Month: February 2019

A dream 27.2.19.

Ruth Kirk

Here is a strange, vivid dream, which I would like to share with you:

I was sinking deep into my self, towards a small, intense, single cell of white light. It had a clearly outlined border, and a dark nucleus. I watched it slowly moving and changing shape, rather like an amoeba. It was alive!

As I descended towards it, I realised that this light was far larger and brighter than it had seemed at first. Suddenly, I plunged into it. The light surrounded and inundated me completely. Instantly, I lost all sight and sense of it having any boundaries at all, and realised it was limitless. Then I understood that this light was God.

There was no separation between this light and myself, other people, animals, the living, the dead, creation, past, present, or future. Rather, all things were the infinite, incomprehensible oneness of God, who is, “Over all, in all, and living through all”.

I woke up with daylight streaming into my room. Later, whilst I was dressing, it came into my mind that whatever the future holds, I have been healed. Then I was overwhelmed by awe and wonderment. 

References

God is light (1 John 1:5; NLT).

No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39; NLT).

How great is God – beyond our understanding (Job 36:26; NIV).

There is […] one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).

O Lord, please leave me – I’m too much of a sinner to be around you (Luke 5:8; NLT).

What counts?

Ruth Kirk

It’s not my search for you 
That counts, Lord God –
It’s yours for me.

It’s not my mind in you 
That counts, Lord God –
It’s yours in me.

It’s not my love for you 
That counts, Lord God –
It’s yours for me.

It’s not my life through you 
That counts, Lord God –
It’s yours through me.

It’s not my sacrifice for you 
That counts, Lord God –
It’s yours for me.

 

References

The Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost (Luke 19:10; NLT).

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5; NKJV).

This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us (1 John 4:10; NLT).

There is one Lord […] who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8; NIV). 

As darkness falls

Ruth Kirk

As darkness falls,
I come ashore,

And take the path
To heaven’s door.

You run to meet me,
Kiss my face,

And overwhelm me
With your grace.

References

If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God (Isaiah 50:10; NLT).

There before me was a door standing open in heaven (Revelation 4:1; NIV).

While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him (Luke 15:20; NIV).

Doesn’t your fear of him overwhelm you? (Job 13:11; NLT).

Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most (Hebrews 4:16; NLT).

I know you better than you know yourself

Ruth Kirk

Lord,
My mother used to scoff:
I know you better than you know yourself –
She didn’t mean it nicely.

And when she disagreed 
With what I thought, or said, or did, 
She called me fool –
That summed me up precisely.

But you alone, Lord,
Know my inner being,  
The treasures hidden
In my heart and soul.

You show them to me
One by one
So I can be myself,
Not play a role.

And then I share them all with you 
By choice –
Not fear, or threat,
Or shame,

Rejoicing in your perfect love,
And trusting in your name.

References

Whoever says, “You fool!” shall be in danger of hellfire (Matthew 5:22; NKJV).

Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely (Psalm 139:4; NIV).

He knows the secrets of every heart (Psalm 44:21; NLT).

I will give you treasures hidden in darkness (Isaiah 45:3; NLT).

You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32; NLT).

We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).

He loves us with unfailing love (Psalm 117:2; NLT).

We trust in the name of the Lord our God (Psalm 20:7; NIV).

On loan

Ruth Kirk

Father God,
You make me and sustain me;
Each atom of my flesh
Is yours, on loan. 

Thank you for my body,
Your Son’s birthplace, 
My shelter here on earth
Till I come home.

Prince of Peace, 
You heal me and forgive me;
May all my thoughts be worthy 
Of your trust.  

Thank you for my mind,
Your sacred lodging,
My fragile home 
Till I return to dust.

Counsellor, 
You strengthen me and help me; 
May every word I speak
Bring joy to you.

Thank you for my heart,
Your holy dwelling,
My refuge here on earth
Till life is through.

Threefold God, 
You crown me and redeem me;
May everything I do 
Express your care.

Thank you for my soul,
Your holy temple,
Where we unite forever, Lord,
In prayer.

References

He will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6; NLT).

You are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).

You are here

Ruth Kirk

Father, you are here, 
Though we can’t see you –

Our flesh becomes your temple
From our birth.

Jesus, you are here,
Though we can’t see you –

Our minds become your shelter
Here on earth.

Mary, you are here,
Though we can’t see you –

Our hearts become your home
When we adore.

Spirit, you are here,
Though we can’t see you –

Our souls are one with you
For evermore.

References

You are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).

We have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; NLT).

Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20; NLT).

He said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home (John 19:27; NLT). 

The Spirit of God […] lives in you (Romans 8:11; NLT).

Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord (Romans 14:8; NIV).

Daily prayer

Ruth Kirk

Lord, 

May I grasp what’s private,
And respect it; 

Confess each sin to you
Immediately; 

Say sorry 
When I hurt another person, 

And hurry to forgive 
Those who hurt me.

References

A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence (Proverbs 11:13; NLT).

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9; RSV). 

If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift (Matthew 5:23-4; NIV). 

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6:14-15; NLT).

Silence

Ruth Kirk

When we’re afraid 
To face ourselves in silence,  
May we hear the whisper 
Of your voice. 

When we’re afraid 
To face ourselves in private,
May we know your presence,
And rejoice. 

When we’re afraid 
To face ourselves in stillness,
May we find your peace of mind
And love.

When we’re afraid 
To face ourselves in darkness,
May we sense the advent
Of your dove.

References

After the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12; NLT). 

I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave you are there (Psalm 139:7-8; NLT).

I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart (John 14:27; NLT). 

The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,”  and there was light (Genesis 1:2-3; NLT).

When we lose you

Ruth Kirk

Jesus, 
When we lose you   
In our troubles,
May we search until
We find your peace.

Spirit,
When we lose you 
In our sorrow,
May we search until
We share your love.

Mary,
When we lose you
In our sickness,
May we search until 
We know your grace. 

Father,
When we lose you
In our darkness, 
May we search
Until we see your face.

References 

O God, you are my God. I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you (Psalm 63:1; NLT).

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me (Jeremiah 29:13; NLT).

Keep on seeking, and you will find (Matthew 7:7; NLT). 

Peace I leave you; my peace I give you (John 14:27; NIV).

He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (Romans 5:5; NLT).

Here is your mother (John 19:27; NLT). 

Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12; KJV).

I long for you

Ruth Kirk

My God, my God, 
I long for you, 
Though you are always here,
Within my body.

My God, my God,
I yearn for you,    
Though you are always here,
Within my mind.

My God, my God,
I thirst for you,
Though you are always here,
Within my heart, Lord.

My God, my God,
I search for you,
Though you always here,
Within my soul.

References

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Mark 15:34; NLT).

I long for you, O God (Psalm 42:1; NLT).

You are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).

I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain (Psalm 143:6; NLT).

All night long I search for you; in the morning I earnestly seek for God (Isaiah 26:9; NLT).

He lives within you (1 John 2:27; NLT).