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Showing posts from September, 2009

The Impact of a Single Event

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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 . Tr

On the Road Again!

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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 lastin

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

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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.

Words we say

News paper articles about your ministry make you humble. I have had a hard time reading through the post from Saturdays Star Phoenix, a local news paper in my city. The title for the article is "Seniors Discover Role in Ministry, " written by Darlene Polachic. I am having a issues with Sloboda said! Today, I was extremely aware of how our words influence others. I thought it would be the picture that I would cringe at...but today it was my words. When they are in print you are accountable. If you would like to check this article out click on the title. Please pray for the seniors conference being held on Thursday September 24, 2009. I am learning to cast my anxious thoughts on Christ...this sounds like a scripture verse. Nothing like the article being past around at church when you are cringing at the words you have said. Humbling. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the

Listen and Follow

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Reading through Acts, the story of Philip meeting the Ethiopian has had me reflecting and contemplating how God speaks and works in my life. A few thoughts that stood out from this New Testament story found in Acts 8:26-40: God spoke to Philip with clear instructions to follow. He was told to go out into desert territory alone. He obeyed without questioning or stalling with the “what if’s.” The Holy Spirit continued to speak and direct Philip. In the middle of nowhere Philip shared the message of Christ. He was bold in sharing the gospel message. Philip and the Ethiopian official traveled together on the desert road. With the time spent together Philip taught the Ethiopian about Christ. In the desert they came upon water and the eunuch was baptized. Then God simply took Philip out of this relationship. What was shared left the Ethiopian rejoicing in the Lord. How cool is that… This is a great illustration on how to share the gospel message! Definitely this whole event was a divine app

Hidden Places

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Father, I long to come out and dance but I have forgotten how. All I know in this moment is how to hide under waves of must do’s, one is completed, another arrives, luring my soul farther away from your presence. Will you hear my faint whispers that are hard to voice from hidden places under deep covers of activity? My soul longs for silence. My soul longs to be heard. Teach me how to let go of lists that bind. Teach my soul God how to dance again with you in silence and solitude even when demands of life are presen

Curious Ones

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These little one's were born two days before my grandson on June 27, 2009. My husband and I have not had pets in over fifteen years, but some how these little ones caught our hearts. We took the leap of faith, and adopted them. They are curious about everything! Over the last week they have brought joy into my home, and lots of scratches. A quote to ponder by Ruth Haley Barton: "In solitude we must stop believing our own press." Love Robin

Spiritual Sunday -- “I Will” not be Afraid!

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Last week, after I posted the “I will” statements from Psalm 118, an online friend (Yvette) suggested that each of the statements would make interesting devotionals. For Spiritual Sunday this week and the next several weeks, I will post a few thoughts on each of the “I will” proclamations from this Psalm. Psalm 118 is an interesting Psalm to mediate upon. As you read through it is apparent that an individual worshiper is coming before God in prayer representing the people of Israel. All of Israel had experienced God’s goodness and magnificent display’s of His unconditional love that was constantly sustaining them. Originally the worship leader would have been a king or priest, but today anyone can come before God reciting His acts of goodness and mercy before God’s people. God desires that we bless him with our heart felt responses of gratitude through our prayers. The Psalmist knew that no matter what they were facing in life God was always with them. Today, God through his Holy

In Christ

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The month of September is extremely full concerning ministry. Tuesday mornings I lead the devotional time over at Caleb Manor (a seniors retirement home.) I have made a commitment to write my own devotionals this next year, which takes hours of study and writing. There is a Fall BBQ on Saturday, a Fall conference for seniors on September 24, other groups beginning within this ministry, which require numerous meetings. And these are not really what I am called to do! My main ministry is to visit and care for the seniors within my church. I woke up early today having onerous thoughts rush through my mind that I was not going to make it. Then before these burdensome thoughts of defeat could take root thoughts of who I am in Christ covered the negative. Absolutely amazing! In Christ I am able. In Christ I have victory. In Christ I am free. In Christ I am connected to heaven. In Christ I can stand firm. In Christ my joy is complete. What I find interesting is how these statements flow

The six "I will" statements from Psalm 118

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1. vs 6 "I will not be afraid." 2. vs 7 "I will look in triumph on my enemies." 3. vs 17 "I will not die but live." 4. vs 17 "I will proclaim what the Lord has done." 5. vs 19 "I will enter and give thanks to the Lord." 6. vs 21 "I will give Him thanks." When a spiritual battle is raging around us, we need to remember who is with us. We need to keep our eyes focused on Christ. God is always with us, he is our helper when conflict and spiritual warfare is upon us. When we are steadfast in our faith, and focused completely on Jesus we will be able to say as the Psalmist has written, "I will..." In the name of the Lord, we will have victory over our enemies in this world, as we remember to say "I will..." 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.