God & the 3 pin plug!

When I moved to London 20yrs ago I had the opportunity of going to ‘speaker’s corner’ which is a place beside Hyde Park where anyone can go, stand on a soap box and speak about anything and everything. I watched these two men debate; one was an atheist and one was a theologian. It was very interesting - a bit like a verbal fencing bout.  After a while however I found that I was simply bored of their parrying; not because it wasn't interesting but because there was no engagement of heart. It was just point scoring…

Psychology shows we learn best when we are ‘emotionally invested' in what we’re what we’re expecting. I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed ‘theologically’ but I do seek out and have the the privilege of hearing some great bible teachers. They just blow me away with their insight and wisdom not to mention their real 'ness' and humour! The difference with these guys  and the ones at speakers corner is they enable a connection between the word of God and my heart. This causes an effect on how I do life. Someone once said ‘trying to connect with God through the mind alone is like trying to put a 3 pin plug in a 2 pin whole – it won’t work because connection with God essentially happens through the heart ‘. God the Father, God the Son and God the spirit...

 What do you need to do to improve your connection with all 3 today?

Hugs Ruth x

Spiritual Identity Theft?

I’ve been uber busy people!  – pre-holiday cleaning for the burglars, post-holiday laundry, grocery shopping, trips home to visit my sister who’s poorly and a son going off to collage not to mention all the ‘church stuff’… yep it’s buzzzzzzy. Trying to get time with God has been a real challenge over this summer; our God time is often the first thing to go when life is squeezed isn’t it? As my role changes (I’ve now an empty nest) I’ve become acutely aware of my need for God to remind me who I am because without Him I’m not really, well… me! I posit there is a link between who we are after spending time with God and our identity. And I’m not the only one look at Moses after spending time with God his face shone…

We like to be shiny… we all have a public presentable ‘identity’ but God is after the real you. At the end of your life He won’t ask ‘why couldn’t you have been more like Mother Teresa’? There’s a great bumper sticker which reads ‘be yourself everyone else is taken’ and that’s the point. God made you – you for a purpose. Your temperament, your ethnicity, your gifts and limitations, your parenting even, was all thought through for a reason. Nevertheless we need to get smart our enemy is a great liar; if he can deceive you about who you are you’ll live an unfulfilled life. Do you ever find you to live to please people, or live through the distorting filter of comparison? Do you feel the pressure to be something or someone you’re not? Do you forget your royal position? These are all evidence of his handiwork and why we need regular Holy Spirit infilling.

I’m speaking to myself here but we can snooze into apathy and indifference to who we are and what we’re meant to be doing on this earth. We can easily be distracted robbing us of our identity and our part in the greatest show on earth! We need to pursue what God values; we need to know our ‘role’ so we can keep our focus passionate. You see our values and convictions shape our choices which shape our lives.  I’m a wobbly person deeply flawed and often wrong. I need my saviour to whisper who He says I am when the world says I’m useless; conversely I need Him to humble me when I forget without Him I’m nothing. Get with God today and ask Him to remind you who you are…

Hugs Ruth x

The Limitation of 'self help'

I'd like to flag up a less obvious, kinda quiet, culturally accepted ideal - if we just tried a bit harder or exercised more discipline we'd be able to accomplish oh just so much more!!! Self improvement strategies and how to 'be all you want to be' and 'get the most from life you can' is one of the fastest growing markets in the West. Our search for improvement is big business! Some of these tools can be useful in helping us negotiate life. It is healthy to be able to say 'no' at times to others or more often ourselves. It can bring life into our life, to rest, to forgive, to let go and more. However all our efforts are of limited value because the one thing strikingly consistent in humanity is our inconsistency... Many books, CD's or video's sit in a drawers gathering dust while our intention to change is seduced by another fad or worse still these things serve to reinforce our own negativity about ourselves. I think its part of the enemies plan, to fuel frustration, self loathing and discouragement... oh and did I mention big business? 

So what do we do with this? There most certainly is a need to press through stuff, to implements changes which will help us to waltz in rhythm with the music of our maker. To quote John Ortberg 'We are God's project not ours'. But that's the point, the changes we work through need to be Spirit led. In Zechariah 4:6  we're reminded 'No not by power nor even might but by My Spirit says the Lord God Almighty'! Boy doesn't that take the pressure off! I don't know about you but I'd rather eat my own personal elephant one Holy Spirit inspired bite at a time. I want to work in harmony with Him so my 'self' is changed for God's glory for eternity.

Be encouraged - 'We can do ALL things through Christ who strengthen us' Philippians 4:13. 

Hgs Ruth x

In Quiet in Crisis

Giving birth is a scary thing - I've been blessed to do it twice but both times there was a point at which mentally and physically I felt overwhelmed and I thought nope I'll do this another day. I actually tried to talk my husband into taking me home! One thing I noticed was my inability to make noise of any sort. On some strange unconscious level it seemed the quieter I was, the less reality the physical and mental meltdown held. This was in total contrast to the poor women in the room next to me! I guess what I discovered about myself is I'm simply not a screamer. Interestingly the medical staff told me they are more mindful of the 'quiet ones' because less alarm is raised when things go wrong. The danger is as we try and suppress or put on our stiff upper lip we can make ourselves unwell. Given the rise of diagnosis of mental health problems we can perhaps assume there are many people are going through life in quiet crisis.

We all deal with crisis in different ways like the woman next to me in hospital - you may be vocal, you may be a great communicator who works out solutions, reasons and understanding through interaction with other people or God in prayer. If this is you be encouraged that you've found a way to get purchase on the slippery rock-face of crisis. There are others who internalise in an equally healthy way. You may get your purchase through reading, information finding, meditation, reflective prayer or writing.

I am aware of a number of you going through different aspects of crisis (thanks to those of you who have shared privately via email- you are in my prayers and it is my privilege to encourage you). It breaks my heart to know there are folks going through awful situations feeling so very alone. For some of us the pain of life can be just too much, so gut wrenching that it feels like no one else could possibly understand. Beloved when you are paralysed in the moment of utter doubt, utter hurt, utter crisis there is one who understands. His name is Jesus and He gets you, He gets the situation from the inside out of who you are. He will sit with you till your head stops spinning and your breath returns. He will comfort you and nurse your brokenness back to life. You don't ever have to be alone - ask Him to meet you there humbly, quietly in your crisis for He cares. 

" Cor 1:3&4 'Praise be to the God and Father of out Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.'

very gentle Hugs this week

Ruth x

Jesus uses introverts too!

This is not an extrovert or an introvert it's just a cute monkey!

 

There are many conferences going on over the summer and it's a wonderful thing for tens of thousands of people in our nation to come together to seek God and worship Him. I love conferences they are a great way to spiritually recharge, inspire vision and build relationship. We are so very blessed to live in a time of excellent communicators, sophisticated music and the freedom to gather. I am aware however that there are those folks for whom such a huge gathering would be a trial. Those who need solitude to reflect, to deeply process and internalise before they become operational. I've had a growing sense over the last ten years or so that  - high octane pumped preaching for many, equates to being full of the Holy Spirit and 'on fire' with the plans and purposes of God. Perhaps this unspoken attitude is a throw back to the power dressing, dog eat dog attitude of the 90's but somehow we have seen extroversion as good and introversion as bad. 

This is a problem for me for I am sensitive and was brought up not to shout to be heard. I'm easily intimidated, and flourish where I feel safe. I'm not a great visionary but admire those who are. I like to fill in the beauty the detail - I like to ponder on the mystery of God as I watch a sunset or cuddle a new born. Perhaps you can empathise? At times I've tried to 'be' what I thought a good Christian was then wondered why it has led to frustration and emptiness. One time I was lamenting my temperament to the Lord and He showed me a couple of things

1. Pressing through timidity, fear and self doubt is part of His plan to develop my character.
2. My weakness is a strength to the body in that I will pick up on the hurt, lost and lonely in a crowd.
3. People like me flesh out the vision of others - cushioning the steel frame with the softness of Christ.

We only have to look at history to see the pendulum of extremes in human values. Perhaps the trend for introverts is on the increase as their contribution to the kingdom is recognised. But the truth is we love and serve a God who values us all and has a job for us in the building of the bride - it doesn't matter if you're on the steel team or soft furnishing just build with all you are to the glory of God. 

Hugs Ruth x

How's it Hanging?

I love watching house renovation programs; the idea of taking something dilapidated and giving it a whole new lease of life really appeals to me.  The sense of fruitfulness as planning, preparation and hard work, not to mention the skill of the tradesmen and how that all comes together to produce something life enhancing makes my heart smile. One of the things which fascinates me with these impressive structures are the front doors because they are the first reflection an outsider sees of the design preference of the folks inside. Regardless of design however doors have one thing in common, they hang on small or even invisible hinges.  When hanging a door there is a critical moment where each hinge and bracket must line up if the door is to be hung successfully on its turning point. Do you know, I think there’s an analogy to be had with here… Let me illuminate, the small choices we make and how we respond can have a hugely significant influence on the direction of swing of the door of our lives. Hinges can be positive, like falling in love or getting a job but many more hinges can be difficult and painful; when a loved one dies, we fail when it mattered - what holds us and what do we hang on then?

The Greek word for turning point is ‘Krisis’-  it relates to chariot racing and the point where the driver had to basically do a U turn before the home straight. During ‘the turn’ the balance of the chariot is most likely to be thrown off and a crash result. It’s where our English word crisis comes from. Rarely does it feel like it at the time but there is a plus side to this turning process. Krisis forces a change in our stance bringing balance to what really matters to us, shaking lose all the sawdust of superficiality. The turning action increases our awareness of the need for support from something beyond ourselves. Just as the door is stressed as it is hung it’s the stress of each hinge with each bracket as it turns which causes a secure fit. Guys you may not always feel it but you are secure in Christ. He will never leave you or give up on you no matter how things seem. In that point of crisis when you take a deep breath and panic pray for the wisdom, words of life or courage stay the course it’s then you are lubricating your spiritual hinges. Furthermore when we choose to work through the grind and friction of the bend with the Holy Spirit’s tools - graciousness, encouragement, love you now His stuff! We bring freedom, movement and an opening for God restorative power in the lives of others. If you’re feeling (please forgive the poor pun) a bit unhinged, know nothing can move you out of the will of God (Jn 10:28). 

Be encouraged every hinge, every bracket in your life is crafted by the hand of a master craftsman and will work according to His GOOD purpose and plan!

Hugs Ruth

How's your hearing?

‘Sometimes a man wants to be stupid if it lets him do a thing his cleverness forbids’ - John Steinbeck

The above quote sums up our human potential to get into trouble! It reminded me how in war communication is a strategic tool. Get it wrong people die. Mishear a directive and it can be the difference between winning or losing the war. In the same way it’s vital we hear our Commanding Officer, Jesus.  I have to confess there are times in my life when I blatantly knew I was doing wrong and didn’t want to hear God. I clapped my hands over my lugholes and carried on only to come a cropper down the line; not only that, others became casualties as a result of my actions.

Wilful sin causes spiritual distortion in our ability to hear. A bit like a short wave radio that’s not tuned in, it renders our conscience fuzzy preventing effective communication and that can cost lives. Our short term pleasure can have serious long term consequences. we need to keep the air waves clear to hear the Holy Spirit saying - this is the way walk in it. Not only do we need direction we need encouragement refreshing, hope, love and more...

 Proverbs 8:33-34a “Hear my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is he who listens to me…” 

In the battle for your soul how’s your hearing?

hugs Ruth x