Not going to lie. I didn’t think I was going to be able to write anything today. My mind was under attack. Then my spirit when I heard that where I live in the UK we will be going into tier 4 Boxing day. Although not unexpected.
In this moment of darkness I was wondering how I can possibly write anything about adore without sounding half hearted, niche or preachy. But does it matter if I do?
Isn’t the point of Jesus to adore, love and trust him in all the surrounding darkness as well as the joyful times. To ask Jesus to remove the darkness.
When I am struggling I tend to listen to worship music as I find it the most uplifting thing when I sing along or let it sink in.
Adore
Jesus the night you were born The angles flew down from heaven To shepherds below Singing adoration to you In the brightness of sight Go worship the king they said Not in a palace With a crown on his head But in a stable A child just like you Making himself human To understand as we do To have a closeness Knowing all we go through So worship and adore the baby at Christmas time Beyond into the new year And never let go For as we adore Jesus He seeps into our bones Bringing joy peace and miracles all the year round.
Why Jesus do you bother with me You never give up Or leave me alone You stand by my side in every fight Pick me up when I'm down Send peace when I frown
My mental health is low today I love my imaginary pet More than people We all deserve your wrath Yet patience rules within your heart
You bother with me and everyone Because you love us so So much so you died for us conquered death and rose again
Please take this gloom And turn it round Let your love and peace Rule in my heart Let me step in time with your spirit Sharing your love with all Whether or not people believe in you.
In Mary Poppins while Bert is a Chimney sweep and on the roof with the children and Mary Poppins they sing the song step in time. I’m not suggesting that we need to flap like a birdie, climb on the railings or go round the chimney, although it would be amusing to watch!
I am thinking about how we step in time with God through the Holy Spirit. Do we keep perfect time with God or are we a beat ahead or behind?
Lord Jesus The beat of your spirit Is a fast changing tempo Sometimes quick Sometimes slow Give us ears to hear your beat Stay in time And not fall behind
Open our hearts Let us dance to your rhythm Praising and praying As we skip along Let your peace and love Rule in our hearts Keeping judgment and hating Far away
As we go into our days Our weeks And the rest of the year Let us keep dancing Marching and walking In step with your Spirit Shining and sharing Your gift of the cross Love,peace and eternity.
As England decides to catch up with the rest of the UK. A prospect of lockdown in dark autumn to winter nights seems gloomy.
Concern for nurses and carers. Only able to see parents from a distance. Unemployment at an all time low. We need hope to breakthrough.
It’s time to start thinking outside the box. Showing love and compassion creatively. To stop thinking about problems in a worldly way, but in a supernatural way.
Leave the science to the scientists. Let’s tackle what we can. Showing love to neighbours. Buying extra food for foodbanks if we are able to. Having a clear out, will things we no longer use be a help to others?
We can still plan Christmas, just not in the same way. Write and post cards to let others people know you are thinking of them. Reflect what Christmas means to you. Open your heart to a baby boy and see what emotions arise.
We are created imaginatively, by a creative God. Let God show us ways to support each other in new imaginative ways. Let us stand firm on our rock, unshakable in Christ
Loving Only Christ Keeps Daily Options Wonderful Notions
This week’s Five minute Friday prompt word is disappoint. 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. #fiveminuteFriday
Can I be disappointed With you Holy God If things don't go my way
Do I struggle and question Why does it have to be this way?
In the heat of emotional stress I can feel abandoned Not understanding That you know what is best
Hindsight is amazing And if I took the time To see as you do Take in the bigger picture
Act the way you taught me Be loving Accepting and kind And do not spurt out What is in my mind
Yes I get disappointed Upset and lose the plot Grumpy and nasty If things do not go my way
But remind me constantly Disappointment is just an emotion Like love and hate linked to selfishness
You have taught me time again That you love me And know me best
And in my disappointment It is always for the best For your keeping me on the right track As you know me best.
The photo is the view from a cousin’s garden. I am jealous! I added the bible verse and keep it as my screen saver on my phone. It reminds me God’s timing isn’t the same as mine but at the right time God will breakthrough.
I can listen and be still to others but am not so good at it when it comes to God.
How do I truly listen to you God? Sometimes I get it so wrong Being still is not my thing I'm too busy like Martha With too much to do I'm not known for sitting still.
How do I listen to a God so devine In a house that feels so busy In fact I secretly like it this way But there's no time to be me Or calm my mind Let alone sitting next to Jesus patiently.
Please Jesus open my eyes and ears Knowing it's ok to sit still After praying While having a cuppa Lets start a conversation Where you lead A time to sit still and focus on you
Take digression and throw it away Along with awkwardness and thoughts of tidying away Let me just be still and listen to you
This week’s Five minute Friday prompt word is breathe. 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. #fiveminuteFriday
I originally wrote and published this in September last year when as a family we were going through some challenges. God is good and we are over that now. When I saw the prompt word for FMF today. I thought of this and decided to reblog.
Breathe:
Breathe Breathe in slowly
Feel your rib cage rise Close your eyes Breathe out Pause
Open your eyes Pause Breathe You can do this
Heaven is sending it’s Angels Stand firm, your rock is with you Take his hand Breathe
Close your eyes The arrows won’t hit you Fear can’t touch you Breathe
Stand firm squeeze his hand tighter Look doubt in the eyes and say Hallelujah Say it clearly do not quake Say it louder
The enemy is circling Breathe Raise your arms Sing louder Breathe
Let your rock hold you Let every drop of his precious blood free you Breathe
Let it soak into your being Release your doubt stand firm in his promises Relief is coming
Look at the vast army fighting for you Remember the promises Let your praise rise Louder Breathe
You are loved Pause Breathe You are worth the fight Pause Breathe
Your rock is with you The battle may be raging but the war is over It is finished Nothing more can be done Breathe
Stand firm in his promises Breathe Trample on the doubt Sing louder Stand strong Fear is gone Breathe
Pause Let peace rise Let joy burn within Let hope have control Breathe
Believe God is with you God will never leave you Breathe
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.
Less Nuts More Fruit 