“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.”
— Robert F. Kennedy
As a Christian I am always critical on myself. I am constantly making mistakes, regretting actions and promising never to do that again while constantly failing. I am hoping this blog will develop into an encouragement for others to let them know they are not alone in this crazy messed up world. We are one family in Christ. We may be nuts at times but if we constantly pray into the Fruit of the Spirit and encourage each other we may just see our family grow and exciting things happen.
The FMF word prompt today is prayer. Something I always need work on. So much to say but only five minutes. (Just over sorry) https://fiveminutefriday.com
I treat you like an earthy friend Dipping in and out when I can Yet you are a Holy God You deserve my very all
You come down to where I am No expectations of me You sit and listen While I reel off every feeling
I pray Rush off into my day When you deserve my time Worship and adoration
My prayers not always frequent Often very selfish I need to learn this art Of conversation with my Lord
I need to dwell in your presence So I never want to leave Forgetting the world around Just talking to my God
Help me to be more like Joshua With you face to face Breathing in your presence Never wanting to leave
Help me to sit still At the foot of your throne Looking at the King As an expectant child Listening to the story With excitement in my eyes
No distractions of thoughts No requests waiting to splurt out Just sitting in awe Quietly with brothers and sisters As a family of Christ Looking into the eyes of a King
Never let me forget How holy you are To be honoured and respected Even though you come as a friend You are a 3 in one divinity And deserve my all
Since I returned from visiting friends at the end of August my head has been doing a real number on me.
Nuts of unconfidence, what if’s, if only’s and comparison bringing discouragement and unsettledness.
With a day off booked and some alone time. No excuses I wanted to start in prayer. As my head was wandering I put some worship songs on You Tube in the hope of focusing.
As I was praying the song at that came on was Shoulders (link at the bottom) by King and Country. I hadn’t heard it before.
In the song Shoulders they keep singing “my help comes from you” meaning God.
Yes! That is what I needed to hear, to be reminded off. I listened to the song 3 times and my head cleared and I wanted to continue and lean on prayer as I really need God’s help to just bring joy.
As I opened my prayer journal. The bible verse on the page I am on is from Psalm 121:2
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
Psalm 121:2
Wow God really does give you what you need when you need it.
It is time to stop be still and let God administer. He has given me the word I need. I can’t ignore it. I have to lean in on it and I may not get the answers I want but I will get everything I need.
Today and always my strength comes from the Lord.
What do you need today. Take some quiet time out with God to let him provide and remind you of the answers you need.
Photo: page from my prayer journal. Prayer journal for women by Shannon Roberts.
I felt everything move around me. I was still. God moved.
Joy that has been missing is back in my heart.
Situations stay the same, nothing’s changed except ….
God’s joy and peace is now reigning in my heart.
When the nuts of this world bring you down look to God’s spirit and fruit to restore your soul.
We are called to be separate from the world Not complying or settling Always searching for more Under the shadow of the wings The heavenly father close by
Saved by his son The rugged cross in sight The grave is empty There is no fight For the victory is won
The spirit if we let him Completely abides and flows in us We must not upset him Just let him flow And do his work in us
His armour protects us The fruit is one Flowing in love,Joy,peace Patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness Gentleness and self control
Let us stay humble in your presence Keeping the nuts of the world at bay Living separately With your Holy Spirit inside Joy leading our way
Sometimes it is a case Of wrong time wrong place A lot of times it is Its a case of We've personally messed it up again Deliberately or not
Whatever the trouble Whatever the situation Our superhero Doesn't wear a cape Have a gimmick or Come from a comic book
Our rescuer depends on our perspective As to whether seen or not He rides on a white horse With an Army of angels surrounding Saving us from danger And is with us all the time
No situation is too big or small Our hero, Jesus Wants to rescue us from all Whatever your trouble Call on the name That saves us for eternity
A Sunday morning poetry reflection inspired by 1 Kings 19:11 – 13
And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
1 Kings 19:11-13 ESV
A gentle whisper That is how you came Not in the powerful wind Earthquake or fire But gently whispering
A whisper so peaceful A presence so identifiable No doubt That it is only God touching earth
Your power, your strength So strong, yet so gentle There is no way to ignore Your presence as a whisper Passing by
Your whisper Your strength and power Now lives in us Through your Holy Spirit Still powerful and true
A power not to be taken frivously Taking God for granted His spirit Living in us Whispering tremendous power
Power that rose Jesus From death to life For us to live Not in the grave But joyous in victory
No situation to big or small God whispers Let me do this And break the chain So you can walk with me freely
To say I am disgruntled by a typical “English summer” is probably an understatement.
My head, from the moment I woke was one of negativity and not joy. Despite listening to worship songs and praying it wouldn’t shift.
Off to the garden I went. After weeks of rain and gloom it needed a tidy. While trying to save my tomato plants from blight it occurred to me that my soul was blighted.
My mind cloudy in mouldy thoughts far from love. My mind running away in despair and gloom of thoughts that most likely will never happen.
As I trimmed and snipped the stems that weren’t falling apart in my hands, I suddenly though of the bible verse from John 15.
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
It dawned on me that I needed pruning. As prayers flowed while trimming and snipping it led to a period of quiet and reflection once tidied. I let God work within me.
Sometimes life takes over and recently it has been full on busy. I forgot to be still and just carried on with the to do list.
If you are feeling blighted and that your mind is clouded. Step back, sit down and let God prune away the blight and restore your vine.
It's been a little crazy My mind was going goo goo My branches getting weighed down By blight and mildew Causing comparison, hatred and jealousy
It's time to take a break And let the gardener do his thing Trimming and pruning back my sin Restoring the fruit of the sprit That I need to grow and nourish my soul
Once pruned and restored My soul how well it is Singing songs of joy Praises all around To my God, the gardener
Dear younger self If I could go back and give you advice I would firstly tell you You don't know everything like you think you do Take the advice
Love who you are Embrace it Don't desire attention Love is pure not selfish It is not lust Being the prettiest, wealthiest or cleverest
You don't need comparison Perfection or acceptance Learn to be yourself Love yourself Accept yourself for who you are No one else is like you You are unique
You are not perfect and will never be It doesn't matter Pray Love Jesus Stand firm Wear your armour Love others no matter what
Sing out loud Who cares that it is out of tune Dance like your dad Rhythm is not needed Do not let anyone steal your sparkle Rejoice
Praise God Let him in every mundane part of your life Hold firm to his promises Just live each moment With God alone
You are saved by grace Nothing can change that Even when you don't know it You are influencing all around You have wonderful friends and family Most importantly You have the most awesome God Who provides in the most awesome way Never leaving or forsaking you
Love life It is precious Embrace life and who you are
It's not about us It's all about you We humbly walk with God the father Jesus the son The Holy Spirit Living in us Keep our eyes on you Our hearts beating as yours Acting justly Showing mercy Humbly walking Doing God's will Not looking for praise That points to us But only to the father above
Less Nuts More Fruit 