I’m not sure how she got in. I think it was through an open window, but she sneaked in and made herself at home. Self-loathing was her name. She was a large presence; she filled up most of any space. She would show me all my flaws. Telling me I needed to be thinner, younger, fitter. I could never please her. Soon, her close relative, ‘comparison’, barged her way in. At least she sat quietly in a corner most days, but when I let her speak, she had an incredibly loud voice. Com

Behold the Lamb of God; Where my hope is found in Him. God, my father and faithful friend, For a relationship I have with Him. What a saviour I've been blessed. For in our need His power is displayed; I shall overcome the burdens of my life. From these my chains, I'm released, Yet not by myself, but Christ in me, Hallelujah - in Christ, I've been freed. Throughout all my days, I'll follow You; I’ll rise above the burdens I face. Jesus, my source of help and strength. I'll

“Excuse me”, Molly said “Can I sit on your knee?” Of course, Sweetheart So she did. He continued to talk She rested Slowly, gradually, her eyes shut She fell asleep He continued Gently moving her into a more comfortable position. After a while, she woke Rubbed her eyes, smiled “Thank you”, she said He smiled and kissed her forehead. “Excuse me” Johnny said “Can you help me?” “Of course” He said “I’m confused” “I’m also a bit lonely” “Can I talk to you?” “Of course” He said S

Dear child, each day I make the sun rise. May not always see it in all its glory. There may be clouds covering it. You may not have been awake to notice it, yet it's still there at the start of a new day. A new day means a fresh start, a clean slate. It means fresh hope. It's the beginning of new opportunities. Leave yesterday behind. Leave behind any regrets. Leave behind any hurts. Leave behind any failings. This is a new day. Let's walk through it together. Look up to me f

Note from the author: This spoken word came from a deep longing for more of God and was motivated by daily reading the Psalms aloud and praying in the Spirit at the end of each line. Acknowledging our need for our Creator's Love is the first step toward breaking our reliance on self or others to fill the void that only He can fill. So, reach out today, invite the Holy Spirit to come and rest in you, befriend you, and share His love with you. You will not be disappointed. If y

You know, my beloved child, this story has no end, just as my Kingdom never ends. Once you are seated at My Table, you will never run out of things to experience, enjoy, or marvel at. What you have seen has profoundly touched your soul. The questions I've asked you have challenged, empowered, encouraged, and yes, transformed you. I've revealed my love to you in numerous ways and presented you with new things to think about. And yes, there is so much more to learn about me and

Written by Sarah Joy Holden There's a pebble in the ocean - Dropped in by human emotion. When life feels to be uncertain - We find ourselves there again. Another pebble cast in the ocean - Many pebbles for every season. With every fibre and emotion - A pebble we own or hath thrown. If every pebble represents a person - For everyone there holds a reason. Whatever season, there's an ocean - Where all pebbles, God has known. In the pebble labyrinth of the ocean - Each has found

Dear child, you are carrying burdens that are not yours to carry. You carry offence. You are carrying other people's pain. You are believing other people's hurtful words about you. Let me, wash away all that is clinging to you, and that is weighing you down. Let my love and my light wash it all away. As I wash you clean with my love, walk closely with me so that on this journey of life, nothing will burden you again, as I will carry it for you. Keep turning your face and you

You know that story in Luke 15 of the lost sheep that the shepherd leaves the others to find? Well, I’m part of that flock. I’m not that lost sheep, but another. Growing up, I was always, what you would call, a “good lamb.” I followed the Shepherd. I stayed with the flock. I did what I was supposed to do. But, when I look at the other animals, I felt ashamed to be a sheep. I, like others, would leave the pen to graze in the fields. When I was no longer a lamb, at times, I wou

And so, my beloved child, let me ask you more probing questions: What do you expect to find at the table? Where do your expectations come from, and why do you have them? Yes, I understand, it opens your heart again, considering these things, so let's explore them before we see what I've actually laid out for you. So, the conventional understanding might lead you to believe that you are to eat of the flesh of My Crucified Son, and that is all there is on the table, and all you

Now that you are filled with joy and your “ cup runneth over ”, let's consider the options available to you and what you might choose to fill your plate with. But before we do that, I want to ask you a question: will you be polite and have a small portion, or will you drive in and gorge yourself? I know what you want to do, for I understand you're inclined to gorge, but what will your heart allow you to do? Yes, I see you are torn between the two. On one hand, you recognise t

And so it's done. My beautiful, funny, loving, caring, thoughtful and wonderful Mum has gone to be with her Jesus. The funeral services were held five days after she died - a minor miracle in itself - and what a wonderful send-off it was. A private family service in the morning, the most precious time imaginable – no formality at all, just a time of sharing precious thoughts, poems, prayers and songs, with pastor Steve from Mum's church, CCK, who has pastored us through th

The rain will come Gently To wash away the dirt My rain In the spring To cleanse you, clean you To remove the stains The shame The guilt So you will blossom And show my radiance My glory, my honour

Today I sat down to pray. But I fell asleep. That deep, restful sleep. Where you wake up refreshed. But I felt guilty “Sorry, Lord.” I stammered. Then He said “How do you feel when your child Falls asleep in your arms?” I was shaken, I hadn’t seen it from His perspective. I knew I was safe I knew I was loved I knew He held me. So, I relaxed, I yawned. But I felt so loved and refreshed. Next time, And there will be a next time I will enjoy it. Thank You, Father. Again.

It is the moment when Heaven and Earth collide It is the quiet, loud intimacy of relationship Between you and God. It is the raw, broken cry of my heart For my friend, my child, myself. It is the moment when I have nothing left But tears, raw pain, deep wordless pain That I have no words for. But You, in Your deep love for me Come and sit with me in the rawness. The broken-hearted pain of loss. You gently take my hand. Hold me While I scream, cry, yell out my hurt. Yet You lo

There are so many beautiful miracles recorded in the Bible. Jesus turned water into wine. Jesus healed the blind, the deaf and the lame. A woman who had been to so many Doctors because of her bleeding just touched the hem of Jesus’s cloak and was healed. Jesus healed a boy when he was in another town. He didn't even need to be in proximity to him. Jesus told the woman at the well about her past, not to shame or condemn her, but to show her the way to live a full, free life, w

And so, my beloved child, here we are at this beautiful place, a place that is safe and perfect, intimate and secluded. Selah Now tell me how it has changed you, and how you feel now compared to before you arrived. Do you feel that sense of welcome? Do you feel a sense of belonging that you didn't before? Selah I know it's a lot to take in, and you haven't yet seen what's been prepared for you. Before we do that, I want us to spend some time together, enjoy each other's compa

In Jesus, we have reassuring peace In Jesus, we find real hope In Jesus, we daily put our trust In Jesus, there is overflowing joy In Jesus, we shall not need to fear In Jesus, there is comfort for our souls In Jesus, we have complete faith In Jesus, there is everlasting love In Jesus, is where we can find rest In Jesus, there is redemption In Jesus, we find safety from the storm In Jesus, there is boundless grace In Jesus, is where our strength comes from In Jesus, there is

I chose you to be my adopted son, Yes its true, all the work has been done. Your name written in heaven's book, Let me show you, let's have a look. Really, there is no room for doubting it, No longer an outcast or a misfit, Given a name marked out as royalty, A reward, my child, for all your loyalty. Yes, bought out of slavery, redeemed, Something that you never would have dreamed. And now with Holy Spirit in you sealed, Prostrate on your face, have you kneeled. And no