The Letters Inside Me

02/03/2024

When you feel like you can’t push through just one more day.
Exodus. One of many Old Testament books of the Bible filled with details about blood sacrifice, Old covenant laws and extensive instructions on Tabernacle Construction. If you are a New Covenant Christian redeemed by the blood of Christ, do you sometimes wonder why God has included these passages in His word? I’m sure you’re not alone. These passages are often complicated and difficult to read however when we really unpack them or listen to them with commentary I have discovered that they are just full of jewels, wisdom and wonderful promises of God.
Let us take for example, the story of manna and quail. Those of us brought up in “church” will almost certainly have heard the story before. The Israelites have been freed from slavery under the Egyptians, they have fled Egypt and they now find themselves in the dessert wondering day and night. We have all heard about how God goes before them in a pillar of cloud during the day and as fire by night but have we ever stopped to really consider what that meant or how the Israelites must have been feeling?
Enslaved in Egypt for generations, living in the most horrible conditions, starving. I am sure that God’s people had moments in those many years of slavery where they had questions. Why is God allowing this to happen to us? When will God move and bring us out of here? Does God care about our suffering? I’m sure many were even sceptical when one man, Moses, appeared claiming that he had been sent to lead them from slavery and it must surely have been terrifying to witness what followed when each of the ten plagues befell Egypt. Still God keeps the Israelites, the lamb’s blood on the doorposts their protection from the angel of death, and at last they can go. These people witnessed the Lord doing wonderous things, saving their children with the blood of a lamb, parting the sea to allow them to flea to safety, and you would think after seeing such wonders and awesome things they would be fully assured that the Lord would protect them. I am sure it must have been confusing for them to then find themselves in the wilderness with no food or water. The Bible tells us that the Israelites began to grumble. The Israelites were quick, as we can be, to forget what God had done for them. They found themselves facing new challenges, empty bellies and nothing but wilderness. I can only imagine how they felt. Exodus chapter 16 tells how the Israelites complained, lamented, even stating that they wished they had stayed in Egypt where they were enslaved for there at least they had bread and meat. Can you imagine how it must have been that first morning when they awoke to discover manna on the ground. Bread from Heaven that had fallen overnight. God once more providing their needs. However, there were conditions.
Exodus Ch 16 v 19: And Moses said “Let no man leave any of it till morning,”
God’s command was simple. The Israelites were to take all the bread that they needed for their families. Some needed little, others needed lots and there was enough manna to go around. There was none left over for the next day and the Israelites were told they were not to take more than they needed for just the one day. I can’t imagine the temptation that faced the Israelites. They had been in the dessert about two months at this point and they were starving. When miracle bread appears from Heaven outside their camp one morning (and the quail that night) the temptation to take enough for the week must have been so strong. On earthly terms, they had no idea when they would see food like this again. Indeed, we know many succumbed to the temptation to take more, only to awaken the next morning to find it full of worms and mould. Useless but they needn’t have feared for outside their camp fresh manna had fallen and the Lord had provided all over again. They only needed to trust that He would supply their daily bread.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation that seems overwhelming. You look at the future where you are facing something big. Maybe its that health scare, maybe you’ve lost your job and you don’t know how you’re going to provide for your family? You’ve lost a loved one and the thought of facing the future without them is so bleak that it overwhelms you or your marriage is falling apart and you’re worried about the impact on your children, on your family, how you’ll afford your home. The world presents tribulation enough for the Christian and so often we find ourselves worrying and worrying about what the future holds. The Lord never asks us to do that. He might not give you all the strength to deal with everything that your future brings at once, but He has promised, if you trust Him, He will get you through today. He will give you the strength this morning to get you right through until bedtime. You just have to trust that tomorrow He will do it all over again. Take your manna for today. One day at a time. Strength for this day, whatever you face, the strength God gives you is sufficient. Corrie Ten Boom once said that to worry is to use today’s strength for tomorrow’s problems. She’s absolutely right.

Father, I thank You that You give me the strength that I need for today. I thank You that I can take all I need and that You will see me through whatever I face today. I thank You that I don’t need to worry about tomorrow because I trust You that when that day dawns You will renew my strength and see me through again.

14/02/2024

Love is kind ❤️
Encouraging Others and Ourselves in
Faith
There are times when we (women and girls) require someone to remind us of our identity in Christ. When life becomes challenging, and we are too busy to pause and reflect on ourselves through God's eyes, a letter can be a meaningful gesture to remind someone how valuable they are. It's an act of love and kindness that can be delivered right to their mailbox.
Perhaps it's time to send one to yourself. Remember, you are precious.

14/02/2024

Love is kind ❤️

Encouraging Others and Ourselves in
Faith
There are times when we (women and girls) require someone to remind us of our identity in Christ. When life becomes challenging, and we are too busy to pause and reflect on ourselves through God's eyes, a letter can be a meaningful gesture to remind someone how valuable they are. It's an act of love and kindness that can be delivered right to their mailbox.
Perhaps it's time to send one to yourself. Remember, you are precious.

07/02/2024

25/11/2023

Happy Birthday my Love ❤️

23/11/2023

Another day of fun x

20/11/2023

Some card making just for fun 🤩

17/11/2023

Some fun
I handmade all parts of card ❤️ Really enjoyed the whole process x

05/09/2023

5th September 2023.

Hello everyone :) sorry it's been a bit quiet over here last few weeks. My children have been off school and we've been spending a lot of much needed family time together but now that everyone is back I thought I would share this little bit of testimony with you.

5th September has been a very important date for me since the year 2008. 5th September 2008 was the single most important day of my earthly life. It is the day I trusted Christ for salvation and became a follower of Jesus. To this day fifteen years on it was the best decision I've ever made.

On 5th September 2008 I was a very sad and lonely 14 year old girl. I had few real friends and I was being bullied at school. I was struggling with self image and acceptance and despite being so young I was also struggling with depression.

I had been going to a youth fellowship in a local church for about a year. During that time I had heard the gospel and who Jesus really was or could be to me if I only accepted Him but it was hard. I had been brought up all my life believing that God was a revered figure we had to strive to please through our good deeds. The thought that I couldn't earn his approval was strange. I was constantly striving to "achieve" my salvation or "earn" it from Him. Of course I didn't know that no matter what I did it would never be enough to earn my way to heaven.
5th September 2008 was a Friday night. It was the first night youth fellowship met after the summer break. I went along to the meeting in a dark place. I was very sad. I felt incredibly lonely with a loneliness that was almost overwhelming. I felt like no one in the world would ever understand the sadness I was carrying. Once again I heard the good news about a God who is so full of love and compassion and grace that He sent His Son to die on the cross for me and pay the burden for my sins only this night after the lesson had ended I couldn't stop. Couldn't stop thinking about how much God loved me. How much He wanted to be my Saviour even though He knew everything about me, even the things I didn't like. It was very late. I couldn't sleep. My sister was asleep in the bed beside me but I couldn't get peace. Compelled, I sought out God's word and this was the verse that came to me.

I am with you always, to the very end of the age

Matthew 28. 20

In that moment as my eyes scanned over those words my entire life changed. I suddenly realised with an overwhelming realisation nothing I ever did would be good enough for God because He is perfection and I am a sinner but that's ok. I don't need to be perfection. Why? Because Christ is. Christ is perfection and my ransom has been paid in His perfect sacrifice. When He was hanging on that Cross... I was on His mind. He did it for me. And He did it for you.

When He was hanging there bleeding and in agony you were on His mind. He loves you more than anyone else ever could. He accepts you as you are. Nothing you ever do could ever stop Him loving you. No matter what others might think of you, no matter what you even might think of yourself Christ loves you and went to the cross willingly for you. He purchased your salvation in His perfect sacrifice. All you have to do is accept Him, repent of your sin, realise that nothing you, a sinner, could ever do can close the gap between you and God but Jesus can. And Jesus did.

When Jesus came into my life that night I was completely transformed. I still struggled and now I'm an adult and in the years that have passed between then and now I've struggled again and again and again. I've let the Lord down more times than I can count, I fail Him all the time but never once has He ever failed me and not once since that very second the Lord Jesus saved me have I felt lonely because I have a friend who promises to stick closer than a brother. Who promises to be with me always even to the very end and He absolutely has kept His promise. He has stood by me every day, even when I've let Him down He has still been there with His arms open ready to pick me up, dust me off and tell me to try again.

So today is a celebration. Fifteen years with Jesus Christ. The best decision I ever made.

No it hasn't been plain sailing. Yes there have been rough roads and dark times. He doesn't promise there won't be. But He promises to be there.

Trust Him. He is absolutely worth it ♥️

16/08/2023

Some hidden flowers inside ❤️

09/08/2023

12/07/2023

John Chapter 14: 16-18: I will pray the Father and He shall give you another Counsellor that He may abide with you forever. Even the Spirit of Truth whom the world cannot receive because it sees Him not nor knows Him, but you know Him. He dwells with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you.

Once there was a soldier, a Private, injured in battle. The battle had been fought, the enemy retreated and the private soldier was wounded. His injuries threatened to claim his life. As he lay destitute on the battle field the private knew that back at his army camp one of the best army doctors worked diligently in the medical tent. A Great Physician, he had all that the private required to be healed and survive. But on his own, as diligently as the Private had fought, as strong as he might have been on his own, he had no power to get himself to the tent and the ministrations of the Great Physician.
Hope might have been lost for the Private, as night rolled in and his pain grew his strength waned. He was sure that he would fail, that he would succumb to the marks, the scars and wounds brought on by the hard battle he had just fought. And yet, just as he was about to close his eyes, to surrender to pain and destitution, hope at last. Another soldier came to the injured. His Captain. A man who had fought alongside him in the battle but being stronger and a much better fighter than he, the shrapnel and gun shots had no effect on the Captain. The enemy had not been able to harm him, try though they might. Yet being a diligent and caring Captain, he was not one to let his Private die on the battle field alone. He trekked across the battle field searching high and low for the young Private. Once he found him, he bathed the younger soldier’s wounds tenderly. He loaded the younger, wearier, more inexperienced soldier onto a stretcher and carried him to the safety of the medical tent, to the tender ministrations of the Great Physician.
Under the healing hands of the Great Physician, the wounded soldier was restored. The Great Physician tended him with the greatest care, healing the Private’s wounds and comforting him in his fears. It was not long before the Private was ready to go back to war again, under the ever watchful eye of his devoted Captain.
Christian friend, you and I are that private. God’s word tells us that in our Christian life we are at warfare, not against flesh and blood, we are at war against something much more dangerous than that. We all know who he is and he hates us. Sometimes the battles we fight against him are hard, sometimes they’re gruelling, we are exhausted, injured, wounded, we are lying in our battlefield, whatever it may be, an illness, a bereavement, unemployment, marriage difficulties, depression, we’ve all got our battlefields and sometimes those battlefields can destroy us. We can see our Great Physician, we know He has everything we need to be fully restored but we just can’t get there. We are too weak on our own. Thankfully, in the verses from John I have mentioned above Jesus promises us that we will never be left alone. He has left us with “another counsellor”. Who is that other Counsellor? God’s own Holy Spirit. Our Great Captain. The One who comes alongside us in every gruelling battle of this life, only our enemy, too strong and powerful for us cannot hurt our Captain. He is the One who picks us up, who carries us when we are weak and destitute to the healing hands of the Great Physician. He tends our wounds and when our Great Physician (God the Father) heals and restores us, we go back out to war but we don’t go alone. Our Captain goes with us, fighting alongside us, guiding us. We are safe so long as we are with Him. Even if we are wounded, even if we are badly wounded, He’ll never leave us to die on the battle field. He gathers us in His arms and brings us to our Father. And He always will.
To the sister facing a battle this day, a battle that is gruelling you, hurting you, wounding you in ways you can’t believe. If you are there now on that battle field destitute and in need of help, don’t fear. Your Captain has you. He’s got you. He’ll never drop you, never leave you. The Great Physician will tend you and send you out to fight again and you can rest assured. God’s Holy Spirit will never leave your side.
Straighten your armour. Look to your Captain. You’re going to win.

01/07/2023

"Ah Lord God behold, You have made the heaven and the earth by Your great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for You,"

Jeremiah 32.17

When the Israelite army were outnumbered in battle it was never too hard for the Lord
When Pharoah refused to let the Israelites go free from slavery it was never to hard for the Lord
When Daniel was thrown into a den of lions it was never too hard for the Lord
When Queen Esther fearing for her life approached her king to reveal Haman's hateful plans God was with her every step. He knew the outcome even when she didn't.

That scary problem you're carrying. That fear and uncertainty in your heart. Give it to the Lord. It's overwhelming for you but nothing is too hard for Him ❤️
His yoke is easy, His burdens are light and He has promised rest for your soul. Lean on Him. Give Him your troubles. Claim the promised rest and the peace that surpasses understanding even in the midst of your chaos

26/06/2023

My six year old daughter has just finished a 4 week Bible class for kids at her school and during the time she learnt a new song about the wise and foolish man. We all know the story. The wise man built his house on the rock while the foolish man opts for the easy option. The sand. Of course we all know how it ends up playing out - in the words of the children's song most of us will know the rains came tumbling down. We've all heard how the house built on the sand came tumbling down. It didn't stand a chance when the rain started. But let's just for a minute think about that house on the rock.

Matthew 7:25 (speaking about the house built on the rock) and the rain descended and the floods came and the wind blew and beat upon that house; and it FELL NOT for it was FOUNDED UPON A ROCK.

Sooo. Our house on the rock. It didn't get away easy. It wasn't a case of standing on the rock in the sunshine peacefully and blissfully. That house took (as we say in Northern Ireland) a battering! It was rained on, blown at, BEATEN. That house had a rough time but yet it did not fall. Why? Because it was founded on the Rock.

Jesus never promises us an easy time when we make the choice to build our lives on Him. His word warns us continually our decision to follow Him is an acceptance that we will face trials and we all do. Many of us are facing trials no one else even knows anything about. Gruelling hardships and heartbreak. Nights when you cry into your pillow, mornings when you don't know how you're going to get through the day but you do and why? Because your life is built on the Rock.
Jesus Christ. Our firm foundation. Our Rock.

Life can give us a real battering. Rain can descend, floods can come, wind can beat us and though it might hurt and be hard (of course it will) ultimately we can take comfort. If our lives are rooted in Christ, our strong Rock, no matter what the enemy throws at us, no matter how hard it gets for us we WILL NOT FALL.

Jesus never fails. He sees you. He's with you. He'll never fail you sister. You won't fall down ❤️❤️

Ruth x

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21/03/2023

Prayer Journal for Women: Christian Prayer Journal for Women 🇺🇸https://a.co/d/hzw0Wqn

21/03/2023

Prayer Journal for Women: Christian Prayer Journal for Women 🇬🇧 https://amzn.eu/d/887MjfL

08/02/2023

I Pray for You! 🙏❤️

08/02/2023

Encouragement for Christian women

08/02/2023

This verse is not about material wealth, but rather about love and respect. If someone is well-liked by their neighbors and known for their charitable acts, but at home they mistreat and neglect the person closest to them, then their actions are worse than those of non-believers. Dear sister, if you constantly put the needs of others before your own, neglecting self-care and neglecting your own emotional and social needs, your relationship may be imbalanced and lead to abuse. You deserve to be treated as a equal partner and have a voice. Providing money is not an excuse for not helping at home. Caring for your own needs is not selfishness, it is necessary for the maintenance of both your physical and emotional well-being, as your spirit belongs to God. Giving too much without replenishing yourself can lead to a heart full of bitterness. If your partner does not participate in household duties and treats you with disrespect, they are not counted among believers. Though there is a verse in the Bible that says "Woman, do not leave your husband," it is followed by the phrase "but if she does." This is because God cares about you and He is against an abuse. If a woman is mistreated, she is free to leave, but only if she stays single until her heart is healed. If she goes into another relationship too soon, she may encounter another abusive partner. If your partner is not a believer, you are free to leave. If he mistreating you he is not believer. By their fruits you know them…

This verse is not about material wealth, but rather about love and respect. If someone is well-liked by their neighbors and known for their charitable acts, ...

08/02/2023

Story of Two Doves

There once were two female doves, both with shimmering white feathers and gleaming wings. They both found the loves of their lives and were committed to their partners.

Dove D was the first to find her love. Her partner was incredibly affectionate towards her, and it didn't take long for them to make their relationship official. The wedding was a beautiful event and Dove D was proud of the wonderful husband she had gained. She had dreams of helping him overcome his dark past and making his life as beautiful as he deserved.

Her friend, Dove A, was more cautious in her search for love. It wasn't until many years of friendship that she finally found her perfect match. They became officially together and their love only grew stronger over the years.

However, ten years into the relationship, Dove A's world was shaken. She stumbled upon a picture of her husband hand in hand with another dove, walking down the street. Devastated and unsure of what to do, she turned to the Lord for guidance. The Lord reminded her of all the ways her husband had helped her through the years, and encouraged her to pray for him and fight for their relationship. So she went home, proclaimed her marriage and home to belong to Jesus, and took the fight to her knees in prayer. The Lord promised to be with her, and she learned that life will bring many challenges to her marriage, but with the Lord on her side, she would be able to persevere.

Dove D, on the other hand, had dedicated her life to her husband and family after the wedding. However, after ten years, she felt her heart becoming empty and bitter. She tried her best to show gratitude and serve her husband, but it was never enough. She found herself alone in an empty house, waiting for her husband to return from church meetings. Her feathers had lost their shine and she didn't have time to take care of herself anymore.

Sadly, Dove D's husband was manipulating and toxic. He demanded all of her time and resources and didn't give back much in return. He didn't care about household duties or her well-being, and he had groomed her over time to believe that she was the only one responsible for his happiness. He twisted Bible verses to control her and separated her from friends and family.

If you find yourself in a similar situation to Dove D, know that you are in a toxic relationship. It's important to seek support and to educate yourself on what the Bible truly says about relationships. Remember that you deserve to be loved and treated with respect, and don't let anyone manipulate or control you.

Let’s get dig in together what Bible says… You will be surprised! (next chapter)

Here are some characteristics of a toxic partner and relationship:

Demands all time and resources from their partner and gives little in return, such as not helping with house and home duties.
Shows little interest in their partner's well-being, self-care, and social life.
Has no respect for their partner's dreams and goals.
Uses twisted Bible verses or quotes taken out of context to manipulate their partner.
Separates their partner from friends and family, often criticizing them as not being good enough.
Creates confusion and drama in the relationship, leading to a constant cycle of love and abuse.
Dominates and controls the relationship, not allowing room for different opinions.
Can be affectionate at times, but these moments are often followed by periods of coldness and neglect.
Grooms their partner into a state where they are being poorly treated, but can't see it.
Leads a double life and is unfaithful, either emotionally or physically.

These are some warning signs to watch out for in a relationship, but it's important to remember that every situation is unique and you should trust your instincts if you feel like something is not right.

Saying this more professionally :
Power imbalances: One partner is typically more controlling, domineering, and demanding, while the other feels oppressed and subordinated.

Mental and emotional abuse: Verbal and psychological abuse, manipulation, and coercion are common tactics used to maintain power and control.

Isolation: Toxic partners often try to isolate their partner from friends, family, and other sources of support.

Lack of empathy: A toxic partner may show little regard for their partner's feelings, thoughts, and needs, and may dismiss or invalidate their experiences.

Blame shifting: Rather than taking responsibility for their actions, toxic partners often blame their partner or others for problems in the relationship.

Inconsistent behavior: A toxic partner may alternate between being overly affectionate and withdrawing, which can leave their partner feeling confused and uncertain.

Jealousy and possessiveness: A toxic partner may become excessively jealous, possessive, and controlling over their partner's activities, behaviors, and relationships.

Financial control: In some cases, a toxic partner may use financial control to maintain power and control in the relationship.

The Woman's Aid course "Journey to Freedom" is a great starting point. As a born-again Christian and Bible believer, I found valuable knowledge in this course to protect myself and my family. Picking up other women and helping them build a better life is similar to when the Good Samaritan, an unbeliever, helped someone else.

07/02/2023

https://youtu.be/r7XTk7zCrgo

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." - Mark 10:27 🙏

Life can often feel overwhelming and full of obstacles, but we must remember that with God on our side, nothing is impossible. When we come face-to-face with big walls in our lives, it's time to get on our knees and let God work His way. He is the one who opens doors and makes the impossible become a reality. Let's not live in fear, but instead trust in the power and love of our Lord. 💪❤️