baldwin

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Q6jD7N1HvbI&feature=share

With my love

Ingrid x

Some of you may know this song by Ray Boltz which also resonates:

I've had many tears and sorrows
I've had questions for tomorrow
There've been times I didn't know right from wrong:
But in every situation God gave me blessed consolation
He only gave me trials to make me strong.

Through it all, through it all
I've learned to trust in Jesus
I've learned to trust in God
Through it all, through it all
I've learned to depend upon His Word.

I've been to lots of places
And I've seen a lot of faces
There've been times I felt so all alone
But in my lonely hours
Yes, those precious lonely hours
Jesus let me know that I was His own.

Through it all, through it all
I've learned to trust in Jesus
I've learned to trust in God
Through it all, through it all
I've learned to depend upon His Word.

I thank God for the mountains
And I thank Him for the valleys
I thank Him for the storms
He brought me through
For if I'd never had a problem
I wouldn't know that He could solve them
I'd never know what faith in God could do.

Through it all, through it all
I've learned to trust in Jesus
I've learned to trust in God
Through it all, through it all
I've learned to depend upon His Word.