Posted on by Loretta · 4 Comments

I believe in impossible

Day 2 #wonderfulladvent and the prompt word is impossible

Why do we always limit ourselves to the possible? There is a universe of impossibilities surrounding us.

A world of beauty in galaxies beyond our skies, planets,stars, nebula’s and more.

Oceans deep, colourful and bright, sustaining so much life.

We limit our minds to what we think we can achieve, what can be done, what we can see and what is possible. Are we willing to believe in miracles and open our mind. Did order just naturally evolve from chaos?

I believe in a God that loves and created me so. That sent his son at Christmas to a virgin mother. His son that died for me and rose again. From death to life he paid the price. I believed in Jesus who in his life, performed miracles, turned water into wine, healed the sick and fed the 5000. I believe in the Holy Spirit that was left to live in us if we just believe.

A Holy Spirit that still lives strong wanting to perform miracles and waiting to be unleashed. I want to see the sick all healed. No need for hospitals. I want to see an end to poverty and insecurity. And end to injustice, to wars and hostilities.

This may all seem impossible but what if we all believed, saw and witnessess such impossibilities?

Photo copyright NASA.

Posted on by Loretta

Jesus you bother with us

Light of the world shine 
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.
Posted on by Loretta · 2 Comments

Step in time

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.

Posted on by Loretta · 26 Comments

Cancelled sin not canelled 2020

This week’s  Five minute Friday prompt word is Cancel. 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

Walking in the muddy puddles of life
At times is most appealing 
Splashing in the dirt and grime
Spreading my sin around

In the darkness
Of that cold word
Just one more drink
I'm not forgiving them
Why would I do that

But the day the rainclouds of heaven opened up 
And Jesus entered in 
He melted a heart so cold
And asks you child why the frown

My cross has set you free
I cancelled your every sin
Every word of hate
Act of disobedience has been washed away

So let my Holy Spirit in today
And cancel all the dark clouds
That are holding on to you 
Let sunshine enter so you will shine 
And never look behind.

Not my best but hey it’s Friday and 5 minutes! God cancelled every sin when we accepted Jesus as king. What more can a girl want!

Photo: Owlbeech woods last weekend.

Posted on by Loretta

Being still & listening

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

Photo: Goring by Sea

Posted on by Loretta · 22 Comments

Breathe

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

He leads me beside still waters.
Posted on by Loretta · 2 Comments

Praise the Lord it is finished.

On another trip up the M23 to visit our oldest, my husband commented that roadworks on the M23 are now over and it is a fully smart motorway. In true Christian fashion I responded with “Praise the Lord it is finished”

I then paused and started thinking of what Jesus said at the end. “It is finished.”

This made me put my words into context and what I really should be praising the Lord for. Yes I am happy we are no longer weaving out of cones and speed limit restrictions. But there is something far more lasting and meaning in what Jesus said, and I should be praising the Lord because once Jesus died for you and me, it truly was finished and nothing can ever change that.

As I write this I ponder what “It is finished” truly means.

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

John 19:30

I do praise the Lord God loudly and thankfully because he sent is only child to die for all my sin, wrong doing and nasties. God did this because he knows I can’t follow rules and not always on purpose still mess up and cause hurt and heartache to other’s and God himself.

In moments of weakness I still sin.

Because of Jesus I have an eternal live with him long after I leave this world.

Because of Jesus I am free in this world of fear, doubt, hatred, anger, jealousy, anxiety, stress and much more. It isn’t always easy to let these things go, but the Holy Spirit is with us to help guide and keep us on track.

It is finished because nothing can take that away. Absolutely nothing.

I praise the Lord that it is finished. The moment I accepted Jesus and he saved me. Hallelujah Amen.

Photo copyright New Civil Engineer.

Posted on by Loretta · 5 Comments

A prayer for when our plans go skew-wiff.

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.
Posted on by Loretta

Prayer for joy and peace when discouragement lingers.

One lone sparrow.

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

Posted on by Loretta

A prayer not to just make it through Monday.

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.