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Showing posts from 2006

Not Posting Much

Until life slows down a bit posting will be on hold. With writing essays, work, etc...my mind is not being very creative. There will come a new season to write again, perhaps around Christmas when the essays are done and BSF is on Break. Until then... Blessings, Robin I still like the tune that is playing--Bill is gone but his memory still lives on.

Keep an Open Mind

See what no one else sees; see what everyone else chooses not to see--out of fear, or conformity, or laziness--see the whole world anew each day. From the movie Patch Adams

Bill's Song

All week, little reminders of a life that once touched mine kept revealing themselves in the most interesting ways. Last, night while working at the care home, a co-worker mentioned that Bill's family left all of his CD's for us to use. Bill loved to listen to Floyd Cramer. In a strange way a part of Bill was left at the home through his music. Bill might be gone but memories of him have not left, they will be treasured in my heart. I have added his favorite song to the midi player so all who listen can share in this great classic music. The amazing thing about this piece of music is that it was also my grandmothers favorite song. I cared for both of these people who God has now taken home. As you listen to the music may you remember all the wonderful people God has placed in our life over the years. Blessings, robin Lee

He Gives

Yesterday, someone placed in my mail box (I really do not know who, they did not sign their name) a devotional book by Charles Spurgeon. A gift from God to fulfill the calling? Perhaps. I would like to share the devotional for today, it spoke to my heart, it reflects upon the goodness and wonderful gifts God gives us daily. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Psalm 126:3 KJV Some Christians are prone to look on the dark side of everything and to dwell more upon what they have gone through than upon what God has done for them. Ask for their impression of the Christian life, and they will describe their continual conflicts, their deep afflictions, their sad adversities, and the sinfulness of their hearts, yet with scarcely any allusion to the mercy and help that God has granted them. But a Christian whose soul is in a healthy state will come forward joyously and say, "I will speak not about myself but to the honor of my God. He has brought me up out of a ho

His Jazz

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His Jazz He came, a messenger of love following an ancient rhythm. All of creation understood moving in motion not missing a beat. Melodies sail forth on currents of wind telling of their creator’s absolute care. Let me embrace this uncomplicated truth, catching hold of His pulse. Receiving, responding, revealing, with a receptive heart. Let His song touch the depths of my soul taking me into dark places. Hidden to learn secret lessons from the messenger’s jazzy tempo of love. Both pieces are created by Robin Lee -- July 31, 2006

Walking Through Affliction

Finally, free to write on-line again. I am done being a student for the rest of the summer. My emotions are out-of-sorts with no more deadlines to meet mixed with a relief of being free to rest. The strange thing I have discovered is I like having deadlines to meet because than there is no stopping until you are done! It is stopping that is hard. A few thoughts from my essay on Walking Through Affliction: Trials are comparable to bouncing off a trampoline. Life goes on with a continual bounce, deliberate and smooth. Sometimes the bounce will be high and sometimes it will encompass different rhythmic bounces throughout a season. There is, however, a knowing which we tend to avoid thinking about. If you spring up too high or sway too far to one side, there is a probability of soaring off completely and landing head-over-heels into misery. As you hit the new affliction, many circumstances will follow that make it hard to get back up, causing immense loneliness and despair with no hope to

A Secret

"Here is my secret. It's quite simple. One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is isinvisible to the eyes." - The Fox, in Antonine De Saint-Exupery's, the Little Prince.

Explanation for the Calla Lilies

Taking the course in "Spirituality and Ministry" has opened a door to draw. Keeping a daily journal now includes an art journal. Calla lilies are one of the Creator's best, a reflection of perfect splendor, simple yet elegant, and full of strength and beauty. "Open to receive," is a symbol of when a person is open to God; he will pour forth his grace and love to be the inner light in all that they do. "Encircled in God's love," represents how God is always pouring down his love by His Holy Spirit. Romans 5:5 "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has pour out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has give us." Romans 5:5 NIV "And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love." Romans 5:5 NLT Without the touch of red these callas would just be plain lilies - black and white containing no life. As with th

Encirlced in God's Love

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Open to Receive

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The view from my office window is the house next door. What is amazing to me, is that I have seen more beautiful things fly past the high view of my window, having my breath taken away. Today, I sat down and looked up and an air ballon was floating across the sky, it was low and decending. When it rains or snows it is like the rain drops and snow flakes put on a dance just for me. The little things in life that have my attention! A thought: God alone knows our whole story, beginning to end.

A Beautiful Promise

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Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know Him! Then He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of the dawn or the coming of rains in early spring. Hosea 6:3 What a beautiful promise from God's word, that our God is faithful to answer us when we call upon His name and push on to seek his face.
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A few weeks ago while visiting Jennifer's blog she posted a thought that has had me pondering: "Life is bittersweet. We just have to make the most of the sweeter moments." My life has more bittersweet times...so when those sweet times come...I will make the most of them!

"Why Tell Stories?"

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I would like to post this thought from a writer friend Marnie, it was tucked between the first few pages of my journal. Here is the thought from my friend: Writers - ever wonder why you like to tell stories? Here's Jesus' reason to his disciples when they asked him. "Why tell Stories?" From the Message, Matthew Chapter 13. The disciples came up and asked, "Why do you tell stories?" He replied, "You've been given insight into Gods kingdom. You know how it works. Not everybody has this gift, this insight; it hasn't been given to them. Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights, and understandings flow freely. But if there is no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears. That's why I tell stories: To create readiness, to nudge the people towards receptive insight." Also in Mark Chapter 4 says this of Jesus, "With many stories like these, he presented his message to them, fitting the stories to their experience

Being a Child - Barefoot in the Rain

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Sitting on my bookshelf was a little book from my friend Mari, titled, "Laughter Therapy: A Dose of Humor for the Christian Woman's Heart" by Tina Krause. I picked it and opened it to page 84, here is what I read: Try this exercise: Abandon your adult inhibitions and do something fun and spontaneous. Walk barefoot in the rain (and remember to splash in the puddles). Finger paint with a child. Picnic at the park and take along a Frisbee. In a group, share your uninhibited moments of frivolity and discuss the benefits of spontaneity. Enjoy the fun and laughter that the unexpected brings! This must be why I love my work in the BSF children's ministry and being the activities director at the care home. I get to be spontaneous, acting silly and no one judges you! Children just go along with the fun, and seniors love it! Today, I was singing with a man who is 94 years old neither of us could carry a tune, but that did not matter, we were having fun! I was wondering what th

Slowly Working Through the Book of John

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I am going to try working slowly through the book of John over the summer. Here are a few gleanings from my journal: 1. vs 1-2 God is the beginning of absolutely everything. 2. vs 2-3 God has made all things. 3. vs 4 God's light brings life to men. 4. vs 5 Darkness cannot understand the light. God is the word that brings life to the world. God is light but the darkness does not understand it. God is creator, the word, and light to the world. Living a life were God's truth is penetrating the brokeness in my heart is one of the hardest things to do, but the most freeing. Surrending my life to Jesus letting him guide and direct me has been the first steps to healing. Knowing I can not do one thing on my own, trusting God to be healing and leading me each step of the way. When I try to do life in my own strength it just ends in frustration, but letting God have his way leads to peace everytime. God's word brings hope to the darkness that can so easily take over. Do I accept

A good recipe for love!

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Check out this recipe of good ingredients to add to your parenting, even when your children are young adults. Recipe for a child's success. The mixture is simple enough to inspire, not bringing me down by thinking about my failures, but encouraging me to keep stirring in the ingredients no matter the age of my children.

My head hurts!

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Over the last few month's I have been trying to figure out how to play Sudoku . I have just spent over an hour trying an on-line puzzle version of classic sudoku. I actually found it challenging, the music relaxing, and I finally understand how to get started. Now I am going to let my head rest after all that problem sloving.

I am singing in the rain!

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It is cloudy outside, and I am a little blue... I was listening to some music I have downloaded on my computer, and this song came on. My saddness is gone... I am dancing through the blue rain in my heart. Read the lyrics and enjoy! Singing In The Rain I am singing in the rain Just singing in the rain, What a glorious feeling, And I am happy again. I am laughing at clouds So dark, up above, The sun's in my heart And I am ready for love. Let the stormy clouds chase. Everyone from the place, Come on with the rain I have a smile on my face. I a'll walk down the lane' With a happy refrain Just singin', singin' in the rain. Dancing in the rain. I'm happy again. I'm singin' and dancin' in the rain. Dancin' and singin' in the rain. Artist Frank Sinatra

Another one has caught my attention!

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Another snapping, eyeing catching, attention getting, title from MSN! Last week it was earth day... This week the one that caught my curiousity, "What kind of listener are you?" A few samples from the article: If you...don't pay attention because you thought what the speaker said earlier was dumb, you're judgmental. If you...become agitated when someone disagrees with or criticizes you, or try to prove your opinion, you're in I'm-always-right mode. If you...tend to drift off midway through the conversation, or if a statement by the speaker suddenly takes you away from the conversation and back to an old memory, you're dreaming . If you...take everything you hear and refer it back to a personal experience before the speaker can finish, you're identifying. Check out the complete article from Canadian living. I am going to print these off to go over again! Good listening skills are hard to learn.

PRAYER

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"O Lord, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you. May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry." Psalm 88:1-2 40 Days of Prayer for Canada -- National prayer focus for evangelism: May 3 – June 11, 2006 National Day of Prayer for America - May 4, 2006 GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER – Pentecost Sunday June 4, 2006 Intercessors for Israel -- Weekly Prayer Report from Israel On the PrayerRamp for Canada site, there are many more links to Christian Websites in Canada check them out.

Habits that will Change Your Life

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Nine Godly Habits That Will Change Your Life Spend time regularly with God in prayer and Bible study. Live with a clear conscience. Finish what you start. Strive for excellence in all you do. Handle criticism in a godly manner. Be peaceful—avoid strife. Live by faith, one day at a time. Live by discernment. Be a giver. Insert from Joyce Meyer , check out the whole article it is worth reading. Reading through this list each of the habits seem simple enough to achieve but realistically without the Holy Spirit convicting, guiding, and leading, it is easy not to do some of the above. Two of the above habits that have me pondering and praying about are: "Finish what you start." - It would have been easy to call it quits on my course I am taking over the last three weeks, but God has been working on me to finish well. The commitment is three years and I have 11 more classes to go...no quiting! Then there is this one: "Handle criticism in a godly manner," I am not doing

Earth Day

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My Msn Sympatico home page opens each morning with an eye catching snappy thought - most days I sigh with a, "yeah right!" However, today's title had me curious... Taking the job at the care home I have the responsibly of writing the monthly newsletter. In searching the web for fillers I found there are appointed days each month of the year to celebrate a variety of different topics, well, April has an interesting one. April 22 is "Happy Earth Day." Check out the different web links you might get curious too! I like the picture of the newly sprouted green plant - Spring, "YES!" I am expecting/hoping to have the seniors planting their flower gardens very soon. It is good to be able to take them out for some healthy fresh air, sunshine, and exercise.

Turning Green

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The world outside is turning new shades of green bringing sounds of birds chirpping, geese honking over head, and a bright sunshine morning - oh, how my soul has longed for these spring days! Earlier today I was reading through a list of names and attributes of God -- what a powerful way to wake up having your mind focused on who God is and not on worries of the day. First on the list: God is Good! (1Chronciles 16:34) Reading through David's Psalm of Thanksgiving had my heart singing along with him... Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgements he pronounced. God is Good! I need to meditate upon this attribute of my God today, as I enjoy the gift of this new spring day. "Gi

Serving Another

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Working at Prairie Spring Care Home over the last four month's has been an incredible journey of love, and the bonus is that I am learning a new craft - doing nails! I have been offering the seniors (male and female) their own time out to have their nails filed and polished. They love it! It is amazing how many have never had their nails done by someone else, (certainly a different generation then my generation who enjoy having their nails manicured.) They always ask, "are you sure you do not want money?" or "why are you doing this for free?" or "why are you spending time with me?" I tell them the cost is a hug...it works every time... A hug and listening to their life stories make the lonely hours at the home not so long and the time doing their nails brings forth meaningful conversation. My newest adventure in this process of treating them, will be offering them a foot spa, I know it will go over well. Serving others brings joy to the heart. "B

Nothing There!

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I am having one of those mornings (weeks) when a deadline is upon me and as I try to locate words in my mind to fill the blank page there is nothing! I have been writing in my journal and what I can manage to target is a feeling of failure concerning this project. It is strange, failure comes knocking, gets an invitation without me being aware, then in comes procrastination to totally take control...both of the unwanted guests need to leave, so I can meet my deadline of being finished this week. I am scheduled to speak next Sunday...meaning I have no choice my assignment needs to be finished. My plan: I will pray, and pray some more, then just start to write. I am rambling.... Hey, but at least I am writing!

What Type of Writer Should you be? - Quiz

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You Should Be A Poet You craft words well, in creative and unexpected ways. And you have a great talent for evoking beautiful imagery... Or describing the most intense heartbreak ever. You're already naturally a poet, even if you've never written a poem. What Type of Writer Should You Be? I think this is very interesting...I sould be "A Poet"...I knew that! ???

The Reflective Life

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For my next class we are asked to read one more book along with the text books. There are several good books on the list to choose from, just because I like to read, I am going to enjoy, "The Reflective Life" by Ken Gire , before the class even begins. The reflective life reminds me of the simple life. I went and reread the thoughts on a simplified life from Robin Lee Hatcher's site here is the one that stood out: 3. A life of simplicity requires the practice of the spiritual disciplines. (We will focus especially on the disciplines of solitude, prayer and community.) Reflection will be part of the next class and so will the spiritual disciplines. In the introduction of part three of Ken Gire's book, there is a quote from Andrew Murray's book on "Humility" that opened my mind to reflect. The Soil of the Reflective Life (Chapter Three - Ken Gire) This, my friend, is a secret of secrets. It will help you to reap where you have not sown, and it will be co

Simple Living

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Simplify... That is what I am trying to do even in my writing life! I would like to invite all who read this post to visit Robin Lee Hatcher's blog site. She has posted some great thoughts on simple living. If anyone has thoughts to post, I would love to read your ideas/comments on simple living. I will be posting more on this topic....

Spring

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Spring... my favorite time of year! Not only has the weather changed so has the season in my spiritual life changed...it is good to be out of winter, but I know it was needed to shape me physically, emotionally, and mentally for what God has for me in the near future. Thank you Jesus that you were with me through some of my darkest days. I do look forward to the warm Spring days ahead, both physically and emotionally. I feel like these butterflies able to fly free again...thank you Lord for the smile that is back on my face. I found out today I needed another book for my next class that starts in May, it has been written by the Professor who will be teaching the class on Spiritual Formation, Paul M. Beckingham . The title is: "Walking Towards Hope - Experiencing Grace in a Time of Brokenness." It has me wondering what exactly God might have instore for me...the title fits well concerning what I am going through personally. Experiencing grace in a time of brokenness...I am re

Psalm 39 (New Living Translation)

The last few weeks have been rather hard and I could not find words to express how I was feeling until I read these words today written by David...it was as if...he knew my thoughts and emotions. Thank you Jesus for your word that brings hope to hard places in life. This Psalm really does express my feelings today, every verse, every word. My prayer as the Psalmist penned is : "Lord, please spare me so I can smile again before I am gone and exist no more." Psalm 39 For Jeduthun, the choir director: A psalm of David. 1. I said to myself, "I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will curb my tongue when the ungodly are around me." 2. But as I stood there in silence--not even speaking of good things--the turmoil within me grew to the bursting point. 3. My thoughts grew hot within me and began to burn, igniting a fire of words: 4 . "LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away.

New Season

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He has Risen! Life has been full, and time to spare has not been easy to find, but I am going to try to write more now that spring is here. Entering this new season of writing I have eliminated clutter bringing simplicity into my life, the other three blogs I started last year have been suspended for a season. It has been way to long since my last post. Walking with Yeshua has been my journey in life and will continue to be my blogging home. Life has not been easy...many challenges...many changes...many joys....and many sorrows...but one thing that has never changed is the knowledge that Jesus is with me every step of the way.

Today's Verse

"But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servent, and whoever wants to be first must become your slave. For even I, the son of man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:26-28 Thought this went well with my previous post!

Our God is Awesome

God has been faithful! I am not one to post much about my life, but it has been along time, since I last posted and feel I need to explain. First, yes, Mari and I are still prayer walking and we will be teaching on prayer - walking April 1, a followup for Women's Journey of Faith, in Saskatoon. In December I posted that I had returned to work at the end of November. It was a lean time, and I knew in my heart my family needed me to do something. First, I prayed, prayed some more, then I found a part-time job at M&M Meats for the Christmas season, it was a good way to go back to work. The owner and staff were sweet, and great to work with. But, God had better plans. I do like God's way much better and it has bought joy to my heart. Around December 15, I recieved a call asking me if I would be interested in working at a local care home as an activities director. Well, I have been working at this awesome God job for exactly a month and am loving every moment that I am at the ho