Why advice is a gift from God...

The word advice has kinda negative coronations. It conjures up images of a mother with hands on hips telling you stuff you knew already which only serves to compound your sense of stupidity for doing that thing you already knew was dumb! Or maybe that's just my childhood in a sound bite...Doh! 
Anyway... I spoke to someone a few years ago who'd written a novel, which kept being knocked by publishers, so they asked me to have a read through and give them feedback. The premise was good but their writing style overloaded the reader with unnecessary information which really distracted from the storyline. Now I know us writer's can be a sensitive bunch so I made some gentle suggestions to tighten and improve the script. While they agreed with much of what I recommended they simply didn't want to make the necessary changes. I wonder is this perhaps our human nature? Do we ask for advice but if it doesn't fit in with what we actually want we disregard it.You see advice is only useful if we actually receive it and do something with it. I know it's obvious but I'm gonna say it anyway peeps... only seek advice from someone who models wisdom. When I was studying I'd get my husband to read through my essays with 'fresh eyes', it was amazing what he'd see that I had totally missed. This is why advice is such a blessing because another person's perspective; their lack of emotional involvement, can facilitate the generation of solutions as their creative thought engages with the problem in focus. Next time you ask for a get some advice ponder it for a bit, then go do something with it...

Oh and always remember don't eat yellow snow!


Hugs Ruth x

Believing is Seeing

Another wonderful Irish person penned the words 'I still haven't found what I'm looking for' when considering the meaning to life. A big question you might think, but is it, is it really?
I often think some of what we consider the big issues are only complex because we make them so. We look in the wrong place for answers and so never find them. I love rainbows I always have, as a child I'd run outside on sunny / rainy days to look for them (actually I still do!). Rainbows carry with them a universal sense of hope - that there is more yet to come; sunshine after rain, good times after pain. The thing about rainbows however, is in some sense they're not really there; it is just a reflection of light particles as they filter through water vapour. 


So let me ask you a question... is there such a thing as a rainbow? Most people would know what a rainbow is if you asked them yet it can be rationalised away. The converse of this can be applied I think to God. Most of us would agree we can't see God, yet he's there. We can feel His presence and see the outcome of impossible situations being possible in the miraculous and when we really stop and truthfully take stock there's something inside a spiritual consciousness that causes our hearts to yearn for the more than this(ness) of life... So really what I'm trying to say is where you focus will determien what you see. Are you focusing on your spirit or only on what you can rationalise? I've found God works often in the opposite to the world. If you want to be a leader learn to serve, if you want to have stuff, give stuff away. My wonderfully wise husband once pointed out believing is seeing.

Folks why not keep life simple, focus on knowing Jesus more and all those deep theological and unanswered questions will be eclisped by your heart rather than your head.


Big Hugs Ruth x

Giving God The Benefit of You're Doubt

I heard a sermon yesterday on trusting God and how He is always faithful and will never fail us etc. Which is totally true... However as I walk through the reality of terminal illness in my family, I'm aware of my own capacity to doubt and forget of the spiritual reality of God's promises. The devil will and does take any opportunity he can to weave doubt and deception into our thoughts and he's good at it... However the bible's up front about life, it tells us 'in this world we WILL have troubles', (so let's not get arsey with God when stuff happens) because it goes on to say 'but fear not because Christ has overcome the world'. That means whatever you are currently wrestling with - God has it sorted. You see if we never had any doubts, fears or challenges we'd never know the faithfulness of God when we come out the other side. My experience leads me to believe that it is part of the maturing process to reach a point of profound doubt; so God can take us to a new place of deeper reality. But we have to be open God's way of doing things which is the work of waiting.

Sadly some folks get side tracked to a place of disillusionment, blinding them to the hope and perspective of their future. It's a dangerous place 'disillusion' because it's rooted in the pride of our own very limited understanding. Left unchecked this place hardens the heart towards the only thing that's going matter outside of time. It's important during such times to be aware of the attitude of our heart. I've found it helpful to be real, humbly honest with God, as truth opens up the way to hope. Pray from that place and God will hear your payers, but know He'll answer them in His way.

In light of what God has done for us can we just wait a while, can we choose to be humble and give Him the benefit of our doubt, while we wait on Him to come through, to prove Himself faithful? Sweet cheeks - it's OK to wrestle with doubt be encouraged the very fact you're wrestling means you're still spiritually alive! 

And God will  come through.... hugs Ruth x

Your Ebb and Flow's Cool...

There a very few things in life which are constant, fixed or unchanging. Most stuff... experiences, relationships are adaptive in nature, like shifting sand or waves upon the shore. And this is cool - we're designed to be flexible, we see the changes we negotiate the new. Like the game we've all played at the beach - jumping over each new wave just as it races towards you. The predictable aspects of life, the ones we see, and jump over these are easy. Our relationship with God however can be a bit less predicable. I Love the Lord with all my heart, I really do... but there are days when I don't feel as 'zippy-do-dah ' as I'd like to. God undoubtedly deserves my best but my best will Ebb and Flow in line with where I'm at in a given point in time. So perhaps our goal is doing the best we can in the moment in which we find ourselves.

The fact is - this mysterious relationship between us who are, carnal, flawed and amazingly inconstant is with The Divine, all loving, all knowing, all good God who is perfect in consistency - yet unseen.  The wonder is that just like rhythms of waves upon the shore, God works around our ebb and our flow. He knows how to get the best out of what He's made (Me and you)! Maturity in spirit is seen in those who get on with what God's called them to do regardless of feeling the swell or crest because they know - tides will come in and go out but - God will have His perfect way in the end and we get to be part of that...

Don't stand on the shore any longer - who you are is good enough... get your trousers rolled up and jump - it's great fun!

 

Which way's best?

Life is a journey from one point to another. We are born, we live, we die... I know that sounds rather stark. I guess it's the nutshell description of this process we call life. I've just returned from a week in Cornwall (It's sooo like Ireland)! I'd never been there before and loved the walks along the beaches and cliff tops. A number of times I got a bit off track and found myself wondering which is the best way to back to the path. I'd been following a sunset or watching a boat sail out and before I realized - there I was, away off alone. You see when you're in unfamiliar territory you can be distracted by the newness and wonder of your surroundings; it's easy to loose your way because the points of reference you'd usually use aren't there. Each day is new and although life has reference points and certain elements of predictability we often have no exact road map for the journey. We need to be alert to the voice - or often in my case the kick on the butt - of the Holy Spirit saying this is the way walk in it...

The direction you take really matter's as you journey. Are you walking with purpose? Are you going towards something useful, life bringing and fruit bearing? Holiday's are a great time to audit your private world, to take stock and evaluate the direction you're going. I hope this summer when you get a break you can find time to consider which ways best for you and if necessary make some changes to the direction of your walk.

Hugs Ruth x

Spice up your life!

I was out for a meal with my family last night and looking round the table at all my siblings it struck me how totally different we all are. I wondered how each of us could come from the same biological root and yet be so completely different. I'm so glad that God is Lord of our biology as well as everything else. Imagine if we were all the same, if we had no personalities to inspire, drive or motivate us. I'm so grateful for the highs and the lows the ebb and flow and the sheer variety of life, because each extreme heightens the experience  of the other. Wouldn't life be dull without the mix of humor, learning styles, values and thought processes we each hold. I love that different people come across our path throughout our lives and leave us changed...for the better.

These folks are like aromatic spices to our world. These people if they were a spice would put a kick in the humdrum rice of life. These are the folks who are such good fun you laugh till you pee your pants in their company. There are other 'spices' in our world who simply understand you; they can empathize on a level that soothes your soul. Then there are those who brighten, fragrance, and flavor your world. They add colour on a gray day, or a breath of fresh air when life feels stagnant and sweeten your heart when you're tempted to bitterness. 

The converse of this idea is the need for the rice, the need for the staple not so spicy carbs - which take some of the heat out of the spice and counteracts the intensity of a flavor. Each thing is needed to enhance the meal. We need rice and spice which one are you? Be encouraged you being you will compliment the other foods in the cooking pot of life...

love Ruth x

Sail away with me?

Let's face it, we all like to have a sense of control over our own lives don't we? we like to go to a restaurant and choose for ourselves what we'll have to eat. We like to get up in the morning and decide which clothes to wear or what cereal to eat. We choose the words we say and sometimes we choose to have a less than God glorifying attitude... doh! We think we know how to navigate our lives well but really without Jesus we're lost. The bible tells me each one of my days is held in the palm of my Father's hand, that He has positioned each step I take and He knows the plans He has for me. It's good to remind ourselves of this because at times it can feel like we're adrift - bobbing around on a big ocean with no control, or direction, no provisions and no land for miles... (A pretty hopeless scenario eh?)


Life will bring times of major change - redundancy, starting a new school or job, birth or bereavement, relocation, loss of memory or mobility. So in the changing tides of life isn't it good to know that you're not alone. Isn't it good to know there is one who is in control of the wind not just the rudder! Not only that He is a God of precision, purpose and the most amazing unconditional love for you. Can I encourage you today in the midst of change not to abandon hope but trust in the one who's already in control... 


Love Ruth x