Past, Present, and Future

Always
wrapped in color
creator draws me
closer to center

with hope
all prayers
will be answered
in peace

no matter
what has
taken place,
is happening,
or what will be
in future days

my trust
is placed in
all power
of His Name
and Word.

Mediation from Philippians 1:3-11

Love to all,
Robin

Be sure to check out the inspirational writings at Spiritual Sundays. Thanks to Ginger and Charlotte for hosting this site and encouraging us today to seek the Lord.

hope

even when life
comes to a finish
there is still beauty
to be found

in endings

it is here

rhythms of hope
come alive
and new life begins

in under-ground
darkness of winter

My Soul Worships

How Great Thou Art

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder consider all the works thy Hand hath made, I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, Thy pow'r throughout The universe displayed;


When through the woods and forest glades I wander I hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze;


Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee, 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!


And when I think that God, His Son not sparing sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, he bled and died o take away my sin.


When Christ shall come, with shouts of acclamation, and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration and there proclaim, "My God, how great Thou art!"


Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee, 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!

Love to all,
Robin

Be sure to check out the inspirational writings at Spiritual Sundays. Thanks to Ginger and Charlotte for hosting this site and encouraging us today to seek the Lord.

Pictures from our drive to B.C. and the lyrics I posted are the original words to the hymn written by: Carl Boberg, 1859 - 1940English Translation ~ Stuart K. Hine.

Potpourri of Thoughts

I usually post a thought for Spiritual Sundays early Saturday morning. However, this week I had a class in another city in my province, and did not have time to post before I left yesterday. My thoughts tonight are still focused on Church History. The class was totally satisfying for my faith and inquisitive mind.

All the way home, I was reflecting upon faith and reason and how it threads through church history. For those who enjoy history here is an interesting thought from Plato titled Plato's Cave on youtube. This video had me contemplating deeply what Plato was trying to say. If you would like to post thoughts on this video, I would enjoy reading comments.

Tonight, I have decided to post a link to Psalm 138 from Bible-gate-way. This Psalm spoke healing and hope into my life as I read through it this week. It is incrediable how God's word comes alive when I least expect it, and also brings transformation in my attitude. A complete mystery!

My musings on three verses in this Psalm that encouraged me this week:

Verse 3, when I, as the psalmist did, called out to God he answered and deepened my faith and trust in Him.

Verse 7, brought hope. No matter what I might encounter in this life, God is with me and will shelter me in His love.

And verse 8, I can trust God will finish in my life what He has begun even if I have no idea what that might be! I simply will trust and have faith. I guess faith and reason works into my musings this week.

And all is wrapped together with God's love that will endure forever, no matter what.

Here is a link for a youtube video on psalm 138 to contemplate upon.

As you read scripture how does or has God spoken to you?

The above picture was taken near Kamloops B.C. a few weeks ago. As I was driving home tonight from Regina to Saskatoon, there was a beautiful breath-taking scene of golden bails of hay on flat prairie with an amazing sunset that filled the sky. As usual, I did not have my camera. Lesson learned: Always take your camera.

Love to all,
Robin

Be sure to check out the inspirational writings at Spiritual Sundays. Thanks to Ginger and Charlotte for hosting this site and encouraging us today to seek the Lord.

Buttery Sweet

Today was one of those, you know, when your mind, body, soul, and strength are all in balance. Out of ten it was a nine kind of day. I enjoyed every moment of feeling like I was in balance with life. Totally refreshing! Most days I feel out of balance or something.

Tomorrow is my turn to prepare coffee for our Wednesday morning church staff meeting. I woke up today thinking about making muffins for tomorrow. I believe I was inspired by the movie Julie and Julia to put my baking skills to work. There is something soothing for the soul about baking delicious, buttery sweet, no good for your body baking, while listening to soft Jazz!

I have added a few pictures of my muffins: a while cooling picture, and ready to take in the morning picture. It is enjoyable to share my moment of baking homemade fresh blueberry strudel and apple strudel muffins with all of you. I know why there is a book titled the Joy of Baking…it is good for your soul.

My home smells sweet and I am content! I was thinking, (another inspiration from the J & J movie) it would be great to work through a cookbook, but a healthy one! I know how to make all of the not so good for your heart items. It would be encouraging to learn some new healthy recipes. Oh, in case you are thinking about watching the J & J movie, there are words in the content that they could have left out. The story line was slow but interesting and left me with a few ideas to ponder.

Love to all
Robin

P.S. I had tea today with a 92 year old lady today who went to this movie on her birthday last week, how cool is that. We talked about Julia Child and how she wore pearls. Pearls are old school, but still very stylish and classic. I would love to hear what you think about wearing pearls.

Thoughts from Philippians 1:3-11

Blogger is losing my words today! It is good to be back into routine, however it was good to get away from the daily demands. I am posting a few points from the sermon I will be giving tomorrow night at a seniors service in my community. The title of my sermon is "Thanksgiving and Prayer"--It is Thanksgiving on Monday here in Canada.

Philippians 1:3-5 Point One:Paul viewed the past with a thankful heart to God.

In this passage, Paul demonstrates how to view the past by having a thankful heart towards God for all that he has been given. He was able to be content because when he looked at the past he did so with a thankful heart. He recognized that in Christ he was able to do all things and the key was to be thankful for God’s direction and the encouragement he received from other believers.

Philippians 1:6-8 Point Two: Paul viewed the present with confidence in what God is doing.

As Paul remembers and thinks about the Christians in Philippi, he was flooded with emotions for them. He longed for them with all of his heart, and he loved them with a love that is found in Christ. Paul had confidence in these believers and confidence that God would continue to lead them no matter what they faced on their journey.

Philippians 1: 9-11 Point Three: Paul’s outlook on the future is prepared with prayer to God for the Philippians.

For each of us to face the future and all that we might experience with the same confidence that these Christians from Philippi had, we too must live each day close to God. Thanking Him daily for all that he has done in our life.

What will your reactions and choices be concerning the circumstances you will experience in life? Will you look at the past with doubt or thanksgiving? Will you look at the present with fearfulness or confidence? Will you look at the future with anxiety or push forward with prayer? Will you rely on your own strength, or will you rely on the strength Christ freely gives as you look to Him? What will be true in your life story?

Father God, guide each person who reads these thoughts to turn to you seeking direction from your Spirit. Direct us into your love and help us Lord to persevere in Christ no matter what we might experience in this life. I pray we will learn to be thankful in all situations as Paul did. Christ in your name there is power to do the will of our Father. Amen.

With Love Robin

Be sure to check out the inspirational writings at Spiritual Sundays. Thanks to Ginger and Charlotte for hosting this site and encouraging us today to seek the Lord.

P.S Snow arrived in Saskatoon this week and the trees where not ready! Amazing that the picture above was taken only seven days before the snow hit Canada.

The Impact of a Single Event

On Saturday September 26, before leaving for our journey to B.C, Canada, I decided to purchase a novel to read while on this current road trip. My first choice was, The Red Tent, by Anita Diamant. As I wondered the aisles in Chapter's Indigo, I found another book titled, The Impact of a Single Event, by R.L. Prendergast. I had never heard of this book until I picked it up in the book store.

What caught my imagination was the fact that the book is both historical and a personal story that takes place in different cities across Canada, then off to India, and back to the Canadian Rockies. Since, I was traveling through the Rockies, across three Provinces, and sent my son off East to Quebec yesterday, this book interested my inquistive mind, and adventurous spirit.

For the first two hours of our trip I read the bible, and a prayer book then decided to enter into the pages of my new book. I hard time putting the novel down. I read the whole book before we arrived in Vanderhoof. Traveling for 13 hours (1,356 km), allows for uninterrupted time to delve into the pages of a good novel. I do not regret purchasing this book, it has been added to my favorites, and has me seriously reflecting on my life.

R.L. Prendergast is a Canadian Author from Edmonton, Alberta (located on Highway 16), which is the road we traveled on to get to Vanderhoof. The book spans three centuries, and begins with the main characters Richard and Sonia helping a couple who are in a serious car accident. From there the story unfolds within the pages of a 140-year-old journal, and the entries of six different people.

As I write this review, I am still pondering all the wisdom found within the pages of this novel. One thing that rang true for this reader was that I need to take time for reflection, to appreciate moment by moment the life story I have been given, and the choices I make. This book also has to do with restoring a damaged relationship through the process of honestly looking at heart issues.

I believe, I now have been given the old journal, and the question is what will I do with it? Who will I pass it on to? And what life changes will I consider making? And if I was to make an entry into the journal what would it say about my journey?

It was amazing to read about the Canadian Rockies as we drove through them. Now it is time for sleep, tomorrow will bring more traveling, and perhaps another review. It was good for my soul to read for a long period of time, and go on a trip alone with my husband. In Indigo's this book was on the shelve next to the Shack, both are written by Canadians from the Western Provinces.

Pax Robin

My prayer book is titled, The Path of Celtic Prayer - An Ancient Way of Everyday Joy, By Dr. Calvin Miller. This is another amazing book full of adventure, now with the Celts! I would still like to read the Red Tent, before my break from routine is over.

On the Road Again!

It is Saturday night, and I am still trying to catch up on all that needs to be completed before my husband and I leave for a week trip into the mountains. I had good intentions to write a devotional for Spiritual Sunday before leaving, but it just is not going to happen.

We are traveling on business to the interior of British Columbia. Instead of a devotional here is another quote from Joyce Rupp to ponder:

"Without some quiet reflection, some solitude and stillness, our inner eyes will eventually be too blurred and weary to discover God in the rushing of our demanding days."

This quote sums up the theme for the last week of my life, in what I read, and experienced!

Please pray for my youngest son Mike, who arrived safely in St. Jean, Quebec today to start a 13 week training program in the Canadian Armed Forces. And for this mother who has had waves of emotions as she releases her baby. My prayer is that Mike will preserve when it gets tough and that he will make lasting friendships.

Pax
Robin

Be sure to check out the inspirational writings at Spiritual Sundays. Thanks to Ginger and Charlotte for hosting this site and encouraging us today to seek the Lord.

Honesty

The last month has been full, and hectic at times, but in all good for my soul. I have a fragile system and when I am going to fast my world will crumble in with emotions.

Well, today I had a day full of emotions. When I arrived home, full of self pity and woes, I watched this video (Blessed be Your Name) and realized life really is not that terrible.

I am learning to say "Blessed be your name." Even through the emotions. I totally cried after watching the video.

My prayer and heart cry is in all I experience in life God will be glorified and I will bless His name.

Love to all,

Robin

No Excuses

I was reading, Prayer, by Joyce Rupp and this paragraph stood out:

False justifications for not praying fall away when we perceive the priceless value of our union with God. If we have time to shop, we have time to pray. If we have enough minutes to read the daily newspaper or work a crossword puzzle, we have enough minutes to pray. If we have space in our schedule to watch television or browse the Internet, we have space to pray. All rationalizations and excuses for being unable to pray are left behind once we allow God to claim our heart.

I can honestly say I have done all of these things, and know God is drawing me into prayer, but resist the pull. I really have no excuses not to pray.

My prayer for all who read this quote is that we will allow God to direct our hearts into His love today through prayer.