Duvet Days ROCK...!

When was the last time you stayed in your Jammies just for the fun of it? It's good to take a duvet day once in a while and snuggle up in a comfy place. God created snuggling did you know that? He tells us that we can snuggle under His mighty wings and be still and know that He loves us and He is Lord in all circumstances.

God delights in you, He longs to spend time with you, to sing love songs over you and refresh your spirit. Could you do with any of the above?

Perhaps a duvet day might do you a power of good, why not schedule one in as a gift to yourself this month.

Love Ruth x

Spring has sprung...

Winter isn't associated with life much is it?... But we know during winter plants are getting the rest they need and nourishment deep in the unseen area of their roots. Just like nature we can go through winter seasons in this journey called life too...I don't know about you but I like to hibernate when the atmosphere feels cold or the environment hostile - Psalm 57 v 1 says, " Be merciful to me O God have mercy on me, for in you my soul take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the present calamities have passed by". Perhaps you've been in a winter place and aren't seeing much growth... but even when you can't see growth the fact is there is life below the surface.

Today in Norfolk the sun is out, the birds are singing, daffodils are opening and it really feels like spring has sprung! If you've been in a winter season know your fruit will come at the right time, relax and allow God to nourish you in the hidden place so that when the times right you burst forth and give Him glory...

love Ruth x

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

When Hope isn't enough

Disappointment is part of life... There are time we can find our hope of things unseen and all that Jazz a bit battered by life storms. Weariness can set in and it can feel like - actually NO faith of things unseen is simply not enough... As I was grappling through this with the Lord He said "don't worry about the hope thing, I know that damaged in you right now but allow me to give you the remedy for broken hope".

May I share with you God's remedy for crushed dreams and broken hope...? TRUTH - You see truth doesn't leave any room for doubt. Truth pushes all the warped perspective back into it's proper place. Truth reminds you that no matter how hopeless things seem, no matter unjust the circumstance, no matter what the doctor's say we have a God who has overcome the world. We are cherished and chosen, where the world seeks to make you just a number God gives you a face. Where situations are beyond your control God reminds us He is in control of all things. If you're struggling to hope go and get some truth back into your spiritual diet and be encouraged Babe!

Love Ruth x