This blog option did not allow for non-google people to follow and comment so we have moved to a new blog. You can find us at http://refreshingmoments.weebly.com/ with a new look and now the ability to send us emails. We look forward to seeing you there and trust you will continue to enjoy our new posts.
Blessings, Ruth
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
The strands of life
The everyday pressures of life have a way of dragging us down and getting our mind off of the big picture. Especially during the busy season of Christmas. You get excited about it but at the same time cringe at all the shopping, and preparing that will go into the holidays.
I like the flower in the picture. The first time I found it in our garden in Africa, I was amazed at how it only took a few of them to bring the tree to life with vibrant red. It was not until I looked closer that I realized, this flower is made up of individual strands of red.
God can see your life, the way I first saw this flower. From a distance. He can see where it fits into the garden of wonder that makes up your life. He can also see the days that we view as strands...one at a time.
We, on the other hand, can often get stuck looking at only the strands and sulk there. Today may not seem important but it is part of something wonderful...and if we will trust Him, we can take a step back and see the beauty too.
Today's challenge : Give your day to God today and find the joy that He has put into it just for you.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Who are you really?
When I first went to add this photo, I wanted to edit out the brown, dried parts on the flower. Wouldn't we all like to get rid of the things we have messed up or are not so good at? But those "bad" parts are what make good leaders and great "shepherds" or influencers, neighbors, spouses, friends, parents, colleagues and family members.
The verse above is often referred to when encouraging pastors, elders, or various leadership people at churches. Rarely do we connect it with ourselves, however if you have people around you then you have a certain responsibility to watch over them.
The thing that I like about these verses is that they are mainly focusing on the attitude behind what you do, and how that can become or turns into the very act of "watching over" people around you.
For instance each time I tell my kids something, even as simple as, "brush your teeth every day", I am reminded to lead by example (making sure that I am doing it too) and can encourage them when they mess up with, "It's okay, you will figure it out.". After all, I struggled with it too (my past mistakes) so it is an honest statement of encouragement.
It is pretty hard to convince anyone to do something that you don't take seriously yourself, or to be able to encourage them when you try to come off as being perfect. We all mess up! It's normal.
You have to live out the things that are important to you, in order to influence others. That applies to everything, like daily time with God, exercise, eating right, TV habits, reading....and most importantly attitude attributes like honesty and integrity. Living out what you believe tells people who you really are and can change lives in positive ways.
Today's challenge : Live out what is important to you or "watch over" the people around you.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
A gem out of mess
"1How the gold has lost its luster, the fine gold become dull! The sacred gems are scattered at every street corner. ... 5 Those who once ate delicacies are destitute in the streets. Those brought up in royal purple now lie on ash heaps." - Lamentations 4:1 & 5
It is an interesting conundrum to be in. It is right to plan for the future and work hard to provide for your family but in doing that sometimes we get lost in the pull to have more. There is something about looking great and having things that makes you feel like you are in control and prepared for anything.
I remember sitting down to eat with friends one time. I asked if they minded if I prayed before eating. Their response was interesting, "Why do you want to thank God? We are the ones that worked hard to put this food on the table.".
We often mistakenly believe that we control our lives, yet not one ounce of our ability can ensure an easy future. Things will always happen that we are not prepared for like losing a job, a loved one, environmental disasters and nothing we can do will keep us from eventually dying. In our society we try to plan for every contingency trusting that if we do the right things then we will be okay, but eventually something will happen that you just can't plan for....that is without God.
In the chapter in Lamentations, we see the results of Israel pushing God out of their lives, relying on their abilities and their own wisdom. Everything that they made for themselves eventually fell apart and faded, like a flower. They had become selfish and without God's help, were not able to find their way out of the disaster.
God always has a way out. All is not lost. You know it is funny because we often think God is all about rules, but He is really all about reaching us where we are at and reminding us that we are never alone.
If you have hit some tough times, don't panic. Maybe this is your opportunity to refocus. Take a look at your focus. Does it need some adjusting? One thing I can guarantee....God has a plan to make things work out for your good.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Child & Teen Safety
When my boys were young all the psychologists were saying that you had until the age of 7 to help your kids form neural pathways (it is likely the same now). I worked hard to teach them as much as I could but it still does not seem to be enough.
As a mother, it often feels like you are dangling your precious, fragile children out in the world hoping that when they are on their own they will flourish and not be trampled in the process. We spend time buying them the right clothes, the right food, the right sports and music lessons, all in the effort to help enable them, but are those things the most important things?
God's wisdom, true wisdom, not only gives them confidence but helps them navigate the murky waters of life and still have integrity. It gives them peace when their world is turned upside down and you can't reach them. In fact God and His wisdom are with them when you can't be, helping them make good choices in most difficult situations. Everything you do for your kids shows them that you love them, but what they learn from you about God gives them peace and knowledge to weather the storms of a lifetime.
Have your weeks turned into a flurry of sports, music, tv, bickering and busyness, while crowding out God? We often have to re-evaluate where our time is allotted. If are having that problem right now, chances are you can barely think straight. Work some time in there for family time with God. You will not only enjoy learning more about your kids but you will find peace comes into your home, the bickering will be gone and you will be able to breathe again. Make every effort towards God...it is worth the results.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Do we worship gods?
Arriving back in Africa after more then 20 years, I was reminded how important idols/gods still are in many cultures. Thank goodness we in North America are much more civilized then that and realize that idols can't do anything for us...right? But do we?
Last year I was forced to face this question head on. A move to Africa for both the benefit of my husband's career and our children, brought my design company (of over 15yrs) to a grinding halt as consistent internet issues and power outages made it impossible to meet deadlines any longer. As depression engulfed me, I came to the realization that I had become more reliant on my abilities than on God. In fact my whole identity had been wrapped up in what I did and not who I was. I was idolizing my abilities.
It is a common story that I hear all the time. But there are other things that cloud our judgment. In fact we have built our own self contained world to ENSURE our well being. We rely on our jobs, bank accounts, insurances, education and the world we have built for our security and sanity. All of this at the expense of family, community and even God.
In many cases we have adopted the worlds philosophy that we are responsible for our future, which sounds like a good philosophy. The only problem is that, that equation does not include God or the rest of our community and worse yet, it locks out anyone that can't meet that bar. It also means that when things go wrong but we have been trying our hardest...doing what we should be doing, then we look for someone to blame and God often is the one we blame.
God is too much of a gentleman to push His way into our lives. He has provided us with all the answers to have a great life AND have a prosperous community and country too, but He has also made it our choice to listen. It is like your mom warning you to look both ways before crossing the street. It is easy to drop your guard if there are never cars around but all it takes is that one time. God has gone out of His way to give us the inside scoop on everything about how the world works...even telling us how take advantage of His abounding love.
Have you lost touch with the impact God has on your life? Have you become so self-reliant that you have lost your community, your family, maybe even become someone you don't want to be?
God doesn't hold grudges and is ready to help you find freedom again. Take a minute and talk to him. He knows that you don't have the energy or the stamina to do it on your own. As soon as you ask Him to help you out, His Holy Spirit will give you strength to start trying to follow Him again. For every step you take, God will help you take two. Before long you will wonder why you didn't try this earlier! :)
Monday, November 8, 2010
Freedom!!
The trees have changed colour and most become barren as the seasons change. I used to wonder at people's enthusiasm about fall. I knew what was coming next. The trees would loose their leaves, sitting bare, ugly through the winter months.
Our life often goes through similar changes. We have difficult patches that sometimes seem to last forever. It is pretty normal to have a pity party for a while when you are going through that. You may have even found yourself mad at God. Many find themselves in a similar position, even Biblical heroes had those moments. Just don't stay there.
You may not see it but in the midst of what you are going through, God is making things happen...for you. We are similar to those trees. We may look dead but there are hidden things going on that are part of God's plan. The trees loose their leaves and essentially shut down to protect the plant through the cold months BUT God provided them with the ability to shed their leaves for another reason (among many more I am sure). Did you know that when they loose their leaves they also get rid of generational leaf eating insects they have laid their eggs for next year? If leaves stayed, these insects would take over the tree.
God always has a plan even when we can't see it. Maybe you should trust God that He has a plan. When you trust in God's love then you see things differently. You see them through new eyes or "unveiled faces", like the verse says. The challenging times can't keep us down any more. Instead of getting stuck, you have your arrgggg moment of frustration, turn to God to figure out the next step, shed unnecessary baggage and insects of forgiveness, hurt and bitterness that eat away at us, then move on. It is tremendously freeing to not get stuck in a season, instead refocusing and preparing to bloom again with beautiful leaves and new fruit....without the nasty insects.
The more you plug into God's wisdom, the more you will discover freedom to enjoy life and you are transformed. Have you been trying to get through your challenges by yourself? Do you feel overwhelmed? Give God a crack at it! He always delivers peace and clarity into any situation when you trust Him.
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