Posted on by Loretta

You are loved

It doesn’t matter how old you are! 30 secs old or 120 years old. YOU ARE LOVED.

The very conservative middle class town I Iive in has recently suffered 3 teenage suicides. I find this heartbreaking.

I have no idea the reasons why they did this or what life looked like for them but this should not be happening in a so called first world country with access to so much mental and physical health support. A country where we preach about being kind to one another, where in reality we all struggle with that, mostly unintentionally.

Life is precious. You are precious. BELIEVE IT.

As a Christian you can’t believe in God without believing in the devil. The biggest thing the devil does is lie to you. He will tell you your worthless take away your confidence and bring you down because he wants you in his camp. We all fall for those lies at times.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 10:10

Jesus came because he loves YOU! He loves YOU with a love that can never be quashed, taken away, removed or dampened.

Jesus loves YOU for being YOU no other reason.

It is an unexplainable love. You may not understand it, get it or even believe in it but is is there and nothing YOU can do can stop it.

JESUS LOVES YOU.

However hard, whatever your struggle. Stop listening to the lie. If things feel out of control get professional help. PRAY you may be surprised at the answer.

But whatever you are going through right now remember …..

YOU ARE LOVED

Posted on by Loretta

A heart like Jesus

If COVID wasn’t enough to deal with. The world seems little of kilter once more. There appears to be diversion and judgement. Relationships tested and Racisim yet again rearing its ugly head. This doesn’t even touch on poverty and sickness.

I was wondering how to respond to this and this is what I came up with. 

A heart like Jesus

Where do we get a heart like Jesus
One truly of love & peace
Forgiveness & patience 
A heart that never judges
Leaves opinions 
Thoughts and views 
One that truly accepts 
We are who we are
Whatever the difference
Whatever the hurt
A heart that restores relationships 
Building and not dividing
Never blames 
Only loves
What ever the  cost 
To have a heart like Jesus

God bless

Posted on by Loretta

If your feeling low, bow down low

Day 12 #wonderfulladvent and the prompt word is low.

If this Christmas is tough for you. Let’s face it, 2020 has been tough for the most stable of people.

If your feeling low or struggling with low self esteem, remember YOU are the apple of God’s eyes.

Yes you. God thinks your amazing, perfectly made and loves YOU.

God doesn’t want to see you struggling, sad, alone or low. God wants to empower you through his Holy Spirit. God wants to make you new and lift you up.

This Christmas in the middle of a pandemic, stop, think and reflect on what Christmas means to you.

If you accept Jesus stepped out of heaven and became fully human as God’s own son and that he saw and experienced all we do. Then bow low and worship him.

As you bow low feel your chains fall of as you break free into joy, confidence, peace, love and grace.

Remember this Christmas actual doors and buildings may be closed but churches are open virtually along with charities. If you need help ask for help and don’t struggle alone.

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

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.
Posted on by Loretta · 27 Comments

Coulda doesn’t define you.

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.
Posted on by Loretta · 22 Comments

Progressing by nurtured love from above.

Today’s Five minute Friday prompt word is progress You can join in the fun here: https://fiveminutefriday.com

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

For we walk by faith and not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7
Posted on by Loretta · 4 Comments

Refresh us we pray.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Psalm 51:12

It’s pretty soggy here today in sleepy Sussex.

The rain is gently tipping and tapping on the conservatory roof. There is the heavier sound of dripping, plop, plop, plopping running of the roof. My house using nature for the percussion section of the orchestra.

I love listening to the rain and like many have been feeling tired, weary and run down for a few weeks now.

The gorgeous hot weather we had in spring, in true British fashion has disappeared as it is officially summer. We are allowed outside but we must find the umbrella.

As the rain taps away and the colours of the garden come to life. I think about my inner being and how I need to be refreshed once more.

I am still close to Jesus. He isn’t far away. However at time like so many at times I become distracted by life and my soul can feel dry.

So in my busy day, of work I have to do. I will make time to sit, chill and ask to be refilled. For Jesus to come close and refresh and restore me once more by his Holy Spirit. 

Dear Jesus,
Fill and refresh us today with your Holy rain. 
Your Spirit that brings such fruit and fills us with joy. 
Let us be patient with one another in such difficult times. 
Let us feel your love and share it with others. 
Prune our souls so our gentleness, peace, kindness, faithfulness and self control is a witness to you. 
Let us lift and support each other through your example to us and no other as we live today for you. 
Amen.
Posted on by Loretta · 6 Comments

People are not always easy.

Today’s Five minute Friday prompt word is people. You can join in the fun here: https://fiveminutefriday.com

People are tricky things. I understand why some people want to lock themselves away with their pets and avoid other people at all costs. People can be mean and nasty.

We need people in our lives. We need doctors and nurses to look after our health. People to collect our rubbish and unblock our drains. To service our boilers and cars. We need people for these things and so much more.

We need people we like to give us a hug and advice when life is tough. We need people to pray for us, support us and encourage us.

Sadly as people we don’t always agree, and let prejudices get in the way. It is hard to love one another when you want to slap them round the face. Sadly true emotions and feelings get in the way. Especially went you feel like your hitting your head against a wall.

God commands us to love one another. It’s not a love one another when your playing nice, or their hot, cute or being kind. It is a down right let’s get dirty love. We have to love one another when people people hurt us, challenge us and want to fight us in the trenches.

Loving people is far from easy. It’s something I am not always good at. But when I struggle to love others, I give it to God. Sometimes it is easier than other times. I ask God to bless them and remind myself how I kept Jesus nailed to the cross and ask for peace and vison to see the truth.

It may take time it isn’t always instantaneous. I may never see the truth but as peace falls, anger fades and clarity appears. God takes control.

God doesn’t give up on me, I can’t give up on people who I don’t agree with. God’s will always prevails

Posted on by Loretta

Monday morning once again.

It’s Monday again,
How does it go so fast?
The weekends go past in a blink
And it’s time for work once again.

The weeks seems to go fast,
July is knocking at the door.
It seems like only days ago,
March’s lockdown was put in place.

The flowers are blooming,
Brighter than ever,
Birds singing,
Clearer than ever.

It will be shame when the planes
Invade the crystal blue sky again,
But life must go on for some,
Even in a pandemic.

We need in true Brit style,
To drink our tea,
Discuss the weather
And keep our upper lip!

But most of all
We need our God
To be with us throughout the week
With every breath we take.

Our weekly service may be over
But God still is near,
Through his Holy Spirit
Wiping every tear.

So whatever our weeks hold in store
Let’s not forget to prayer each day.
Put God first in all our days
And let him lead the way.