press through

'Yes again and again and again and again, I'll press through and praise your name'

This is the first line of a song I wrote and I was reminded of it this week. At times praise is quite simply has to be a decision, a choice rather than a feeling. As I write this my precious little sister has cancer and is walking through the shadow of the valley, the last thing I feel like doing is praising God. But here's the thing I have a need to praise Him because He inhabits the praises of His people and I need Him close to me in the pain of suffering.

When we praise God in the midst of awfulness we're reminded of the eternal dynamic of our world. God is good, He is love, He is ALWAYS in control and He is closest to us when we least realize it. If you're struggling to praise, stick on a c.d. or read some words of life (the bible) and know precious child Jesus care very much, He hears you and He is with you...

big hugs Ruth x

Chillax

Flip can't life be busy? I find that life can have periods which are so hectic that I just feel overwhelmed... how about you? When I'm bombarded with an ever increasing to do list (as we all are from time to time) I try and take evasive action... I've set out some things which help me...

1. Get alone - breathe - think -pray
2. Prioritize -it's better to take 10mins thinking things through
3. Plan - what's needs doing today and can it be delegated?
4. List it - get on with it

Have you any helpful strategies for getting on top of life? - please let us know by posting a comment below...

Love Ruth x

Know you're worth

What gives something it's value? If you're house was on fire what would you take? A person, a picture perhaps some family heir loom? The things that we value are unique to us and hold significance to our personal world... What we sacrifice ourselves for is what we value. When we value something we treat it it with respect and perhaps give it a special place in our lives. Are you valuing yourself today? Do you treat yourself with respect? Are you gracious to yourself when you get it wrong? Do you take care of yourself?

Princess you are by far the most precious thing in this world to your Heavenly Dad, He paid the ultimate sacrifice for you, His Son, He values you, He respects you and He has a special place just for you in eternity. Girlfriend you are priceless!

Know you worth today - Jesus does!

Love Ruth
(the above concept is taken from 'shine' @ Hillsongs Australia)

Busy busy busy...!

I must do, I should do, when I finish such and such I'll get round to it... do any of these sound familiar? Life can be so full of 'stuff' that we end up addressing the things which scream the loudest for our attention, yet those things which we really want to do can get left undone. I'm setting myself some goals for this year because I can see there's a very real danger of loosing focus and purpose if I don't take some control. I want to make pro active choices in my life rather than reacting to what it throws up. How about you? What do you need to set down or take up in order to limit the business of life?

Love Ruth x