Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles,
expensive jewellery, or beautiful clothes
(1 Peter 3:3; NLT).
Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).
1. How we look, Lord, Doesn’t matter: You are all, in all.
2. Rituals
Are not important: You are all, in all.
3. Suffering, Lord, Doesn’t matter: You are all, in all.
4. Even death, Lord,
Makes no difference: You are all, in all.
Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord
(Romans 14:8; NIV).
References
1. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God (1 Peter 3:4; NLT).
2. I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6; NIV).
3. The Lord will make you go through hard times, but he himself will be there to teach you, and you will not have to search for him any more (Isaiah 30:20; GNT).
He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; NIV).
4. I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 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 8:38-9; NLT).
They laid them all before Jesus, and he healed them all (Matthew 15:30; NLT).
Jesus,
1. May your healing hand Touch all of us today,
2. Your mercy and forgiveness
Show everyone the way;
3. Your blessed Holy Spirit Help all the world to pray,
4. Your light and your example,
Bring back all those who stray.
I will search for my lost ones who strayed away,
and I will bring them safely home again
(Ezekiel 34:16; NLT).
References
1. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus (Acts 4:30; NLT).
2. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against him (Daniel 9:9; NKJV).
3. The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words (Romans 8:26; NRSV).
4. I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life (John 8:12; NLT).
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God (Ephesians 5:2; NLT).
My health has been deteriorating for several years, but I have never had an explanation for this. However, last Thursday I was given a diagnosis of Autonomic Neuropathy (AN).
AN is an incurable degenerative disorder, in which the brain loses the ability to regulate processes that normally happen automatically. It affects the functioning of multiple body systems, including, for example, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature control, bladder, digestion, eyesight, balance and energy.
There are several sub-types of AN. Some are more severe than others. Some progress more quickly than others. A battery of tests over the next few weeks and months should eventually indicate which type I have, how quickly I can expect to deteriorate, and my anticipated life-expectancy.
2. Realisation
About a year ago, as my health deteriorated, I reached a point where I could no longer go to church. Since then, I have hoped in vain that some of the people there who I thought of as friends might notice my absence and make contact with me. However, only one member of my local congregation has stayed in touch.
Over the last few days I have realised how deeply I lack sources of spiritual nourishment with like-minded people. This has made me see that I need to stop hoping for contact, understanding and support from church, where there is so little available. Instead, I want to accept, share, and develop, relationships that are available to me, for example, with spiritually-minded friends online.
So, it’s time for me to start afresh, to change, and to focus much more on some reciprocal relationships. This feels like a very positive realisation. Indeed, it’s already leading me to explore a much more universal faith than is possible within the narrow confines of a single, rule-based denomination.
With this new-found approach, I can start putting my very limited energy into seeking and finding God in everyone and everything, a prospect which fills me with joy. God really does work in mysterious ways, bringing good even out of situations that can appear wholly negative.
3. Recognition
Accordingly, yesterday, as I prepared my blog for posting, I found great pleasure in illustrating it with a wonderful photo of a woman priest joyfully celebrating communion. This simply doesn’t happen in my denomination, where all women are automatically excluded from the priesthood, simply because of their gender.
Using the photo of the woman priest made me recognise that I could also include photos of older women and disabled people amongst my website headers, so I spent a very happy hour or two on this task. Until today, my thinking had always been so blinkered that it had never occurred to me to do this.
4. Freedom
Right now, I feel my diagnosis of Autonomic Neuropathy is probably one of the best things that has ever happened to me. It has made me realise thatI’ve only got one life here, and that it might be a lot shorter, more limited, and more unpleasant than I had previously imagined. So, as my heath and mobility deteriorate, I want to make the most of whatever freedom and independence I have, at each stage of this disorder.
However, I’m not thinking of the conventional “bucket list” of places I want to go to, or things I want to do before I die. Rather, I’m already experiencing a deep, joyful sense of inner freedom to be myself. This gives me space and permission to think what I think, believe what I believe, feel how I feel, and be how I am. I am also working on my outward freedom, by speaking the truth in love, and taking pleasure in doing what I still can, however limited this may be.
5. Future
I’m sharing all this with you because as I deteriorate, I will probably need to change my approach to blogging. This might mean expending less energy on formal, disciplined poetic structures, instead describing whatever spiritual insights God gives me in simpler, more direct prose.
Meanwhile, I’m feeling optimistic, the future looks exciting, and I will continue to post here each day for as long as I can.
✝️ My greetings to every follower and visitor to this website. I appreciate every one of you, and pray for you all each day.
With love and blessings, from Ruth xxxx
References
1. Diagnosis
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows (John 16:33; NLT).
No one can live forever; all will die. No one can escape the power of the grave (Psalm 89:48; NLT).
2. Realisation
Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you (Isaiah 30:20; NLT).
Truly, O God of Israel, our Saviour, you work in mysterious ways (Isaiah 45:15; NIV).
We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28; GNT).
3. Recognition
Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognised him (Luke 24:31; NLT).
God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them(Genesis 1:27; NLT).
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28; NIV).
The Almighty … blesses you with blessings of the skies above, blessings of the deep springs below, blessings of the breast and the womb (Genesis 49:5; NIV).
“As truly as God is our Father, so truly is God our mother” (Revelations of Divine Love, Chapter 59, Julian of Norwich).
4. Freedom
You will know the truth and the truth will set you free (John 8:32; NLT).
If the Son sets you free, you are truly free (John 8:36; NLT).
When you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go (John 21:18; NLT).
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me(Psalm 139:1; NLT).
We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).
God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth (John 4:24; NIV).
You desire honesty from the womb (Psalm 51:6; NLT).
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10; NIV).
5. Future
Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts (Psalm 90:12; CSB).
Give us this day our daily bread
(Matthew 6:11; NKJV).
I am the living bread that came down from from heaven
(John 6:51; NLT).
1. Jesus is the only food
That matters:
His body is my bread;
His blood, my wine.
2. Jesus is the only church That matters:
His teaching is my truth; His word, my shrine.
3. Jesus is the only path
That matters: His footsteps are my way;
His love, my light.
4. Jesus Christ the Lord
Is all that matters:
His Spirit is my Guide; His cross, my life.
Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).
References
1. My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink (John 6:55; NIV).
2. He is the Saviour of his body, the church (Ephesians 5:23; NLT).
I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die! (John 8:51; NLT).
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; NLT).
He is the Word of life (1 John 1:1; NLT).
When Jesus said “this temple,” he meant his own body (John 2:21; NLT).
Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit (Ephesians 2:22; NLT).
God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us (1 John 4:13; NLT).
How good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter (Psalm 73:28; NLT).
3. God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21; NLT).
He loves us with unfailing love (Psalm 117:2; NLT).
I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life (John 8:12; NLT).
4. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him (Philippians 3:9; NLT).
Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives (Galatians 5:16; NLT).
The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God (1 Colossians 1:18; NLT).
Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will leave this life.
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21; CSB).
Rejoice always, pray continually,
give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; NIV).
Lord,
You give me all I have,
And also take away:
May I welcome every loss
With praise and thanks, each day.
Lord,
You give me all I have,
And also take away:
May I learn from all you send,
Grow, serve you, and obey.
Lord,
You give me all I have,
And also take away:
May I trust you, cling, rejoice,
And never cease to pray.
Lord,
You give me all I have,
And also take away:
So, I beg you to bring good
From all things, come what may.
We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him,
those whom he has called according to his purpose
(Romans 8:28; GNT).
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world (Psalm 19:1-4; NIV).
The sun rides high
In the silent sky;
The heavens stream
With your light.
The planets shine
Beyond space and time;
Your moon reigns
Over the night.
Lord, they rejoice
To express your voice,
But we only fear
And grieve,
For we hide in shame When you call our name,
As you walk in the cool
Of the eve.
They heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself (Genesis 3:8-10; KJV).
Pray throughout each task you do:
Ask the Lord to strengthen you.
Extol his name both night and day,
And glorify him, come what may.
Care for everyone you meet.
Welcome sickness and defeat.
Adore creation, sing, rejoice,
And listen for his still, small voice.
Grasp how life and death combine:
Play your part in God’s design.
Accept that everything must cease,
And revel in his perfect peace.
Worship; value all he sends.
Thank him when your time here ends,
Then leave your body far behind –
Return to God: bliss unconfined!
Into your hands I commit my spirit (Psalm 31:5; NIV).
The dust returns to the ground it came from,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it
(Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).
1. Lord, You’re just a step ahead:
My hope, my strength, my wine, my bread;
I want to learn from all you said
And serve you.
2. Lord, You’re always very near:
My help, when I am faced with fear;
I want to follow, thank, revere
And serve you.
3. Lord, You’re just a breath away:
My light, my truth, my life, my way;
May I grow more like you each day
And serve you.
Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,
you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NIV).
References
1. My hope is in you (Psalm 39:7; CSB).
The sovereign Lord is my source of strength Habakkuk 3 10; NET).
He took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people – an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it” (1 Corinthians 11:25; NLT).
I am the living bread that came down from from heaven (John 6:51; NLT).
Learn from me (Matthew 11:29; NIV).
Serve only the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 13:4. NLT).
2. We give thanks because you are near, Lord (Psalm 75:1; NLT).
God is my help (Psalm 54:4; NIV).
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you (Psalm 56:3; NIV).
Follow me and be my disciple (Matthew 9:9; NLT).
Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV).
Let all the people of the world revere him (Psalm 33:8; NIV).
Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all(Mark 9:35; NIV).
3. The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life (Job 33:4; NLT).
I am the light of the world (John 8:12; NLT).
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; NLT).
The Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image (2 Corinthians 3:18; NLT).
Serve the Lord with all your heart (1 Samuel 12:20; NIV).
Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NIV).
