Words of Encouragement
If you have some Words of Encouragement you would like us to consider adding to this page, click here to send us an email, together with your name.
We are told to thank God in all things, to always praise Him and give him our worship. Sometimes this is easier said than done. When the sun is shining, when we know our prayers have been answered, when we are fit and well , when we join together with others. However, that is not always the case, especially over the last year, and we have to choose to worship whatever the weather or the situation. One song that has particularly spoken to me about this is by Rend Collective entitled I Choose to Worship. We can choose to worship our creator and faithful God whether we feel like it or not, as the words of the song say - I will praise you even when my world comes crashing down, and when doubts surround.
Pam E
26.01,21
At the start of lock-down my son Tim and I planted two dozen primulas in the Garden of Reflection. In the sunny days of May, Marion carried a watering can to the garden each day and the plants survived. They continue to grow and in addition Jenny has led the gardening team in planting extensively in each of the walled beds. It looks great now and members have found it a lovely place to come together and pray. Just the other day Jenny contacted Sandi and I to ask if we would plant two geraniums. These plants are named Mrs Kendall Clarke and, of course they remind us of our wonderful daughter Joanna.
These are difficult times in very many ways, but I believe Christ, the Gardener has things in hand.
Steve K
11.9.20
A couple of weeks ago, Chris and I had to go into the worship area to measure windows. When Chris was putting away the ladder, I really felt I had to sing. So, standing in the middle of the chair space I sang ‘Abba Father let me be….’ as a prayer to God and just putting some singing back in the church.
Here are the words if you want to have a little sing now. Picture yourself in the space doing just as I did. It felt great…
Abba Father, Let Me Be
Yours And Yours Alone.
May My Will For Ever Be
Evermore Your Own.
Never Let My Heart Grow Cold,
Never Let Me Go.
Abba Father, Let Me Be
Yours And Yours Alone.
[Dave Bilbrough, ThankYou Music]
What I most miss about church right now is seeing all of you, and singing.
Jenny M
17.08.2020
This is a poem, I trust will bring you
hope,
And during these times, help you cope.
I try to come before God each day,
And spend time with him and chat and pray.
For me right now, I'm struggling a bit,
I feel sometimes I'm sinking in a deep dark pit.
But I grab hold of God's strong right hand,
For He truly cares and He truly understands.
So in these past months, weeks and days,
I have tried to find something positive and give God praise.
Even if it's something so very small,
Like a smile from a stranger, or a friend's phone call
I try to praise the Lord through the smooth and the rough,
I try to praise the Lord although right now praising is tough.
I try to praise God each and every day,
And also never forget to pray.
So why don't you give it a try,
Don't let this opportunity pass you by.
Praise God for all you hear, see and feel,
Praise God for He is alive and real.
Jen E
13.07.2020
I think if we are all honest many of us have had moments of sadness or feeling a bit down. In the past few months, we have been told over and over again on our TV that it's very normal and have been given many ways to cope - exercise, good diet, hobbies etc. all very true. But I give thanks that I have God to talk to
I am one of the one's that when asked how I am, the answer is I'm fine, but I have my moments.
I always pray continually for my family's safety and protection, for our community and world in these weird times, and I do believe that God hears all prayer and in his time all will become clear. My prayer was to see my family.
A knock came on two consecutive days. First my youngest daughter and 15 month little boy, who had not shown any sign of knowing me on the phone; it was horrible. After a very short time we were best friends again. Wonderful.
The next day, another knock. My eldest
daughter with her 12 and 14 year old; what a surprise. I was
overjoyed. There was so much to talk about, catch up, things that had
not been said on short phone calls. So face to face was brilliant.
So be encouraged; talk to God and hold
on. But I am even more mindful of those who will not have these
experiences for many reasons, and my prayer for them is that God's love
will surround them and give them hope and happiness for the future.
Jacky P
2.07.2020
When I am at work, as a grave digger and cemetery maintenance man and there is a funeral, I always pray for the mourner “that they will be comforted by the knowledge that Jesus has gone before to prepare a place in his father house for all who believe, so they can live in peace and that blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted” But on Friday when I started to pray all I prayed was “may God's peace be upon you” Later I found out that the ex- wife and wife had words as the ex-wife and her children did not know the deceased had been in a home for 6 months and only finding out he had died on the day of the committal.
To make things worse the son and daughter arrived late after the gates had been locked, and when the committal was over a shouting match started when they wanted to approach the grave and lay flowers. It was then I realised that God had wanted me to ask for their peace and I have prayed for their peace since then.
Nick P
26.05.2020
Our
daughter Joanne came out of Epsom hospital ICU after being on a
ventilator for 13 days suffering from Covid-19. We had so much
support from all our friends at Ruxley for which we thank you all
very much. Joanne was on 4 prayer chains from Southampton to Stirling
in Scotland and many, many people in between. My husband Brian is a
good man although not a practicing Christian, but he firmly believes
that all the loving prayers said for Joanne through this ordeal
brought her back to us. We thank everyone from the bottom of our
hearts and God Bless.
Sheila
F
25.05.2020
Recently I have been led to the book
of Nehemiah, the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. The advances
and set-backs, all covered with prayer by Nehemiah and the people.
Families responsible for sections of the wall were always on guard;
they advanced and the wall was built in fifty-two days.
The set-backs were criticism, schism, and threat of battle. On completion, Esra the priest read from the book of law of Moses, and they feasted and shared all they had.
I thought of the world for us today, so diverse, lots of the same problems: wars, famine etc. and then many that love, give, help and everyone muddling through. How many know The Lord ?
The people of Nehemiah's time were united and encouraged by the spirit of God , His Word, His promises and blessings. Their faith in God was strong. We too are blessed with the same power and protection. Do we believe it?
The spiritual renewal of the people began with a change of mind, which continued by affecting their emotions, and finished by an appeal to their wills. This is always how God works.
I was greatly encouraged, but even more so when I was asked to write this down.
The very next morning, I opened my daily reading which is sent to my tablet at 2 am each day and the reading was, Romans 10.17. Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
My prayer is for us all at Ruxley, just like the Israelites in Nehemiah's time, to all come together to build our faith, to step out together into our community that all may come to know and receive God's love.
Jacky Pz11.05.2020
Some words of encouragement to share with everyone. This is a message sent from Natalie
"Lottie was baptised a year ago! Thank you to all of you for accepting us into your church xx”
There have been many ups and downs for the family since the christening as Lottie was born with a hole in the heart. As a church we have prayed for the family and they have been grateful. We are very privileged to have this young family with us and look forward to seeing Lottie eventually become part of Fish Club.
Sue G
07.05.2020
I had a thought in my mind that if I believed in God enough
that he would answer my prayers. I was having some pain in my lower back for
some time and decided to pray to God about it. I'm not completely sure if the
pain is fully gone, but I think God has answered my
prayers.
Abi K
19.04.2020
We needed to post a letter yesterday, and while out we passed an old lady in the street. Keeping our social distance, we crossed the road but smiled at her, waved and said “hello”. “Oh, it’s so nice to hear someone say hello”, she replied. I do hope we weren’t the only people to say hello to her - but maybe we were. A smile to someone can bring a thousand blessings and bring a little bit of happiness to someone who may otherwise be very lonely. So, if you are out for your daily exercise, keep your social distance but smile at people and say “hello” – you can be a blessing to them. Keep well, God Bless
Mark H
08.04.2020
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
7.0.4.2020
I'd
been working on financial planning for Ruxley Church and the phone
rang. It was my recently appointed, new, pastoral support person from
the church. Just when I needed it most and totally out of the blue,
here was a chance to share concerns. Our conversation was not too
long, but wide ranging. I felt a weight had been lifted.
Steve K
6.04.2020
Love Your Neighbour 1
I had occasions at my work today that reminded me that God is in the midst of this troubling time.
One of my patients shared with me how, when he went outside to applaud NHS workers for all that they are doing to manage coronavirus, his neighbour across the road from him was doing the same. Each shared how they were feeling about the situation and he felt supported by the encouraging words his neighbour spoke. The patient then explained that in all the years they have been neighbours, this was the first time they had ever spoken together and he is determined to keep this new friendship going.
Sandi
K
31.3.2020
Tonight at 8, we stood and clapped in the street,
Was this a chance for us all to meet.
Was this a chance to meet our neighbours,
Was this a chance to get together.
Although at a distance, not face to face,
But on the next doorstep or across the road at a pace.
We stood together and clapped as one,
For all the NHS workers and others have done.
Together we clapped and cheered them on.
Together we stood out there - we weren't sure for how long.
Together we waved and said hello,
Until back into our houses we did go
But doing this together, has made us (in a little way) unite,
And against this virus we'll put up a fight.
We will join together, even if we are two metres apart,
And say let's beat this thing - with all of our heart !
Jen E
26.3.2020
Yesterday I worked at Foodbank along with another new volunteer, Ian, who is curate at All Saints Banstead. Ian and I were able to share a conversation whilst sitting in the bright sunshine of the foyer. We both described episodes in our own Christian journeys. I had a very strong feeling God had engineered this and it gave me much needed strength to face what lies ahead.
Steve K
26.3.2020
