“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.
2020 is far from what anyone planned. The rest of the year may not be what we hoped for either, but it has to be what we make it. The attitude and end result will be up to us.
If we can watch the COVID statistics and know a loved one is not there we are blessed. If loved ones who are suffering from other illness are still getting treatment we are thankful. If we have a job, roof over our head and food on the table we are rich.
Dear Jesus, Our plans for 2020 may not be what we wanted or hoped for. Some moments have been a little scary. But as our rock Jesus we stand on you. We trust the the plans you have for us are for our future. You are our hope, our peace our joy. Please bring comfort to the hurting, Healing to the sick, Shelter to the homeless, Food and provision to the hungry. Remind us that these times of a pandemic are only temporary, Let us use the time to love and care for each other, Just as you taught us. We are not alone, your Holy Spirit is with us, Protect the mental health of our nation as much as our physical health. Let us realise these ruined plans of ours, Are nothing compared to the blessings you have for us in the future. So help us make the rest of 2020 joyful in our hearts even if it isn't the way we want it to be. Amen.
So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
Matthew 10:31 NLT
I am feeling discouraged already. I desparately need the fruit of God’s joy and peace already. There is no real reason why. However I can not let this define my day and must stamp on this attitude now.
If you are feeling discouraged or disheartened today, pray for God’s peace and joy and see what happens.
Dear Jesus, Thank you that you love me, And that I am worth so much to you. So much you died for me, taking my place so that I can live. Discouragement is lingering, Trying to seep into my bones, My inner being and Spirit disturbed. This is not what you want, And I cannot let this define my day. Please keep your armour on me and fill me with your peace. Let this day be filled with testimonies of your love, Laughter and pure joy. I don't know what my day holds, But one thing I know is that Jesus, you will not leave my side. So through you spirit today. Keep me on your narrow path Radiating your light to all that I pass. Amen
I constantly seem to wish my life away to the weekend. Monday I normally label “make it through Monday”. But life shouldn’t be about making it through the day. It should be about living, embracing life and dropping the labels. My Monday today isn’t defined by making it through the day.
Dear Jesus, I have already woken up feeling like I just need to make it through Monday. This is not right and I don't want to wish my life away. The news is doom and gloom, My energy levels low. Before my day starts, let me take rest in you. Restore me,renew me, refresh me. Bless me with joy, Give me energy, passion, And a heart for you. Let my day be led by you. Help me to share your love today, Spread your joy and enjoy my day. Work,play and family time, Let it all be to glorify you. Amen.
Today’s Five minute Friday prompt word is Could. You can join in the fun here: https://fiveminutefriday.com As a writing community we write for 5 minutes(ish) no perfection or edits, the words just flow.
I could of been a doctor, lawyer or teacher, If I only tried harder at school, I could of been a pastor, minister or missionary, If I decided bible school was my thing. I could be 6ft tall if nature didn't have it's way, 4ft 11" is good enough for me. I could of been rich if I had that one idea, An entrepreneur, celebrity or more.
But coulda, shoulda, woulda is only a mindset, I am rich in ways beyond this world, I have health and family, And most importantly, a God that loves me so.
My identity is in Christ, And nothing else. I am defined by Jesus not anything else. Could does not exist in a person of love and forgiveness. I am who I am, Faults and all, Created to love and share Jesus to all. I could be anything in this world, But I chose to follow Jesus, And do best I can do, to show his love, grace and mercy along the way, Spreading the gospel in every way.
Whatever normal is, it still isn’t here. Stuck in a pandemic with a new season approaching. COVID has made the year go fast and it won’t stop the year changing seasons. So for people like me who love summer and can feel it slipping away here is a poem to help us cling to joy.
It's only late summer, August not quite ended. So why am I letting it bother me so? Stealing my joy with autumn pending.
The nights are getting longer, The daylight hours shorter. Counting down to the shortest day, Instead of making the most of the sun, And all the fun it brings.
Leaves are turning golden brown, And falling all around. The summer heat fading fast, Faithful when in need.
There is no reason I should feel this way, Doom and depression, try seeping into cracks.
Seasons come and seasons go, But my God remains the same. So faithful,providing joy, My strength,my hope,my all.
Whatever the season, Jesus fill me with your joy. Let the dark fade to dust, And light shine all around.
Let the reds,golds and browns of autumn leaves sparkle, Let them crack and snap as we snuggle and jump on them.
May the crisp air bring the stars, Lights leading us home, As we countdown to Christmas, Celebrating your birth.
Summer,autumn,spring And winter, Jesus your our only king, With us every day, helping us find the way, And providing limitless joy.
Today’s Five minute Friday prompt word is Mercy You can join in the fun here: https://fiveminutefriday.com As a writing community we write for 5 minutes(ish) no perfection or edits, the words just flow.
mercy – noun – compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.
I am not going lie or sugar coat things but being a Christian is hard. There are times when situations of the world take control and following God’s will is hard. But we need to lean on him in those times to keep our minds and hearts on track. God is full of mercy and we have to be too, however hard that is.
Lord forgive me as I am not feeling merciful today, This is wrong and not of you. I repent for my feelings but they are struggling to go away. I am left feeling victimised, discriminated against. Give me a heart of love, Full of mercy and forgiveness, To everyone around me no matter what their actions. Let my actions today be from you, mirroring yours on earth. Let me stand firm in your teachings, Filled with your Spirit knowing whatever is going on all around that is nothing compared to losing you. Keep me in your armour and fill me with the fruit of your spirit, And let me show mercy to others as you have shown to me, Let your cross be the picture I carry today. Amen.
Dear Jesus We are not alone, You are with us always through your spirit. You never leave us, even when we struggle to feel your presence. Keep our eyes on you, Through your spirit today, Let our actions reflect you. Let us speak when there is injustice, Let us share your love to the despairing, Let us stand firm when being attacked, And rest in you when we are tired. Let us test all our decisions to ensure they are from you. Take away everything from us that isn't of you. You are our saviour and our God, Let us reflect you today, So all the glory goes to you. Amen
What happened to your cross Jesus, After your body was taken down. Did it stand there for days, months and years, Symbolic of all you did. Did your haters,the people that deny you, Dipose of it straight away, Scared of knowing what it meant, That you alone are Lord.
Is your cross in heaven? I'm sure you don't need it there. Your cross is an earthly thing and lives inside my heart. It reminds me of all you've done, Taking away my sin. This came at such a cost, Your life, for me in eternity.
I look at my cross today, The grace I don't deserve. Such a grateful heart, That reflects only a fraction of yours. Let your cross shine within me, In everything I do, Sharing your truth and gift of grace, That is free to all.
As an artist pre school finger painting is probably my level! I most certainly will never paint like Michelangelo, Picasso or Constable. But I don’t have to.
Most people that read this will know this verse isn’t about our painting skills.
We are God’s canvas and he is creating a masterpiece in us.
The moment we accept Jesus as our saviour we are freed from chains of sin and wrongdoing and become a totally blank canvas.
It’s our walk with Jesus and our actions that determine if our new blank canvas becomes a finger painting, a Sistine chapel masterpiece or a blackened blotted and spolged gloopy mess.
Even with the best intentions we smudge our artwork, we can do this intentionally or accidentally, but when we do, we say sorry to the artist and ask the artist to adapt and clean the smudges away turning us back into that that masterpiece for his glory.
Let’s stop finger painting in our relationship with God today and ask to become the masterpiece he is wanting to create. Yes he can turn ANYONE into a masterpiece.
Dear Jesus, Thank you for taking away my sin, From the moment I accepted you and believed in your cross of forgiveness, I became a blank canvas. Let my selfish drives and promotion fade and disappear, Let me become the blank canvas once more for you to complete your masterpiece. Let everything I do, be for you and your glory and not for me. Amen
So I saw the word progress pop up and thought “Nah too difficult, to hot think I will leave it”
I then decided to sit in the garden and for lunch and looking at some flowers it made me think about progress.
The flowers in the photo above were brought and picked out by my husband in a garden clearance section for £2. I was obviously very ashamed of these flowers and didn’t think they would last or were worth taking a photo off at the beginning.
The flowers when brought were barely alive. They had one bloom falling off and the leaves were brown and wilted for days. I am now fascinated how they are flourishing and progressing in their blooming. Every time I thought they had fully bloomed they hadn’t.
My plant has progressed through belief from my husband they they were worth saving. Through planting in great compost and nurturing they are reaching their potential.
Remind you of anything?
Dear Jesus I thank you that you love me so much I am worth saving. I thank you that you nurture me and help me achieve all I was created for. Thank you that you never give up on me. You provide my every need. I blossom and bloom not just once but day after day with your attendance. Help me to continue to grow in you. Help me to reach others that feel they are not worth saving realise how loved they are by you, And let them blossom and bloom into a the creation they were born for. Amen
