Category: Faith

Our pearl beyond price

Ruth Kirk

In the light of today’s blog, I have updated and re-posted a piece given to me in 2017:

You’re our pearl
Beyond price;

You’re our way, truth,
And life;

You’re our Saviour,
Our Christ –

Lord, alone,
You suffice.

This is a prayer written by St. Teresa of Ávila, Nada te turbe (“Let nothing disturb thee”), translated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I recommend learning it by heart and using it every day!

Let nothing disturb thee;
Nothing affright thee.
All things are passing;
God never changeth.
Patient endurance attaineth to all things.
Who God possesseth in nothing is wanting.
Alone, God sufficeth.

References

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed (John 20:28; NLT).

The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking out for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it! (Matthew 13:45-6; NIV).

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; NLT).

I am the Lord, and there is no other Saviour (Isaiah 43:11; NLT).

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God (1 John 5:1; NLT).

My grace is sufficient for you (2 Corinthians 12:19; NIV).

God, our Father and our Mother

Ruth Kirk

As is the case in so many Christian churches, the congregation I belong to uses wholly masculine language for God, and I find this hard to bear. It’s such a huge loss to exclude half of God’s Being so completely, although I understand why people do this. After all, even Jesus constantly referred to God as his Father, and never as his Mother.

However, I was comforted a few days ago by realising how natural it must have seemed for Jesus to call God his Father, given that his Mother was alive and often with him. Christ saw and knew his earthly Mother in person, whilst he believed in and prayed to his Heavenly Father in faith. Whilst he was on earth, this separation of roles must have made complete and logical sense to him.

This insight comforted me – but when I feel strong enough, I still plan to talk with the clergy at my church about the wholly masculine language for God used in all our services!

References

God is our Mother

The Almighty …will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb (Genesis 49:25; NKJV).

From the beginning till now the entire creation, as we know, has been groaning in one great act of giving birth; and not only creation, but all of us who possess the first-fruits of the Spirit, we too groan inwardly as we wait for our bodies to be set free (Romans 8:22-3; NLT).

Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb, and as I clothed it with clouds and wrapped it in thick darkness? (Job 38:8-9; NLT).

Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God (Psalm 90:2; NLT).

Will I, who causes others to give birth, not also give birth myself, says the Lord? Will I, who bestows generation upon others, be barren myself, says the Lord your God? (Isaiah 66:9; CPDV).

For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant (Isaiah 42:14; NIV).

As a mother consoles a child, so I will console you (Isaiah 66:13; NET).

God is our Father

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy (Matthew 6:9; NLT).

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you (Matthew 6:14; NLT).

Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing (Luke 23:34; NLT).

Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands (Luke 23:46; NLT).

God is neither male nor female, but encompasses and far exceeds all human understanding of gender

God is not human (Numbers 23:19; NIV).

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).

God is Spirit (John 4:24; NLT).

Jesus

Ruth Kirk

This little prayer came to me a day or two ago, so I want to share it here. I dedicate it especially to those of us (like me), who readily see and love Christ in others, but never think of Him also living in, and loving, themselves:

Creator God, please help us to see Jesus in ourselves as well as in others, and to love Him in ourselves, as well as in others. We ask this through His dear name. Amen.

References

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

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

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

Questions

Ruth Kirk

Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent” (John 6:29; NLT).

Does Jesus ask too little,
Or does he ask too much?
What does he truly ask of us,
And does he ask enough?

What Jesus wants is kindness,
And gentleness, and faith;
Deep, patient love, and self-control –
And so he gives us grace.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8; NLT).

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-3; NLT).

References

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34; NLT).

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10; NIV).

Seek and find

Ruth Kirk

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “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).

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7; NLT).

Seek light
In the heart of the gospel;
Find hope
In the heart of God’s Word.

Seek faith
In the heart of the gospel;
Find peace
In the heart of the Lord.

Seek joy
In the heart of the gospel;
Find strength
In the heart of God’s Son.

Seek life
In the heart of the gospel;
Find truth there –
In Christ we are one. 

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).

I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one (John 17:22; NLT).

References

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it (John 1:1-5; NLT).

We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life (1 John 1:1; NLT).

I have put my hope in your word (Psalm 119:74; NLT).

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

God’s word lives in your hearts (1 John 2:14; NLT).

No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us (John 1:18; NLT).

This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us (1 John 1:2; NLT).

Reciprocity

Ruth Kirk

Everything comes from him; everything happens through him; everything ends up in him (Romans 11:36; TM).

Prayer is what we say to God –
And what God says to us.

Faith is what we seek from God –
And what God seeks from us.

Pain is what we share with God –
And what God shares with us.

Thirst is how we long for God –
And how God longs for us.

Love is how we live in God –
And how God lives in us.

Life is what God gives to us –
And what God takes from us.

The LORD gives both death and life (1 Samuel 2:8; NLT).

The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).

Easter Saturday 2026

Ruth Kirk

This little prayer came to me whilst I was praying this morning, so I wanted to share it straight away. With love from Ruth xxx

How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? (Psalm 13:2; NLT).

I watch my trauma
Fade away,
Till you alone
Remain:

Your smile, your face;
Your boundless grace;
Your healing touch –
Your love.

I watch my burdens
Fade away,
But still you stay
The same:

Your way, your life;
Your sacrifice;
Your truth, your cross –
Your blood.

This is my body, which is given for you (Luke 22:19; NLT).

This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many (Mark 14:24; NLT).

References

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23; NLT).

Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Matthew 11:28-30; NLT).

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; NLT).

My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings (Philippians 3:10; CSB).

For you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture (Malachi 4:2; NLT).

Those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31; NLT).

Good Friday 2026

Ruth Kirk

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

When there’s no joy,
But only grief;
When there’s no peace,
But only pain;

When there’s no wine,
But only thirst;
When there’s no rest,
But only dread;

When there’s no light,
But only faith;
When there’s no help,
But only hope;

When there’s no choice,
But only death –
Just follow Christ,
And trust in God.

Follow me and be my disciple (Matthew 9:9; NLT).

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23; NLT).

Trust in God (John 14:1; NLT).

References

Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Mark 15:34; NLT).

Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last (Luke 23:46; NLT).

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever (Psalm 73:26; NLT).

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe (John 20:29; CSB).

Reading: Habakkuk 3:17-19; NLT.

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.

Let them criticise

Ruth Kirk

Some readers will be aware that last year I was subjected to vicious personal criticism from someone calling themselves a “theologian”. It is taking me a long time to heal from their lengthy and repeated attacks, which began without warning. Today’s blog shows where I am at the moment in terms of dealing with the damage they did to me. With love from Ruth xxx

They hated me without reason (John 15:25; NIV).

Let them criticise
And censure;
Take my life apart,
Condemn.

Scorn my faith,
Reject my writing;
Mock my prayers:
The gifts you send.

Trash my aims,
Destroy my peace,
And fill my heart
With endless dread:

Yet will I love them –
That’s my goal –
And beg you, Lord,
To make them whole.

Let love be your highest goal (1 Corinthians 14:1; NLT).

Reference

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights (Habakkuk 3:17:19; NLT).

Facing the truth

Ruth Kirk

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; NLT).

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23; NLT).

  • You spoke the truth – and the religious authorities couldn’t stand it.
  • You spoke the truth – and the occupying powers couldn’t tolerate it.
  • You spoke the truth – and even the people you had taught, loved, served, and healed turned against you.
  • You lived the truth – so they closed their eyes, blocked their ears, and hardened their hearts. Then they condemned you to be tortured and killed.
  • But nothing could destroy your way, your truth, or the example you set by how you lived -loving and serving everyone you met,
  • And all these things are still just as relevant and vital today as they were over two thousand years ago.

I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you (John 13:15; NLT).

References

  • Christ Jesus… gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone (1 Timothy 2:5-6; NLT).
  • Love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:18; NLT).
  • Love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; NKJV).
  • Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).
  • Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44; NLT).
  • We will be like him (1 John 3:2; NLT).
  • Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).
  • Anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).
  • The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40; NIV).
  • Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. 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 3:8-9; NLT).
  • Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14; NIV).

    A reading: Ephesians 3:14-19; JB.

    I pray, kneeling before the Father, from whom every family, whether spiritual or natural, takes its name: Out of his infinite glory, may he give you the power through his Spirit for your hidden self to grow strong, so that Christ may live in your hearts through faith, and then, planted in love and built on love, you will with all the saints have strength to grasp the breadth and the length, the height and the depth; until, knowing the love of Christ, which is beyond all knowledge, you are filled with the utter fullness of God.