Month: April 2023

A woman’s song

Ruth Kirk

Yesterday morning, while I was waiting and listening in silence, a realisation came to me so forcibly that I had to start noting it down immediately. Morning became afternoon, then evening, then night, as I worked to express what I had seen and understood. Today’s blog is the most difficult piece I’ve ever had to write.

Humankind was created as God’s reflection: in the divine image God created them; female and male, God made them (Genesis 1:27; TIB).

We can’t exclude the feminine
From God,
For if we could,
“Our” God would not be whole.

We’ve tried (how some have tried!)
To claim we can,
But if we could,
“Our” God would not be All.

We can’t deny the feminine
In men,
For when we try,
Our men are incomplete.

We can’t deny God lives
In womankind,
And when we try,
We wound each woman’s soul.

So, till we seek the feminine
In all,
Our faith falls short:
“Our God” is far too small!

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

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

Your immortal spirit is in every one of them (Wisdom of Solomon 12:1; GNTA).

References 

The Almighty …blesses you with blessings of the skies above, blessings of the deep springs below, blessings of the breast and womb (Genesis 49:25; NIV).

Christ is all, and is in all (Colossians 3:11; NIV).

There is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28; RSV).

All of you are equal as brothers and sisters (Matthew 23:8; NLT).

Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them (1 John 4:16; NIV).

God is so great – higher than the heavens, higher than the farthest stars (Job 22:12; NLT). 

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

There is one Savior, one faith, one baptism, one God and Creator of all, who is over all, who works through all and is within all (Ephesians 4:5-6; TIB).

God forgives and forgets

Ruth Kirk

Today’s prayer came to me last Friday morning, very soon after waking up. I welcomed it immediately, and went with its flow. It summarises everything I’ve been learning about God’s forgiveness over the last few weeks, and throughout my whole life.

As I mentioned yesterday (https://wp.me/p45bCr-dR3), being forgiven is a very difficult subject for me. I didn’t experience forgiveness as a child, and have never understood it, or been able to believe in it, or to feel it for myself, then move on. Fortunately, despite this, I can readily offer forgiveness to others.

How kind the LORD is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! (Psalm 116:5; NLT). 

Yahweh,

You are merciful,
And kind.

So when I face my sins, Lord,
And repent,

And when I’m honest with those I’ve hurt,
And tell them what I’ve done,

And when I say I’m sorry, Lord,
And try to put things right:

Then, you forgive me,
Wiping out my sin;

Then, you remember
Each new wrong no more,

Loving me still, Lord,
Just as you did before. 

He loves us with unfailing love; the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever (Psalm 117:2; NLT).

References 

If you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God (Matthew 5:23-4; NLT). 

Forget the events of the past, ignore the things of long ago. Look, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth – can’t you see it? I’m making a road in the desert and setting rivers to flow in the wasteland (Isaiah 43:18-19; TIB).

He forgives all my sins (Psalm 103; 3; NLT).

Who am I? I’m the one who wipes out your offenses! For my own sake, I do not remember your wrongs (Isaiah 43:25; TIB). 

I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins (Isaiah 43:25; NKJV).

 

Conscience

Ruth Kirk

Over the last few weeks, since a dream reminded me of something wrong I did many years ago, I’ve been living with a constant sense of dread. Even confessing to the person concerned, and being forgiven by them has made no difference. Once my childhood dread has been re-triggered, it’s not under my conscious control, and seems impossible to shift. However, I’ve now begun working on this with my trauma therapist, and am hoping I can improve again.

Meanwhile, many of the prayers I’m given continue to explore the issues of sin, conscience, guilt, confession, shame, forgiveness and reconciliation.

I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people (Acts 24:16; NLT). 

I close my eyes, Lord,
Face my conscience,
And confess my sins
To you,

Asking you, Lord,
To forgive
The wrongs I think,
And say, and do.

Then I go
To those I’ve hurt,
Apologise
For what I’ve done,

And beg them, Lord,
To grant me pardon,
For the sake
Of your dear Son.

Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear (1 Timothy 1:19; NLT).

References 

If you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God (Matthew 5:23-4; NLT).

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22; NIV).

 

Glance in the mirror

Ruth Kirk

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

I glance in the mirror,
And see you within,
Ready to save me
From weakness and sin.

I look in the mirror,
And greet you within:
My Light, my Redeemer,
My Shepherd and King.

I watch in the mirror,
And meet you within:
My Guide and my Teacher,
My Healer, my kin.

I smile in the mirror,
And love you within.
My heart is content, Lord:
No wonder I sing!

My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart! (Psalm 108:1; NLT).

References 

The LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).

The person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him (1 Corinthians 6:17; NLT).

Don’t you realise that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16; NLT).

Don’t you know that your bodies are a part of Christ’s body? (1 Corinthians 6:15; CSB).

You …are complete through your union with Christ (Colossians 2:10; NLT).

A reading from 1 Corinthians 13:9-13; NLT.

Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless. 

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. 

All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love.

Acceptance

Ruth Kirk

Your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. And in that day you will ask Me nothing (John 16:22-3; NKJV). 

Nothing to ask for,
And nothing to hide:
Here, in your hands,
I find mercy.

Nothing to sigh for,
And nothing to tell;
Here, in your hands,
I find rest.

Nothing to weep for,
And nothing to fear:
Here, in your hands,
I find comfort.

Nothing to long for,
And nothing to seek:
Here, in your hands,
I am blessed.

As for me, I am in your hands – do with me as you think best (Jeremiah 26:14; NLT).

The Lord blesses them with peace (Psalm 29:11; NLT).

 

Your names

Ruth Kirk

This prayer arrived yesterday morning after a night disturbed by several bad dreams:

I will praise God’s name (Psalm 69:30; NLT). 

Yahweh, Jesus, Paraclete,
Your names, Lord, make my joy complete:
My God, my Shepherd King, my Friend,
My source, my purpose, and my end.

Yahweh, Jesus, Paraclete,
No other words, Lord, taste as sweet:
My flesh and blood, mind, heart and soul
Belong to you, my highest goal.

My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead (Philippians 3:10; CSB).

References 

Your joy will be complete (John 16:24; NIV). 

How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey (Psalm 119:103: NLT). 

We belong to God (1 John 4:6; NLT). 

You belong to Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:4; NLT).

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit (Romans 8:9; NET).

You belong to him in body and spirit (Malachi 2:15; NIV).

Together

Ruth Kirk

This little prayer came to me yesterday morning, as I lay half-asleep:

I love you, Lord (Psalm 18:1; NLT).

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

I love you, Lord,
And you love me.
Together,
We are one –
My Counsellor,
My Cornerstone,
My Advocate:
God’s Son.

My way, my truth,
My life, my goal;
My Prophet, Priest
And King –
You’re with me
Every moment, Lord:
I’m safe
Beneath your wing.

How often I have I wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings (Luke 13:34; NLT).

I will find shelter in the protection of your wings (Psalm 61:4; NET).

May I follow your way

Ruth Kirk

Make your way plain for me to follow (Psalm 5:8; NLT).

May I follow your way,
And offer your love,

Live in your presence,
And pray without cease;

Shine with your light,
And blaze with your fire,

Dwell in your Spirit,
And rest in your peace.

The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT).

References 

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6; NLT).

God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).

Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning (2 John 1:6; NLT).

In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence (Hosea 6:2; NLT).

Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).

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

Let your light shine before others (Matthew 5:16; NIV).

God is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; NIV).

God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us (1 John 4:13; NLT).

Despite my sins

Ruth Kirk

Happy Easter to you all. This prayer came to me yesterday morning. I jotted it down quickly, but it took 24 hours to put into words!

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

Lord,
Despite my sins and flaws,
Despite my greed and selfishness,
You help me, and forgive,
Because you love me.

Lord,
Despite my fears and griefs,
Despite my pain and suffering,
I trust you and rejoice,
Because I love you.

Lord,
Despite the times I fail,
Despite the many wrongs I’ve done,
We’re joined in spirit, evermore,
As one.

The person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him (1 Corinthians 6:17; NLT).

References 

Trust in God, and trust also in me (John 14:1; NLT).

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows (John 16:33; NLT).

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21; CSB). 

Rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:16; NIV)

I love you  (Psalm 18:1; NLT).

He forgives all my sins (Psalm 103:3; NLT).

God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin (1 Corinthians 1:30; NLT).

 

I can’t be whole (for J.)

Ruth Kirk

Today’s verses came to me yesterday morning as I lay in silent prayer shortly after waking up. They arrived with an involuntary groan, and struck me to the heart.

If you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God (Matthew 5:23-4; NLT). 

I can’t be whole without my shadow, Lord,
Without the parts I bury and deny.
For you know all about me, good and bad:
The sins I haven’t faced, which underlie

The guilt and shame tormenting me within,
My sharp regrets, my cowardice and dread
Of being honest, Lord, with those I’ve hurt.
Please help me to confess at last, instead.

Accepting all the anger I deserve,
I’ll say I’m sorry, ceasing to defend
Myself against the truth of every wrong,
And then my shadow will become my friend.

With you, I’ll face the darkness in my soul;
My conscience will be healed, then I’ll be whole.

He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole (Job 5:18; NKJV). 

References 

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

I know every thought that comes into your minds (Ezekiel 11:5; NLT).

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

The LORD’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive (Proverbs 20:27; NLT).

You desire honesty from the womb (Psalm 51:6; NLT).

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

Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked (1 Timothy 1:19; NLT). 

The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith (1 Timothy 1:5; NLT).

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (Psalm 23:4; KJV).

Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear (1 Timothy 1:19; NLT).