Month: May 2017

Laughing Kookaburras

Posted on by Ruth

 

 

This afternoon I watched as three “Laughing Kookaburras” sat quietly on a fence near our house. I took the time to get some photos of these beautiful birds. The photo above is one of the photos that I took.

As I was watching them and captured their beauty on camera, I noticed that the Kookaburras took turns in keeping an eye on the surroundings (including me) while one flew down to the ground and caught a meal.

Later, I was looking at the photos and the question that came to me was this – Why three? So I did a little bit of research and this is what I found out –

Kookaburras mate for life and live in close family groups, comprising two adults and the older siblings from previous breeding seasons, which remain for up to three years to help their parents incubate the eggs, and feed and protect the chicks and fledglings before moving on to nests of their own.

 

http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2009/10/14/2712935.htm

 

Wow, what an environment of cooperation and care. The baby bird has the care of many that help parent, protect and care for their needs.

I have been watching lately as people I know go at life alone. These are single mum’s, young people, married mums, pastors, elderly and just everyday people. They are doing life alone, very alone. I have a few friends that are single mum’s – they are having tough times. It is hard on them as they try to be mum and dad to little ones. They do not have the help and support from close family, and are exhausted and bewildered. They feel excluded by the church, too tired to make friends, and have no time to think.

I also have a number of friends that are ministers and pastors. Often exhausted by the amount of care they pour out to their church or fellowship, and unable to afford the basics as their income is getting smaller and smaller. Battered by gossipers, criticized by many and unappreciated by a few, it is hard to find a safe place to go for help.

People thrive in an environment of care, and environment of safety and help. One that is filled with love and acceptance – even if it is also tough love included in that love.

We are not meant to be alone, doing life by ourselves. The bible is full of community, full of groups of likeminded people doing life together. Even the early Christians were encouraged “not to give up meeting together…” and to “love each other deeply”.

Animals get this concept. If they go at life alone, they are open to attacked from predators and they will not survive alone. Yet we seem to think that people will be fine alone.

What are the predators of single mum’s, or pastors, or the elderly? What are the predators of Christians?

Right now, as I write, the Laughing Kookaburras are outside in the bushland behind my house. One is laughing strong and loud, two others are answering. They are letting other birds know that this is their home, their territory… Or they are finding out where each other is. Whatever their reason for laughing right now, they are doing what is natural to them. Caring and protecting so that a new generation survives and that they survive too.

Everyone in this world has a desire to survive the life they live and the world they live in. When I talk to others, one of the reasons they give for going at life alone is that they do not trust others in their community, family, friends or church. That is sad. Each one of us an ability to make a difference in the lives of others around us. It takes courage reach out to others and it takes courage to allow others in. It also takes a compassionate heart to care about someone else.

“People don’t care anymore” is a familiar cry. But do you care. Do you care about others that you come across? It should not be left to the few to do the job of many. Can I encourage you to look beyond your busyness and loneliness to reach out to someone? Indifference is not a good quality. Make someone’s world different, make someone’s load lighter. It is not up to you to change the whole world, just the world around you.

Jesus, while on this earth touched the lives of many. He still touches the lives on many today. The early disciples where known not only for their preaching of the gospel and the miracles as the Holy Spirit worked through them, but the love that they showed to others. The love that God gave them was poured out in faith and works.

Not only do we need a faith, but a working of that faith. Jesus your Savior? Good, show it!! Do you have the Holy Spirit in you? Wonderful, show it? I am not asking for works to make us proud, I am talking about reaching others with more than the gospel.

In Proverbs 31 is the story of a woman. This woman could represent any of us today – male or female. The attributes listed in this proverb is talking about a noble person of character. In one verse it says –

“She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.” (Prov 31:20 NIV)

The concept of this verse is this – the way she gives is like the very extension of herself. It is like the movement of your elbow to bring your hand out straight in front of you. The very person she is, allowed her to stretch out her arm and give. This is not just a verse for women. It is a verse for everyone.

Your Pastor tired? Is he living on very little money? What are you going to do about that? Do you have single mums in your church? Ask them what they need most and do what they want rather then what you think they need. Do you have elderly in your community? What do they need, how can you help?

Get excited about the lives of others and not just your own. Ask God to help you know what to do. inspire other and pray for wisdom in who you reach out to.  Don’t forget to get the person you help, to reach out and change someone’s life too.

I am praying for the change in a few to influence the lives of many. I am praying that as God speaks to you, that you will answer in obedience and with wholehearted commitment and with excitement.

Oh… and use the voice that you have, to speak and warn others. That is important too.

 

Be blessed

 

 

 

 

Dry as a bone.

Posted on by Ruth

 

 

Last week I was preparing for a trip away and went to water my plants. I touched the dirt in one of the pots and found it as dry as a bone.

The notion of being dry as a bone stayed with me over the next 6 days, as I travelled long distances with my children, to support my eldest son through a four day football competition. The problem was that I was unable to pack my bible as we had weight restrictions on the flight we were travelling. I knew I had my bible on my mobile phone, so I wasn’t too worried, even though I hate reading from the device when it comes to my time with God.

The problem was that it wasn’t just that I missed my bible. I was tired and bone weary…inside. I have been feeling it for a few weeks. Bone dry, bone weary and dry as a bone spiritually and emotionally. Needing some nourishment and time out from under the heat and the weather that dries me out emotionally and spiritually.

This morning I sat down for my morning time with God and I could not pull anything from His word. I sat and read one Psalm and nothing was sinking in or registering.

The last time I felt this way was when I had little ones. When my boys were babies, they were very unwell. I reached a point of exhaustion that was beyond tired. Spiritually, back then, I had not enough faith, and my relationship with God was almost non-existent during this period of my life. While then I floundered and eventually came to a stop spiritually, this time was different.

Now, I have a relationship with God that gets through these times. I have a strong sense of His presence even when I am this weary. I talk to Him and wait for Him to speak. I have the faith that even when I don’t feel His presence or hear Him speak, I know He is there.

While writing my book a few years ago, God gave me a word of encouragement for mums. Especially for mothers that have small children. This was it –

I see the busyness of a mother’s heart, of her very life. Little ones keep her busy, often unable to rest or sleep.

There come moments of blessing, if her heart and mind turn to Me. The tiredness that she feels chokes Me out of her heart. At those times reach up – I am there, by faith, and I will let her know.

Remind them that this is momentary. Remind them that there is a day when the demands are not so high.

There are times when I am very busy, or very weary. I still go back to this word of encouragement and the 6 steps that God gave me to write in that chapter. Steps like – Take moments of time with God.

It is not just mums with little ones that become overwhelmed by weariness. While God originally gave me this chapter for mum’s, I personally need to keep reading this chapter to reminding myself that God sees and understands. This last week I have needed to back off my study time and not take my times in His word so intensely. Sometimes in dry times it is not pushing we need.

We need to remember that ultimately it is the Holy Spirit that does the work in us, it is He that brings us though dry times and through valleys. When we are tired and dry, we just need to rest in Him.

God often allows me to go through an experience to reveal what He is going to show me next. I need not worry about these times, just trust and stay close to Him – read His work, pray, listen, and have faith. Why do I know that this is one of those times?

A few months ago, I was listening to Vision Radio (Christian Radio Station) and a song came on that caught my attention. The singer was Lauren Daigle, and the song was called “Come Alive (Dry Bones)”.

********

Through the eyes of men it seems there’s so much we have lost

As we look down the road where all the prodigals have walked

One by one the enemy has whispered lies

And led them off as slaves

But we know that you are God yours is the victory

We know there is more to come

That we may not yet see

So with the faith you’ve given us

We’ll step into the valley unafraid, yeah

As we call out to dry bones come alive, come alive

We call out to dead hearts come alive, come alive

Up out of the ashes let us see an army rise

We call out to dry bones, come alive

God of endless mercy god of unrelenting love

Rescue every daughter bring us back the wayward son

And by your spirit breathe upon them show the world that you alone can save

You alone can save

As we call out to dry bones come alive, come alive

We call out to dead hearts come alive, come alive

Up out of the ashes let us see an army rise

We call out to dry bones come alive

So breathe, oh breath of God

Now breathe, oh breath of God

Breathe, oh breath of God now breathe

Breathe, oh breath of God

Now breathe, oh breath of God

Breathe, oh breath of God, now breathe

As we call out to dry bones come alive, come alive

We call out to dead hearts come alive, come alive

Up out of the ashes let us see an army rise

We call out to dry bones, come alive

We call out to dry bones, come alive

Oh come alive

(Written by Lauren Daigle, Michael Farren • Copyright © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc)

*******

Ever since, I have listened to this song dozens of times. My prayer is this – “What are you doing Father God in the lives of your daughters (including me), and what do you want me to do?”

I really believe strongly that what I have been going through the past few weeks, is what a lot of women (and men) are going through daily. They are dry, weathered, and dead inside. God is wanting to breath on them and give them a life beyond what they are now.

While they drift like in a haze, God is wanting to reveal newness and clarity. While they feel cold, God is wanting to renew the flame for Him and His word. While they wonder where God is, He is right where they left Him.

There is nothing that can separate you from the love of God. Nothing. His love for you has not changed. Life has changed for you, desire has changed for you, but God has not. Your focus need to refocus and your heart needs to take small steps back to a place of life.

Even while I write these words the dryness is lifting off me, because these are the words God wants me to speak.

God sees dryness and weariness, He is the answer to this. Simple. He was, He is and He always will be the answer to every struggle and every person’s deepest need for their Creator and Saviour. Go to Him and acknowledge that He is the answer. It is not about fighting, struggling, striving and pushing. It is about returning, repenting, absorbing His word and asking Him to bring life to those dry bones. It is not about human effort and achievement, it is all about God.

Ezekiel 37:4-5 and 14

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.

I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’”

 

My prayer for you right now is this –

“Breathe, Oh breath of God now breathe. As we call out to dry bones come alive, we call out to dead hearts come alive, up out of the ashes let us see an army rise. We call out to dry bones, come alive ….”

 

Be blessed